''This United team will go down in history'', says Cristiano Ronaldo

London, May 24 : Portuguese and Manchester United star striker Cristiano Ronaldo describes club manager Alex Ferguson as a second father to him, and believes the current team will go down in football history as one of the best.

Ronaldo, who has attracted attention of late for his tantrums and his flirtation with Real Madrid, is absolutely confident about Manchester United nailing Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday.

The European and World Player of the Year has chosen the build-up to this week''s epic Champions League showdown in Rome as the moment to pledge his heart, body and soul to Manchester United, reports News of The World.

Ronaldo declares: "This is my home now. I think even when I say my heart is here, people are still going to speak and make things up. But this is where I want to play. We are part of an era that can go down in history for the way we are playing and for the trophies we are winning. The boss believes in this team and so do I. And this is where I want to be. Manchester United is now my house."

Sir Alex Ferguson interrupted his holiday last summer to have a heart-to-heart with Ronaldo as the pressure from Madrid seemed sure to pay dividends. At the time, it was suggested Ronaldo was not happy with Ferguson''s stance. Now, it seems to have strengthened the bond between the two.

Ronaldo explains: "He is two different people and they have both helped me become who I am today. Firstly, he is probably the most knowledgeable football coach in the world. I learn from him every day. No matter how good I become, I know he is a man who will always be able to teach me that little bit more. I don''t get tired of learning from him because I know every bit of advice he gives me will make me a better player. The second person he is, is a father to me. Ever since I joined Manchester United, he has been like a second father to me. And I don''t just respect him, I have the affection for him a child has for his father. When he gives me advice that is non-football, I listen because it will make me a better person."

He explained: "That is the goal, to always get better. And the manager we have here is not the sort of man to say ''right you are good enough now, don''t try and get any better''. He is a winner and he wants all of us to get better and works with us all individually to make sure that happens. If you look at somebody like Ryan Giggs, he keeps working to get better even at his age and he keeps winning. Maybe as you get older your game changes and you have to adapt your style but I don''t think I am quite there yet.”

He recalled: "When I was growing up, Luis Figo was the biggest player in Portugal. Luis was his own player who had belief in himself and that is what he has taught me. When I was 17 and with the national squad, he came up to me after the first training session and said that some of the things I did with a football, he had never seen anybody in the world do before. It is that sort of belief in you that gives you the confidence. I decided then only to have my own style of play. I don''t want to imitate anybody, individuality is everything to me." (ANI)

Man U’s Rio Ferdinand says he will be ready for Champions League final

London, May 21: Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has revealed there is “no chance” of him not being fit enough to start the Champions League final despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s assertion that the defender’s involvement is in serious doubt because of a calf injury.

“I’m fine. I have trained with the ball today and done some running, so I’m doing all the movements I need to be doing before a game. I haven’t even thought about not playing in the final. It’s as simple as that – no chance,” he added.

The player’s optimistic assessment was in stark contrast to Ferguson’s own take on the subject only a few hours earlier when Manchester United’s manager told reporters that Ferdinand might not be able to start against Barcelona because of the problem that has led to him missing him the last three matches.

Ferguson spoke extensively about the possibility of Jonny Evans partnering Nemanja Vidic in Rome next Wednesday, and said Ferdinand would not be ready for the starting XI unless he proved his fitness in Sunday''s game at Hull City.

Ferdinand, however, was able to take part in a full training session yesterday with no reaction and, even if he does not play on Sunday, he insists it would have no bearing on his availability four days later.

“You’ll have to ask the manager but, physically, I’d be able to do it, no problem,” The Guardian quoted him, as syaing.

The injury, according to Ferguson, should usually take 10 to 14 days to clear up, and Ferdinand suffered it during a training session 12 days ago.

Ukraine celebrates Shakhtar Donetsk victory in UEFA Cup

Kiev - Celebrations broke out across Ukraine early Thursday morning in the wake of Donetsk Shakhtar's win in the UEFA Cup tournament.

An estimated 5,000 fans took to the streets in the capital of Ukraine's industrial heartland Donetsk to cheer their side's 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen.

Crowds in Donetsk's central square chanted "Shakhtar Chempion!" (Shakhtar is Champion!) as automobiles - many flying flying black-and-orange Shakhtar colours - drove by with horns blaring, Channel 5 television reported.

Smaller spontaneous street parties took place in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and even in the western provincial centre Lviv, a region usually politically opposed to Donetsk.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, on hand in Istanbul to cheer Donetsk on from VIP seating, was among the first officials to praise the first-ever European silverware win by a club based in independent Ukraine.

"You have given joy to millions of your countrymen," Yushchenko said. "Today the entire country will celebrate your victory with you."

The irony of Yushchenko's declaration, made public by his administration, was lost on few Ukrainian football fans, as the Ukrainian President has long talked of his life-long support of Shakhtar's arch-rival Dynamo Kiev.

Ukraine's chronic and frequently vicious political in-fighting seemed forgotten later on Thursday morning, as Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko - Yushchenko's inveterate rival and fiercest critic - joined the president to praise Shakhtar.

"I thank you, boys, for your peerless gameplay, and for a fantastic holiday," she told Kiev reporters. "You have given our nation a true triumph!"

Frequently an opponent of Donetsk's pro-Russia politicians, Tymoshenko said that on game night she was among Shakhtar's most devoted fans.

"(My family and I sat together and held hands and cheered, we worried, and at the 97th minute, when the score became 2-1 in our favour, it was so wonderful. I don't know what our neighbours thought, but we shouted, whistled, and sang," Tymoshenko said, according to an Interfax report.

"I hope those who are not football fans will forgive me, but yesterday for two whole hours I was able to forget about the financial crisis, about International Monetatary Fund credits, and about politics. Yesterday football ruled the country," she said.

Ukrainian media echoed Tymoshenko's celebratory tone, with the Inter television calling Shakhtar's victory "A historical event, a great achievement for all Ukraine and all Ukrainians."

But some fans in the former Soviet republic, true to the Ukrainian folk tradition of caution even during the greatest success, early on Thursday were seeing a downside.

"Probably now there will be a wave of offers from major European sides," wrote Volod95 in a comment on a Korrespondent web magazine. "One can only hope our sides can hold their teams together, and that (players) won't fall for big money."

Shakhtar owner Rinat Akhmetov, according to Forbes magazine Ukraine's wealthiest citizen, will pay each Donetsk player a cool half million euros (650,000 dollars) for the UEFA win, Interfax reported.

Barca’s Lionel Messi takes a swipe at Man U’s Ronaldo

London, May 20 : Barcelona's Argentine football star Lionel Messi has had a dig at Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Champions League final, saying: It's not about you and me.

Messi, 21, said: "Nobody plays to be the best player in the world. This is a team game. I don't see it as a tussle between Cristiano and me. It will be a Barca-Manchester battle. What is important is that Barcelona are champions of Europe on May 27 in Rome."

"If we are champions it will certainly help me, but this is secondary," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Messi's words will not be lost on Ronaldo.

The Portugal star was criticised for caring more about himself than the team after his strop when subbed in the Manchester derby.

Boss Alex Ferguson wanted to rest Ronaldo after securing a 2-0 cushion but the winger wanted to stay on and beat Nicolas Anelka to the Premier League top scorer gong.

Messi has an even bigger prize in sight. Barcelona has already won the Double in Spain and he is now eyeing a Treble to match United's triumph in 1999.

Juventus feel close to signing Diego

Rome - Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has expressed optimism about the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Diego from German side Werder Bremen.

"Now we hope to continue (the negotiations) and put the stamps on legal papers by early June," the ANSA news agency Thursday quoted Cobolli Gigli as saying.

"Stamps are a formality. The news from the footballer and other clubs confirm the validity of the negotiations done by (Juve director general Jean-Claude) Blanc and
(sporting director Alessio) Secco."

Bayern Munich, who had also set their sights on the 24-year-old international, said they are no longer after Diego.

"Diego is certainly a great champion," Cobolli Gigli said. "He is a young player with great class and his arrival will imply a change in (Juve's) game tactics.

"(Coach Claudio) Ranieri has considered this and he is ready to tackle what is more than a possibility. It's virtually a certainty.

"I saw him play and I think he is a player who can add something to Juve, effectively siding with our great champions."

The UEFA Cup and German cup finalists Bremen last week confirmed talks with Juve, who will likely have to pay around 25 million euros (34 million dollars) for the playmaker.

Valencia playmaker Silva out for rest of season

Madrid - Valencia playmaker David Silva will be out of action for between two and three weeks after tearing the abductor tendon in his left leg in Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Real Madrid, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

In effect, this means that the season is over for Silva, who scored one goal and set up another in the thrashing of Real.

The elegant Silva, 23, starred for Spain at Euro 2008 but this season he has been plagued by various injuries. It is rumoured that Italian giants Juventus and other big clubs are interested in him.

The defeat of Real has left Valencia fourth in La Liga with three games remaining, just one point above Atletico Madrid, their next opponents. (dpa)

Bielefeld's Schuler set for scoring drought record

Hamburg - Markus Schuler is set to become the most unsuccessful goalscorer in Bundesliga history if the Arminia Bielefeld defender fails to find the net again on Wednesday.

Schuler on the weekend equalled the record of 180 top-flight games without a goal Borussia Moenchengladbach's Thomas Eichin set in the late 1980s and 1990s.

He will be in sole possession of the record on Wednesday with 181 scoreless games since a Bundesliga debut if he doesn't find the net against TSG Hoffenheim either.

"I can live with this record," said Schuler, who played in Hanover before joining Bielefeld. "Maybe I will be allowed to attempt a penalty when nothing is at stake."

Schuler scored three goals as a lower-league player early in his career, and came close twice in the Bundesliga. He almost beat mighty Oliver Kahn with an intended cross, and Fredi Bobic gave his shot which would have gone in a final touch. (dpa)

Chelsea seek answer from Milan boss Ancelotti

London - Chelsea representatives have met with AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to discuss him becoming manager of the Premier League club next season, British news reports said on Tuesday.

The Guardian reported that club officials travelled to Milan on Monday for face-to-face talks after Ancelotti suggested he would prefer to remain at San Siro.

"We are finishing the season very well, results are coming and we are more consistent," he said on Monday.

"I am AC Milan's manager and I will be doing this job for some time."

Ancelotti, who won the Champions League twice in eight seasons with Milan, is believed to be the preferred choice of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to succeed Guus Hiddink when his temporary spell in charge ends after the season.

He rejected the west London club last summer, though, and it is feared he may do so again.

Hiddink has rejuvenated Chelsea, but has commitments with the Russia national team.

Striker Tevez admits his future lies away from Manchester United

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has admitted that his future lies away from Old Trafford.

The Argentina forward, who has been in and out of the United team this season, told Sunday's edition of the News of the World that he is likely to leave the English Premier League club in the summer.

"I don't think I'll be a United player next season," he said. "I've done everything I possibly can but they have never made me an offer or given me a contract.

"I have not been treated as a member of the family. The fans treat me like family but United have not signed me so they don't respect me as a footballer."

Tevez joined United in the summer of 2007 on a two-year loan deal from West Ham United which ends this summer.

Tottenham defender King arrested for alleged assault, BBC says

London - Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King was arrested in the early hours of Sunday for alleged assault outside a London nightclub, according to the BBC.

The England player was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, the report said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman was quoted as saying: "A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ABH following an allegation of assault by a man in his twenties."

"The 28-year-old man remains in custody. Charing Cross CID are investigating. The man was arrested after a routine patrol was flagged down."

King had earlier Saturday played for Tottenham in their 0-0 draw with Everton at Goodison Park. (dpa)

The two worlds of Mario Gomez

Hamburg - Mario Gomez was the Bundesliga hero again with a four-goal show in VfB Stuttgart's 4-1 drubbing of league leaders VfL Wolfsburg.

"Gomez gigantic," titled the Bild am Sonntag paper, while other Sunday headlines ranged from "Super Mario makes the wolves howl" to "Gomez kills wolves."

Gomez raised his season tally to 23 goals to draw even with Wolfsburg's Bundesliga top scorer Grafite. No other Stuttgart player has scored so many goals in one season, not even Giovane Elber and Kevin Kuranyi.

The big win on Saturday threw the title race wide open with Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich on 60 points each, Hertha Berlin on 59 and Stuttgart on 58.

"We always have the maximum possible target and if we can avoid any defeats, then we will stay exactly where we are now, or maybe even move further up the table," said Gomez.

While the whole of Stuttgart dreams of another surprise Bundesliga title like in 2007, Gomez' latest super show will again raise questions why he shines in the club shirt only and not in the Germany kit.

"I will probably be the main topic of discussion for the rest of the week now, so I'm happy that the next game is already on Wednesday," he said.

The 23-year-old was wildly jeered a few weeks ago when taken out in a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

His scoreless run in the national team covers 15 matches and 733 minutes. The fans have been unforgiving ever since he missed from point blank range against Austria at Euro 2008.

Germany coach Joachim Loew insists that Gomez is "an outstanding player" and believes that "he will score again in the national team" as the 2010 World Cup draws closer.

Gomez is not the first player who has been unable to transform his club form to the country level. In cosy Stuttgart, he has the full support of everyone and is a key player for coach Markus Babbel.

Babbel says that Gomez is "in the form of his life," but his scoring spree has also led to speculation whether he will stay in Stuttgart beyond the summer or leave for a bigger club such as Bayern Munich or a top club from England or Spain.

Gomez has a contract until 2012 but can leave for 35 million euros (48 million dollars). The decision will largely depend on whether the team makes the Champions League or not when the season ends May 23.

"Gomez stands at a crossroads. Will Stuttgart, considered plain by many, become too small for him or is he only capable there of such great showings as against Wolfsburg," said Stern magazine on its website. (dpa)