Sergio Aguero Is Better Suited To Chelsea Than Manchester City

Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Denies Delivering Contract Ultimatum To Inter Midfielder Wesley Sneijder

Red Devils boss denies having said anything concerning a potential move for the Dutchman, and praises Tom Cleverley and David De Gea after a friendly victory over Barcelona

Mahmoud maher

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied that he delivered an ultimatum to Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The Serie A club's chief executive Ernesto Paolillo then hinted that the Dutchman could be sold, for the right price.

It was subsequently suggested that United may have put forward an offer to the midfielder.

"If he wants to come he must accept our contract offer," Sir Alex is quoted by The Mail on Sunday as saying.

"If not, we have other options in mind. We’re done talking."

However, the veteran boss has denied having made such remarks, and insists that there has been no progress on the Sneijder situation.

"Absolute nonsense," he said. "I have never discussed him. There is nothing new."

The Red Devils have, though, been reportedly on the lookout for a replacement to fill the void left by midfielder Paul Scholes, who hung up his boots at the end of last season.

But the ex-Manchester United man insists that, should Carlos Tevez stay at the club, the pair can forge a 'sensational' partnership

"It is an area we have to find a solution for," said Sir Alex.

"That is why we played Tom Cleverley today. Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game.

"He is a good footballer and was our best player today.

"His discipline was terrific. He is a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes.

"It was a big night for him. He is a big, strong possibility for us to start the season."

The Red Devils' boss also maintained that he had made the right decision by signing young goalkeeper David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar - who has retired from professional football.

"Replacing Edwin van der Sar is very difficult," said the Scot. "He was a great goalkeeper.

"But the benefit we have with De Gea is that he is only 20.

"The qualities that stood out for us are his great composure and use of the ball.

"He is quick and agile, which is something we banked on.

"When we assessed him I thought he was the right goalkeeper to take."

Sir Alex also revealed that striker Javier Hernandez has been cleared to fly back to England, having previously suffered a concussion in training after returning from international duty to join his club-mates on the pre-season tour of the USA.

"Javier is coming back with us," the manager said.

"He is fine. He won't play for a couple of weeks but that would have been the case anyway.

"He was always going to need a break until he got his fitness back.

"He will do some training, then we will have him back in three to four weeks."

Santos' Neymar defends Elano from criticism after missed penalty against Flamengo

Elano has come under fire following Wednesday's trick which made him miss a penalty kick, and the starlet has played down his teammate's decision despite the error

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Santos striker Neymar has come out in defence of teammate Elano after the latter missed a penalty against Flamengo.

Elano was called to the spot in Wednesday's league match against Flamengo after Neymar was brought down in the area five minutes from the break.

The former Manchester City man chipped the ball, an effort which was easily stopped by Flamengo goalkeeper Felipe, who stood still between the posts.

Had he scored, Santos would have gone up 4-2, and as the Copa Libertadores winners ended up losing the match 5-4, Elano has been heavily criticised for the way he took the penalty.

"People keep bugging, he was very important. I have been through that, in a final, but it is only by raising his head that he will overcome this. If he had scored, he would have left the match as a king," Neymar was quoted as saying after the match.

The Real Madrid target also praised the display of Flamengo's Ronaldinho, who bagged a hat-trick, but lamented that it came in a match against his club.

Porto has rejected 80 million euro for Hulk

The Portuguese champions have turned down a staggering offer for the highly sought after Brazilian striker, according to his representative, who has refused to reveal bidding clubs.

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Porto has knocked back an incredible 80 million euro offer for Brazilian superstar Hulk, according to the player's agent.

Teodoro Fonseca refused to reveal the identity of the club who had made the move for the forward, who has attracted attention from sides across Europe, including Manchester City and Chelsea.

A new contract agreed in May ties Hulk to the Portuguese side for another five years but the 25-year-old does have a 100 million euro release clause in his contract, which, if triggered, would make him the most expensive footballer in history.

Fonseca told Record: "I would be lying if I said there hadn't been offers for the signing of Hulk. I believe the highest was for 80 million euros, but FC Porto didn't even want to negotiate."

But the agent remained quiet as to which club had made the offer.

"That I can't reveal, but it wouldn't be difficult to guess because there are three or four clubs that are in conditions to pay those figures for a player," he said.

Hulk has been repeatedly linked with Chelsea since manager Andre Villas-Boas left the Europa League winners to take over at Stamford Bridge.

But Manchester City is also in the frame, as striker Carlos Tevez remains unhappy at the Etihad Stadium. However, the FA Cup winners have just recently signed Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero.

Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero signs for Manchester City

Forward Sergio Aguero has completed a switch to Manchester City from Atletico Madrid, the player has announced via Twitter.

"I am a City player already. I am happy to be at this club and in this city. Thank you everyone for the welcome and the reception !!!," Aguero tweeted.

The Argentina international flew to Manchester on Wednesday morning and spent the entire afternoon in talks with City to discuss his contract.

It is believed Aguero has signed a five-year deal with City worth around 225,000 euros per week, though neither club has so far confirmed any details about the transfer or the player's contract.

Goal.com understands that the player will cost City 43 million euros plus performance-related add-ons, which falls just shy of the 45 million euros release clause attached to his Atletico contract.

Aguero joined Atletico in 2006 after three years in Independiente's senior ranks, and quickly emerged as one of the game's most talented strikers.

During his time at the Spanish capital club, he helped Atletico win the 2009-10 Europa League and the following UEFA Super Cup, but such success did not prevent him from airing his wish for a new challenge at the end of the last season.

Real Madrid and Juventus were both thought to be leading the chase for Aguero's signature at first, but as neither side managed to come to an agreement with his employers, Manchester City came in quickly with their chequebook to sign the player.

The move is likely to signal the departure of compatriot Carlos Tevez to Inter, with the Serie A side understood to be in talks with City for a season-long loan.