Manchester United's Paul Scholes says Liverpool still 'right up there' as rival

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes is in no doubt that Liverpool are still a major rival for his club.

With the clubs being the two most successful in the history of English football, clashes between them have traditionally been major fixtures in the season calendar.
Liverpool have not featured in the Premier League title race for the last few years, though, and ahead of Sunday's meeting at Old Trafford, the gap between them in eighth place and Sir Alex Ferguson's table-toppers is 21 points.
 However, as far as veteran United midfielder Scholes is concerned, the rivalry between the North West foes remains fierce.
Asked where Liverpool currently feature among the Red Devils' biggest rivalries, Scholes told Inside United: "I think it was the top one for quite some while.
"Liverpool probably haven't done as well as they'd have liked over the last few years - and they'd probably admit that.
"But it's definitely still right up there, it'll always be right up there."
While it has been Manchester City - the reigning champions - and Chelsea battling United for the league title in recent campaigns, Scholes has no doubt Liverpool "historically are our biggest rivals".
He said: "Whether Manchester City have overtaken Liverpool now (as United's biggest rivals), I don't know...it'll probably take years for City to create what Liverpool have done.
"But Liverpool historically are our biggest rivals, they're always the biggest games and the best atmospheres. But I'm sure City will run them close."
Meanwhile, Scholes has spoken of how glad he is that he decided to come out of retirement, with a year having now passed since his comeback appearance against City.
"I just wanted to come back playing, and I'm glad I did," the 38-year-old said. "At the time there were a lot of injuries and I thought maybe I could help, so I tried to.
"The second half of last season I played quite often. Unfortunately we just fell short of winning the league; that was disappointing, but I'm glad I came back."
Manchester Utd v Liverpool is live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday. For more details click

Roberto Mancini reckons Robin van Persie could deny Manchester City the title

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is the difference between the two teams at the moment.

Van Persie chose United over title rivals City when he left Arsenal in a reported £22m deal last summer.
Mancini has previously admitted he was interested in signing the 29-year-old but has only now indicated how strongly City pursued him.
The Italian said: "We wanted Van Persie because we knew he could be an important player.
"He is totally different from our other strikers. We wanted him for the Champions League and for the Premier League.

"I think Van Persie, for United, is an important player. It is clear he changed this situation. In this moment, the difference is this."
Roberto ManciniQuotes of the week

"We were very close. We were sure he was for us but this did not happen and now we can do nothing. We were very close three or four months before he joined United.
"I think Van Persie, for United, is an important player. It is clear he changed this situation. In this moment, the difference is this."
Mancini has often bemoaned the output of his own strikers in recent weeks.
Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli have all struggled for goals of late - a problem highlighted in the shock Boxing Day loss at Sunderland.
Dzeko responded by scoring twice at Norwich on Saturday and Aguero was also on target in a 4-3 win.
Mancini insists he retains faith in his attacking options even though he did not get the player he wanted last summer.
He said: "I am happy, very happy. Last year we were the team that scored the most goals in the Premier League.
"But when you can improve your team with another top player, this is important.
"With Van Persie we would play with three strikers sometimes."

 

Aston Villa rubbish reports claiming they are keen on Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho

Sky Sports understands that Aston Villa have been left bemused by links to Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho.

Quotes attributed to Coutinho's agent, Cacau Barbosa, on Thursday suggested that the winger was a top target for Villa during the January transfer window.
While pointing out that no deal had been agreed, Barbosa claimed that the Premier League club had enquired as to the winger's availability.
Villa have informed Sky Sports that this is not the case, with no approach having been made.
Paul Lambert is in the market for new recruits, but Coutinho is not considered to be a name towards the top of his wish list.
It is possible that Countinho will be on the move during the current window, as the Brazilian is out of favour at Inter, but any imminent switch to Villa Park would appear to be unlikely.

THIS JANUARY TRANSFER TOTTENHAM STRATEGY.

Andre Villas-Boas has played down reports linking him with a bid for Leandro Damiao, saying it is "unlikely" the Brazil striker will move to Tottenham this month.

Emmanuel Adebayor's decision to go to the Africa Cup of Nations with Togo prompted speculation that Spurs would step up their bid for the 23-year-old Internacional player.
But though Adebayor's absence leaves Villas-Boas with just one recognised striker in Jermain Defoe, the Tottenham manager cooled expectation of an imminent arrival.
"Leandro is a player we've always appreciated, that this club appreciated before I arrived, but it's extremely difficult that he's going to join Tottenham," Villas-Boas said.
"He's a player that is highly rated in the market, and it's unlikely that he will play for Tottenham."
Damiao, rated at £20m, has impressed since joining Internacional in 2009 and was Brazil's top scorer at the London Olympics.

MANCHESTER UNITED FACE LIVERPOOL THIS WEEKEND

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Manchester United's home date with Liverpool on Sunday will make headlines for all the right reasons.

The last time the two old adversaries met at Old Trafford in the Premier League, the game was overshadowed by Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra.
Those differences were put aside during a meeting at Anfield in September, and it is hoped the issue can now be laid to rest.
Ferguson is looking for that to be the case, with the United boss eager for focus to be returned to footballing matters ahead of an eagerly-anticipated north west derby.
"There will always be a certain build-up to a Manchester United-Liverpool game, simply because of the history between the two clubs, the two most successful in the country," Ferguson told Inside United.
"It brings its own agenda in terms of profile and pre-match discussion.
"Last year it was unfortunate with the Suarez behaviour.
"I think hopefully it is behind both clubs now and we can just look forward to the game."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also been looking ahead to United's forthcoming UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid - which will see the Red Devils line up against a familiar face.
Cristiano Ronaldo built his reputation at Old Trafford, but has gone on to scale even greater heights since leaving for Spain in 2009 - according to Ferguson.
"Maturity brings many things," said the Scot.
"When I went to see them play against (Manchester) City, some of his decision making in terms of passing was brilliant. One-touch passing, good crosses.
"In the six years we had him, you just saw his game grow all the time, and he was a fantastic player.
"Now you see the complete player.
"His decision-making, his maturity, his experience, plus all the great skills he has got, they all make him the complete player."
Manchester Utd v Liverpool is live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday. For more details click here

SIKU CHALSEA ILIPOANGUKIA PUA KWA SWANSEA

WASHABIKI UNGEREZA WAANDAMANA KWA BEI ZA TIKETI

VAN PERSIE Goooooooooooool

Arsene Wenger remains determined to keep Theo Walcott at Arsenal

 

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reiterated his desire to keep Theo Walcott at the club following the England forward's hat-trick in the stunning 7-3 win over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger once again insisted after the game that Walcott will not be leaving during the January transfer window and remains hopeful he will sign an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
"The club loves Theo, Theo loves the club and trust me reciprocal love is difficult to find," said Wenger.
"He was man of the match, but the intensity of my desire is the same as it would have been if he had had a disastrous game: I want him to extend his contract and I'm hopeful he will.

"Theo showed what he can do, but there was also a new determination about him and a desire to run into the box.
"I know he can only get stronger. He is an intelligent player and because of that intelligence, he will continue to improve."
Walcott has scored four goals and won one decisive penalty in the three games he has started up front - a position he has asked to play in - and he now has 14 goals for the season.
"I hope something will be sorted soon," he said. "I enjoy playing in whatever position but it was just telling the manager to give me the opportunities to play up front.
"I'm not saying I'm always going to play up front but it's just showing what I can do but hopefully I've opened a few eyes and it's just a different option. Hopefully, I can start to take it a bit more often now.

Sir alex says Nani will not leave Manchester United

 

 

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists Nani will not be sold during the January transfer window.

There have been suggestions that the Portuguese winger could be on his way out of Old Trafford after failing to command a regular starting place this season.
Arsenal have been linked with the 26-year-old, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, but Ferguson has dashed their hopes.
"We won't be letting him go. We need a Nani," said the Scot.

"He's got a future here. Why would I want to let him go?"
Ferguson on NaniQuotes of the week

"His contract isn't up for a year and a half. He offers something different from the other players. He's an incredible talent, the boy.
"Unfortunately, he's injured at the moment. We have sent him over to Dubai for a break, to help him in his recovery.
"He's not far away but he's far enough away. I don't think I will get him until the middle of January.
"He's got a future here. Why would I want to let him go?" 

KWELI DUNIA IMEVAA SKIRT.

                                               

Hivi ni picha zilizopigwa maeneo tofauti ya jijini zikionesha harakati za wanawake wakati wa usiku,tahadhari na sikukuu za mwisho wa mwaka na gonjwa baya la ukimwi.

MANCHESTER UNITED WIN 4-3,MANCHESTER CITY LOST 1-0

 

 

TAIFA STARS YASHINDA DHIDI YA ZAMBIA

 

Mchezaji wa Taifa Stars Mrisho Ngasa akishangilia na kupongezwa na wenzake mara baada ya kufunga goli la mkwanza katika mchezo huo.

Wachezaji wa Taifa Stars wakitoka nje ya uwanja kwa mapumziko baada ya kipindi cha kwanza kuisha kwenye uwanja wa Taifa.

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MAHAFALI YA NANE YA SUZA YAFANA

matukio-michuzi: MAHAFALI YA NANE YA SUZA YAFANA:   Wanataaluma wa Chuo Kikuu cha Taifa cha Zanzibar  (SUZA) wa fani mbali mbali wakiwa katika maandamano ya sherehe za  mahafali ya nane y...

VAN PERSIE ANASHINDILIA MSUMARI WA MWISHO DHIDI MANCHESTER CITY.

 

CHELSEA WIN.

Fernando Torres scored twice as Chelsea warmed up for the Club World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

HATIMA YA TAIFA STARS YA TANZANIA IKO WAPI?

KILA MTU ALIKUWA ANAJIVUNIA KUWA NI MTANZANIA

 

ILIKUWA MTU KUWA NA JEZI YA TIMU YA TAIFA NI DILI NA UJANJA.

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TIMU YA TAIFA YA TANZANIA, NYEUPE KWA SASA.

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