Football news

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe his team will win an unprecedented five major trophies this season - even though he reckons the current squad is the best he's had.

United, who have already won the Club World Cup and English League Cup this term, are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and still have the chance to win both the FA Cup and the Champions League.

"The thing about Cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and I think it's asking too much for all the games to go your way," Ferguson said.

"The one thing I will say is, this squad is the best I have ever had."

Boca fans label Maradona a traitor

Being labelled a traitor by fans of his favourite club Boca Juniors had been deeply upsetting, Argentina coach Diego Maradona said.

"It hurt me in the soul that they have branded me a traitor but I can't do anything about it," he said.

The insults followed Boca playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme's decision last week to quit the Argentine national side, saying that he could not work with the coach. Riquelme was upset that Maradona made public comments about his playing style.

Before Sunday's game with Argentinos Juniors, Boca fans gave Riquelme a rapturous ovation and some banners described Maradona, who has always been treated as a hero at the club, as a traitor.

Hughes eyes long-term City future

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is confident of staying at Eastlands for a long time but he is not pushing the club's hierarchy for a contract extension.

Hughes has two years left on his current deal but speculation has been rife that City's billionaire owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, could consider replacing the Welshman in the summer.

"My future is the next two years here," Hughes said. "I have two years left on my contract.

"The view this season was to make progress and I think we've done that as a team. The chairman understands where we are."

Owen rues World Cup decision

Injury-prone England striker Michael Owen has admitted he should not have gone to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Owen, who suffered a serious knee injury which kept him out for 10 months during the finals, told the Newcastle-based Journal: "If you look at my time at Newcastle, the problems started when Paul Robinson landed on my foot against Tottenham just after Christmas.

"Loads of people get metatarsal injuries, but they are normally not as bad as mine. I then rushed my preparations for the World Cup. I played half a game for Newcastle.

"After being in plaster for so long, my leg was de-conditioned and with hindsight, I should never have gone to Germany with England."

Kahn set for Schalke manager role

Former Germany goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn looks set to be named as the new team manager of Schalke 04 after meeting with club officials yesterday.

The 39-year-old has already had several meetings in Gelsenkirchen to discuss replacing Andreas Mueller who was sacked last week.

"Above all, I want to work with a team," Kahn told Der Spiegel online.

"I would consider that very interesting, but whether one actually takes a role depends on many factors and facets."

Kahn, who captained Germany in the 2002 World Cup final, retired from Bundesliga football at the end of last season having led Bayern Munich to the German league title and German Cup double.

Aquilani keen to stay with Roma

Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani is not looking to quit Roma, according to the player's agent.

The 24-year-old has yet to reach agreement with the Serie A club over a new contract, sparking speculation that he could be considering a move elsewhere with Arsenal reported to be among the clubs that covet Aquilani.

But Aquilani's representative, Franco Zavaglia, said discussions with Roma president Rosella Sensi are progressing well.

"With Rosella Sensi there are no problems, we expect to finish these contract talks with Roma," Zavaglia said.

Rossi backs Floccari to shine for Italy

Italy legend Paolo Rossi has tipped Atalanta striker Sergio Floccari to become one of the country's leading strikers.

The 27-year-old has scored 12 goals in 26 appearances this season and is reportedly in line for a call-up to the next Italy squad.

When asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport who could be the key for the Azzurri in the future, Rossi replied: "I have no doubts. Sergio Floccari of Atalanta. He didn't seem concrete enough before, but he has certainly become so. He is quick, technical and knows how to come from deep."

Rossi, who helped Italy win the World Cup in 1982, plumped for Milan's Filippo Inzaghi when asked which of the current Italian strikers resembled him most.

"I was a little like Pippo Inzaghi in the area, a lot of people say that. But I was born a winger, so I am perhaps similar to Cagliari's Robert Acquafresca," Rossi said.