Football news

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has pleaded with the club’s fans not to bombard Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with obscene chants when the teams face off at Old Trafford on Monday.

United’s fans regularly subject Wenger to an avalanche of abuse when the two clubs meet, but Ferguson has said the offensive chanting has to stop.

“I plead to our fans. They have got to stop that kind of thing,” Ferguson told MUTV. “I have faced it myself in the past. I have had some chants at various grounds up and down the country and it is not a nice thing.

“We have a great rivalry with Arsenal. But it shouldn’t extend to those levels, not for Manchester United. I hope we don’t hear any more of that.”

Blazevic takes over China’s Olympic team

China named Croatia’s Miroslav Blazevic the new head coach of its Olympic football team yesterday, state media reported.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is bringing Blazevic in after the team’s poor performance at the Asian Games in Guangzhou last month. He replaces Chinese coach Sun Wei.

Blazevic signed a two-year contract with the CFA, which expires in December 2012, Xinhua said. Li Bing was named assistant coach.

Blazevic, who coached Croatia to third place in the 1998 World Cup, led the Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua to third place this year.

Keegan lashes at Newcastle owners

Ex-Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan blasted the sacking of Chris Hughton as St James’ Park manager and warned Geordie fans that the club was heading nowhere.

Keegan said that as long as Mike Ashley remains the owner, the club will continue to tread water.

“Chris Hughton’s shock departure has once again demonstrated that Newcastle need some stability, but you will never get stability when you have Mike Ashley and (managing director) Derek Llambias running the club,” Keegan told ESPN.

“Ashley has made no secret that he wants to sell Newcastle, and the best day will come when someone buys it from him and runs Newcastle like that club should be run.”

Brown takes over at Aberdeen

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown was named as the new manager of struggling Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen after a bitter parting from rivals Motherwell.

The 70-year-old Brown, who led the Scots to Euro 96 as well as the 1998 World Cup, has taken his assistant Archie Knox with him to Pittordie after both men resigned from Fir Park late Thursday.

Motherwell accused Aberdeen of a “gross discourtesy” and chairman John Boyle called for the Dons to delay the appointment until after the two teams meet at Pittordie on December 18.

Brown and Knox will be officially unveiled tomorrow.

No Inter contact says Spalletti

Luciano Spalletti has again stated that he had no contact from Italian champions Inter amid increasing speculation that he will replace Rafa Benitez at Inter.

The Italian media continue to maintain there is only a very slim chance Benitez will remain in charge of the Nerazzuri even if he leads the side to victory in the Club World Cup this month.

Spalletti is the hot favourite to take over in January or June, but the former Roma boss is adamant that is not the case.

“I am very happy in Russia and will not leave,” Spalletti assured.

“I have had no contact with Inter or any other European clubs. I have a project with Zenit and am already working for next season.”

Beattie fears Miller exit

James Beattie believes the departure of Kenny Miller in January would damage Rangers’ title hopes.

The Scotland striker has notched 19 goals this season to help the Govan club to the top of the Scottish Premier League and into the last 32 of the Europa League.

However, it was reported yesterday that Miller, in the last year of his current contract, is set to leave Ibrox when the upcoming transfer window opens after talks about a new deal broke down.

“I didn’t know there was any speculation but it would be a tremendous loss to the club,” Beattie said.

“To lose any of your top players would be a blow but I’m sure the club is doing everything they can to keep him.”

De Gea keen on United move

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea has opened the door for talks with Manchester United in the summer.

De Gea, 20, has been widely linked with a move to Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson seeks to identify Edwin van der Sar’s successor.

A deal to sign 26-year-old Denmark international Anders Lindegaard from Aalesunds was completed last month, but he is thought more likely to have been brought in as back-up.

“I know Sir Alex Ferguson has already looked at me,” De Gea said. “My contract runs until mid-2013. After this season, we should look at what happens. Whoever wants to talk can come and talk.”