Sir Alex Ferguson has once again reaffirmed his backing for the Glazer family ownership of Manchester United.
“There is a misconception about the Glazers buying the club,” he said.
“It created hostility and different factions but you forget, the minute it became a PLC someone was going to buy it.
“The Glazers did buy it.
“And in my time with them – they were nothing but supportive – very strong, single-minded people but always supportive of the manager and the things that happen in the club.”
Uruguay with 12 men on one caution
A dozen Uruguay players, including striker Edinson Cavani, are on the verge of suspension with one yellow card to their names going into their final World Cup qualifiers this month.
Uruguay play away to Ecuador on October 11 in the tough, high-altitude Atahualpa arena in Quito and can ill afford to lose players for their last qualifier at home to Argentina at the Centenario in Montevideo four days later.
Other veterans of Uruguay’s fourth place at the 2010 finals in South Africa who are one booking away from suspension include right-back Maxi Pereira and midfielders Diego Perez, Walter Gar-gano and Alvaro Pereira.
Klopp banned for two games
Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has been banned for two matches by UEFA following his outburst during their 2-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League last month, the club said.
Klopp, who has already sat out one game when he watched from the stands on Tuesday as his team crushed Marseille 3-0 in the Champions League, will now also be in the tribune for their Group F game at Arsenal on October 22.
The German coach was sent off in Naples two weeks ago after angrily confronting the fourth official for not letting his defender Neven Subotic back on to the pitch quickly after an injury break, allowing Napoli to score in the meantime.
Torres ruled out for three weeks
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will be out for three weeks after suffering a knee injury in the 4-0 Champions League Group E victory over Steaua Bucharest in Romania, the club said.
The Spanish international sustained medial collateral ligament damage to his left knee in Tuesday’s game.
The injury comes as a blow to Torres who has recently begun to show glimpses of the form that persuaded Chelsea to pay £50 million for him in January 2011.
The three-week lay-off rules Torres out of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Belarus on October 11 and Georgia four days later.
No Prandelli ban for Balotelli
Cesare Prandelli has no intention of ditching Mario Balotelli for the qualifiers against Denmark and Armenia despite his ban.
The Italy coach had previously dropped players who were suspended for breaching the ‘code of ethics’, and Balotelli’s three-match ban for insulting the referee would fall into that remit.
However, Prandelli sees no need to impose further punishment on Balotelli.
“Balotelli sat out his ban and paid for his actions, so not calling him for Italy would be adding further punishment to the one he already had,” Prandelli said.
“Milan were exemplary in not appealing against the ban. Am I angry with Mario? Yes, like all those who care about him are.”
Benitez turns down Rami loan
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has reportedly dismissed the idea of signing French defender Adil Rami on loan from Valencia in January.
Rami was recently suspended by the La Liga club for publicly criticising his team-mates and coach.
According to AS, Amadeo Salvo, the president of Valencia, made the unofficial proposal to Benitez after attending Arsenal’s Champions League match against Napoli in London earlier this week.
Although he had previously shown an interest in the player, it is understood that Benitez is not keen to make another bid for the out-of-favour Frenchman.
Arteta calms ‘invincible’ talk
Mikel Arteta has moved to play down talk of Arsenal’s current squad being compared to the Invincibles.
While Arsenal appear set to mount a sustained challenge for honours once again, Spanish midfielder Arteta feels suggestions they are ready to dominate in the way of Wenger’s all-conquering squad of 2003-04 are somewhat premature.
“I don’t think we are at that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great thing because it raises the level,” said Arteta, who has recovered from a thigh problem to return to the side.
“If you don’t play well for one or two games, then you can be dropped.”