Marseille boss Didier Deschamps admitted his team flopped in front of Sir Alex Ferguson on Sunday as the Manchester United boss scouted his Champions League opponents.
Marseille drew 0-0 at relegation-haunted Monaco, a result which left the French champions in fifth place.
“We had nothing, just like the result of the match. We were lacking in too many areas to take the three points,” said Deschamps, whose side host United in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash on February 23.
“After what I saw in training in the week, I expected a lot more. We were slow in spirit and body.”
Da Silva joins Real Zaragoza
Defender Paulo Da Silva has completed his transfer from Sunderland to Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza.
The Paraguay World Cup player moved to the Stadium of Light from Mexican club Toluca in the summer of 2009 and made 20 appearances during his first season on Wearside.
But the 30-year-old has found opportunities harder to come by this season. A statement on the Sunderland website said: “Paraguayan defender Paulo Da Silva has joined Spanish side Real Zaragoza.
“Real have paid an undisclosed fee for the 30-year-old, who impressed for his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.”
Tottenham deny Aguero rumours
Sergio Aguero signed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid yesterday amid speculation that he was a deadline-day target for Tottenham.
The Argentina forward, 22, has agreed a two-and-a-half-year extension to his existing deal.
However, the new deal is thought to reduce the buy-out clause in the player’s contract. Spurs were reported to have matched the amount payable in the clause – said to be £38.5 million – but tax issues were claimed to be preventing a deal from progressing.
“Sergio Aguero? No. I don’t know anything at all about that one,” Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said.
City to make County complaint
Notts County are likely to receive a written complaint from Manchester City after another sexism row allegedly blew up as the teams met in the FA Cup on Sunday.
City are to send a formal letter of complaint to County after a senior official was denied access to the area around the dressing rooms at Meadow Lane.
Vicky Kloss, City’s director of communications, was attempting to make contact with manager Roberto Mancini ahead of his TV interviews before the FA Cup tie when she was told by a steward she would not be allowed into the players’ tunnel.
City claimed she was told she was being denied entry because she is a woman, which Notts County deny.
Cavani focused on league position
Edinson Cavani insists his priority is to help Napoli finish as high as possible in Serie A.
Cavani scored his second league hat-trick of the season to fire Napoli to a 4-0 triumph over Sampdoria.
His heroics on Sunday saw the Uruguay forward climb to the top of goalscoring charts in Italy’s top flight with 16 goals, two more than Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale.
Cavani said: “I think there are more important things than to win the Capocannonieri award for the most prolific scorer in Serie A.
“Above all, I think of the team even though as a striker I am sometimes selfish because I have to be by nature.
“I work a lot in order to achieve important things and to see that hard training pays off, is a very nice feeling.”
Keane can lift us – Grant
Manager Avram Grant believes new signing Robbie Keane can be the catalyst which saves West Ham from relegation.
Keane watched West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday as they defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 to go through to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they face another home tie against Championship opposition in the shape of Burnley.
And while striker Victor Obinna scored a hat-trick for the Hammers it was the capture of Keane, on an initial loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, which excited Grant.
Grant, who has heard how Keane can inspire a dressing room from his pal, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, said: “He (Keane) is not just a good player, he is a good character that we need in the next 14 games.”
Action matters to Lindegaard
Anders Lindegaard had no intention of inheriting Edwin van der Sar’s number one shirt – he just wants his place in the Manchester United team.
Lindegaard enjoyed a winning debut on Saturday as United came from behind to book an FA Cup fifth round tie with non-league Crawley by beating Southampton.
“I am never going to play number one,” Lindegaard said. “I don’t like it.
“But don’t be mistaken by that. I definitely want to be the number one choice. I have not come here just to pick my nose.
“I just know I am good enough. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t be here.”