Teddy Sheringham is worried that Wayne Rooney could one day seriously injure himself because of his all-action style...
Legendary Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham, who famously downed Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final with a last minute goal and then an even later assist, has explained that English powerhouse forward Wayne Rooney risks an injury similar to the one that Paul Gascoigne sustained nearly two decades ago due to his unapologetic battling bulldog spirit.
In the 65th minute of England's 2-1 victory over visiting Ukraine on Wednesday evening, Rooney challenged Oleksandr Aliyev, but followed through on the player once he won the ball.
In the aftermath of the game, Sheringham believes Rooney needs to start exercising caution.
The former England international told This Is London, "Wayne won the ball but the actual follow-through is terrible and on three fronts he was lucky.
"First of all he didn't injure the player badly, secondly he didn't get sent off, and thirdly he could have injured himself.
"It was similar to how ‘Gazza’ did his knee and he was never the same," Sheringham warned. “He could end his career with a challenge like that.”
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
Blog Traffics
Friday, April 3, 2009
Teddy Sheringham: England Ace Wayne Rooney Could Follow The Fate Of Gascoigne
Monday, March 30, 2009
England Coach Capello Envisages Free Roles For Rooney & Gerrard
The Italian wants his two stars to continue to express themselves when England have the ball...
England coach Fabio Capello has revealed that he intends both Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard to play in 'free roles' when their side is in possession.
Gerrard lined up nominally on the left during yesterday's 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia at Wembley, with Rooney playing just off main striker Emile Heskey. The two men interchanged at will though, and roamed about the pitch to good effect, with Rooney scoring two goals.
"I want Rooney and Gerrard to be very free to move around when we have the ball," the Italian told Sky Sports News.
"That is the way I want them to play. I am very happy when Rooney plays.
"He is different to the other players and has always done well with the national team. I was sure he would score goals for us. I told him some things about the movement he needed to do in front of goal.
"But he is a very big talent. He can do everything."
Capello also revealed that it was always his intention to withdraw Steve Gerrard and Aaron Lennon from the action at half-time, protecting them for future challenges, something which perhaps hints at starting role for the Tottenham Hotspur man on Wednesday night against Ukraine.
"I decided before the game that Lennon would play until half-time and it was the same with Gerrard," he explained.
"They are both in fantastic form so I didn't want to play them too much. I want them to be fresh for the next game.
"Lennon in particular I tried to protect. He is so quick and sometimes when they are playing against someone like that, the defenders will try to bring them down."
Meanwhile, Capello also dismissed suggestions that he should recall Michael Owen, reiterating that he only picked players who were in form and fit, regardless of prior achievement.
He concluded, " I have to choose players to play against the Ukraine, not against history. I have chosen the best players who are in good form at the moment.
"It is impossible to choose someone who has only played for 20 minutes. Why didn't he play the last game?"
Fabio Capello Credits Liverpool And Manchester United
The England coach give thanks to Fergie and Rafa for their parts in developing the likes of Gerrard and Rooney...
England coach Fabio Capello has thanked Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez for the way they have developed Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, after the two impressed in England's friendly against Slovakia.
Rooney was named man-of-the-match, as the Three Lions thrashed Slovakia 4-0 at Wembley yesterday, while Gerrard provided an excellent contribution to the England cause.
The Italian coach was clearly impressed with the teamwork of both players and felt they linked up very well during the course of the game.
After years of confusing formations and poor performances, Capello seems to be potentially solving one of England's biggest problems, namely accommodating their biggest stars.
Speaking to Setanta Sports, Capello said, "I always said the important players, the big players, can play together. You just have to find their position on the pitch.
"It is not really down to me. I am manager of England but when I choose the players it is because they have done very well at their clubs.
"It is the managers of Manchester United and Liverpool who have been the most important."
Capello and his men must now concentrate on their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Wednesday night, where a win could potentially see them go a massive eight points clear at the top of the Group 6 table.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Henrik Larsson Blasts 'Diver' Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead Of Portugal - Sweden Clash
One iconic No. 7 is going to have a word with the referee ahead of Sweden's forthcoming game with Portugal...
Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has claimed that his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is inclined to hit the ground a little too easily when tackled, and is warning his team-mates not to fall into the tricky winger's traps.
He also revealed that he will be speaking to the referee ahead of the Swedes' World Cup qualifier with the Portuguese in Porto on Saturday, as he fears that his nation's qualification hopes are under real threat from the Red Devil.
"I intend to speak with the referee before the match to warn him about Ronaldo diving," English tabloid The Daily Mail reports Larsson as telling reporters in Portugal earlier.
"We must be careful, as a team, not to get caught out by that, but so must the referee. I will be having a word with him and telling him to keep an eye out for it."
Ronaldo has become notorious in England for his alleged theatrics when tackled, though his club manager Alex Ferguson has pointed out that the player is subject to some excessively rough treatment from defenders, and referees should be offering the player more protection.
Sweden play Portugal in Porto on Saturday, kick-off 21:45 GMT.
Manchester United Defender Rio Ferdinand Salutes Britain's Armed Forces
The England defender has hailed the sacrifices made by his country's servicemen and women...
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was on duty with the England squad yesterday, meeting some of Britian's disabled ex-servicemen, wounded in recent conflicts, to sign autographs and chat.
He took the time to thank all members of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces for the sacrifices that they made, believing that it put the task ahead of him and his team-mates into perspective.
"They are the heroes," he told The Manchester Evening News.
"You are speaking about people who are going out and risking their lives for the country.
"We have seen so much on TV about how these guys go about their work and the sacrifices they make for our well-being, for us to be able to share the same room is a privilege.
"We know how to play football and lose matches but what they do is a bit different to losing a game of football.
"They are more worthy of the word hero than we are."
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender John Terry, attending the event along with David Beckham and Ferdinand, also spoke of his pride in the veterans' sacrifice, and how he would have liked to have served his Queen and country, though he wasn't sure he was up to it.
"They love their football, they like to look up to us but I would like to be in their shoes and do what they do," the Blues skipper told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's great they want to do that and they are brilliant at their job. I would love to [serve], of course. Put your life on the line for the country – I would love to, but I don't think many of us could."
Foster Out To Pip Van der Sar To Manchester United's No. 1 Shirt Next Season
England hopeful Ben Foster has acknowledged that his World Cup dreams could hinge on his ability to play his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's first team plans...
Edwin van der Sar's understudy at Manchester United, Ben Foster, was deemed to be a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's latest England squad as the League Cup winning shot-stopper has struggled to establish himself in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team, despite being 25 years old.
In order to secure his plane-seat to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, should the Three Lions qualify, Foster acknowledges that he may need to play his way into the first team at Old Trafford, which could prove an laborious task considering Van der Sar's record-breaking season guarding goal.
"The biggest club in the world against the biggest competition in the world - that is the dilemma," he explained to Sky Sports. "Playing for England is a hugely important thing but I am also at the biggest club in the world. I will only get one chance at that and I don't want to give it up.
"I have to come back next season and get into the manager's face as much as I can. I want to be playing and I want to get into the World Cup squad next season."
England's current No. 1, David James, will be 40 by the time the world's most prestigious international football tournament begins next year. Meanwhile, the chasing pack - Robert Green, Scott Carson, Paul Robinson and Joe Hart - have continually failed to exert themselves as automatic choices.
By securing the No. 1 spot for Ferguson's trophy-chasing side, the corresponding jersey for the national team would presumably follow, but Foster is not taking this for granted.
"Possibly that is true," he said. "Playing for United does not guarantee you anything but it would certainly make it easier. I am up for the job but it is proving tough enough to get into the United squad at the moment."
He still concluded by saying, "It certainly feels good to get that little bit of recognition."
Foster has received just the solitary international cap to date, handed to him by former manager Steve McClaren in February 2007.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Bulgaria Confirm Manchester United Striker Berbatov Will Miss Ireland Clash
The ice cool striker will not be appearing in Dublin this week...
Manchester United front-man Dimitar Berbatov has definitely been ruled out of Bulgaria's World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, due to the effects of the knock he took on the ankle during the Red Devils' weekend defeat at Fulham.
"There’s no chance of Berbatov playing against Ireland and Cyprus. The injury will prevent any kind of football-related activity for the next two weeks," explained team doctor Mihail Iliev, speaking to The Irish Times.
"I have talked to the Manchester United medical staff and I am expecting a fax with the details of the medical scans.
"We are talking about a muscle tear, which means his foot will be immovable for two weeks. It is most likely that he aggravated his old ankle injury."
The Irish take on group leaders Italy, in Bari four days after their game against the Bulgarians at Croke Park, in what could be the pivotal fixture in Group Eight. Both sides are locked on ten points after four games with the Azzurri leading the men in green on goal difference.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has been left with a 25-man squad for the two fixtures after Espanyol full-back Steve Finnan, who has missed his country's last two qualifiers with injury, withdrew with a recurrence of his persistent hamstring problem.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Manchester United Shot-Stopper Van der Sar Spurns Chance Of International Comeback
The Dutchman's phone keeps on ringing, but he will not answer the call of an international comeback...
Edwin van der Sar has been in record-smashing shot-stopping form this season for Manchester United, as his recent 22 hour + streak without concession in the Premier League is testament to.
His club prowess has not gone un-noticed, and Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk - in light of the nations injury troubles when it comes to the goalkeeping position - has made an audacious attempt at luring van der Sar out of international retirement. Marwijk's request, though, was refused by van der Sar.
The Dutch boss is without Maarten Stekelburg (dropped by Ajax), and Henk Timmer (substandard performances for Feyenoord), while FC Utrecht's Michel Vorm may be called upon.
Van Marwijk explained to The Herald: "Against my better judgment I called Edwin because of our present difficulties. We had agreed the book was closed before we had these injuries and while I knew what the answer would be, I still called him."
Van der Sar retired from international football after the European Championships in 2008.
The veteran glovesman, however, did acquiesce to an emergency call-up to help the nation compete in their World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Norway.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Manchester United Starlet John Cofie Opts To Represent England
The 15-year-old forward has chosen the Three Lions ahead of Germany and Ghana. He may well make his England Under-16 bow later this week...
According to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror, Manchester United wonder-kid John Cofie has chosen to represent England at international level.
The 15-year-old had the opportunity to play for Germany, where he was born, or Ghana, through family connections, however, he eventually decided that the Three Lions are where his future lies.
The highly-rated striker was coveted by Liverpool and Chelsea before the Red Devils completed his signing from Burnley for an undisclosed fee in 2007.
Having been called up to the squad, Cofie could make his England Under-16 debut this week in a match against Germany.
Resource: Goal.com
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Carrick Delighted His Manchester United Form Has Earned England Recall
The Red Devils' midfielder is looking forward to wearing his country's white shirt once again, but is treating his recall to the colours with typical modesty.
Michael Carrick seemed to be in the international wilderness when Fabio Capello took over as England manager, the softly-spoken Geordie having apparently slipped right down the Three Lions' pecking order as the Italian coach favoured the likes of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry at the heart of his team.
However, the 27-year-old's displays for Manchester United have earned him a recall to the national squad, and he looks set to play at least some part in his country's friendly with Spain in Seville tonight.
The cultured midfielder also claims that his absence from England squads wasn't something he allowed to bother him, as he concentrated on working hard and putting in the kind of high-quality performances that have distinguished his season at Old Trafford so far.
"Not being in the England squad was not something I was worried about," the former West Ham United man told The Manchester Evening News. "It was just a case of getting it right at United.
"I believed I would get back in the squad if I was playing well enough, and that has been the case. It was not something I was losing sleep about because it wasn't something I could control.
"I wanted to be in the squad. That goes without saying, but when I wasn't it wasn't something I was going to moan and sulk about.
"What was that going to change if I went around moping? I always knew that if you played consistently well for your club then you would be picked."
Carrick displayed a highly professional attitude to his game, concentrating on his own performances and factors that he could influence, rather than worrying about the decisions of others.
"I was never going to get down about it," he added.
"At the time last season we were going for the Premier League and Champions League and that had to be my concern and my main focus. Apart from trying to play well it was all out of my hands.
"I just had to keep believing in my ability and know that eventually I would get back in there. The hard part now is staying there."
Friday, February 6, 2009
Capello To Discuss Rooney's England Call-Up With Ferguson & Manchester United - Report
'Don Fabio' will bow to Fergie's judgement as to whether or not United's injured striker should take part in the Three Lions' upcoming friendly...
According to The Sun, England manager Fabio Capello will let Sir Alex Ferguson decide if Wayne Rooney is up to the task of facing Spain next week.
The 23-year-old forward has been battling a hamstring problem and hasn't featured for the Red Devils since their 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic on January 14.
Shortly after Rooney picked up the injury, Ferguson stated that he would not rush his super-talented charge back into action, and so far the Scot has been true to his word.
The former Everton player is a chance to make his return against West Ham United this weekend, however, and Capello is hoping to be granted permission to add him to England's depleted squad.
The Three Lions will not be able to call upon Jermain Defoe (foot), Michael Owen (ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder) or Steven Gerrard, who strained his hamstring in Liverpool's FA Cup loss to Everton last night.
But Capello, who hopes to have some sort of forward line for March's World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, will not draft in Rooney unless Ferguson approves.
In the likely event that the United boss refuses to release his Scouse star, West Ham's in-form hitman, Carlton Cole, could be thrust onto the international scene.
Resource: Goal.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Norway want United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in reserve as Olsen takes temporary charge
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, currently reserve manager at Manchester United, is wanted by Norway to assist new national coach Egil Olsen.
The former Wimbledon manager has been put in charge for Norway's next three games.
Norway want Solskjaer to join their coaching set-up and Karen Espelund, general secretary of the Norwegian Football Association, said: 'We have talked with Ole and he has said he is in favour of a role around the national team again in the future.
'It is too early to say when it could happen but we are very happy that Solskjaer has said that he will have a role in the national team.'
Solskjaer scored 23 goals in 67 games for Norway but will forever be known for the dramatic last minute winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final.
Resource: Mail Online