Evra Persuading Nasri To Join United

Even though he may have left United after the World Cup amid interest from Real Madrid and Inter Milan, Patrice Evra says he is delighted to still be a Manchester United player after winning 12 trophies in just five years. He also seems to be doing his bit to make the club even better by bringing in Arsenal's unsettled midfielder Samir Nasri.

Evra has been spending the summer continuing to persuade his French compatriot and friend to leave Arsenal and join Manchester United by tempting him with a guarantee of trophies and the possibility of becoming one of the "biggest players in the world". Evra said:

"I've talked a lot with him in the holidays and told him how great it is to play for Manchester United and how important it would be for him to become one of the biggest players in the world." 

"I remember I made that little joke saying that he's a prince now but if he wants to be the king then he has to join Man United. But that's the reality - and I've told him that. I said, 'If you want to win trophies, you have to come here'." 

"In five years I've won 12 trophies and I don't know if I'd have won more than that with another club. So I just told him the truth. I don't know how negotiations are at the moment but he has a lot of clubs interested in him and he has to think." 

"I just told him how good it would be for him coming here. He will have a nice welcome and I can help as well because I'm French. We've spoken a lot in the summer and also when we met up for friendly games with France at the end of the season. It was looking interesting but I don't know, we'll have to see."

Nasri has only suffered second best at Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, although determined to "fight" for his play maker is still unsure of his future and certainly cannot guarantee that Nasri will be an Arsenal player next season.

The problem Arsenal have, is that many clubs are interested in Nasri, including United's rivals, Manchester City, who can offer an unrivalled wage package. However, the United left-back has made it clear that he would choose glory at United over the money of City any day:

"If he goes to City it's his choice. But I know, as a player, if I have Manchester United and Manchester City, I'd go straight away for United." 

"It can be for the money. But I'd prefer to go for the glory. He said it's a privilege a club like United want him but he has to think about his future and talk with his agent."

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Fábio Coentrão a Liverpool Player Already?

Rumours have spread that the first signing of Dalglish's return to Anfield will be Portugese wing-back, Fábio Coentrão. But according to Wikipedia, the 22 year-old has already signed for Liverpool, and is playing with the number 39 on his shirt!

Now obviously Wikipedia is not a reliable site in which you can draw solid conclusions as to player transfers, as anyone could have changed his current club information. However, there may be some truth to the rumours that Fábio Coentrão will sign for Liverpool this January.

Liverpool's left back position is currently occupied by Paul Konchesky. He isn't the most popular player at Liverpool at the moment, not least because of his poor form, and the consensus that the player isn't good enough for Liverpool, as well as the fact he was signed by Roy Hodgson.

Coentrão had a brilliant World Cup, being probably the best player in the Portugal side, providing an excellent source of width, pace and the provision of crosses - all things that Liverpool currently lack.

Chelsea were reportedly interested immediately after the World Cup last summer, but a deal never materialised - they do have Ashley Cole after all. Manchester United were also said to have taken an interest in the Portugese, after there were questions over Patrice Evra's future, but it seems Evra's future is safe at United, and with the emergence of the da Silva twins, this signing would not be needed.

However, Liverpool need another left back, with Aurelio never really showing consistency, as well as being prone to injuries as well as Paul Konchesky looking as if he will be on his way out. A fee of around £16 million is being circulated for the current Benfica man.

Quite a hefty sum for a left back, one that the Liverpool owners would have to dig deep for, but a signing, I would suggest, that would be worth the money.

Will Fabregas Recover in time for United Clash?

Monday night, Manchester United will be risking their, and the only unbeaten record in the Premier League in their biggest test of the season - Arsenal. Arsenal on the other hand may be risking the fitness of influential midfield captain - Cesc Fabregas.

Will United remain unbeaten? Will Fabregas be fit enough to play? Will the game live up to all the build up? We will have to wait and see, but in reference to Fabregas hamstring injury, Arsene Wenger has assured fans that he will have the final say on things.

"It will be a very late decision to see if Cesc is in the squad or not.

“We have to assess if it is a risk for him to play and if he is ready to play in a very intense game, then I will make a decision.

"The final decision will be mine. I have the responsibility to make the decision."

Football is a game of risks, and at the top of the game it is a game of big risks. If Fabregas starts, and after a few minutes pulls up with the same problem that has kept him out, then Wenger may well be left red faced knowing that he had taken a big gamble - and lost. On the other hand, if Fabregas starts, and is influential as he usually is, makes it through most of the game comfortably and helps secure a win for Arsenal, Wenger will be praised for his excellent decision making. It is a decision that could decide the game even before it has started.

Manchester United on the other hand have passed their key players fit for the game. Scholes, Ferdinand and Evra will play after being out for a few games with their own problems.

Old Trafford will be buzzing on the night. These games always bring up unexpected surprises. Things that you "couldn't have written the script for", as the commentators always like to scream. It will be a tight, last minute decision, and I cannot wait for the game.

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Wenger: Evra Lacking in Respect after Arsenal "Crisis" Comments

The build up and tough talk before big games like the Arsenal - United clash on Monday are always fiesty. There are always the outspoken players, passionate about their own club and slightly disrespectful to the opposition club in attempt to fuel the fire and tension that will be carried into the game. Patrice Evra is the bearer of this burden this time, and he has faced a cool back lash from Arsene Wenger.

Evra stated that Arsenal were in crisis due to the lack of trophies in the past few years, whilst claiming that Arsenal have no chance of winning the league, he also suggested that Arsenal are simply a "training centre" for youngsters.

Wenger is a footballing manager. He likes to play and watch good football, and he also likes to win - but on the pitch in a war of footballing skills, not a war of words. Wenger dismissed Evra's comments:

"He gave you some good stuff to make it all hot before the game. We are guided by the way we want to play football and not by the statements of anybody who plays against us. Personally, I believe if you are a big player you always respect your opponent and that is what we try to do."

"We want to focus on the way we want to play and ignore any provocation before a game. We are motivated by the desire to win the game and by the quality of the football we want to play."

Patrice Evra isn't inexperienced when it come to controversy. He was after all involved in the disgrace of a French side at the World Cup who proved an absolute shambles in which he was the captain. The Frenchman will have to stay out of trouble on Monday though as the two big clubs take to the stage in the battle for first place - he could be up against the speedy Theo Walcott and the (very) in form Samir Nasri. If anything, he should be afraid... very afraid.

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Gaël Clichy Move from Arsenal is a No

Rumours linking the Arsenal left back Gaël Clichy to a move away from the Emirates have been dismissed by the players agent Ivan Le Mee.

Clichy has been subject of apparent interest from both Juventus and Real Madrid - the latter also being reportedly interested in Manchester United left back Patrice Evra.

The agent said of the speculation:

"His relationship with Arsenal and Wenger are great,"

"I don't understand where all these rumours have come from. Also, his contract expires in June 2012 so it wouldn't make sense to force the issue now."

"Gael is doing very well, playing for his national team and in the Premier League he's now a certain starter. There will be time for him to go to Italy."

Clichy is an experienced and often valuable defender in Arsenal's young team. After joining Arsenal in 2003 from Cannes, Clichy has played 168 times and the 25 year old has played 17 times in all competitions this season with one assist. However, speculation is always high when top players are involved, and while Clichy comes under this category at Arsenal, he will be linked to clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid as he is.

Disappointing Derby Day - City 0 - 0 United

After all of the build up, all of the talk, and all of the excitement churning in Manchester for the Manchester derby, it turned out to be the only goal-less game in the Premier League of the day.

"Tevez can win it on his own!" roared Joe Hart, "All talk!" cried Evra, "Chelsea will win the title!" screamed Roberto Mancini. If the build up was anything to go by, this game should have been one to remember, but unfortunately, it was the opposite to that.

The match fell victim of all of the hype. Much was expected of the clash of the Manchester clubs in what was expected to be a ferocious, controversy filled night - the closest we got to that was Rafael squaring up to Carlos Tevez - entertaining for a minute, but it is good football and goals we wanted to see.

Overall, United had the most possession of the ball, 53.4% to be precise, but could do very little with it. Likewise with City, when they had the ball, the United defence were too compact, and City players were not committed forward enough to mount to any real attacking threat.

Both teams had good periods where they pressurised the opposing defence, and kept the ball for long periods, but the stats don't lie, and with United having only 3 shots on target, while City had 2, you really didn't miss much if you did happen to skip the game.

United remain unbeaten this season, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson was disappointed with the draw

"City are very difficult to beat on their own ground and obviously they set their stall out," he told Sky Sports.

"I think there was too much tension for it to be kind of match people thought it would be. They set their stall out in the second half and made it very difficult for us.

"It's a decent result but we don't count draws away from home as the target before the game. Our target is to win the game and I think we had enough possession to do that

"Some of our football was good, we were good on the ball but we needed to create openings to win the match and we only really made two which was difficult."

Roberto Mancini on the other had was just happy his team improved on last seasons result.

"I think it was a difficult game for both teams. I think the result is correct but we improved from last year because we didn't concede a goal in the last minute.

"I wanted to win this game but sometimes it is better to draw than lose. We played the game to win, though."

Manchester United and Manchester City fans' heart rate would have been ever so slightly higher watching this game, but it was nothing compared to the 4 - 3 classic at Old Trafford last season, and the tense 0 - 1 win at City last year too. However for the neutral viewer, well, it wasn't great.

Michel Bastos to Manchester United

With Manchester United being linked with so many players since the summer transfer window closed, it is hard to decipher the rumours with some truth in them, from the ones with no substance at all.

One that may have more than just a hint of truth in it could be Michel Bastos joining United. The left back currently plays for the French club Lyon, however, their clubs current instability has made Bastos wonder if a move over seas would be a good idea - where better then, than at Old Trafford?

Rumours suggest that he may be coming to United to replace the resident left-back, Patrice Evra, however, I don't believe that. Evra is a very loyal Manchester United player and is a big character in the team as well as being good friends with most of the players. He seems very settled at Manchester United, and was even made captain a couple of time last season for the Red Devils.

Just because Bastos is a left back does not mean he has to play there. He is Brazilian after all - the most attacking defenders come from Brazil, and Bastos is known for playing much further up the pitch - on the left wing. An injury to Antonia Valencia has ruled him out for probably the rest of the season, and the wings seem under manned at United. So maybe, he could be coming in to add a larger threat down the wings. Bastos on the left, and Nani down the right - two pacey attacking wingers to provide for the strikers. Just what United need at the moment.