Rooney still eyeing Old Trafford exit
Wayne Rooney is sticking to his guns over his wish to leave Manchester United despite David Moyes’ appointment as successor to Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney, who has two years left on his contract, told Ferguson two weeks ago he wanted to leave the club but the 27-year-old was told he had to stay at Old Trafford. A United spokesman confirmed to Press Association Sport: “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.” Moyes, who first gave Rooney his debut as a 16-year-old at Everton, will now have to tackle the fall-out of the current impasse between player and club. Sources close to Rooney made clear that he and his representatives will adopt a wait-and-see approach to Moyes’ appointment. Rooney has been unhappy at being played predominantly in midfield, though with Robin van Persie in the team it looks unlikely that Moyes would alter the line-up significantly from Ferguson’s first choice. Rooney was also left on the bench by Ferguson for Real Madrid’s visit in the Champions League round-of-16 game, a decision that irked the player. It is now anticipated by Rooney’s camp that United will make him an offer of a new contract but the level of his wages will be a decisive factor. Rooney is reported to earn around £250,000 a week on his current deal, and the club would be reluctant to increase it – and he would certainly not accept a pay cut. Moyes and Rooney have had their differences in the past, particularly when the manager won substantial libel damages, which he donated to charity, over remarks about him in the player’s autobiography. That has been smoothed over, however, and is no longer regarded as an issue in their relationship. Meanwhile, reports have suggested that Rooney had removed ‘Manchester United player’ from his Twitter biography and replaced it with ‘NikeUK athlete’. His representatives insisted no change had been made recently and it later emerged that a number of other Nike-sponsored players – including United team-mate Tom Cleverley – had made similar changes to their social media biographies some months ago. 
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Duntle won at Royal Ascot for the second successive year when coming out on top in a tight finish to the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. The 100-30 favourite gamely stuck her neck out, though, and beat 25-1 chance Ladys First, a third runner-up for Richard Fahey at the meeting, by half a length. Dank was third. Lordan said: “I travelled really well and might have got there a little soon. She didn’t kill herself in front, but she picked up when something joined me. She improved an awful lot as a three-year-old and she’s still going the right way. This is where everyone needs winners and it’s a great help.” Wachman said: “Wayne gave her a very good ride, he didn’t want to get there too soon. He was hanging on and hanging on but he still ended up getting there two out. She doesn’t win by far but she does enough. “The Matron Stakes is in the past, it’s history, now we’ll try to win another Group One. She has loads of options, there’s a good programme for the fillies. “The Falmouth (at Newmarket, July 12 ) is maybe where we are heading now, there’s also a race in France (Jacques le Marois) which our owners sponsor and that is also on the agenda.” Fahey said of the gallant runner-up: “She got very buzzy at Epsom and Paul (Hanagan) blamed himself at York last time. She’s tough and very, very consistent but I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for her now. She might go to America for the Beverly D Stakes, as that would suit her.” Sir Michael Stoute said of Dank: “She never lets us down and is so consistent. She’s in a Group Two over nine furlongs at the Curragh (Kilboy Estate Stakes), but we’ll wait and see.” Having landed the Sandringham Handicap 12 months ago, David Wachman’s filly returned for this Group Two event having been disqualified from first place in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last season. She travelled well throughout in the hands of Wayne Lordan but found it reasonably hard work to shake off the attentions of the pace-setting Ladys First, with Dank and Beatrice Aurore also closing in. 
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Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has quashed speculation that he is heading for the exit door at the Emirates stadium. However, the 28-year-old, who is enjoying the final days of his extended summer holiday before joining up with his club for pre-season training, has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsene Wenger’s side. He told reporters: “There has been a lot of speculation about a move to Atletico Madrid but I’m very happy at Arsenal, I have a contract there and I start training on Monday. “Perhaps I will return to Spain one day, but right now it’s very unlikely.” Atletico’s most significant signings this summer have been Leo Baptistao, who joined for around 7m euros (£6m) from Rayo Vallecano, and David Villa, who arrived from Barcelona for an initial 2.1m euros (£1.8m). Although Cazorla stressed he was not about to link up with his Spain team-mate Villa at the Calderon, he said he was pleased for him. “I’m very happy for Villa, because he had a difficult year with Barcelona due to his injury [a broken leg he suffered in December 2011], but now he’s got another chance to shine again,” he said. And he declared to work extra hard this year for Arsenal so he can be guaranteed a place in Spain’s squad for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, after missing his country’s triumph in South Africa due to a back injury. He said: “I still have unfinished business in the World Cup after missing the last one because of my back. I really want to experience a World Cup, so I have to have a great year with Arsenal. I hope this year is even better than the last.” The Spain international has been linked with a return to his home country, with Atletico Madrid believed to be prepared to launch a bid for him. Atletico coach Diego Simeone has not denied that his side were interested in Cazorla, who joined the Gunners last summer from Malaga for £15million, commenting last week that “anything is possible” when asked about the midfielder. 
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The Toffees start to the season was overshadowed by Manchester United’s high-profile pursuit of two of their star players in Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines. Martinez felt the transfer window was an unsettling and unnecessary distraction at the start of the campaign and has been at the forefront of calls for the deadline to be brought forward in future. Everton boss Roberto Martinez has heralded his side’s return to action this week as a “fresh start” after finally seeing the transfer window close. Martinez welcomes the challenge of trying to beat one of the title favourites in Chelsea to secure a first win of the season. The former Wigan manager believes his team should thrive under the pressure of such big games, particularly at Goodison Park. He said: “Whoever is going to play against Chelsea this season is going to have a real test. “It will take a lot to beat them. They are unbeaten, they have already visited Old Trafford and been involved in a European competition. “But we want that pressure. Goodison has been a terrific place to play our football and we want that to continue. “We want it to be a difficult place for any team to come. “We want to enjoy our home football and make sure we get a lot of points at home.” Martinez will consider handing debuts to midfielders McCarthy, the £13million signing from his old club Wigan, and Barry, who has joined on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Striker Lukaku, who is on loan from Chelsea, is not permitted to play against his parent club. Martinez said: “There is real competition for places. “We have a good blend of good energy, good youth, good arrogance. “We have a very good know-how and experience that is going to give us good competition for places and real good options. “The months ahead are going to be really demanding and we have to have everyone fully fit and ready.” Despite failing to win, Martinez has been pleased with performances in the stalemates against Norwich, West Brom and Cardiff – the last two of which were goalless – and is convinced the victories will soon come. He said: “The difference between three and nine points is that we haven’t been able to convert the chances or the opportunities we have had. “The game against West Brom we controlled from start to finish. Now it is finding the way to get full points in those sort of performances.” Everton eventually lost Fellaini to United but did keep Baines and also managed to bring in Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku on deadline day. Since then the majority of the squad have been away on international duty and, now reconvened ahead of Chelsea’s visit this weekend, Martinez feels the season is finally starting in earnest. “We feel it is a fresh start for us,” said the Spaniard, whose side have drawn their opening three Barclays Premier League games. “The moment the window closed it felt a completely different environment around the football club. “There is a real focus, it seems somehow the season starts now. “Looking at where we are, I think we have done many good things in the previous three games but there is no hiding from the fact we are in need of points. “Whenever you play a home game you take that as a real opportunity. “Playing against Chelsea, we know they are a terrific team and they have got a real mature way of playing, with good experience, but we are playing at home and we want to accept that responsibility that we need to get points and get our season started.” Press Association
The last four months have been physically and mentally tough for Lukas Podolski, but the forward now has a smile back on his face and has vowed to help Arsenal fight for the title. The 28-year-old saw a promising start to the season abruptly halted by a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-0 Champions League play-off defeat of Fenerbahce on August 27. Arsene Wenger had initially expected Podolski to be back within 10 weeks, but it took until the trip to West Ham on Boxing Day for him to eventually return. And now the German forward is back, he is intent on adding a Premier League title to the Bundesliga crown he won with Bayern Munich. “Every match is important now, every match is about three points,” Podolski added. “We are top and of course we want to stay there. “It is not easy because there are five or six teams who are all strong this season, but we have a strong team and we will fight.” Introduced with 25 minutes remaining, the Germany international hit the ground running and struck home the final goal of the Gunners’ 3-1 London derby win. “I have been out for a long time, four months,” Podolski said. “It was not easy, but I was happy to play again. When you are out for a long time it is not easy, but I am happy to be back. “I have never had a muscle injury before so it was a new experience and not easy. “It was a hamstring injury, my left one. They take a long time. It is nearly four months since I played. “Every morning you come in, you have treatment, you work to get fit while the others are working outside. “It is not easy for the head, but this is the way and I am young enough to play a lot of matches.” Podolski’s return should be a huge boost to Wenger, whose side have impressed this season but lacked attacking depth. Press Association
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged his squad to focus on their final 11 matches as he is not interested in talking about the World Cup or players’ contracts. After Saturday’s disappointing FA Cup quarter-final exit at Arsenal, the season has been reduced to fighting for sixth place to secure a Europa League spot, although Martinez has not given up hope of sneaking into the Barclays Premier League’s top four. But the players have been left under no illusions they will not be allowed to let things drift. “All that matters now is to stop talking about issues which are not about the next 11 games,” Martinez said. “All the individual issues, contract situations, what is going to happen, the World Cup influence – that is something we are not interested in.” Captain Phil Jagielka is on the verge of a return from two matches out with a hamstring injury but Martinez said the fact the 31-year-old was England first-choice centre-back for the World Cup would have no bearing on his handling of the defender. He also warned other players who may be thinking of Brazil they cannot afford to allow their levels to drop. “Phil is recovering well and we will make a really late decision on him to make sure he is fully fit for the remainder of the season,” the Spaniard said. “International commitments will be well looked after when the season ends so at this stage the World Cup does not come into any reckoning in terms of decisions. “What is really matters is the last 33 points you play for so all the decisions are based on that. “What you learn in football is the moment you want to protect yourself you lose your place in the team and that is going to affect the national team. “It is straightforward. You need to focus on the games in front of you and finish in good form. “There is still a good period until the World Cup starts and as a player it is just about narrowing the aims in front of you. “The moment you start thinking a little bit further forward football can be cruel in that respect and you can end up with a negative aspect in your performance which is the last thing you want before a major tournament.” Martinez hopes by keeping his players honest they can salvage some success out of a season which began with high ambitions but is in danger of petering out. “We are still disappointed at leaving the FA Cup but in terms of the league this is a new part of the competition,” he said. “Forty-eight points at this stage is a good return. Mathematically we can get top four. The points tally needed is still achievable. “It depends on how other sides react to the disappointment of not being in Europe; other teams are still in Europe and there are many aspects which will affect the final points tally needed to be in the top four. “Europa League qualification is another important aim to fight for. It would be very easy for us to say we don’t want to qualify for Europe and just let the season cruise through but that is not the case at all. “Qualifying for Europe would be a massive step forward because it would bring the big football occasions we need to be able to develop into the type of team we want to be.” A Europa League campaign is often seen as disruptive but Martinez, who missed out on making his European league debut after leaving FA Cup winners Wigan for Goodison Park in the summer, does not see it that way. “Clearly getting into Europe is a big objective and all you need to do is plan at the beginning of the season as it brings extra demands,” he added. “The squad is not a big secret. When you are involved in Europe you need a bigger squad but that is something we will look at in the summer. “But if you are asking me if we can get into Europe the answer is we will fight with everything to try to achieve that.” Press Association
Press Association Sanchez is likely to lead the line against the Turks, who gained a 0-0 draw against the Gunners in Istanbul on Wednesday. Wenger said he had no option but to withdraw the £35million signing at half-time on Saturday. “At the moment he is not completely ready physically,” Wenger said. “He knows he is not at his best physically but when he is his confidence will come back.” Wenger’s team have gained four points from their opening two games and look a lot more durable than the team that crumbled to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of last season. They also look far more resilient than the side that were hammered by Everton at Goodison Park in April. “When we got beaten here 3-0 (last season) it could have been many more,” Wenger said. “Three was quite flattering on the day. Today we deserved the point we earned. “For us to come back from 2-0 down against a team as good on the counter-attack shows the belief and resilience was there.” Arsenal still look a level below Chelsea and Manchester City, but Wenger insists it is not unreasonable to think his team could win the Barclays Premier League this season. “That is our ambition,” he said. “We had a big test today and at half-time it was even a bigger test. We responded well. If we can maintain that, of course (we can win it).” Wenger was right when he noted Naismith was marginally offside when he converted Romelu Lukaku’s pass to put Everton 2-0 up. It was a brilliant counter-attack move which showed just how clinical and expansive Everton have become under Roberto Martinez. The way in which Coleman leapt to head home Gareth Barry’s chipped cross also pleased the Spaniard, who hailed his team’s performance as “phenomenal”. But the Everton boss could not hide his dismay at the way sloppy marking allowed Ramsey to turn home Santi Cazorla’s cross, then poor defending permitted Giroud to head in Nacho Monreal’s ball into the box. “For 70-75 minutes it was the perfect performance, very similar to the one we had last time against Arsenal,” Martinez said. “The first half was full of dynamic football. Scoring two goals should be enough to control the game in a manner we normally do. “Certain individuals, and as a team, dropped our level. The disappointment is the result but the performance was phenomenal.” Martinez was worried to see his team tire in the dying minutes. “There was a drop in our energy levels,” the former Wigan boss said. “We are not a defensive side. We want to get on the ball but to do that you have to have the energy to do that. “The energy levels at the moment are vital for us to perform for 90 minutes.” Arsene Wenger praised Olivier Giroud for helping Arsenal snatch a point at Everton. Arsenal looked to be heading for defeat after Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith put Everton 2-0 up before half-time. The Gunners lacked a cutting edge up front as Alexis Sanchez failed to test Everton’s centre-back pairing of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin. Giroud replaced the Chilean at half-time and went on to score a last-minute winner, following a strike by Aaron Ramsey. Afterwards, Wenger thanked his compatriot for guiding the Gunners back into the game. “We looked much more dangerous (after Giroud came on),” the Arsenal manager said. “I knew we were dominating the game in the second half and we needed some physical presence up front. That presence was very important. “He had a very good second half.” Unfortunately for Wenger, Giroud suffered an ankle injury in the dying minutes and could now miss the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League play-off against Besiktas. “It is a big game and I hope we have not lost him,” said Wenger of Giroud, who left Goodison Park with a protective boot on his left foot. “In the final minute he stretched his ankle. At the moment it doesn’t look too good. ” 
However, Dyche is optimistic that the slack can be picked up elsewhere, despite a run of three successive 0-0 draws in the league. “The incentive is to continue what we are doing but turn the performance level into wins,” he explained. “I have been pleased with the performance level. I think the players have adapted well to the challenge. “It’s that cutting edge and clinical finish that changes a game and we need that to come and there is another chance to do that on Sunday. “I think the stats were 17 efforts on goal against Sunderland and nine on target, which shows we are heading in the right direction. You have to shoot to score and we are doing that.” With Ings and Vokes still some way off returning due to hamstring and knee problems, summer signings Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marvin Sordell will probably spearhead the Clarets’ attack once more in the midlands. Neither has opened their account since arriving at Turf Moor, but their boss believes the team is capable of scoring goals even without their two main marksmen. “It’s a great opportunity for others to come in and do well,” Dyche added. The Clarets have failed to score in any competition since Scott Arfield’s sumptuous opener against Chelsea in their first fixture back in the top flight, and they will head to The Hawthorns having not found the net in over 500 minutes. Their attacking efforts have been further hindered by England Under-21 international Danny Ings joining strike partner Sam Vokes in the treatment room, with Dyche now unable to call upon the pair whose combined 47 goals last season fired Burnley to promotion. “Jutkiewicz has been excellent in the way he has gone about it. He needs that goal, like any other striker, just really to get him going. “Marvin came in last week, (Ashley) Barnes is sitting waiting, George Boyd has got goals in him, we have got goals in Scott Arfield and we know we can score from other areas of the pitch. “We will continue what we are doing, creating chances and make sure one goes in because when one goes in it often changes quickly. Keeping three clean sheets in the Premier League is a difficult task. It’s building on that and making sure we win games. “We are very close but we have to turn that closeness into reality. We are hungry to get that first win because we think that will lead on from there.” From week to week Burnley had the most settled starting line-up in the entire Football League last season, yet they already have a number of injury concerns. Ings, Vokes and Matt Taylor, who has an Achilles problem, will all definitely miss out, while Kieran Trippier (groin), David Jones (thigh) and Dean Marney (hamstring) are nursing minor problems. Loanees Michael Keane and Nathaniel Chalobah, who have yet to appear since their deadline-day switches, are among those waiting in the wings. Sean Dyche remains confident Burnley’s goal drought will soon end as they bid to put a five-game goalless streak behind them at West Brom this Sunday. Press Association
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will not appeal against his one-match ban imposed for posting racist and anti-semitic comments on social media. It means he will miss Sunday’s visit of Arsenal, although there were doubts over his fitness anyway as he did not travel to Bournemouth for the Reds’ 3-1 Capital One Cup victory on Wednesday because he was having treatment on a groin injury. Having submitted detailed mitigation, Balotelli apologised again after the verdict. “Following the recent events related to my ‘Super Mario’ post, the FA decision has made clear that it was wrong,” he wrote on Twitter. “I am sorry that my team-mates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalised for something I did and now come to regret. “It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again.” He could, however, face further internal sanctions as the club said they had not ruled out action against him. “The club acknowledges the decision reached by the independent panel and due consideration will be given to the written judgement once we receive it from the FA,” said a Liverpool spokesman. “Any further action taken by ourselves in relation to this matter is between the club and player.” The Italy international was given the suspension, a £25,000 fine and will have to attend an education course following the decision of an independent disciplinary panel. The panel issued the punishment on Thursday after the 24-year-old admitted to an aggravated breach of Football Association Rule E3, relating to references of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality or religion or belief, after his posting of an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram which included the words “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew”. The day after his posting – which he quickly deleted – Balotelli apologised, writing on Twitter: “I apologize if I’ve offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context (it) may have the opposite effect.” In a statement the FA said: “Following an independent regulatory commission hearing today Mario Balotelli has been fined £25,000, suspended for one match with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted breaching FA rules in relation to social media. “The charge was that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA rule E3(1). “Furthermore, the posting was considered to be an “aggravated breach” as defined in FA rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief. “Mr Balotelli has also been ordered to attend an education programme.” Press Association
Tim Sherwood insists he is the now the “headmaster” at Aston Villa and admits he will give the players some brutal honesty if they fail to perform. “One thing I can guarantee, if I’m going to be guilty of something it will be being honest,” he said. “If they do well they will be told, if they don’t do well they will also be told and told why. You have to be constructive. “It can’t be because of a referee’s decision or if someone scores a 40-yarder and then everyone’s crap. That ain’t the case. “You have to talk to them. Some people might have played well and need to be patted on the back. Some people need a kick up the backside at the right time and I need to be that person to be able to do that.” Sherwood also wants to revitalise Christian Benteke after the striker’s drop in form this season. He has netted just three times this term after recovering from an Achilles injury. The ex-England midfielder revived Emmanuel Adebayor at Spurs after the striker’s career in north London stalled and he hopes to do the same with Benteke. “It is bringing that player back to life a nd also enhancing what is around him. Everyone has to recognise that,” said Sherwood. “Yes, it was the case with Ade and, yes, it could possibly be the case with Christian and we hope it will be. “We know what a threat he will be.” And Sherwood admitted Tottenham would have been interested in Benteke while he was at the club. He added: “I’m sure Tottenham were interested in him, they look at all the top players all over Europe and the world.” The 46-year-old replaced Paul Lambert on Saturday and has been charged with saving Villa from the Barclays Premier League drop. Sherwood likened himself to a “supply teacher” at the end of the 2013-14 season when he was at Tottenham because the players did not expect him to last the summer. Press Association He was eventually replaced by Mauricio Pochettino but believes his position will be more stable at Villa Park. “I’m the headmaster now,” he joked. “I was sitting at every press conference and I kept going told ‘this man wants your job’ and ‘that man’s been spoken to.’ “It was every week. I dealt with it and got on with the job. It was difficult. What was I going to do? Roll in the corner and die? “I’m not going to do that, I’m a fighter. I’ll fight til the bitter end.” Sherwood has not managed since leaving Spurs in May 2014, with his last game in charge a 3-0 win over Villa at White Hart Lane. He watched their 2-1 FA Cup win over Leicester on Sunday, with his first game officially in charge being Saturday’s visit of Stoke. Villa are third from bottom in the table having won just twice in their last 21 league games and Sherwood insisted if the players fail to pull their weight he will tell them. 