AC Milan Blog

Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra says over-confidence cost them last season's Champions League final against Barcelona.

United are aiming to stay on course for a third straight final by overcoming AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday to book a quarter-final place.

Ahead of that game, which will see David Beckham face United at Old Trafford for the first time since his 2003 exit, Evra admitted United's arrogance cost them against Barca.

"First and foremost, Barcelona won because they played really well," said Evra. "But even so, I'm frustrated because I feel that we didn't show the real face of Manchester United.

"We were a bit too confident and sure of ourselves, and we were caught cold. We start each season the same, with the desire to go all the way in every competition. At United, winning one title per season just doesn't cut it.

"We're obliged to win several, if not all of them. This year, the main goal is to win a fourth championship in a row, which would be historic.

"But we're also hoping to win the Champions League again, because the defeat in last year's final still sticks in all our throats. Personally, though I've already won it, I'd like to win it three times before ending my career.

"I've played in three finals, one with Monaco and two with United, and lost in two of them.

"So my objective is to win it again, knowing that it would also give us the chance to compete to become world club champions once more."

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Goal.com's panel of experts give their predictions as to who will emerge triumphant as the league championships across Europe enter their dramatic final phase...
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Goal.com's panel of experts give their predictions as to who will emerge triumphant as the league championships across Europe enter their dramatic final phase...
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Manchester United have dropped to third place behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in the 'rich list' of European clubs.
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The Deloitte Football Money League sees the two Spanish clubs secure the top spots but mainly due to the continuing decline of the pound against the euro.

The overwhelming dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain is shown by the fact that no other La Liga side occupy a top 20 place.

The two Spanish giants have one significant advantage in revenue terms in that they negotiate their own individual television rights while the Premier League have a collective deal which is shared much more equally among all 20 clubs.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, told Press Association Sport: "Chelsea's revenue has dropped because last season was a bit worse than usual on the pitch, they had frozen season ticket prices and there was not a lot going on in big new commercial developments.

"Arsenal have the advantage in matchday income with a new 60,000-seater stadium and they made the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

"All the English clubs were impacted by the continuing depreciation of the pound against the euro and the scale of this is shown by the fact that if exchange rates remained at their June 2007 level, United would be top of the money league table."

Positions (last year's position in brackets):

1 (1) Real Madrid £341.9million

2 (3) Barcelona £311.7m

3 (2) Man Utd £278.5m

4 (4) Bayern Munich £246.6m

5 (6) Arsenal £224.0m

6 (5) Chelsea £206.4m

7 (8) Liverpool £184.8m

8 (11) Juventus £173.1m

9 (10) Internazionale £167.4m

10 (7) AC Milan £167.4m

 
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The top 20 of the Deloitte Money Football League is dominated by English teams, but the Spanish sides are occupying the two top seats...
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* La Liga has two biggest earners – but no other Spanish teams in top 20
* Premier League remains strongest with six clubs
* Champions League is ‘biggest money spinner’
* Emerging giants Manchester City are new entry in top 20
* Tottenham Hotspur biggest ‘over-achievers’ in revenue

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Arsenal are the big movers in football's rich list.

The Deloitte Football Money League sees Real Madrid and Barcelona secure the top spots but mainly due to the continuing decline of the pound against the euro.

The most notable change in the list, based on clubs' revenue excluding transfer fees, sees Arsenal leapfrog Chelsea with the Gunners recording a 7 per cent rise in revenue to £224million compared to their London rivals' £206million - a 3 per cent fall in revenue.

Real Madrid has topped the 'rich list' for the last five years but Barcelona's unprecedented success last season where they won five trophies has seen them overtake Manchester United despite a 9 per cent rise in income at Old Trafford.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, told the Daily Mail: "Chelsea's revenue has dropped because last season was a bit worse than usual on the pitch, they had frozen season ticket prices and there was not a lot going on in big new commercial developments.

"Arsenal have the advantage in matchday income with a new 60,000-seater stadium and they made the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

"All the English clubs were impacted by the continuing depreciation of the pound against the euro and the scale of this is shown by the fact that if exchange rates remained at their June 2007 level, United would be top of the money league table."

Deloitte Football Money League - top ten:

1 (1) Real Madrid £341.9million
2 (3) Barcelona £311.7m
3 (2) Man Utd £278.5m
4 (4) Bayern Munich £246.6m
5 (6) Arsenal £224.0m
6 (5) Chelsea £206.4m
7 (8) Liverpool £184.8m
8 (11) Juventus £173.1m
9 (10) Internazionale £167.4m
10 (7) AC Milan £167.4m

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• La Liga has two biggest earners – but no other Spanish teams in top 20 • Premier League remains strongest with six clubs • Champions League is ‘biggest money spinner’ • Emerging giants Manchester City are new entry in top 20 • Tottenham Hotspur biggest ‘over-achievers’ in revenue
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The top 20 of the Deloitte Money Football League is dominated by English teams, but the Spanish sides are occupying the two top seats...
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson intends to sell Nemanja Vidic at the end of the season.

The Manchester Evening News says Ferguson is set to reject Vidic's olive branch and cash in on the Serbian defender at the end of the season.

Ferguson has been frustrated by the player's injury problems this season and believes he is not the dominant figure he once was.

With Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan ready to spend in excess of £20m for a player who cost £7m when moving to Old Trafford four years ago, it is considered too good a deal to refuse.

Ferguson has started rebuilding his defence for next season with the signing of Fulham's Chris Smalling, while Jonny Evans is expected to play a more prominent role.

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has three major European clubs chasing him for next season.

The Daily Mail says Real Madrid head coach Manuel Pellegrini and AC Milan's Leonardo have both been told they must do better after defeats in Europe this week - and both are said to see Benitez as the man who could transform their fortunes.

Juventus also remain in the frame, with current coach Alberto Zaccheroni only contracted until June.

Reports in Spain suggest Pellegrini could be sacked if Madrid go out of the Champions League next month.

The Bernabeu giants were beaten 1-0 at Lyon on Tuesday night and Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano is said to have warned the Chilean that an exit at the last 16 stage will not be tolerated.

Pellegrini came under fire before Christmas when his team of Galacticos were knocked out of the Spanish Cup by lowly Alcorcon, but his side are just two points off leaders Barcelona in the hunt for La Liga.

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Refereeing errors and goalkeeping howlers make the headlines as the Champions League returns...
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Former Manchester United striker Brian McClair hailed Darren Fletcher's performance at AC Milan.

Fletcher was outstanding in the 3-2 win.

McClair, now United's academy director, told the Scottish Sun: "I've always thought Darren is a great player. To be able to play for United takes a certain level of ability but also mentality, to handle the pressure.

"I thought his performance against Milan was fantastic. Darren does not always get the headlines that Wayne does as he is very unselfish and prefers to set up goals. But I would say that right now Darren and Wayne are the first two names on the manager's teamsheet.

"You cannot get higher praise than that.

"If you look at what Darren gives to the team in terms of energy and workrate in the midfield, he is a huge asset. He is probably having his best season at the club. He has scored a few important goals, like the double in the Manchester derby against City and the volley against Everton.

"But Darren would not even have to find the net at all, and he'd still be so valuable. The manager likes players who are adaptable. In modern football you have to be able to change your whole game or your position to play in different systems, whether you're home or away.

"Fergie wants people who are not necessarily brilliant every week, but can still deliver a seven out of ten performance wherever they are on the pitch - and that's Darren. I know people have given him this midfield destroyer label but Darren is a creative player, as he showed in Milan.

"At that level of competition, coaches are trying to outsmart each other and be unpredictable. Nani has been our best player in left midfield recently, but the gaffer wanted to switch Nani to the right and Darren was superb on the left.

"And if you want a real idea of what he means to Manchester United, you only have to see how the side get on when he is not in it. He was one of our best players in the Champions League run last season and his absence from the final against Barcelona had a huge impact on how the manager was able to set out his plans."

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Italian super agent Enzo Bronzetti was pleased with Ronaldinho's performance in AC Milan's defeat by Manchester United.

It was Bronzetti who negotiated the Brazilian's move from Barcelona 18 months ago.

He said: "Ronaldinho has proven to be a champion with his magic touch, the perfect assist and goal in the 3rd minute that blew up the San Siro in the first half.

"I was convinced that the evening would end up three or four nil for Milan. But in the second half, black out, I do not know how to explain it ..."

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Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is becoming tired of constant transfer speculation according to his agent Silvano Martina.

The Serbia international has been linked with AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent times but insists he is happy at Old Trafford and his agent has echoed those thoughts, saying transfer gossip is growing old.

“There is nothing true in these reports. Me and Nemanja are becoming tired of such rumours," he told calciomercato.com.

"He still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and he's not for sale."

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Portuguese marketing agency Futebol Finance has published a list of the top 50 footballer's salaries this season.
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Futebol Finance's 50 highest paid players in world football :-

1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, £11.3million)

2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona, £10.4million)

3 Lionel Messi (Barcelona, £9.1million)

4 Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale, £9.1million)

5 Kaka (Real Madrid, £8.7million)

6 Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, £7.4million)

7 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, £7.4million)

8 Carlos Tevez (Manchester City, £7million)

9 John Terry (Chelsea, £6.5million)

10 Frank Lampard (Chelsea, £6.5million)

11 Thierry Henry (Barcelona, £6.5million)

12 Xavi (Barcelona, £6.5million)

13 Ronaldinho (AC Milan, £6.5million)

14 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, £6.5million)

15 Daniel Alves (Barcelona, £6.1million)

16 Michael Ballack (Chelsea, £5.6million)

17 Raul (Real Madrid, £5.6million)

18 Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United, £5.6million)

19 Kolo Toure (Manchester City, £5.6million)

20 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, £5.2million)

21 Robinho (Manchester City, £5.2million)

22 Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, £5.2million)

23 Victor Valdez (Barcelona, £5.2million)

24 Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla, £5.2million)

25 Deco (Chelsea, £5.2million)

26 Didier Drogba (Chelsea, £4.8million)

27 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, £4.8million)

28 Francesco Totti (Roma, £4.8million)

29 Luca Toni (Roma, £4.8million)

30 David Villa (Valencia, £4.8million)

31 Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, £4.8million)

32 Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich, £4.8million)

33 Ashley Cole (Chelsea, £4.8million)

34 Fernando Torres (Liverpool, £4.8million)

35 Gareth Barry (Manchester City, £4.8million)

36 Patrick Vieira (Internazionale, £4.8million)

37 Charles Puyol (Barcelona, £4.3million)

38 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, £4.3million)

39 Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, £4.3million)

40 Andreas Pirlo (AC Milan, £4.3million)

41 Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich, £4.3million)

42 Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich, £4.3million)

43 David Beckham (AC Milan, £4.3million)

44 Wayne Bridge (Manchester City, £4.3million)

45 Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid, £4.3million)

46 Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United £4.1million)

47 Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal, £4.1million)

48 Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea, £4.1million)

49 Ryan Giggs (Manchester United £4.1million)

50 Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus, £4.1million)

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Both Nemanja Vidic and his agent are becoming 'tired' of speculation linking the central defender with a summer move away from Manchester United.
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Reports in the media have claimed that the Serbian international and his family have found it hard to settle in England since joining the North West club in 2006.

AC Milan and Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked with Vidic's services, however Italian representative Silvano Martina insists any such links are fiction.

"There is nothing true in these reports. Me and Nemanja are becoming tired of such rumours," he told calciomercato.com.

"He still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and he's not for sale."

 
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is losing patience with Nemanja Vidic.
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The Times says Ferguson’s mounting frustration with Nemanja Vidic was laid bare yesterday when the Manchester United manager struggled to conceal his dismay at the defender’s reluctance to return to action.

Vidic is firmly expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, probably for Real Madrid, but while Ferguson emphasised that he wants the Serb to stay at the club, the manager is becoming irritated by the centre half’s insistence that he is not fit to play despite returning to full training ten days ago.

Vidic's wife is desperate to move to Spain or Italy, with Real leading the chase for his signature ahead of AC Milan and Barcelona.

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Italy coach Marcello Lippi says AC Milan will beat Manchester United in their Champions League clash.

Indeed, Lippi doesn't rate United in the top six teams still in the competition!

He declared: "There are at least six teams that can lay claim to victory in the Champions League.

"They are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, Milan, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, who are now in the mix after a series of impressive victories matched by their beautiful play."

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Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says he's up for tonight's Champions League clash at AC Milan.

Fletcher will start in United's midfield against Milan's stars.

"I love the big games," said Fletcher.

"I get excited before them and not a bit nervous. I dreamed about playing in these games as a kid so I’m determined to make the most of them, determined to test myself to my full ability.

"I don’t want to sound big-headed, but I’ve never come up against anyone who has torn me to shreds. The only time that has happened has been in training against Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

"I do enjoy the big games, I really do."

One big game Fletcher was denied access to last season was the Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome. An unjust red card in the semi-final defeat of Arsenal cost Fletcher dear.

He has not forgotten.

"It was hard for me last season but we want to win this competition for everyone," said Fletcher.

"The most disappointing thing about last season was that we didn’t do ourselves justice in that final."

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