WAYNE ROONEY RELISHES CITY DUEL

WAYNE ROONEY is loving slugging it out with Manchester City for the title.

While most United fans would rather not see the rise of the blue side of Manchester, Rooney (left) is relishing the competition.

With usual rivals Chelsea and Arsenal floundering, the Reds would be coasting to the crown but for City’s emergence as genuine rivals.

Rooney said: “I think it is going to be nip and tuck from here on in. It’s brilliant for the neutrals.

“We’re in a good position and are playing the best football we have played all season at the moment.

“I think that gives us the edge over City, the fact we are playing so well.”

Rooney backs Fergie to give United the edge

Wayne Rooney is certain Sir Alex Ferguson will help swing the Premier League title race Manchester United’s way.

Another of those amazing last-gasp winners at Norwich yesterday kept United two points adrift of leaders Manchester City heading into the final 12 games of the campaign.

It is a period of the season Ferguson famously described as “squeaky bum time” due to the high levels of pressure that are placed on the competing teams.

Yet it is also the time when United’s long-serving boss is at his best.

“He is a great manager,” Rooney told

“He knows which players he can speak to and which players he can shout at, if he needs to.

“He knows how the players react and how to get the best out of them. That’s important especially in this day and age.

“His mentality for the game, his commitment and desire are obviously things that the players try and take on themselves.

“For me personally, he’s been brilliant. He is a great leader for our team.”

Rooney missed yesterday’s game with a throat infection that has also ruled him out of England’s midweek friendly with Holland.

Given United visit title rivals Tottenham next Sunday, his club would probably view the international absence as a good thing as they try to oust City from top spot and close in on their 20th championship success.

“We are only a couple of points behind and we have a lot of games to go,” he said.

“We are confident that we can push on now, and start being a bit more consistent towards the end of the season.”

And, from a personal perspective, Rooney wants to maintain his own level of contribution, having made light of his frequent appearances in midfield earlier this season to score 19 goals, only 15 adrift of his best ever tally in 2010.

“It’s been one of my best goal-scoring seasons,” he said.

“Hopefully I can kick on and score a lot more towards the end.”

Wayne Rooney says Manchester United have to beat Liverpool

With Manchester City now challenging Sir Alex Ferguson’s men for the title, the Manchester derby may be seen by some as more of a glamour tie as United face a Liverpool team who can, for this season at least, realistically only fight for a fourth-placed finish.

Rooney though, feels that this game will always be special for himself and both sets of supporters.

“United versus Liverpool has always been a massive game – it’s a game between the two biggest clubs in England,” he told the matchday programme, United Review.

“I used to watch the matches all the time when I was growing up and I always supported United in them! To be part of them now is fantastic but it’s a game you never want to lose.”

Much has been made in the build-up to this game about the saga involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra; the Uruguayan international plays only his second match since returning from suspension imposed when he was found guilty of directing racist abuse at Evra in the reverse fixture between the two teams in October.

Rooney, however, wants to focus on matters on the field, rather than off it.

“We’re all focused on the game,” he added. “There’s always a big buzz around Old Trafford for this fixture. The rivalry goes back years regardless of where the teams are in the league. There are three points at stake and that’s what both teams will be going for.”

Benayoun: ‘When I saw the team-sheet I thought it was a mix-up!’

Yossi Benayoun has admitted that he was ‘surprised’ at being chosen as Arsenalcaptain for the 1-0 Carling Cup defeat toManchester City on Tuesday.

The Israeli skipper, who signed on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea in August, captained a fairly experienced side which included the likes of Lukasz Fabianski and Laurent Koscielny.

However, boss Arsene Wenger opted to hand Benayoun the captain’s armband instead – something which he certainly didn’t anticipate before the cup clash.

“The truth is I did not expect this, but it was a nice moment. When the line-up was revealed at the hotel (a few hours before the match), I saw the letter ‘C’ next to my name; I thought there was some mix up. But overall it was a nice experience”, Benayoun told Israeli radio station Non Stop 103.3FM.

“It was nice to be captain for the night, but what matters most was the result and eventually we lost the game.

“It was the first time I played as captain in England. It’s a great honour, even though I’ve only been at the club for a short period while there are players who have played here for a few years, I still got the armband. But for me it’s more important to work hard and get more opportunities in the Premier League”.

Benayoun, 31, has previously said he is ‘hopeful’ of making his loan move from Chelsea permanent at the end of the season, something which Wenger himself hasn’t ruled out just yet.

Despite finding it hard to break into the Arsenal midfield this season, Benayoun never doubted his choice in joining the north Londoners and admits it was the Gunners’ manager who persuaded him to sign on the dotted line.

“The negotiations with Arsenal were really quick and they showed real interest in me, so it was an easy choice. I also spoke to Arsene Wenger before signing at the club. He said he believed in my experience and ability to contribute to the squad and to play in several positions, so I was convinced quickly [to sign for Arsenal]“.

Media round-up: Thursday, 1st December featuring Mancini, Sheik Mansour and Paul Pogba

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City are becoming unpopular as a result of their success. “Every team that wins things doesn’t get sympathy,” said Mancini. “Do United get sympathy from other teams? No, because United win always. When Arsenal won leagues and cups was there sympathy? No. Because every team knows that when they win they do not get sympathy. I hope we don’t get sympathy for the next games either.”

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has launched a fresh attack on Manchester City, according to The Daily Mail, by suggesting that they might try underhand tactics to influence Villarreal ahead of their Champion’s League game with Napoli. De Laurentiis said: “I can feel strange things going on surrounding the Villarreal game – princes and sheiks are getting agitated. To think about it would be evil but sometimes you can guess what is happening.”

Sheik Mansour has praised manager Roberto Mancini for following the “right path” toward achieving the club’s main objective, winning the Premier League title. In rare public comments, the Sheik  told Dubai-based Sport360 daily newspaper that the club’s main goal for the season is still within reach, despite City’s slim chances of remaining in the Champions League.

Kolo Toure says comparisons with Arsenal’s “invincibles” side of 2003/04 are premature. “We need to take it game by game because sometimes when you win you just start to feel so comfortable and don’t fight as well as you should,” said the 30-year-old. “We don’t think about this record. We just want to play as well as we can every single game.”

Manchester United fear they may lose Paul Pogba, 18, to fierce rivals Manchester City as talks over a new deal have stalled, according to The Independent. Pogba’s current deal expires in the summer, allowing him to speak to suitors as early as January, and a number of clubs are believed to have registered an interest in the player, currently on the fringes of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad. He has so far failed to agree terms on an extended deal.

Russell – We want City win

Norwich City defender Russell Martin insists the newly-promoted side will be going for the win against Manchester City this weekend.

The Canaries returned to winning ways on Saturday following a crucial 2-1 success over fellow new-boys QPR at Carrow Road.

Next up for Paul Lambert’s men is a trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to face the unbeaten Premier League leaders.

Few expect Norwich to return to Norfolk with any points, but Russell, who scored against QPR, insists they will be positive in Manchester.

Positive

“(City) is probably going to be one of the toughest games of the season going up there and trying to stop them because they’re in really good form,” said Martin.

“But the way we play as a team, we will go up there expecting to get a result because that is how we do it.

“We will go up there and give it a good go, but it is a tough run of games and we needed the three points (against QPR) because it doesn’t get any easier.

“It comes in between really tough games - Arsenal and Manchester City. It doesn’t get much tougher than that, but every week is tough in this league.”

Chelsea planning another raid on Barcelona

Chelsea are keen on landing yet another Barcelona kid as they prepare a swoop for Sergi Roberto.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas landed Oriol Romeu in the summer and the midfielder has made an instant impression at Stamford Bridge.

He was handed his first league start of the season against Wolves on Saturday and impressed in midfield – and now Villas-Boas is keen on another product of Barca’s famed academy.

Roberto, 19, also plays in midfield and is highly regarded at Barcelona – but Chelsea are ready to tempt them with an offer.

Roberto, a Spain Under 21 international, would be available for around £5m but Barcelona would insist on a buy-back clause if they did part with him.

Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Set to Receive Bold £30M Bid from Barcelona for Theo Walcott

If rumors are to be believed, Spanish champions Barcelona have added English club Arsenal’s winger Theo Walcott to the list of players the club would like to bring to the Nou Camp. The European champions will, therefore, submit a bid to acquire the 22-year-old Englishman’s services.

Barcelona, who previously targeted Tottenham’s midfielder Gareth Bale, has now declared that the club will be making a £30 million move for Walcott; a figure that may be hard for Arsenal to resist. It is believed that Barca boss Pep Guardiola is looking for young players to add to the squad, to play alongside those advancing through the club’s youth ranks.

The Englishman has less than 18 months to run on his current contract and that may prove an advantage to the Catalan club. In addition, Walcott, a former Southmapton player, may feel the urge to look for a future elsewhere if Arsenal yet again fail to win a trophy or even finish in the top four of the Premier League, come May.

The English club, however, will be understandably reluctant to let Walcott go. He is considered one of the key members in the current Gunners’ squad and the club’s manager, Arsene Wenger, has already lost two other key players, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.

The Spanish champions’ rumored bid of £30m could be seen as a trifle high for someone who has yet to demonstrate excellence on the same scale as Barcelona. However, give that the club’s other new signing, Chilean Alexis Sanchez, for example, has also yet to truly prove his worth to the team and front-man David Villa is still to regain form and looks off the pace, a gamble on Walcott may be worth Barcelona’s while.

Arsenal are currently 12 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City and are in seventh position in the table.

Tottenham coach Joe Jordan sets sights on top four Premier League finish following victory over Aston Villa

Following Harry Redknapp’s comments that Spurs can win the title, the 59-year-old has admitted that Champions League qualification is more of a realistic target

Tottenham Hotspur coach Joe Jordan believes that a top four finish is the realistic target the club are aiming for this season.

Last night’s 2-0 home win against Aston Villa saw Spurs move up to third place inthe Premier League, with the north London side having picked up 25 points from their last nine games.

Manager Harry Redknapp stated his belief that Tottenham have a chance of winning the title following the victory, but Jordan has since suggested that a top four finish is more of a realistic target.

Jordan said to Five Live: “He was looking at the importance of the way the team has progressed. If we could get in the top four I think that would be a great season.

“For us to be in the top bracket is something we’d have liked at the start of the season, but look at the manner in which Manchester City and Manchester United have started. We had a poor start, it wasn’t balanced.

Valencia midfielder Mehmet Topal flattered by Chelsea & Manchester City interest

The 25-year-old is said to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs and admits that he’s honoured with the English links

Valencia midfielder Mehmet Topal has admitted that he’s honoured to be linked with a Premier League move, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly interested in the 25-year-old.

Mehmet moved to La Liga from Galatasaray in the summer of 2010 and has gone on to establish himself as a steady performer at the Mestalla.

The Premier League big guns have had their heads turned by a release clause worth a reported €10 million (£8.5m), and the Turkey midfielder admits that it is an honour to be linked with a move to England.

“I know that there are teams following me,” Mehmet told the Dogan News Agency. “This makes me incredibly happy. The Premier League is my dream.

“However, Spain also makes me very happy and I have dreams I want to accomplish here. At the end of the season, I’ll come to a decision.”

Meanwhile, Mehmet, who was only used sparingly by his country in their unsuccessful bid to qualify for Euro 2012, has voiced his hope that the Turkish national team will have a brighter future with Abdullah Avci as coach.

“Now we must look to the future. I hope the new management has managed everyone’s form fairly. I believe we will achieve success under Abdullah Avci’s management.”