ROONEY SNUBS FERGIE

  
                  

SIR ALEX FERGUSON last night revealed wantaway Wayne Rooney asked to miss his manager’s Old Trafford farewell.

Fergie confirmed the striker, who he said had been playing nowhere near his best, had demanded a transfer.

He also claimed the England star would not be allowed to go – but that, as Starsport has revealed, is United’s way of keeping the asking price for Rooney as high as possible.

For boss-in-waiting David Moyes wants Rooney, 27, out and replaced by Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski.

“I don’t think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he's asked for a transfer." said Sir Alex following the title celebrations at Old Trafford.

“I think he wants to run it through in his mind. That is a good idea, but we are not going to let him go.

“The thing is maybe he is a little bit frustrated at being taken off once or twice in the last few weeks.

“It’s better that he is left out at the moment. He’s asked for a transfer, we refused it. That is where it lies.

“It was better he didn’t play, he can think it over.

“He’s not happy. He’s been taken off a few times but Wayne in top form would not be taken off.

“He should think about his future here, because it will be here.”

Rooney was booed and whistled at by some fans as he went to collect his winner’s medal after the 2-1 victory over Swansea.

He was omitted from the 18-man squad as goals from Javier Hernandez and a late winner from Rio Ferdinand ensured a victory for Fergie in his last home game, with his final match at West Brom on Sunday.

Rooney – who has told pals he wants to join Chelsea – watched the match from his box, but then put on his United shirt to join in the celebrations, giving Fergie an unconvincing hug.

Ferguson – who came out to a guard of honour from both teams yesterday – also revealed he had decided to retire at Christmas, when his wife’s sister died.

“Things changed when Cathy’s sister died,” he said.

“She is isolated a lot now and I think a lot of the time, for 47 years, she has been the leader of the family, and sacrificed herself for me.

“Now she has the grandchildren, and they all dote on her, but now she has lost her best friend – her sister – so that was important.

“I think it is also important to go out as a winner. That is really important at this club, it is all I ever wanted to do here – be a winner.”

Barcelona's Lionel Messi suffers hamstring injury recurrence

            

Lionel Messi could miss the rest of Barcelona's season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old Argentina forward will have tests on the injury on Monday.
Messi has struggled to regain full fitness since straining his hamstring during a Champions League match against Paris St-Germain in April.
"He was bothered in the same area. He felt a strange sensation," said Barca boss Tito Vilanova of Messi's injury.

Vilanova added that Monday's tests should reveal if the forward is to be out for "days or weeks".

Barcelona's final game of the season is at home to Malaga on 31 May, with another league match against Espanyol to come before then.
The Catalans had already secured the La Liga title ahead of kick-off against Atletico Madrid courtesy of Real Madrid's failure to beat Espanyol on Saturday.
The new champions trailed 1-0 on Sunday when Messi was forced off in the 67th minute, leaving his side to play the rest of the match with 10 men as all three substitutes had already been used.
His team-mates fought their way back to win in his absence through Alexis Sanchez's strike and Gabi's own goal.
After coming off the bench to kick-start Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against PSG on 10 April, Messi was left on the bench for the second leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich with Vilanova deciding it was too risky to play him in pursuit of a 4-0 deficit.
Messi has scored 46 league goals this season - just four short of matching last season's record-breaking tally.

Paris St-Germain block Real Madrid move for Carlo Ancelotti

          

Paris St-Germain have rejected an approach from Real Madrid for the French club's coach, Carlo Ancelotti.

"Real came and I discussed it with them," said PSG president Nasser al Khelaifi. "He's got a contract for one more year. For me he's here next year."
Current Real boss Jose Mourinho has been strongly linked with a return to former club Chelsea this summer“I can't say if I will leave or stay. I haven't talked to the president yet”.........

Barbara Walters to confirm retirement plans on TV show

 
               

Veteran US broadcaster Barbara Walters is to announce she will retire in 2014.

The ABC network said Walters would confirm the plans on Monday's edition of The View, the all-female daytime talk show she created in 1997.
Since her career began in 1961, she has interviewed Michael Jackson, Cuba's Fidel Castro and every US president and first lady since Richard Nixon.
The 83-year-old was the first woman to anchor a daily network television news show in 1976.
"I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on The View and with ABC News," Walters said in a statement.
"I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.
Irreplaceable "I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain. I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women - and, OK, some men, too - who will be taking my place.''
Walters' career in TV journalism began at NBC's morning news and entertainment programme, The Today Show, which she co-hosted for 15 years before moving to rival network ABC to co-host the Evening News, a first for a female journalist.

  She has interviewed every US president since Richard Nixon in 1980

ABC said in March Walters planned to retire in May 2014 after more than five decades as a prominent figure on US television.
On Sunday, ABC News president Ben Sherwood said: "There is only one Barbara Walters.
"We look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself," he added.
Walters suffered periods of ill health over the past three years, including open heart surgery in 2010.
In January 2013, she suffered concussion after a fall, and was then diagnosed with chicken pox, causing her to miss more than a month of work.

Wayne Rooney has put in a transfer request to leave Manchester United

  

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney has put in a transfer request to leave Manchester United.

Speculation in recent days has linked Rooney with moves to Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich or Chelsea in the summer.
The 27-year-old forward was omitted from the squad for Ferguson's final game in charge at Old Trafford, a 2-1 win against Swansea, fuelling the rumours of an impending exit.
And Ferguson confirmed after the match that Rooney has asked to leave the club but indicated that he is still hopeful the England international will change his mind.
"I don't think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he's asked for a transfer," the Scot told Sky Sports.
"I think he wants to think things through in his own mind. I think that's a good idea. We're not going to let him go.
"I think he's maybe a bit frustrated at being taken off once or twice in the past few weeks."
This is the second time that Rooney has asked to leave Old Trafford, also requesting a move in October 2010 before agreeing a new deal with the club.
Sky Sports' Gary Neville says the striker needs to sort himself out.
"Wayne is an emotional lad and you can see in the last couple of months he hasn't quite been himself," said Neville.

"Wayne Rooney wears his heart on his sleeve. He fights every refereeing decision. But he has been a bit vacant on the pitch. You can see something is wrong.

"I don't think Wayne (Rooney)was keen to play, simply because he's asked for a transfer."
Sir Alex Ferguson

"But there is nowhere to go from here. I have seen players join Real Madrid and other great clubs in Europe. But they always want to come back.
"If you play for this club for 20 years it is not a bed of roses. You struggle mentally at times. He will be going through a difficult moment.
"But in a couple of weeks he will be coming away with England. Then he needs to have the summer off and hopefully get his head back to being a Manchester United player."
Neville feels Rooney's family, and agent Paul Stretford, have a crucial role to play over the next few weeks.
"This is a good kid," said Neville. "He needs to surround himself with his family and his players. The ones who have been here for a long time will bring him round.
"He is not someone who will make rash decisions but he needs people around him to give him good advice. He has an agent and friends. They need to be giving him the right advice.

Will he stay or will he go?

"This is the only club he should be playing at."
The comments came at the end of an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford with Ferguson urging Manchester United's fans to stand by David Moyes next season.
"I would like to remind you this club stood by me in bad times, the players and the staff," he said. "Your job now is to stand by the new manager."
Ferguson paid personal tribute to Paul Scholes, who started today's game and will also retire in the summer, and Darren Fletcher, who continues his recovery from a chronic bowel condition.
And he insisted he would still be a regular presence at Old Trafford.
"I will be able to go along and watch them rather than suffer with them," he said.
"Those last minute goals, the comebacks and even the defeats are part of this great football club. It has been an unbelievable experience."

Atmosphere thrills Sir Alex

Robin van Persie could not hide his delight to be involved in the occasion and added: "It is amazing. Only in my wildest dreams could I have imagined it would be like this.
"It is just a dream come true. We have got some fantastic players so hopefully we will win even more."
Asked about Ferguson's decision to retire, Van Persie added: "It was a really sad day. Everyone understands it and is very thankful to him.
"From my point of view, I think it is a massive honour to have worked with him for one year.
"Even though it was only one year and I haven't worked with him a lot, it has been an unbelievable year and he's made such an impact.
"He's a great manager and an even greater person. The way he is and the way he works with players, he deserves all the credit because he has been amazing."

May D Features P Square And Others In Upcoming album

     

May D finally announces the title and release date of his debut album “Chapter One”, which will be hitting the streets on May 10 2013.
Chapter One will be launched with a LIVE concert in Abuja on May 26 and it’ll feature top artists in the industry such as Davido, 2face Idibia, Iyanya, Olamide, Jaywon, Reminisce, K-Switch and many more.
The Lagos Album Launch date will be announced shortly.



    TRACKLIST 

 1     Story of My Life
 2       Fumigate
 3        Gat Me High
 4         Show Me Ur Style
 5           Get Down
 6            Ur Eyes ft. Davido
 7             Ogogoro (Freestyle)
8                Use Me
9                  Desire
10                   Ile Ijo
11                      Hungry
 12                   Soundtrack
 13               Kigbe ft. K-Switch & Olamide
14                   Cool Temper
 15                Suffering & Smiling
16                You Want 2 Know Me ft. P-Square
17                Take Me To Ur Mother
18                   SomanyTinz
 19                        Jekajo
 20                  No Body ft. Tuface

Will Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho stay or go?

     
        jose Mourinho likes to keep them guessing.

Three days after the Real Madrid manager hinted he was on his way back to England and Chelsea, the self-proclaimed "Special One" insisted his future was still undecided.

Mourinho signed a contract extension until 2016 with Real Madrid last May after ending Barcelona's three-year stranglehold on La Liga, but his relationship with the Spanish press soured and he has clashe

d with Madrid and Spain's much-loved keeper, Iker Casillas.

"When I decide on my future, my wife and kids will be the first to know, then the president and general director," Mourinho told reporters ahead of Real Madrid's game against Real Valladolid. "I haven't decided to leave. If I go, I will not give explanations."

Despite Mourinho's pronouncement Friday, England's Sun newspaper claimed that he has already agreed to return to Chelsea but that an official announcement was unlikely until July 1.

On Tuesday following Real Madrid's exit in the Champions League semifinals for a third straight season under Mourinho, this time to Borussia Dortmund, the 50-year-old, not for the first time, spoke of his deep fondness for England.

Mourinho pulling no punches at Real Madrid as Chelsea link resurfaces

           If Jose Mourinho's time at Real Madrid is nearing an end then he seems determined not to go quietly.

The outspoken Portuguese coach's time at the Spanish giants -- one of the world's biggest soccer clubs -- has been adorned with three major trophies but also with a healthy dose of controversy.

He has had to fend off regular reports of dressing room unrest and a rift with one of Real's key players, goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the World Cup-winning captain of Spain.

The 50-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to the English Premier League and former club Chelsea, with the current coach of the London-based club hinting on Tuesday Mourinho is set to replace him.........

Lil Wayne Puts Mountain Dew in Crisis Mode

 

For executives at Mountain Dew, that may have been the question of the day on Monday, as the brand looked to move beyond a public relations embarrassment that had led it to end a multi-million-dollar endorsement deal with the rapper Lil Wayne. The brand severed its ties because of pressure brought by the family of Emmett Till, the African-American teenager whose 1955 torture and murder in Mississippi for supposedly whistling at a white woman helped foment the civil rights movement.

The family took issue with vulgar lyrics referring to Till that were performed by Lil Wayne on a remix of “Karate Chop,” by the rapper Future. In an interview with the Web site AllHipHop.com in April, the family said it would put pressure on the brand, which is part of the PepsiCo Americas Beverages division of PepsiCo, to drop the artist; Mountain Dew did so on Friday.

Sarah Cunningham, a publicist for Lil Wayne, attributed the split to what she called “creative differences” between the artist and the brand and described it as “an amicable parting.” A representative for Mountain Dew declined to answer specific questions about the Lil Wayne situation, but said in a statement: “We do not plan any additional work with Lil Wayne moving forward. His offensive reference to a revered civil rights icon does not reflect the values of our brand.”

Pressure on Lil Wayne began building in February when the Till family issued an open letter in which Airickca Gordon-Taylor, a family representative, wrote in a letter to him that “when you spit lyrics” like these, “not only are you destroying the preservation and legacy of Emmett Till’s memory and name, but the impact of his murder in black history along with degradation of women.”

Last week Lil Wayne, whose given name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., issued a letter to the Till family in which he acknowledged how his “contribution to a fellow artist’s song has deeply offended your family.” He continued, “As a father myself, I cannot imagine the pain that your family has had to endure.”

The family was not satisfied with that response and instead called for a meeting with executives at PepsiCo. At the same time, a publicist for the family said, they found an additional way to pressure Mountain Dew: to bring to public attention an offensive Mountain Dew video ad created by the hip-hop producer and rap artist known as Tyler, the Creator, that featured a battered white waitress, bandaged and on crutches, trying to identify her assailant from a lineup that included African-American men and a goat.

That ad prompted a flurry of media attention, and Mountain Dew pulled the ad on Wednesday. Two days later it severed its relationship with Lil Wayne.

Kimberly Wilson, a publicist for the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation, named for Emmett Till’s mother, said that the issue for the family was the lack of a timely response from Lil Wayne and the context in which Till’s name was used in the song. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been in touch with both executives of PepsiCo and the Till family, said he had scheduled a meeting with the two parties, which he will attend, in New York on Wednesday.

In a telephone interview Mr. Sharpton said he had also been in contact with Lil Wayne’s management. He described the issue as a “teaching moment” for both the brand and the artist.

“The fact is that a lot of these young artists do not understand these civil rights issues, do not understand history and what it is that people are offended by,” he said. “The corporations become insensitive because they are profit-driven and have no regard for what’s going on in our communities.”

Ms. Wilson said the foundation had received comments from people saying the family should, in fact, be “grateful to Lil Wayne for even saying his name.”

She added: “The one thing this issue definitely brought to light is that some people didn’t even know who Emmett Till was.”

Both the brand and the artist are to blame, Mr. Sharpton said. “The brand wants street cred, the artist gives them something that’s outrageous — and when the streets turn on them, the artist becomes expendable,” he said.

Steve Stoute, founder of Translation LLC, an ad agency that has worked with artists like Jay-Z and clients like Coca-Cola and Budweiser, said marketers needed to know what they were getting into before they made deals with celebrities.

“What’s really happening is, again and again we are looking at marketers who are just buying famous people,” he said, adding, “I don’t think Lil Wayne did anything that’s not Lil Wayne.”

Manchester United Names David Moyes as Ferguson Successor

David Moyes will take over as the Manager of Manchester United  from the 2013/14 season.
David, 50, has been the Everton manager since 2002, joining after a successful spell as manager of Preston North End.
Announcing his successor, Sir Alex Ferguson said:
"When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes. David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I've admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of Assistant Manager here. He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this Club.â
Sir Bobby Charlton said:
âI have always said that we wanted the next manager to be a genuine Manchester United man. In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club. We have secured a man who is committed to the long-term and will build teams for the future as well as now. Stability breeds success.
âDavid has tremendous strength of character and recognises the importance of bringing young players through and developing them alongside world class talent. At United, I think David will be able to express himself. Iâm delighted he has accepted and Iâm looking forward to working with him.â
Ed Woodward, said:
âIn David Moyes, we have secured the services of an outstanding manager who has all the skills to build on the phenomenal legacy in place today. I have no doubt that he will bring an energy and commitment to deliver winning football that is part of the fabric of this Club. In this respect, he is cut from the same cloth as the Old Trafford greats who go before him.
âI have been very impressed by Davidâs personal and managerial traits, which reflect the Manchester United values. I have no doubt that he will embrace, and soon become an integral part of, Unitedâs unique culture and heritage.â
Joel Glazer said:
âI am very pleased David has agreed to lead Manchester United into the future. His hard working style and steely determination are characteristics we value at the Club. He has impressed as a coach for many years now and we strongly believe he will be able to take up from where Alex is leaving off by continuing this Clubâs tradition of flair football played by exciting, world class players.â
Avie Glazer said:
âThe search for a new manager has been very short. Alex was very clear with his recommendation and we are delighted that David has agreed to accept the job. He comes to us with excellent credentials and a strong track record. I know he is keen to get started and Ed will be sitting down with him as soon as the season is over to discuss plans for the summer and beyond."
David Gill said:
âIâm delighted that David has agreed to join Manchester United. He has done a terrific job at Everton and has all the qualities that we are looking for in a manager to succeed Alex.â
David Moyes said:
âItâs a great honour to be asked to be the next Manager of Manchester United. I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the Football Club.
âI know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isnât something that comes around very often and Iâm really looking forward to taking up the post next season.
âI have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and Board of Directors and a great set of players. Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.
âEvertonâs fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players. Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life.â
David will be introduced to the world as the Manager of Manchester United in due course.

Barca handed title by Real draw

      

Gabi dispossessed Gerard Pique and fed the ball to striker Radamel Falcao, who netted his 28th goal this season to stay third in the "Pichichi" scoring stakes behind Messi (46) and Cristiano Ronaldo (34).

Alexis Sanchez leveled the score five minutes after Messi departed, toe-poking in a low shot after combining well with Cesc Fabregas for his 10th in La Liga. The Chilean was then booked after taking off his shirt to reveal a Mother's Day message.

Barca's winner came with 10 minutes to play, and was equally unrepresentative of the elegant play usually associated with the club.

Striker David Villa scuffed a shot which deflected off Diego Godin and -- apparently going wide of the goal -- then hit Gabi before bobbling into Thibaut Courtois' net.

Ugly as it was, it means Barca can equal Real's tally of 100 points by winning the last three games.

Atletico stayed third after the defeat, but can still win a trophy this season by beating city rivals Real in next Friday's Copa del Rey final.

Valencia climbed into the fourth Champions League place with a 4-0 win at midtable Rayo Vallecano, moving a point above Real Sociedad -- who host Granada on Monday.

Sixth-placed Malaga drew 0-0 with Sevilla, while seventh-placed Real Betis won 1-0 at home to second-bottom Celta Vigo, with Ruben Castro scoring the second-half winner.

MESSI WORRY MARS BARCA'S TITTLE JOY

     Lionel Messi's remarkable La Liga scoring streak came to an end on Sunday as Barcelona celebrated reclaiming the Spanish title with a less than convincing 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.

Messi started his first domestic match since the end of March, but was taken off in the 68th minute having apparently failed to recover from the injury problems that have dogged the latter part of his season.

It meant his run of having scored in 21 successive league matches came to a halt, but Barca did recover from 1-0 down when he left the pitch despite needing to complete the match with only 10 men having made all possible replacements.

The victory that leaves the Catalans on course to match Real Madrid's points record from last season.

Having clinched a fourth title in five seasons when second-placed Real could only draw with Espanyol on Saturday, Barca went behind five minutes after halftime in the Spanish capital.