David Beckham said yesterday his future lay at Manchester United. "I want to carry on playing for Manchester United," Beckham told the Manchester Evening News. "They are the team I support, they are the team my family support and it is the place where I am most loved by the fans."
Beckham's contract expires in the summer of 2003 and he has yet to sign a new one. The 26-year-old midfielder, who was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday, was again relegated to the subs' bench last Saturday as West Ham inflicted a second straight league defeat on the champions.
Beckham, though, said he understood Ferguson's reasons for leaving him out. "All players need a rest or are left on the bench for many reasons. I'm not going to question the manager."
Arsenal's application for planning permission to build their new stadium half a mile from Highbury at Ashburton Grove was last nigh approved before a public meeting of Islington Council. The club was waiting on getting the nod from Islington councillors, who voted 34-8 in favour of its plans for a state-of-the-art, 60,000-seater stadium.
England are among top countries demanding an increase in the money they receive for playing in next year's World Cup finals after concerns that any profits from the tournament will be used by FIFA to alleviate its financial problems.
Other European teams such as Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey will also discuss the issue at UEFA's executive committee meeting in Switzerland tomorrow when they plan to form a united front to lobby FIFA for an increase in match fees. Currently, each team taking part next year will receive £547,137 sterling per match. FIFA will also pay £400,000 to each country for costs. England are seeking £1million per match.
Former Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson has parted company with Italian club Udinese. The 54-year-old had been in crisis talks with club owner Giampaolo Pozzo after claiming at the weekend he and his players were not as "well supported as we should be".
Aston Villa's FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United will be shown live on BBC television on Sunday, January 6th with a 7.0 p.m. kick-off. Sky TV will show Cardiff's clash with Leeds as one of their live matches on the same day with a 4.0 p.m. kick-off. Sky will televise the Watford-Arsenal tie on Saturday, January 5th at noon.
