News: Ruud van Nistelrooy yesterday claimed that Manchester United's championship challenge will not be derailed by the furore surrounding Alex Ferguson's dispute with the club's major shareholder John Magnier.
The Dutch striker followed his manager's lead by signing a new contract at Old Trafford last week, although his will run until 2008. Van Nistelrooy only committed to the £70,000-a-week deal once Ferguson had signed a one-year rolling extension to his own deal.
"None of us are suffering because of what is happening with the manager behind the scenes," said the 27-year-old, who begins this afternoon's match at Everton with a career tally of 99 United goals.
"It's not affecting the players or the coaching staff. Over the years, winning trophies has become a habit for all of us at Manchester United and I'm convinced all this will not get in our way."
Those sentiments were echoed by Ferguson's first-team coach Mike Phelan, who claimed the manager had given him "no indication that anything major is affecting him off the pitch".
"He's been surrounded by adversity throughout his career and he deals with it day to day," said Phelan. "He's as jovial, and as stern, as ever."
Meanwhile, Manchester City's striker Nicolas Anelka seems ready to make his peace with the French Football Federation, a rift that widened when he declined a late call-up for the squad to face Yugoslavia in November 2002.
"I want to be a French international again. When you get older, you change, and you grow up," said Anelka, who intends to arrange a meeting with the national team coach Jacques Santini. "I never closed the door to the French team."
The striker would be made welcome, said Claude Simonet, the federation president. "We have many talented players in France and Anelka is one of them. For his own interest, Anelka and his talent should not be sidelined."
Leeds were yesterday granted a further extension to their standstill agreement by the principle creditors who are continuing to mull over a buy-out bid from a Yorkshire-based consortium.
The deadline has been extended by a week after chief executive Trevor Birch raised enough funds to ensure Leeds remain in business over the closing months of the season.
A statement to the Stock Exchange read: "The board of Leeds United plc confirms that its major finance creditors have today granted an extension to the existing standstill agreement until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13th, pending the outcome of negotiations with interested parties and further discussions concerning the longer term restructuring of the group."
Negotiations continue with the consortium who on Thursday confirmed talks were "at an advanced stage" with both the club and creditors, although Birch is intent on making sure no stone remains unturned before going through with the deal.
Although an initial offer was apparently rejected as it did not meet with the approval of the bondholders, the consortium apparently increased their bid.
Birch, caretaker-boss Eddie Gray, first-team coach Kevin Blackwell and the playing staff all agreed to a 25 per cent wage deferral last week which amounted to around half of the £5 million that had been needed.
Leeds' acting-chairman had previously explored all avenues, with former managers David O'Leary, Terry Venables and Peter Reid agreeing to defer severance payments owed in the wake of their sackings.
Birch also received £1.5 million from Manchester United as full and final payment for Rio Ferdinand's transfer in July 2002.
Meanwhile, Former Republic of Ireland full back Jeff Kenna will be rewarded with an offer of a new contract by manager Steve Bruce if he can help Birmingham City stay in the Premiership.
Guardian Service
• Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is set to be named in Brian's Kerr's Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly international against Brazil on February 18th, writes Emmet Malone.
The management of the first division side announced to their players at training yesterday that the 25-year-old English-born keeper will get his first international call-up when Kerr announces his squad on Monday.
St Patrick's Athletic are in with a chance of being handed a place in next season's Intertoto Cup.
Cork City are set to be included in a draw for a place in the UEFA Cup in May on the basis of their "Fair Play" record and if they win a place in that competition then the Dublin club will inherit their place in the Intertoto Cup.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - February 13th: St Patrick's Athletic v Leicester City, Richmond Park (7.30); Feb 20th: St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers, Richmond Park (7.30); Feb 21st: Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park (7.0); March 5th: Bohemians v Dundalk, Dalymount Park (7.0); March 12th: Bohemians v Finn Harps, Dalymount Park (7.0).
