Soccer Digest: Alex Ferguson has shown the first signs of frustration at Ryan Giggs' refusal to sign a new contract at Manchester United.
"We've offered him a deal until he's 33-and-a-half, so I don't see what the problem is," said the Manchester United manager.
Giggs reiterated last night that he has no desire to leave Old Trafford, where he has played for all his senior career, but he is unhappy United have offered him only a one-year extension to his current deal, which expires in June 2006.
"We've done that with all our players," said Ferguson. "Teddy Sheringham signed a one-year contract, Bryan Robson did the same and Roy Keane's last contract was only a one-year extension. There's nothing sinister about it."
Giggs still has hopes to resolve the contract issue before the turn of the current year. The Welsh international winger said: "I've always said leaving United would be a step down and that's still the case."
Meanwhile, Roy Carroll has moved closer to a compromise over signing a new contract, having initially rejected United's terms.
The Northern Ireland international goalkeeper, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been reported as reluctant to commit himself to the club in case they signed a new goalkeeper but Ferguson indicated that the problem was more a matter of finance for the former Wigan player.
He said: "What do you think the problem is? It's always the same these days."
Guardian Service
Pearce gets a plug
Kevin Keegan said last night that he would recommend assistant manager Stuart Pearce as his successor when he retires as Manchester City's boss in 18 months.
"There is absolutely no doubt I will be leaving, even if we win the European Cup," said Keegan. "Stuart knows I'm going and there is a job available and the board know Stuart wants it.
"If you're asking me whether he would make a very good manager, the answer is yes. Has he put in the groundwork? Yes. Has he got the respect of all the players? Yes."
Pearce is keen. He said: "I will certainly be applying for it, although whether the board deem me good enough to take it, I do not know."
"By that time, I will have been here for five years, so at least they will have had a good look at me."
Keegan has confirmed any decision to sell Nicolas Anelka during the January transfer window would be made by the City board.
Sainsbury bids again
Sebastian Sainsbury's latest takeover bid for Leeds moved a step closer yesterday when the club's chairman Gerald Krasner intimated a willingness to hold talks.
Sainsbury's second £25 million bid for the club was lodged following the collapse of negotiations with a US-based consortium he helped lead. Lawyers for Sainsbury and Leeds' solicitor will discuss developments on Monday. "A meeting is planned early next week," said Krasner.
In Brief . . .
Northern Ireland will host Canada in a friendly international on February 9th. Canada last visited Belfast in 1999 when the sides drew 1-1 . Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez wanted a friendly to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against England in March. His side have three draws and a loss from four games so far . . Tottenham full-back Timothee Atouba has been cleared FA of a violent conduct charge over an incident last weekend involving Blackburn striker Paul Dickov . . . Arsenal midfielder Edu has revealed his amazement after being handed a contract ultimatum by manager Arsene Wenger. Talks over a new deal for the Brazilian have stuttered since the summer, and Edu admits they have now "stopped" as he weighs up his position . . . Yeading's FA Cup tie against Newcastle United will be played at QPR's Loftus Road stadium . . .Bradford are poised to come out of administration after Julian Rhodes completed his takeover of the League One club to end three years of uncertainty at Valley Parade.
