Other soccer news in brief
Mourinho hails United but backs Inter
JOSE MOURINHO has hailed Manchester United as the best team in the world – but insists his Inter Milan side can win their Champions League last-16 tie.
The former Chelsea boss welcomes Alex Ferguson’s United to the San Siro for the first leg on February 24th, with the return at Old Trafford two weeks later.
The 45-year-old told MUTV: “I always had big, big, big respect (for United). That’s why I remember my time with Porto here as one of the most important for me, because we beat such an amazing club – and that’s why I’m so excited to play with Inter Milan against Man United.
“We can win it. We know Man Utd is a special team with special players. You look at how solid they are in defence and how dangerous they are in attack. You look to the dug-out and you see the talent is there; I look behind me, and even Nani is behind me.
“But Inter is a clever team, an intelligent team, a team with a lot of experience.
“We have some talent and we know how to play the game, so I think it will be a close match.”
Bolton end their interest in Barton
BOLTON Wanderers manager Gary Megson claims he has ended his interest in Joey Barton.
The club have had a €2.2 million bid rejected for the Newcastle midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
Megson said: “We move on. Joey is a good player and a former England international. But he has certainly had his problems. There is an amount we would go to and that’s it. We would not go any further.”
SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell wants James Beattie’s future settled sooner rather than later with Stoke looking to bring the 12-goal striker to the Britannia Stadium. Beattie will stay at home when United play Leyton Orient in an FA Cup third-round replay in London tomorrow.
Sbragia may bring McShane back if plans don't work out
SUNDERLAND MANAGER Ricky Sbragia will consider recalling Paul McShane from his loan at Hull if he fails to strengthen his defence during the current transfer window.
Sbragia is eager to bring in new faces, with McShane – on a season-long loan with Hull – an option should all else fail.
“It’s no secret that I need defenders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean having to buy anyone,” said Sbragia.
“George McCartney (ankle) has a chance of coming back in two weeks’ time, and we have Paul McShane on loan, so there might be a thought of bringing him in.
“I’d like to add another one, but we know Paul is there so he’s a possibility. There are another couple of players we’re thinking about, but if it doesn’t happen, we have him.”
WIGAN have overcome one more hurdle in their bid to sign Hugo Rodallega after the Colombia international striker was granted a work permit. The 23-year-old will now complete a €5 million move from Mexican club Necaxa.
