Paper News and Gossip: Ryan Giggs Unsure on Man Utd Future, New Rodgers Deal
It might not have been the most important game of the Premier League season, but Manchester United's win over Hull City has provided a series of headlines in Wednesday's newspapers.
Interim Old Trafford manager Ryan Giggs remains unsure of his future at the club, while James Wilson scored twice on his debut for the Red Devils.
United defender Phil Jones is a World Cup doubt for England, while Hull midfielder David Meyler could face disciplinary charges over his challenge on Adnan Januzaj.
And, of course, United defender Nemanja Vidic bid farewell to Old Trafford with a substitute appearance.
Elsewhere, a bad week for Liverpool could have a silver lining with manager Brendan Rodgers poised to sign a new deal at the club.
But who else is making the headlines on Wednesday? Read on to find out more.
Manchester United Legend Ryan Giggs Coy on Future, as Vidic Bids Farewell
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Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs admits his future at the club is far from certain, as Neil Custis of The Sun (subscription required) reported.
The Old Trafford interim manager brought himself off the bench for a run-out in the Premier League win over Hull City on Tuesday night.
But the 40-year-old could not say whether it was his final appearance in front of a United home crowd or not.
Giggs is quoted as saying:
"When the season is over, I’ll have to seriously consider what I'm going to do in terms of my career.
There have been times this season when I have felt that it wouldn't be right for me to play on next year.
But after other games, like the win over Olympiakos, I have had the urge to keep going.
I've not made my mind up either way and there is lots to consider, not least discussing the matter with the new manager.
"
But the game did represent a farewell for United defender Nemanja Vidic, who will join Inter Milan in the summer, as Joe Mewis of the Daily Mirror noted.
James Wilson Scores Debut Double for United, but Phil Jones Is World Cup Doubt
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Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs applauded the contribution of James Wilson and Tom Lawrence in the win over Hull, reports Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.
Both youngsters were included in the United starting line-up, and Wilson scored twice on a memorable first senior appearance for the club.
Giggs is quoted as saying:
"I said when I took over I wanted to bring excitement back.
Some of the forward play from the three young lads was brilliant.
We got the young lads in to train with us and they never looked out of place. I wanted to freshen things up from Saturday and they never let us down.
James Wilson is not just a finisher, his all-round play is very good and he is exciting.
"
However, an injury to Phil Jones during the game has left his participation at the World Cup with England in doubt, claims David Anderson of the Daily Mirror.
Anderson also reports that Hull midfielder David Meyler could find himself in trouble with the football authorities and a possible ban for the FA Cup final after his challenge on Adnan Januzaj.
Manchester City Hit with £50M Punishment for Breaking FFP Rules
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Manchester City could take a giant step towards the Premier League title with a win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night, but the focus of media attention is on their reported punishment for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star reports that City are facing a £50 million fine among other punishments for breaking the FFP rulings.
Martin Blackburn of The Sun (subscription required) claims that City could face Champions League expulsion if they battle against UEFA over the reported punishment.
And Oliver Holt of the Daily Mirror believes the Etihad Stadium club deserve to be treated better for their investment in the east side of Manchester.
Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers Poised to Sign New Anfield Contract
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Liverpool have been handed a silver lining to a bad few days with the news that manager Brendan Rodgers is set to sign a new deal at the club, as Phil Thomas of The Sun (subscription required) reported.
The former Swansea City boss had guided the Reds into the thick of the Premier League title fight this season, but a late collapse at Crystal Palace in a 3-3 draw saw hopes of a first championship in 24 years severely dented.
However, Thomas claims that Rodgers has agreed a new contract at Anfield, tying him to the club until 2018.
But the Liverpool boss is still fighting for the title, according to David Maddock of the Daily Mirror.
Rodgers is quoted as saying:
"These players are incredible, they have allowed the supporters to dream, and to be the club that is top of the league by a point in the final week of the season, it’s been a huge effort and you never know what can happen.
The only thing I’ll promise: For the time I'm here is we’ll fight for our lives, and certainly our season won’t finish until after we play Newcastle.
"
Chelsea Target Diego Costa Could Delay Move from Atletico for Another Season
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Reported Chelsea target Diego Costa could remain at Atletico Madrid for another season, reports John Cross of the Daily Mirror.
Jose Mourinho has been strongly linked with a move for Costa, but Cross claims that Atletico coach Diego Simeone has pleaded with the La Liga club not to sell the forward until 2015.
Meanwhile, AC Milan have entered the race to sign Romelu Lukaku from the Stamford Bridge club, reports the Daily Express.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed how close he came to signing Eden Hazard for the Gunners ahead of Chelsea, reports James Dickenson of the Daily Express.
Wenger is quoted as saying:
"Yes, I wanted to take him.
"
I had his agent at my home but again the barrier was financial and Chelsea made an effort that I couldn't make.
He can be one of the players who grows into the (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo stature if he continues to develop well.
Frank De Boer Claims He Would Reject Barcelona If Offer Was Made
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Ajax head coach Frank de Boer says he would reject any potential advances from Barcelona if they were to make them, reports Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror.
The former Netherlands international has been strongly linked with Tottenham, but the London club have Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino in their sights, according to Lewis.
But in what Lewis claims is a fresh pitch for the Spurs role, De Boer is quoted as saying:
"I have never talked with Inter Milan but I prefer the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga.
Italian football is very much in decline.
Juventus did not play badly but they often expect that the two forwards need to create something. It’s not my football.
I would not go to Barcelona. It is very difficult to be a coach there. What can you teach players like Messi and Iniesta?
Probably they need a manager rather than a coach, but I'm a coach rather than a manager.
"
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been linked with Cardiff City pair Steven Caulker and David Marshall, reports Andrew Gwilym of the Daily Mirror.
Fulham Paid Price for Removing Michael Jackson Statue, Says Al Fayed
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Former Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed claims the club have paid the price for removing his controversial Michael Jackson tribute with relegation from the Premier League, reports Neil McLeman of the Daily Mirror.
The former Harrods owner unveiled a statue in memory of the pop singer in April 2011 at Craven Cottage, after Jackson died two years earlier.
Shahid Khan took over the West London club this season and removed the statue, which was situated in a corner of the stadium.
But after Fulham were demoted from the top flight after their defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, Al-Fayed blames the removal of the statue.
Al-Fayed is quoted as saying:
"This statue was a charm and we removed the luck from the club and now we have to pay the price.
When [Khan] asked me to move it I said: ‘You must be crazy.’ This is such a fantastic statue which the fans are crying out for.
But now he has paid the price because the club has been relegated. He called me because he told me he wanted Michael to return. I told him: ‘No way.’
It’s really upsetting. This was a lucky place. Fulham never go down. Now they are relegated. Now he’s crying.
"
Southampton Striker Dani Osvaldo Wants Permanent Juventus Move
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Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo wants to make his current loan deal with Juventus a permanent move, reports Phil Fox of The Sun (subscription required).
The Italy international joined the Saints last summer for a club-record fee of £12.8 million, but he was sent out on loan to the Turin club after a training-ground altercation with team-mate Jose Fonte, notes the article.
But now the forward is hoping a permanent transfer can be concluded in the summer.
After helping Juve clinch a third successive Serie A title, Osvaldo is quoted as saying:
"I hope to stay in Italy.
I hope to be here at Juventus but at this moment do not know.
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