Exclusive - Alex McLeish believes Wayne Rooney could leave Manchester United

By Ian Cruise | Sunday, July 14, 2013

Alex McLeish believes Wayne Rooney could yet leave Manchester United ahead of the start of the season.

New Old Trafford boss David Moyes insists the striker won’t be sold, but former Aston Villa and Birmingham manager McLeish feels the situation may not be quite so clear-cut.

He told the Transfer Tavern: “Will he stay or will he go? David has said they’re keeping Wayne but there’s no smoke without fire. It’s an ongoing saga that will probably come to fruition in the coming months.

“He [Rooney] will probably be thinking, ‘do I stay at United for ever, or do I seek pastures new’? I think that’s bubbling under at the moment.

“But United will look for a massive fee for Wayne and if it’s not forthcoming maybe he won’t be able to go. That could be the bottom line.”

Stories continue to link Rooney with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, despite Moyes’ claims he will be staying, and that leads McLeish to question his long-term prospects.

"Jose Mourinho is keen if we believe the press,” he added. “If it’s really, really hot I think Wayne will go.”

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Exclusive - Angus Fraser: England will replace Steven Finn with Tim Bresnan for second Ashes Test

By Nick Rostron-Pike | Monday, July 15, 2013

Angus Fraser believes England will replace Steven Finn with Tim Bresnan for the second Test against Australia.

The Three Lions have taken a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series, following a dramatic 14 run victory at Trent Bridge.

Finn was chosen over Bresnan for the first Test, but was used sparingly on day five of the encounter, and cut a forlorn figure in the outfield as the match wore on.

And Fraser, who is Managing Director of Cricket at the 24-year-old’s county, Middlesex, claims Yorkshire star Bresnan will be preferred at Lord’s.

“The fact that Alastair Cook seemed reluctant to bowl him during those tight situations on Sunday is not a good sign,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “A captain has to trust his bowlers but he kept returning to Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, his three big guns. Bresnan’s got a good chance of playing this week.

“I don’t think Finn’s bowled as well as he should have done all summer but he’s the sort of bowler who can produce deliveries that others can’t.

“He’s 6ft 7in and can bowl into the early 90mphs, he gets big bounce and provides something different to the attack.

“The fact he was hidden yesterday [at Trent Bridge] would not have done a great deal for his confidence. I’ve had it myself where it’s lovely when the ball keeps finding its way to you, but, when it doesn’t, you stand around there doubting yourself even more.

“The entire Bresnan package is looking a bit more appealing than Finn for the second Test.”

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Exclusive - Dietmar Hamann: Liverpool will definitely sell Luis Suarez for the right price

By Joe Moore | Saturday, July 13, 2013

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes the Merseyside club will ‘100 percent’ sell Luis Suarez – but only if they are handed the right offer.

The Uruguayan’s future at Anfield has received constant speculation since the end of last season, with the Reds striker admitting he was unhappy at the club and is now seeking to play Champions League football.

The Merseyside outfit have already rejected a £30m bid from Arsenal for the forward, with Real Madrid touted as favourites for the player's signature.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers previously told talkSPORT that he is in constant communication with the 26-year-old, and is confident he will stay at the club, but Hamann, who was a part of the club’s triumphant 2005 Champions League side, believes the ex-Ajax man’s future may be out of the Northern Irishman's hands.

When asked whether Liverpool would prepared to sell their star man, Hamann told the Transfer Tavern: “One hundred percent yes. They’ve made that clear.

“Liverpool will have a price in mind and if someone comes in and pays it he’ll go. Liverpool will have a price in mind and if someone comes in and pays it Suarez will one hundred percent go— Dietmar Hamann

“I’m a believer that you shouldn’t try to keep players from leaving for the sake of it. If he doesn’t leave now, who’s to say he won’t leave in 12 months time.

“It [Suarez’s future] is probably out of Brendan Rodgers’ hands. He’s made it clear he wants to leave and he’s talked about the options he’s got.

“He’s a player I would pay to watch because he’s an exciting player, but it’s important to not forget that that he missed 20 games in the past two seasons through suspension.

“I would like someone to come in with a big £40m or £45m offer for him. I wouldn’t want to see him go but if he wants to I think it’s best for both parties that he does leave.”

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