Double snub for United

Stuart Mathieson

June 16, 2007

UNITED striker target Fernando Torres has hinted he is ready to snub potential buyers again and stay with Atletico Madrid.

La Liga ends tomorrow night and the Spanish outfit are struggling to qualify for the UEFA Cup ahead of their crucial final game against Osasuna.

It was suggested that Atletico were ready to cash in on their biggest asset and 23-year-old Torres was finally set to end his career with his boyhood idols and seriously consider the interest shown by the likes of United and a host of admirers across Europe.

But despite Atletico's disappointing campaign, Torres says he still believes he can achieve his ambitions in Spain.

"Everything will be dealt with during the summer, people will talk about offers, and the only reality is the situation in which we find ourselves right now," he says.

"It's the same thing every year, my position is to win here and I still have many years left. I'm sure that I'm going to achieve it and that's the goal that I have here.

"It's a good sign that I have offers, and the year that nobody comes asking about me will be a bad one. If important clubs come it means that I continue to grow and make progress."

Meanwhile, Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent insists he has had no contact with United regarding a move to Old Trafford and claims his son is keen to prove himself at Barcelona.

The former Chelsea forward has endured mixed success in Catalonia this season, making only sporadic appearances and operating largely as a reserve to Samuel Eto'o.

The champions have been strongly linked with the Iceland international but his father, Arnor, insists Barca will not make a decision on his future until after this weekend's La Liga climax.

He said: "It's only speculation. I think the club will decide many things after the weekend.

"He hasn't played much after Christmas and wants to have another chance next season to prove himself to the Barca fans."

Meanwhile, United's Giuseppe Rossi is wanted back at Parma next season.

The 20-year-old goalscorer was on loan at the Italian club from the New Year and scored nine goals in 19 appearances to help the club escape relegation from Serie A.

Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi said: "I will do all I can to make sure that Giuseppe Rossi remains with us and will be talking to United about his future."

What position is a priority for United over the summer? Have your say.

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Red Dawn (16/06/2007 at 18:27)

Gudjohnsen has said today that he would be interested in a move to United although I hope United are not interested as he is just bordering too old.

I think Torres is afraid to leave Atletico incase he flops in another country.

Some players just never like to leave their security zone.

Old Tom, Hertfordshire (16/06/2007 at 18:31)

Call me old-fashioned (well I am old), but I don't want to see us get like Chelski and simply buy a new team each season. I like to watch youngsters coming through the ranks. So after watching Rossi as a youngster, I want to see him get a chance in the team. The same goes for Pique. I don't want Chelski or Arseanal cast-offs drafted in. To me Man U is a Club, not just a different collection of blokes thrown together each season.

Colin Chua (16/06/2007 at 18:36)

Where's the double snub when there's never been any indication that United have made a bid for either of the players. What the hell is wrong with football / sports journalism these days; all I see is attempt after attempt to sensationalise things without any real basis.

Red Dawn (16/06/2007 at 18:57)

Old Tom,

I agree. I would rather Rossi get his chance than buy any a striker, and I want Pique brought back too.

If anything Silvestre should be shipped out as he has overstayed his welcome.

Red Max (16/06/2007 at 19:07)

As far as I'm concerned this is a positive outcome. Spanish players sometimes find it difficult to settle in foreign countries ( see Reyes ); while Eider, I'm sure, will be offered around much of europe before returning to Bolton. I dont think either would massively improve the squad.

Xs, Mauritius (16/06/2007 at 19:17)

Double snub??? I think we should say 'double blessing in disguise'!!!!

Torres according to me is a very good striker who has lots of potential but unfortunately is also becoming more and more of a mystery to me. And in addition to becoming a mystery he is also unfortunately building up a reputation of a player with a total lack of ambition and also who lacks the 'bottle' to become a Man United player!

As for Rossi well frankly speaking I can't understand this urge from so many Man Utd fans to see Rossi in a Man Utd shirt for the forthcoming season. IMO he is just a decent young prospect and nothing else. True it is that he scored loads of goals for Man Utd's reserve team but that was for the reserve team (I remember David Healy doing the same some years back but where is he now???!). Also true it is that he has been quite prolific for Parma last season but that was in the Italian league. According to me the crucial question that needs to be asked is what has been his record in the English Premier League?! I remember making it a must to watch Newcastle United play during the secong part of last season in order to see Rossi play and to be frank I was left totally disappointed. I remember asking myself whether Rossi wasn't too small and whether he didn't lack the necessary physical power to play in the Premier League! Moreover he was supposed to set the UEFA Under 21 championship alight but then what has happened? He hasn't even been able to earn a starting place in Italy's under 21 starting eleven (let alone the Italian senior squad as opposed to my favorite Quagliarella)! Up to now he has only played as back up to Palladino of Juventus (whom I rate as a better player than Rossi)! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Rossi is useless. But when some argue thst he is the one who should become Man Utd's main striker then I would beg to differ. IMO Rossi is only a decent young player who still has everthing to prove and to mention him in the same breath as Rooney or Ronaldo is total madness.

Xs, Mauritius (16/06/2007 at 19:37)

9 million pounds for an average and back up striker like Eidur Gudjohnsen?! Well for that price I would without any hesitation prefer someone like Quagliarella, Owen or Anelka!!!

USARed1, Woodbury,Connecticut,USA (16/06/2007 at 20:44)

Have never been impressed with Torres.Let him stay in Spain.I would love to see a season long fit Louis Saha but it is a huge gamble. That means we need an "impact" and "in form" striker; not a backup quality player. If Gudjohnsen met that description, he would have crashed the lineup at the Nou Camp; and he hasn't done that. Berbatov,McCarthy,Bent,Anelka and Tevez have all proved themselves in the EPL. So it is a matter of how much SAF is willing to pay.Rossi needs minutes; and he isn't going to get them at United.Off-loading Richardson and Smith for starters would help defray some of the cost in getting what we need.

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (16/06/2007 at 21:01)

I hope Torres stays where he is, Eto'o also and Tevez goes to Italy. Then we pick up Anelka and close the doors behind, KR SLY and Smitty who are all surplus to requirements. Rossi, Pique and Evans should join the main squad but I don't think Bardsley will make it. This gives us cover everywhere so bring on the new season.

Ted the Red, GMR (16/06/2007 at 21:34)

Well said Colin ManU have never said they've bid for either player and with Chelski watching every move Fergie made last season Fergie is playing his cards close to his chest the journalists haven't a clue who has been approached but with our strength of returning players I don't think we need to buy anyone.
Ted the Red

Michio, County Louth (16/06/2007 at 21:41)

Agree with Colin Chua. It's like the "United Slammed over Nani Deal' mentioned on the SkySports pages. It's just a scout at Chelsea saying we paid too much. The title is just designed to get people clicking so they get more eyballs for their adverts. Also agree with Old Tom (with age comes wisdom, eh Tom?), Rossi and Pique should be given a chance to nail a position in the first team. Let's see if they're good enough - we gave Richardson a chance after all.

A Mancunian, Manchester (16/06/2007 at 23:41)

Let's just get Fabio Quagliarella and get this over and done with.

Mohan S (17/06/2007 at 03:32)

Red Dawn, fully agree with your post. Hopefully all the hype over Torres and Gudjohnsen is a smokescreen for Utd to swoop in and grab Anelka.

Deepaw, MD, USA (17/06/2007 at 04:55)

How you can get snubed without bidding for a player is beyond me

red4ever, Chennai (17/06/2007 at 05:48)

Red Dawn is absolutely right.
He would rather shine in an inferior team than try to prove his worth among ManU's
superstars.
ManU is team that keeps evolving under SAF, do we really need this type of snub.

Sandysen Carpanen (17/06/2007 at 09:47)

Thank you very much but we dont need either.. Their is better than Tores..I think Rossi have a great future ahead of Tores..The problem is that he is still too young..If Ferguson have guts no one can prevent rossi to become the next wonderkid. He is stong, rapid, nice control n good balence.. So we dont want Tores..Al that we need is someone who can score odd goals..Someone like ole gunnar solskjear..

Sean the Red, Aberdeen (17/06/2007 at 12:44)

As most sensible people on here are saying, how can it be a snub when Man Utd have never made any offers for these players, plus no official word from Utd they ever were going to bid for them.
Its about time journalists in this country especially the sports journalists raised their game (if they have the capability) and realised that us the public are not as dumb as they ( the journalists) think we are.

Barry Lee, USA (17/06/2007 at 13:21)

Torres would not make it here. Eidur is too old, Anelka, Bent and McCarthy are not good enough. Berbatov if we can afford it, Nugent if we can't.

DENNIS LAWS BACK HEEL, WORSLEY (17/06/2007 at 13:25)

"He would rather shine in an inferior team than try to prove his worth among ManU's superstars".

DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH MUPPET.
YOU MEAN FLETCHER, WES BROWN, O'SHEA, HIENZE, SAHA, SMITH, RICHARDSON AND THE NEXT BEST THING IN ROSSI . YES I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN BY SUPERSTARS.

Steveo, Lecale (17/06/2007 at 14:37)

Torres would be brilliant but as the report says he's a althletico boy and I don't see him leaving just yet. We do have to keep Pique and Rossi they have done well on loan and I hope Fergie gives them a chance next year especially after our lack of depth was exposed at the end of the season, Still now we have Anderson and Nani lets get shot of Fletcher and silvestre, keep Heinze and look forward to august, Still a good Striker is key to next year I think Saha will be let go if he's ever fit to pass a medical elsewhere though.

Ted the Red, GMR (17/06/2007 at 15:11)

DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH MUPPET. YOU MEAN FLETCHER, WES BROWN, O'SHEA, HIENZE, SAHA, SMITH, RICHARDSON AND THE NEXT BEST THING IN ROSSI . YES I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN BY SUPERSTARS.
DENNIS LAWS BACK HEEL, WORSLEY
Dear Mr Worsley all of the above are better than any of the City players and don't forget where Dennis Law came from Muppet.
Ted the Red

DENNIS LAWS BACK HEEL, WORSLEY (17/06/2007 at 17:43)

Ted the Red, GMR

NICE TO KNOW THAT I CAN WIND YOU UP.
AND DENNIS LAW STARTED HIS CAREER AT CITY LADY MUPPET.

spooky (17/06/2007 at 18:50)

Gudjohnsen would be slightly better than smith ability wise but smith makes up for that in his passion. We need somone who is an out and out goalscorer which eider is not. Quagriarella(?spelling)looks promising and could be an inspired signing if his form carries on. Torres is so reluctant to leave madrid you wonder how he would perform for another team. Huntelaar looks promising but again doesnt want to leave... yet. I think anelka is a player who would fit in, yes he's ex city arsenal liverpool but his ability is unquestionable as is his pace. As well as that he does seem to have grown up, i'm sure he would behave and rip defenses up at the same time and to be honest there isn't much else to choose from!

bobbyc, tameside (17/06/2007 at 21:16)

Denis Laws Back heel ,typical bitter city fan ,chip on both shoulders ,and 31 year Millstone round neck .No manager ,no money ,no prospects , no Trophies,no Tinkerman ,no Thai man! Also Denis (only one N)started off with Huddersfield Town

A Mancunian, Manchester (17/06/2007 at 23:50)

FLETCHER, WES BROWN, O'SHEA, HIENZE, SAHA, SMITH, RICHARDSON AND THE NEXT BEST THING IN ROSSI . YES I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN BY SUPERSTARS....as opposed to being er, CHAMPIONS? What a muppet you are, Dennis. Run off and find a crook to run your club before you go and get yourself relegated next season.

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