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This week brings the news that Manchester United are reportedly after the signature of 23 year old Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, with the player’s agent stating that the teams had held informal talks. Much talk has been made recently of United’s apparent need for a creative midfielder, and the young Argentine seems to be the latest to incur speculation. With first hand experience of playing against him in the Champions League this season, Ferguson knows how effective Gaitan can be and was supposedly impressed with his performances. So does this leave the gateway open for a possible move in the near future?

For starters, the potential of Benfica’s hottest talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, and if United were to make a serious offer, they would have to be tabling around close to £30m, if not meeting the reported buyout clause of his new contract close to £40m. Gaitan’s agent is Jorge Mendes, the same man responsible for bringing Cristiano Ronaldo , Nani , Anderson and David de Gea to Man United. Sir Alex said recently that he will not be pushed into ‘panic buying’, such is always the way with the United manager. But he did say that he would not buy, ‘unless someone appears we have always been interested in’. How long he has actually been on the radar is unknown, but if United were to attmpt to bolster their midfield with a new face in the near future, Nicolas Gaitan appears to have many of the required attributes to fill the role.

After moving to Benfica in the summer of 2010, Gaitan enjoyed a properous season in Portugal . Although they finished 2nd in the League, a massive 21 points behind Porto , Nicolas was an influential figure in his team’s Champions League qualification, scoring 7 goals in 26 games. Benfica are currently joint top of the Primeira Liga on goal difference and, since his 8million Euro move from Boca, his value has almost tripled.

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The promise and improvement that Nicolas is showing in his game is being recognised and before long may be calling him away from Portugal. He has already admitted that he would be willing to join Manchester United and, although currently committed to Benfica’s Champions League run and domestic title race, you can’t see him staying out of one of Europe’s top divisions for much longer.

I think that Gaitan has a lot to offer United in a position which is undoubtedly weak in comparison with their rivals at the moment, particularly with the absence of Anderson and Cleverley through injury. The young Argentinian has energy, skill and great technical ability that would serve him well in the Premier League, where players with quick feet and the ability to shift the ball around midfield quickly often have a great chance of impressing. He has the creative mentality and confidence that United need when going forward, with the promise of being involved with attacks and the threat of scoring goals.

I think any transfer for Gaitan is, however, more likely to happen in the summer. Whether Manchester United can nail down an agreement now or not, I can’t see it going through in January. Not only does Ferguson seem reluctant to splash this kind of cash to make additions now, Nicolas has his own focus on Champions League football this season and seeing Benfica’s campaign through. Last year the fans were particularly aggrieved at the departure of Angel di Maria and won’t want a repeat of that scenario with Gaitan. I don’t think he has the problem of first team football to worry about at United, as he would most probably command a place in the starting eleven, but the pressure and change in style of play might also be too much to introduce him at a crucial point in the middle of the season. I don’t think that he would be a realistic addition to Fergie’s team now, but in the summer he will almost certainly be in contention for a big money move.

Article courtesy of Harry Boulton from This is Futbol

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Tottenham are continuing their pursuit of Junior Hoilett and sent scouts to watch the Rovers ace in action at Ewood Park at the weekend, reports the Daily Mail.

The Blackburn winger is out of contract at the end of the season and it doesn’t look as though signing a new contract is an option for the 21-year-old. The north Londoners were keen on snapping up Hoilett in January, but the Canadian was advised to wait until the summer by his agent.

Spurs chief scout Ian Broomfield was at Ewood Park on Saturday to watch Hoilett in the 1-1 draw against Villa, suggesting that Spurs want to pick up where they left off in January.

Despite their interest Tottenham will face stiff competition from north London rivals Arsenal and Newcastle, it was also suggested that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were also interested in the Blackburn player.

A move to a bigger club is on the cards and with Spurs said to be leading the chase, Hoilett’s future at Blackburn is very much in the balance.

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Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has ended speculation over his future by signing a two-year extension that ties him to the club until 2014.Deschamps was reportedly close to walking away from the former French champions after strong interest from Chelsea in England and Roma in Italy.

He had one final year left on his contract following the 2010/11 campaign, which saw OM finish runners-up to champions Lille.

But the in-demand coach has not only agreed to stay on at Marseille for the upcoming season, but also for another two beyond that, following assurances from club bosses that he would be given the financial muscle to put together another championship-winning team.

“I have decided to continue my adventure with Olympique Marseille and to stay on for the long haul by extending my contract for two years,” Deschamps said in a statement.

“I now have a road map with the financial wherewithal so that from today I can prepare the most competitive team possible in a precise budgetary framework.”

Deschamps, a former captain of Marseille and the French national team, led OM to their first league title in 17 years in the 2009/10 campaign.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez was ecstatic to see his side hit back after recent setbacks to register a shock 1-0 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane.

A late strike from Hugo Rodallega proved decisive in north London, as the Latics made up for a 9-1 drubbing in this fixture last season and heavy defeats in their opening two games of the new Premier League campaign.

Martinez told the club's official website:"The fans were hurt after this fixture last season and so the feelings we have now are for them.

"I'm delighted with the reaction the players have shown. When you talk about mental tests in football this one was massive.

"After the result here last season and the one against Chelsea last week and also with what has happened within the team, there was a lot to overcome. But we looked like a new squad ready to go on to a new level.

"I said to the players before the game that nobody expected us to do anything against Spurs and that it was an opportunity to show that team spirit and togetherness you need in any sort of performance.

"I had a huge belief that things would click into place for us. The talent within the squad is incredible. Yes we're light in numbers, but you cannot question the ability we have.

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"All we had been missing was that desire and love to play for Wigan Athletic, but at White Hart Lane we showed that, which was the most pleasing aspect.

"We have a group of players who are desperate to play for this club and that's what counts. Until you have that commitment all the other aspects of your game are irrelevant."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

West Ham United have offered Luis Boa Morte a new contract but have released Ilan and Mido.

Mexico international Guillermo Franco revealed last week that he had played his last match for the Hammers.

Boa Morte has been offered a new deal after missing most of the season just ended with a long-term knee injury.

He ended his nine-month absence when he started last month's 1-1 draw with Manchester City after which the Portugal international criticised the Hammers' owners for their shoddy treatment of Gianfranco Zola.

Young quartet Anthony Edgar, Jordan Spence, Matthew Fry and Oliver Lee have also been offered new contracts while central defender Bondz N'Gala has joined Plymouth Argyle on a permanent basis.

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Mido failed to score in nine appearances for the Hammers during his loan switch from Middlesbrough while Ilan netted four times in 11 matches for the club.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is hoping that meticulous planning can help his side confound the critics and survive in the Premier League this season.

The Seasiders have started life back in the top-flight with a win, a loss and a draw and Holloway is eager to maintain the positive vibe at Bloomfield Road.

He commented:"We have just given the players a two-month schedule. My staff have produced it.

"They will know what day they are off and what day they are in. They know it will be morning and afternoon.

"The defenders will be doing certain things as will the midfielders and forwards.

"This is the most comprehensive document that I have ever produced in my career and I am looking forward to implementing it.

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"We want to leave a mark on this world, so that people remember how well our team played and how well the supporters behaved.

"The secret of this club is that the fans are embracing what we are trying to do. They are in their element. It is quite unbelievable. We want this great feeling to continue."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea signing Fernando Torres said he doubts he will celebrate if he scores against his old side Liverpool when the sides clash on Sunday.

The Spanish World Cup winner made the switch to Stamford Bridge for 50 million pounds during the week, but has pledged to keep the celebrations low-key if he puts the ball past Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina in their English Premier League clash in London on Sunday.

“First of all, I have to play. After that, I have to score. Something has to happen. But I have a big, big respect for Liverpool fans so I don’t think so (that I will celebrate). I don’t think so,” Torres said.

“I will never say anything bad about the people at that club or anyone in that city. I understand they will be angry and may not understand my decision. But I am sure in a few days or weeks, maybe I will not have to explain all the reasons.”

“But I want to start talking about the future now so thanks to them, thanks very much. Because I wasn’t much of a fan when some of the big players left the club, I didn’t understand.”

In terms of handling a new set-up under manager Carlo Ancelotti, Torres said he was willing to line up alongside the Chelsea forwards who he once feared at Liverpool.

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“It is a big challenge, playing alongside either Anelka or Drogba. When we played against Chelsea, we were very worried about both of them. So it’s an exciting opportunity to be playing in the same side as them. So it depends on my work if I can play,” he said.

“Hopefully I have the chance to play in the same side as them and enjoy working with this kind of players that everyone wants to play with. So I’m looking forward to getting the chance to play with him.”

Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor has signed a new short-term contract with Alex McLeish's side.

The 27-year-old Scotland international, who has endured an injury-ravaged recent spell with the club, has penned a six-month contract with the option of a further six months.

O'Connor endured double hip operations last season that forced the former Hibernian star to miss most of the campaign.

McLeish said:"Garry's had a chronic groin and hip injury and it probably goes back to his Hibs days and the days he spent in Russia when he played on a synthetic surface. Having two hip injuries simultaneously wasn't easy for him.

"If you imagine him fully-fit without those problems then that's what we've got to see – what Garry can produce without these hiccups. Successful operation and barring major breakdown there's no reason why he can't go on to have a successful career."

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O'Connor has found the net 11 times in 26 starts and 30 substitute appearances for the Blues since arriving at the club from Lokomotiv Moscow three years ago.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Staying up late most nights this week to watch my beloved Manchester United take on various ‘soccer’teams from the US -and Celtic- hasn’t been the most exciting of times if I’m perfectly honest.  While the game against Celtic was entertaining the subsequent ones against Philadelphia Union and those other footballing titans Kansas City Wizards have been fairly dull and raised a few questions that a week ago I neither felt the need nor the inclination to address.

With Dimitar Berbatov producing the sort of performance everyone knows he’s more than capable of against Celtic, there were already murmurs of whether Sir Alex Ferguson may start him next season in a return to the old 4-4-2 formation that was once United perennial modus operandi. Then there was the game against Philadelphia Union, where despite playing well below-par United still managed to triumph- if you can call a friendly win in the US a ‘triumph’- mainly due to the poor quality of the opposition. Sunday night’s game against the Wizards of Kansas City was even more dissapointing than the one against Philadelphia as United succumbed to a side that had only ten men for half of the game. Of course this wasn’t a full-strength United side, mind you unless Wayne Rooney is on the pitch it never is, this was a team made up of reserves and youngsters. However despite this, a few questions have already been raised by certain sections of the press, in this game and the previous two.

Chris Smalling’s penchant for costly errors, which seemed to afflict him as soon as he signed for United, raised its ugly head against Celtic, which was quickly seized upon by the media as another example of a catalogue of mistakes the youngster has made in the past six months. Roy Hodgson joked that Smalling was “getting hismistakes out of the way” at Fulham, let’s hope from a United perspective he’s merely doing the same in pre-season. Although he’s hardly shone, certain apsects of Smalling’s game have impressed me, not least his arial ability and his obvious pace.

Kiko Macheda’s anonymous performance against Union-or is ‘the Union’, raised a few question marks as to just how much United can rely on him next season, while Rafael Da Silva’s and Mame Diouf’s, not to mention Darron Gibson’s, lacklustre displays against the Wizards- or is it just Wizards-had certain Fleet Street members doubting their ability to be first-team players this season.

There’s already a bit of semi-hype about Javier Hernandez’s debut and how important it will be. Now I for one don’t think you can garner too much insight into any players ability from a friendly game in a different climate, against barely professional standard opposition- no offence Celtic fans. Yes, you can judge a player’s fitness and see how well certain partnerships are developing but by and large I think their fairly pointless in terms of player assessment.

Two seasons ago in pre-season both Frazier Campbell and Chris Eagles looked great, scoring goals and giving the defences of  Kaizer Chiefs, Portsmouth and Espanyol no end of trouble. Fergie rewarded both youngsters by showing them the Old Trafford exit not long after.

Last year’s pre-season saw some at Old Trafford arguing the case for Anderson to be given free-kick taking duties following a cracker against Boca Juniors- I know, it seems unthinkable now.

With news that Fergie’s undecided as whether to include Anderson and Owen Hargreaves in the squad he submits to the Premier League though, it gives the pre-season friendlies an added edge as it could well be a chance for one of the youngsters on the fringes of the squad to stake a real claim.

With each game being something of a subsitute merry-go-round not to mention some shocking refereeing its seems a bit harsh to try and judge whether someone is ready for the United first-team based on these outings. However with the clock ticking as to when Fergie has to make a decision on his 25-man Premier League squad and it still being uncertain as to whether Hargreaves and Anderson will be fit enough to be included, the previously ‘pointless’ friendlies could actually go some way to dictating United’s season.

While that may seem a tad melodramatic, whoever is chosen for the squad will no doubt play some part in the upcoming months. With Fergie’s preference of constantly changing his starting XI as well as United’s ridiculously bad luck with injuries- though not as bad as Arsenal’s before any of you Gooners start- it’s obvious every member of the squad will have an important role. Last season’s two-point title costing deficit had many United fans- myself included, lamenting every dropped point and wondering how failing against the likes of Burnley and Blackburn could have cost The Reds the title.

With two more friendlies, plus the Charity, sorry ‘Community Shield’- am I alone in dreading a trip to Wembley to see Chelsea bragging about winning both trophies?- before the season starts then four Premier League games before the squads need to be submitted, the next two games could prove vital to Fergie’s thinking. After all he may be reluctant to try and assess young players in the opening few league games, with every point being vital and weakened United sides failing to deliver in the past.

I just hope that with the heat, the added pressure, the poor refereeing and the brevity of some of their time on the pitch, some of the young United players out in the US manage to do themselves justice.

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Read more of Justin Mottershead’s work on his blog ‘Name on the Trophy.’

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

League leaders Lille were held to a 1-1 home draw with Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Saturday while Lorient came from behind to beat Rennes 2-1.Lille had the chance to extend their lead on second-placed Olympique Marseille to six points with a victory and it looked like happening when Moussa Sow converted Yohan Cabaye’s assist just before the hour-mark.

It was Sow’s 22nd goal of the season in all competitions for Lille and it looked like Rudi Garcia’s side would bounce back from their shock defeat to Monaco last week, but the visitors had other ideas and claimed an equaliser with 14 minutes remaining.

Serbian defender Vujadin Savic was the unlikely goalscorer, snaring his first of the season to secure Bordeaux’s fourth successive draw and deny the table-toppers.

Lorient dealt Rennes’ Champions League aspirations a further blow with their 2-1 away win at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Stephane Dalmat opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a low strike that found its way into the bottom left corner, but despite taking the lead, Rennes were on the back foot when a pair of yellow cards saw Samuel Souprayen sent off, giving Lorient the numerical advantage.

And it was an advantage they took full use of, with the equaliser coming shortly after half-time when Kevin Gamiero’s near-post header found the back of the net as he notched his 16th strike of the season and levelled proceedings.

The goal gave Lorient life and 12 minutes later they grabbed the winner through Arsenal loanee Francis Coquelin, who scored a close range effort to claim his first goal for the season.

Coquelin’s goal proved enough for victory, with Rennes’ defender Jean Kana Biyik also sent off, leaving the hosts with nine men to finish the match.

A late, injury-time free-kick from Dariusz Dudka has handed Auxerre a 1-0 victory over Toulouse, moving them up to 14th, while Lens did little to help their lowly position with a 1-1 draw against Brest.

Nice’s resurgence continued as they extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions with a 3-2 home win over Monaco.

Caen slipped into the relegation zone after being downed 3-2 by Sochaux, while Dimitri hit a brace as St Etienne defeated Nancy 2-1 to move to sixth.