A round-up of other soccer news in brief
Mancini tells Tevez that it's his way or the highway
ROBERTO Mancini’s uneasy relationship with Carlos Tevez is threatening the player’s future at Manchester City after the manager confirmed they had clashed behind the scenes.
Mancini told his leading scorer he would not tolerate any more dissent. The two men shook hands at the end of a largely one-sided conversation and agreed to focus on City’s remaining three games of the season, but stories have emerged this week of the Argentinian considering his future.
Asked if he thought Tevez might be unhappy, Mancini replied: “I don’t know. Tevez has four years left on his contract. But I don’t know. If he’s not happy, it would be better (for him) to change squads. If a top player is not happy to stay here then it’s better (for him) to go to another team.”
Tevez upset Mancini by complaining in an interview about the manager’s habit of arranging double training sessions.
O'Neill salutes Dunne's impact
MARTIN O’Neill has hailed the impact made by central defender Richard Dunne at Aston Villa as he prepares to tackle former club Manchester City at Eastlands for the first time since his summer move.
Dunne made the €7 million switch to Villa Park after it became apparent the arrival of Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure meant his first-team involvement would be limited at City.
He quickly tormented his ex-employers by scoring for Villa in a 1-1 draw with City in October.
Dunne chose not to celebrate the goal, received a standing ovation from the City fans and can expect a similar reception tomorrow afternoon.
O’Neill said: “Richard deserved the reception he got in the game at Villa Park. Manchester City would accept he was brilliant for them over eight or nine years.
“Richard Dunne was exceptional for Man City over a long period of time. He became an iconic figure. We are just delighted to have him.”
United abandon plans to invite Rangers to Old Trafford
MANCHESTER United have abandoned plans to invite Rangers to be the opposition for Gary Neville’s testimonial match because of objections from the police and council officials about fans of the Glasgow club returning to the city where they rioted two years ago.
Neville’s representatives had asked United to approach Rangers because the presence of the Scottish champions would virtually guarantee a sell-out crowd at Old Trafford. United then made what are described as “unofficial soundings” with the relevant authorities and were told in no uncertain terms that Rangers were probably the least desirable opponents.
The police, in particular, were alarmed about the prospect of tens of thousands of Glaswegians flooding into Manchester.
GuardianService
