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Daily News Round-Up: Buffon To United… Not A Chance

The Monday papers have been a little short on Manchester United news but there are a few little stories that have some relevance to the club.

It is well known that Edwin van der Sar will be retiring from football in the near future and it may well be the end of this season and speculation as to his likely successor has been rife for a while.

The latest name apparently on United’s list to supersede the Dutchman is Italian custodian Gianluigi Buffon, and while I am a great admirer of his talents, firmly believing he is the greatest goalkeeper in modern times, his arrival at United would not be one I am entirely in favour of.

He recently missed a team photo shoot and has been lacking in presence around the Stadio Olimpico and Vinovo, but he quashed any speculation regarding a move to United, “Manchester United? I am used to living with these rumours, people have been speaking about this for six years now, but nothing has happened,” he said.

For me it is a good thing he doesn’t look like coming as he is over 30 and has been very injury prone over the last few years, so how long would he be United’s number one if he did come, and how many games a season would he likely play? Nevermind the exuberant transfer fee.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer and may look to bring in an experienced top keeper to avoid any repeat to the disaster that ensued after Peter Schmeichel left United, but Buffon is not the answer.

Another story that has grown legs over the weekend has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s managerial career. After buying a house in Norway recently rumour has been rife that he is on his way back to Molde to take over as boss. If he does go it will be a January appointment in time for their season beginning in March.

Molde’s chairman, Erik Berg, “It’s no secret we have worked intensely to get Ole Gunnar but we have not signed a contract yet. I can’t guarantee a press conference next week but, to put it this way, I will be delighted to welcome you [the press] back,” he told reporters.

If the Norwegian does leave it appears Gary Neville is in line to take up the reserve team manager role on a part-time basis first then going full-time in the summer.

We also wish Owen Hargreaves a speedy recovery from his latest setback and Sir Alex has also come out and said anxiety may have been to blame as well,

“It is possibly because of a lack of match fitness,” the boss said. “Maybe a bit of anxiety over his first game had a bit to do with it too.”

Finally we have some good news, it appears Antonio Valencia may be on the mend sooner than expected.
Originally out for the season, he may well be back playing as soon as February. Lets hope his recovery continues the way it is going and he can aid us in the title run in.

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