Gutted Rooney tweets of his shock and admiration

Wayne Rooney admitted he was devastated to see Fabio Capello quit as England manager as the Italian's shock departure triggered an outpouring of disbelief from English football stars on Wednesday.

Capello resigned following a meeting with Football Association chiefs at Wembley as a row between the Italian and his employers over their decision to strip John Terry of the national team captaincy finally boiled over.

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach was furious that the FA took the armband from Terry following allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match last October.

Manchester United and England striker Rooney was the most high-profile of Capello's players to express his disappointment that the Italian wouldn't be in charge at Euro 2012.

Rooney also made it clear he believes the next England manager should be Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who has already been installed as the bookmakers' favourite for the post.

Rooney said on Twitter: "Gutted capello has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be english to replace him. Harry redknapp for me."

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who was emerging as a key member of Capello's team before a pre-season injury ruined his campaign, admitted he was upset by the news.

The 20-year-old said on Twitter: "Shocked about news on Fabio Capello...gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello! GreatManager.

"People have their own judgement on Capello but for a young player who was given the chance to play for my country at such a young age...

"He has shown great belief and trust in me so I can only thank him....massive influence on my career so far! Sad to see him go!"

Like Wilshere, Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson took to Twitter to pay tribute to Capello.

"Sad news to see Capello step down. Good man and a Good manager. ThanksForEverything," he wrote.

Tottenham defender Kyle Walker also expressed his disappointment at Capello's departure.

"Gutted to see Fabio Capello go he put a lot of trust in me and gave me my first cap just want to say a big thanks really," Walker said.

Rio Ferdinand, who was angered last year when Capello took the England captaincy from him to reappoint Terry, added on Twitter: "So Capello resigns....what now...."

Redknapp is the main contender to replace Capello and his cause was helped when he was cleared of tax fraud charges just hours before the Italian's departure.

Former England captain Gary Lineker believes Redknapp should get the job and could even manage both England and Tottenham in the short term.

He tweeted: "As you ask I think new man should be English. Players have to be, so should boss. HR the man if he wants it. He can do both jobs til May."

England legend Paul Gascoigne also gave his backing to Redknapp, but claimed former England boss Terry Venables should be offered the job if the Football Association could not get the Spurs manager.

"I think the obvious choice for everyone is Harry, but I don't think Tottenham are going to release Harry," Gascoigne told Sky Sports.

"He is a players' man. Everyone would want to play for him and he's proven that at the clubs he's been to.

"He's like Terry Venables and I would give him a shot again, truthfully.

"If Harry didn't want it and Spurs weren't willing to let him go I would give that man Terry Venables a shot again, without a shadow of a doubt."

Reaction also came from his compatriots in Italy.

"This is a serious loss for England," said Juventus coach Antonio Conte. "I'm disappointed and surprised.

"I have a huge amount of esteem and respect for a coach who has written important pages of history and has won a lot," added the former Italian international, who has guided Juve to the top of Serie A in his first season.

Meanwhile, QPR midfielder Joey Barton claimed England are in turmoil following the loss of Terry as captain and Capello as coach within a few days.

"Well, well, well, this debacle claims yet another victim. Where does this stop. Madness," he said on Twitter.

"No captain and no manager. 4 months from a major championship. What's going on......."

Suarez row is over - Dalglish

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists now is the time to draw a line under the Luis Suarez affair and move on ahead of this weekend's visit to Old Trafford.

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Saturday is likely to see the Uruguay international come up against United for the first time since his eight-match ban for racially abusing defender Patrice Evra, and the Scot, who confirmed Suarez would shake the hands of Evra and all the United players, has called for a "responsible" approach.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "Everyone involved, including the media, the supporters and both teams have a responsibility to ensure this weekend is remembered as a cracking game of football between two very good sides, rather than for anything else."

The teams have already met, in the Reds' FA Cup fourth-round win at Anfield last month, but the encounter at Old Trafford has the potential to be particularly hostile atmosphere towards the striker who finally made his comeback in Monday's draw at home to Tottenham.

That game threatened to re-open the simmering tensions between the two clubs and sets of fans after United striker Wayne Rooney wrote on Twitter he felt Suarez should have been sent off and not just booked for kicking Scott Parker in the stomach.

Equally, Dalglish's assertion in his post-match interviews that he felt the player should never have been banned in the first place could have been viewed by some as antagonistic.

"I thought everyone involved in the FA Cup tie at Anfield played their part in making sure that the match was played in the right way, so let's make sure that happens again this weekend," Dalglish added.

"I'm sure people will want to talk about Luis Suarez but he accepted his ban, served his suspension and returned against Spurs on Monday.

"It's time for all of us to draw a line under what happened and move forward.

"People are already speculating on the pre-match ceremony, but from Luis's point of view we have spoken to him and I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra and the other Manchester United players before the game."

Bennett relishing Norwich chance

England Under-21 defender Ryan Bennett is relishing the chance to take his game to another level under Paul Lambert at Norwich.

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The Canaries made an 11th-hour swoop for the centre-back on transfer deadline day, with Bennett halfway to Swansea before turning back to Norfolk where he completed what is understood to be a £3million deal late into the night.

As part of the move, Bennett has been loaned to Posh until the end of the month, when he will finally join up with his new team-mates and manager, and Bennett told Canaries Player: "As soon as I knew the interest from Norwich was full-on, I turned the car around and drove there."

He added: "I did not get back to Peterborough until four in the morning, but it was all worth it."

He added: "The manager has taken every club he has been at forwards, and has continued to do that at Norwich.

"For me to go there and play under a manager like him, I am sure it will make me a better player to achieve the level I want.

"The Premier League is the top league in the world, everyone wants to play in it and hopefully I will get my chance.

"Norwich are a close bunch of lads, so hopefully I can fit in well.

"There are a lot of good players there and it is up to me to work hard, take a chance when I get it and make a name for myself there."

League keep Old Trafford handshakes

The Premier League have no plans to cancel the pre-match handshakes ahead of Manchester United's clash with Liverpool on Saturday, when Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez are likely to come face to face again.

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Press Association Sport understands the handshakes will take place as planned at Old Trafford as the Premier League believes cancelling them would negate the point of having the tradition in the first place.

Saturday's match will be the second encounter between Liverpool and United since Reds forward Suarez was banned for eight matches for racially abusing United's Evra last year.

The Uruguayan was suspended for last month's FA Cup tie between the two sides at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-1.

Suarez's ban has now expired and he returned to action in Monday's league match against Tottenham.

Last month, the Football Association elected to cancel the handshakes between QPR and Chelsea ahead of their FA Cup clash in an effort to ease tensions due to John Terry's charge of racially abusing Rs defender Anton Ferdinand, an allegation the Chelsea captain denies.

Luiz happy to graft

David Luiz maintains he will take both criticism and praise in his stride as he concentrates on just doing an honest day's work at the heart of the Chelsea defence.

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The 24-year-old has produced both solid displays as well as the odd eccentric performance following his £21million move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica just over a year ago.

But as Chelsea look to replace the disappointment of letting a 3-0 lead slip against Manchester United last weekend with a positive result at Everton, Luiz insists meeting his own work ethic is all that matters, and told the club's official website: "I have been working in the same way as always, training at my best level."

He added: "Sometimes you get criticism, like I did, and recently I have been applauded for my work. As long as I can go home and lay down on my bed and have my conscience clear that I am doing an honest job, I am happy.

"The main thing is to continue working and maintaining the philosophy that the coach instructs.

"We have to do this, sometimes we are doing things that are great and not getting the results and sometimes we do things not so good and get the result.

"The main thing is to continue working hard and obviously we are not where we want to be at the moment, not fighting for first place, but we have to keep looking for victories and believe in ourselves until the end.

"There are games we have lost where we could have done better, but we can't change the past, we can only look to the future and know that we can do better and move up positions."

Owner Roman Abramovich was understood to have again attended training on Wednesday - this third recent visit to Cobham.

The club though have already denied any suggestion that manager Andre Villas-Boas was coming under increased scrutiny from the billionaire owner.

Park joins 200 club at Man United

Park Ji-sung is the latest proud member of Manchester United's 200-club having silenced those who claimed he was only bought to sell shirts in the Far East.

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The energetic midfielder completed the milestone when he was introduced as a substitute in United's staggering comeback draw at Chelsea on Sunday, an impressive effort considering how many times the 30-year-old has been forced out for extended periods through injury since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven in 2005.

At the time, Park's signing was dismissed as an elaborate money-making venture by the Old Trafford money men. Yet Sir Alex Ferguson always knew the South Korean had the capacity to be a key figure in his plans, and Park said: "I am proud to reach this mark."

He added: "I never thought I could play 200 matches for Manchester United. Some people did say those things (shirt-seller) when I came here. Now no-one says it. I am very happy that I proved Asian players can deal with the high levels of European football."

Since he has been at United, the club have claimed four league titles - becoming the first South Korean to collect a winners' medal - three League Cups, the World Club Cup and the Champions League.

Park was not in the match-day squad for the latter triumph over Chelsea in Moscow four seasons ago. However, he did play a pivotal role in the semi-final victory against Barcelona, running a mammoth 19km to help shut down Lionel Messi in the second leg at Old Trafford.

He has also made a remarkable habit of scoring in matches against the biggest opposition, most recently in the FA Cup defeat to Saturday's visitors Liverpool.

Typically though, Park has no desire to rest on his laurels, and said: "To make 200 games is brilliant. I have a lot of good memories, especially the days when I have lifted trophies. They are great feelings.

"But the atmosphere at Manchester United is such that when you reach one point in your career, there is a determination straight away to reach other goals and aims.

"That is why Manchester United players want to lift trophies again and again. I know why their hunger is so much to win titles. That is the mentality."

Wenger expects top-four finish

Arsene Wenger remains confident Arsenal have the strength of character needed to force themselves back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

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The Gunners head to Sunderland this weekend on the back of a 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn at Emirates Stadium, which was a welcome first league win of 2012 and reduced the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea, who drew with Manchester United, to three points.

Wenger's men are set to host four of the five sides currently above them over the coming weeks, and the Arsenal manager feels the team can produce the needed consistency, telling the club's official website: "We still have real hope that we can finish the season the strongest."

He added: "We have a good spirit and desire within the group - and we have quality. We know that with the position we are in we need an exceptional consistency, so that is the challenge we have in front of us at Sunderland."

Arsenal' defensive worries have eased somewhat in recent games with the return to match fitness of Bacary Sagna, while fellow full-back Kieran Gibbs is also close to being in contention again after his groin problems.

Switzerland international Johan Djourou did not feature in the squad for Blackburn.

The 25-year-old, though, appears to remain very much part of Wenger's plans, with the Switzerland Football Association posting an article announcing Djourou - who came up through the Arsenal youth ranks - had agreed a contract extension until 2015.

Press Association Sport understands confirmation will come from Arsenal later on Wednesday.

Djourou, who posted a link to the story via his Twitter account, said on http://www.football.ch: "I like this club and I want to stay here as long as possible.

"I currently work in the background, waiting for another chance to show my potential. I have confidence in the future."

Ex-England star Merson banned for drink-driving

Former England and Arsenal star Paul Merson was banned from driving for 14 months on Wednesday after crashing his car into a truck last year while over the alcohol limit.

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Merson pleaded guilty to drink-driving in a hearing at Leamington Spa Magistrates which heard how the 43-year-old fell asleep at the wheel after having a "few drinks" at a charity event last October.

The Arsenal legend crashed his Mercedes car into a heavy goods vehicle as he was driving home from the event, the court was told.

Merson made nearly 300 appearances for Arsenal during a 12-year career with the Gunners before later stints with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Walsall. He also earned 21 caps for England between 1991 and 1998.

Kightly targets Magpies game

Wolves winger Michael Kightly will miss Sunday's derby against West Brom due to a back injury but is in line to return to action against Newcastle on February 25.

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Kightly suffered the setback during the home defeat against Liverpool last Tuesday and was ruled out of the weekend win at QPR. Wolves hope a two-week break from action after the derby will enable him to recover for the visit to face Newcastle.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: "Kights is resting at the moment but the aim is to have him training again and available for the Newcastle game."

Defender Ronald Zubar has returned to training after suffering a knee ligament injury against Arsenal six weeks ago.

Best sidelined by knee blow

Newcastle have confirmed striker Leon Best is facing several weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee ligament injury.

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The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international damaged his knee in a first-half block tackle with Stephen Warnock during Sunday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Aston Villa.

A club statement said: "Newcastle United can today confirm that Leon Best has sustained medial ligament damage to his left knee."

The statement added: "The striker was forced off in the early stages of Sunday's home victory over Aston Villa having picked up an injury while trying to get a shot away.

"After being assessed by the club's medical staff, Best underwent a scan on Tuesday and will be out for a number of weeks."

Redknapp cleared of tax dodge

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been cleared of taking bungs in an offshore tax dodge.

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Redknapp's hopes of leading the England team received a major boost as he walked free from court. Jurors accepted Redknapp's angry denials that he avoided tax on any payments over £189,000 found in a Monaco account.

His acquittal alongside co-defendant Milan Mandaric blows the final whistle on a five-year £8 million police investigation which failed to yield a single conviction. Mandaric and former Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie were also cleared of £600,000 tax dodge claims at a previous trial, it can be reported for the first time.

Redknapp and Mandaric hugged as the jury cleared them of all counts. Redknapp was at times moved to the verge of tears as the Crown alleged that he told a pack of lies in an attempt to get off the hook.

But jurors accepted Redknapp and Mandaric's evidence that the Monaco account in the name of Redknapp's dog, Rosie, was nothing to do with footballing matters. The two-week trial at London's Southwark Crown Court threatened to derail Redknapp's progress at the pinnacle of his 30-year managerial career.

Having led Spurs through their most successful period in the Premier League era, the Londoner was tipped as the outstanding favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager this summer. With his name cleared in the courts, nothing would now appear to stand in the way for the Football Association to hire him.

The verdicts mark a disastrous end of an exhaustive inquiry into football corruption by tax authorities and City of London Police. Police began pursuing Redknapp in 2006 after he admitted having the Monaco account as he was questioned by the Quest inquiry into Premier League bungs.

The transactions took place as the pair squabbled over a transfer bonus Redknapp was due for the £3 million profit the club made on the sale of England striker Peter Crouch. But the jury accepted Redknapp's claim that he knew he was "morally but not legally" entitled to the cash.

A recorded telephone conversation between News of the World reporter Rob Beasley and the pair in 2009 was a pivotal element in the Crown's case. Redknapp telling Mr Beasley it was money for transfer bonuses was "the most compelling and important evidence", prosecutor John Black QC said.

But defence barrister John Kelsey-Fry QC said the Sunday tabloid's evidence was "primarily despicable". "I do not shrink from suggesting to you it is repugnant to all our basic instincts of fairness in the criminal justice process," he said.

Hodgson happy with Baggies progress

Roy Hodgson is "satisfied" with his first 12 months at West Brom after instantly returning to football following his sacking by Liverpool.

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Hodgson, who will celebrate his first anniversary with the club this weekend, was relieved of his duties at Anfield in January last year and was appointed head coach at the Hawthorns just 37 days later.

He steered the Baggies out of the bottom three into 11th spot and this season Albion have stayed out of the relegation zone, despite a poor run of home form, in their bid to become a Premier League force. Hodgson said: "After leaving Liverpool, I suppose it was a bit of a bold decision to go straight back into football - especially at a club that was in danger of relegation."

He added: "I was very happy last season with the way things went and, this season, I have had happy moments and unhappy moments.

"But I am still very satisfied with the way we're working, with the way the players are working and trying to do their best for the club.

"I'm very happy with the staff and the way they're working although happiness, like all football coaches, depends upon what happens on a Saturday afternoon and, at the end of 90 minutes, what the score is.

"But there is a major difference between results and work and it's not as simple as saying: 'If you work well you get results'.

"Sometimes you can work well without results and sometimes you can get results without doing much for it. That's a fact of life.

"What you have to believe, if you've been in it for a long time, is that if you do work properly you'll have more success than if you don't.

"Whether it will be enough success is another question because that will depend on whether people make bad mistakes at either end of the pitch."

McLeish wants N'Zogbia to improve

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has told Charles N'Zogbia actions speak louder than words after the winger claimed he was not enjoying his football.

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N'Zogbia has had a mixed first season at Villa Park since his £9million summer move from Wigan but has been urged by McLeish to overcome his frustrations through hard work and performing consistently.

N'Zogbia let his emotions spill over after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at his former club Newcastle by writing on Twitter that he was not enjoying his football "for the first time in my career". McLeish said: "I've said it before, that Twitter and the social networks is not a world familiar to me."

He added: "Years ago, players would have hammered down the manager's door when they were frustrated rather than letting their feelings known on the internet.

"But it amounts to the same thing in that you just can't tell people you are frustrated, you have to do something about it by consistently playing well.

"If Charles is not enjoying his football, then he needs to do something about it on the pitch - and that applies to everyone and not just Charles N'Zogbia.

"It is not a coincidence the best moment Charles has had in a Villa shirt have come when he has been working hard - and that's when you get the best rewards in anything."

Meanwhile, McLeish confirmed Villa are considering yoga as a way of helping striker Gabriel Agbonlahor overcome his back and hamstring injury problems.

He said: "It is something we will be talking about with the doctor and fitness coach to see whether Gabby is going to embark on yoga. One or two players already do it here."

Arsenal set to move for unhappy Chelsea star Sturridge

Chelsea face a battle to keep hold of top-scorer Daniel Sturridge, with Arsenal showing a major interest in the young forward.
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Sturridge has scored 10 goals for Chelsea so far this season, but sources close to the player claim he is unhappy at being played on the wing by Andre Villas-Boas.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, Arsenal will take advantage of his situation at Stamford Bridge and make a bid for him in the summer.

Sturridge wants to negotiate an improved deal, yet Chelsea are unwilling to do so as he still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.

With Chelsea rumoured to be interested in bringing in a new forward in the summer, his chances of playing in his preferred position seem unlikely.

O'Neill not looking too far ahead

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will take nothing for granted as he attempts to guide his side into the FA Cup fifth round at the second attempt.

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The Black Cats head into Wednesday night's fourth-round replay at Middlesbrough having earned themselves a replay courtesy of returning hero Fraizer Campbell's equaliser at the end of last month.

Arsenal, who head for the Stadium of Light in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, await the winners in a home tie the following weekend, although O'Neill will not even contemplate a quickfire return to Wearside for the Gunners until it is secured. He said: "We have a very, very difficult game that can go either way, and I wouldn't even look at Arsenal at all."

O'Neill added: "I would be really surprised if a Sunderland supporter who really knew about the game would take anything for granted now, particularly for the kind of run we have had in recent years.

"I don't think that for a second. That's certainly not my attitude.

"Obviously, we have got Arsenal at the weekend, and that's a different issue all together in terms of the league.

"What I can say is that we will just give everything to try to win the game - but that won't automatically give us victory at all."

Sunderland's run of form since O'Neill's arrival in December has been little short of remarkable, with a return of 22 league points from a possible 30 easing them well clear of the relegation zone.

However, Boro are one of only four sides to deny them victory during that period - Tottenham, Everton and Chelsea are the others - and for that reason, the Ulsterman knows they will have a fight on their hands once again at the Riverside Stadium.

He said: "The only enjoyment we all get, either as players of supporters, would be in the winning of the game. But I am sorry, I cannot guarantee that at all and I think it will be very, very difficult for us."

Fans plan protest against McLeish

Aston Villa supporters are being urged to attend a proposed pre-match protest against manager Alex McLeish ahead of Sunday's home clash with Manchester City.

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A statement posted on the 'Vital Villa' (VV) fans' website claims the current record of six wins in 24 Barclays Premier League games is "relegation form." It also claims the Villa players are "seeming to be in open revolt" following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle.

The statement reads: "We have played 24 games this season, we have won six! Is this good enough? No. This is relegation form. Alex McLeish is not the man to lead Aston Villa."

The statement added: "He had a full pre-season, was given £20million (approximately) to spend and has players of the calibre of Darren Bent, Gabby Agbonlahor and Stephen Ireland to work with (also the most promising batch of home-grown players produced in years).

"Despite all this, we find ourselves 13th in the table and without a home win since Bonfire Night (November 5). Now after the debacle of Sunday, with the players now seeming to be in open revolt, the future is looking very bleak indeed.

"We need to act now before it is too late and the unthinkable happens. If you support this, please join us 3pm on Sunday, Trinity Road Stand by the McGregor Statue. If you don't then please ignore this."

Some sections of supporters were unhappy when McLeish made the switch from local rivals Birmingham to replace Gerard Houllier last summer. But it remains to be seen whether there will be substantial tangible support for the proposed protest on Sunday.

Villa sold Ashley Young and Stewart Downing for a combined £35million to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively last summer. They spent around £17million in signing Charles N'Zogbia, Shay Given and Alan Hutton plus Jermaine Jenas on loan from Tottenham.

McLeish was aware of the constraints he was under and often admitted he has been instructed to reduce the "astronomical" wage bill by club owner Randy Lerner.

The former Rangers boss has also conceded this is a season of transition for the midlands club but remains convinced he is the right man at the helm to eventually revive Villa's fortunes.

Krasic admits an interest in Chelsea move

The agent of Juventus winger Milos Krasic has admitted that the Serbian likes the thought of playing for Chelsea.
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Krasic, 27, has been at Juventus since 2010 having joined the Italian side from CSKA Moscow for £13million.

He has only managed to feature seven times this season under manager Antonio Conte.

His agent Valado Borozan told Italian sports website calciomercation.it:

‘In this moment Milos wants to stay at Juventus. There is no need to work on Krasic - we have to wait and see what will happen.

‘Milos is appreciated everywhere, so we'll see which side will come forward between now and June.

‘He is under contract and so far there has not been a need to start talking to other clubs.

‘Chelsea? They are interested in the player and they are one of the clubs he likes.’

According to The Metro, Chelsea could make their move for Krasic once the transfer window re-opens in the summer.

Berbatov wants more game time

Dimitar Berbatov expects to remain at Manchester United beyond this season but has reiterated his disenchantment at his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.

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The 31-year-old was linked with a move away from the Red Devils in the January transfer window but no deal was completed and it is now expected that the club will activate a one-year extension to his contract - a clause written into his deal when he signed for United from Tottenham in 2008.

Berbatov told Bulgarian sports website www.sportal.bg: "I am a Manchester United player, but I do not currently play in as many games as I want. I'm not happy that I do not play. But I cannot blame anyone, especially in the media. When I have something to say, I go and talk face to face with the manager. He decides everything."

Speaking about his future at United, Berbatov added: "There was nothing concrete as an offer to me. I read about such things, but they are more speculation. I do not know how long I will stay at Manchester United.

"To my knowledge, the clause to extend my contract for another year is automatically activated in March. I know nothing more."

Abramovich runs the rule over Chelsea

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich watched his expensively assembled side train Tuesday as he continued to keep an eye on the regime of manager Andre Villas-Boas.

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The Russian billionaire made what is thought to be his first training-ground visit of the season on Saturday, spending more than half an hour watching the preparations for Sunday's 3-3 Premier League draw with Manchester United and 20 minutes speaking with Villas-Boas.

Chelsea have denied reports the duo were involved in 'showdown' talks, following a report Abramovich, who is estimated to have invested £1 billion of hs own fortune into the London club, had become frustrated with results that have left them 14 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Abramovich did though talk to Chelsea's players after watching them blow a 3-0 lead against United.

But Villas-Boas said: "Roman is always very interested in the running of events and it was good for the team to feel his presence.

"We touched a little bit, of course, on next year's project but mainly on that (United) game.

"Roman is a very educated person to the cause of Chelsea Football Club and his aura is always present."

Villas-Boas agrees with Capello

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has backed Fabio Capello in the row over John Terry being stripped of the England captaincy and insisted the Italian had every right to make his unhappiness known.

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Capello told Italian TV that he "absolutely" disagreed with the action by the Football Association.

The FA announced on Friday their decision to remove the armband from Terry until the outcome of his court case in July where the Chelsea defender denies a charge of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand. Villas-Boas said: "He has the right to his opinion and to share that defence with the player."

It is understood that Terry, 31, has no intention of quitting international football and is intent on playing for England at Euro 2012.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson claims the FA and Capello need to sort out their differences over Terry.

The England manager is due to meet FA chairman David Bernstein for talks later this week when the issue will be raised.

Ferguson told CNN: "There has to be some communication regarding the issue. I know Fabio has been abroad but he's back now so the next few days should reveal everything.

"It's a difficult situation for both sides.

"When you are the manager of a team and have a captain that is an important part of that team then you don't want to lose him, so I can understand there's a lot of discussion and controversy about it."