Manchester United crank up Van Persie chase as Ferguson admits Berbatov is off

Manchester United will intensify efforts to prise Robin van Persie from Arsenal, after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed he is willing to let Dimitar Berbatov go.

Wantaway Berbatov set up Federico Macheda for the only goal of United’s opening South Africa tour game against Amazulu.
Meanwhile, reports in Italy, claimed that United have had a bid for the Dutchman rejected by Arsenal.

In and out: Robin van Persie is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson while Dimitar Berbatov's (below) Manchester United future looks increasingly uncertain

 

Van Persie is in danger of pricing himself out of a move to Juventus after the Turin giants switched their attention to Stevan Jovetic.
The Fiorentina forward could cost Juve £23million. Van Persie, 29 next month, has rejected Arsenal’s offer of £130,000 a week and Juve know they can secure Jovetic, 22, for £45,000 a week.
Manchester City have been favourites to strike a deal for Van Persie.
Ferguson’s only comment was on Berbatov’s desire to leave Old Trafford, possibly moving to Galatasaray for £5million or even returning to Tottenham.
'I do not need to herald the abilities of Dimitar Berbatov, he is a fantastic talent,' said Ferguson. 'Last season he didn't quite get the amount of football he wants. At his age, it was difficult for him to accept his position in the forward line.

Welcome: Shinji Kagawa made his debut for Manchester United...

... as Federico Macheda scored the winner in a pre-season friendly in South Africa

'He had Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez in front of him, and they are all young men. The boy has a future, but if he wants to leave it is a different matter.
'I am easy about it if he stays. I would be happy with that. But if someone comes in and Dimitar wants to leave, we will assess it.'
Berbatov released a statement on his Facebook site last week revealing his frustrations at a summer of speculation.

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It said: ‘I am tired of speculation,’ he said on his Facebook page.
‘I read the papers and I see they say £10million is my price. I go and talk with Sir Alex, and he says to me £5m.
‘So who is telling the truth?  I love this club, but I’m not going to be useful to anyone if I am not playing.
‘I want to play, I want to help. But for unknown reasons it’s not going to happen or my chances will be limited, so it’s better for everyone if we say goodbye.
‘If not, I am professional and I will keep doing everything I can to help my team and my  team-mates, whenever I have the opportunity to do so.’
Emil Dantchev, his agent, said on Tuesday: ‘Dimitar likes Serie A and would be happy to discuss a move [to AC Milan].’
He only played 21 times for United last season as he was overlooked in favour of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as Wayne Rooney's strike partner.

Arsenal can still win the league without spending silly money, insists Wenger

 Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can still win the Barclays Premier League despite not being able to match the outlay of some rivals.

The Gunners are without a trophy since winning the FA Cup seven years ago and have not won the title since 2004.
Big-spending Chelsea and Manchester City have enjoyed domestic success since then, while Arsenal have been criticised by some supporters for not splashing the cash.

Defiant: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

 

That, though, does not mean the north Londoners should not hold title ambitions, according to Wenger.
'Firstly, I must say that not being able to match the spending of the richest clubs does not mean that you can't compete with them on the pitch,' he told Time Out Hong Kong.
'When I first came to England, this question did not exist. Every club was run within its resources.
'The Chelseas and the Man Citys are new problems. But with this new financial environment, what has not changed at all is our policy that we will be as ambitious as ever and spend the money that we have available, if possible in an intelligent and wise way.
'We have always spent money because we are ambitious for top-class players and if you look at the history of our last 15 years, we have always had top-class players.
'It does not mean you can't win the title if you can't compete financially.'

Upbeat: Wenger feels Arsenal can challenge for title

The Frenchman, speaking before Robin van Persie announced his intention to leave the Gunners, added: "I have been in football for a long, long time and I don't think just spending money is a target that is defendable.
'To spend the money on a top player is defendable. But just to spend the money is like you are worried.
'Our fans can be proud of the way we run this club, of the quality of the players we have and of the financial situation that is existing at the club.
'Rather than convicting this club, they have more reason to be proud of the whole situation here.
'We have built a team and a stadium in such a short space of time, and have a strong financial situation - and we have always survived at the top level.'
Wenger also believes the eventual implementation of Financial Fair Play can have a positive impact on both Arsenal and the league as a whole.

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'We need first to see how effectively financial fair play can be enforced before we can fully understand the impact but I believe it will make for a more exciting Premier League,' Wenger said.
'When you look at the history of England, there are Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Derby County who have all won championships.
'If that is possible again it will be even more interesting.
'If the rules are well introduced, it will be a massive advantage to Arsenal Football Club, of course, and we will be well positioned for that.
'I don't want to go into excuses but you want a business to be run properly and I believe that to lose £150million a year, you don't deserve a lot of credit to win a competition.
'I think that it is right that you balance your books - to accept the one basic principle for every company - and that's that you can spend the money which you make.
'That principle just seems to be a common sense and logical one.'