Roberto Mancini wants 'more control over the team' at Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has called for Manchester City bosses to give him more authority to guarantee success next season.

The Italian is demanding more power in terms of transfer dealings as well as in determining how the club is run, citing Sir Alex Ferguson’s control at rivals Manchester United as the perfect model.

“I agree with him [Sir Alex], but he has been at United for a long time so for him it is easy,” Mancini told reporters.

The City manager appears eager to push away from a director of football model and wants more of the influence currently enjoyed by both chief executive Garry Cook and football administrator Brian Marwood to be bestowed on himself.

Mancini was asked if he shared the same views as his bosses, and replied: "I think so, because we want to win. Maybe we had a different way but now we have a good relationship.

Blues warned over Modric price

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has warned Chelsea that it is likely to take "an awful lot more" than £35 million to sign Luka Modric.

Modric has expressed his determination to secure a move to Stamford Bridge and Redknapp, who reiterated this week that he "understands" the player's desire to leave, has claimed many of the world's top clubs are interested.

On Thursday, he said: "Everyone wants Luka. Just ask Alex Ferguson what he thinks of him, ask Roberto Mancini at Manchester City - they all want him. He could play for Barcelona."

However, Chelsea - who have already seen offers of £22 million and £27 million rejected - have been told that they will need to dramatically up their bid.

United number one position in safe hands

Sir Alex Ferguson has likened new keeper David de Gea to Petr Cech as the young stopper bids to fill the gloves of Edwin Van der Sar and, hopefully, follow in the famous footsteps of Peter Schmeichel at Old Trafford.

So-called experts reckon that the £18m signing from Atletico Madrid, at 20, is too young to handle the responsibility of being United’s new No.1. Sir Alex, who knows a thing or two about players, doesn’t go along with that view.

Fergie insisted: "I went to see Petr Cech when he was at Rennes. I said to myself ‘yeah, he's too young'. But Chelsea bought him at the end of the season for £7m and he's never been out of the team.

"So age doesn't matter when you have the ability of a goalkeeper like Petr Cech or, we know, David De Gea."

Sir Alex added: "David is young, he's quick, he has fantastic presence and composure and his use of the ball is outstanding."

A few facts about United’s new No.1:

De Gea joined Atlético Madrid's youth system at the age of ten, and made his way up through the ranks at the club.

He spent his first professional seasons playing for Atlético Madrid B in Segunda División B. With first choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo away on international duty at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup, De Gea was called up to the senior side as cover for Roberto.

He made his debut for the Atlético first team at the age of 18 on 30 September 2009, coming on as a substitute after Roberto was injured after 26 minutes of Atlético's Champions League group stage match away to Porto.

De Gea finished the 2009–10 season as the starting 'number one'. He won two man of the match awards along the way, against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.

He appeared in eight games in the club's victorious UEFA Europa League campaign, including the 2–1 final win against Fulham.

De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the season's UEFA Super Cup. In the 90th minute of the 2–0 win against Internazionale, he saved a Diego Milito penalty kick.

Source: www.givemefootball.com

United all set to seal Wesley Sneijder deal for 35 million pounds...

Manchester United is all set to sign Wesley Sneijder for 35 million pounds. 

United chief executive David Gill finalizing the details with representatives of Sneijder and Inter Milan. 

Gill had stayed behind in Manchester to complete negotiations on the club record transfer when Alex Ferguson and his squad flew out to the United States on Monday, The Sun reports. 

United signing the 27-year-old Dutchman is a dramatic swoop by boss Ferguson, who will now have spent more than 85 million pounds on four players this summer after also buying Phil Jones,Ashley Young and goalkeeper David De Gea. 

United legend Gary Neville said: "Sneijder is a player with great football intelligence."

Source: The Times Of India.

Assurance for Berbatov..

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov has been assured by Manchester Unitedmanager Sir Alex Ferguson that he is still needed by the Red Devils.

Reports that the unsettled forward is to leave Old Trafford in the very near future have intensified since he was snubbed for Manchester United's Champions League final against Barcelona.

 "It was a difficult decision to leave him out of the final and I know he was disappointed," Ferguson has said, as cited by tribalfootball.com. "But we have had a long chat and he has accepted the decision and is looking forward to the new season," he has added.

The Bulgarian had one of his best seasons at Old Trafford as he became Premiership's joint top goalscorer, hitting the net 20 times.

However, he had to spend most of his time on the bench towards the season's end, as Javier Hernandez was favored over him.

With reported interest from Valencia and Juventus, it remains to be seen where the Bulgarian will find himself when the season begins.