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It’s not too often that come the end of the season the Manchester United trophy cabinet remains unfilled. For years on end, the Premier League crown has called the Old Trafford museum its spiritual home, but even on the occasion when it does end up somewhere else, United always manage to win at least one other competition to soften the blow. Sir Alex Ferguson and co face a different scenario this May though – a year without a trophy at all. But what will that mean for a team still very much in transition? Could it be the end of the road already?

It seems a little knee-jerk, but after back-to-back defeats to two of their biggest rivals, the wheels look as though they may be about to come off at the worst possible time. I think it’s fair to say that the only reason United are still top of the league is because the teams around them have been equally inconsistent. But next season they won’t be so fortunate. Chelsea will be a lot better next season after their new recruits have had a chance to settle down, Arsenal mature with each passing year and it’s only a matter of time before Manchester City put up a real fight for the league title.

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You could argue decisions didn’t go United’s way at Chelsea – that happens. But anyone in the game will tell you it’s all about the reaction to such defeats. Man United’s wasn’t good enough at Liverpool and it highlighted a huge problem. Wes Brown and Michael Carrick are no longer good enough, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are resembling luxuries and Wayne Rooney looks a shade of the player he did last season. I’m not suggesting they should all be flogged off in the summer, but as the senior players in the side responsible for bringing through the next generation, it definitely presents a problem that Sir Alex must address sooner rather than later.

We’ve seen him dismantle squads before, so sentiment isn’t an issue for the 69-year-old. The Premier League has been there for United to lose this season, and I’m sure Fergie won’t take too kindly if his side do throw it away. United have a lot of youngsters who he has put faith in, but you can see the likes of Obertan, Anderson, and Bebe making way along with a few of the first team regulars if United do manage to capitulate in the manner they are threatening to do so.

Any trophy this season will paper over the cracks at Old Trafford and will give Fergie the time to go about building another team without the media predicting a ‘crumbling empire’ at Old Trafford. But if they fail to win the much sought after record 19th title, Ferguson could once again look to the future to bring about more success next season. Is it time for Sir Alex to start again? I get the feeling we are one Premier League trophy away from the answer.

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If you want to read more follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@joino

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Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has admitted that new defensive signings are his priority ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Hughton has added utility man James Perch and former Everton full-back Dan Gosling to his ranks in recent weeks.

However, with first-choice centre-back Steven Taylor struggling with a shoulder injury ahead of the new campaign, the current Magpies squad is short on numbers at the back.

"If I look at what we've got at this moment, defence is probably the area where we're a little bit light," Hughton told the Northern Echo.

"With Steven Taylor and James Perch missing, we had young James Tavernier, who is normally a right-back, playing at centre-back, young Shane Ferguson at left-back and Wayne Routledge playing in a very unfamiliar right-back position. Defensively, we are stretched."

Hughton has already admitted his interest in Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley.

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He added:"In terms of the bigger clubs, once they've made a decision on what they've got, then they will decide who they can let go on loan.

"It's a situation where we have to try to be on the pulse as much as we can and hopefully we'll be there to make a decision when we need to."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has signed a new contract at the club that will keep him in North London until 2015.

The Belgium international joined The Gunners from Ajax back in 2009, and instantly impressed with excellent defensive displays and contributing to the side’s goal tally in his first campaign in England.

The vice-captain has had an injury prone last year, but has agreed to prolong his stay with Arsene Wenger’s men.

“I am really happy to have signed a new contract with Arsenal. I always had the intention to stay here,” he told the club’s official website.

“I feel there is a big belief in me from the club, from the boss and from the fans and that is one of the reasons why I stayed.

“Arsenal is a fantastic club. We have great supporters, we’re doing well financially and we are playing with some quality young players now and they will develop, which is very good for the future,” he concluded.

Boss Wenger is also delighted that the centre half has decided to commit to the Emirates’ outfit, and feels the defender can play a big part in Arsenal’s future hopes for success.

“We are absolutely delighted that Thomas has signed a new long-term contract,” the French coach stated.

“Our plan is always to sign top quality players and with Thomas extending his contract, we have done just that.

“Thomas is a special player, who has always made a huge contribution on the pitch and we are looking forward to him being a part of our future at Arsenal Football Club,” he stated.

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The news will bolster Arsenal amid constant rumours over their best players leaving the club, and Wenger’s next focus will be in convincing star attacker Robin van Persie to sign on the dotted line, as his current deal runs out in June 2013.

By Gareth McKnight

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Barcelona’s back-up goalkeeper Jose Pinto has sung the praises of his manager Pep Guardiola.Pinto, 35, made his first start in two years when he stepped in for the injured Victor Valdes in Barca’s 2-1 La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.The Spaniard impressed in the match, which the Catalan giants won thanks to a late Lionel Messi strike, and thanked his manager and the club’s fans for standing by him.”First of all, I am very proud,” Pinto said.”The manager has always shown total confidence in me.””I can say that as a player, feeling the love of the fans when they chant your name makes your hairs stand up.””Maybe not in the same game, but after it you can realise that the people value your work for the team. It is a recognition that I am proud of.”Pinto will be heavily involved in Barcelona’s first-team activities for some time with Valdes expected to miss up to a month with a knee injury, putting him in doubt for the club’s second leg Champions League tie against Arsenal on March 8.

Former England captain John Terry has apologised to England head coach Fabio Capello for the comments he made during Sunday's press conference in Rustenburg.

The Chelsea star has been reported as trying to undermine Capello by calling for him to make changes to his starting line-up and tactics for Wednesday's must-win World Cup Group C clash with Slovenia.

Capello has already said Terry was wrong to go public with his thoughts and the defender has now told the Daily Mail: 'I went into the press conference with the intention of being honest.

"I was asked a question about Joe Cole and maybe I went too far. But it was never my intention to upset the manager or the players and if I did upset anyone, I apologise.

"I have told the manager he has my total support and I would like to stress that I don't believe I have been a disruptive influence in the camp.

"I would now like to put this episode behind me and concentrate on trying to win what is a massive game for England.

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"All I was trying to do was to say how important it is to me to try to win the World Cup. I just hope people at least appreciate that I have taken the time to call you and have asked you to report what I have to say in response."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has rebuffed criticism of his side in the aftermath of their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday, and has stated that his side are still challengers for honours.

The press were damning of the Stamford Bridge club’s performance at Old Trafford, with Alan Hansen calling The Blues ‘naive’.

However, the Portuguese coach has defended his team and feels the criticism was harsh.

“What came out of that game was that, with that scoreline, we were naive because the others guys [United] created an amount of opportunities to win by the scoreline – but that is completely false, completely false,. We were the team that had seven or eight opportunities,” he stated to The Telegraph.

“They are Man United at Old Trafford. The three goals — two were offside and the third was a ricochet. Where were we naive in that? Or is the person who is writing the article being naive?” he stated scathingly, with Hansen’s comments in mind.

“One thing – it’s untrue. At 30 minutes the most dominant team [in the match] was the least efficient team [United], 13 shots against three. There was no naiveness there, just an unwillingness [from critics] to make a correct comment on the game by having pleasure in criticising the others.

“We weren’t naive. We had the initiative of the game, we could have won the game. We created the most chances. It was a problem of efficiency for us. I would do the same [tactics] all over the season,” he concluded.

Chelsea take on Swansea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and will look to close the gap on United, who have a tricky trip to Stoke.

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Bayern Munich and Inter Milan meet in a Champions League round of 16 tie at the San Siro on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2010 final.Italian powerhous Inter got the better of their German opponents at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 22, winning 2-0 to secure a treble of European Cup, Serie A title and Coppa Italia. Bayern were forced to settle for a runners-up medal in Madrid and consoled themselves with a domestic double of Bundesliga championship and DFB Pokal Cup.But both sides have slipped considerably since their all-conquering form of last season. Inter lost coach Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid just days after he guided them to their third European crown. His replacement, Rafael Benitez, lasted just seven months before being shown the door as a consequence of disappointing results at home and abroad. Brazilian Leonardo, brought in on an 18-month contract, has orchestrated a minor revival to see the team rise to third in the league.But with the players struggling to replicate their impressive performances of the previous campaign, Inter appear unlikely to become the first team to retain the European Cup since 1990. Bayern have also endured a disappointing season to date. Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and the bulk of last year’s squad remain at the Allianz Arena, but they made an awful start to the Bundesliga season and allowed Borussia Dortmund to race into a commanding lead. With Dortmund 13 points ahead already, Bayern appear destined to surrender their crown. In a rare piece of good news, dangerous wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben – the duo who fired Bayern to success in 2009/10 – finally took to the pitch together for the first time this season two weeks ago and were on the field again in a 3-1 win over Mainz on Sunday.Inter, meanwhile, could only scrape a 1-0 win at home to mid-table Cagliari. Centre-back Lucio and playmaker Wesley Sneijder have been rushed back into action by Inter for the key match. Bayern forward Mario Gomez should recover from an ankle injury, but the departure of Martin Demichelis to Malaga in January has left a hole in the centre of defence. Ukraine midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk has filled in with mixed results and may be targeted by Inter forward Samuel Eto’o. Diego Milito, scorer of both goals in the final, is injured, while Giampaolo Pazzini is ineligible, meaning out-of-form Goran Pandev could start alongside Eto’o.

Andrey Arshavin has hinted at disenchantment at Arsenal after describing their past season as "pitiful".

The Russia star could be on a collision course with manager Arsene Wenger after lamenting another trophyless season at the Emirates Stadium.

Arshavin, who scored 11 goals in 37 games for the Gunners last term, has been linked with several moves away from the north London club since the season ended.

"There was nothing special last season for me to think back about. The season was normal – even pitiful," he said.

Speaking about compatriot Yuri Zhirkov at Chelsea, he added:"But I am happy for Yuri Zhirkov, who won the Premier League with Chelsea.

"They deserved the trophy, as they were the strongest during the season."

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Arshavin joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg in a £12million transfer in January 2009.

At the time the international playmaker was strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

A few weeks ago, everyone was waxing lyrical about Liverpool’s devastating attack comprising of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

The trio have been scoring goals for fun, but in the last few weeks, the action up front has dried up.

In fact, in the team’s last three games in all competitions, they have scored just twice, only one of those scorers was part of the scintillating trio – Mane.

Liverpool’s progression into the final of the Champions League has seemingly masked the indifferent performances on the pitch of late.

Reaching the Kiev showpiece against Real Madrid is a huge achievement, but the displays in a recent goalless draw with Stoke City and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea should not be ignored.

Salah in particular has been rather anonymous in these fixtures, which is a rare occurrence for the 43-goal attacker, but during this time, Mane has managed to step up.

The Senegal international has also had better days, but against Chelsea, he was arguably the better player out of Klopp’s front three.

Mane, who has scored 19 goals and produced eight assists in all competitions, created more shots than any other Liverpool player on the pitch, three of which were on target.

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Even though the former Southampton star was not at his complete best, his performance against Chelsea showed that the Reds do not have to me solely reliant on Salah to get the job done.

Although, with that being said, Klopp will be praying that all three attacking stars are fit and firing for the final league game of the season against Brighton, as well as the final on May 26.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has warned interested clubs that Charlie Austin will not be sold on the cheap this summer, even though the Super Hoops have been relegated to the Championship.

The Rs’ 6-0 drubbing at Manchester City on Sunday confirmed their stay in the top tier will be restricted to one season, but the form of their hit-man has been a shining light.

Austin has netted an incredible 17 goals for QPR in league action, which is a tally only bettered by Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero.

WANT MORE? >> Newcastle transfer news | Southampton transfer news

Naturally there is interest in the player, with Newcastle and Southampton watching him alongside clubs such as Liverpool, Crystal Palace and promoted side, Bournemouth, according to reports.

However, despite serious financial concerns at Loftus Road, Ferdinand told the London Evening Standard that Austin will not be sold on the cheap:

“This club isn’t going to be a bargain bucket. Charlie has had a fantastic year in terms of scoring in the Premier League with 17 in his debut season.

“He is fourth in the list of top scorers and that is in a team which has been relegated. That is a phenomenal strike rate.

“We can gloss over it as much as we want, but people are going to court him, people are going to come after him.

“Can we keep him? We are going to sit down with Charlie and talk to him. But it will come down to him and his agent to decide what’s best for Charlie Austin.

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“But I’m not even going to talk about what figure we will ask for from other clubs because we are going to try and keep him.”

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