Manchester United Vs Manchester City 3-1: Carling Cup SemiFinal at Old Trafford

Manchester United Vs Manchester City (1-0) Aggregate (2-2) Paul Scholes
Manchester United Vs Manchester City (2-0) Aggregate (3-2) Michel Carrick

Manchester United Vs Manchester City (2-1) Aggregate (3-3) Carlos Tevez

Manchester United Vs Manchester City (3-1) Aggregate (4-3) Wayne Rooney

Rooney takes United to Wembley

Wayne Rooney headed Manchester United to Wembley with an injury-time winner to beat Manchester City 3-1 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate.

The England striker settled a pulsating Carling Cup semi-final when he turned home Ryan Giggs' cross from close range at Old Trafford.

United had already been pegged back once when Carlos Tevez scored to haul City level on aggregate after Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had found the net either side of half-time.

Villa booked their place in the final last week, when they beat Blackburn Rovers 6-4 in the their semi-final second leg at Villa Park.

The final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 28th February.

Video : Manchester United 4 Hull City 0 : Rooney 4 goals

Manchester United 1 Hull CIty 0 [Rooney]

Manchester United 2 Hull CIty 0 [Rooney]



Manchester United 3 Hull CIty 0 [Rooney]



Manchester United 4 Hull CIty 0 [Rooney]

Manchester united 4 hull city 0 : WAYNE ROONEY hit all four goals to fire Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League table

Rooney was at his brilliant best to help the champions to 50 points, two clear of Arsenal and Chelsea.

The England striker was quickly out of the traps as he reacted first after Boaz Myhill could only parry Paul Scholes' stinging drive from 30 yards on seven minutes

He sealed the points on 82 minutes as he made the most of a mistake from Myhill.

Roo rounded off his treble four minutes later with another clinical finish before grabbing his first four-goal display in injury-time.

It was one-way traffic after Rooney's opener at Old Trafford and Nani's long-ranger was always too high, while Park Ji Sung glanced a header wide from Darren Fletcher's cross.

The returning Rio Ferdinand turned a Nani corner into the side-netting before Nick Barmby finally tested Edwin van Der Sar with an angled drive.

Rooney turned onto Nani's cross but his shot flew over after cannoning off Paul McShane.

Nani went down under Geovanni's tackle after a neat bit of skill had taken him into the Hull box, but ref Steve Bennett waved away appeals for a penalty.

Andy Dawson then robbed Michael Owen after Rooney had supplied the inspired through ball.

Ferdinand failed to test Myhill with a header from the corner as United continued to press.

Myhill turned away Owen's acrobatic volley then, after Rooney had released Nani, Kamil Zayatte was forced to concede a corner to prevent Owen tapping into an empty net.

Rooney curled a free-kick narrowly wide and missed another chance in-between a rare Hull attack which ended with Zayatte heading wide.

Rooney's temper was on the boil, though, and he was booked for a poor tackle on Stephen Hunt.

A cleverly disguised Nani pass left Owen with a clear sight of goal again but McShane's last-ditch tackle prevented him from rolling home United's second.

Nani's low cross flashed across goal, with neither Owen nor Rooney able to make contact with despairing lunges.

Rafael almost played Van der Sar into trouble with an underhit back-pass, then Patrice Evra made a fine blocked tackle to halt Bernard Mendy's run.

Rooney's long-range effort beat Myhill but also the keeper's right-hand post and Owen glanced Nani's free-kick wide.

REAL MADRID have stepped up their chase for Wayne Rooney

The Spanish giants want football's best-known middle-man to try to negotiate a deal with Manchester United. And Roo is one of Real chief Florentino Perez's top summer targets.

A Madrid source said: "Zahavi has been told to do all he can to try to bring Rooney to the Bernabeu. The club are confident a deal can be done."

Speculation about the England striker's future has intensified following revelations about United's precarious finances.

Perez, who signed Cristiano Ronaldo from United in a world-record £80million switch last year, normally gets what he wants.

Employing Zahavi shows Real are serious in their pursuit of Rooney, 24.

Zahavi is the go-to guy for all major deals in world football.

The Israeli, who also represents Rio Ferdinand, was the man who brought Roman Abramovich to Chelsea.

No Man United Players On Facebook Or Twitter

Over recent months footballers from other clubs have made some controversial comments using either twitter or facebook. The most recent being Liverpool’s Ryan Babel revealing that he had been dropped by Rafa Benitez.

Man United have confirmed that none of their players are on social networking sites.

A notice on ManUtd.com read: "The club wishes to make it clear no United players maintain personal profiles on social networking websites.

"Fans encountering any web pages purporting to be written by United players should treat them with extreme scepticism."

Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher all had accounts on twitter- they have been removed. Giggs, Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand all had facebook accounts and they have also been removed.

next four league fixtures will make or break Arsenal entire season

TOMAS ROSICKY knows Arsenal are facing the fortnight from hell before they can possibly contemplate a trip to title heaven.

The revitalised Premier League leaders have overturned an 11-point deficit in seven weeks to storm past Chelsea and Manchester United at the top.

But now Arsene Wenger's youngsters are steeling themselves for a two-week spell which will determine whether they are genuine championship contenders or mere pretenders to the throne once again.

Both winger Rosicky and his boss admit the next four league fixtures will make or break their entire season.

That awesome foursome kicks off with a trip to Aston Villa next Wednesday, followed by a home game against United, a date at Chelsea and then a visit from Liverpool.

Rosicky said: "Everybody knows the coming weeks are the critical ones in the whole season.

"If we can win the majority of our next four Premier League games, it will have a huge bearing on where the title goes."

Rosicky's goal sparked the Gunners' incredible fightback on Wednesday night, when they beat struggling Bolton 4-2 after trailing by two early goals.

The Czech international believes the victory will have a huge psychological impact on the team, after they edged ahead of Chelsea on goals scored.

He added: "This win came at just the right time. It is great for the confidence of everyone at the club.

"It shows this team has great mental strength and a desire to win the title.

"It was a real shock to find ourselves 2-0 down. So to turn it around in the style we did was a great boost for everyone.

"Even when we were trailing at half-time, the boss was very confident we would go on to win.

"The most important thing was not to panic. We continued to play ]our game and it paid off. It is such an important result because it shows all the other teams what we are able to do."

Rosicky, who recently signed a new contract, believes the turning point in Arsenal's season was the shock 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea on November 29.

The Gunners have taken an impressive 23 points from their nine league games since, while all their title rivals have faltered.

Rosicky declared: "We have found the consistency we were lacking in the last couple of seasons.

"Since the loss against Chelsea, we have gone on a run and started something new.

 "No one expected to close the gap at the top quite so quickly. But things can change in just a few weeks.Can we win the title this year? We are definitely up for it and want to do it."

Rosicky's confidence is shared by Wenger, who has led the club to three Premier League titles already but has no trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

He said: "We have a real chance to win the title this year and will have a real go.

"After we lost to Chelsea, it looked a little ludicrous to say we would come back.

"Yet, in spite of that, the players continued to fight with real belief. I am very proud of what my players have achieved. They have kept going no matter what people said about them.

"Everyone knows the next four league games will be very important for us. We will have a better idea of where we stand."

One player unable to be a part of the title push is left-back Kieran Gibbs, ruled out for the season with a metatarsal problem.

Gibbs, 20, will have a bone graft op today to heal the fracture he got in the last minute of the Champions League clash with Standard Liege in November.

He said: "I'm gutted. The other option would have been to let the bone grow in my foot. But I'd run the risk of it carrying on into next season and we don't want to do that."

CARLOS TEVEZ last night branded Gary Neville as stupid and a bootlicker

The Manchester City ace launched a vicious attack on Manchester United skipper Neville after their bitter bust-up during Tuesday's Carling Cup semi.

Tevez fumed: "Gary Neville is stupid - a bootlicker.

"He said that I was not worth £25million so he would look good to the manager.

"My goal celebrations were aimed at him. I don't know why he's talking s**t about me as I always had respect towards him."

Tevez quit United last summer when the Red Devils baulked at paying £25m for his services.

The Argy scored both goals in City's 2-1 first-leg win over their bitter rivals.

After the first he taunted Neville that he talked too much, then after netting the winner he cupped his ears in front of the United dugout.

Last night TV pictures emerged which appear to show Neville spitting in the direction of celebrating City players. He then made a one-fingered gesture for which he faces an FA investigation.

Speaking on Argentinian radio, striker Tevez added: "The celebrations were not targeted at Alex Ferguson or the United fans but solely at Neville.

"I will never be disrespectful to Man United fans, even if they insult me. It was for Gary Neville. He was my team-mate but he is a bootlicker of Ferguson."

JOHN O'SHEA is set to miss the rest of the season

The Manchester United star has not played since the second leg of Ireland's World Cup play-off against France in November.

Initially, the problem was diagnosed as a dead leg but United boss Alex Ferguson revealed he is unlikely to be back until August.

Ferguson said: "John has a terrible injury, one of those which is unusual.

"It's like a dead leg, except a dead leg usually last for only three or four days.

"The problem is that the blood clot became all knotted and you get calcification.

"It's a long process and he'll probably miss the season now."

WILLIAM GALLAS will not be punished for his horror tackle on Bolton's Mark Davies

 The Arsenal defender was accused of "assault" by Trotters boss Owen Coyle after the challenge that ended Davies' match.

Referee Alan Wiley amazingly did not award a foul, which happened in the build-up to Arsenal's crucial equaliser.

However, he has told Premier League chiefs he DID see the challenge and because he made the decision at the time, there can be no retrospective punishment.

Bolton have confirmed Davies has not suffered a serious injury as first feared.

And Wanderers skipper Kevin Davies said: "Mark played really well for us and was having a massive influence on the game.

"He is probably our best player on the ball and they had struggled to handle him in the first-half.

"He was causing them plenty of problems and the fact that he was getting fouled quite a lot showed just how much possession he had in central midfield."

STEVEN GERRARD insists he has no intention of quitting Liverpool.

The club captain has been linked with the exit door at Anfield following their dismal start to the season.

There was even talk of a bust-up with boss Rafa Benitez following the shock FA Cup defeat to Reading last week.

But Gerrard, who is currently recovering from a hamstring strain, claims he remains as committed to Liverpool as ever.

He said: "I've heard about a dozen versions of the same rumour and they're all as daft as each other.

"I'd love to know who comes up with this kind of stuff because they must have an unbelievable imagination.

"Nothing happened, that's an absolute fact.

"But if anyone thinks this nonsense unsettles either me or the club then they're mistaken, if anything it's brought everyone even closer together because we've all had a good laugh about it.

"In the time since he's been here I've never had a problem with the manager or his staff, and certainly not at half-time in the Reading game when I was actually receiving treatment for the injury I'd picked up during the first half.

"The important thing for me now is trying to get myself fit as soon as possible so I can get back to working with the manager and the team to try and improve our situation.

"All the stories about me leaving are unfounded.

"The fans can be assured that I am doing all I can to get back to top form and help Liverpool finish the season on a high."

JOSEP GUARDIOLA has agreed terms on a new one-year deal to remain as manager of Barcelona

The news ends speculation linking the Spaniard as Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United after the Scot hinted this season could be his last in charge at Old Trafford.

Guardiola, 39, will not sign his new contract until the summer, when Barca will be hold their presidential elections.

But current president Joan Laporta said: "We are here to announce that Pep Guardiola will be the coach of Barca for another year.

"The contract will be signed with the new president but we have Pep's word that he will be the coach.

"I think that is very good news for everyone associated with Barcelona because we all wanted Pep to continue.

"He doesn't like me saying it but Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world and we are proud to continue to have him here.

Last year Guardiola won the Treble in his first season in charge — a feat which included a triumph over Fergie's United in the Champions League final.

He then steered the Nou Camp side to the Spanish and European Super Cups and completed a six-trophy haul by winning the Club World Cup in December.

And the former Barca captain — who won six league titles, the European Cup and the Copa del Reys in his 11-year stint playing for the club — has vowed to lead the team to even more success.

Guardiola said: "I know that sooner or later I will cease to be coach of Barca and I have to enjoy the time I'm here to the maximum.

"A coach of Barca can't be here for life. I think that you have to sign for short periods in which the coach has to earn things, with the players, with the fans.

"I wanted to see if that was happening, if I had the support of the players, the board.

"Nowhere am I going to be as comfortable as I am here."

We dont miss Carlos Tevez : Ryan Giggs

RYAN GIGGS is the latest player to say that Manchester United do not miss Carlos Tevez — the day after the Argentine destroyed them.

Former Old Trafford darling Tevez grabbed both the goals for rivals Manchester City last night in a 2-1 win at Eastlands in the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg.

But United stand-in captain Giggs said: "There are no regrets.

"Carlos is a good player and he is a good penalty taker. If he gets chances he scores.

"We know what Carlos is all about but he chose to go to City. That is the end of it.

"We have quality players at the club and we have shown that."

Manchester City vs Manchester United (2-1) Carling Cup Semi Final

Manchester City 0 Manchester United 1 (RYAN GIGGS)

Manchester City 1 Manchester United 1 (CARLOS TEVEZ)

Manchester City 2 Manchester United 1 (CARLOS TEVEZ)

CARLOS TEVEZ taunted Gary Neville as he destroyed United.

Tevez netted twice, just hours after Neville claimed he was not worth £25million.

Goal celebration No 1 saw the City hitman gesture at United sub Neville to shut up.

Goal celebration No 2 saw an elated Tevez run to the visitors' dugout and mockingly cup his ears.

Tevez moved to Eastlands in the summer, claiming Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson did not want him.

Outspoken Neville reckoned Fergie had got it spot-on by refusing to pay £25m for the striker.

And how that fired up Tevez for this Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

On 42 minutes he netted from the spot after Rafael was adjudged to have fouled Craig Bellamy. He followed that with his snipe at Neville.

After 65 minutes, the Argentine headed in No 2 and then charged off to celebrate in front of the United bench.

Ryan Giggs had put United ahead on 17 minutes, tapping into an empty net after Shay Given had parried Wayne Rooney's shot.

Tevez said: "It was special for me to get two goals tonight. It was for the fans of City."

And City midfielder Gareth Barry added: "It was a great performance from Carlos. The way he works, he deserves it."

City are now eyeing a final date with Aston Villa or Blackburn at Wembley on February 28.

But first it is sure to be a white-hot atmosphere at Old Trafford on Wednesday for the second leg, with United angry that ref Mike Dean awarded City their penalty.

TV pundit Alan Shearer said: "It was a foul outside the box. I don't think there was a foul inside the box."

But fellow pundit Alan Hansen added: "I thought United were there for the taking. Defensively, they were all over the place."

Harry Redknapp is interested in luring Ruud van Nistelrooy to Tottenham

The Real Madrid striker has been linked with a loan move to Tottenham recently and the Spurs manager seems keen to offer the frontman a return to the Premier League.

The former Manchester United hitman has fallen down the pecking order at Real after a string of long-term injuries and finds himself behind the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Raul.

However Redknapp admitted that possessing five strikers was not an option and accepted that a move for the 33-year-old would not happen unless someone came in for want-away striker Pavlyuchenko.

"It's interesting but it depends what the deal is," said Redknapp of the possibility of landing Van Nistelrooy.

"The chairman would deal with that side but he's an interesting player. He was fantastic in England and a great goalscorer.

"If he was available it could be of interest. It's not impossible ... if it was right we could be interested."

Discussing Pavlyuchenko, Redknapp confirmed: "Pav is looking to move. He was tremendous in training this morning. Only if someone came in and it was a good offer though, otherwise it would not be possible."

Tottenham are well stocked with strikers, and Redknapp said: "I could not have five. It is difficult enough with four and I find it hard leaving one out of picture.

"As for Foster, I never made any offer whatsoever. Ben's a good keeper but I'm looking for back-up. Foster and David James (the Portsmouth goalkeeper) want to go to World Cup - not sit on the bench as a number two."

Redknapp believes it is the perfect time to take on Liverpool who are without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard through injury.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has also come under fire from several former Anfield stars and some fans as the Reds have endured a terrible season.

Redknapp said: "They are two world-class players in one team and will be a big 'miss' in the next few weeks.

"It is a good time to be playing them. I hope their injuries are not bad and they will be back next week but if they're not playing, they're not as strong.

"Rafa has done a great job over the years and I am sure he can handle whatever comes his way. If we play as well as we can we've got a big chance.

"It is another very important game at a difficult place. I have never been to Liverpool yet and had an easy game. The atmosphere is fantastic and there is no better place. It is an amazing arena.

"We are looking to go there and be positive. We are not set up to go and defend."

Redknapp also reiterated that the club had not bid for Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster as was reported on Monday.

"We have never ever made an offer for Ben Foster so I wouldn't have a clue where that came from," he pointed out.

"He is a good goalkeeper don't get me wrong but I'm looking for a back up goalkeeper, I have got a first choice goalkeeper here.

"I've got (Heurelho) Gomes and he is my number one goalkeeper and I have been delighted with him so I am looking for somebody to come in to be a number two.

"Ben Foster would want to go to the World Cup the same as David James would want to go to the World Cup and they don't want to come here and sit on the bench as a number two goalkeeper so we never made any offer."

Manchester United 3 Burnley 0

Manchester United vs Burnley (3-0) EPL 16 Jan 2010 from owen hargo on Vimeo.

Manchester City could one day knock Manchester United off their pedestal as England's biggest club

Mancini will experience his first local derby at Eastlands on Tuesday knowing victory in the two-legged semi-final would secure City a place in a major domestic showpiece for the first time since 1981.

Given the amounts of cash owner Sheikh Mansour has already invested, with the promise of much more to come, it seems only a matter of time before a 34-year trophy drought comes to an end as well.

And, given United's much-publicised financial restraints, there are some who feel it is also only a matter of time before the Red Devils are usurped as top dogs.

It may seem improbable given United have joined Liverpool on 18 titles by winning 11 since the Premier League was formed in 1992, but Mancini does not believe it is beyond the realms of possibility.
"If we work well, it is possible," said the Italian.

"United have a big history. They have been a good team for many years.
"City can become a big team in the next year. It is most important that we get into the top four.
"That would change the situations. Surely it would be better if City were also a big club in the future because then Manchester could have two clubs in the Champions League."

That is the stated aim for this season, although, having scrambled into a top-four berth last weekend, City promptly fell straight back out of it again on Saturday when they were beaten at Everton.

It was Mancini's first loss, made more notable for a recurrence of Roque Santa Cruz's calf injury after just four minutes that will keep him out for at least a month and his replacement, Robinho, being substituted himself early in the second half as Shaun Wright-Phillips was introduced.

The move has been interpreted as a clear signal Mancini is not impressed by the £32.5million Brazilian's lack of effort and it is once again being suggested Robinho is heading for the Eastlands exit door, if not this month then next summer.

Mancini tried to play down such talk, although he hardly helped matters with an unfavourable comparison to Carlos Tevez.

"It was a bad night for us all. Robinho can play well but it is not always possible and on Saturday he played the same as his team-mates.

"When I put Wright-Phillips on I had to take a striker off because I cannot keep five forwards on the pitch.
"I had to decide between Robinho and Carlos."

In truth, the conclusion was an obvious one and Mancini will be pinning his hopes on Tevez to do some damage to his old club, having left Old Trafford in such acrimonious circumstances last summer.

"I hope that Carlos can score goals because he is an ex-United player," said Mancini.
"But it is important that the squad plays well. And we must not forget this match is over two games."

As Patrick Vieira's debut is on hold until he recovers from the calf injury he picked up immediately before his move from Inter Milan, Mancini is probably relieved Stephen Ireland is at least fit enough to take up a place on the bench after missing three matches with a hamstring problem.

Mancini admitted his first taste of defeat in England left him feeling angry - not so much with his team's performance, which was poor, but purely because he is a bad loser.

However, he has been made aware of a far more tense situation at United, where the financial restraints imposed by the Glazer family's controversial takeover have been laid bare.

Not that Mancini expects that to have any impact tomorrow.

"Manchester United have been on the top for many years," he said.

"It is not important if they have problems.

"On a pitch there are only players, not money."

THIERRY HENRY has escaped punishment for his handball.

THIERRY HENRY has escaped punishment for his handball shame.

The Barcelona striker's blatant cheating set up France's winner against the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup finals play-off.

But FIFA insist there is no 'legal foundation' to ban Henry as handball is not a 'serious' infringement.

Current rules state only the illegal use of a hand to PREVENT a goal is covered in relation to possible sanctions.

Irish FA chiefs demanded a replay or that they were allowed to go to South Africa as the 33rd team.

But FIFA said the result must stand because decisions made on the pitch could not be reviewed.

Henry, 32, claimed he even considered quitting the game because of the resulting row.

Tevez was never worth 25million pound : Tevez

GARY NEVILLE insists Manchester United were right to get rid of Carlos Tevez because he was overpriced.

The Reds balked at a £25million asking price after the Argentine had spent two years on loan at Old Trafford.

Now the striker, 25, is in red-hot form for rivals Manchester City and they meet tonight at Eastlands in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-finals.

But United's club captain agreed with boss Alex Ferguson that at the end of last season the figures just did not stack up.

Neville said: "The manager over the years has made many decisions with regard to players coming and going - and he has almost always been proved correct.

"Over a period of 20 years he may have got one or two wrong, and I think he has admitted that himself, but he knows exactly what he's doing and he understands when a player's time is up. I can't disagree with his decision on Tevez. He was a good player for us but, if the financial demands are too big, then that's just the way it goes.

"Other good players have left this club in the past, it's not the first time it's happened.

"We have the best manager in the world at putting teams together. He's done it successfully for 20 years. There have not been many people who have questioned him over the years and been proved right."

Tevez has 11 goals in his last nine starts and will be desperate to add to that tally tonight in one of the biggest clashes between the city rivals for many years.

Neville admitted: "Our two Carling Cup games against City are massive. It's a derby and one of the biggest games we have played against City for a long time.

"Certainly we expect it to be a difficult game. They are in good form and it's always difficult away against City. We will have to be at our best for the game.

"I've only seen one of City's games since Roberto Mancini took over as manager - their 3-0 win at Wolves. City impressed me in that game but I haven't seen a great deal of them."

United full-back Patrice Evra dismisses the rivalry with City, claiming that while it's a big game for the blue half of Manchester it is just another match for the red half.

He said: "It's an important game against City, a big game, but I only talk about it because I want to win this game and have a chance to win a trophy.

"Maybe that's the difference between United and City. We play the game to win and to win the Carling Cup, they play to win against Manchester United."

While United struggle under crippling debt, City can boast being the richest club in the world under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour.

But Neville says there is no paranoia at Old Trafford over City's increased strength.

He said: "I don't see the game as a chance to reassert our dominance over City.

"We're quite comfortable with where we are. We are second in the league, in the Carling Cup semi-finals and in the second phase of the Champions League.

"People might think something is going on in Manchester between the two clubs, but we can't afford to get involved in that."

THE Glazer family have gone cap in hand to Manchester United's players - effectively asking them for a multi-million pound loan.

United stars were stunned by the handout request when they arrived back last week from their Qatar training camp.

Players were handed a prospectus, as owner Malcolm Glazer attempts to raise a staggering £500million through a bond issue to refinance huge debts.

And SunSport understands even the lower paid Old Trafford staff have been offered the 'opportunity' to invest in the club by the American owners.

A United insider said: "The players don't know what to make of it, really.

"Most are bemused that the people who pay their wages are basically trying to find out if they can have some back.

"A few of the lads know a good investment when they see one, but not too many seem prepared to put their money where their mouths are!"

United are believed to be offering investors an annual return of seven per cent on the bonds, which start at £50,000 a block.

But City experts say returns are dependent on continued success on the field in the years ahead.

The insider added: "There have been people working at Old Trafford for many years, on low salaries, worried about their futures.

"Yet now they are being offered the chance to stretch themselves even further. It's a joke!"

FRANCE star Thierry Henry will not be punished for his handball

FIFA's disciplinary committee concluded there was "no legal foundation" for them to deal with the case.

The decision means Henry will not face a ban for any matches of this summer's World Cup finals.

FIFA said in a statement: "The disciplinary committee reached the conclusion that there was no legal foundation for the committee to consider the case because handling the ball cannot be regarded as a serious infringement as stipulated in article 77a) of the FIFA disciplinary code.

"There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials."

Henry's handball in the run-up to William Gallas' decisive goal in the World Cup play-off qualifier ended the Republic's dreams of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.

The Football Association of Ireland were infuriated by the goal and demanded a replay, then even suggested they should be allowed to go to the World Cup as a 33rd team.

FIFA dismissed their demands but did agree to have another look at the possibility of using video evidence in the future, and instructed the disciplinary committee to investigate possible action against the 32-year-old former Arsenal hero.

Henry's defence today argued successfully that FIFA's disciplinary code does not give the committee the ability to punish such incidents.

Under current rules, only the illegal use of a hand to prevent a goal being scored is covered in relation to possible sanctions.

BARCELONA have shrugged off claims that coach Pep Guardiola will move to Manchester United.

The 39-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as Alex Ferguson's eventual successor.

Barcelona won six trophies under Guardiola last season, including a Champions League final victory over United in Rome.

But although his contract expires at the end of this season, Barca president Joan Laporta is convinced the coach will stay put.

Laporta said: "We cannot avoid the speculation as he is the best coach in the world and many clubs will be interested.

"Manchester United are just one club who I am sure are watching his future — but he has a long way to go with Barcelona.

"Because of his characteristics we expect him to continue to write the pages of history of this football club.

"We would like to solve this question mark over his future as soon as possible and we are convinced that he will sign but we must respect his decision to wait."

The 50 highest salaries of football players 2008/2009

	Player	Club	Monthly (€)	Annual (€)	Week (£)
1	Zlatan Ibrahimović	Barcelona	750000	9000000	£ 166,000
2	Ricardo Kaka	Real Madrid	750000	9000000	£ 166,000
3	Lionel Messi	FC Barcelona	700000	8400000	£ 156,000
4	John Terry	Chelsea FC	632000	7575000	£ 140,000
5	Frank Lampard	Chelsea FC	632000	7575000	£ 140,000
6	Thierry Henry	FC Barcelona	625000	7500000	£ 138,000
7	Samuel Eto'o	Inter Milan	625000	7500000	£ 138,000
8	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid	564000	6763000	£ 125,000
9	Ronadinho Gaucho	AC Milan	542000	6500000	£ 120,000
10	Andrei Shevchenko	Dynamo Kiev	542000	6500000	£ 120,000
11	Michael Ballack	Chelsea FC	542000	6500000	£ 120,000
12	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool FC	542000	6500000	£ 120,000
13	Rio Ferdinand	Manchester United	542000	6500000	£ 120,000
14	Raul Gonzalez	Real Madrid	533000	6400000	£ 118,000
15	Ruud van Nistelrooy	Real Madrid	533000	6400000	£ 118,000
16	Iker Casillas	Real Madrid	500000	6000000	£ 110,000
17	Frederic Kanouté	Sevilla FC	500000	6000000	£ 110,000
18	Wayne Rooney	Manchester United	500000	6000000	£ 110,000
19	Michael Owen	Manchester  United	500000	6000000	£ 110,000
20	Fabio Cannavaro	Juventus	483000	5800000	£ 107,000
21	Robinho	Manchester City	473000	5680000	£ 105,000
22	Francesco Totti	AS Roma	458000	5500000	£ 101,000
23	Luca Toni	Bayern Munich	458000	5500000	£ 101,000
24	Arjen Robben	Bayern Munich	455000	5460000	£ 100,000
25	Ashley Cole	Chelsea FC	450000	5410000	£ 100,000
26	Deco	Chelsea FC	450000	5410000	£ 100,000
27	Fernando Torres	Liverpool FC	450000	5410000	£ 100,000
28	Carlos Tevez	Manchester City	428000	5140000	£ 95,000
29	Adriano	Flamengo	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
30	Patrick Vieira	Manchester City	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
31	Charles Puyol	FC Barcelona	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
32	Andres Iniesta	FC Barcelona	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
33	Xavi	FC Barcelona	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
34	Sergio Aguero	Atletico Madrid	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
35	Gianluigi Buffon	Juventus	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
36	Willy Sagnol	Bayern Munich	416000	5000000	£ 92,000
37	Dimitar Berbatov	Manchester United	405000	4869000	£ 90,000
38	Andrei Arshavin	Arsenal FC	405000	4869000	£ 90,000
39	Didier Drogba	Chelsea FC	405000	4869000	£ 90,000
40	Nicolas Anelka	Chelsea FC	405000	4869000	£ 90,000
41	Paul Scholes	Manchester United	405000	4869000	£ 90,000
42	Alessandro Del Piero	Juventus	400000	4800000	£ 88,000
43	Karim Benzema	Real Madrid	400000	4800000	£ 88,000
44	Pike	Bayern Munich	400000	4800000	£ 88,000
45	Frank Ribery	Bayern Munich	400000	4800000	£ 88,000
46	Joe Cole	Chelsea FC	383000	4600000	£ 85,000
47	Ryan Giggs	Manchester United	383000	4600000	£ 85,000
48	Xabi Alonso	Real Madrid	383000	4600000	£ 85,000
49	Jamie Carragher	Liverpool FC	383000	4600000	£ 85,000
50	David Beckham	AC Milan	375000	4500000	£ 83,000
51	Juninho Pernanbucano	Olympique Lyon	375000	4500000	£ 83,000
52	Sidney Govou	Olympique Lyon	375000	4500000	£ 83,000
53	David Trezeguet	Juventus	375000	4500000	£ 83,000