Scholes: Arsenal Flatter to Deceive

Retired Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned Arsenal's pedigree, insisting "they may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need".

And Scholes appeared to take a dig at Arsene Wenger's failure to deliver the Gunners a trophy since 2005, claiming that his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't have allowed such a drought.

The former England star enjoyed his fair share of duels with Arsenal during a stellar 17-year career and saw United pipped to the title by the North Londoners in 1998, 2002 and 2004; but Ferguson's list of triumphs - including 12 league championships and two European Cups in the Premier League era - towers above Wenger's achievements.

Scholes does not believe the Gunners are about to get better any time soon, either, and predicted that United's traditional rivals may be forced to endure further tough times ahead.

"They just flatter to deceive,'' Scholes said. "They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need. It doesn't irritate me that people say they're the best footballing team because while they are doing that, we (United) are winning games.

"They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point of that if you are not winning anything? Not only that, they are potentially going to lose their best players in (Cesc) Fabregas, (Samir) Nasri and (Gael) Clichy.

"I don't think our manager would allow this club to go six years without a trophy.''

Shevchenko: I'm Not Retiring

Andriy Shevchenko has confirmed that he has no plans to retire and expects to continue his illustrious career.

After a fruitful spell in Italy with AC Milan, Shevchenko's big money move to Chelsea was ultimately a failure and he returned to Ukraine with Dynamo Kiev - where he began his career - to revive his fortunes.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Shevchenko said: "I feel good, still young, the motivation is still there and I think I'll carry on. Of course, the day will come when I have to hang up my boots, but for now I don't know when I'll retire. I scored quite a few goals again last season. My short-term objective is the upcoming European Championships."

Shevchenko also took the time to praise Wayne Rooney, underlining the Manchester United forward as someone he admires: "The forward I like the most is undoubtedly Wayne Rooney. He never stops moving, he works hard for the team and scores important goals."

Three English Sides Want Pastore

Agentine playmaker Javier Pastore is being targetted by three Premier League sides, according to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini.

While Zamparini has previously said that Pastore - currently with Argentina competing in the Copa America - will not be allowed to leave for below £45 million, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly hold an interest in the midfielder.

"The situation of (Javier) Pastore is in the hands of his agent. We must solve it within 15 days, before the end of the Copa America, otherwise Pastore stays with us," Zamparini told Gr Parlamento.

"However, there's a 90% chance that he'll go away, because it is the desire of the player. That is normal when you know that certain clubs want you."

He added: "Pastore will go to England or Spain, but I'd exclude Barcelona, because they already have (Andres) Iniesta and Xavi in that position.

"The favourites are Real Madrid and Malaga. Manchester City are also interested in him, as well as Manchester United and Chelsea. I'm sorry to let him go, because he is the only world-beater that I have had (at the club) as president."

Pastore currently has eight Argentina caps and is one of the most sought-after players in Europe, although he is not expected to sign for another Italian side.

Kagawa Cools United Link

Shinji Kagawa has stressed his commitment to Borussia Dortmund, cooling rumours of a move to Manchester United.

Kagawa, 22, has been linked with a transfer to the Red Devils following some fine performances for his Bundesliga club.

The Japan international joined Dortmund from Cerezo Osaka last year and he scored eight goals in 17 league matches during his debut campaign.

"I can only say that in Dortmund I have found a wonderful place to play football and I just feel comfortable here," Kawaga told German daily the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.

"I must, for my part, first of all work on getting back into the Dortmund team, I have no time to waste on other things."

Kagawa did admit that he could in the future be persuaded to join a side boasting the lure of Champions League football.

"If you look at the Champions League football on television, you see some really great clubs," he said. "It gives you a lot to think about and a lot of possibilities open up."

Cech: De Gea Signing a 'Huge Gamble'

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has questioned the wisdom of Sir Alex Ferguson signing David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar.

Following Van der Sar's decision to hang up his gloves at the end of last season, Ferguson handed over a fee in the region of £18 million to Atletico Madrid for De Gea.

The 20-year-old stopper won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico, but has not won a senior cap for Spain - and the suspicion remains that he is yet to be tested at the very highest level.

Now Cech has ramped up the pressure on De Gea by recalling the trouble Ferguson had replacing Peter Schmeichel, who was unconvincingly succeeded by the likes of Massimo Taibi, Fabien Barthez and Roy Carroll.

"It's a huge advantage for Manchester United to have a goalkeeper who is 20 because he can stay for many years," Cech told Sky Sports News.

"It's a huge gamble at the same time because he's joining, historically, a very successful club with great [former] goalkeepers like Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, and we all remember how many years it took to replace Peter Schmeichel.

"So let's see what is going to happen now Edwin van der Sar has retired because it's a huge task to fill the boots of Van der Sar."

Ole: I Want to Succeed Sir Alex

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared his interest in succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United's manager.

Solskjaer is best remembered for the 91 goals he scored during his time at the club - including the winner in the 1999 Champions League final - and is a firm favourite with the club's fans.

He told talkSPORT: "I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United, because it's the best place to be.

"But to get there, to manage Man United, you need to go somewhere else and learn your trade so 15, 20 years from now maybe. I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United."

Solskjaer also took the time to contribute to the club versus country debate, declaring: "Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov are among a host of players who have been criticised for prematurely calling time on their international careers this year.

"When you get players who get to a certain age they start thinking about where the priorities should lie and I think that's when your responsibility towards your club is a big thing.

"I think Scholesy, Giggsy they've done fantastic after retiring from international football so we can't complain about that."

Solskjaer retired in 2007 after struggling with injury towards the end of his career.

Cavani Not United Bound

Edinson Cavani will not be moving to Manchester United this summer, according to the player's Italian representative.

Despite a recent contract extension tying him to Napoli for another five years, Cavani is still one of Europe's most sought-after strikers, causing Aurelio De Laurentiis, his club president, to claim the Uruguayan was worth "over €100 million".

And though that may have been a ploy aimed at the likes of Manchester United, Claudio Anelucci believes there is no threat of his client joining the Premier League champions: "This is the time of year when it is normal to hear talk of transfers to big clubs for astronomical fees," he told Radio Sportiva.

"The majority of the time there is nothing to them, as is the case with regards to a possible move to Manchester United for Edinson."