Evra: We Have to Stay Focused

Patrice Evra has warned Manchester United have to 'calm down' and keep their focus after running rampant at the start of the season.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City have claimed four wins out of four in the Premier League and have respective goal differences of plus 15 and plus 12, but Evra insists it is not a two-horse race.

"We are making it look easy but nothing is," he said in The Independent. "I have a lot of respect for Manchester City - they have a strong squad.

"When they beat Tottenham 5-1, we watched the game and we said we had to make sure we played well against Arsenal - and we scored eight. It looks like there is a competition between these two teams but don't forget Chelsea and Liverpool. However, when I see people the first thing they ask is the date of the derby."

Wayne Rooney, in particular, has been in inspirational form for United and, after a goal in each of his first two league appearances, he netted back-to-back hat-tricks against Arsenal and Bolton.

"Going right back to pre-season in the United States, he scored a lot of goals," Evra said. "You can see the hunger. Last season he had some problems but he is back. If a footballer has a problem, the first thing they want to do is play football and enjoy themselves. He wants to be the best player in the world.

"But you know we have to calm down. It is only four games. Things can change quickly. Football is like a pyramid. It is easy to reach the top but to stay there is difficult. That's why I want Wazza to keep training hard. After each session he does some finishing practice, which is something he didn't do a long time ago."

Sneijder 'Not Ideal' Scholes Successor

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wesley Sneijder would not be the right man to replace Paul Scholes at Manchester United, insisting that only Barcelona stars Xavi and Andres Iniesta would be up to the job.

Sneijder, 27, was repeatedly linked to a move from Inter Milan to Old Trafford over the summer but the proposed transfer never materialised.

And now Ferguson has claimed the Netherlands international was not the right type of player to fill the void left by veteran Scholes, who retired at the end of last season.

"Sneijder is not the ideal replacement for Scholes," Ferguson said. "He's a fantastic player but he was not who we were looking for to replace Scholes. Only Xavi and Iniesta are comparable to Scholes."

With Scholes and Gary Neville hanging up their boots, Ferguson has put faith in the likes of Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, and Ferguson admits he is enjoying the challenge of building a young side.

"It's very easy for me because I always look forward," Ferguson said. "There is no doubt about who is the manager of United. I am the coach: today, tomorrow and the day after. I can work in the short and long term.

"Of course, it becomes very difficult to separate from a player who has built a family relationship. But I have to focus on young players and try out other teams, to find someone equal or better than those who left."

Meanwhile, Sneijder has again spoken of his belief that he was close to joining Manchester United.

Asked whether he would have been keen on a move to Old Trafford, he told Corriere dello Sport: "I would have liked to. It would be crazy to suggest otherwise.

"There was a moment when I was close to United, but in the end nothing happened. However, I am happy in Milan as the president did not want to sell me.

"Inter gave me a chance when the door was closed. I feel at home here and I never wanted to go. I don't know why my move to Manchester United never materialised - maybe they never really wanted me."

Owen: United Not Scared of Barca

Michael Owen has insisted Manchester United do not fear facing Barcelona again in Europe despite May's convincing Champions League final loss.

United begin this season's Champions League campaign next Wednesday against Benfica in Group C with a view to going one step further than last season after they finished as runners-up in Europe's premier competition.

The Red Devils were outplayed in the showpiece at Wembley, as Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners, and, while Owen accepts a change of approach may have to be considered should the two sides face each other again this term, the striker is upbeat about United's chances.

Owen said: "If we played Barcelona again in the final, then we'd have to do something differently because they obviously outplayed us on the night. Then again, I don't think there's any shame in losing to a team like that. We're not ashamed of how we played at Wembley but, if we played them again, then I do think we'd have to look at adopting a slightly different approach.

"On that one night's evidence, you'd have to say that there was a gap between the two sides because they beat us quite convincingly. But that was a one-off game. We wouldn't be frightened of playing them again, that's for sure.

"The beauty of playing for a club like Manchester United is that you have a good chance of winning every competition you take part in. You're expected to win as well, which is good pressure to have placed on you. This year will be no different.

"We have to forget what happened last year - and we would have done that even if we'd beaten Barcelona - and start again. We have some great memories from last year's competition, even though it ended disappointingly. Now we start again and the aim is to win the competition."

Ferguson Defends Jose Against Criticism

Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a staunch defence of the touchline antics of Jose Mourinho, stressing that the Real Madrid coach's behaviour is just his way of showing "enthusiasm" for the game.

Mourinho, 48, has been heavily criticised in recent months for his outbursts on the sidelines and in front of the media, with the Portuguese most recently lambasted for raking the eye of Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova at the end of last month's Spanish Supercopa defeat to the Catalans.

A number of people have spoken out against Mourinho, with former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano insisting "no-one is proud" of his action and two-time European Cup-winning coach Ottmar Hitzfeld slamming his "boorish" attitude and "shameful" tactics.

But Ferguson, who Mourinho has been tipped to succeed in the Old Trafford hotseat, believes that the former Chelsea boss does not intend to be malicious.

"I don't find anything wrong with his enthusiasm,'' Ferguson told Corriere dello Sport. "When I was younger I showed more enthusiasm on the bench too. I was always gesticulating and directing.

"It's Mourinho's nature to be agitated. When I saw Mourinho run up and down the touchline at Old Trafford when he coached Porto, I said to myself, 'Did I also use to do that?'

"People recognise his enthusiasm. The fans understand that he's fighting for them and for the squad.''

Ronaldo Won't 'close door' on England

Cristiano Ronaldo says he would happily sign a ten-year contract at Real Madrid, but he is not ruling out a return to the Premier League.

After leaving Sporting in 2003, Ronaldo rose to global prominence during a six-year spell with Manchester United, but he had long made clear his desire to join Real Madrid when he left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in a world-record £80 million deal in 2009.

However, asked about a potential return to England, he told Sky Sports News: "I don't close the door, so maybe in the future I hope so, because I know the league, I know the players, I know the atmosphere.

"Why not? I hope so one day, but you never know. The team that I like more in England is Manchester but I cannot say that I am going to play there one day because I am very, very happy in Madrid.

"I've said a few times that, if Madrid want, I can sign for ten years more until the finish of my career but nobody knows the future. I cannot lie to you and say I will stay here ten years, that I am not going to come back to Manchester. It is not fair on my part. Let's see what future God has prepared for me."

Ronaldo said he misses playing for Manchester United and still keeps in regular contact with Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I said a few times that to play for Real Madrid was my dream - as it was for Manchester too," he said. "For me they are the best clubs in the world, apart from maybe Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Milan.

"I'm really happy with what I did in Manchester because I don't forget the six years that I passed there. I have a lot of friends there. Sir Alex Ferguson is my second dad - he helped me a lot to improve and now Mr Mourinho too because they are experienced managers who win many things, so for me they are the best coaches.

"I have good memories from Manchester and when I watch sometimes the games I miss it a lot because it's part of me I left in England. Just because I play in Madrid I'm not going to miss speaking with the old guys so, when I have an opportunity, I speak with Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It was important for me when I played there, when my life was there, so it is good to speak with him because I'll never forget who really helped me."

Even so, Ronaldo said he left England as he felt that - having won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup - it was time to move on.

"There is a beginning and end to everything - what I did in Manchester is completely finished because I won almost everything there," he said. "I always try for a new challenge. To move from Manchester to Madrid is not about the contract - it is about a new challenge, being close to my family, different weather, the language.

"The most important reason why I moved is the challenge because I really like to put myself under pressure to see what I can do, but I really miss the Premier League - for me it is along with the Spanish league the best league in the world."

Sneijder: Jose Told Me to Stay at Inter

Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder claims Jose Mourinho told him to reject a move to Manchester United and stay at the San Siro.

Mourinho, now at Real Madrid, guided Inter to the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble in 2009-10 and made Sneijder the playmaker of the all-conquering side.

Sneijder has admitted that he was in contact with Premier League champions United during the summer transfer window but a move never materialised and the 27-year-old revealed his former manager played a big part in the decision.

"Mourinho called me and he told me to stay. He has an Inter heart and he has always told me to remain," Sneijder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I am happy to have stayed because I never wanted to leave and so I no longer want to speak about Manchester United."

Sneijder had long been linked with a move to Old Trafford but when team-mate Samuel Eto'o was sold to Anzhi Makhachkala it was always unlikely that Inter would allow another star name leave the club.

"My agent called me and told me Inter wanted to sell. I spoke with Manchester United, but then the Eto'o sale started and so things changed," the Holland international explained.

Despite Sneijder's claims that he is happy at Inter the UK press have been full of reports that a move to Old Trafford could be back on in January.

The Sunday Mirror claims it was Sneijder's demands that scuppered a £30 million summer switch but the player has told 'people close to him' that a move to United could be resurrected in January.

A source told the newspaper: "Wesley wanted to go to United and was in negotiations until quite late. They couldn't agree terms but he is still saying he will end up at United."

Record Profits for United

Manchester United have posted record operating profits of £110.9 million for the past financial year. The club have also recorded a record revenue of £334.1 million - an increase of £45 million from last year and passing £300 million for the first time - according to figures for the year ended June 30, 2011.

United, who won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final during the period, have also recorded a commercial turnover of £103.4 million.

The latest results come as the club consider a plan to raise up to £614 million by floating on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The figures contrast with those of last year when losses hit a record £83.3 million, largely due to the costs of a bond issue.

The 15.7% rise in commercial revenues is hugely encouraging for the club and does not include a new £10 million-a-year training kit sponsorship deal with DHL.

The Singapore floatation is being considered by the Glazer family, the club's owners, as a means of addressing debts. Net debt is down to £308.3 million from £376.9 million according to the new figures. It is thought the floatation could be completed by the end of the year.

United, having struggled to sell corporate boxes last year, have also enjoyed an increase in matchday turnover from £100.2 million to £108.6 million.