lets football

MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Manchester United can stay the dominant force in English football despite seeing several seasoned campaigners retiring recently.

The retirements of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes mean the famous “Class of 1992” is making the transition into history. However, Ferguson remains convinced that the team has the strength to compete.

“We were aware players were coming to an end,” he said. “We’re confident in Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley coming back [from loan deals] and we were determined to get Phil Jones. 

We’ve replaced the players who left us.”

MADRID - Spain's top football clubs are convention with players on Monday to try to avoid a strike over unpaid wages spreading to a second match day, an official said.

Players in the first and second divisions including the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo struck on the first match day and postponed the season start for the first time in 27 years.

The players' Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) and the clubs Professional Football League open a new surrounding of talks in Madrid at midday (1000 GMT), an spokesman for the clubs said.

He said, a news discussion is planned afterwards.

The AFE is demanding a earnings guarantee and that players be allowed to break their contracts if they are not paid for three consecutive months, a proposal rejected by the league.

According to the AFE, 200 players in the top two divisions have not been completely paid by cash strapped clubs, some in bankruptcy protection, and are owed a total of about 50 million euros ($72 million).

Flamengo forward Ronaldinho has been called back to the Brazil squad for following month's friendly against Ghana at Craven Cottage after a nine-month absence.

Other noteworthy inclusions in the 24-man group for the September 5 come across were Real Madrid left back Marcelo, Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio, Porto forward Hulk and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

There was no place for Chelsea midfielder Ramires, however there was room for Santos versatile Brazil Under-20 international Danilo.

Brazil team: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Fabio (Cruzeiro); Lucio (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dede (Vasco), D Luiz (Chelsea), D Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Adriano (Barcelona), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), L Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Ralf (Corinthians), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), PH Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo); Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Robinho (AC Milan), A Pato (AC Milan), Hulk (Porto), L Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).