Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are monitoring the progress of 18-year-old Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen after receiving a recommendation from former Gunners striker Dennis Bergkamp.(Daily Mirror) 
Guinea international Kamil Zayatte wants to quit Hull during the summer and is targeting a move to Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea. (Daily Mail) 
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has ruled out a move to the Premier League, despite claiming that Manchester City and Arsenal are keen to sign him.(Daily Mirror) 
Everton are eyeing a trio of players from Norweigan club Molde. Defenders Knut Olav Rindaroy, Magne Simonsen and Vegard Forren have all impressed the club's scouts.(imscouting.com) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Wayne Bridge is considering ruling himself out of England's World Cup plans because he cannot stand the prospect of sharing a dressing room with Chelsea defender John Terry, who is alleged to have had an affair with the Manchester City defender's former girlfriend.(The Guardian) 
England manager Fabio Capello will be at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to watch Terry's Chelsea take on Bridge's Manchester City.(The Guardian) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes defender Rio Ferdinand may have to re-evaluate his international career and limit his appearances amid growing concerns over his recurring back problems.(The Guardian) 
Ferdinand could still be fit to play in the Carling Cup final on Sunday and is likely to lead England in next week's friendly against Egypt.(Daily Star) 
Robin van Persie could return from his ankle injury in early April, according to Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk. The Arsenal striker had been expected to miss the rest of the season after rupturing ligaments on international duty in November.(The Independent) 
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says he would love to play with his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney again one day.(imscouting.com) 
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz says Rooney is still not in the same class as Ronaldo, despite the ex-Everton star's heroics this season.(The Times) 
West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani is set to leave the club in the next 24 hours as new owners David Sullivan and David Gold continue to trim the club's huge debts. (Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai is likely to have his £17m loans to the club repaid in full if Pompey go into administration, while other creditors like Sacha Gaydamak bear the cost of the Premier League outfit's meltdown. (Daily Telegraph) 
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie insists he will not be sacked if the club go into administration.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth's Serbian defender Dusko Tosic is ready to leave the club on a free transfer after the Premier League withheld his registration.(Daily Mail) 
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant was sent home from training by Real Zaragoza after showing up late for the third time in two weeks.(Daily Mail) 

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AND FINALLY

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was quizzed about why he has put on weight since the Reds' Champions League triumph in 2005 during a bizarre press conference in Bucharest, prior to the Europa League last-32 return leg with Unirea Urziceni. "It is the stress of having to answer so many questions from the press," said the Spaniard. "Thank you and goodnight."(Daily Mail)
Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Yakubu were kicked off the club's flight to Lisbon on Wednesday because officials were unhappy with their documents. The Nigerian pair eventually took a late-night flight via Amsterdam with Toffees fans ahead of the Europa League clash with Sporting.(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Manchester United – Hull City

United come into this game after a slap from City in Carling Cup and to make the things even worse both goals were conceded from top enemy at present. So, Sir Alex is very annoyed by that game, but also with whole season as well. United have noticed some very surprising defeats lately (four in last nine competitive games, Villa, Fulham, Leeds and City). Big debt of the Glazer family caused team probably can’t be strengthened during the winter market. Injury crisis also didn’t help. However, with a win today United would occupy top of the table (Chelsea and Arsenal play FA Cup). Defender John O'Shea is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a blood clot problem, while Vidic remains sidelined with a calf complaint. But, long waited return of Rio Ferdinand should happen today and Berbatov has recovered from a dead leg. United have won their last six league and cup matches against Hull.

 

Hull occupy the 18 place at the table with the second worst away record with just four points (four draws) from eleven games (first is Burnley)! Hard times are in front the Tigers and they look like serious contender for moving in the second tier. Big blow for their Premier League hopes is injury of their “key of the keys” man, Jimmy Bullard (will return probably next weekend against Wolves). Without him, Hull usually look harmless and focused only on defending their own goal. To change it, boss Phil Brown has brought Amr Zaki (played for Wigan previous season), but he’s totally unfit and won’t appear today. In previous round, Hull make the biggest upset of the round keeping a goalless draw at White Hart Lane thankfully to wonder game of goalie Boaz Myhill, but also to huge amount of luck. Defender Kamil Zayatte will face a late fitness test, but Brown has no other injury concerns.

 

United feel humiliated and this game should heal the wounds. Ferguson wants a win by few goals margin which would be a nice introduction to re-match vs. City. So far, United haven’t had any problems with the clubs of Hull’s level (Wolves 3-0,Wigan 5-0 and Burnley 3-0 in last three home games). And last, I think Hull spent the luck against Spurs and don’t expect them to be such fortunate again. Home -2.5 handicap win looks like a nice bet.

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