Re: Manchester United Supporters Thread - Owen wants move!
United ruffled as Mikel is lured by Chelsea's riches
By Oliver Kay
MANCHESTER UNITED are all but resigned to losing out to Chelsea in the battle to sign John Obi Mikel, the prodigious Nigerian teenager at the centre of one of the most vicious transfer wrangles in football history. Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated a coup in April when he announced that he had signed the 18-year-old in a deal thought to be worth more than £4 million, but with the matter under investigation by Fifa, football’s world governing body, it seems that he will have to suffer the indignity of submitting to Chelsea once more.
United have given evidence to Fifa to assist in its investigation into the matter, but while they maintain that they have done nothing wrong in pursuit of the youngster, there is a growing acceptance at Old Trafford that Mikel has been seduced by the riches offered by Chelsea. Although United deny bitterly his claims that he was forced to sign for them against his wishes — and, furthermore, are angry that he has been poisoned against them by John Shittu, his Nigerian agent — they believe that there is little they can do to prevent Mikel joining Chelsea.
Fifa indicated last night that it will not make any decision on Mikel’s future until it has received advice from its legal department, but it seems increasingly certain that he is heading for Stamford Bridge. The youngster may have to give evidence as part of the investigation and with United aware that he is likely to state his preference for joining Chelsea, Fifa is unlikely to force him to move to Old Trafford against his wishes.
For the past two months, United have contested Shittu’s claims that their agreement with Mikel and his Norwegian club, Lyn Oslo, was reached by illegal means. They maintain that their conduct has been impeccable and that it is the behaviour of Shittu, with whom Chelsea have negotiated, that warrants investigation. Their belief is that things changed between Mikel “signing” for United, saying it was “totally fantastic” to do so, and his subsequent disappearance in Oslo, when, after a police investigation, he was found with Shittu in a nearby wood and later turned up in London, professing his desire to join Chelsea.
United also have the backing of Lyn, with whom they have signed a contract, but the Norwegian club’s conduct in negotiations — and particularly that of Morgan Andersen, their sporting director — has been questioned by Shittu, who yesterday offered to tell all in a public debate on Norwegian television.
“So far it has just been a soap opera, but we will now see the big movie. It should be on Norwegian television to let everyone see the truth,” he said, casting doubt on Andersen’s version of events. “We will reveal everything.”
Meanwhile, United supporters have been urged to boycott the club’s Champions League third qualifying-round tie next month in protest at the recent takeover by Malcolm Glazer, the American sports tycoon. A coalition of groups fighting Glazer says that the proposed boycott will show the determination of supporters to prevent his aggressive business plan succeeding.
“Some have already given up their tickets for the new season as they don’t want to pay a penny to Glazer,” Mark Longden, the chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, said yesterday. “Some others felt that they could not give up their ticket — and that is their right — but this boycott is the chance for them to show Glazer they do not want him or his debts.”
If a united front is required off the pitch, it is no less paramount on the pitch, according to Gary Neville. “This is the biggest test we’ve had for a long time,” the England defender said yesterday. “It’s the first time as a squad we have gone two seasons without winning the championship. We have to win trophies. We won the FA Cup in 2004, but we know what it’s all about. European Cups and league championships are the main thing.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-4-1690650,00.html
