Becks considers 'big decision'

David Beckham insists he has still to make a decision over his future, with Paris Saint-Germain eager to secure his services.The former England captain's four-year spell with Los Angeles Galaxy is drawing to a conclusion and a number of clubs are keen to sign the veteran midfielder. 

Ambitious Ligue 1 outfit PSG are reported to be leading the race for his signature, with sporting director Leonardo confirming initial discussions had taken place.Beckham, who lifted the MLS Cup with Galaxy to secure the first trophy of his spell in the United States, has not ruled out signing a new deal with his current employers.

But the 36-year-old, speaking in the Philippines where Galaxy a playing a series of friendlies, accepts he has a "big decision to make".

Blues trio on World XI shortlist

Five Englishmen have been nominated on a 55-man shortlist for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2011 - but it is Spain's Primera Liga that dominates.

Chelsea trio Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard, and Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney made the cut, along with another 12 players from the Premier League - 13 if you include the now retired former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Two more Blues - David Luiz and Didier Drogba - are included, plus three more United players in Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Nani.

Tottenham's Wales winger Gareth Bale makes the shortlist, as does Arsenal's Robin van Persie and Liverpool's Luis Suarez.The other four Premier League representatives play for Manchester City - Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero. Spain's top league boasts 22 nominees, made up predominantly of players from European champions Barcelona and their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Terry in 'great state of mind'............

John Terry insists he is in a "great state of mind" as he prepares to lead England for the first time since facing allegations of racism.The Chelsea defender is set to regain the armband in Tuesday's friendly against Sweden, having been left out of the side in the 1-0 win over world champions Spain.

Terry had been told by the FA not to answer questions regarding the police investigation into alleged comments towards QPR's Anton Ferdinand but he did reveal his gratitude for the support of his team-mates. Speaking to the media for the first time about the ongoing furore, he said of his colleagues' reaction: "It's been very good, very supportive, publicly and personally, so I'm delighted about that. "I'm delighted to be leading the team out again. It's the biggest honour of all. I think (Saturday) showed that we're united, no matter what. "I'm in a great state of mind, completely focused on playing well and training. Nothing has changed."

Doubts have been voiced about Terry's form, and with strong competition for places in central defence, the skipper recognises he must fight for his shirt. Terry said: "I don't feel undroppable  The 30-year-old added: "I think the players have showed we're united no matter what and put in a very good performance (against Spain). "Some real positives came from the game. 

Mark's Monday Moan: Average England

Mark Holmes hits out at over-blown opinions of the England team, media hypocrisy and the St James' Park name change in his latest Monday Moan.

I've been given licence by the top dogs at TEAMtalk Towers to vent my spleen every Monday - and I'm pretty sure I'll never be short of something to write about.

Silva should recover – Mancini,,,,

Roberto Mancini played down fears of a David Silva injury after he limped out of Manchester City's 3-0 Champions League win at Villarreal.City's playmaker, a star man for them so far this season, left the field clutching his back in the second half before his side recorded a Group A victory at El Madrigal. However, manager Mancini said afterwards he was not concerned. He said: "I don't think this is serious. He took a knock on his back. "Also we play again in 60 hours against QPR. I think he can recover well."

Meanwhile, Mancini believes City can look forward to their vital clash away to Napoli with confidence after sweeping Villarreal aside.Their hopes of progress were already likely to hinge on their trip to Naples later this month but now they have a two-point advantage over the Italians, victory will make certain. Mancini said: "I think this win is important because now we have a good chance. "We know that everything will be in Naples. "I think it will be an incredible atmosphere. There will be 70,000 people at the stadium. "I think it is very difficult to play but it is important to go there with this result. 

Mancini was also unaware that someone may have been attempting to put Balotelli off by shining a laser pen at him as he prepared to take his penalty. The result left Villarreal bottom of the group without a point and ended their mathematical chances of progressing. The Yellow Submarine, who have endured a miserable start to their domestic season, were without a host of key players and were well beaten by the final whistle. Their under-pressure coach Juan Carlos Garrido said: "It was a very difficult game. "I want to congratulate the winners tonight. We all know this is a very hard competition.

Rooney was midfield machine,,,,,,

Sir Alex Ferguson praised Wayne Rooney's display in an unaccustomed central midfield role in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Otelul Galati.

The England international played in a withdrawn position in the weekend win over Everton and found himself alongside Anderson for Wednesday night's Champions League Group C match at Old Trafford because of injuries to Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley while Darren Fletcher is working his way back to fitness. Rooney responded by dictating from deep as it was his long diagonal pass which started the build-up to Antonio Valencia's eighth-minute goal and he rounded off a laboured team performance with a hugely-deflected goal late one. "I think he was our best player. He showed great awareness of that role," said Ferguson. "His selection of passes at times was very good and showed great energy and determination - we got a really good performance out of him tonight"We had injuries and that is one of the reasons we played him there. "Cleverley is injured, Carrick is injured, Darren Fletcher played on Saturday but it was better he played next Saturday. Victory put United top of Group C from Benfica, who visit Old Trafford next later this month. It puts the Red Devils in pole position to qualify for the knockout stage. "We've won the game and it has put us in the position where if we win that we've won the group so that is the incentive for us," added Ferguson. "Given the history between both clubs (us and Benfica) it should be a good night, a good atmosphere, a really big game and we can look forward to that one.

The only downside was an injury to Michael Owen, who lasted just 10 minutes before limping off. "It's a blow for the lad. He's done a thigh muscle and it's a complete freak," said the United boss. "I feel for him. It's difficult to say how long-term it is." Otelul coach Dorinel Munteanu was disappointed with the final result as he felt his side did well at Old Trafford.

Mancini wants more from AJ,,,,,

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is demanding more from Adam Johnson despite the winger's key role in the Carling Cup win at Wolves.Johnson scored the equaliser and created the second goal for Samir Nasri as City booked their place in the quarter-finals with five goals in a 27 minute spell.

But Mancini believes the former Middlesbrough player can still do better and was critical of his role in Wolves' second from Jamie O'Hara. He said: "Sometimes he thinks, 'Okay, in this game I scored one goal, I did an assist, that is enough.' "I think Adam, because he is young, can improve a lot. He needs to think in a different way. Mancini laughed off suggestions that unused substitute Mario Balotelli had been involved in a row with a member of his coaching staff after the game. When asked about a possible incident, Mancini only said: "Who Mario? No, no (laughs). For a fire on the bench!" The media were not permitted to ask questions about striker Carlos Tevez who has been fined four weeks wages by City. Edin Dzeko's brace and an own goal from Dorus de Vries completed City's haul with Nenad Milijas and Jamie O'Hara replying for Wolves whose manager Mick McCarthy took consolation from their performance.

UEFA delay details on Rooney ban,,,,

UEFA have delayed giving the FA their written reasons behind England striker Wayne Rooney's three-match ban "for another week at a minimum".The European governing body had been expected to provide the FA with the reasoned decisions for the ban - imposed on the England striker for kicking Miodrag Dzudovoic during the 2-2 draw with Montenegro - by Thursday.

The FA will make a decision based on the full reasons but it would be a surprise if there is no appeal, given that a three-match international ban would rule the Manchester United player out of all of England's group matches at the Euro 2012 finals. National team coach Capello last week dropped a clear hint that Rooney will be going to next summer's tournament regardless. The Italian had not spoken about Rooney since the striker was handed the ban but the widespread view amongst professionals is that Rooney should go.

United squad in pain,,,,

Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan admits the squad are hurting following their derby-day humiliation - but insists they will bounce back.The Red Devils suffered their heaviest home defeat since 1955 on Sunday as their near neighbours romped to a stunning 6-1 win. The victory puts Roberto Mancini's men five points clear at the top of the table and emphasises that they a real threat to United in the title race. Phelan admits the defeat was hard to take but has urged perspective given there is still a long way to go in the season. "You have to take the hurt on board and deal with it," he told the Manchester Evening News. "You find whether you have the success in you to go again.

Comparisons have been drawn between Sunday and a 5-1 defeat United suffered at the hands of City at Maine Road in 1989 - a game that Phelan played in. The club responded to that mauling by going on to win the FA Cup the following May and Phelan expects a similar response this time. "I have never forgotten the hurt of the 5-1 at Maine Road. But you react. You pull together. We knew we were a good group of players as this group knows it is a good group of players," added the 49-year-old. "Something has happened that we didn't think could happen, as it did in '89, but now it has happened it is a question of do you pull together or do you let it affect you? "It wasn't all bad. From a coaching point of view some of the game was okay but others we lost focus. That could be because it is a new group and everything has been going well. You reflect on that and you see what is in the players' lockers and the club's locker and how we move forward. We will. These things have happened before. "We look at it, analyse it, try not to dwell too much on it and move on. It makes you reflect on what you have got, what you thought you had but you haven't. "Sometimes you can get a little bit, not carried away, but everything is good because you are playing well, you are scoring goals and creating things, everyone is patting you on the back then you get a reducer. That is good when it happens. Sometimes a hard lesson learnt is a good lesson to build from."

No screw loose with Mario

Goalkeeper Joe Hart admits life can be frustrating with Mario Balotelli but is convinced the Manchester City ace now has his head "screwed on".Balotelli's remarkable propensity to create headlines on and off the pitch continued over the weekend after a domestic firework incident was followed by a devastating two-goal display in a 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United.

The fire service were called to Balotelli's Cheshire home in the early hours of Saturday morning after a firework set off from inside the bathroom started a blaze. The Italian was forced to decamp to a hotel but the incident barely seemed to have ruffled him as he revealed a T-shirt saying 'Why Always Me?' after his first goal in Sunday's rout at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old rarely seems far from controversy despite earning praise for greater on-field maturity of late but, after six goals in five games, Hart is growing to love him.

Hart told City TV: "I think we were all a bit unsure last season, outside and inside, what he was about. "I think he has grown as a person and accepted who and what he is in this team. He is someone we look to. "All the hype that comes with Mario is standard procedure.

Sergio Aguero hit the third and, after a Darren Fletcher consolation, City rubbed salt into United's wounds by condemning them to their heaviest derby defeat since 1926. Edin Dzeko struck twice in the closing moments either side of a David Silva strike as City finished the job in ruthless fashion. England keeper Hart said: "It was as good as it looked. The fans felt amazing, the lads felt amazing. There was a real feel-good vibe about it. "It's magnificent football we've been playing all year. We have got top-quality players and we have proved that. "United were bleeding when they had a man sent off and we went in for the kill." Hart has played down reports that United fans allegedly made death threats against him during the match.

Jol denies bullyboy claims,,,,

Martin Jol has denied he is a bullyboy manager after reports of fierce rows with his players including Bobby Zamora.The Fulham boss is alleged to have had a furious training ground bust-up with the striker before the Europa League trip to Odense earlier this month.

Jol, who was a tough player in his prime, has been anxious to dismiss reports the pair clashed before Zamora stormed out. "I tell the truth. I am not a bully boy. It is not my style. I just want to win," he told Daily Star Sunday. "I am not someone who shouts. "The only thing I can do is exclude players, drop them if they don't do what I want for the team. I don't fine them or shout at them. This can be a strength, this can be a weakness." "I did not have a row with Zamora. Never. 

Mancini: We are closing the gap,,,,

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes his side have gained considerable ground on rivals Manchester United this season.The Italian said earlier in the campaign that he considered the champions to be "two or three yards" ahead of his team.City have been in outstanding form this term and head into Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Manchester derby at Old Trafford two points ahead of United as Premier League leaders. But, despite how the table reads, Mancini stills sees United as the benchmark and he feels City are catching them up. 

Mancini said: "Now it is one yard! United are over City, one yard. "In these two months I think we worked very well and we reduced the gap. "They are a team that every year win something - the Barclays Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup. "I think winning one thing every year is normal (for them)." City were indifferent against Villarreal in midweek but battled through to snatch their first Champions League win with a stoppage-time goal. Such wins have almost become a hallmark of United's success over the years and Mancini reckons this is a trait his players need to learn. The Italian added: "United have one thing we don't have yet. "I saw United's game against Norwich. Norwich had chances but United are strong enough that if they don't play very well, they win the game. This for a top team is important." City have dropped just two points in the Premier League and scored 27 goals in their eight games. Mancini expects his team to maintain a title challenge throughout the campaign but admits they will have to work hard to keep pace with their rivals.

Dalglish counts on FSG support,,,,,,

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is confident he will continue to be backed by FSG in the transfer market should he need to strengthen in January.The Americans have already spent around £70million since their purchase of the club just over a year ago.And Dalglish is confident Fenway Sports Group will carry on providing funds in the next window should it be necessary.

"We are happy about the strength of the squad we have got," said the Scot. "The more players I have to choose from the more difficult my job is but the better it is for everyone. "We have a fit squad at the moment but I am sure that won't last too long. "There is a window coming up in January and if we feel the need to use it I am sure we will get full support (from the owners)." The Reds host Norwich on Saturday evening looking to extend their unbeaten home record this season. Paul Lambert's side returned to the top flight this season and have made a decent start. 

Dalglish anticipates his team, who drew 1-1 with Manchester United at home last weekend, will be in for another tough test. "I don't know what other people expect but I know what we do," said the Reds boss. "We expect as difficult a game against Norwich as Manchester United gave us last week.

Fergie relishing City challenge,,,,

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's record in the second half of seasons means they can afford to lose to Manchester City on Sunday.The Red Devils find themselves in the strange position of being behind their local rivals heading into the first all-Manchester showdown of the Premier League season.

If the unbeaten Blues manage to register only their second Old Trafford success in 37 years, it will put them five points clear of United. However, whilst Ferguson is not actively embracing thoughts of defeat, he knows from past experience how his squad comes good over the final few months, when the battle for honours on all fronts is intensifying. "This game could be significant at the end of the season," said the United boss. "It is a six-pointer. It will make a difference to whichever team wins it. "But it is early doors and you can recover. There is no doubt about that. "With our record in the second half of the season, you hope that we will be better."

"He has his job to do like everyone else," said the Scot. "We have all got difficult jobs picking teams. Mine is exactly the same. I am pondering a couple of positions myself." Since then, City have dropped just two points, when they surrendered a two-goal lead at Fulham, and Ferguson accepts the Blues are in fine form. "It is an exciting prospect," he said. "City have done fantastically well and if they had not thrown a two-goal lead away at Fulham they would have been top of the league with a 100 per cent record.

Kenny gives support to Suarez,,,,,

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has issued a robust defence of Luis Suarez against allegations of racism and diving against Manchester United.Patrice Evra claimed in an interview with Canal Plus after Saturday's draw at Anfield that Suarez had verbally abused him on a number of occasions during the game.

Suarez immediately refuted the allegations, which the Football Association are looking into. Dalglish, wearing a badge promoting anti-racism organisation Kick It Out's One Game, One Community campaign - of which Liverpool's home game against Norwich is part, has fully backed his player. He also rejected suggestions by United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson, made after the game, that the Uruguay international was a diver.

"The only thing I will say - and then it is put to bed - is that the football club and everyone at the football club is totally and utterly fully behind Luis Suarez," said the Scot. "There was an allegation after the game about him diving all over the place and there was an allegation from Patrice Evra. "Obviously the two things are emotive but we support the wee man on both things. "At the start of the week the club made their position known and apart from what I have said we won't be adding to it. "We are fully looking forward to a complete, transparent report from the FA and we will co-operate 100%." So far there appears to be little progress on the matter, with the FA reportedly due to interview Evra on Thursday. The France international is likely to have to provide evidence in the form of witnesses as he did not raise the allegations with referee Andre Marriner at the time.

Lindegaard: Derby no decider,,,,

Manchester United keeper Anders Lindegaard claims it is far too early to build Sunday's derby clash with Manchester City into a title decider.With both clubs blazing a trail at the top of the Premier League, this weekend's fixture at Old Trafford has been eagerly anticipated for weeks.

And as Champions League commitments are now out of the way, the red and blue halves of a divided city can give their full attention to one of the most important derby encounters for a long time. Yet that statement glosses over the fact that City and United have met in major cup semi-finals in each of the last two years, which were hardly insignificant. "There is no doubt it is going to be a tight race this year." Not that he expects the hype to extend to United's Carrington training ground. Although his own experiences were at a much lower level in Denmark and Norway, the thing which struck Lindegaard when he joined from Aalesunds in January was the focus Ferguson and his staff devote to every game. So, if it were not for the dressing room chatter and information gleaned from the media, no-one would actually know City were coming to town.

"I prepare the same, whether it is a training game in the United States or a Champions League game in Romania or Portugal. That is part of the job of being a goalkeeper. "One of the important steps to success is always to be focused and concentrated." United may not find out until next week what the final punishment for Nemanja Vidic's red card will be. Just as was the case with Wayne Rooney and England, the governing body has discretionary powers.

Barry buoyed by City success,,,,,

Gareth Barry says the win over Villarreal has given Manchester City a "massive confidence booster" ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby.City will now cross town to face arch rivals Manchester United buoyed by their status as Premier League leaders and after winning in Europe's elite club competition for the first time.

Roberto Mancini's men were not at their most potent against the Spanish side at the Etihad Stadium but completed their comeback from a goal down by snatching a 2-1 win with a stoppage-time Sergio Aguero winner.Barry was involved in another controversial City substitution - three weeks after the infamous Carlos Tevez incident in Munich - as he was sent on for Adam Johnson after just 40 minutes. Johnson was unhappy with Mancini's tactical decision and shook his head as he left the field but, just three minutes later, Barry was involved in the build-up to the equaliser. England midfielder Barry, 30, said: "It was a surprise but I was warming up for a while in the first half so I knew the manager was maybe thinking of making a change. "I went on and it was important we scored just before half-time."

Capello issues Rooney hint,,,,

England coach Fabio Capello has dropped a clear hint that Wayne Rooney will be going to next summer's European Championship.Capello has not spoken about Rooney since the Manchester United striker was handed a three-match ban by UEFA for his red card in Montenegro earlier this month.

Although it is still to be decided whether the Football Association will launch an appeal against the suspension, as it presently stands, Rooney will be ruled out of the entire group stage of the competition in Poland and Ukraine. "You need this kind of player, plus Rooney, I hope." Ferdinand might also be pleased to receive a name check after he was left out of the squad for the final Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.But Rooney, more than any other player, has the ability to lift England onto the next level and hit the goal trail last night with two penalties in United's Champions League defeat of Otelul Galati, which took his tally for the season onto 11. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were two of Rooney's team-mates last night, part of a group of English youngsters who have emerged over the past few months to give fresh hope for the future. 

"In the friendly games before we went to South Africa, we won but did not play well, like the games we played to qualify. "The players were not so fast, not so good. We need to change something at the end of the season to prepare for the Euros.

Gunners gaffer deals Verm in,,,,,

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been boosted by the news that classy defender Thomas Vermaelen has signed a new long-term contract.The 25-year-old Belgian international joined Arsenal in 2009 from Ajax and he emerged as one of the Premier League's top defenders.

Last year injury meant he only played a handful of games, but he is now on the road to recovery and is very much part of Arsenal's long-term future. "We are absolutely delighted that Thomas has signed a new long-term contract," said Wenger. "Our plan is always to sign top quality players and with Thomas extending his contract, we have done just that. "Thomas is a special player, who has always made a huge contribution on the pitch and we are looking forward to him being a part of our future at Arsenal Football Club. "Arsenal is a fantastic club. We have great supporters, we're doing well financially and we are playing with some quality young players now and they will develop, which is very good for the future."

Famous Five: Nearly Amazing Goals,,,,,

After Robin van Persie came close to scoring a chipped wondergoal on Sunday, TEAMtalk's Jon Holmes rounds up some more sensational near-misses.

As we reflected on the weekend's Premier League action at TEAMtalk Towers on Monday, we were still marvelling at Robin van Persie's sublime chip for Arsenal against Sunderland which hit the inside of Simon Mignolet's post and bounced across the face of goal before being cleared.

It was described in the YouTube video below (published by Arsenalist.com) as a 'Nearly Amazing Goal'...