“England have not done well at big tournaments and everyone is intrigued by it, but the priority for a lot of top players now is not international football,” said Keane. “Years ago, when players were starting out, the pinnacle was playing for your country, but it’s not like that any more – the pinnacle is winning League titles and playing in the Champions League at club level. There are a lot of rivalries within the squad, particularly with the clubs they are at, and some players don’t like what they see when the squad gets together. They don’t want to be part of it. Paul Scholes retired a few years ago because he was fed up with the kind of circus that was behind England with certain players trying to call the shots. There might be other genuine reasons why they don’t like it – a lot of players might have family problems and they don’t want the sacrifice of going away on long trips. And they might say, ‘I don’t need this hassle in my life’, particularly if they are at top clubs. But in international football, especially if they think there are certain favours going on or certain people are trying to call the shots, they just don’t want to be part of it. They think they have more to lose than to gain with England. I know Scholes used to be pissed off because there was a lot going on, much of it nothing to do with football.”

Whilst City plan to make no amendments to their current financial structure, with the wage bill currently exceeding their turnover, and Chelsea continue to have the highest wage bill in the league, it was safe to assume that Hazard would not be coming to United.

However, in his most recent statement, he claimed his decision would be based entirely on where he would be played and how much he would play.

“I do not know when I’ll make a decision about my future club,” he said in HLN. “It will be Manchester City, Manchester United or Chelsea. My decision will depend on my position and how much playing time I will get. Not everyone can say that they have a choice between three top clubs.”

If this is true, he is more or less ruling himself out of a move to City, given he certainly wouldn’t be guaranteed playing time there.

However, chances are he will be unveiled as a City player over the next few weeks and, like all the others, insist it has nothing to do with money.

From The Guardian

This table shows the percentage of the club’s turnover which is spent on wages.

From The Guardian

David de Gea – The United number one has been included in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for the international friendlies against Serbia and South Korea, and has a chance of being included in the final squad for Euro 2012. However, with Iker Casillas as captain, De Gea chances of gametime are very small.

Anders Lindegaard – The five-times capped stopper has been included in Denmark’s squad for the tournament, but similar to De Gea will need to oust the more experienced Thomas Sorensen to play.

Patrice Evra – The United full-back will be a key player for the French national side this summer, and will most likely face club team-mates in the opener against England. With Eric Abidal’s health issues, Evra will be up against Gael Clichy for a place in Laurent Blanc’s side.

Phil Jones – The former Blackburn man’s versatility could well be a factor for Roy Hodgson’s men this summer, and Jones will compete for a place in the centre and on the right flank of England’s defence.

Nani – Along with former United man Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani will be charged with helping Portugal out of the ‘Group of Death’ and be one of the Iberian nation’s most dangerous attackers.

Ashley Young – Young could well be a wild card for the Three Lions this summer, and is one of Roy Hodgson’s most incisive attackers. The former Aston Villa man could well start for England, on either flank

Wayne Rooney – England’s top forward Wayne Rooney is suspended for the first two games of the competition, but will look to return in the final group stage fixture against Ukraine to seal qualification.

Danny Welbeck – The home-grown forward has had a strong season at Old Trafford and was duly rewarded with a place in the England squad. With Rooney’s suspension Welbeck will hope to play, and may partner his club team-mate up front once both are available.

“Tevez did ​​it out of spite,” Berbatov told BG TV. “But I wouldn’t do something like that. I had the opportunity to sign for City but I chose United. City are the champions but to me they just bought the title. They bought so many players. I’m sure next year Manchester United will be on top again. Ferguson is honest. He knows how to talk to anyone. After meeting with him you go out so motivated. You want to conquer the world. Before the start of this season, I spoke with Ferguson and asked him if he’ll rely on me. He said to me that he needed me and that I’d play. I’m looking for answer myself why I was sitting on the bench. I spoke with Ferguson about ten times. I was fighting for my place and I was trying but obviously the team will rely on young players.”

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Translated by Inna.

Rafael lost his place in the starting XI after a disappointing performance against Everton in that costly 4-4 draw with Everton towards the end of the season.

“I rejected City’s offer to play in the best club in the world,” Berbatov told BG TV. “My time in United is over and I should find another place. Right now I don’t feel complete. I’m not a bench player, so obviously my time at United ended. My goal in my life was to reach the top and Manchester United was exactly this.”

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Translated by Inna.

“I was very surprised by Tevez’s attitude against Sir Alex Ferguson,” said Evra. “I’m not sure how the manager feels about it but I’m sure he won’t be impressed. It’s disrespectful. Tevez spent two years at this club and was treated extremely well by the manager so I don’t really understand his reaction or the truth about the situation. The poster was in very bad taste, no one from Manchester United appreciated it. Tevez is an adult, he plays for another club and is responsible for his own actions. It’s a shame because he was always respected at Manchester United and remained in contact with some of the players. But I have no idea what will happen now.”

“I was asked by a friend whether I was interested in speaking with Villa,” Solskjaer told a press conference yesterday. “I called Kjell Inge straight away. We agreed that I could speak to them on Wednesday, that it was okay. I have not had any offers. I’m not looking for another job. In football, and in life in general, things turn up that you have to make decisions about. I have a contract for two more years and I’ll stand by that. I’ve only spoken with them and expect them to speak to more people. They’re looking for a new manager. If they make contact, I’ll make a decision then.”

However, since then, quotes from what Solskjaer thought was a confidential conversation with the club have been leaked to Norwegian newspaper, VG.

“Will you manage Molde until the season ends?” If I get an offer, I’m off. Perhaps after the Hønefoss-game (Next Friday).

“If you leave Molde, will you bring your staff along?” I want Mark Dempsey and Richard Hartis to leave with me.

“If you leave Molde, will you take any players with you?” Yes. I will offer Magnus Wolff Eikrem to come with me.

Solskajer is obviously not at all impressed with the club for revealing this conversation.

“Now we see what game they are playing,” he said. “It’s hard to remember everything I said, but this is roughly what I said. I did say that if Aston Villa wants me, then I have to go. A manager has to be there for pre-season. We all agreed on leaving this in the past and look ahead. Because we all have a job to do at the club. That this is now coming out in public is not good for anyone at the club.”

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Translation by Jonas Giæver