Kaka & Seedorf are Giggs's Selection as Milan's Threats

Manchester United FC prepare to take on the six-time European champions in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Ryan Giggs Determined Kaka and Clarence Seedorf as AC Milan's greatest threats.

Milan threat
With United expected to take the game to the Italian side in the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday, Giggs warned against over-committing in attack against a side at its best on the break. "Milan have the players to counterattack well with Kaká and [Clarence] Seedorf," the 33-year-old winger told uefa.com. "They float around looking to exploit gaps. With the experience they have at the back they can sit back and defend comfortably and hit teams fast on the break. That is their main strength."

Tougher test
United set pulses racing on their last European night at Old Trafford with a breathtaking 7-1 win against AS Roma in the quarter-finals. The result has raised hopes Sir Alex Ferguson's side could win a third European Champion Clubs' Cup, but Giggs expects a much tighter game against Milan. Rather than Roma, Giggs believes United's last semi-final against Italian opposition, Juventus eight years ago, is a better indication of what the tie will be like. "It will be close like '99," he said. "Most semis are close and these are two very good experienced teams who know what's at stake. It will be closely fought."

'Amazing'
United showed all their resilience to overcome Juve in April 1999, recovering from 2-0 down in the Stadio Delle Alpi in the second leg to win 3-2 and go through 4-3 on aggregate. It was a performance, Giggs believes, on a par with the rout of Roma. "The Juve win was like a final, and to come back from 2-0 down against them was an incredible achievement. But to score seven against a top Serie A side was also amazing. They were as good as each other."

'Mad celebrations'
United went on to defeat FC Bayern München in a thrilling final - though Giggs concedes, "the '99 memories are sketchy. It was a bad game until the last two minutes. All I really remember is the two late goals and the mad celebrations afterwards. It was quite a night. I wish I could remember more." That thrilling 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou completed the treble for United who are in a position to repeat the feat this term.

'Best shot'
Already through to the FA Cup final and top of the Premiership, Giggs has the chance to make a few more memories before the end of the season. "With cup games there is an element of luck involved so for us to get the treble we're going to need everything to go in our favour. You need fortune with injuries and things like that but we will give it our best shot."

Ronaldo praise
United will welcome back Paul Scholes after suspension on Tuesday, who was also banned for that 1999 final and is a player Giggs believes is "getting better and better". Not that United are short of potential match-winners. Giggs himself, captain in the absence of Gary Neville, was sensational against Roma, playing a part in four goals and Wayne Rooney was again on the scoresheet. Cristiano Ronaldo, though, is picked out for special praise. "Ronni is flying this season," Giggs said. "He's probably the best in the world right now. At his age and as a winger he is nothing short of brilliant."

David Beckham Showed His Pledge to Real Madrid

David Beckham knew his commitment to the Spanish club would be questioned once the deal with the Major League Soccer side was completed.He has revealed how he had to fight to prove to Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello that he was worth a place in the team once he had decided to sign for LA Galaxy.Beckham told Sky Sports: "People wondered how you could be committed to a team when you had signed for another team."I had to prove I am committed. It doesn't mean I don't give 110% or don't fly into tackles and try to win things with this team."Beckham has signed a five-year �128million contract with Galaxy and will join the club when his contract in Madrid ends at the end of June.He endured an uncertain period at Madrid after revealing he was to quit the club. Capello immediately left him out of the squad and claimed he would not pick him again.However he relented and Beckham was reinstated and has played a key role in their title challenge.

Thursday 19 April : Today's Gossip in Newspapers

Inter Milan have renewed their interest in Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. (Daily Mail)

Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli, 31, wants to join Manchester United in a £6m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have sent scouts to check on Heerenveen's Brazilian striker, Afonso Alves, 26, who has scored 29 goals in 29 games this season. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse - on loan at Marseille - claims he will be sent back to Anfield in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham's on-loan Arsenal midfielder Fabrice Muamba has told boss Steve Bruce he will only stay if they are promoted. (Various)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has targeted West Brom trio Diomansy Kamara, Curtis Davies and Jason Koumas. (Independent)

Charlton are lining up a £2m summer swoop for Cardiff captain Darren Purse. (Independent)

Hibernian midfielder Michael Stewart has been told he will not be given a new contract. (Various)

Michael Stewart has rejected a severance package to leave Hibernian immediately. (Daily Express)

Michael Stewart has been released from his contract two months early for his role in a dressing-room revolt against manager John Collins. (Daily Mail)

John Collins says it was a football decision to release Michael Stewart and nothing to do with last week's player revolt. (The Herald)

Hibernian goalkeeper Simon Brown will not be given a new contract in the summer. (the Sun)

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc could be a summer signing target for Lazio. (Daily Express)

Greek defender Takis Fyssas will leave Hearts in the summer. (The Herald)

Kilmarnock have given striker Paul Di Giacomo a new contract. (The Sun)

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood fears losing defender Russell Anderson because of club debts. (Daily Record)

Wolves, West Brom and Birmingham are all keen on signing Chelsea youngster Scott Sinclair, who is on loan at Plymouth. (Daily Star)

Crystal Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly is set to quit the club at the end of the season and return to his native Hungary. (Daily Star)

Arsenal are braced for a £650m hostile takeover bid from American businessman Stan Kroenke. (The Sun)

Arsene Wenger's future at Arsenal is in doubt after his closest ally, vice-chairman David Dein, left the club on Wednesday. (Daily Star)

A window on Chelsea's team coach smashed on Wednesday when it was hit by a rock upon arriving at West Ham's Upton Park. (The Sun)

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Middlesbrough are "paranoid" about facing Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Mirror)

Teddy Sheringham is a shock candidate to take over as manager of relegated League One side Brentford. (Daily Mirror)

Everton will earn a £1.65m windfall from Manchester United if Wayne Rooney helps them to win the treble this season. (Daily Star)

Bristol Rovers have asked their fans to vote on where they will play their home games next season. (Daily Star)

The Scottish FA is set to scrap Scottish Cup semi-final replays. (Daily Record)

Tesco has struck a deal with St Mirren to turn their stadium into a supermarket, with the football club moving to a new ground nearby. (The Herald)

Gretna say they would like to share a stadium with threatened rugby club Border Reivers. (The Herald)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane watched Chelsea play Blackburn on Sunday and reckons the Black Cats could beat the Blues. (Various)

On-loan Arsenal striker Julio Baptista on the Premiership's limitations: "I am Brazilian and I enjoy playing the ball, making clever touches and taking bicycle kicks. But the game is so fast there is no time."
Derivated From BBC Sport

Ferguson Missing Belief in Saha

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is considering selling Louis Saha having reportedly become tired of the striker's injury problems.The 28-year-old Frenchman has started only 66 games for United since moving to Old Trafford from Fulham in January 2004 and has managed just 36 minutes of action since the start of last month due to hamstring trouble.
He apparently trained over the weekend but then ruled himself out of Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over Sheffield United and Ferguson is reported to be annoyed that Saha is unwilling to play through pain.When asked about the frontman's condition after the Blades game, Ferguson replied: "Louis is still bothered by his hamstring.
I don't see any quick return."And the Daily Mail reports the Red Devils boss, who has been linked with the likes of Fernando Torres, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov in recent weeks, could look to offload Saha if he receives a decent offer in the summer.

Last Season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Norway striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed next season is likely to be his last as a professional footballer.
The 34-year-old has a contract with Manchester United until next summer, but told Norwegian newspaper VG he is unlikely to continue after that.
'No,' Solskjaer said when asked if he could see a future beyond next season.
However, he is determined to play out the rest of his career at Old Trafford.
'I'll most likely stay here. I have one year left on my contract and I'm aiming to do as well as possible to carry on,' the Norwegian continued.
I'll have to see how I feel. I could suddenly say enough is enough, but I'll stay here next year in any case.'
Solskjaer is in his 11th season with United, but has spent the last few years battling to overcome knee problems.
However, the striker is confident he will still be able to play at Premiership level in the 2007/08 campaign.
'I'm almost certain I'll be better next season. Then I'll have this season behind me after two or three years out,' he added.
'I'll be able to play at a higher level.'

Rooney Expected Ronaldo but Voted for Drogba

Wayne Rooney has revealed he voted for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the PFA Player of the Year awards.The England striker expects team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to walk away with the award but admits he voted for the Portuguese's likeliest rival.
The leading pair are joined by Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard as well as United team-mates Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in the shortlist.
"I think Ronaldo will win it [the main award], but he could win both," Rooney told the Manchester United website. "He's been brilliant all season."I picked Drogba - only because we weren't allowed to pick any of our team-mates. But Drogba has been fantastic this season, as has Cesc Fabregas, who I voted for Young Player of the Year."I hope Ronaldo will win it. If he does, it will be fully deserved."

UEFA: Man Utd fans must cut back on booze in Milan

UEFA have asked Manchester United to warn fans to cut down on their drinking ahead of the Champions League semi-final trip to face AC Milan next month.Just a week after United supporters were attacked inside and outside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, they discovered they will face another trip to Italy on May 2 as Sir Alex Ferguson's side look to confirm an all-English final in Athens.A UEFA investigation is currently ongoing into the events surrounding the first leg of the Red Devils' quarter-final tie with AS Roma.But, while most observers felt it was the visiting fans who were wronged, both at that game and in the previous round against Lille when trouble also flared, UEFA spokesman William Gaillard does not believe the Old Trafford club can complete absolve themselves of all responsibility.And, while he does not expect trouble at the San Siro where United were beaten by Milan as recently as 2005, he does believe it is time to reinforce requested standards of behaviour.'There are no special concerns about the game in Milan,' he said.'It is a different city, a different stadium and a different team. There was trouble in Seville last week but none on Tuesday when Chelsea played Valencia.'If everyone behaves in a proper way, we should have a smooth sailing but Manchester United has to brief its fans and tell them what is appropriate.'There has been a problem with drink and it would be nice if the supporters were advised not to do it.'I realise this is a difficult thing but people are putting themselves at risk because they stop behaving in a rational way.'UEFA are still investigating what happened in Rome, so we have to be careful, but there is shared responsibility for most situations, even if there is not equal responsibility.'

English clubs show Premier league's strength by reaching Champions League semi final

Three teams from the same country have reached the Champions League semifinals in the same season for the third time, and this year it's showing off the strength of the Premier League.Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool - the top three teams in the English standings - all reached the last four. AC Milan is also in the semifinals."To see three English teams at this stage shows just how strong the Premier League is," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. "It is really important for the Premier League to show Europe how strong we are. It is the best league in Europe at this moment."Liverpool, a five-time European Cup champion, will face Chelsea in the semifinals on April 25 and May 1. The two played in the semifinals two years ago, when Liverpool went on to win its most recent European title. The second leg will again be at Anfield, where a controversial goal helped Liverpool advance last time."They may not accept what happened here two years ago, but they cannot change things now," Benitez said. "We are pleased we will play the second leg at Anfield. If we can do something at Stamford Bridge, maybe we will then have the advantage."Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti led his team past United in the second round of the 2005 tournament, but he's more worried about the Premier League leaders this time."They have got some more experience into their best players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo," Ancelotti said. "They have the same approach as back then, but with more quality now."United, which hosts Milan on April 24 and plays in Italy on May 2, hasn't got past Milan in three attempts in Europe - also losing in the 1958 and 1969 semifinals.None of the three Premier League teams has an English manager, but all four coaches in the semifinals have won a Champions League title - Alex Ferguson with United in 1999, Benitez with Liverpool in 2005 and Ancelotti with Milan in 2003.The fourth coach, Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004.If Mourinho wins again in Athens, Greece, on May 23, he will join Ottmar Hitzfeld and Ernst Happel as the only coaches to lift the European Cup with two different teams.Hitzfeld won in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund and in 2001 with Bayern Munich. Ernst Happel won in 1970 with Feyenoord and in 1983 with Hamburg.Chelsea is also chasing Man United in the Premier League, has won the League Cup and is in the semifinals of the FA Cup.In 2000, Spanish teams Real Madrid, Valencia and FC Barcelona reached the last four, and Madrid beat Valencia in the final. Three Italian teams matched that in 2003, with Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus all reaching the semifinals. Milan then beat Juventus on penalties in the final.

Bayern to 'seriously consider' Hargreaves offer

Owen Hargreaves will shortly talk to Bayern Munich about his future after the club's president, Franz Beckenbauer, admitted for the first time that the England midfielder could join Manchester United this summer if the price is right.Hargreaves may have played his last game in the Champions League for Bayern last night as the German side lost their quarter-final tie against AC Milan.His future could be settled one way or the other this summer and the England midfielder, 26, told Sky Sports: 'I will sit down with them and we will discuss how my future looks.'
Speaking on Premiere television just a few hours before Bayern's 2-0 defeat to AC Milan, Beckenbauer said: 'If it is right that there is an offer of €25-30million (£17-£20million) for Hargreaves, then I would seriously consider it.'I think the board also think this way to satisfy the needs of the player.'Hargreaves has been a long-standing United target, but the Bavarians have resolutely refused to deal with the Premiership leaders.They believe Hargreaves should honour the four-year contract he signed last summer.

Real set to bid £54m for Cristiano Ronaldo

Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly agreed to offer Manchester United £54 million ($107 million) for star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
The Portuguese winger has been in dazzling form this season and is currently widely regarded as the best player in the world.However, his spellbinding performances, both in the Premiership and Champions League, have also made him the hottest property in world football and United face an arduous fight to retain his services beyond the current campaign.
Having stalled on extending his Old Trafford contract, Ronaldo has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Bernabeu and it is understood that the Spanish side have made him their number one target this summer.According to The Guardian, Real have stepped up their bid to land the player by meeting his agent and agreeing a course of action.The newspaper claims Franco Baldini, who negotiates all of the club's signings, met Jorge Mendes in London last Wednesday.During the meeting, Baldini apparenrtly confirmed that Ronaldo is their main summer transfer target and said they would be prepared to meet United's asking price of around 80million euros (£54million).Any such deal would represent a new world-record transfer fee, usurping the £46million spent by Madrid in 2002 on Zinedine Zidane.

UEFA Cup Preview: Tottenham - Sevilla

Tottenham Hotspur (7th in Premiership) v Sevilla (2nd in la Primera)
When: 20:45 (CET) - Thursday, April 12, 2007
Where: White Hart Lane, London.
Tottenham will take heart from Manchester United's stunning performance as they look to overturn a first leg deficit against Sevilla at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
The north Londoners will probably not be aiming to beat the high-flying Spaniards by the seven goals that the Red Devils put past Roma, but the emphasis on attacking from the start will be the same.
An early goal in the first leg gave the north Londoners' a head-start, but they were pegged back by a dubious penalty and then beaten by Aleksandr Kerzhakov's header.
That spot-kick decision that saw Sevilla draw level on the night has been a talking point ever since the game last week and the Spurs players have already said that it is an inspiration for the second encounter.
Just over 36 hours after that match in Spain, Martin Jol's side met Chelsea in the Premiership and were beaten by a single goal, but that may actually work in their favour.
Preparation Time
The Lilywhites have had all week to focus on what is, arguably, their biggest game of the campaign so far and tiredness can no longer be said to be a factor.
Sevilla had to wait until Sunday evening to play their following league fixture and the goalless draw at home to Racing Santander put a dent in the Andalucians' title challenge.
Both Jol and his Sevilla counterpart, Juande Ramos, rested players for their domestic outings and they will hope that the choice pays dividends.
While form may not count for much in what will be a hotly contested encounter, Spurs have made their own stadium a daunting place for visiting teams to go.
If Jol is to build a dynasty then he made it clear when he was first appointed that one of his main aims was to make White Hart Lane into a fortress.
Home Front
With 11 league wins, one draw and four defeats he is close to ensuring that his ambition comes true, while in Europe Spurs do still have a 100 per cent record on their own patch.
As for Sevilla their away form this term can only be described as inconsistent as they hold an incredible record of five wins, five draws and five defeats.
Ramos' side have scored 19 times on their travels, but also let in 16 goals in 15 matches, so they will have to well-drilled at the back to deny Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov a successful evening.
One of the key reasons that Spurs are pushing for a UEFA Cup place rather than a top four spot is their defence, however, as 18 goals conceded at home is not impressive.
Add to that the 27 let in on the road and it is clear to see why Ledley King's return has been so hotly anticipated and why the manager wants to add to his rearguard in the summer.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham Hotspur: With King set to return from an injury that has seen him unable to play since Boxing Day, Jol was hoping to have a strong defence. He has received one piece of bad news in the run-up to the game, however, as right-back Paul Stalteri has suffered a hip injury. The Canadian's absence could see the home team field Teemu Tainio on the right, with Pascal Chimbonda moving to the left, and Steed Malbranque coming into midfield.
Probable Starting XI: Robinson; Tainio, Dawson, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.
Sevilla: Andrés Palop has been ruled out of the game after he picked up a calf injury and is set to be replaced by the squad's second choice goalkeeper, David Cobeño. Up front, Sevilla's leading scorer in Europe this season, Ernesto Chevantón, is also sidelined after he suffereda knock during the goalless draw with Racing at the weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Cobeño; Hinkel, Navarro, Escudé, Castedo; Alves, Poulsen, Maresca, Correia; Renato; Kanouté.

Champions League Reaction: Crouch Reflects On Job Done

Liverpool's match-winner Peter Crouch agreed that the Reds' quarter-final second-leg victory over 10-man PSV Eindhoven was not a Champions League classic.
The Premiership side were already three up from the first leg, and most observers - including, possibly, PSV themselves - seemed to regard the second-leg as no more than a formality.
But Crouch's second-half goal ensured that Liverpool won both legs with a 4-0 aggregate to set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea."I don't think it was much of a spectacle but we did a job, got the result," Crouch told Sky Sports."We did most of the work in the first leg obviously and it was just a case of seeing it out today, and that's what we did well."It was a strange game. All the lads were up for it. If it had stayed 0-0, I'm sure you would've seen more urgency."Regarding his own contribution, Crouch admitted he was thrilled with his recent form. He said: "I've been pleased with my form in the Champions League. It's a fantastic competition."Hopefully I can keep that run going."Ironically, the semi-final will pit Crouch and his Liverpool team-mates against the side he supported as a boy - Chelsea.The England striker said: "It's going to be a special occasion. We've had that tie before and hopefully we'll have the same outcome."He added: "My dad will be pleased. It's local for him as well so it'll be a special occasion for myself, my family and everyone connected with Liverpool."I won the FA Cup last year and hopefully can go one better this year."Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised his team's professionalism."We knew that it would be difficult because the mentality of the players when you are controlling the game, you don't concede any chances and you be more relaxed."Of Crouch, Benitez said: "Now he has the confidence all strikers need."I hope he can keep scoring goals until the end of the season."Looking ahead to the Chelsea clash, Benitez added: "We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are a very good team."But we know that if we play to our level, we can beat them."And he feels it may be "a little bit" of an advantage to be playing the first leg at Stamford Bridge.But he warned: "Chelsea are a good team playing away now, as you could see the other day against Valencia."