Joey Barton : I can't help QPR ! Marseille is my choice

The 30-year-old is enjoying life in France with his loan move set to end and is willing to take a pay cut to help negotiations, but has no desire to play in the Championship

Marseille loanee Joey Barton has reiterated his desire to join the Ligue 1 outfit on a permanent basis, insisting he has no intention of playing in the Championship with QPR.

The former Manchester City and Newcastle man made the loan move to France in August 2012 when Mark Hughes was in charge at Loftus Road, but current Rs boss Harry Redknapp has hinted at a possible return next season.

Should David Luiz be punished for Rafael elbow and trick ?

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the Manchester United right-back, who received a red card for lashing out at his compatriot, was provoked at the end of the Red Devils' defeat to Chelsea

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Rafael was provoked by David Luiz after the right-back was shown a red card following a clash with his compatriot in the closing stages of the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat against Chelsea.

Shortly after Juan Mata had scored what proved to be the winning goal at Old Trafford, Rafael was dismissed for kicking out at Luiz as he pursued the Blues defender towards the corner flag.

Speaking after the match, however, Sir Alex refused to condone the 22-year-old's behaviour but insisted Luiz should also have been punished by referee Howard Webb.

Mata : We deserve champions spot

The Spain international was delighted with his part in the key victory, while Petr Cech hopes the Blues can put even more distance between themselves and Tottenham on Wednesday

Juan Mata believes Chelsea are worthy of a top-four finish after beating Manchester United to jump back into pole position for Champions League qualification.

The 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, in which the Spaniard's late deflected effort off Phil Jones separated the sides, leaves the Blues in third place - one point above Arsenal and three above Tottenham who they face on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old feels Champions League football is no less than what the Blues deserve this season, and is confident ahead of the midweek Stamford Bridge clash.

Rodgers pleased with Liverpool display

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers felt a point was the least his team deserved after their 0-0 draw with Everton at Anfield.

The Reds made most of the running in the game but could not find a goal in a frenetic contest that leaves Rodgers' side five points behind their neighbours with just two games remaining.

"We had our moments," Rodgers told Sky Sports. "We opened the game up and got in a few times. But what was important was that those games can sometimes slip away from you.

Wenger enjoying top four race

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he is enjoying the challenge of trying to secure a top-four finish this season.
The 1-0 win at QPR on Saturday extended Arsenal's unbeaen league run to eight matches and lifted the Gunners to third - two points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs having played a game more.

Wenger's side face Wigan on Tuesday before closing with a trip to Newcastle next weekend, and the Frenchman is aware that two victories is a minimum requirement to earn Champions League football.

Controversial Luiz Suarez rules out Liverpool exit

LUIS SUAREZ has confirmed he will stay at Liverpool.
The striker, 26, was thought to be quitting Anfield after his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic.
But Suarez said: “I have a deal with Liverpool and this is my present — and future.”
His decision is a huge lift for the Reds ahead of today’s Mersey derby with Everton.
Suarez, whose ban includes the first SIX games of next season, added: “From the day I arrived, I saw how special this derby is, so it is a pain to miss it.
“But we have a big squad which can function without me.”

Today's transfer gossip

Manchester United are still interested in signing Tottenham's Gareth Bale, 23, rated by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy at £60m.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been cleared by the club to make a big summer signing.

But one of Ferguson's targets Robert Lewandowski is set to ignore the advances from the Premier League with the 24-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker set to stay in Germany and sign for Bayern Munich.


Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, is wanted by French club AS Monaco. The England midfielder's contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his regret at missing out on the signing of Lampard when he left West Ham in 2001.

Sir Alex Ferguson : Not quitting despite surgery

Sir Alex Ferguson says he has no plans to quit as Manchester United manager after the club confirmed he will have surgery in the summer. Ferguson, 71, will have a hip operation but insists his plans are unaffected.

"It's always difficult in football to be absolutely sure of the future because the game has a habit of tripping you up," said Ferguson.
"I don't have any plans to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see." Ferguson has led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles and expects his side to add to their silverware next season
"This team of champions is not going away - we are here for the long ride," Ferguson told the United Review match programme.

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic warns Chelsea on league tie

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic says they won't lack motivation against Chelsea today.

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players their planned visit to Chester Races on Wednesday will be scrapped should their performance not come up to scratch.

Vidic though insists there will not be an issue: "Motivation won't be a problem for us,. We are motivated every time we step out at Old Trafford.

Van Persie : Not surprised with the silverware

Robin van Persie was always confident of winning trophies when signing for Manchester United.

Van Persie’s decision to leave the North London club at which he was captain and talisman appears to have been vindicated.

“I wouldn’t have moved if I’d had doubts. Instead, from day one I was almost certain we’d win trophies – not in a couple of years but this year. I saw the players training, I saw the way they behaved, the way they lived, their mentality, the way the staff worked, the way the manager and the staff acted... When all those elements combine you end up with a team of champions."

Kolarov ready to leave City

Aleksandar Kolarov is considering his options at Manchester City.


Kolarov will consider his future at the Etihad Stadium this summer after becoming frustrated at losing a regular place in Roberto Mancini’s line-up.

Kolarov has started only nine Premier League games this season with Gael Clichy preferred as the club’s regular left-back and has vowed to friends to try to find a way out if his prospects do not improve.

Sunderland Boss Di Canio: I know how to beat Stoke

Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio says they can secure Premier League safety today.

Di Canio believes his second win as a manager against Stoke City this season will ensure Sunderland’s Premier League survival Monday night.

The Sunderland boss was in charge at Swindon when they knocked Tony Pulis’s side out of the Capital Cup and he said: "Knowing their quality, negative and positive, can help with tactical strategy on how Stoke play. It can help because we damaged them there and they played with the same team.

Chelsea Keeper Peter Cech : Wish BLUES can stick to one manager

Petr Cech admits he's prefer to win trophies under one manager than the constant changes he's experienced at Chelsea.

They have accumulated nine trophies under nine managers in the Roman Abramovich era and are on course for a 10th.

"You always want to win, this is the nature of life," said Cech. "Every boy who plays football starts with the desire to win. Not every club can do it but we are a club where we have the ability and the potential to win things.

CHELSEA OWNER ABRAMOVICH ASSURES NIGERIAN BORN EMENALO HE'S STAYING

Michael Emenalo has been assured of his position at Chelsea.

There had been concern from Emenalo's end that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho would only return to Chelsea if he was removed as football director.

Emenalo is understood to have consulted owner Roman Abramovich about his position and been reassured that he will still control transfers and the overall structure of the team, even though that is something that Mourinho considered his domain at Real Madrid and was the issue that precipitated his departure from Stamford Bridge in September 2007 after three years as manager.

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I'm not involved in Nani contract says Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is steering clear of Nani's new contract talks.

Nani has been in negotiations for much of the season. When asked about a new contract for the 26-year-old, the manager added: "That is not my department. It is something David [Gill] and Jorge Mendes [Nani's agent] are working on. That is ongoing. But there is no progress as far as I know."

Tottenham closing on Hamburg star Son Heung-Min

Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Hamburg striker Son Heung-Min.

Son has another year to run on his contract and is keen on a move to the Premier League with Spurs also believing that he would be a strong asset both on the pitch and with the Asian market.

Tottenham's strongest competition is likely to come from Borussia Dortmund but Levy is hoping a £10m deal will persuade him to come to White Hart Lane this summer as they look to bring in at least two strikers.

Man United to include Nani and Anderson to bid for Gareth Bale

Manchester United are ready to make a summer bid for Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

United will test Tottenham’s resolve to keep Bale. And United believe 23-year-old Bale would ­favour a switch to Old Trafford over a move to Real Madrid if Spurs can be ­persuaded to sell.

As well as chasing the PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year Bale, United boss Sir Alex ­Ferguson is set to reward Phil Jones with a big pay rise for his impressive form.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas claims he has received assurances Bale will not be sold, regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League.