WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING TODAY

Papers: Toon want Smith22/06/2007 07:05Smith In Switch To Toon

Newcastle have won the race to sign Manchester United outcast Alan Smith in a deal worth around £3.5million. Toon boss Sam Allardyce made his move for Smith after the England striker made public his dismay at not being offered a new deal by United. But Allardyce failed in his bid to make it a United trio at Newcastle after the Old Trafford hierarchy rebuffed his attempts to sign defensive duo Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre. Smith revealed his desire to stay at Old Trafford only last week but admitted he had received no assurances about his future from Sir Alex Ferguson, a revelation which sparked a scramble for his signature. Despite his reluctance to leave United following a £7million move from Leeds in 2004, Smith has been assured of regular football at Newcastle under Allardyce, something Fergie could not give him at Old Trafford.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, The Daily Star claims Ryan Giggs is thinking about following the lead of former team-mate Lee Sharpe and appearing in reality TV shows, when he hangs up his boots. When asked about appearing in reality TV shows, Giggs said: “I never say never.”
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22/06/2007 Report by Steve Bartram
No United bid for Italian

United have not voiced an interest in Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella, according to the player’s agent.

The 23-year-old Italian international has been linked with Old Trafford in recent weeks but, although agent Silvio Pagliari claims United are interested, no move has materialised.

Pagliari told BBC Sport: “I know there’s some interest from Manchester United. I’m very proud of it, as he is. But United have had no contact with me or with Sampdoria.

“He’d be keen on playing in England, for sure. We have many things to think of, as many big clubs in Italy too are interest in a player like Fabio.

“We can talk about Inter Milan, Juventus, Man Utd, Chelsea – this is no problem for the player as they are all massive clubs.”

A host of strikers from across Europe have been linked with United ever since Chief Executive David Gill’s admission that the Reds could be tempted into action if the right target became available.

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22/06/2007 Report by Steve Bartram

Rossi sees red in Italy win

Italy overcame Portugal on penalties to seal a berth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, despite the sending off of Giuseppe Rossi.

The United striker received his marching orders in Nijmegen after collecting a second booking for dissent in the 74th minute.

Rossi had earlier come close to opening the scoring for the Azzurini, showing great pace to burst past three Portuguese defenders and into the area, but his powerful shot was superbly blocked by goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro.

New United team-mate Nani also enjoyed an eventful game for the Portuguese, going close on two occasions to opening the scoring for the underdogs.

Nani did find the net eventually, in the subsequent penalty shootout after the match had finished 0-0, but misses from team-mates Manuel Fernandes and Antunes gifted Italy a 4-3 win and a berth in China.
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/22/6/2007 15:05, Report by Chris McKenna

Red braced for Ricky fight
The attention of the sporting world turns not to football but to boxing this weekend as Manchester’s Ricky Hatton goes toe to toe with Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas for the IBO light-welterweight title.

Most people know of Ricky Hatton’s allegiances to the blue half of Manchester but what might be less known is that Hatton’s opponent Castillo is a United fan and even attended a match at Old Trafford earlier this year.

Castillo said: “My children and I are big Manchester United fans, Manchester United are my children’s heroes.”

Talking about his experience at Old Trafford, Castillo said: “It was fantastic, it was great to be there. I am grateful to the people who gave me the opportunity. It was a fantastic experience.”

However there is another twist to add which has caused some controversy. United striker Wayne Rooney will be carrying Hatton’s IBO belt into the ring on Saturday night, something Castillo has questioned.

“I can’t understand why a Manchester United player like him would walk to the ring with a Manchester City fan,” says Castillo.

Hatton, who is a season ticket holder at City, believes he fights for the whole of Manchester, not just the blue half. He said: “I believe when Castillo went out on the pitch there was a small section singing ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton.”

“I know I’ve got a lot of Manchester United fans behind me. I fight for Manchester in general, not just for the blue half. Obviously everytime we (City) play them (United) we hope we batter them but I am proud to come from Manchester.

“Two of the greatest football teams the world has ever seen are both from my home town, so it makes me proud.”

The United fans who support Hatton include his brother Matthew, also a boxer.

“I believe he was dropped on his head when he was a baby,” jokes Ricky. “He is the bad egg in the family!”

When the bell rings on Saturday night, Castillo will be putting all his thoughts of which side Rooney is supporting to the back of his mind. He said:

“I know who Rooney is because my sons love him and he’s their idol, but once the bell goes, he doesn’t matter. Then it is just going to be me, Hatton and the referee.”

The Mexican is clearly confident of victory over the Mancunian.

“There will be a lot of punches, solid punches, but I am going to win, I promise you,” said Castillo.

Hatton, however, is expecting to maintain his unbeaten record and keep his IBO title. He said: “I believe I’ve got an edge in speed and footwork and I’m probably a bit fresher.

“I just think that anyone in the light-welterweight division that wants to go toe to toe and trade body shots with Ricky Hatton is always going to come second best,” Hatton said.

The big fight takes place in Las Vegas on Saturday night (early Sunday morning UK time).