Man Utd may sell Anderson to buy 'new Ronaldo'

James Rodrigue (REUTERS)

Published Saturday, May 05, 2012

By Staff

The changes will ring in loud and clear for Manchester United.

And while Sir Alex Ferguson will still be in charge, a few United players might find themselves on the block.

According to reports in the British press, Manchester United are considering a £25million move for Porto winger James Rodriguez - the young Colombia talent who has been dubbed 'the new Cristiano Ronaldo'.

And the player that might find himself leaving Old Trafford is midfielder Anderson, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The Brazilian midfielder, 24, has only made 11 starts this season due to knee problems.

United snapped up Ronaldo as a promising talent from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, before eventually selling the Portuguese on to Real Madrid for £80m.

The 20-year-old Rodriguez could now be next.

Newcastle game tougher than facing Man Utd: Mancini

Manchester City's visit to in-form Newcastle United on Sunday (1230 GMT) will be more difficult than last Monday's match against title rivals Manchester United, according to manager Roberto Mancini.

The Italian said fifth-placed Newcastle would approach the game against Premier League leaders City in an extremely confident mood after their 2-0 victory at Champions League finalists Chelsea on Wednesday.

"Newcastle played a fantastic game at Chelsea and I think this game will be more difficult for us," Mancini told reporters on Friday.

"The Manchester United game was at home and we played very well to win 1-0 but Newcastle is away and I think it will be harder."

The two Manchester clubs are locked together on 83 points with two games left to play this season, with City top on goal difference.

Mancini said City would keep a particularly close eye on red-hot Senegal striker Papiss Cisse on Sunday.

"Cisse is incredible," said the Italian. "He scored two fantastic goals against Chelsea.

"He has 13 goals in 12 league games for Newcastle and he's a good player. But not just him, their whole team is playing very well.

"They play to win in every game, they have a good mentality and for this reason I think it will be a good game on Sunday."

Manchester United entertain Swansea City at 1500 GMT and Mancini dismissed the suggestion that Manchester City would be under more pressure because they play first on Sunday.

"Our players know they have everything in their own hands," he said.

Fixtures from the English Premier League

Saturday, May 5 (GMT)

Arsenal v Norwich City (1145)

Sunday, May 6 (GMT)

Newcastle United v Manchester City (1230)

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (1300)

Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion (1300)

Fulham v Sunderland (1300)

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City (1300)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton (1300)

Manchester United v Swansea City (1500)