Brazil legend Zico has admitted he is "very interested" in becoming Newcastle manager and believes he could avoid the confrontations which forced Kevin Keegan out of the job.

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Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce will be keeping an eye out for a mysterious ‘man in black’ ahead of his team’s friendly encounter with Japanese side Kashima Antlers in Shanghai tomorrow.

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi put in an inspired performance between the posts for Japan as the Asian champions kept their slim World Cup hopes alive with a 0-0 draw with Croatia in Nuremberg on Sunday.

Manchester City will contest the first Shanghai World Series Tournament as part of their pre-season preparations.

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted he did have a row with skipper Roy Keane at Manchester United’s pre-season training camp in Portugal last month.

Alex Ferguson has admitted he did have a row with skipper Roy Keane at Manchester United‘s pre-season training camp in Portugal last month.

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Men of the moment Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand were both missing from Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up for the final match of Manchester United’s Far East tour against Urawa Red Diamonds this afternoon.

IT should be a time for a new coat of paint, the smell of freshly-mown grass and a joyful lift of the spirits as a new football season approaches.

A former Manchester United supporters’ chief believes Alex Ferguson’s continued faith in contract rebel Rio Ferdinand is indicative of the Scot losing his authority over team affairs.

Carlos Queiroz has claimed he is “unaware” of an alleged abusive gesture by Rio Ferdinand towards Manchester United fans after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers.

RUUD van Nistelrooy’s anger spilled over again in Tokyo last night as the Dutch striker was involved in a furious face-to-face row with Rio Ferdinand.

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ALEX FERGUSON will resist the temptation to fly Roy Keane to Japan for the last match of Manchester United’s Far East tour.

Alex Ferguson will resist the temptation to fly Roy Keane to Japan for the last match of Manchester United’s Far East tour.

BAYERN MUNICH midfielder Michael Ballack has moved to end speculation he could join Manchester United. And Bayern insist United have not made an offer for the Germany captain.

Japan became the first country to book their place at next year’s World Cup finals, other than hosts Germany, with a 2-0 win over North Korea today.

As Liverpool await their Champions League fate, the prospect of a nightmare fixture pile-up before the season has even started faces the European Cup winners.

Rafael Benitez has warned European aristocrats AC Milan that Liverpool's hunger will make up for the difference in class and experience.

Former Brazilian star Zico is reportedly leading the chase to become the next coach of World Cup co-hosts Japan.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE is hoping his thigh injury clears up in time to ensure he misses only one game of France’s bid to retain the World Cup.

Filippo Inzaghi's knee injury is not as bad as first feared, Italian officials said.