Subject: [MufcDailyNews] www.red11.org DAILY NEWS Sat Jan 23 99

From:	"Bill McArthur" 

www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Sat Jan 23 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org

This Issue:
1. RED AND RAW: Bad blood brothers
2. Keane peace bid
3. Heggem ready for United
4. Keane fights yellow fever
5. 4 million Foe rejects United
6. Soccer showcase - Manchester United and Liverpool stats
7. Keane peace bid
8. www.red11.org Murdoch watch: MURDOCH BID SPLITS ITALIANS


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Daily RED Trivia will return tomorrow.  We apologize for
any inconvenience.

***************

Bill's Daily Comment:

US REDS ONLY:
=============
From http://www.soccertv.com :
    English FA Cup 4th Round: Manchester United vs Liverpool
    - FOX Sports World and FOX Sports World Espanol
    (a.k.a. FOX Sports Americas-US) will air the * HUGE *
	Manchester United vs Liverpool English FA Cup 4th Round
    Clash on Sunday January 24 at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific.

+ All the details for the USA Supporters club spring trip, Including the
trek
  to Milan, can be found at the USA Supporters club web page.

  http://www.muscusa.com

*****************

www.red11.org WEEKLY SURVEY:
http://www.red11.org/miva/survey.mv

Survey #34:  What is United's best pairing of Centre Backs?
(Question suggested by Gary Heath)

Vote now at: http://www.red11.org/miva/survey.mv

******************

Next games: 

ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm

  24/1 Liverpool   (H)  12.00 Sky Sports FA CUP 4th rnd
  31/1 Charlton    (A)  15.00 UK

UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/

*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED  ***

Date        Opposition                        Score   Pos.   Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98    Leicester City           Home     D  2-2    11    55,052
22/08/98    West Ham United          Away     D  0-0    11    26,039
09/09/98    Charlton Athletic        Home     W  4-1     9    55,147
12/09/98    Coventry City            Home     W  2-0     5    55,193
20/09/98    Arsenal                  Away     L  0-3    10    38,142
24/09/98    Liverpool                Home     W  2-0     3    55,181
03/10/98    Southampton              Away     W  3-0     2    15,251
17/10/98    Wimbledon                Home     W  5-1     2    55,265
24/10/98    Derby County             Away     D  1-1     2    30,867
31/10/98    Everton                  Away     W  4-1     2    40,079
08/11/98    Newcastle United         Home     D  0-0     3    55,174
14/11/98    Blackburn Rovers         Home     W  3-2     2    55,198
21/11/98    Sheffield Wednesday      Away     L  1-3     2    39,475
29/11/98    Leeds                    Home     W  3-2     2    55,172
05/12/98    Aston Villa              Away     D  1-1     2    39,241
12/12/98    Tottenham Hotspur        Away     D  2-2     1    36,079
16/12/98    Chelsea                  Home     D  1-1     2    55,159
19/12/98    Middlebrough             Home     L  2-3     3    55,152
26/12/98    Notts Forest             Home     W  3-0     3    55,216 
29/12/98    Chelsea                  Away     D  0-0     3    34,741
10/01/99    West Ham United          Home     W  4-1     3    55,180
16/01/99    Leicester City           Away     W  6-2     2    22,091

*****************
  
Champions League:
Group D         P  W  D  L  F  A   Pts
Bayern Munich   6  3  2  1  9  6  11   
Man United      6  2  4  0 20 11  10
Barcelona       6  2  2  2 11  9   8    
Brondby         6  1  0  5  4 18   3   

Dec  9 Brøndby         0-2  Barcelona
Dec  9 Man Utd         1-1  Bayern Munich

******************

CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
 Manchester Utd    v   Inter Milan
 Real Madrid       v   Dynamo Kiev
 Juventus          v   Olympiakos
 Bayern Munich     v   Kaiserslautern

 Ties to be played on March 3 and 17

******************

Pos Team                  P   W   D   L   F   A   GD  Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
 1  Chelsea              22  11  10   1  34  18   16   43
 2  Aston Villa          22  12   7   3  34  20   14   43
 3  Manchester United    22  11   8   3  49  26   23   41
 4  Arsenal              22  10   9   3  23  11   12   39
 5  Leeds United         22   9   9   4  36  20   16   36
 6  Liverpool            22  10   5   7  43  26   17   35
 7  Wimbledon            22   9   7   6  29  33   -4   34
 8  West Ham United      22   9   5   8  25  31   -6   32
 9  Middlesbrough        22   7  10   5  32  28    4   31
10  Derby County         22   7  10   5  22  20    2   31
11  Leicester City       22   7   8   7  25  27   -2   29
12  Tottenham Hotspur    22   7   8   7  28  30   -2   29
13  Sheffield Wednesday  22   7   5  10  25  22    3   26
14  Newcastle United     22   6   7   9  26  31   -5   25
15  Everton              22   5   9   8  13  24  -11   24
16  Blackburn Rovers     22   5   6  11  21  29   -8   21
17  Coventry City        22   5   5  12  21  31  -10   20
18  Charlton Athletic    22   3   8  11  26  36  -10   17
19  Southampton          22   4   5  13  20  46  -26   17
20  Nottingham Forest    22   2   7  13  18  41  -23   13

******************

Fixtures FAC:

*** ROUND 4 FIXTURES ON 23/01/99 ***
              Aston Villa  v  Fulham
                 Barnsley  v  AFC Bournemouth
          or Swindon Town     
         Blackburn Rovers  v  Sunderland
           Bristol Rovers  v  Leyton Orient
                  Everton  v  Ipswich Town
           Leicester City  v  Coventry City
         Newcastle United  v  Bradford City
             Notts County  v  Cardiff City
      or Sheffield United     
               Portsmouth  v  Leeds United
      Sheffield Wednesday  v  Stockport County
             Swansea City  v  Derby County
                Wimbledon  v  Tottenham Hotspur
                  Wrexham  v  Huddersfield Town


*** ROUND 4 FIXTURES ON 24/01/99 ***
        Manchester United  v  Liverpool ****  12:00 GMT kick off!
            Wolverhampton  v  Arsenal



++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++
========++++++++

RED AND RAW: Bad blood brothers

WITH Sunday's Cup clash looming, CHRIS BASCOMBE
analyses the relationship between Liverpool and Manchester
United

WHEN Liverpool and Manchester United meet on Sunday, the
latest chapter in a tale of mutual disrespect will be written.

For bemused neutrals, the pathological hatred felt by these rival
fans is mindboggling. But the truth behind 30 years of rivalry lies in
the fact that these two great clubs simply have too much in
common.

It may sound anathema to say so, but Liverpool and Manchester
United fans should be bonded like no others.

Both are among the world's most famous football clubs. Both can
attract hysterical support from outside their home city as well as
within it. Both grew into superpowers based on the traditional
working class ethics of men brought up in Scottish mining
villages.

And both have been touched by a tragedy which has had a deep
rooted impact on the psyche of both sets of fans, giving the club a
community role which extends far beyond events on a football
pitch.

Liverpool and United fans, particularly those from Merseyside and
Manchester, believe following their team is more than just about
11 men on a park.

It's an image, a regional pride, a battle to claim the right as the
true ambassadors for English football in the eyes of the rest of the
world.

Both achieved this in similar fashion, but in trying to maintain their
position they have got under each other's skin.

In the 50s and 60s when United were England's European
superpower, there was respect between the clubs.

The United of Busby, Best, Charlton and Law never needed
kick-off times re-arranged to prevent rival fans clashing. And the
Liverpool fans who travelled to see Shankly's 60s heroes didn't
face a "welcome party" of broken bottles and bricks as their
coaches made their way towards Old Trafford.

But somewhere between the arrival of flared trousers and United's
re-birth under Alex Ferguson, the relationship has soured.

Why? Liverpool supporters will tell you that this parting began
because in seeking to catch up with the "real" Reds in the 1970s,
United betrayed the values of Busby.

They were the first football club in England to shamelessly exploit
their commercial value on the basis of their past glories. They
didn't want to work for success but wanted to buy it.

A hugely successful mass media propaganda operation extolling
the club's "greatness" =D0 even when performances on the pitch
lead to relegation in the mid 1970s =D0 perpetuated a myth that
United were still British football's greatest name.

There remains a feeling that throughout the period Liverpool
dominated at home and Europe, they never received the credit
they deserved from their own national Press.

But when the boys from Old Trafford beat Liverpool in one-off
games, by default it usually lead to declarations that United were
the "real" champions of English football. It bred contempt.

From United fans you'll hear how the tensions exploded because
of Liverpool's pathological hatred of them.

THROUGHOUT the 70s and early 80s Liverpool supporters
mocked United's failings and cruelly taunted them with chants of
"Munich" =D0 a reference, of course, to the aircrash when many of
Matt Busby's young players were tragically killed in 1958.

The fact such chants existed rests uncomfortably in the minds of
the post Heysel and Hillsborough Anfield residents. The 90s Reds
wish it never happened and such songs haven't been repeated for
well over a decade. But United fans refuse to forgive and regularly
ask Liverpool supporters "where's your Munich song" during
encounters. You'll hear it on Sunday.

It's unnecessary, but should they be blamed for that? The
equivalent at Anfield would be for rival fans to mock the memory of
the 96 victims of Hillsborough. One can imagine the outrage this
would cause. The perpetrators would find forgiveness hard to come
by.

Other factors explain United's attitude. As United now accuse
rivals of jealousy for not enjoying their 90s success, so they
despised Liverpool for the same reasons in the 70s and 80s.

Liverpool have won four European Cups to their one and they find
that hard to accept. This intrinsic arrogance within Old Trafford has
never receded.

But now, ironically, to England's other 90 football clubs these
same observations can be made with as much relevance towards
Liverpool as against United.

While the United of the 70s and 80s were all image and no
substance, so the Liverpool of the 90s were accused of following a
similar path. Reds fans are accused of believing their side has a
God-given right to win the major trophies and being too intolerant
of the prospect of being second best.

Some see that as a criticism, but it shouldn't be. It ensures both
clubs remain among the main challengers for the top honours and
won't tolerate a slide into mediocrity.

At the same time, United's Scottish manager has re-instilled the
working class ethics of the Busby era while Liverpool were left
behind and, rightly or wrongly, have been accused of allowing
vanity to overshadow professional discipline.

The image of those Armani suits in the 1996 FA Cup Final is not
easily forgotten. It was a classic 80s United stunt pulled off by, of
all teams, Liverpool.

So you see, Liverpool and Manchester United fans are basically
neighbours at war. They are the same breed, but parted because
success inevitably comes at the other's expense.

The reaction to the others glory will always be one of envy,
frustration and intolerance.

And if Liverpool are to get back to the top, loathsome as it may be
to admit it, Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson will be looking to
replicate not only what Shankly started in 1959, but what Alex
Ferguson began to do at Old Trafford in 1986.

Noon on Sunday will be a good time to measure their progress.



*******************



Keane peace bid

Friday, January 22, 1999

Roy Keane is preparing to sit down for talks with Manchester United over
the pay deadlock which threatens his future at Old Trafford.

The United captain has said he will walk away unless the club are prepared
to meet his demand for a new contract worth =A340,000 per week.

So far, club chairman Martin Edwards has stood firm, insisting there will
be no discussion on a new deal until the summer when the Republic of
Ireland midfielder will have only 12 months remaining on his current
agreement.

Last night there was the first hint of a softening of approach on both
sides. The indications are that United may be prepared to offer an olive
branch rather than involve themselves in a game of brinkmanship they are
unlikely to win. And Keane's adviser, lawyer Michael Kennedy, revealed:
'There is the possibility of some move-ment within the next week to 10
days.'

The first step towards peace would be a discussion aimed at reaching a
settlement that would satisfy the honour of both sides.

One possible compromise would be a =A32million signing-on fee to reward
the
player for committing himself to the club for at least four more years.
That would not break the club's pay ceiling.

Keane insists that he is totally committed to United's attempt to take back
the Premiership championship from Arsenal and their bid to win the European
Cup. But he has been equally adamant that, at 27, he has the right to the
same massive pay packet as star players on the continent.

The Irishman knows it would take at least =A310mil-lion to replace him on
the
transfer market and warned: 'If I don't get what I want, then I will
leave.'

United insist that they cannot fracture the wage scale which allows their
top earn-ers a salary of =A325,000 per week. Breaking that code, said
Edwards, would mean that other players, such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham
and Jaap Stam, who have already agreed long-term contracts, would
automatically expect pay rises.

United are desperate to keep the combative midfielder they signed from
Nottingham Forest for =A33.75m over five seasons ago. Manager Alex
Ferguson
has always seen him as the man to lead the club well into the next
millennium.

Ferguson has investigated the possibility of bringing in Zinedine Zidane
from potential Champions League opponents Juventus but his salary demands
would outweigh even those of Keane.

United have also backed away from any move for Cameroon midfielder
Marc-Vivien Foe. Ferguson's interest dwindled once the player had turned
out for Lens in the Champions League, which ruled him out of any more
European games this season.

The result is more pressure on the Old Trafford board to come up with the
figures that would pacify Keane.

The compromise talks will probably have to wait until after Sunday's FA Cup
clash with Liverpool, which will provide the biggest test yet of Keane's
new-found self-control.

He has managed to curb his fiery temper so success-fully that he has picked
up only four bookings in the Premier League this season. But that restraint
will be stretched to the limit when he comes up against Paul Ince in the
cauldron of a Cup clash at a packed Old Traf-ford.

One mistimed tackle, a word out of place or, worse still, a flash of temper
could bring his fifth caution of the season and a one-match ban, but he is
determined to avoid trouble. He said: 'The way things are at Old Trafford
now, with all the talented players here, you don't want to get suspended
because it might be hard to win back your place in the side.

'This season I've tried not to get involved in things as much. You can only
take so much and, so far, I've been able to walk away. Whether that will
last much longer I don't really know.

'You've still got to argue your point when things go against you but you
must draw the line somewhere. Silly bookings and sendingoffs cost you
personally as well as costing the team.'

United and Liverpool have the hottest striking partner-ships in the country
with United's Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke scoring 31 between them this
season while Liverpool's Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler total 30. Sunday's
match could be a goal feast but Keane doesn't think so.

'I think there will be only one goal - and hopefully we will score it,' he
said.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backtracked after hinting that he may retire in
2003. Following Teddy Scott's testimonial at Aberdeen on Monday he made a
reference to quitting, but yesterday he said: 'It was a bit of a joke
really. Four years' time might be the right time to think about what to do
next.'

Now 57, he has been at Old Trafford since 1986. His contract expires in the
summer of 2000 and he is due to thrash out a new deal with the United board
at at the end of this season.


***********

Heggem ready for United
  by Ric George

LIVERPOOL star Vegard Heggem today paid tribute to the
supporters who have helped launch his Anfield career.

The Reds' Norwegian wing-back has emerged as one of the
successes of the season through a series of eye-catching
performances which have made him a hit on the terraces.

And Heggem, a =A33.5m summer signing from Rosenborg,
attributes his confidence to the backing he has received from the
fans. He said today: "It's very important for me to have the
supporters behind me. It's a great feeling and it does a lot for your
confidence.

"When I came to the club there was some discussion about
whether it was right to sign another Norwegian, and I think I had
something extra to prove. Fortunately, I was given the chance to
play from the first game and I have adapted as the games have
gone on.

"I am enjoying it, but I am working hard and I can improve in many
areas. I still have a long way to go."

Heggem has made a notable contribution to Liverpool's six-match
unbeaten run, and he is relishing the prospect of facing
Manchester United in Sunday's FA Cup clash, having been
omitted from the side which lost 2-0 there in September.

"I was disappointed not to play," he admitted. "But I knew it was
coming because I was a bit tired at that period and it was
probably the right thing to rest me for that game. Of course,
everyone wants to play against United at Old Trafford, and
hopefully I'll get the chance now.

"This is one of the biggest games of our season. United are very
strong and it will be a real test for us, but I think we have a chance
if we play to our best.

"We don't have any fear. In fact, the lads are looking forward to it.

"It's okay with us that Manchester United are the favourites. We
are not expected to win, but I think that could be a help to us."`


***********

Keane fights yellow fever

RROY KEANE is ready for the biggest test yet of his new-found
self control against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Manchester United skipper has managed to curb his fiery
temper this season and has picked up only four bookings in the
Premiership.o

One of those cautions came for a terrible tackle on Arsenal=92s Marc
Overmars in September, but that aside Keane seems to have
found the cure for his yellow fever.

Keane=92s self restraint will be stretched to the limit against Paul
Ince and Co in their FA Cup fourth round clash at Old Trafford. The
Republic of Ireland midfielder will be walking a disciplinary
tightrope because he knows one mistimed tackle or word out of
place will earn him his fifth caution of the season and with it a
one-match ban.

The middle of the park in United=92s clashes with Liverpool is not a
place for the faint-hearted, but Keane is determined to keep his
cool in the high-noon showdown.

He missed most of last season with a cruciate ligament injury and
does not want to sit out any of this campaign through suspension.

"If you end up getting booked or sent-off, then all you get is
suspended," he said. "The way things are at Old Trafford now, with
all the players who can come into the side, you don=92t want to get
suspended because it is so hard to get back in.

"This season I=92ve tried not to get involved in things as much. You
can only take so much and so far I=92ve been able to walk away.
Whether that will last much longer I don=92t really know.

"You=92ve still got to argue your point when things go against you.
But you must draw the line somewhere because silly bookings
and sendings-off cost you personally as well as costing the team."

United=92s priorities this season are clearly the Champions=92 League
and the Premiership, with the FA Cup third on their list of targets.
But Keane insists that the United players are still desperate to
beat their old foes from the other end of the East Lancs Road.

"The Premier League and the European Cup are our prime targets,
but we don=92t want to lose to anybody - especially Liverpool at Old
Trafford," he added. "They are always special matches with
Liverpool and the rivalry among the clubs and supporters goes
back over the years."

The two teams boast the hottest striking partnerships in the
Premiership in United=92s Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke and
Liverpool=92s Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. Cole and Yorke
have blasted 31 goals between them this season, including five
against hapless Leicester last Saturday, while Owen and Fowler
have managed 30 and shared four between them last weekend
against Southampton.

Despite this awesome firepower, Keane feels there may only be
one or two goals scored. "Both sets of strikers are doing the
business at the moment and looking at it there could be a lot of
goals, but I can=92t see it personally," he said. "I think there will
only
be one goal in it and hopefully we will score it."

Meanwhile, United have hit back at allegations that their plc board
blocked a move for Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe.

Manager Alex Ferguson claimed United=92s interest dwindled once
Foe had played for FC Lens in the Champions=92 League, which
ruled him out of any more European games this season.

Foe broke a leg last summer, an injury which ruled him out of the
World Cup, and Ferguson said: "We felt that due to this injury we
should monitor him for the rest of the season.

"But the boy had an opportunity to move to a new club and we
wish him well."

***********

4 million Foe rejects United
    BY STUART MATHIESON

MARC VIVIEN FOE...Could not wait for United Board to make up their minds
MANCHESTER United have reluctantly called time on their long-term pursuit
of Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe and the Lens star is poised to
sign for West Ham.

The Reds have monitored the Lens midfielder for over 18 months and made a
=A34m bid for the 23-year-old at the end of last season.

But now manager Alex Ferguson has decided not to swoop early for the player
and scupper Upton Park's move.

``We had the opportunity to sign him but I just felt I couldn't do anything
at the moment,'' Fergie told M.E.N. Sport today.

``We've had him watched in every match he's played in his comeback from the
broken leg last season and I would have preferred to monitor him for say
six months and then if anything do something at the end of the season.

``But with others interested that wouldn't have been fair on the lad and
we've had to let it pass.

``It's disappointing and I think he'll turn out to be a good player for
whoever signs him.

``He's got a fantastic physique and a great engine and he's a lovely lad
but it's just not the right time for us to do anything.''

Reports that dithering at Old Trafford board level over a possible =A35m
fee
for the player are wide of the mark and the deal hasn't even been discussed
among the United top brass since last May's attempt to land the player.

Reds' boss Fergie has clearly decided the squad which has taken United to
the quarter-finals of the Champions' League and to second in the
Premiership is strong enough for the treble challenge ahead in the next
four months.

Foe's brief substitute appearance for Lens in the Champions League group
stage which made him ineligible for any possible involvement in United's
Euro charge has obviously counted against the midfielder whose broken leg
in World Cup training for Cameroon last May scuppered his France 98 dreams
and also his Old Trafford switch.

West Ham are now understood to be poised to bring him over to England and
are optimistic that deal can be struck at the weekend.

``I think everything is now OK with West Ham,'' says Foe.

``All I need now is a meeting with the manager. I also spoke to Manchester
United but they do not want me until next season. I am reluctant to stay in
Lens for another year.

``Harry has told me about his ambitions. There are two other English clubs
who are interested in me, and some clubs in Italy and Spain but I prefer
West Ham.

``If I had not broken my leg I would have signed for Manchester United but
the injury has healed well.''

While United hadn't sealed a deal with Lens for Foe's move to Old Trafford
last May the African was desperate to clinch a dream move to the Reds.

The leg break in World Cup training shattered those hopes but Fergie kept
in contact with the player and monitored his return.

Foe was brought over to Old Trafford at the start of the season so United's
medics could assess the injury but a move for him to continue his
rehabilitation in England was rejected and he returned to the French
champions to recover there.

Foe returned to Lens first team action in November and the Reds kept tabs
on him ever since including last weekend's match against Monaco in the
French League.

If Ferguson decides to add to his Champions' League squad, he has just 10
days left before he sends his named party to UEFA on January 3

***********

Soccer showcase-Manchester United and Liverpool statistics

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 21  - Facts and figures for Sunday's
F.A. Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old
Trafford.

Manchester United:
Formed 1878 as Newton Heath, changed name to Manchester United 1902.
Major honours: European champions 1968; European Cup Winners' Cup winners
1991; League champions (11 times) 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967,
1993, 1994, 1996, 1997; F.A. Cup winners: (Record nine times) 1909, 1948,
1963,
1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996; League Cup winners 1992; League and Cup
Double 1994, 1996.

Ground: Old Trafford, capacity 55,300. The biggest league ground in
England, a
venue for the 1996 European championships and regular base for F.A. Cup
semifinals. Also used for rugby league finals and internationals.

Manager: Alex Ferguson.

Record league appearances: Bobby Charlton 606, 1956-73.
Record league goalscorer: Bobby Charlton 199, 1956-73.
Most capped player: Bobby Charlton, England 106.
Team colours: Home - Red shirts, white shorts Away - White shirts, black
shorts.
League standing: 2nd

---

Liverpool:
Founded: 1892.
Major Honours: European champions (four times) 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984; UEFA
Cup 1973, 1976; League champions (18 times) 1901, 1906, 1922, 1923, 1947,
1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988,
1990;
F.A. Cup 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989; League Cup winners 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984,
1995.

Ground: Anfield, capacity 45,362.
Manager: Gerard Houllier.
League standing: 6th.
Record league appearances: Ian Callaghan 640, 1960-78.
Record league goalscorer: Roger Hunt 245, 1959-69.
Most capped player: Ian Rush, Wales 73.
Team colours: Home - Red shirts, red shorts Away - White shirts, white
shorts.

- - -

Manchester United v Liverpool league record:

Played 131 times

United won 47, Draws 40, Liverpool won 43.

United goals 183, Liverpool goals 176.

Last Meeting:
Old Trafford, September 24 1998
Manchester United 2 (Denis Irwin 14pen, Paul Scholes 79)
Liverpool 0

- - -

Last 10 Meetings:
At Old Trafford 2-0, 1-1, 1-0, 2-2, 2-0
At Anfield: 1-3, 1-3, 2-0, 2-0, 3-3.

- - -

Manchester United v Liverpool FA Cup record
Played 13 times
Manchester United 7 wins     Liverpool   2 wins
Four drawn matches
Manchester United 21 goals   Liverpool   13 goals

- - -

Facts: Manchester United made their first appearance in the Football League
in
1892 -- one year before Liverpool.

Paul Ince won two FA Cup medals during his six years at Old Trafford.
United have
appeared in more FA Cup finals than any other team with a total of 14
finals.
Liverpool have reached the final on 11 occasions.

United have won the F.A. Cup more than any other team having lifted the
trophy
nine times. Liverpool have won it five times.

United just have the edge over Liverpool on semifinal appearances making 21
to
Liverpool's 20.

Last season United were knocked out in a fifth round replay by Barnsley
(3-2).

Liverpool suffered an embarrassing third round loss at home to Coventry
(1-3)



***********



Keane peace bid

Friday, January 22, 1999

Roy Keane is preparing to sit down for talks with Manchester United over
the pay deadlock which threatens his future at Old Trafford.

The United captain has said he will walk away unless the club are prepared
to meet his demand for a new contract worth =A340,000 per week.

So far, club chairman Martin Edwards has stood firm, insisting there will
be no discussion on a new deal until the summer when the Republic of
Ireland midfielder will have only 12 months remaining on his current
agreement.

Last night there was the first hint of a softening of approach on both
sides. The indications are that United may be prepared to offer an olive
branch rather than involve themselves in a game of brinkmanship they are
unlikely to win. And Keane's adviser, lawyer Michael Kennedy, revealed:
'There is the possibility of some move-ment within the next week to 10
days.'

The first step towards peace would be a discussion aimed at reaching a
settlement that would satisfy the honour of both sides.

One possible compromise would be a =A32million signing-on fee to reward
the
player for committing himself to the club for at least four more years.
That would not break the club's pay ceiling.

Keane insists that he is totally committed to United's attempt to take back
the Premiership championship from Arsenal and their bid to win the European
Cup. But he has been equally adamant that, at 27, he has the right to the
same massive pay packet as star players on the continent.

The Irishman knows it would take at least =A310mil-lion to replace him on
the
transfer market and warned: 'If I don't get what I want, then I will
leave.'

United insist that they cannot fracture the wage scale which allows their
top earn-ers a salary of =A325,000 per week. Breaking that code, said
Edwards, would mean that other players, such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham
and Jaap Stam, who have already agreed long-term contracts, would
automatically expect pay rises.

United are desperate to keep the combative midfielder they signed from
Nottingham Forest for =A33.75m over five seasons ago. Manager Alex
Ferguson
has always seen him as the man to lead the club well into the next
millennium.

Ferguson has investigated the possibility of bringing in Zinedine Zidane
from potential Champions League opponents Juventus but his salary demands
would outweigh even those of Keane.

United have also backed away from any move for Cameroon midfielder
Marc-Vivien Foe. Ferguson's interest dwindled once the player had turned
out for Lens in the Champions League, which ruled him out of any more
European games this season.

The result is more pressure on the Old Trafford board to come up with the
figures that would pacify Keane.

The compromise talks will probably have to wait until after Sunday's FA Cup
clash with Liverpool, which will provide the biggest test yet of Keane's
new-found self-control.

He has managed to curb his fiery temper so success-fully that he has picked
up only four bookings in the Premier League this season. But that restraint
will be stretched to the limit when he comes up against Paul Ince in the
cauldron of a Cup clash at a packed Old Traf-ford.

One mistimed tackle, a word out of place or, worse still, a flash of temper
could bring his fifth caution of the season and a one-match ban, but he is
determined to avoid trouble. He said: 'The way things are at Old Trafford
now, with all the talented players here, you don't want to get suspended
because it might be hard to win back your place in the side.

'This season I've tried not to get involved in things as much. You can only
take so much and, so far, I've been able to walk away. Whether that will
last much longer I don't really know.

'You've still got to argue your point when things go against you but you
must draw the line somewhere. Silly bookings and sendingoffs cost you
personally as well as costing the team.'

United and Liverpool have the hottest striking partner-ships in the country
with United's Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke scoring 31 between them this
season while Liverpool's Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler total 30. Sunday's
match could be a goal feast but Keane doesn't think so.

'I think there will be only one goal - and hopefully we will score it,' he
said.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backtracked after hinting that he may retire in
2003. Following Teddy Scott's testimonial at Aberdeen on Monday he made a
reference to quitting, but yesterday he said: 'It was a bit of a joke
really. Four years' time might be the right time to think about what to do
next.'

Now 57, he has been at Old Trafford since 1986. His contract expires in the
summer of 2000 and he is due to thrash out a new deal with the United board
at at the end of this season.


 ***********


MURDOCH BID SPLITS ITALIANS

                By Harry Harris of The Mirror

                Rupert Murdoch yesterday caused the biggest-ever
                split among the top clubs in Italian football with his
                move to buy control of the Digital TV rights.

                Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina and Parma want Murdoch's
                proposed ?1.5billion bid for TV rights for all 38 clubs in
                Serie A and Serie B.

                But in the opposite camp are Juventus, AC Milan, Inter,
                Napoli and Bologna, who have already signed up ?50m
                deals with Canal Plus.

                Those with no individual TV deals are backing
                Murdoch, while those signed up with Canal Plus are
                protesting that their existing contract would be
                breached. Yesterday's meeting of all the chairmen,
                plus an Executive Council meeting of the Italian
                League, broke up with no agreement.

                The media mogul's mega-offer will be debated in
                private on Tuesday as Murdoch steps up his plan to
                dominate global soccer. Murdoch's efforts to take over
                TV football in Italy have provoked a storm of opposition
                - just like his plan to control Manchester United.

                Murdoch already has a five-year deal for exclusive live
                coverage of Premiership matches at a cost of ?723m,
                but the Italian offer, also for five years, is TWICE that
                amount.

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