Leeds Today
VIDUKA SET FOR MOVE TO MAN UTD
By PAUL DEWS
MANCHESTER UNITED'S top priority when the transfer window re-opens is to capture Leeds United striker Mark Viduka, the YEP can reveal.
The Old Trafford club are set to swoop for the Aussie ace by making cash-strapped Leeds a £5million offer next month.Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate to find a partner for Ruud van Nistelrooy and has identified Viduka as the missing piece in the jigsaw.Elland Road chief executive Trevor Birch insists no fire sales will be necessary in January, but he will have a fight on his hands if Viduka, asanticipated, confirms his desire to leave.It's understood that Leeds have already received a tentative enquiry from Old Trafford about Viduka's availability. Caretaker boss Eddie Gray would resist any approach for his star striker, but admits he won't be surprised when clubs come knocking on the Elland Road door.
Said Gray: "You can never tell what happens with players. I'm sure Viduka is a player who will attract interest from other clubs. In an ideal world you would want to keep him. It's important you keep all your best players, but you have to be realistic enough to know that things change. Everybody in the game knows he is a world class striker – one of the best in the business – but it's something I'm not thinking about at the moment."
The 28-year-old had a series of public rucks with former manager Peter Reid, but has shown an encouraging return to form since Gray took over the reins.Viduka and Gray appear to have struck up a good rapport – the player has responded by turning in a string of impressive performances since his arrival – and after training yesterday the pair were deep in conversation.
"He's in good form at the moment," said Gray. "He knows what he's about – he just gets on with it. I just tell him what I expect. He is a great player. He holds the ball up and brings people into the game. That's his job. I've got great faith in his ability. Anyone who has worked with him will know about his talents."
Inter Milan have a long held interest in the former Celtic star.
VIDUKA SET FOR MOVE TO MAN UTD
By PAUL DEWS
MANCHESTER UNITED'S top priority when the transfer window re-opens is to capture Leeds United striker Mark Viduka, the YEP can reveal.
The Old Trafford club are set to swoop for the Aussie ace by making cash-strapped Leeds a £5million offer next month.Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate to find a partner for Ruud van Nistelrooy and has identified Viduka as the missing piece in the jigsaw.Elland Road chief executive Trevor Birch insists no fire sales will be necessary in January, but he will have a fight on his hands if Viduka, asanticipated, confirms his desire to leave.It's understood that Leeds have already received a tentative enquiry from Old Trafford about Viduka's availability. Caretaker boss Eddie Gray would resist any approach for his star striker, but admits he won't be surprised when clubs come knocking on the Elland Road door.
Said Gray: "You can never tell what happens with players. I'm sure Viduka is a player who will attract interest from other clubs. In an ideal world you would want to keep him. It's important you keep all your best players, but you have to be realistic enough to know that things change. Everybody in the game knows he is a world class striker – one of the best in the business – but it's something I'm not thinking about at the moment."
The 28-year-old had a series of public rucks with former manager Peter Reid, but has shown an encouraging return to form since Gray took over the reins.Viduka and Gray appear to have struck up a good rapport – the player has responded by turning in a string of impressive performances since his arrival – and after training yesterday the pair were deep in conversation.
"He's in good form at the moment," said Gray. "He knows what he's about – he just gets on with it. I just tell him what I expect. He is a great player. He holds the ball up and brings people into the game. That's his job. I've got great faith in his ability. Anyone who has worked with him will know about his talents."
Inter Milan have a long held interest in the former Celtic star.