The Juventus New Number 10

Juventus fans have a lot on their plate this summer. Most are eagerly anticipating their return to the Champions League and the addition of new players, but many are still occupied by thoughts of a man who at the beginning of this month departed the club after 19 years. Alessandro Del Piero's exit has left Juventini looking at their side ever so slightly differently, and some are concerned by the future of the No.10 shirt that their hero made his own for so long. Now, with just over a month to go before the new Serie A campaign begins, the question over the destination of the famed shirt remains unanswered. Who will get it? Will it be left unallocated for now? Will it be retired? Let's look at the options open to the Bianconeri.

There have been a number of times in the recent past when Gianluigi Buffon has expressed the intention to wear Juventus' No.10 shirt. It has been a semi-serious suggestion, which many Juventini have cast aside, but some have taken as a sensible proposal. To calcio's purists, your first-choice goalkeeper should always wear No.1, and the idea of him donning the No.10 would not go down well. On the other hand, it's not something you see every day, with Cristiano Lupatelli the most recent example of a keeper having worn the number in his first season at Chievo.

Buffon certainly has shoulders broad enough to take on the responsibility that comes with owning that number for Juventus, and would be a worthy replacement to his good friend Del Piero. In terms of personality and prestige, there is surely nobody better placed than Buffon to take on the shirt - just as he has assumed the captain's armband.

It is perhaps the name of Claudio Marchisio which is most backed by Juve fans. And it is easy to understand why. Torinese by birth, and a Bianconeri to boot, he has grown through the Juve ranks. His popularity is probably like that of no other player in the current squad, and this is the element that will weigh heavily in his favour. The argument as to whether he has the quality for the No.10 shirt is one thing, but nobody can question whether he has the Juventinita to don the jersey.

Marchisio has also played a key part in the recent rise of the club, and this is something else in his favour. Juventini love Juventus, and they love Marchisio. The equation is a simple one.

The most technically logical choice would be to allow Sebastian Giovinco to not only replace Del Piero on the field, but also take up the same clothes peg in the dressing room. However, other factors have to be taken into consideration. Firstly, Giovinco has to win back many of the Juventus fans who were hurt by some of the proclamations they deemed inappropriate during his two years playing for Parma.

Now that Alex has gone and Giovinco returns, it may prove to be one responsibility too far to not only give him the spot in the team, but also the No.10 jersey. There's an argument that giving him the shirt will enhance his performances, but a failure in the iconic number could weigh twice as heavy.

The impression that many have is that the club are waiting for a new addition truly worthy of the No.10 before assigning the shirt, with several potential big names still being linked with Juventus. Robin van Persie is just one of those, and it seems the one most desired option right now, as Juve look to follow up the likes of Roberto Baggio, Michel Platini and Del Piero with another superstar No.10.

If La Vecchia Signora are serious about their approach for Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, then the prized jersey may be used as a motivational incentive for the Montenegrin to force a move away from Tuscany.

Beyond the individual options, there is the chance that Juventus will hold back the shirt and wait for a player of real stature to arrive. Many still see the No.10 as a symbol of a player who can be held up as a real champion, like Del Piero, like Platini, and until they have one, the number should be unused.

With all respect to Buffon, Marchisio, Van Persie and Jovetic, none of them are of the same stature. The brilliance of former No.10s needs to be replicated before they can please everyone as a true holder of the distinction. For those stricter judges, the test of time will decide whether any of the current crop should get the gloried number.

The final option comes from the hearts of Juventini rather than the heads of those making decisions at Corso Gallileo Ferraris. Fans of a romantic disposition have watched Del Piero capture their hearts over the past two decades, and they want that recognised with the retirement of the shirt he adorned for so long. But to do that would be to rob the younger group of those fans of the dream to one day wear the No.10 themselves, as Del Piero has identified recently.

The number's withdrawal would certainly be great recognition of the superb work 'Il Pinturicchio' did for the team, strengthening the aura of timelessness which surrounds him. But would it take something away from the club? It may seem like a trivial thing, but calcio is calcio, and Juve are Juve, and for there to be a Juventus side without a No.10 leading them forward would not quite feel the same. Putting an end to the tradition would be a serious sin.

Farewell Pippo Inzaghi: One of Football's Last True Strikers

He met Clarence Seedorf’s chipped pass with a perfect piece of chest control, let the ball bounce once, then fired past Alberto Fontana inside the near post in front of the Curva Sud. Before the ball had even hit the net, he was wheeling away to share the moment with theMilanisti behind the goal, mouth agape as ever. After taking the lengthy congratulations of his team-mates, he sunk to his knees facing the supporters once more and kissed his Rossoneri shirt.

In so many ways it was just a typical Pippo Inzaghi response to scoring a goal, but there was something so much more poignant about this one. As he returned to the halfway line, he repeatedly put his hands to his face as he did his best to hold back the tears. It was to be his last goal in Milan colours and, as it turned out, his last in football.

Tuesday’s announcement by Milan that Inzaghi has been handed the post of Allievi Nazionalicoach signals the end of one of the most remarkable yet underestimated careers in football history. In an age in which Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo et al are scorers of great goals, ‘Super Pippo’ was a great scorer of goals.

In football’s strange world where natural ability and sheer application collide, it was intelligence which became Inzaghi’s modus operandi; his movement, hunger and anticipation making him one of the most feared strikers in the world. He gave defenders no let-up, always living on the last shoulder, forever disappearing out of a marker’s sight at just the right moment. Simply put, nobody had the instinct for finding the right position that Inzaghi did.

Actually, make that ‘does’. He may no longer grace football fields as of this week, but that intuition is something he will never lose. How do we know? Because it’s something he has proven to have always had in his locker throughout his long, storied career. He will never lose that, no matter whether his legs can keep up with his beautiful mind.

He loved to live on the edge, and that saw him regularly stray beyond the last defender when the pass wasn’t made at exactly the moment he wanted it. Many was the time he’d make a run, hear the referee’s whistle, then turn and make another run, this one heading straight for the linesman to his right. The full array of Pippo remonstrations are regularly acted out by Milan fans whenever conversations in Italy reach the subject of Inzaghi.

His reputation in other countries became almost entirely focused on his gesticulating nuances, with Sir Alex Ferguson once famously quipping that “Inzaghi was born offside”. But to focus on the slight downside of his nature was to not understand football.

To youngsters these days, the word ‘skill’ means to step over the ball, to flick it behind your opponent, maybe to pass the ball with your back. But the ability to move in a way that makes defenders hate your guts is a skill perhaps as important as any other. Football is such that you can be one of the most gifted talents in the world, but if you can’t find the net, you’re considered worthless.

Inzaghi was the opposite. Nobody ever suggested he was the complete footballer, but the absolute definition of a finisher he most certainly was. Every time the ball was sent into the box anywhere near him, you just knew he’d get there first; not due to him being fleet of foot, because he wasn’t – not even when he was at his most sprightly. Rather it was in that instinct.

That was what made him one of the best ever in his position. His physical imperfections were never going to stop him being the best that he could be. Everything he achieved, he worked doubly hard for, and it was so often in the big games that he made his greatest mark.

After his early days with hometown club Piacenza, during which time he was loaned out to Leffe and Verona, he was snapped up by high-flying Parma. Having not hit the heights at the Tardini, he switched to Atalanta and never looked back. A capocannoniere-winning season earned him a move to Juventus, where he began to really make his name over a four-year period before joining Milan, where he was reunited with Carlo Ancelotti.

He would become synonymous with European football over the years. After 27 goals in 34 continental appearances for the Old Lady, he spent a long time at the top of the list of all-time European scorers, eventually finishing with 69 strikes. That record was helped in part by a phenomenal 12 goals in 16 games in Milan’s 2002-03 Champions League winning campaign.

His defining moment came four years on, though. The Rossoneri’s 2005 final defeat to Liverpool in Istanbul is still a subject of great reminiscence on Merseyside, with those infamous six minutes repeatedly re-watched on many a DVD player.

But for Milan to achieve vengeance just 24 months later showed magnificent fortitude, and it was Inzaghi they had to thank for helping to bury one of the most humiliating moments in the club’s history. His two goals in the 2007 success in Athens allowed the Rossoneri to hold their heads high again. They were a proud club once more, and it was the finishing of Inzaghi which had done the job for them.

In later years there was no let-up. He was regularly on the scoresheet as recently as 2009, racking up his 300th career goal during a superb scoring run through March and April of that year. The 2010-11 season was just a couple of months old when his involvement was ended by a knee ligament injury, but that was never going to be his farewell. Handed another one-year deal, he was given the chance to finish on a high. In a season which saw him left out of the Champions League squad and rarely used in domestic football, he looked destined not to have the last laugh, but then there was that perfect finish against Novara in May.

He leaves the playing field as a winner, having captured almost every major trophy in the game - including two Champions Leagues, three Scudetti, a Club World Cup, and the World Cup. And he earned every single thing he won, every last goal he scored, through what he had in his head and in his heart. In the long list of intelligent players in football history, Inzaghi is right up near the top. And a time when many question the motives of footballers who earn record amounts to ply everyone’s favourite trade, Pippo’s passion can never be questioned.

Inzaghi also represents one of the last of a dying breed of 'goal poachers'. Gerd Muller, Gary Lineker, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Trezeguet all made their names as world class strikers who offered little outside the penalty area, but were absolutely prolific inside the 18-yard box.

Slowly but surely this role is becoming redundant in football. Today, a centre forward is required to do as much of his work outside the area. Teams often field one man in attack, or as is the case with Barcelona and Spain, no attacker at all.

All the more reason why we should celebrate the legend that is Inzaghi. Football is the poorer for the departure of one of the last true strikers.

5 Things We Learnt from Malaysia v Arsenal

1 – Malaysia should have gone for the win

It was hard to come away from this game without believing that national coach Datuk K. Rajagobal had missed a trick by not going all out for the win.  Yes this was a friendly, and preparation for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup, so it was normal for the manager to make several substitutions throughout the match.  However it was evident that the raft of changes affected the shape and play of Malaysia as they looked less compact and disciplined with each change.  This was demonstrated in Arsenal’s equalising goal; Rozimi Rahman failed to hold his position getting sucked forward and Mohd Muslim Ahmad was caught ball-watching as Alex Song threaded a pass in behind him.  If the older and more experienced pair of Mohd Azmi Muslim and S. Subramaniam had remained on the field then perhaps Malaysia would have defended more wisely and held on for a famous win.  A win over Premier League Arsenal would have raised the morale and confidence of players and triggered the interest of football fans all over the country in their national team.  Malaysia were unfortunate in defeat; but it could have been so much better.

2 – A direct style suits Malaysia well

Malaysia’s tactics from the first whistle were evident, they were happy to sit deep, get men behind the ball and then get the ball forward quickly once possession was won.  The direct strategy was a good counter to the sharp passing game of Arsenal, to try and take on a team like Arsenal at their own game would have been foolish therefore Malaysia should be credited for their tactical approach.  Captain Safiq Rahim was vital in this tactic as he made himself available as soon as Malaysia gained possession and launched forward a number of passes to Mohd Safee Sali and S. Kunanlan.  Sali, in particular, seemed to relish getting the ball in advanced positions where he could isolate and run at defenders, and was unlucky not to put his name on the score sheet especially in the second half when he caused the makeshift Arsenal centre-back pairing of Craig Eastmond and Kyle Bartley several problems.

3 – Chamakh loses the battle to Aidil Zafuan Radzak

It was thought that with the likely summer departures of strikers Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Park Chu-Young that maybe Marouane Chamakh still had a future at Arsenal.  He seemed to believe that himself when he recently spoke about his future, “I will try to give my maximum but I am waiting. I don’t know what I will be doing. I have not spoken with the manager but I will soon.”  In fact Arsenals pre-season tour of Asia, where he was named as the only senior striker in the squad, looked like an opportunity to re-establish himself in the plans of Arsène Wenger after a poor season in which he scored one goal in nineteen appearances.  Well it’s fair to say that he didn’t take his opportunity.  It was another lacklustre display by Chamakh who made poor decisions, seemed sluggish and lacked the ability to keep control of the ball, in fact on many occasions it looked like he couldn’t trap a wet bag of cement.  A large portion of credit for this also needs to go to Aidil Zafuan Radzak who doggedly stuck to the striker and made sure that he had an uncomfortable 45 minutes.

4 - Alex Song is a key attacking component of Arsenal

Many look at the imposing physical frame of Alex Song and see him purely as a spoiler, a defensive midfielder whose job it is to break up play and win the ball back for him team.  In fact Alex Song is much more than that, he is a player who if given time and space on the ball can carve open a team with pinpoint passes as he displayed against Malaysia.  He was the architect behind Arsenal’s equalising goal as it was his through ball which allowed Nico Yennaris to cross for Thomas Eisfeld, and if not for Benik Afobe’s poor finishing after running onto another of Song’s passes then he could have had an assist.  Last year Song managed eleven assists in the league, judging from yesterday he will be looking to better that this season.

5 – Hope for the future for both teams

Although fans may never really read too much into pre-season as matches as teams are using it as a chance to build up their fitness, Arsenal fans may well have been underwhelmed by the performance of some of their senior players such as Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby and Gervinho.  These three players in particular have failed to live up to their potential so far in their Arsenal careers and in the future they may well be looking over their shoulders at some of the clubs latest youth products.  Chuks Aneke, who netted the winner in the match, has been compared to Yaya Toure by Wenger and will be looking to break into the team after spending time out on loan last year.  Young full backs Nico Yennaris and Ignasi Miquel both had an assist each and looked dynamic going forward.

It also bodes well for the future of Malaysian football that Wenger praised Safiq Rahim, Garry Robbat, S.Kunalan, Mohd Safee Sali and goalkeeper Farizal Marlias for their performances.  Wenger also commented "Maybe I might sign a Malaysian player on what I've seen tonight."  Whether this was a tongue in cheek comment or not, there is a real hope that more Malaysian players can soon establish themselves in different countries, and eventually the English Premier League.

Awesome Becks Is Awesome

What more can we say about David Beckham? The lad is just awesome. Definitely gutted he was not included in the 23 man squad of Team Great Britain. He was playing up to the standard required with LA Galaxy, but Psycho decided to leave him behind. No worries mate, you got the whole nation and probably the world behind you. Check out the video below. Gotta say, awesome Becks is AWESOME. 

WWE Hits Back

Joshua Fisher, writer for a Connecticut newspaper, Darien Times, has once again blasted WWE with uses of "encouraging steroid use" and "making fun of the mentally challenged." His statement was this;

 

 

"Mrs. McMahon loves to point out how she's created jobs. But she does not like to answer questions about those jobs. While CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, she created jobs that included making fun of retarded men, demeaning women and possibly encouraging steroid use — this does not even touch on how it possibly has influenced the future bullies of American schools."

WWE have now written their second statement to Mr Fisher outlining his statement.

 

 

Dear Mr. Fisher:

It is regrettable that we find it necessary to once again point out that you have made inaccurate statements and mischaracterizations in the Darien Times regarding WWE, this time in your editorial on July 12. Although this was an opinion piece, you are still required to report accurately and not distort the truth. This is now at least the second instance in which you have made misstatements that damage WWE's corporate reputation.

Your assertion that WWE has made "fun of retarded men" is inaccurate, takes our content completely out of context and fails to factually portray a storyline. WWE featured a character — an actor playing a role — named "Eugene," who was a person with intellectual disabilities. He was often faced with difficult challenges, situations and rivals, including some of the most villainous and dastardly WWE characters. What you failed to convey is that Eugene, like most of WWE's "good guys," overcame the obstacles, prevailed and was a hero to our millions of fans.

Your statement that WWE was "demeaning women" is also inaccurate and again takes our content out of context and makes no mention of storylines. WWE has produced a variety of powerful and heroic female characters throughout the years that have come up against malicious villains, who are also actors playing a role. And yes, those "bad guys" do reprehensible things, but they eventually pay a price for their behavior. Our television audience would not be nearly 40 percent female if we were degrading women.

As it relates to the foregoing clarifications, it is important to note that WWE programming, like Hollywood movies and Broadway shows, is an exciting blend of action, characters and fictional storylines of good versus evil that entertains millions every week. Without Darth Vader there is no Luke Skywalker. We, too, create protagonists and antagonists and tell stories of good versus evil.

You also wrote that WWE has been "encouraging steroid use," which is a blatant misstatement of fact. WWE prohibits steroid use and conducts a minimum of four random drug tests per year for all talent, and any performer that tests positive is suspended. WWE began testing for steroids in 2006, before many major sports leagues, and we currently have one of the most comprehensive talent wellness programs in all of sports and entertainment, managed by world renowned third party medical experts. Additionally, WWE has always encouraged its talent to live a healthy lifestyle, as they are the company's greatest asset. For more information about WWE's talent wellness program, please visit corporate.wwe.com.

In your editorial, you also state that WWE "influenced the future bullies of American schools." The fact is that WWE promotes anti-bullying and has created a global initiative called be a STAR (ShowToleranceAndRespect) designed to teach children how to deal with conflict in the real world. We recognize the power and influence of our brand and spend a considerable amount of time and resources to make sure children understand the difference between what they see on television, where storylines and conflicts are resolved in the ring, versus how to deal with challenges in everyday life.

WWE expects you will print this letter in as public a manner as that in which you made the foregoing false statements. In the future, we request you contact us for factual information about our company before attempting to characterize our programming as you continue to do so erroneously.

Sincerely,

Brian Flinn

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Farewell To The Phantom Menace

Amid the slow-motion horror of watching England fail to address the ambling majesty of Andrea Pirlo in Kiev last month, it was hard to fend off memories of Ji-sung Park nullifying the little Italian.

In United’s 2010 Champions League visit to San Siro, the Seoul destroyer had demonstrated precisely how to play the miniature maestro, then of Milan: take his baton and snap it in half.

Park was deployed as an advanced man-marker, detailed with following Pirlo about the field and essentially reducing the game to a 10 v 10 spectacle. While United made a slow start and shipped an early goal, Park’s stifling of Pirlo bought time for the Reds to hit their stride. They gradually did so and went on to register their maiden victory over the Rossoneri on their own patch.

The Korean hardly touched the ball, yet his impact on the game was greater than almost every other player on the field. The match statistics showed that Pirlo made roughly 20 successful passes, when his average had been around 70. With his disciplined task, Park had been anonymously devastating.

When the teams reconvened at Old Trafford, he demonstrated the other side of his penchant for high-stakes games, scoring the third goal as United romped to victory, then heading the winner against Liverpool 10 days later to cement his status as a fans' favourite.

Park had enjoyed a warm status among United supporters since his 2005 arrival from PSV Eindhoven. Grafters quickly burrow their way into the affections of the Red Army, and the South Korean’s sweat-soaked Premier League bow at Everton clinched Sky Sports’ man of the match award and made a lasting first impression.

But the whirring, madcap endeavours of a player branded ‘Three-lung Park’ and ‘Ji force’ in some circles often served to mask the equally valuable subtleties in his game. A versatile, tactically astute player at home in various formations and roles, Park became an integral part of the minutiae of Sir Alex Ferguson’s battle plans.

He fully justified his inclusion, too. Ask fans of Arsenal or Chelsea; the Korean scored five times in eight starts against the Gunners, while his remarkable display against the Blues in May 2011 resembled on-field omnipresence. He also scored against both in the latter stages of the Champions League.

An unremarkable return of 27 goals in 205 appearances masks an often intangible influence, but Park’s waning inclusion rate in 2011/12 hinted that his presence no longer sat comfortably in an evolving midfield line-up flanked by wingers of pace, power and trickery.

His standing among Sir Alex and his coaching staff was further confirmed, however, by a shock recall against Manchester City earlier this year after three months without a Premier League start. Park’s presence demonstrated his reliability, yet City’s emergence as victors underlined the need for an assessment of direction.

The timing suited both parties for Park to leave in search of greater involvement at Queens Park Rangers; a fair reward for a 31-year-old who deserved better than the notion of running down his career as a bit part player.

Unsung in some quarters but never in his own dressing room, Ji-sung Park will always retain a special place in United folklore, wherever he may be.

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Man Utd's Number 7s

Antonio Valencia, the Ecuador winger was confirmed to be the new owner of the famous shirt following Michael Owen's departure, but who has excelled and failed with the jersey over the years?

In the football world, there are few more iconic shirts than Manchester United’s No.7 jersey, with several renowned superstars making it their own while at Old Trafford, and following Michael Owen’s release it now has a new owner: Luis Antonio Valencia.

Ever since his first season at the club, the Ecuadorian has become a fan favourite for a majority of reasons, with his direct and incessant runs at defenders, his powerful physical attributes added to immense pace and his humble, quiet nature off the field.

In the grand scheme of things, allocated squad numbers are a fairly recent phenomena as they were only introduced in 1993, meaning many players wore several different numbers before then. Valencia seems like an exact contrast to the more high-profile players to wear the number on their back, with the 26-year-old not one associated with the limelight like some of his predecessors.

The choice to give the former Wigan man the No.7 jersey will almost certainly be a popular decision due to the fans’ adoration for him, while it may also be seen as a breath of fresh air given the rather glamorous history.

World renowned superstars and those dubbed Sir Alex Ferguson’s worst-ever signing have worn the famous No. 7 shirt for United. Let's take a look back at the former No. 7 greats.

Although Best often played in a similar position to Valencia, the differences in their general demeanour could not be more contrasting with the Northern Irishman’s off-field antics heavily publicised.

A serial womaniser and alcoholic, Best was constantly in the public eye due to his extravagant lifestyle which included dating Playboy models, gambling and spending big money on cars amongst other things.

Although a bumpy ride off the pitch, on it Best was more akin to a figure-skater, with everything made to look effortlessly easy and smooth as he would glide past defenders thanks to his immense pace and skill. But his ability to use both feet made him fantastically unpredictable, which undoubtedly helped carve a brilliant goalscoring record.

Best is still the only Northern Irish player to win the Ballon d’Or, while his defining moment in a United shirt saw him lift the European Cup in 1968, scoring in a 4-1 final win over Benfica, but after that the genius’ career began to decline as problems arose.

In Best’s United stint, the only other silverware the club won were two league titles and another two Charity Shields, while he finished as their top scorer in six consecutive seasons before he eventually left the club in 1974 at the age of 27. He went on to play for another 14 clubs, eventually retiring in 1984 and passed away in 2005 after a long battle with liver problems.

There was not a great deal that Bryan Robson could not do, with the England international the embodiment of the complete footballer as he controlled matches and turned them on their heads from his midfield position.

Famously United’s longest serving captain in the club’s history, Robson’s trademark bursts through the midfield resulted in an impressive goalscoring return, but his anticipation, bravery, competitiveness and stamina also made him a formidable player in his own half.

In 1983 Robson became the first English captain to lift the FA Cup trophy for United, while the following year a move to Juventus nearly came to fruition. However he remained at Old Trafford until 1994, helping his side lift the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup in Rotterdam in 1991, beating Barcelona in the final.

'Captain Marvel' as he was nicknamed, played 461 times for the club, managing an impressive 99 goals, with his last appearance coming in a 0-0 home draw against Coventry City in May 1994. He has ever since been hailed as an all-time great, with a poll of former United players voting him as the club’s best-ever player in 2011.

“King Eric” fits more into the mould of Best than Robson, thanks to his eccentric style that some perceived as arrogance, but even though he had a relatively short spell at the club, he is remembered just as fondly.

Cantona received the No. 7 shirt the summer after arriving from Leeds United, a gesture that suggested time was coming to an end at Old Trafford for Robson, who was subsequently given No. 12, and the France international made the fledgling Premier League his play-thing, toying with it for five years as he tantalised defences until he retired in 1997.

Arriving from bitter rivals Leeds, Cantona did not take long to settle into the United team, with the form of Mark Hughes and Brian McClair, as well as an injury to Dion Dublin, ensuring plenty of playing time and he became the first player to win consecutive top-division titles with two different clubs.

Regardless of his achievements at the club, Cantona is likely to be remembered most for his infamous kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan after being sent off, later producing arguably his most memorable and incomprehensible quote: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.”

Cantona received an eight-month worldwide ban and various fines, while he attempted to leave the club on a number of occasions, but he remained and went on to claim four Premier League titles, two FA Cup wins and three triumphs in the Charity Shield, while he also came third in the 1993 Ballon d’Or.

In terms of legacy, how many other United players can say they have had a film based on them?

If George Best created the celebrity footballer lifestyle, David Beckham mastered it. His marriage to a former Spice Girl is the main catalyst behind that, according to Sir Alex, who felt getting married was a bad move for the midfielder.

The paparazzi and press followed Beckham everywhere he went with the England midfielder becoming more well-known by the match, and one in particular really put him on the map as he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996.

Beckham was fully immersed in the United first-team by the 1996-97 season and by mid-2000 he had already won four Premier League titles, with the third being the most famous as it came as part of the club’s 1999 treble, adding to the Champions League and FA Cup triumphs. Beckham’s set-piece deliveries were a key part of the European success against Bayern Munich.

Controversy often reared its ugly head in the presence of Beckham too, with his sending off for kicking Argentina’s Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup the obvious example, and he was subsequently vilified in England as the Three Lions were knocked out of the tournament.

The more attractive to the media Beckham got, it seemed the more keen Ferguson was to be rid of him. And after reports of rifts between the pair Becks left to join the ‘Galacticos’ era at Real Madrid in 2003 after making 346 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League for United.

United’s first-ever Portuguese player was signed soon after the departure of Beckham and effectively served as his direct replacement, but many fans were bemused as to why United paid over £12m for a relatively unknown player. However, after a 30-minute cameo in a 4-0 win over Bolton, all was clear.

The lanky winger with peculiar chewing gum-like strands of white in his hair came on to the pitch and was instantly tricking his way past defenders, producing step-overs as if negotiating a minefield and dazzling the Bolton defence, with ‘Ronaldo 7’ shirts popping up everywhere within the coming weeks.

Silly acts of petulance and the preference to beat his man twice rather than pass were the young winger’s weakness in his early years, but he matured to great effect, scoring and assisting a total of 127 goals in all competitions in his final three years at the club, while he managed three Premier League titles, one Champions League win and five other trophies at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo’s successes at United were not only team-related as he also become the first-ever Premier League player to win the Fifa World Player of the Year award, and the club’s first Ballon d’Or winner since Best in 1968. But the day all United fans dreaded eventually came in June 2009 as the superstar signed for Real Madrid for a world record £80m, following in the footsteps of Beckham.

Euro 2012 Final : Spain 4-0 Italy

Spain secured a unique place in football's long history by becoming the first team to win three successive major tournaments when beating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012 at Kiev's Olimpiyskiy Stadium.

Extending their incredible record of not conceding a goal in knockout football since the 2006 World Cup - a run that now stands at almost 1000 minutes - Spain added to their triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with their crowning achievement: a comprehensive victory secured by three wonderfully-constructed goals that were true to the team's trademark style, and a late fourth to ensure the biggest margin of victory ever seen in a final at this tournament.

This was a night when Spain's dominance of international football became more absolute than any team's before them. The much-discussed philosophy of ultra-control, tiki-taka, allowed them to suppress yet another opponent; their intricate and wonderful passing overwhelming an Italian midfield that prior to Sunday night had excelled at Euro 2012, but for the last 30 minutes of this game in Kiev was depleted by an injury to Thiago Motta after all three Italian changes had been made.

Having attracted criticism for rather uninspiring victories over France and Portugal in the knockout stages, this was Spain's riposte: goals from David Silva after 14 minutes and Jordi Alba after 41 minutes were as technically excellent as any seen at the tournament and were vivid vindications of Spain's approach. The closing stages were a procession, Xavi teeing up substitute Fernando Torres with another fine pass for his second assist of the night and Torres then turning provider to square for Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes in his first appearance of the finals.

The pass ensured Torres won the Golden Boot having finished level on goals and assists with Germany's Mario Gomez but having been on the pitch for only 189 minutes in total. The striker's goal in Kiev meant he was the only player to have scored in two separate European Championship finals.

On a night when records fell as regularly as Spain strung together gorgeous passing moves, Iker Casillas became the first player to win 100 international games and Vicente del Bosque became the first coach to win the European Championship, the World Cup and the Champions League. For an Italy side that has been resurgent under the laudable leadership of Cesare Prandelli, though, it was a step too far, a first defeat in competitive internationals against Spain since 1920.

They did lose a penalty shoot-out to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 though - a result that has been pinpointed by Spain's players as the moment when belief in their nascent ability finally crystallised and a long history of international disappointment began to quickly evolve into a legacy of sustained success, so it was a neat coincidence that the Azzurri again provided the opposition as Spain reached previously unscaled heights.

Spain's only change from the semi-final shoot-out win over Portugal was entirely expected, Cesc Fabregas replacing Alvaro Negredo in attack to perform the false nine role that has given such ammunition to Spain's growing number of critics. Designed to help enhance those possession statistics and keep the ball away from Andrea Pirlo, it was ostensibly a cautious strategy from Del Bosque.

Italy made a change of their own, the returning Ignazio Abate slotting in at right-back as Federico Balzaretti was dropped, Giorgio Chiellini being a more defensive option at left-back with Prandelli also unwilling to break up the central partnership of Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. There was no return to the 3-5-2 formation that Italy deployed in their opening group game when drawing 1-1 with Spain in Gdansk.

However, Chiellini was exposed for the opening goal after 14 minutes as Spain were rewarded for an enterprising start that belied accusations that their brand of football has become unalterably boring. While Italy looked to target the rump of the Spain side with balls over the top to Mario Balotelli, Del Bosque's side once again demonstrated that their strength lies in their torso as Xavi and Andres Iniesta took control through the centre.

Xavi, who conceded prior to the game that he has not been at his peak level during the tournament, looked to have taken personal affront to negative critiques of himself and his side and unusually let fly with a couple of shots from range. The second flew narrowly over following a neat one-two with Fabregas.

It was a fluid start from Spain and they capitalised inside 15 minutes with a goal of utter brilliance. Iniesta took possession of the ball 25 yards from goal and opened up the Italy defence with a perfect through-ball for Fabregas. The false nine hit the byline and pulled a fine cross back for Silva, who timed his run excellently and from eight yards out directed his header inside the far post.

If Spain were determined to prove a point, it had been driven home forcefully. Yet Italy's response to going behind for the first time in the tournament was not to cower, but to try and wrest control back. Daniele De Rossi was instrumental with a forceful 20 minutes and, having seen Chiellini taken off with an injury, replacement Federico Balzaretti also provided real impetus down the left.

De Rossi robbed Xavi of possession on one occasion and pinged a pass out to Antonio Cassano. The forward made a smart turn before rolling in a low shot that Casillas saved, and later took the ball from Pirlo before seeing another effort beaten away by the Spain captain. Remarkably Italy had the better of possession in the first half, but they could not find an equaliser.

Four minutes before half time Spain extended their advantage. Alba played the ball square to Xavi and accelerated through the centre of the pitch with a brilliant run to receive the return pass. His first touch to control was exquisite, his second surgical as he placed his shot past Buffon. It was just reward for a player, destined to join Barcelona, who has been consistently excellent throughout the tournament.

Italy reacted at half time by sacrificing Cassano for Antonio Di Natale and the Udinese striker made an immediate impact. Within a minute he had headed over the bar from an Abate cross and, after Spain had a claim for a penalty turned down when a header from Sergio Ramos struck the arm of Bonucci, he should really have put Italy back into contention.

Riccardo Montolivo played a fine pass through to the striker, who appeared to be straying offside, and his low effort was blocked by a fine save from Casillas. The rebound popped out to Di Natale but his attempted pass was also cut out by the Spain captain.

Montolivo was swiftly removed for Motta though and Prandelli's rather reckless decision to make all three substitutions before the hour mark was punished accordingly when Motta suffered a hamstring injury after 61 minutes and was taken off on a stretcher to leave his side facing the might of Spain with only 10 players.

Ruthless in their pursuit of history, Spain exploited their advantage to the full. Having been summoned from the bench, Torres collected a fine pass from Xavi and slotted the ball past Buffon to make it three after 84 minutes. Within four minutes he had unselfishly squared for Mata who marked two minutes of tournament football with a goal of his own.

There was still time for Ramos to saunter up to the penalty area and try and score a backheel as Spain finished in rampant style, leaving their place in football's history books unassailable. Italy, suffering a first competitive defeat under Prandelli, could not fight against a Spanish tide that has had unstoppable momentum ever since that penalty shoot-out win in 2008.

After Spain's third triumph in as many major tournaments the only remaining question is whether they are the greatest of all time. The manner of their triumph in Kiev would suggest an answer in the affirmative.

Interesting Facts

Here are some of the amazing facts and figures after Spain's 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final:

* Spain are the first team to win back to back European Championships with a World Cup triumph in between. It is their third European title, equalling Germany's record.

* The four-goal winning margin was the biggest in a European Championship or World Cup final.

* Vicente Del Bosque is only the second coach to win a European Championship and a World Cup, joining Helmut Schoen, who led West Germany to victory at the 1972 European Championship and the World Cup two years later.

* Sunday's victory was Spain's first outright win over Italy in eight major tournament matches (they won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in Euro 2008 quarter-finals).

* Spain striker Fernando Torres is the first player to score in two European Championship finals and wins the Euro 2012 golden boot for top scorer, by virtue of also having an assist and having played fewer minutes than Germany's Mario Gomez who also had three goals.

* Spain are unbeaten in their last 12 European Championship finals matches and have not conceded a goal in their last five, both competition records. They have kept clean sheets in their last 10 knockout games at the European and World Cup finals.

* Their last defeat in European Championship play was a 2-0 loss to Sweden in qualifying in 2006 - a 29-game undefeated run.

* The last time Spain lost after taking a 1-0 lead was a 3-2 defeat at Northern Ireland in September 2006.

* It is only the third time a team has scored twice before halftime in a Euros final. Italy beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in 1968 and Czechoslovakia beat West Germany on penalties in 1976 after leading 2-1 at the break.

* Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas is only the second player along with Franz Beckenbauer (1972-1976) to captain their country in three European Championship/World Cup finals.

* Casillas is also the first player to reach 100 international wins and has a record 79 clean sheets in his 136 appearances.

* Spain midfielder David Silva was directly involved in five goals at Euro 2012 (2 goals, 3 assists), more than any other player.

* Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon passed Dino Zoff's record for the most appearances at the European/World Cup finals with his 25th game. Only Paolo Maldini (36) and Fabio Cannavaro (26) have played more times for Italy.