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England ace Wayne Rooney has performed a stunning U-turn and committed his future to Manchester United with a new five-year contract.

Less than 48 hours after the striker cited a lack of ambition for his decision to seek a move away from Old Trafford, Rooney has agreed to stay with the Red Devils until summer 2015.

The 24-year-old striker sent shockwaves through world football when he seemed to have brought an end to his four-and-a-half-year spell with United.

However, despite appearing to challenge the authority of Ferguson and questioning the quality of some of his team-mates in an astonishing public statement, he has now agreed to stay at Old Trafford.

"I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong," he told the club's official website.

"I said on Wednesday the manager's a genius and it's his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place."

Meanwhile, Rooney is confident of winning back fan support despite the negative reaction around Old Trafford to his statement which was delivered just hours before Wednesday's Champions League victory over Bursaspor.

"I'm sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they've read and seen," he continued.

"But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again."

Ferguson has also welcomed the news of the new deal after he personally vowed to 'put the matter to bed' in a candid press conference following the midweek European game.

The veteran Scot had appeared wounded by Rooney's desire to move on in such a high-profile way.

"It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United," he explained.

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"I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.

"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.

"I'm sure everyone involved with the club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Fulham are reportedly set to make a last minute attempt to beat Everton to the loan signing of American midfielder Landon Donovan.

Donovan spent two-and-a-half months on loan at Everton last season and his desire to return to the Premier League on a temporary basis has alerted the attention of Fulham boss Mark Hughes.

Both David Moyes and Mark Hughes have bemoaned their lack of fire-power recently, but have also expressed concern at the cost of bringing Premier League quality striker to their respective clubs.

In regards to possible loan moves in January, Moyes said: “We know we need a striker, but the sort of money it will cost… it is probably a reality that we will have to look at bringing in a loan player.”

Fulham boss Mark Hughes also admitted that his he could be tempted to look at the loan market in order to bring in a new striker: “But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see.”

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Donovan’s record in with the LA Galaxy is very impressive. Despite not being an out-and-out striker he has managed to score 71 goals in 156 games, and in a previous spell at the San Jose Earthquakes he netted 32 times in 87 games

Should Donovan choose Fulham then he would have the chance to link up with USA team mate Clint Dempsey who he played with during the 2010 World Cup.

As 2012 gets into gear, struggling football managers will be looking over their shoulders as they ready themselves for the season of sackings.

Last season a staggering ten bosses got the boot in January 2011 following poor results. And now a new study shows that appointing a new manager mid-season can actually mean the difference between relegation and staying in the Premiership.

The study was conducted by Sports Interactive, the developers of the Football Manager series to mark the launch of their new iOS release Football Manager Handheld 2012, which is already topping charts around Europe.

The report shows that replacing a failing gaffer mid season can gain a team on average an extra 4.7 points. In the 2010/11 season the four managers who took over Premier League clubs mid season had an overall positive effect on the team.

A specific example of the new manager effect is Liverpool in the Premier League season 2010/11; Roy Hodgson managed 20 games for Liverpool and gained 25 points. Thus gaining a points per game average of 1.25. Kenny Dalglish managed the club for 18 games and amassed 33 points. Thus having a points per game average of 1.83. This means that Kenny Dalglish gained 0.58 points per game more than his predecessor. Over the 18 games that Dalglish managed he amassed an extra 10.4 points.

Normally, more managers are shown the door at the end of the season (around June). But the economics involved in staying in the Premier League is making clubs look to a quick-fix rather than long term stability.

And stats show that more and more clubs in the top division are latching on to this trend. They are more prepared to pull the trigger to make a fresh start to the New Year in order to keep their team in top flight football.

This research will be a big concern for the managers of clubs lurking at the bottom of the table around the New Year, as well as for Andre Villas-Boas who is coming under increasing pressure. Both the morale boost and the extra 4.7 extra points a season delivered by a new manager will not go unnoticed by clubs that are looking for a turnaround of fortunes. This may make the 2011 /2012 festive period and transfer window the bloodiest in football history.

Will AVB, Owen Coyle and Steve Kean make it to February 1st?

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For further information please go to www.sigames.com or www.footballmanager.com

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes the club can match the ambitions of midfielder Luka Modric.Redknapp has called on the Spurs board to invest in the squad after Modric declared his intention to join London rivals Chelsea.

The 25-year-old midfielder wants to leave White Hart Lane after Tottenham failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Modric was the subject of a failed 22 million pound bid by Chelsea but has also attracted interest from a number of other clubs.

Redknapp admits Spurs need to keep the Croatian and other key players if they want to challenge for silverware next season.

Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal say they have been contacted by Barcelona over the potential transfer of captain Cesc Fabregas.

But Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood denied a bid had been made by the Catalans.

Fabregas has continually been linked with a move back to the club where he started his career.

And the 24-year-old has been open about his desire to return to the La Liga champions at some point in his career.

But Barcelona president Sandro Rosell recently claimed they would not pay over the odds for Fabregas, saying the player’s value had decreased.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti says England manager Fabio Capello is on a shortlist of candidates to become the new manager of the club.

Inter are searching for a new boss after Leonardo left to reportedly take up a role with Paris Saint Germain.

Capello still has three years remaining on his England contract, but says he intends to leave the job after Euro 2012.

Moratti did however rule out a move for Porto coach Andre-Villas Boas despite reports to the contrary in the Italian media.

Inter are not prepared to pay the required 15 million Euro release clause for the Europa League-winning manager.

Former player and assistant Sinisa Mihajlovic is also out of the running after vowing to stay with Fiorentina.

And FIFA have suspended the Football Federation of Belize due to government interference.

Belize now face expulsion from the 2014 World Cup after the second leg of their preliminary qualifier against Montserrat was postponed.

FIFA decided to intervene after the government of Belize declared they would not be providing match security for the visiting team or officials.

Belize will be expelled from qualification if the situation is not rectified by July 10.

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Chelsea’s £50million acquisition of Fernando Torres as an attempt by Roman Abramovich to satisfy his obsession with winning the Champions’ League. Unfortunately for the Russian, his passion will remain unfulfilled for at least another year, having seen his Chelsea side fall at the hands of United in last week’s quarter-final.

What’s more, his expensive addition to the squad still hasn’t scored in his twelve appearances so far for his new team nor has shown anywhere near the ability required to warrant such an extortionate transfer value. Torres still has a chance to prove his move to Stamford Bridge was worth while, having secured a five-and-a-half year contract in January, but he is just one of a number of players who made a move to the Premier League and failed to justify their price tag, which begs the question; why do fans always agitate for new signings when they never guarantee immediate improvement?

There are a number of benefits a club can enjoy by making big signings, and not all of them encourage an instant leap up the League table. Of course signing players of a certain calibre improves the average quality of a squad, which can affect and alter a team’s style of play, and this prevents teams from going stale and predictable which in turn allows the fans to reap the most out of their expensive season tickets. Fans always expect a progressive level of advancement and are never shy in expressing their ambitions, which are usually realistic to what their club could achieve.

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Most fans advocate specific transfer targets that they believe will assist their current squad. For example, most Blackpool fans don’t expect Ian Holloway to announce a summer bid for Kaka, and last year a large number campaigned to sign DJ Campbell permanently. Several Blackpool fans felt that making Campbell’s loan deal permanent would be an advantage going in to their maiden Premier League season, and have been proved right in thinking so seeing as he is currently their top scorer with ten goals this season.

Another reason fans encourage their club’s owners to spend money on players is perhaps a little more subtle than wanting a higher number of goals, tackles and saves than the previous season. Supporters are the majority representatives of any football club even if they are not necessarily the most powerful, and are therefore constantly challenged to defend their team’s performances, staff, stadium, form and history by fans of other clubs. Behind trophies and league positions, a big signing characterises and enhances a club’s prestige and stature as they demonstrate how a team is perceived and respected on a wider, and sometimes universal, scale.

When Tottenham signed Gareth Bale in 2007 he had already been subjected to widespread interest from ‘bigger’ clubs, most notably Manchester United, who appeared to be best placed to snare the teenager from Southampton. When the youngster turned down Old Trafford in favour of a move to London, all Spurs fans enjoyed a sense of moral victory over a club which has dominated English football for the past two decades. Tottenham’s ability to convince Bale to sign a four-year contract at White Hart Lane reassured the supporters of the club’s ambitions and not only increased the Lilywhites’ status, but also provided their fans with a heightened impression of the team’s standing compared to other clubs.

Fans attend their clubs’ games up to three times every week, and without being able to directly influence their team’s performances, they require reasons to support their side in times of adversity or when their clubs’ values are being scrutinised. Signings have proved to be an important indicator of a clubs intentions and desire which offers every fan the reassurance they need in order to maintain faith. Chelsea were able to sign a player with a profile as high as Torres’ at a time when they were evidently declining, and despite his slow start, the psychological impact he has made implies that the club are heading in the right direction. Although his impact in terms of goals is yet to be determined, Chelsea supporters are comforted by the owner’s craving to improve the playing staff, as well as the club’s capacity to attract the best talent.

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Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso claims his side is not too concerned by their 1-1 draw with the USA on Saturday in an international friendly.The Inter Milan star scored his side’s only goal of the game in New Jersey three minutes before half-time, but the USA hit back well and equalised through Juan Agudelo 14 minutes into the second half.

Cambiasso downplayed the significance of the result and claimed the side was on the right track under coach Sergio Batista.

“The result is not going to change any part of what we are seeking to do on the pitch. We are convinced of what we want to achieve,” the 30-year-old said.

“We deserved to win, and a draw will not take us off our current path.”

“A goal would have allowed us to keep calm and keep playing the game we had shown in the first half.”

“But the draw doesn’t matter. We are in a building process and we will follow the same game-plan.

“The United States were a respectable rival, but I think we showed some good stuff and deserved to win.”

USA coach Bob Bradley praised the fighting spirit of his side, and reserved special mention for 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward Agudelo, praising his link-up play with fellow marksman Jozy Altidore.

“For a young player, whenever you put him on the field he has confidence,” Bradley said.

“He’s had a knack for turning up in some good spots to get goals, so we’re pleased with the things that we see.”

“The second half, we find a better rhythm and having Juan closer to Jozy certainly helped.”

Kevin Bond has admitted that Tottenham are prepared to sell Luka Modric if their valuation is met according to the Daily Mail.

The Spurs assistant manager made the startling revelation despite chairman Daniel Levy insisting that Modric was not for sale ‘at any price.’

It comes in the wake of Chelsea preparing a third offer for the Croatian midfielder who they have been trailing all summer.

Bond has now opened the door for a switch to Stamford Bridge conceding that Spurs could sell if the price is right.

He said: “We desperately don’t want to lose him, but everyone has a price.

“If somebody came along and the money turns your head and he did go – although the chairman is adamant he doesn’t want to sell him – then we’d have to get on with it.”

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Modric is keen to leave White Hart Lane after Levy reportedly went back on a gentleman’s agreement to sell him if a bid from Chelsea came in.

He still has five-years remaining on the deal he signed last summer and Spurs are unwilling to sell below the £40 million asking price.

After naming his final 23 to take to South Africa yesterday, some of Fabio Capello’s choices proved controversial to say the least. Whilst his squad is undoubtedly talented there are three players that England still could have benefited from going into the World Cup. Here are the three players in order of their importance to England:

3. Scott Parker

The West Ham captain has had a great season for the East London club despite the team narrowly avoiding relegation. The enigmatic midfielder is definitely one of the main reasons that the Hammers stayed up this season and his inclusion could have given more bite to the midfield. Parker is definitely more of a commanding presence than Michael Carrick and Tom Huddlestone and although he would have been deployed as a substitute. He could come off the bench should England either be winning or chasing a game as he is able to make good tackles and close the game up, but can also provide a drive from the midfield.

Michael Carrick is too much of a one dimensional player and just sits in the midfield and screens the back four. Granted he can be a good player when he is given the time and has a good passing ability to his game. However it’s unlikely he will be starting a game in the World Cup and can only really be used off the bench for England to hold on to a lead. This is why Parker is the better option, and the two-time Hammer of the year should have been given at least a bit of playing time in the friendlies against Mexico and Japan to show what he can do.

2. Theo Walcott

Probably the player who has caused the most debate over his exclusion from the squad, the Arsenal winger was the surprise omission from Capello’s squad. Walcott hasn’t had the best of seasons for Arsenal and has had a lot of expectation put on him after scoring a hat-trick against Croatia in the qualifying campaign. Arguably that has set the standard of what he should be achieving, but at the same time if it wasn’t for that feat then surely people wouldn’t really be making such a fuss out of his exclusion.

The 21-year-old was given starts in both England friendlies but didn’t play brilliantly; his performance in the game against Mexico drew some very harsh criticism from Chris Waddle who said:

“I’ve never seen him develop. He just doesn’t understand the game for me – where to be running, when to run inside a full back, when to just play a one-two. It’s all off the cuff. I just don’t think he’s got a football brain and he’s going to have problems. Let’s be honest, good defenders would catch him offside every time.”

Despite these comments Walcott didn’t have too bad a game but is clearly lacking the confidence that he showed in Zagreb all those month ago. However he is clearly a talented a player and coming off the bench would have been much more of a threat to the opposition than Shaun Wright-Phillips, due to his superior technical ability.

1. Darren Bent

Capello’s biggest mistake was definitely not taking the Sunderland striker. Bent has been in terrific form this season scoring 24 Premiership goals, finishing as the third-highest goalscorer in the league and the second-highest scoring Englishman. Yet this still wasn’t enough to convince Capello to take him to the World Cup and it could be something that comes back to haunt England. Although it can be argued that Bent hasn’t performed for his country he has never been given a fair chance and shouldn’t have been substituted at half time in the game against Japan.

With all the expectations on Wayne Rooney upfront, Bent could have been England’s Geoff Hurst in South Africa, and the 1966 hero even had this to say on Bent:

“Emile Heskey hasn’t played all year and hasn’t scored goals, whereas Darren Bent has played all season and scored 25 goals – so if you’re picking on form, it’d have to be Bent.”

However Heskey made the final cut after scoring a pathetic three league goals all season. Yet apparently because he links up well with Rooney gets in the team, but for every good bit of movement he does that leads to a goal there’s a lot of other things he gets wrong. Also with Peter Crouch in the team for link-up play then what use is there for Heskey anyway? As for England’s other goalscorer Jermain Defoe, Bent has scored more goals than him in the past two Premier League seasons and that includes last season when Defoe was much preferred to Bent when they were both at Spurs. Defoe’s international record isn’t the best either; he has 11 goals in 40 games.

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Darren Bent is England’s best out-and-out goalscorer and his presence could be sorely missed in South Africa, if England were chasing a game and needed a goal he would be the perfect player to bring off the bench.

Do you think Capello made the right choices with the players he omitted?

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The Premier League title has oscillated between Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford since the 2004/05 season. It is a matter of intense debate as to how many teams can realistically challenge for the title. Possibly three or four if you were being charitable but at the other end of the table, upwards of ten sides will be looking over their shoulder at some point in the campaign. A relegation scrap treats the fan to the full spectrum of footballing emotions. Based on the often disastrous consequences of relegation, survival is far more important for a club’s future than silverware. Does the exhilaration of a relegation battle eclipse the winning of potential honours?

Judgement day in the PL usually focuses on the title race and the helicopter carrying the trophy which is occasionally in limbo for the afternoon. Far more entertaining, however, is the events at the bottom of the table. The range of outcomes can be extremely diverse. In 2009 with two games left to play Newcastle, West Brom and Middlesbrough were all on 31 points while Hull were on 34, Sunderland 36 and Portsmouth 38. In the 2006/07 season West Ham made a miraculous escape whilst in 2004/05 it had been West Brom. Two summers ago it was Fulham who staged a great escape after being all but doomed. Adding to the trophy cabinet may be thrilling but for these fans a whole series of games assumed the importance of a cup final.

The assortment of emotions and sensations a relegation battle can bring is expounded in Tim Parks’ book, ‘A Season with Verona.’ The author followed former Serie A side, Hellas Verona to every game of their 2000/2001 season. He found camaraderie with the club’s long suffering fans who often had to resort to humour throughout a frustrating season. The book highlights that in the melodramatic world of Italian football, no extra exaggeration was required when it came to the latter stages of their season. Their sense of togetherness did not cease but their hope and faith almost did. With the spectre of relegation looming, fans inevitably turn to thoughts of which players will be sold, dwindling attendances and handing the advantage to local rivals. A run of victories, not manageable all season, can still get you out of the mire. If achieved that nervous, trembling feeling can translate into relief, joy and renewed hope.

These contrasting sensations would not be lost on West Ham and Fulham fans in the past few years. Having come within a whisker of winning the 2006 FA Cup final, the Hammers were stuck in a keenly contested relegation fight the following season. A change of owners, players and manager saw them function as a loose collection of individuals for the bulk of that campaign. A battling spirit was fostered belatedly as the side eventually beat the drop. This had seemed impossible after embarrassing defeats to fellow strugglers Charlton and Sheffield United. Through the remarkable spirit of Carlos Tevez, Mark Noble and Bobby Zamora, the team took 18 points from a possible 24 and then won at Old Trafford on the final day of the season to finish 15th.

At that stage of the season games merge into rather undignified battles where everyone must put their bodies on the line. Fulham will also recall an epic escape from being certainties for relegation in the summer of 2008. Ensuring their safety the west Londoners recorded three consecutive away wins for the first time in seven seasons. Their fate appeared sealed on judgement day when rivals Birmingham and Reading were both winning but Danny Murphy rose highest to head in Jimmy Bullard’s free kick at Fratton Park.

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The club which was once rooted to the lower reaches of the table nearly tasted European glory in the Europa League last season. None of their glamorous European nights would have been possible without that successful battle to survive. Clubs such as West Brom prudently budget for this possibility of relegation but many more do not. The travails of Portsmouth and Hull City in the Championship this year underline this. If your club find themselves in a precarious position this year it will not seem enjoyable but if successfully negotiated nothing else will better capture the range of emotions football provides.

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FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has rejected allegations the organisation is corrupt.FIFA’s executive was again thrown into the spotlight this week when former English Football Association chief Lord Triesman accused several members, including vice-president Jack Warner, of seeking bribes in exchange for votes in the World Cup bidding process.

President Sepp Blatter, who Bin Hammam is challenging in an election in June, has announced FIFA will launch an investigation into the claims, but Bin Hammam defended the organisation.

“I will happily and unreservedly restate that I firmly believe FIFA, as a decision-making body and as an organisation, is not corrupt,” Bin Hammam said.

“However it is impossible to deny that its reputation has been sullied beyond compare. It’s time for that to change.”

“A new atmosphere needs to descend upon FIFA; there needs to be an opportunity for new ideas to take hold and for the organisation to take a new direction.”

Bin Hammam also criticised Blatter for donating funds to Interpol match-fixing investigations.

FIFA announced on Monday they would be donating 20 million euros in a 10-year commitment to assist the international police organisation in their efforts to fight match-fixing.

The move is apparently part of Blatter’s stated program of reform in FIFA as the Swiss 75-year-old seeks to retain the office he has held since 1998.

But his Qatari rival has rejected the move, with Bin Hammam describing the donation as ‘arbitrary.’

“Currently, the President has taken on too much of an Executive role, as evidenced by the recently announced initiative to donate 20 million dollars to Interpol. Imagine FIFA financing Interpol’s activities,” Bin Hammam said via Twitter.

“This decision was taken arbitrarily by the FIFA President and was not discussed with the Executive Committee.”

“It is just another example of the current regime choosing to run football how it sees fit, rather than doing so in a manner that is consistent with the governing body’s proper procedures. How on earth can we convince people of FIFA’s innocence?”