The Guardian du lieu suivant : London, Greater London, England • 35

2 The Guardian Saturday May 29 1999 Sport Sheiriiraglhffira wins loDgOairocO mswaird! Martin Thorpe GoalkeeDersx England Davlcl Seaman Arsenal), Ian Walker (Tottenham), Gareth (Aston Rio Ferdinand (West (Man Utdy qraeme Le Saux Woodgate Gray (Sunderland) Batty David Beckham Tim.Sherwood'(Tottenham),v Redknapp (Liverpool), Paul iiiiliil Ince, who was banned for three games after his sending-off and V-sign in Sweden, the manager said: "I've told him the truth. I could have picked a squad of 25 and fudged the issue but, if I'd picked him in the 25, it wouldn't have been to play and I don't see the sense of dragging him down here and to Sofia if he isn't going to play. "He's disappointed at not being in the squad and I would be disappointed if he wasn't. But the door is still open." Keegan has also granted Gary Neville, his only recognised right-back, permission to rest because of a nagging hip problem for which the player needed pain-killers to see him through United's Treble chase. With a shortage of alternatives in this position, Keegan said he would play Gary's brother, Phil Neville, there.

This, the manager believes, is the utility player's best position though he has hardly played there this season. Darren Anderton has also been let off international du ties to rest his troublesome groin while Steve McMana-man has been left out after being devastated by the recent death of his mother. There is a recall for the striker Robbie Fowler despite his questionable fitness after a six-match ban for his bust-up with Graeme Le Saux and pretending to snort cocaine while celebrating a goal. Dropped from the experimental squad that played against Hungary last month are Nicky Butt, Wes Brown and Frank Lampard, while Kevin Phillips and Nigel Martyn, like Chris Armstrong, are injured. So, England's starting lineup against Sweden, the Group Five leaders, is likely to be David Seaman in goal, with a back four of Phil Neville, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell and Graeme Le Saux.

With Cole and Shearer starting up front, that only leaves the question of the midfield makeup. Keegan was impressed by David Beckham's performance in the central role for United in the Nou Camp on Wednesday, but his additional comment that "I've always thought that will be his position for England eventually" suggested that his armoury of right-wing crosses might be required for a while yet. The other midfield places are likely to be filled by two players from a trio of Tim Sherwood, David Batty and Paul Scholes. The big question mark hangs over who will play wide on the left. The ready-made answer in the squad is Sunderland's Michael Gray, with one cap under his belt as a substitute against Hungary.

The Sweden coach Tommy Soderberg yesterday named 18 foreign-based players in his 21-man squad to play England. "Some of them have important club matches this coming weekend," Soderberg said. SWEDEN: Hodman (Coventry), Klhlstedt IBrann); Andersson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), BJorklund (Valencia), Jakobuon (Helsingborg), Kamark (Leicester), Lucie (Real Zaragoza), Nilsson (Helsingborg), Sundgren IZaragoza); Andersson (Sheffield Wednesday), Anderuon (Bari), Blomqvtst (Manchester United), LJungberg (Arsenal), Mild (IFK Gothenburg), Mjallby (Celtic), Osmanovski (Ban), Schwarz (Valencia), Svensson (Viking); Lartson (Celtic), Andersson (Bologna), Kevin Keegan was in laid-back mood yesterday as he announced the England squad for the crucial European Championship qualifiers against Sweden and Bulgaria. His theme was rest, retirement and the return of a player used to sitting on the bench. Stand up Teddy Shering-ham, who capped a marvellous week by winning an international recall to add to the FA and Champions League Cups.

Dogged by injury earlier this season, he last featured in the squad for the defeat in Sweden in September. "He's come into the Manchester United set-up and played a big part," said Keegan. "And he can give me a different option on the field." However, it is likely that Sheringham will initially take up his familiar role of substitute, with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole starting up front for next Saturday's game with Sweden at Wembley. England visit Bulgaria on anSKearer6ws1eVTIcJyN SheringrTarn'flVIUtdj, fertile Heskey Cdre (Man Utd)r 3 'RobbjeFowlererpool)' OV (Man 33, prefers to rest a troublesome back despite the importance of two ties that will decide whether England can qualify for the finals automatically or whether they will need the play-offs. Keegan spoke to Adams for 20 minutes earlier this week about his situation while of Manchester mania is set to continue as Joe Royle's men take the field at Wembley tomorrow Comparing, say, the Leeds of the early 70s with the new European champions is almost as dangerous an exercise.

The Leeds of Billy Bremner passed the ball as near to perfection as makes no difference but, as the videos of the period show, Bremner had noticeably more time and space than David Beckham. The only comparison with the present United side which has some validity involves the Liverpool team of the late 70s and early to mid-80s that never achieved the Double but narrowly missed out on the Treble in 1977 and did, in fact, win three trophies in 1984: the League Cup as well as the championship and European Cup. In terms of consistent excellence over a long period Liverpool, with nine titles in 13 years, are still ahead of United. To the younger generation of United fans who have known little except the Premiership, the idea of any side ever being remotely in the same class as their team, the multi-national qualities of Arsenal and Chelsea notwithstanding, must be perplexing. And it is undoubtedly true that the older one gets the more deceptively golden memories can become.

Lucky are those who can measure the modern United with the Liverpool of yesterday, the Leeds of the day before, the United of George Best and the Spurs Double side, each the best of their time. In terms of passing and movement the present United are perhaps no better than the all-English Manchester City side of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison, who won a succession of honours in the late 60s. Except that they do it more quickly. Something else to remember is that in seven years the financial structure of the Premiership and the Sky TV contract have considerably enhanced the wealth of United. If the Premier League had not happened, it is doubtful whether United would have been able to combine capturing the championship with winning the Champions Cup.

Ferguson may or may not have the team of the century but he certainly has the squad of the century. Next season he will need something even better. Collectively, taking into account his previous successes in Scotland with Aberdeen, Ferguson has some claims to being the manager of the 20th century. But so do Herbert Chapman (league hat-tricks with Huddersfield and Arsenal), Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein, who with Celtic became the first British manager to win the European Cup, and Bob Paisley, who won it three times with Liverpool not to mention six league titles. A personal choice for team of the century would be Pegasus, the Oxbridge amateurs who in the 50s played before Wembley crowds of 100,000.

And the manager Well anyone who could win two European Cups with Nottingham Forest must have had something. squad To play Sweden at Wembley on June 5 and Bulgaria in h'. Sofia on June 9 Scholes the following Wednesday. Not long ago, the absence of Tony Adams and Paul Ince would have been cause for much alarm. But now it perhaps represents the beginning of the international end for these two thirtysomethings, with Ince, aged 31, overlooked on form grounds while Adams, "I'm still amazed by the reaction," said City's manager Joe Royle, as outside touts asked 140 for 20 Wembley tickets.

"I keep telling myself it's a Second Division play-off game, not a final really. But if you'd seen the euphoria and the mania outside the ground this week you'd realise how much it means to these fans. They see it as a big statement and we bloody well owe it to them." Particularly after United's success. Yet City have seen a false dawn or 50 in recentyears. Forward With Franny rapidly became Backwards With Bally, but six managers and two relegations later the feeling is the revival starts here.

Royle talks of when, not if, Premiership status is restored. Stop that sniggering in the Red corner. "Sometimes the showbiz side of this club has overrriden the practicality," said Royle. "Now the practicality comes first. We enforce a strong work ethic.

We want Hollywood at the right time, champagne when there's a trophy. Strike 1 4 r.l:7 (LeicesteOAndy Defenders Sol Campbell Southgate (Arsenal), Seville Midfielders David i(ManUtd)i Jamie BttS7 Hlllllllfl illllllillS Doubles, Trebles but there's only one Pegasus Should a poll be conducted this summer to elect the team of-the century it would almost certainly be won in a landslide by Alex Ferguson's Manchester United while most of the other candidates lost their deposits. Before Wednesday night no English club had ever won the league championship, FA Cup and European Cup in a single season. United's astute sense of timing has ensured that the 20th century will never see its like again. As half-a-million people took to the streets of Manchester on Thursday to see the conquering heroes it would have been hard to argue any sort of case for other considerations.

The facts surely spoke for themselves. That United are the most successful English team of their time, and Ferguson the most successful manager, cannot be denied. Five Premier League titles in seven seasons.includingtwo Doubles and a unique Treble, have made United the predominant force of the 90s; first at home, now abroad. To win the FA Cup by beating, among others, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as the league title remains no small feat in itself. But to win the European Cup after first eliminating two famous Italian names, Internazionale and Juven-tus, then snatching victory from Bayern Munich in the final with two goals in stoppage time suggests a sense of destiny which few teams have ever acquired.

For many, United's 3-2 victory over Juventus in Turin, having conceded two early goals, was the definitive performance which put them ahead of everyone else. The late dramas at Nou Camp confirmed the indefatigable spirit of Ferguson's players. United had not played well, but they always believed they could win and that is the hallmark of a great team. But how great? Comparing the present United side to successful teams of the past, including those at Old Traf-ford, is, strictly speaking, an idle exercise. As the pace of football has increased, so have the physical and mental demands on its players.

Immensely greater financial rewards, moreover, can produce infinitely greater pressure. No side has ever made such an impact on the nation's football as the Arsenal of the 30s, the first modern super-team, who were lauded by the media and hated by rival supporters much as United are today. Yet attempting to draw comparisons between the abilities of the players is as fruitless as discussing the relative merits of cars of the 30s and 90s. Now for the Maine event long-suffering Manchester City fans take their celebrations on to the pitch after last week's playoff semi-final triumph over Wigan sure bsush towon If Jon Brodkin It was classic Manchester City. Francis Lee, swept into power on a wave of optimismj held his first agm at Manchester airport.

"Ifyou want to know why you're here," he said, "just look out there. That's the runway we'll all be flying out on next year when we qualify for Europe." One can only hope he had not chartered the plane. Five years on City have at least reached Wembley, but even in this age of fair-play tables and non-Champions Leagues a win over Gillingham tomorrow is unlikely to secure a European berth. Not that the fans are complaining. An instant return to the First Division will do.

For starters, that is. Atlong last there seems agen-uine optimism and unity at Maine Road. The hysteria after the semi-final victory over Wigan suggested not only that promotion was guaranteed but that Old Trafford had burned down after a sarong caught fire in the dressing-room. 8 His wssi Jiiiiii Photograph: Neal Simpson sion," Royle said. "It's like quicksand clinging to us." The club's ability to attract major investment may depend on it "I'd be pretty confident we would raise serious capital in Division One," Bernstein said.

Not that Royle feels he needs millions if City go up. His side have lost only twice in 26 league and play-off matches. The arrival of Andy Morrison, the club's first genuine leader since Keith Curie, and the winger Terry Cooke looks decisive. "I don't think there's a lot of difference between this division and the one above," said Royle, who must shed another eight players yet. "I look at Watford's progress this year and I'm encouraged by that.

I think my players would be more comfortable in the First Division. This season wherever we've gone people have been waiting for us. It's been their cup final." This final is for real. Succeed, and the dark clouds which have enveloped Maine Road for so long might just might reveal a shining Blue Moon. Towers in 106 largely undistinguished years.

A friendship struck between their manager Tony Pulis and John Gregory affords them the occasional use of the Aston Villa training facilities and subsequent results have proved it to be a lucky haven, Gillingham were just days from closing for good when Paul Scally breezed through the door and began the resurrection and redevelopment which has just begun to two sides of their Priestfield ground. At a cost approaching 2m, it shows the club's destiny is in progressive hands. When the City supporters leave Wembley tomorrow night they will pass thousands of Bolton devotees making the reverse journey to see their side contest with Watford the third Premiership place. -BBS "But as United showed on Wednesday, it isn't always inspiration you need. That was 90 minutes of hard graft; still going when the inspiration wasn't there.

That's what we're guaranteed every week now. We didn't have that before." Last summer out went Gio Kinkladze and countless others from abloated squad of 54, the legacy of incessant managerial change. City would have needed a fleet of open-top buses had they won anything, but there was little danger of that. The mayhem drained finances and team spirit alike. When Royle replaced Frank Clark in February 1998, the place stank of "With 54 professionals it's impossible to put on a training session which can accommodate everyone," said the defender Richard Edghill.

"People were disgruntled about not being in the squad. It created problems, And with all the changes of manager you wondered: 'Will they like you? Will you be another one shown the Tomorrow Manchester, City i-: Gllllngham(6 3-2) Button, Southail: Smith. jms eallovyeyTayigr Asaba Manchistar City (4-4 2) Brown. Whitley: l-Jorlocrt; Cooljw-Dlotov Goater -1 TV: Sky Sports 2 from 2pm-1 5 42 weeks of hard graft do not go unrewarded is just as strong. For the Orient owner Barry Hearn, it will help his enjoyment of today's Third Division decider against the men from South Humberside that a wealth of experience from a diverse sporting portfolio has conditioned him to anticipate Somehow Edghill survived.

Steve Coppell fell ill at Maine Road inside a month; amazingly Edghill is still alive after 11 years, making him comfortably the longest-serving player. "I've seen so many people come and go it unbeliev able," he said. So many broken dreams and teams as well. Yet the wJ Royle regime fills himp wiiii nope, ujnnaeuce and self-respect have returned. The visit of a fitness coach twice; a week has helped eliminate the late 3 1 gums tuuteueu mavoaj season.

Small-sided training exercises have Virprl sniriT anH r-nmnpfitinn "Everyone's more the mentality is stronger; people are pulling together." Hfiffni sain "wp crpr nn On and, finally, off the pitch, Peter Swales was sent razor blades in the post before being ousted as chairman by Lee, who in turn was hounded line-ups Monday Bolton Watford Bolton (4-4 2) Banks: Cox. Johansssrt Jensen. Franfeen. Gardener: Watford (4-4 2) Chamberlain: Robinson: WngW, Hyde; Kennedy Mioney Ngonge TV Sky Sport 2 from 2pm Highlights on rtVat 1 1 2Epm the fall that inevitably follows success. "All football has got to end in tears somewhere along the way," he said, "and the important thing is to enjoy the good days when they come," Hearn talks proudly of the new South Stand providing 1,300 extra seats and other modern facilities and clearly dSHjrAM Ml His replacement David Bernstein, non-executive chairman of French Connection, seems to offer the low profile and business acumen required.

Expenditure has been reduced by4m in the past year; the debt is down to 13m. To I stem the drip, drip of damag ing stories, employees face penalties if they speak out of line. The one posi- Lv t. gSK. Bernstein, was fhat thp shrink pn.

i jabled me to make changes with veiy i little resistance." Yet the progress will count for next nothing if City 1 lose tomorrow. fWe've got to get lout ot this divi- Eyesonthe task a new spirit is thriving at City, says Richard Edghill the opportunity to galvanise a community behind their local club. "Things are going well and to have two pots bubbling at the same time, to have success both on and off the field, is quite remarkable," he added. Their opponents have become quite attached to the bottom division, where they have spent all of the past 30 years apart from two separate seasons in 1972 and 1983. If Brian Laws's team are to break free, it may well come down to an 18-year-old striker, Gareth Sheldon, who scored twice as a substitute in Scunthorpe's semi-final win over Swansea.

Gillingham have immersed themselves in a Premiership environment to try to secure a first-ever place in the First Division from what is also their inaugural visit to the Twin a Poor relations have grounds for positive thinking Spurs start 12m chase for 'escape man' Sutton One game from glory: the likely i'M'-i'lii Forest six years after he left. The club will erect a bronze bust in the main reception area and a stand will be renamed after the man who led the club to European Cup success in 1979 and 1980 in his 18-year spell as manager. Clough said: "I am pleased this has happened in my lifetime rather than afterwards, as some clubs have Forest's chief executive Philip Soar said: "We feel that the 20th anniversary of Forest winning their first European Cup is the perfect time to make these decisions and to make these changes. "Those of us who were present in Munich and Madrid can never overestimate the significance of those nights. It is only right that those who made it possible are remembered in the most visible way." Blackburn Rovers yesterday placed a 12m price tag on Chris Sutton and the 26-year-old former Norwich striker immediately went to the top of Tottenham's summer shopping list.

But Spurs may have to compete with Chelsea for Sutton's signature. One factor in Tottenham's favour is that Sutton's old Rovers friend Tim Sherwood is already at White Hart Lane. On top of that, Chelsea's first priority is the Roma top scorer Marco Delvecchio. The Sutton move is on simply because he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if a club offers the 12m. Relegated Rovers are ready to listen to offers for the Nottingham-born player.

Meanwhile Brian Clough is to be honoured by Nottingham Trevor Haylett There are parallel lines shadowing Leyton Orient and Gillingham this weekend that go beyond a shared Wembley experience and the confused geography of a local radio commentator who proudly informed his Lancashire listeners that Preston's play-off semifinal at Gillingham was "coming live from East London" Both these consistent Orient's authentic Cockneys, are determined, whatever their fate over the next two afternoons, to put distance between themselves and their humble pasts. When the new season dawns, both Brisbane Road and the Priestfield Stadium will show the benefits of a significant facelift. It would be all the better if Today Scunthorpe.v Leytofi scurrthorpo (5 2 3) Evans: Harsley: Wilcox: Sheldon. Qayte Forra ter Layton Orient (3 5 2) 8airetL' Smlth. Clarft Joseph: Beall.

Richards; Stlmsop: ting, twlwood: Simba Walts sky sports 2 from Apm' wr-hw the two clubs concerned had a higher brand of football to coincide with their enhanced surroundings, but that is the hard part of the equation. Lying in wait across Wembley's acres are Scunthorpe and Manchester City, whose incentive to seize the final promotion dividend and ensure that.