Hargreaves set for United comeback?

Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Owen Hargreaves to prove his fitness before Manchester United’s Champions League clash with AC Milan later this month. The England midfielder is back in training following surgery on both knees that has kept him out of the game for 18 months. "I would like to seem him make the squad for the Champions League fixtures against AC Milan, but we won't rush him,” revealed Fergie on Tuesday. "We are being patient with the rehabilitation following his knee operations and he is alternating his training with the reserve and first-team squads, working for two days and then resting a day. It's a matter of him regaining his confidence and, when he is able to train every day, that will be the moment for him to return to match play." Hargreaves cost United £18m from Bayern Munich but has hardly featured for the club.

Reds sign Serbian star – for next season

Liverpool have snapped up Milan Jovanovic from Standard Liege but the Serbian striker will only join the club next season. The Reds, who have been chasing the player for months, have signed him on a three-year contract. The forward, who is set to star at this year’s World Cup, has a prolific record with Liege in Belgium and has bagged 52 goals in 109 league games. Liverpool managing director Christain Purslow said that he and club manager Rafa Benitez spent most of the January transfer window pursuing Jovanovic and their other prime target, Marouane Chamakh."Rafa and I have spent more time in January talking about our summer transfer plans than the January window, which tells you all about what a thin market January actually is," said Purslow.

United want Spanish teenage star and other transfer gossip

Manchester United are hot on the heels of Spanish youngster Sergio Canales who stars for Racing Santander in La Liga. The 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but is said to have verbally agreed to re-sign for Racing before being sold on for a lucrative fee. The club want around £10million for the teenager, but are expected to accept less if he is loaned back to them. Real Madrid are also said to be interested. Elsewhere, EPL bottom club Portsmouth are closing in on a deal for Serbia defender Dusko Tosic and have also replaced Tottenham-bound Younes Kaboul with former Spurs defender Ricardo Rocha; and Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini, Serie A’s leading scorer this season, has played down talk of a switch to Chelsea.

Big or bust for Gunners – Fab

It’s all or nothing for Arsenal over the next week, according to Cesc Fabregas. The Gunners face EPL leaders Chelsea on Sunday just a week after losing 3-1 to Manchester United. Another loss would largely end their hopes of winning the league title. "It's never a good time to play Chelsea, whether you are five points clear or five points behind them,” admitted club captain Fabregas on Monday. "They are a strong side and have been playing together for a long time. We have to beat them to stay in the title race.” Admitting that Arsenal were outdone by the better side in their recent loss to United, Fabregas claims they are still in with an outside chance of landing the title. "We have to be positive. It's very easy to say we lost to Manchester United and to get down. That would be crazy. We have to be strong."

Keane seals dream move

Robbie Keane has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing for Glasgow Celtic. The striker joined the Scottish giants on loan until June on deadline day of the January transfer window. The Ireland international left Spurs after they signed Eidur Gudjohnsen from Monaco which meant his chances of first team football became even more remote. "I'm not the type who likes to sit on the bench and be a bit-part player. That's why I'm here now," admitted Keane, who was paraded in front of 3, 000 fans at Celtic’s Parkhead home ground on Monday. Said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp: "To go there is a dream come true for him. This opportunity is something he wants to take. And we don't want to stand in his way. I took Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan from Monaco so it's difficult to guarantee Robbie a starting place."

Robinho wants long Santos stay

Robinho wants to remain a Santos player for the foreseeable future. The striker moved back to his homeland to join the Brazilian club after falling out of favour at Manchester City this season. He arrived at his new club by helicopter with Brazilian legend Pele, himself a former Santos player. "My goal is to stay for a long-time," said 26-year-old Robinho. "If the president wants to extend my contract to four years that would be great." Over 15,000 fans turned out at the Vila Belmiro stadium to greet the star duo. World football legend Pele is also keen to see Robinho extend his loan period. "I hope this passage is not merely for a few months but that it's permanent," said Pele. "I hope Robinho recovers (his form) for Santos and the national team."

Show us respect – Evra

Patrice Evra has slammed the Manchester United critics who dismissed the reigning champions as title contenders. United left little doubt that they will be a serious threat in the title race with their 3-1 demolition of Arsenal on Sunday. "Before our game against Arsenal everybody had us down as losers,” said Evra on Monday. "People have criticised us a great deal. Plenty of people do not show enough respect for the reigning champions.” Evra reserved special praise for Wayne Rooney, who has bagged 14 goals in his last 14 games for the Red Devils. "Wayne is clearly unstoppable right now. He has developed and understood that his job is to score goals. He channels his energies more and stays in the penalty area. The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer with us has truly given him freedom.”