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Veron: Ferguson often throws plastic bottles in locker room

LONDON (Reuters) -- Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron says manager Alex Ferguson often throws plastic bottles around the dressing room when he loses his temper with the players.

"Bottles are thrown in the dressing room," the Argentine international told the Daily Mirror newspaper on Tuesday. "One time I had to dodge one which flew very close to my head.

"Ferguson doesn't do it intentionally, he's not looking to hit anybody in particular, but he throws them.

"Sometimes he's more withdrawn, then he gets close to you to speak to you and when he has to throw a bottle he does. He loses his cool.

"But I don't mind. He corrects things and it doesn't bother me at all. He's very respected at the club."

Ferguson inflicted a cut to David Beckham's left eyebrow when he kicked a football boot in the dressing room after an FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Arsenal at Old Trafford in February.

United sold England captain Beckham to Real Madrid for 25 million pounds ($41.23 million) last month.

Ferguson, 61, who has been in charge at Old Trafford since 1986, is also known by many players for his "hairdryer treatment."

Mark Hughes, former United striker and now Wales manager, said: "He would stand nose-to-nose with you and just shout and bawl, and you would end up with your hair behind your head."

Veron, 28, who has won 51 caps for Argentina, joined United from Italian club Lazio for a transfer fee of 28.1 million pounds in July 2001.

Chelsea's Gallas receives Barcelona offer

PARIS (Reuters) -- Chelsea's French defender William Gallas has received an offer from Barcelona and not yet had his contract with the English Premier League club renewed.

"Nothing's been done yet (about Chelsea's contract). The only news is that Barcelona have made an offer but I have not signed anything," he said on his Web site.

The 25-year-old Frenchman said he hoped to stay at Chelsea but had left the door open if the London club wanted to release him.

"I hope to win something next year and hopefully with Chelsea," he said. "A lot will depend on the recruiting but we're going to play on four fronts next season and we must win one of the four.

"I'd like to win something with Chelsea but the door is open."

Gallas said he would take a three-week holiday after taking part in the Confederations Cup and discuss his future on return.

"Barca's interest was confirmed to me and, as they say, Barca will always be Barca. It's a club with a big history, an impressive record," he said.

Sheringham set to sign for Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, England (AP) -- Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham is set to join Portsmouth on a one-year deal.

Sheringham has agreed to terms with the south England team and was expected be introduced at a news conference later on Monday.

A former England international, the 37-year-old Sheringham played the last two seasons at Tottenham but was not offered a contract to return.

He helped Manchester United win the treble -- the European Cup, Premier League and FA Cup -- in 1999, and has also played with Millwall and Nottingham Forest.

 

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