Ferguson gives insight

Soccer Shorts:Alex Ferguson has revealed he used the same pep talk on Cristiano Ronaldo that he also gave to former United players Eric Cantona and David Beckham to persuade them to stay at Manchester United.

Ronaldo's future with United was cast into doubt after some English supporters blamed the Portugal international for helping to get United team-mate Wayne Rooney sent off in last year's World Cup quarter-final in Germany.

"What I said to Cristiano was exactly what I said to Eric and David," Ferguson said. "They are going to boo you, but that's all. They are not going to do anything physical against you because it's not that kind of nation."

Cantona considered leaving United in the aftermath of the flying kick he launched against a fan at Crystal Palace in 1995 while Beckham feared he may have been driven out of United after being made a scapegoat for England's 1998 World Cup exit.

Sugar lets go

Entrepreneur Alan Sugar has sold his stake in Tottenham for £25 million to sports and media group ENIC International.

Sugar became chairman of Tottenham in June 1991 when the club were in deep financial trouble.

Reina extends stay

Liverpool's Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina has signed a new five-year deal keeping him at Anfield until 2012.

The Spain international joined from Primera Liga club Villarreal in July 2005.

Wait on for Reo-Coker Nigel Reo-Coker is still waiting to hear whether he will be given permission to speak to Aston Villa about a £7 million move from West Ham.

The London club's captain handed in a transfer request last month after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premiership.

West Ham are still considering this week's initial bid from Villa for Reo-Coker, who cost them £500,000 from Wimbledon in January 2004.

"A bid has been made and it's up to the businessmen to come to some sort of arrangement," Reo-Coker (23) said. "If I'm given permission to go and speak, I'm given permission. But I've no control."

Meanwhile, Villa manager Martin O'Neill has dismissed suggestions that he is set to bid for Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.

Reports this week have linked the Derry man with a raid on his former club for the Japan international. But O'Neill insists there is no chance the former Reggina player will be part of his summer restructuring at Villa Park.

"I wouldn't normally respond to a specific rumour, but on this occasion I feel I have to," said O'Neill. "Neither myself, nor anybody else at the football club has shown any interest in this particular player, nor indeed anyone at Celtic Football Club."

Ashley takes reins

British sportswear tycoon Mike Ashley has agreed to take over Premiership club Newcastle United in a cash deal valuing the club at around £134 million.

The takeover of the north east of England club by the reclusive billionaire breaks a trend of foreign buyers acquiring Premiership teams.

Newcastle chairman and major shareholder Freddy Shepherd and his family have agreed to sell their 28 per cent stake in the club to Ashley for 101 pence per share, Ashley's St James Holdings Ltd said in a statement on yesterday.

Newcastle have completed the signing of striker Mark Viduka (31) from Middlesbrough on a two-year contract with the option of a third year.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce yesterday confirmed his interest in Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim, who is currently out of

No move for Hunt

Reading manager Steve Coppell hopes to keep Stephen Hunt after Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp dismissed reports of a move for the Republic of Ireland midfielder.

Portsmouth have been linked with a summer swoop for the 25-year-old, but while Redknapp admitted his admiration for the winger, he insisted he does not think he could tempt Hunt away from Reading.

He said: "He's done very well at Reading. I was impressed with him last season.

"But I haven't even thought about him. I don't see why he would be leaving Reading."

Coppell insists he is keen to keep hold of Hunt, who enjoyed a fine campaign for the Reading in the Premiership last term, describing him as a "key" part of his plans for the club.

Malouda makes call

France winger Florent Malouda has described Liverpool as a "great club", increasing speculation the Lyon player could make the switch to Anfield.

The 27-year-old Olympique Lyon midfielder is a reported target for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez this summer, although he has also been linked with Chelsea, Juventus and AC Milan.

"There has been contact with Liverpool, although I don't know as yet if they have shown their interest directly to Lyon," Malouda was reported as saying.

"People make their decisions based on the different leagues in different countries but I would rather decide based on the club. And Liverpool, why not? It is a great club."

Bayern still spending

Bayern Munich yesterday completed the signing of France midfielder Franck Ribery from Olympique Marseille after agreeing a fee that could rise to €30 million.

Ribery (24) passed a medical yesterday before signing a four-year contract with the 20-times German champions on the same day they presented Italian striker Luca Toni.

It was also reported yesterday that Germany striker Miroslav Klose (28) confirmed he is to join Bayern.

In brief . . .

Monaco's Yaya Toure(24) has said he is keen on a move to Barcelona, despite interest from his brother Kolo's club Arsenal . . . West Ham chairman Eggert Magnussonhas said he remains hopeful Carlos Tevez will stay at the club for next season . . . LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalashas confirmed he would love to pair David Beckham with Luis Figo - a former team-mate of Beckham at Real Madrid - in the MLS next season . . . Nigeria coach Bertie Vogtshas left Chelsea's John Obi Mikelout of his squad for this month's 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier against Niger after the midfielder failed to report for a game last weekend.