The other soccer stories of the day...

United hold no fear, says Dunne

RICHARD DUNNE insists Aston Villa should have no fear about taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend. Dunne said: “We know on any given day that we can beat anyone.

“We all respect and know how good Manchester United are but, if we are to challenge the top four, these are the games we have to go and have the belief to play and impose our game on them.”

Another blow for City's Johnson

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Michael Johnson could miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in training. It is another setback for the player who has only recently returned to the squad after nearly a year’s absence with an abdominal problem.

Manager Mark Hughes told the club website, www.mcfc.co.uk: “We are all disappointed for Michael. He has worked so hard to get back into first-team contention and shown everyone what a good player he is.

“Unfortunately he might be out for the season but he will receive the best possible care and attention.”

Johnson (21) will find out the full extent of his injury in the next few days. After a lengthy absence because of the abdominal problem, he made his comeback in September by playing the final minutes of the home win against West Ham.

He then had a 30-minute run out a month later and scored in the League Cup victory over Scunthorpe.

Redknapp told to sell before buying

TOTTENHAM CHAIRMAN Daniel Levy has told boss Harry Redknapp he will have to sell players before adding to his squad in next month’s transfer window.

Redknapp spent €49 million 11 months ago as Spurs climbed out of trouble at the wrong end of the Premier League. Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios were among five players brought in by Redknapp.

But Redknapp’s hopes of another January spending spree were dashed by Levy at yesterday’s agm at White Hart Lane.

Levy also maintained there would be “no disruption to the core team” next month, which would appear to rule out any possibility of Keane leaving for Celtic.

The Republic of Ireland striker has been linked with a loan move to Celtic but want-away striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who cannot be considered as part of the “core team” could be on his way. Keane said he wants to stay.

Ronaldinho magazine's world player of the decade

BRAZIL FORWARD Ronaldinho was named as world player of the decade by prestigious British magazine World Socceryesterday, while Argentine forward Lionel Messi was named their world player of the year.

Ronaldinho won the accolade based on the votes cast by readers in the 10 annual votes between 2000 and 2009 being converted into points.

The Brazilian, who was the magazine’s world player of the year in 2004 and 2005, finished ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid.

Barcelona, the European club champions, won the team of the year award.

Messi, winner of the 2009 Ballon D'Or award, is the first Argentine to win World Soccer's world player award since Diego Maradona in 1986. Barcelona's Pep Guardiola was voted manager of the year.

Gibson determined to take his chance

DARRON GIBSON is determined not to waste the gilt-edged opportunity presented to him by Manchester United’s injury crisis. After going two months without an appearance following the League Cup victory over Wolves in September, Gibson has suddenly appeared five times in 18 days as United’s list of casualties continues to grow.

“Manchester United is the best club in the world,” said the 22-year-old. “When you leave here there is only one way to go and that is down.

“As everyone knows, it is very difficult to make it at United but if you do it, you reap the rewards. The gaffer is famous for giving chances to young lads. If you take your chance he sticks with you, so hopefully I will keep getting a few more games.”

QPR suspend manager Magilton

QPR MANAGER Jim Magilton was suspended after midfielder Akos Buzsaky issued an “either he goes or I go” ultimatum to chairman Flavio Briatore. Magilton has been stood down over an allegation he headbutted the Hungarian player Buzsaky after Monday night’s 3-1 defeat at Watford.

But a dressingroom witness said there was no headbutt and Buzsaky merely took exception to Magilton’s forthright post-match opinion.

Yet the club have sided with Buzsaky, while Magilton looks set to become the latest in a long line of managerial casualties at Loftus Road.

“Buzsaky and his agent have basically said ‘either he goes or I go’. It’s all about player power,” said the source.