Weekly Football News, September 16 2013
Ronaldo: United are in the past
Cristiano Ronaldo has ended speculation linking him with a return to Old Trafford by agreeing a contract extension at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo, who spent six years with Manchester United after signing for the club as a teenager, was linked with a return to England throughout the summer transfer window - especially with Gareth Bale's word record move to the Bernabeu.
However, Ronaldo, 28, has agreed an extension that local reports in Spain suggest could earn him close to €20m per season for the next five years.
"I will be honest: I was in Manchester for six years and they gave me many things that I will never forget, but United is now in the past," Ronaldo said.
"Now I am at home, my family is here and I am happy.
"I respect all the other clubs but my objectives are here and to play until possibly the end of my career. You never know what will happen in the future, but I want to be here for five more years and win things."
Bale scored on his long-awaited Real debut on Saturday in his new side's 2-2 draw at Villarreal.
Rooney's no midfielder: Moyes
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were on the scoresheet together for the first time in nine months in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, after which boss David Moyes insisted that he wanted the pair to both play as strikers.
Moyes has always insisted his pre-season comments about Rooney serving as a back-up to Van Persie were misinterpreted, and the England forward's reintroduction into the United first team after a succession of injuries and two failed transfer bids from EPL rivals Chelsea took another step forward on Saturday.
Despite missing England's World Cup qualifiers during the latest international break, Rooney scored directly from a long-range free-kick and tellingly blew kisses to the United faithful during his celebration.
"The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, 'My goodness we are having to play against Van Persie and Rooney'," said Moyes afterwards.
"Midfield? Not just now. I can only see Wayne playing up top and playing as a forward for us.
"To be successful you need to have people who can score you 20 goals. I am hoping that, with Robin and Wayne, you have two there who have that in them.
"Can he get back to 30-plus? I will try to help him do that. Wayne's aim will be to do that as well."
Aimar leaves Benfica for Malaysia
Malaysian club Johor Darul Takzim have announced the signing of former Argentina international Pablo Aimar.
The club defined the 33-year-old attacking midfielder as the "highest ever paid foreign player to have ever graced Malaysian football" after agreeing a two-year deal with the option of a one-year extension.
Aimar has played from River Plate, Valencia, Zaragoza and Benfica and made the last of his 52 Argentina caps in 2009. He also represented his country at the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals.
Al-Ahly sound warning to rivals
CAF Champions League holders Al-Ahly sounded a warning to their continental rivals that they are beginning to find their best form after thrashing compatriots Zamalek 4-2 in an Egyptian derby on Sunday.
Al-Ahly have slowly rediscovered the type of form that led them to lift the Champions League trophy last season and now sit atop Group A with 10 points ahead of Orlando Pirates of South Africa and AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville with seven each.
Walid Soliman, Ahmed Abdul Zaher, Mohamed Aboutrika and Ahmed Fathy scored for seven-times champions Ahly, who began the group stage by drawing against Zamalek and then losing 3-0 at home to the Pirates.
In Group B, Tunis giants Esperance and Coton Sport of Cameroon have already booked their places in the semi-finals next month.
Compiled by Marc Fox
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