Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has claimed that Manchester United have abandoned their interest in Cesc Fabregas, according to reports in the Spanish media.
United, who have yet to make a major signing since David Moyes succeded Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, have already had two bids for the Spain international rejected by the champions of La Liga.
“Manchester United were interested in the player, but they have also understood our stance that we don’t want to sell him,” former Spain goalkeeper Zubizarreta was quoted as saying by Barcelona-based daily Sport. “They have given up on signing him.”
Photo: AFP
Despite claiming the first league title of his career last season, Fabregas has endured a largely frustrating time in the two years since he returned to the club he left as a 16-year-old to join Arsenal.
His opportunities in Barca’s midfield have been limited by the presence of international teammates Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, while his role lying behind the main striker is occupied by four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.
However, with the sale of Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich and with the 33-year-old Xavi expected to play fewer games this season, Zubizarreta insisted Fabregas would be a key part of the squad.
“Cesc is an extraordinary player, we are counting on him. He has vision, he helps in defense, he is our No. 4 and we are not going to sell him,” he said.
Fabregas scored twice on his first appearance of the season for the Catalans in their 8-0 hammering of Santos on Friday, and has traveled with the squad to take part in coaching clinics in Palestine and Israel before they embarked on a tour of Asia yesterday.
Badminton world No. 3 Anders Antonsen clinched his first Indonesia Open title yesterday after beating Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen, while South Korea’s An Se-young won her second championship in Jakarta. The 28-year-old Dane sank world No. 7 Chou at the Indonesian capital’s Istora Senayan arena, winning 22-20, 21-14 in a 60-minute match to secure the prestigious Super 1000 event. Antonsen came out on top in a tightly contested first game before cruising to victory in the second. In a more closely fought women’s singles final, South Korean ace and world No. 1 An fought back from one game down to beat China’s
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
Italy crashed to a 3-0 loss away to Norway, as the four-time FIFA World Cup champions made a disastrous start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday, while Belgium had to settle for a draw in North Macedonia. Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland all scored in the first half in pouring rain in Oslo as Norway made it a night to forget for Italy, who missed out on the past two World Cups. “I have no explanation. Our supporters don’t deserve this kind of match. We need to do some soul-searching. It’s unacceptable,” Italy captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
RSS