Thursday Gossip

Thu 08 Sep 2011, 8:27AM
Posted by Peter Ferguson

They say nostalgia ain't what it used to be, but that doesn't prevent the Mirror's exclusive with Denis Law from being a cracking read for City fans.





They've resisted a "Back to the Future" headline on Oliver Holt's interview with the Lawman (we couldn't), but the one they settle for - "Law and New Order" - tells the reader what the main thrust is.

Denis played derbies in both blue and red - no, not at the same time, obviously - and he's rubbing his hands as he senses the Manchester rivalry heading back to its height of the Sixties.

The former striker tells Ollie: “City will definitely be up there now they have got [Sergio] Aguero into the side. City were the noisy neighbours then and they are the noisy neighbours now.

“When I was at United, City had Malcolm Allison and he gave the rivalry a bit of bite with all the stuff he came out with.

“City are coming up to challenge again now. They have not had that ability to challenge since the 60s. They won the FA Cup last season, which is a start and which will give them confidence.

"You can see them challenging United for the title now. It’s great because it all brings the glamour again into Manchester. It gets everybody going.



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A good read, and well illustrated too. There's a snap of Mike Summerbee apparently consoling the Lawman after he's scored a derby goal for City. Can't think what that's about ...
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Back to the present day in the WTMS DeLorean - mind the paintwork, for goodness' sake - and Roberto Mancini has been talking to Italian journos on a break back home about the transfer window.

So, allowing for translation, it appears Roberto had one eye on Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and the other on Uefa's new financial restrictions under Michel Platini.

Rory Smith quotes him in the Telegraph: “I am happy that Roma signed Gago. He is a player who we liked a lot. We couldn’t spend any more money also for the question of financial fair play."

Rory also has the lowdown on Samir Nasri's injury: "City insisted he would not be ruled out of either this weekend’s Premier League fixture with Wigan or next week’s crucial Champions League tie with Napoli, despite the French playmaker breaking a metacarpal bone in his left hand.

"The former Arsenal player, signed for £23million, was having scans to confirm the extent of the damage but has been informed he will be able to play with a protective strap."

I suspect we should be able to beat Wiggin without Nasri, to be honest. I'd want him not to get another whack in a game where playing him will only really increase our goal difference.

i want nasri to want to play

Has he said he doesn't, TD?

not heard anything. i want to see him out there with his hand bandaged up.

i think we all applaud players when they battle for the cause

players play with strapping and casts on hands all the time, that is not a reason to not play him. I do agree though that we should be able to beat Wigan without him, if we have any ambitions of winning the PL we should be able to beat them without Nasri.

I want to save him for Napoli, they will be tougher opponents than Wiggin. Hell, the local primary school's under 6 girls team will be tougher opponents!

I really hope that statement doesn't come back to haunt you leo .

Nasri will play - quoted by MCFC. Broken 'little' finger won't stop him playing..........but can't see him taking any throw-ins!

I'm sure it will, Shaken, I'm sure it will.