Ashley Young 'agrees' United deal.

Ashley Young has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of his proposed big-money move from Aston Villa to Manchester United.

The talented forward, who has also undergone a brief medical, is now expected to complete a switch to Old Trafford when he returns from holiday.

Young: Heading to United

It emerged on Thursday that the Premier League champions had held discussions with Young's representatives over a possible switch.

The England international admitted earlier this summer that he was keen to play at the very highest level, sparking speculation that he would leave Villa Park.

United have been credited with a long-term interest in the former Watford player, while Liverpool were also understood to be monitoring the situation.

And Sir Alex Ferguson now looks to have pipped the Reds to yet another transfer target, with Blackburn defender Phil Jones also set to sign for the champions.

Liverpool chasing Serie A defender

Serie A club Catania say that Liverpool have expressed interest in their Argentine defender Matias Silvestre.

GettyImagesMatias Silvestre has scored six times since joining Catania

Silvestre, 26, has been playing for the Sicilian club for the past three-and-a-half seasons, after transferring from Boca Juniors and has since become captain of the Rossazzurri.

The defender has been a standout in Vincenzo Montella's side and Catania general manager Pietro Lo Monaco stated earlier this year that he expected the South American to head on to a bigger stage in the summer.

Lo Monaco now says that it is Liverpool, along with Villareal, who are leading the charge to lure Silvestre away from Italy next season.

"Top of the list of those moving on is Silvestre," Lo Monaco told Itasportpress. "I'd struggle to keep him here, considering what a great player he is. There are two Italian clubs tracking him, but Liverpool and Villarreal are also interested in Silvestre."

Sneijder staying with Inter

Wesley Sneijder has moved to end speculation over his future by declaring he wants to stay with current club Inter.

The 27-year-old playmaker has been touted as a target for Chelsea and Manchester United but is set to remain at the San Siro.

"Milan is marvellous, picturesque and full of elegance. I love it," Sneijder told the Inter website.

"At the moment I am very happy here and I don't see why I should leave."

The Dutch international joined Inter in the summer of 2009 and played a major part in helping Inter win the Treble of the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season.

The Italian club finished second in the league and reached the last eight of the Champions League last season, although they did retain the Coppa Italia.

"There is a family atmosphere at Inter and there are all the ingredients to aim high," added Sneijder.

Iniesta: We'd be Fab with Cesc

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has expressed his belief that he, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas can operate as a successful midfield trio.

Iniesta's comments follow reports emerging in Spain that Barca have upped their pursuit of Arsenal captain Fabregas.

Iniesta: Believes he, Xavi and Fabregas can work

The UEFA Champions League holders targeted Fabregas last summer but failed to have a bid accepted by the Gunners.

It is suggested a fee in the region of £40million could tempt Arsenal this year, amid claims Fabregas' agent may meet with Barca this weekend.

Iniesta told ONA FM: "(The signing of Cesc) is a matter of Arsenal and Barcelona, ​​we cannot do anything.

"Xavi, Cesc and I are not incompatible. If he comes, the team level will be better."

Barca defender Gerard Pique, meanwhile, has reiterated his desire to be reunited with Fabregas, whom he played alongside at youth level at the Spanish giants.

Pique said in The Sun: "I would like him to. It's my wish for that to happen. I can't be clearer.

"He is a Barcelona fan and has been his whole life and he would love to come. It would be very, very good for us.

"Last year it looked like he would come but he didn't. Now it looks like he could again but we have to wait. I hope the people in the offices can work well and can bring him in this time.

"I have said before and I still do that my hope is that one day he will play for Barcelona.

"I would love to have him alongside me because as well as a good person, he is a great player.

"I would love him to be here this year or if not then next year. He would give us more.

"I haven't spoken to him recently. I don't know how Arsenal set up are economically but I do know that he is a great player and a real friend of mine and he is a Barcelona player - he has been in the youth system here and he knows what we are about. He could perform perfectly here."

Van Persie critical of player attitudes

Robin van Persie believes the behaviour of some of his "English colleagues" may hamper Arsenal's chances to win the Premier League next season due to their party lifestyle.

GettyImagesRobin Van Persie points the finger of blame at "English colleagues"

Van Persie says players must have pure motivation in order to win titles, something Arsenal have struggled to do in recent years, and questions whether young English players have that drive.

"The really top players aren't fooled by riches or fame because they are fully focused with their football. For me, it's very important to be having breakfast every morning with my two children and that wouldn't be possible if you were hanging about in a disco all night. When I see some of my English colleagues who are out till three in the morning, then I can only conclude that they are invariably finished at 33."

The Dutchman said in order for the Gunners to be in contention next season, they must learn from the mistakes of recent campaigns and add depth to their current playing roster over the summer.

"Every year it always goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating," said Van Persie. "When you look at results in the last years, then Arsenal shouldn't be talking about winning the league because too many times things have gone wrong.

"Sometimes you have to eat the truth and be realistic. But I do believe with the signing of a number of players, then next season we should be in there competing for prizes."

Liverpool win 4-1 on penalties

Gerrard (right) teed up Agger's opener

Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League final with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in the semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Dirk Kuyt scored the crucial spot-kick to clinch a 4-1 win after Arjen Robben and Geremi had missed for the Blues.

Daniel Agger cancelled out Chelsea's first-leg lead in the first half with a crisp finish from Steven Gerrard's superbly disguised left-wing free-kick.

Kuyt also rattled the bar with a fine header after the break.

Chelsea's best chance saw Didier Droga denied by Pepe Reina and the big striker was also inches away from turning in Ashley Cole's cross after the break.

But Liverpool were good value for their win in a game that had plenty of excitement but lacked real quality.

Within seconds it became clear both teams were happy to go long. Liverpool looked to feed off Peter Crouch and Chelsea were eager to get the ball to Drogba and use the pace of Salomon Kalou on the break.

But after a promising opening first five minutes from the visitors, it was Liverpool who settled and started to get on top in a scrappy match.

And Liverpool scored from the first good chance of the night.

Joe Cole fouled Gerrard on the left flank and with everyone expecting the Reds skipper to whip in a cross towards the far post, he slid the ball across the box to Agger who slammed it home first time into the bottom corner.

With the scores level on aggregate, Liverpool stepped off the gas a little and Chelsea began to look lively.

Reina was forced into a decent save from Drogba, who stood firm to beat away the striker's fiercely struck shot following Mikel's through-ball.

Chelsea, playing in their third Champions League semi-final in four years, nearly went ahead just before the break when Essien almost diverted a Drogba header in from a Frank Lampard corner.

Liverpool then had three excellent chances to double their lead after the break.

Jermaine Pennant wriggled his way free on the right and crossed to Crouch but his downward far-post header was kicked away by Cech and John Terry completed the clearance.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT Zenden scored 1-0 Robben missed 1-0 Alonso scored 2-0 Lampard scored 2-1 Gerrard scored 3-1 Geremi missed 3-1 Kuyt scored 4-1

And within five minutes Liverpool went even closer. A fantastic cross from John Arne Riise was met brilliantly by Kuyt but his header crashed back off the bar.

A rare Terry error then saw stand-in centre-half Essien bail out his skipper as he launched himself in front of Pennant and diverted the ball over for a corner.

Chelsea then pieced together their best move of the half.

Lampard combined with Joe Cole to put in Ashley Cole and Carragher got ahead of Drogba to turn the cross over the bar from three yards.

Minutes later, Drogba almost got through on goal but was thwarted by Reina and at the other end Bolo Zenden tested Cech with a decent 20-yard strike.

Neither side could force the crucial goal in normal time and chances were at a premium in the extra 30 minutes

Liverpool went closest when substitute Xabi Alonso unleashed a rasping 35-yard drive that Cech could only parry into the path of Kuyt, who turned the ball in before his strike was ruled offside.

In the second period Drogba almost converted Shaun Wright-Phillips' teasing cross and Kuyt had a shot beaten away by Cech in the closing moments.

It came down to a penalty shoot-out, and Liverpool romped home.

Bolo Zenden scored the first and only Lampard was successful for the Blues, meaning Kuyt's sweetly-struck effort was enough to secure Liverpool's place in the final against either AC Milan or Manchester United on 23 May.

---

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant (Alonso 78), Gerrard, Mascherano (Fowler 118), Zenden, Kuyt, Crouch (Bellamy 106).
Subs Not Used: Padelli, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Gonzalez.

Booked: Agger, Zenden.

Goals: Agger 22.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Essien, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Makelele (Geremi 118), Lampard, Joe Cole (Robben 98), Drogba, Kalou (Wright-Phillips 107).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Boulahrouz, Bridge, Diarra.

Booked: Ashley Cole.

Att: 42,554.

Ref: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).

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Reds will fear Drogba - Mourinho

Mourinho says he is not interested in Benitez's commentsChampions League semi-final, 2nd leg

Date: Tuesday, 1 May

Kick-off: 1945 BST

First leg: 0-1

Venue: AnfieldListen: BBC Radio Five

LiveUpdates: BBC Sport website and mobile

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has backed striker Didier Drogba to lead his side to the Champions League final.

Reports claim Andriy Shevchenko pulled out of Tuesday's semi-final at Liverpool with a groin injury after being told he would be a substitute.
Mourinho, whose side won the first leg 1-0, believes Drogba can finish the job and said: "He is in really good form.
"Liverpool have good defenders and they do play a lot of offside but Didier is so powerful he can worry them again."
Drogba was Chelsea's main attacking weapon in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho added: "He did it at Stamford Bridge last week and he did it at Anfield in the league last season. So we believe that he can be an important man for us again."
Drogba is a yellow card away from missing the Champions League final through suspension - if Chelsea get through - but Mourinho is confident his striker can avoid a ban.
"Players should not get cards for complaining to officials, I do not want them to do that," stated Mourinho.
"Maybe an aggressive foul but that is something that normally an attacking player does not need to do.
I am not interested in what Benitez is suggesting about the atmosphere
Jose Mourinho"An attacking player should be under control and play a semi-final without a yellow card. I think that is not difficult."
Mourinho promised his side will not sit back and defend their slender advantage.
He insisted: "We will attack. For 10 minutes you can defend with everything but for 90 you cannot defend perfectly.
"A good way to play is to scare your opponents, keep possession and score.
"But again we will not have all our players, this has been the season of injuries, something we have had to cope with but we are still in a very good situation.
"We have won a final, we have another one to play and we are in the Champions League semis."
Mourinho hit back at Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's claims Chelsea will not cope with the Anfield crowd.
Benitez suggested Chelsea will fold at Anfield by insisting the atmosphere will only serve to spur on his team.
The Blues boss said: "I am not interested in what Benitez is suggesting about the atmosphere, so do not even tell me.
"We will cope with the atmosphere. I do not think someone like Claude Makelele will be having sleepless nights.
606: DEBATE
"A great atmosphere supporting the home team is always good for the home team. A hostile one for the away team can depend on the players' character.
"At this level, a hostile atmosphere can be a good motivation for people with a lot of experience.
"Everyone wants good atmospheres and Liverpool's fans always provide that. It is good."
And Mourinho continued with the theme of atmosphere to incorporate Spanish referee, Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez.
Mourinho commented: "We have prepared ourselves for this atmosphere. Referees must also prepare themselves for matches, with players asking for this, for that, for this, for that.
"They have to be strong. They have to be strong enough to cope with it.
"The referee is Spanish, and a top referee. I prefer a top Spanish referee than a bad referee from another nationality.
"Mr Gonzalez is one of the best referees in Europe and I want to believe he comes here to do a professional job, a job without heart, a job as a professional.
"He is a top referee, nothing else, I believe that."
There have also been mind games over the suspected line-ups, with each manager sure the other is bluffing.
Benitez says he will believe injured Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho is not playing only when "he sees the team sheet".
As for Mourinho, he is certain that Benitez will definitely start with forward Peter Crouch, who came off the bench to good effect in the first leg.
Mourinho said: "Rafa is a good manager. In Peter Crouch he has a player who is two metres tall and Ricardo Carvalho is not playing.
"I think he is intelligent if he plays the direct game to Crouch, that is normal."

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