YOKOHAMA // No sooner had he landed in Japan hoping to win the 2008 Club World Cup, than Sir Alex Ferguson started talking of Manchester United's hopes of making qualifying for the tournament next year, when it is to be held in Abu Dhabi.
Of course, that would mean retaining the more prestigious prize of the Champions League, but Ferguson is not taking the competition in Tokyo lightly.
Speaking in Yokohama ahead of United's two-game assault on the Club World Cup, Ferguson emphasised how highly he values the tournament, despite its interference with United's Premier League calendar.
"We can win the Club World Cup in December but we cannot win the Premier League in December," said Ferguson.
"The competition is a little handicap for the Premier League, but that is what happens when you are successful. I hope we are in Abu Dhabi next year because it will mean that we have won the European Cup. The incentives outweigh whatever happens in the league."
The United manager admitted that his players were jet-lagged, adding: "The most difficult part of the trip is to change the body clock in such a short space of time. We had the players up at seven o'clock on Sunday morning and made sure they didn't sleep until they were on the plane at night time.
"We will then change back towards British time on Thursday. We'll be at a disadvantage but it is the best way we can work it. Our plans are organised by our medical staff and will give us the proper chance to acclimatise here immediately and then to revert back for the match against Stoke City."
United return to England on Dec 22 ahead of the game at Stoke on Dec 26, but Ferguson's current priorities are in Japan.
"In 30 years' time, you might look back and say Manchester United World Champions 2008," he said. "That is what our club is about. That is why I want to win it. We were the first British team to win it in 1999 and we took great pleasure in it.
"These tournaments add prestige to the football club and this is important for us. I look at the teams and I think it is very difficult. There are some very good ones here."
Ferguson has brought a full United squad ahead of tomorrow's semi-final against Asian champions Gamba Osaka.
"The format of the competition has changed, but the world has grown and countries like Japan, Korea and China are developing their football strongly," added Ferguson.
"There had to be a better balance of teams involved and the prestige attached to the tournament now is greater than when it was a two-legged one-off tie."
The United manager also made his views clear on the spectre of a 39th Premier League game being played outside England.
"I don't think there will ever be one," he stated bluntly. "I'm not in favour of it. If you look at our domestic league programme allied to the domestic competitions, I think it is impossible."
amitten@thenational.ae
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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To be taxed:
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Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule
12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)
2pm Formula One final practice
5pm Formula One qualifying
6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
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UAE squad
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