"You are always involved in the game even if stuff isn't going well, whereas as a centre forward you sometimes you can get isolated and frustrated. I'm a Man United player and I've got four years left on my contract. That's where I want to be playing my football."Neville will have more competition in midfield if Alan Smith gets his way."I enjoy playing in midfield," Smith said. If there is something, we will take action."Cristiano Ronaldo will sign an improved United contract next week. The Portuguese winger has been linked with summer moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid, but said: "Everything is sorted out with my contract.

I will sign next week when we get back."Another player who does not want to leave Old Trafford is Phil Neville, despite United receiving several offers for the versatile England international."The boss told me that the club have had bids for me but that they have turned them down and that he wants me to stay," Neville said "That's all I wanted to hear. All of us in life, we have things to discuss with our bosses, our companies, but that doesn't mean that we can put a question mark on our duties or have doubts about our commitment or professionalism."Queiroz also played down the post-match altercation between Ferdinand and Ruud van Nistelrooy saying: "We realised there was a dispute between two players on the pitch but there is nothing serious in that. Ferdinand heard the chants and gesticulated angrily towards the fans with his arm. He also refused to talk to journalists who asked him about his reaction to the chants after the game. "There is a discussion about his contract but that cannot put a question mark in terms of his loyalty, commitment, desire, professionalism and his will to win for Manchester United," Queiroz said "He is a Manchester United player.

A section of the travelling United fans chanted: "one greedy bastard" and worse following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers here, while Japanese fans held up an obscene placard making the same accusation but using a different (though wrongly spelt) epithet. Manchester United's assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, has defended Rio Ferdinand over his ongoing refusal to sign a contract which will make him the club's best paid player. However, the problem has not responded to treatment and the former England international, 33, must now undergo an operation.The Southampton midfielder Mikael Nilsson is close to joining the Greek side Panathinaikos after the two clubs agreed a fee of around £400,000.The Swede, 27, has flown to Athens for a medical, but is currently carrying a hamstring injury which may delay any deal.. Executive director Keith Rowe said: "Maybe Jack will come back and lead Liverpool out as captain! But seriously, we are confident that Jack can develop into a top player at Liverpool and I don't think he could be going to a better club to be honest."Elsewhere, Leeds have been hit by the news that their experienced midfielder Steve Stone will miss up to three months with an Achilles injury.The summer signing from Portsmouth picked up the problem three weeks ago during pre-season training but was hoping to only miss a small part of the season. I met Rafael Benitez properly for the first time at Melwood this morning He shook my hand and wished me all the best.

It's been hard work since I arrived - training twice a day - but I couldn't be happier."Liverpool have agreed to travel to Sincil Bank next July for a friendly that will net the Imps between £60,000 and £80,000. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein made an improved offer 10 days ago, but by then the Imps had agreed a deal with Liverpool and Hobbs had decided on his choice of destination."I just need my agent to sort out personal terms for me and then I'll sign as soon I turn 17," Hobbs confirmed; "Hopefully everything will go smoothly and I'll be an official Liverpool player next month. "It is a dream come true for me," Hobbs said yesterday, with good reason.Hobbs has found himself pursued by Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Bolton this summer with Benitez in particular scouring the world for emerging young talent amid fears there is little on the horizon at his club's own Academy.The defender still has a year remaining on his scholarship at Sincil Bank and saw a proposed move to Highbury collapse when the Gunners refused to include a sell-on clause in the compensation package to Lincoln. Jack Hobbs will become the latest addition to the European champions' squad when he turns 17 on 18 August and becomes eligible to sign the three-year contract offered following a successful trial and medical on Merseyside. In January the 6ft 3in centre-half made his one and only senior appearance for Lincoln as a substitute against Bristol City. Last night Liverpool agreed to pay £750,000 for a 16-year-old whose first team career currently amounts to a three-minute appearance for Lincoln City.