Macari: Fergie Saw Disaster at Manchester United Coming

Lou Macari believes Sir Alex Ferguson was well aware of Manchester United’s squad frailties – and that could be the reason why he retired at the end of last season.

The Scot stepped down after 26-years in charge at Old Trafford and handed the reins to David Moyes, who has since struggled to impose himself at the Premier League champions.

The Red Devils have started the season poorly and are currently 12th in the table, following a 2-1 home defeat to West Brom. And former midfielder Macari claims Fergie could see this situation occurring last season.

“He’s always been a good judge of everything,” he told Hawksbee and Jacobs. “When he shocked everyone and said he was retiring, I thought, 'is he aware of what’s around the corner, is he taking the view that one or two of his best players are coming to an end?'. And Macari added Moyes should have improved the squad further during the transfer window.

“Every team in the country needs new blood,” he said. “The supporters get tired of watching the same players.

“I just felt this summer he needed to bring in some news players. They brought in one main player [Marouane Fellaini] but he wasn’t the sort of player the supporters wanted to see. They wanted a little ball playing midfielder.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: BAYERN FIRE CITY AT HOME, MOYES’ UNITED HELD

Holders Bayern Munich handed out a Champions League masterclass with a 3-1 drubbing of Manchester City on Wednesday while Cristiano Ronaldo's hot form continued with a double in Real Madrid's 4-0 rout of FC Copenhagen.

Franck Ribery, Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben scored as Bayern left City chasing shadows for the first 80 minutes of a one-sided Group D encounter to end the Premier League team's five-year unbeaten run at home in Europe.

Alvaro Negredo pulled one back for City as Bayern finished with 10 men after Jerome Boateng's straight red card.

Ronaldo followed up his hat-trick in Real's 6-1 rout of Galatasaray in their opening Group B fixture with two goals against Copenhagen to take his tally to 55 in the competition.

In the same group, a dramatic finale in Turin saw Galatasaray, with manager Roberto Mancini taking charge for the first time, snatch a 2-2 draw with Juventus thanks to Umut Bulut's late goal.

Greece forward Kostas Mitroglou outdid Ronaldo with a hat-trick in Olympiakos Piraeus's 3-0 romp at Anderlecht and, also in Group C, Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Paris St Germain crushed Benfica by the same scoreline at Parc des Princes.

Brazil forward Taison's 76th-minute strike earned Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United in Group A after the visitors had led through Danny Welbeck.

Bayer Leverkusen left it late to pick up their first win, substitute Jens Hegeler curling in a free kick in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 home victory over Real Sociedad.

Earlier, CSKA Moscow secured their first points in Group D with a 3-2 home triumph over Viktoria Plzen who have lost their first two games.

Ashley Cole in a 2am Stand-off with Anton Ferdinand

RACE row football rivals Ashley Cole and Anton Ferdinand came face-to-face in a 2am bust-up in a car park.

The pair were separated by pals following a tense stand-off outside a nightclub in Los Angeles.

Cole’s England team-mate Andy Carroll appeared to put a protective arm across him to keep the men apart.

A source said: “There was no row, no confrontation. They spoke but that was it. There might not be much love lost between them but there was no trouble.”

There has been a rift since Chelsea’s John Terry was accused of calling Ferdinand, 28, a “f***ing black ****” in a 2011 game.

He was cleared of race abuse in court after team-mate Cole, 32, backed his account. Ferdinand later snubbed a pre-match handshake with both of the players.

Ferdinand’s spokesman last night declined to comment. Cole’s spokesman did not respond to a request to comment.

Bale of the Century

Manchester United is ready to smash the world transfer record to prove there is life after Alex Ferguson.

The Glazers will hand new boss David Moyes more money than ever before to land Cristiano Ronaldo OR Gareth Bale.

Ronaldo yesterday opened the door to a return to Old Trafford by insisting his future at Real Madrid is far from certain.

But if he signs a new deal at Real, Moyes is set to splash a record £85million to land Tottenham’s double Footballer of the Year, Bale.

United’s American owners are determined the club will continue to be a major European force despite Fergie’s retirement.

Ronaldo, 28, remains United’s No 1 target and yesterday tweeted: “All the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false.”

It suggests Ronaldo is irritated by Madrid president Florentino Perez claiming the Portuguese superstar will be staying at Real.

Perez said: “I’d bet Cristiano will retire at Madrid because it’s the natural thing.”

Ronaldo has two years left on his Real deal but his tweet made it clear he could be available.

And United would be prepared to beat the record £80m they received from Real for Ronaldo in 2009.

Spurs are desperate to keep Bale, 23, but a world record fee would be impossible to reject. The Welshman is also wanted by Real and Paris Saint-Germain.

And United believe Bale moving to Real would trigger Ron’s release. United’s record buy is Dimitar Berbatov, who cost £30.75m in 2007

Nani Could be for Hire

Nani will call David Moyes tomorrow before making an announcement on his future in the next couple of days.

The Manchester United winger is a £12million target for Monaco, Galatasaray and Napoli.

Talks over a new deal at United have stalled amid speculation linking him with a move away.

It is not yet clear whether he has a place in new boss Moyes’ plans.

And the Portuguese star, 26, said: “I have not yet decided where I am going or if I am going.

“I do not want to speak about rumours but I will decide my future in the next few days.”

Nani’s case for staying is not helped by the £15m signing of Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace and the return to fitness of Ashley Young.

The Portuguese slipped down United’s pecking order after Alex Ferguson regularly left him on the sidelines.

Nani has stated he wants a £6m-a-year salary if he is to leave Old Trafford.

But that will not worry Turkish giants Galatasaray or moneybags Monaco, who are bankrolled by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

The 2004 Champions League finalists gazumped Manchester City, United and Chelsea to land Radamel Falcao for £51m.

Monaco have also splashed out £60m on Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

Nani, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £14m in 2007, made just seven league starts last season.

Last night, Wayne Rooney was urged to quit United for Paris Saint-Germain by Brazil defender Thiago Silva.

England ace Roo, 27, is a £25m target for the French champs and Arsenal.

PSG star Silva, 28, said: “He’s a great player. I hope he can come to PSG.”

Ronaldo Threat to United Hopes

Manchester United face an almighty battle to land Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Premier League champions hope to sign the world superstar for £65million — and complete the biggest transfer in British football history.

United want to unveil Ronaldo on August 8 and then play him in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla the day after.

But Ronaldo himself last night delivered Old Trafford chiefs a blow, insisting he has still not ruled out a new deal with Real Madrid.

He said: “I’m calm. I’m not worried about it, I know we are going to reach an agreement to sign a new deal and for that if I am honest, I’m not preoccupied about it.”

Ronaldo’s representatives have reportedly demanded around £35m a year gross wages PLUS all his image rights.

As it stands Madrid are offering around £30m a year and the same 60-40 per cent split on his image rights worth in excess of £20m a year.

United’s plan is to pay Ronaldo, 28, a basic salary in excess of £300,000 a week to make him the highest-paid player in English football.

It is understood ‘informal’ meetings between third parties have been going on for over a year