Would Guardiola really go to Man United?

As Barcelona streched their lead to five points over their bitter rivals from Madrid with a sparkling second half display against Sevilla, there was still something bugging president Joan Laporta as he made his post-match interviews. The increasing doubt surrounding Pep Guardiolas future at the club and the inevitable questions from reporters about the subject. Laporta did well to undermine the issue, but the wait is making fans and players anxious. Pep will be fully aware of this, so if he was 100% certain about his future at the Catalan club, surely he would have signed an extension already?

News has now sprung up about Manchester United contacting his agent Jose Maria Orobitg, which will only serve to add to the unease that is beginning to creep into the Camp Nou. But would Pep really make the move to Manchester United? Sir Alex Ferguson certainly sees the Catalan as his ideal replacement, once he steps down from the Old Trafford hotseat (expected to be in 2011/2012), and the English club are believed to want to tie Guardiola to a pre-contract agreement which would see him play a part in shaping the future of the Red Devils from next season onwards. La Liga has never been the place to create a legacy, with managers rarely lasting more than five years at the same club, unlike English football which seems to have slightly more patience with managers when things go pearshaped, at least in comparison to their continental counterparts. Just look at Wenger at Arsenal who hasn't won a trophy in four years. Is this playing on Guardiolas mind?

_

As a player he was eager to move abroad once his time with Barca came to a close, moving to Italy (Roma and Brescia), Qatar and Mexico towards the end of his glittering playing career. That said, his time in Italy was relatively unsuccesful and was even tainted by controversy; testing positive for nandrolone, although later cleared on appeal. He also turned down the chance to play for Man United on more than one occasion, so why not once more as manager? Personally, I just cannot see him moving away from Barcelona any time soon. He has close bonds with several players in the squad who, like himself, were raised in 'La Masia' and he would have to adapt to a completely new footballing philosophy if he made the move to Old Trafford, a club that even appears to be entering into severe financial troubles. He may not ever be able to replicate the six trophies that last year brought, but if he can win La Liga and the Champions League regularly, no-one will be complaining. The man is Barcelona born and bred, and when Laportas easter deadline comes, expect Pep to sign on the dotted line once more.

Diego Lopez on Fergie´s radar

After the shambolic early-season performances of Ben Foster and with Edwin Van der Sar fast approaching retirement, you couldnt blame Alex Ferguson for setting his sights on landing an accomplished goalkeeper to take over the dutchman´s mantle. Igor Akinfeev´s name has already been banded around the english press, but according to ´Marca´ it seems he has fixed his gaze upon Diego López of Villarreal.

A couple of things from Marca´s article will raise a few eyebrows and surely question Ferguson´s faith in Foster. Firstly it seems he is prepared to do a deal in January, which shows just how strongly he feels about the need to strengthen that position. Secondly, it appears he is prepared to pay the 35m euro buy-out-clause to land him during the January transfer window.

Now Diego López is a solid enough goalkeeper, but he is not worth 35m euros, not even in todays ´madrid-inflated´ market. He is generally regarded as Spain´s fourth choice goalkeeper behind Casillas, Reina and Palop, and in fairness rightly so. A great shot-stopper, useful with his feet, and usually commanding in the area....but he is also susceptible to the odd clanger, and one would think the pressure that would come with filling Van der Sar´s boots could prove a challenge too far for the ex-Real Madrid keeper.