The chief representative of all Premier League players has said that the ban on under 18s switching clubs was the right decision to make. Gordon Taylor, head of the Players Football Association (PFA), believes that outlawing the sale of under 18s will help fairness and development among younger players.

The latest move comes shortly after it was announced that Chelsea were banned from signing any players for the next two transfer windows after they were found guilty of harassing a 15 year old player and persuading him to move to West London. Huge restrictions are also being called for against Manchester United after a top flight French club lodged an official complaint against the Premier League champions in a similar scenario.

Taylor said: “There’s been a general feeling that a ban on the movement of players under the age of eighteen would be better for the game. Football is all about competition. You cannot have the best youngsters being snapped up by the biggest and richest clubs.”

For years clubs have been arguing over the sale of relatively young players with many arguing that the main cause for the problem is agents acting on their behalf. Young players need to grow up in their own country first and establish themselves at big domestic clubs instead of being whisked away to parts of the world they know very little about.

There is also the problem that players at young ages are not emotionally developed enough to be able to cope with the stresses of living away from home at very young ages. For example, it is very easy for a young boy to get home sick and depressed if he is taken away from his home in Italy and placed in a flat in Manchester until he is old enough to sign a professional contract with Manchester United.

As Taylor says the move will also stop the monopolisation of playing talent by the biggest clubs in the world. A lot of good players come through the academies of a variety of clubs but those clubs never get the chance to play those players because they have already been bought before they have had the chance to step out on the field for the first team of the club that raised them.

That is not on and now that a ban looks as though it may be universal across Europe, it will help to increase fairness and variety among clubs. Smaller clubs can field their best players without the worry of losing them and therefore more clubs can compete with the best.

Manchester United really believe in doing it the hard way.

In front of a crowd of 75,000, the Red Devils could have wrapped up the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal by slotting at least four goals past Spaniard, Manuel Almunia.
But despite playing some superb passing football at a hectic pace, their only reward was a one nil advantage going into the return match at the Emirates on Tuesday, May 5.

An upbeat Sir Alex Ferguson shrugged his shoulders and admitted that the fans had been frustrated. Yes, Manchester United could have booked their place in the final there and then but he had every confidence they would score against Arsenal and win the day.

“We do tend to do things the hard way,” he said afterwards.

What an under-statement. Manchester United might well rue the night after having 52 per cent of possession and seven shots on target, compared with just one by Arsenal. The game also saw 20 fouls but only one yellow card.

So what was the problem? Just bad luck, nerves or one of those things? Certainly, before the game, Sir Alex said he would be happy to see a good performance and a win. Losing was just not an option.

“We’ve got that so we move on,” he told a press conference.

Over the last few weeks, Ferguson and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger have been showing each other an awful lot of respect and have refused to get into a war of words. Following the first leg of their semi-final clash, there have been no insults or accusations but more of a psychological approach. Sir Alex firmly believes Manchester United can and will score at Arsenal and Wenger insists his team will score those all-important goals.

It’s undoubtedly going to be a tough match and who would bet against Arsenal levelling the score at 1-0 in normal time to take the match into an extra 30 minutes and then penalties?

Manchester United are likely to be without Rio Ferdinand who was substituted with just three minutes to go and was taken to hospital for an X-ray on a suspected fractured rib. Unless he makes a remarkable recovery, he could be out for the rest of the season.

Ferdinand did sterling work as usual but it was John O’Shea who went on the score sheet when he slotted home a deflected cross from a corner on 17 minutes. It’s his 18th goal for United and he does tend to pop up now and again and especially when needed.

PFA Player of the Year, Ryan Giggs could have been in the headlines again but his goal was disallowed after being judged off-side. This was his 800th appearance for the reds. Another incredible achievement.

Manchester United dominated most of the match as expected at home but those extra goals just would not materialise. Arsenal goal-keeper Almunia was undoubtedly superb, denying both Rooney and Tevez before finally being beaten by O’Shea. He later blocked a point blank header from Cristiano Ronaldo who also rattled the crossbar with a vicious 30-yarder.

Sir Alex was more than happy with the team’s passing and movement and says they will have the edge over Arsenal who will struggle to stop them scoring in the second leg. But Wenger believes home advantage will count and is pleased they only conceded the one goal.

As Sir Alex Ferguson rightly says, this one is going to go right down to the wire.

Just like the hot-dog stand at every soccer match, the queues are forming to take a swipe at Ryan Giggs.

PFA , Player of the Year? For what? Sitting on the subs’ bench or being faithful to Sir Alex Ferguson for two decades?

Miaow. How the claws come out when a decision doesn’t go your way. Or is it because Gigsy plays for Manchester United?

“Never in a million years should Ryan Giggs get the Player of the Year Award,” said one disgruntled fan. “He’s not even a regular in the first team.”

“Does anyone take these awards seriously?” asks another.

Well, yes, they do actually, as aptly demonstrated by all the fuss being made about the recipient. If no-one cared, there would be no need for comment, would there?

Just take a step back and look at the facts. Ryan Giggs has been one of Manchester United’s most faithful players and still has talent oozing from his boots. His pace is still remarkable for a man of 35 years of age with lots of mileage under his belt. He is every inch the team player and can still score a cracking goal. Who could ever forget that stunner at Wembley? He doesn’t moan or groan or bring the game into disrepute. He always conducts himself as a gentleman and is quiet and articulate during interviews. And, most importantly perhaps, he has an affinity with his manager that many other players would give their right arm for.

Giggs was only 13 years of age when he was first spotted by Sir Alex. The manager was apparently alerted by one of his soccer scouts to a promising young lad who played for Salford Boys. So the story goes, Sir Alex was so impressed when he saw the young Ryan on the field that he went straight round to his home and told his mother that he should sign on the line there and then. Great news for Manchester United but not so good for Manchester City who saw him snapped up from under their noses!

Since then, says Giggs, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson has been “brilliant” and that’s no mean achievement given the standards Sir Alex sets and how easy it is to fall out with him. Many a promising young player has fallen by the wayside, regardless of talent.

“The manager has been massive since I first met him when I was 13,” says Giggs.

“That was 20 years ago and he knows me better than anyone. Our relationship has been brilliant. It’s not worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager.”

The PFA’s Player of the Year Award not only means something, it means a lot. And for Giggs, it really is the icing on the cake. He has won several top accolades during his career and was name Young Player of the Year twice. He has also been nominated on several occasions for Player of the Year, stretching back 15 years, but this was his first success at the big one.

Giggs has notched up some 800 appearances for Manchester United and has played a part in 26 matches this season. Compare that to Frank Lampard’s 58, say some fans. Others believe the PFA should make the awards at the end of the season, with the ammunition to support them.

But this award, it must be remembered, is voted for by the players. And, quite simply, they wanted Giggs. It should be looked at as an award for his lifetime’s achievement, not just a season, and you could see the pride on his face as he picked up the shining trophy at the awards ceremony. This isn’t a time for back-biting or bitching. Giggs deserves the hand of congratulations, no matter what team you support. Not for one moment should any of the other nominated players question the decision. They should be proud to keep such distinguished company.

Who knows, it might not be the last time we see Giggs heading the list. When this season comes to a close, he still has a year on his contract and says he is as strong and as fit as ever. “I am enjoying the game more than ever,” he revealed during the ceremony.
The only cloud on the horizon is that Giggs chose to play for Wales rather than England. He could have had the choice of either, having a Welsh mother and an English father.

Anyway, if the PFA had their way, Ryan Giggs would be right up there with the best of them, Gerrard and Torres included. For as the icing on the cake, Giggs was included in the PFA’s dream team of the year, along with Young Player of the Year, Aston Villa winger, Ashley Young. And not a Wayne Rooney in sight. What does that tell us all about the right way to conduct yourself on and off the football pitch?