United push on with mega-bid for Kaka - but Fergie admits rival Messi is better

29 April 2009 10:47
The groundwork is being laid for Kaka to join Manchester United in a major summer transfer coup - but Sir Alex Ferguson says he has never been gobsmacked by the one-time world player of the year.[LNB]Not even when the Brazil playmaker engineered a 3-0 defeat of his side in the 2007 Champions League semi-final on his way to being named the finest player on the planet? Apparently not.[LNB]Asked for his views on the best players to have graced the Champions League, Ferguson will have surprised many by actually naming a defender as his No 1.[LNB] Braziliant: Kaka scores against United at the San Siro in 2007 before celebrating (below)[LNB]'When I think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top-level,' Ferguson told The Independent. 'And, although he has never taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed, Zinedine Zidane was brilliant but without a doubt, Paolo Maldini has been my favourite.[LNB] 'He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although not the world's greatest technically, he has influenced all the AC Milan teams during his wonderfully successful era.'[LNB]Despite the faint praise for Kaka, United are prepared to start the bidding at £50million for the 27-year-old, who is seen as a replacement for perennial Real Madrid target Cristiano Ronaldo.[LNB]Intermediaries of the Premier League champions will meet Milan in the next week to discuss figures and the possibility of luring thebrilliant playmaker to Old Trafford. Manchester City had a £100m bid accepted for Kaka in January, only for him to reject the move, and Chelsea also maintain an interest.[LNB]Sportsmail revealed last month that Real Madrid are convinced they canfinally strike a £75million deal for Portugal winger Ronaldo, 24.[LNB]As United prepare to line up against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final, first leg, Ferguson admits the Old Trafford showdown will have to go a long way to beat his favourite performance in the competition.[LNB]'Without a doubt, the 7-1 victory over Roma at Old Trafford in the quarter-final of the 2006-07 Champions League was the best. [LNB]'It was a record score for the quarter-finals. We went into that game against a top Italian side that had beaten us 2-1 in the first leg. [LNB] The star in front is a Leo: Messi takes on Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa[LNB]'Our first-half performance was out of this world, and Luciano Spalletti's team were shell-shocked because our quick, one-touch play was exceptionally good. [LNB]'Some of our goals were brilliant, in particular the fluid, one-touch play leading to the strike by Alan Smith. [LNB]'That game certainly stands out. As does the 3-3 draw away to FC Barcelona, which should have ended up 20-20 the way both teams attacked.'[LNB] Earning Fergie's respect is a privilege of getting older, insists WengerVan der Sar sees stars in United's bid to retain Euro crownCHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL: Ahead of semi-final showdown we go down memory lane with Manchester United and ArsenalChelsea dream of a small miracle... but Barca already have one in MessiVIDEO SPECIAL: Watch out Chelsea - five moments that made the legend of Lionel MessiMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail