Newspaper talk and rumour roundup Thursday 7th April 2011

In today’s papers and rumour roundup – Zab returns to training; Munich want Kompany; Inter keen on re-signing Super Mario; Ferguscum starts his silly mind games ahead of the FA Cup semi final and a few more morsels of Mancunian blue news.

Manchester City’s hopes of beating Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final were given a boost when Pablo Zabaleta returned to training after flying back from Argentina where his father is recovering from serious injuries suffered in a car crash.

Zabaleta is expected to fill in at right-back against United with Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng set to be ruled out.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus has told Maarten Stekelenburg to reject a move to Manchester United.

Ajax keeper Stekelenburg is a top target for United as they seek a replacement for the retiring Edwin van der Sar.

But Waterreus told NUSport, “He will be compared with Peter Schmeichel and to a lesser extent, with Van der Sar. He will go there with a millstone around his neck. My feeling is that Bayern Munich is best for him. Oliver Kahn has been away from there for some time. It is a better way to start at a new club.”

Bayern Munich are preparing an offer for Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany according to reports in Germany.

The Belgium international has emerged this season as one of the Premier League’s best central defenders. Such has been his form that Kompany is now a target for fallen German giants Bayern. Bayern football chief Christian Nerlinger has recommended Kompany to his board insisting he has improved greatly since his days with Hamburg.

Oi, Munich, keep your hands off. He wouldn’t want to play in a substandard league anyway.

Inter Milan boss Leonardo wants to bring Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli back to the club.

While Balotelli has happily touted himself to city rivals AC Milan, Leonardo has discussed re-signing the young forward with Inter president Massimo Moratti. La Stampa says Leonardo regards Balotelli among the most talented young players in the game and is confident he can bring out the best in the striker. He has told Moratti he can manage Balotelli’s unpredictable character and sees him as Inter’s answer to Milan star Alexandre Pato.

Roberto Mancini says he can handle the constant speculation over his job.

Mancini has been linked with a return to Italy at Juventus in the past week. But he said, “I don’t feel under any more pressure than I did at the start of the season. Why should I? The speculation doesn’t bother me – that’s normal in England or in Italy. I’m very happy here because I think that in the last year we worked very well, we have become a good team and we have a chance to change our future. The speculation is not a problem because I have two years left on my contract.”

Red nosed Rag Alex Ferguscum says Roberto Mancini does need a trophy to settle things at Manchester City.

Ferguson feels Mancini will always be under pressure until he lands that first title, “Roberto is only at his second season, but if he manages to win his first trophy all will settle in for him. [Rafael] Benitez at Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, and they left him alone for five years.”

Dedryck Boyata has explained why teammates celebrated Patrick Vieira’s goal against Sunderland  so passionately.

Boyata told City’s website, “We’ve got a great atmosphere in the changing room and Patrick is one of the people who makes us laugh the most. To see him scoring was brilliant, everybody jumped on him they were so pleased for him. He’s the one you can go to if you have questions. He’s a big face in the changing room.”

He added, “Sunderland was the first game I’d started since December, so it was great. It was a test and I think I passed. I’ve played in big games with special atmospheres before, but the FA Cup semi-final will be something else. I’m calm, because I know there are people around that can help me.”

Gareth Barry says the FA Cup semi final is not a battle to become obsessed with.

He knows City cannot afford to take their foot off the Premier League pedal as they chase a Champions League place. Preparing for Monday’s visit to Liverpool, said, “It’s hard to forget about the United match. But this league game has to be our focus first. It’s important we learn from losing out to Tottenham last year.”