Roy Keane charges Sir Alex Ferguson with not knowing meaning of loyalty

Roy Keane has accused Sir Alex Ferguson of not knowing the meaning of loyalty after the former Manchester United manager criticised him and other former players at Old Trafford in his new book.

Keane responded witheringly after Ferguson reopened the pair's long-running feud by saying the former United captain "absolutely overstepped the mark" in a notorious but never-aired MUTV interview that fast-tracked the Irishman's departure from Old Trafford in 2005. He also effectively rubbished Keane's chances of making a career in football management.

Other former United players are criticised in the book, among them Owen Hargreaves and David Beckham. Keane told ITV on Tuesday night: "I think I do remember having a conversation with the manager when I was at the club about loyalty. In my opinion I don't think he knows the meaning of the word.

"It doesn't bother me too much what he has to say about me but to constantly criticise other players at the club who brought him a lot of success, I find very, very strange … I just don't think the manager needs to do that.

"I'm not sure how many books he has written now but he has to draw the line eventually to say: 'Listen, these players have all been top servants to Man United.' And a lot of these players helped the manager win lots of trophies, so imagine if we never won a trophy what he would have said. We brought success to the club, we gave it everything we had when we were there. It's just part of modern life now that people like to do books and criticise their ex-players."

Ferguson expresses characteristically strident opinions in his new book, My Autobiography, many of which jostled for prominence at the launch press conference in London on Tuesday afternoon. The headlines included:

• How he told Wayne Rooney to mind his own business after the United striker urged him to sign Mesut Özil

• How Beckham's love for Victoria and the celebrity lifestyle prevented him from becoming a United legend

• How he was offered the England job twice but it took him 10 seconds to say no.

Ferguson's revelations about what happened with Keane were the most volatile material. He writes that the midfielder had been furious about what he felt were substandard pre-season training facilities at Vale de Lobo in Portugal but it was when Keane later gave his thoughts to United's in-house TV channel that Ferguson experienced what he described as a "horrendous" confrontation.

According to Ferguson, Keane laid into many of his then team-mates in the interview, including Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher, Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson and Rio Ferdinand. Of Ferdinand, Keane is said to have been scornful of the defender's belief that he was a superstar … "just because you are paid £120,000-a-week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham."

Keane suggested that the squad watch the interview and what followed was a scene that still makes Ferguson shudder. When outrage ensued among the players, Keane tore into them, but he reserved the most stinging attack for Ferguson, whom he accused of bringing his personal affairs into the club, in the form of his dispute with the Coolmore stud over the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar. "His eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads," Ferguson wrote of Keane. "It was frightening to watch. And I'm from Glasgow."

The interview was not broadcast but Ferguson knew that he had to act. He immediately sanctioned the paying up of Keane's contract and his departure to Celtic in December 2005. The former United manager also slates Keane's managerial track record at Sunderland and Ipswich Town, saying it was plain he needed money to build squads and that he lacked the temperament or patience for the job.

"With the nature of the man, you can expect a response," Ferguson said at the press conference."We had to do something. The meeting was horrendous. I just couldn't lose my control. If I had let it pass, the players would have viewed me much differently to the way I want to be judged. He overstepped his mark, absolutely."

Ferguson repeated his claim that Rooney had "asked away" from United last season, after growing frustrated at being played out of position, and he also wrote that the striker's qualities were in danger of being "swallowed up by a lack of fitness". Describing Rooney as England's "one hope" for the World Cup, he made it clear that the country had to handle him with special care in the countdown to Brazil.

"Wayne asked away," Ferguson said at the press conference. "He felt he was unfairly played out of position and I can understand that. I was dropped at 2.10pm on the day of the Scottish Cup final. I was top goalscorer. I had a heated discussion with the manager. I can understand Wayne but at the time he wasn't playing well enough. That was my judgment. Do you think I would drop Wayne the way he is playing now? Absolutely no way."

On Özil, whom Arsenal signed for £42.5m from Real Madrid in August, Ferguson added: "He was not on our radar and I said that to Wayne at the time [in 2010, when Rooney had handed in a transfer request]. I explained to Wayne to leave the signing of the players to me. We got most things right over the years."

Beckham emerges from the book as one of Ferguson's greatest regrets. He considered him to be like a son but he writes that he had his head turned by the trappings of showbiz. He said that he had to sell him to Real Madrid because Beckham thought he had become bigger than the manager and the club.

Ferguson does not mention Beckham's wife in the chapter of the book that he devotes to him, but he did give her a reference at the press conference. "I think the big problem for me and I'm a football man really ... he fell in love with Victoria and that changed everything," Ferguson said. "I had to think about my own control at the club. Maybe he will look back and say he should have stayed at Real Madrid [and not joined LA Galaxy]. But I don't think I've been too critical on David. He was always a marvellous guy."

Ferguson said that he could never have managed England. "It was a great opportunity in life to relegate them," the Scot joked. "The first time [he was asked] was the Scots lad, from the Post Office, Adam Crozier [the then FA chief executive] and the second time, they approached Martin Edwards [the former United chairman] and I said forget it. I met Crozier at Old Trafford. It didn't take me long – 10 seconds. Think of me going back to Scotland. Deary me."

Ferguson offered his support to his successor, David Moyes, and he insisted that the club could retain the title despite their sluggish start. "When I saw the fixture list [at the beginning of the season], I would have been raging at that," Ferguson said. "I would have gone down to the League. But Manchester United are the only team in that league that can win it coming from behind

Energy bills pushed up by green tariffs, says David Cameron

David Cameron announces new tests for the energy market, at an acrimonious session of prime minister's questions. Photograph: PA

David Cameron has pledged to roll back "green charges" that add an average of £112 to energy bills, as he came under fire over Sir John Major's call for a windfall tax on the excess profits of Britain's big six energy companies.

As Ed Miliband mocked the prime minister in the wake of Major's call for state intervention on energy prices, Cameron announced an annual competition review to examine the cost of green regulations and the level of profits.

The PM said: "I can tell the house today that we will be having a proper competition test carried out over the next year to get to the bottom of whether this market can be more competitive. I want more companies, I want better regulation, I want a better deal for consumers. But yes, we also need to roll back the green charges that he put in place as energy secretary."

The review, which will be carried out by the Office of Fair Trading and the new Competition and Markets Authority, is to be announced next week in the annual energy statement. The chancellor, George Osborne, is to announce any changes to levies in his autumn statement.

Downing Street later said the prime minister was determined to roll back the costs of green levies. But government figures showed that the largest proportion of the £112 the charges add to the average bill were related to measures aimed specifically at less affluent people.

This may place Cameron on a further collision course with Major, who said in his speech on Tuesday that the government needed to make sure that less well off people did not face a choice between deciding whether to pay for heating or eating.

The government figures show that £50 goes on the energy company obligation – which supports energy efficiency in poorer households. A further £11 goes towards the warm homes discount, which is designed to help with the costs of fuel bills for poorer households.

The other charges are meeting the UK's renewable obligations (£30), the EU's emissions trading scheme (£8), the carbon price floor (£5), feed-in tariffs (£7) and smart meters (£3). These come to £114, slightly more than the £112 identified by the prime minister. Labour pointed out that £67 of the £112 was introduced by the coalition.

The PM announced the review as Miliband said that Major's call for a windfall on the profits of energy companies showed that No 10 has misjudged the mood of the nation by appearing to rule out state intervention.

Cameron dismissed Miliband as a "con man" after pledging to introduce a 20-month price freeze if he wins the election, prompting a rebuke from the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, for using unparliamentary language.

But Cameron showed that Major had hit a nerve when he announced the review of the level of profits and the impact of the cost of green regulations.

He said: "We need to recognise there are four bits to an energy bill. There are the wholesale prices, which are beyond our control. There are the costs of transmission and the grid, which are difficult to change. There are the profits of the energy companies and there are the green regulations. It is those last two that we need to get to grips with."

The PM told the rightwing backbencher Brian Binley that he was targeting £112 on bills.

"We have to have an honest discussion about this. On our energy bills is £112 of green taxes and green regulations. We need to work out what is necessary to encourage renewable energy, what is necessary to go on winning overseas investment into the UK but how we can bear down on people's bills.

"It simply is the politics of the con man to pretend that you can freeze prices when you are not in control of global energy prices. The proper approach is to look at what is driving up bills and deal with it."

Miliband mocked the PM for inconsistency. He said: "He really is changing his policy every day of the week. It is absolutely extraordinary. His energy secretary [the Liberal Democrat Ed Davey], who is in his place, says it has nothing to do with green taxes, 60% of the green taxes were introduced by him. And who is the man who said vote blue to go green? It was him. I tell you what's weak – it's not standing up to the energy companies, and that is this prime minister all over."

Miliband opened by saying that it was difficult for Cameron to dismiss his call for state intervention after Major's call for a windfall tax. The Labour leader said: "The prime minister said that anyone who wanted to intervene in energy markets was living in a Marxist universe. Can he tell the house how does he feel now that the red peril has claimed Sir John Major?"

Bercow interrupted the proceedings to criticise the prime minister for describing Miliband as a con man. He said: "Let me just say. I let it go the first time … 'con man' is frankly unparliamentary. The prime minister is a man of great versatility in the use of language. It is a bit below the level. We'll leave it at that."

The PM's spokesman denied claims of a coalition rift because ministers agreed on the need to tackle the cost of living.

The spokesman said: "One way or the other the prime minister is determined to roll back green levies. There have been discussions about more targeted support since George Osborne's speech on 9 September."

A Labour spokesman said: "The prime minister is clearly on the defensive over energy prices. He is refusing to take real action to tackle overcharging now. He wants to take over a year to come up with proposals at a time when bills are going up 10%."

A senior Liberal Democrat source responded to the Cameron announcement, saying: "Everybody knows the Tories are getting cold feet on the environment. The Tories have put no properly worked up policies in front of us.

"But we will not allow a panicky U-turn during PMQs to dictate government policy. The way to provide stable fuel bills now and in the future is not to make policy up on the hoof. Liberal Democrats in government will not allow the Tories to undermine our commitment to the environment, hurt the fuel-poor or destroy our renewable energy industry.

"Nick Clegg has always said that we should stress-test every policy to make sure that there isn't a penny more on bills than necessary. Of course, we will look at the specific details of what the Tories propose. That is coalition government.

"We will discuss the means but we are not prepared to compromise on the ends – protecting the environment, helping the fuel-poor and safeguarding our green industries and jobs."

A reduction in what the prime minister's calls "green charges" from energy bills may mean that the shortfall will have to be met from general taxation. Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish deputy first minister, has pledged to cut energy bills by 5% (about £70) if the SNP is elected to govern an independent Scotland. The SNP would achieve this by funding green levies through general taxation.

Madrid had to sacrifice Ozil for Bale - Del Piero

The 38-year-old Juventus legend believes los Blancos had no choice but to sell the brilliant German to Arsenal, but admits he was surprised to see them let him go so easily

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero believes Real Madrid had to sell Mesut Ozil this summer in order to buy Gareth Bale.

The decision to sacrifice the Germany international, who moved to Arsenal following the Welshman's transfer from Tottenham, proved controversial among the club's fans.

And Del Piero, whose old club meet Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, was surprised that the capital club elected to move on the former Werder Bremen man.

"At first I was surprised they sold Ozil, but basically I think Madrid had to make that sacrifice so they could sign Gareth Bale," Del Piero told AS.

"I love Ozil as a player, however, so I didn't expect the club to sell such a talent."

The former Italy international also expressed his disbelief that Madrid and Spain captain Iker Casillas has been confined to a substitute's role at the Bernabeu this season.

"I find it strange to see a player like Casillas on the bench, especially when he is captain at the club," he continued.

"He is an exraordinary 'keeper and it was an honour facing him during my Juventus days."

Finally, Del Piero, now of A-League outfit Sydney, refused to pick a favourite between Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Barcelona.

"Asking to choose between Messi and Ronaldo is like choosing between your Mum and Dad," he said. 

"Messi is pure fantasy, and a special talent who can do anything, while Ronaldo is a genius who also has physical prowess. They are both incredible players.

Jennifer Lopez was criticised for her curves in her early career

Jennifer Lopez says she was slated for having curves in her early career.
The 'On the Floor' singer has become renowned for her shapely bottom, but she claims she was told to make changes to her body when she first ventured into television as an actress on American 90s sitcom 'In Living Colour'.
In an interview for the winter issue of Cosmopolitan Latinas magazine, she recalled: 'When I first started on television, people, and even my own manager at the time, would tell me I had to make all of these changes.'
'But you have to stand up and say, 'There's nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am, you're the one with the problem!' And when you can really believe that, all of a sudden other people start believing too.' 
J.Lo - who has five-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex-husband, singer Marc Anthony - grew up in The Bronx, New York, with her Puerto Rican parents and she says her upbringing gave her self-confidence and a sense of pride in her looks and heritage. 
She said: 'Early on, my family really made me love who I was and what I looked like. My body was nothing out of the ordinary in my neighbourhood,'
'I love the family that I grew up in the; strength and passion and the heart that we bring to things. And also the way I was raised, the intense love we demonstrate.'

Man, 33, spends 60k to look like Justin Bieber

A 33-year-old man has forked out £60,000 on plastic surgery to look like Justin Bieber. 
Toby Sheldon has splashed out on several cosmetic procedures in the past five years in a bid to look exactly like the 19-year-old singer, and he has even gone under the knife to have 'smile surgery' to copy the 'Beauty and a Beat' hitmaker's image. 
He told Closer magazine: 'It's Justin's smile that gives him his youthful look.
'My smile surgery took more than a month to recover from,' Sheldon added. 'And, after my eyelid surgery, I couldn't open my eyes for a week.'
'My friends shower me with compliments. They even call me Toby Bieber.'

Sandra Bullock wins big at Hollywood Film Awards

Sandra Bullock was among the big winners at the Hollywood Film Awards yesterday (21.10.13). 
The 49-year-old actress picked up by the Hollywood Actress prize for her thrilling performance in 3D space movie 'Gravity', and she wowed on the red carpet beforehand in a tight black dress as she enjoyed a few jokes with her ex-boyfriend Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves. 
Matthew was also a big winner at the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California, as he took home the Hollywood Actor accolade following his portrayal of a former stripper in comedy drama film 'Magic Mike' last year. 
Kanye West presented Steve McQueen with the Hollywood Breakout Director gong before flying to San Francisco straight after the ceremony to propose to his girlfriend Kim Kardashian on her birthday at ATT Park, the home of the city's baseball team the San Francisco Giants. 
Julia Roberts took home the Hollywood Supporting Actress prize for 'August: Osage County', and the brunette beauty, alongside her co-stars Meryl Streep, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch and Juliette Lewis, picked up the Hollywood Ensemble Acting gong for the comedy drama film. 
Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Producer of the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, recently said: 'It is a privilege to honour Julia Roberts for her brilliant and passionate performance in 'August: Osage County'. Julia continues to shine as one of Hollywood's most gifted actresses.'
Other winners on the night included Harrison Ford, who won the Hollywood Career Achievement award, while Jake Gyllenhaal picked up the Hollywood Supporting Actor accolade for 'Prisoners' and 'Ocean's Eleven' producer Jerry Weintraub won the Hollywood Legend prize.

2013 Hollywood Film Awards winners:

Hollywood Career Achievement Award
Harrison Ford

Hollywood Legend Award
Jerry Weintraub

Hollywood Actor Award
Matthew McConaughey

Hollywood Actress Award
Sandra Bullock

Hollywood Supporting Actor Award
Jake Gyllenhaal

Hollywood Supporting Actress Award 
Julia Roberts

Hollywood Breakout Performance Award
Jared Leto

New Hollywood Award
Lupita Nyong'o

Hollywood Spotlight Award Presented By Dodge
Michael B. Jordan, Sophie Nelisse, David Oyelowo

Hollywood Breakout Director Award
Steve McQueen

Hollywood Director Award
Lee Daniels

Hollywood Producers Award
Michael DeLuca

Hollywood Screenwriter Award
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater

Hollywood Visual Effects Award
John Knoll, 'Pacific Rim'

Hollywood Animation Award 
Dan Scanlon, 'Monsters University'

Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award
Cast of 'August: Osage County' including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard, and Misty Upham.

Hollywood Song Award 
Coldplay - 'Atlas' from 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'

Hollywood Costume and Production Design Award
Michael Wilkinson, Judy Becker

Hollywood Movie Award 
'Star Trek Into Darkness

Robert Lewandowski ruined Arsene Wenger's birthday

Robert Lewandowski ruined Arsene Wenger's birthday as the Borussia Dortmund striker's late goal clinched a 2-1 win against Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Arsenal manager Wenger turned 64 on Tuesday but Lewandowski played the party pooper as he netted a 82nd-minute winner at the Emirates Stadium to shatter Arsenal's 100 percent record in Group F and end their 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

The Gunners trailed to Henrikh Mkhitaryan's early strike, but France striker Olivier Giroud equalised before half-time.

However, Poland's Lewandowski had the final word with a typically predatory finish that underlined why he is one of the most coveted strikers in the world.

Dortmund's win lifted them level with Arsenal and Napoli on six points in a three-way tie at the top of the group heading into their return meeting with the Premier League leaders on November 6.

Arsenal had been the dominant force in their previous two group stage wins over Marseille and Napoli, but Dortmund provided a far sterner test and the Gunners failed their exam.

Back in London for the first time since last season's painful Champions League final defeat against Bayern Munich at Wembley, Jurgen Klopp's classy side seized control in the early stages with some fluid passing and a high-tempo pressing game that stopped Arsenal establishing any rhythm.

Dortmund winger Marco Reus went close to opening the scoring with a dipping strike that fizzed just wide from the edge of the area.

With Mathieu Flamini sidelined due to a concussion sustained in Saturday's 4-1 win over Norwich, Wenger had recalled Aaron Ramsey, but the Welsh midfielder's first significant contribution completely unhinged his team.

When Ramsey took possession on the edge of his own area in the 16th minute, he fatally dwelt too long on the ball instead of making a safety-first clearance and was swiftly tackled by Reus.

Lewandowski seized the loose ball and flicked a pass to Mkhitaryan, who took one touch before driving a low strike past Wojciech Szczesny.

To their credit that setback sparked a strong response from Arsenal and they appealed for a penalty when Giroud was cynically tripped by Mats Hummels, but the foul was just outside the area.

Hummels foiled Arsenal again just before half-time when he alertly cleared Tomas Rosicky's goalbound shot off the line, but Arsenal's pressure was soon rewarded with an equaliser.

Ramsey spread play wide to Bacary Sagna and the French defender whipped over a teasing cross from the right.

Neven Subotic got only the slightest of touches as he slid in to clear, but it was enough to distract Roman Weidenfeller, who had come off his line to claim the cross, and the Dortmund keeper allowed the ball to deflect off him into the path of Giroud, leaving him with the simple task of firing into the unguarded net for his seventh goal of the season.

Arsenal remained on top for much of the second half but, with Mesut Ozil relatively subdued in midfield, they lacked the killer pass to break down Dortmund again.

Wenger responded by sending on Santi Cazorla for Jack Wilshere, the England midfielder who looked completely out of sorts in a wide attacking role, and the change almost reaped an instant reward when the Spanish substitute fired a first-time strike onto the crossbar from long-range.

Dortmund were showing signs of losing their cool and Lewandowski escaped with a yellow card after catching Laurent Koscielny with a flailing elbow.

That proved a crucial moment as Lewandowski made the most of his reprieve with eight minutes remaining.

A sweeping Dortmund move exposed Arsenal down the right flank and Kevin Grosskreutz looped over a cross to the far post, where Lewandowski, left unmarked in yards of space, powered a superb volley past the exposed Szczesny.