Balotelli myths busted, plus Scholes' new boots and King Kenny's Inspector Clouseau impression
By 3pm
Published 22:02 15/01/12
If you thought all those stories about Mario Balotelli were too good to be true… you’re right, according to the man himself.
The Manchester City striker turned up to an afterparty the other night and a source writes: “I asked him about the stories knocking around: he loves them and wants to live up to it. He insisted that the ‘rescuing the school kid from bullying’ story never happened, but giving a tramp a grand outside 235 Casino did.
“High-fiving City fans on Deansgate didn't happen and neither did him driving around in Santa costume giving out money on Christmas Eve."
Shame.
The Madness of Mario: Top 10 bonkers Balotelli moments
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How much of a surprise was Paul Scholes’ return for Manchester United in last Sunday’s controversial derby?
The Ginger Ninja only made his mind up to come out of retirement on the previous Thursday, then realised he’d given away his old boots and that the scruffy ones he’d been using while working with United’s kids wouldn’t be fit for purpose.
Did he immediately phone Nike or adidas to sort out a few free pairs and a lucrative sponsorship deal?
No – he headed to JJB Sports and bought a pair of ‘match fit’ boots. For £40.
***
Having failed to unlock stubborn Stoke on Saturday, Kenny Dalglish had more of the same after completing his post-match press conference.
The great man got up and attempted to open the Anfield press room’s door but found it stuck. There followed around 30 seconds of increasingly frantic Clouseauesque twiddling with the knob before Liverpool’s female press assistant strolled over, turned the handle the right way and opened it straight away. She then walked away without saying a word…
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Red card for Jeff Winter's blog, plus Aidy Boothroyd's uncanny impression of Gary Johnson
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