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maltatoday, Wednesday, 6 august 2014 20 Sport Napoli close in on Fellaini signing Man Utd defeat rivals Liverpool in Miami showdown Jack Rodwell joins Sunderland in €12 million move Napoli are close to completing a move for Manches- ter United midfielder Marouane Fellaini according to reports on the italian media. The reports say the two clubs are in contact about a potential loan deal for the Belgium international. However, the italian side's boss, Rafa Benitez, was re- luctant to discuss a player who remains on a long-term contract at another club when asked about his interest at a news conference. Fellaini has been mentioned as one of the players lou- is van Gaal might be looking to move on this summer as he begins to reshape his squad after taking charge at old Trafford. The Belgium international had a disappointing first season at United following his switch from Everton 12 months ago and speculation has suggested that Napoli are among the clubs monitoring his situation. Van Gaal has revealed that he is set to speak to those members of his United squad who do not figure in his plans, and Benitez is happy to wait for further develop- ments. asked about Fellaini, the former liverpool boss said: "He's not one of our players, his future does not depend on us, but on Manchester United. "i think about working with the players i have." Javier Mascherano is another player to have been con- nected with a move to Napoli, having played under Be- nitez at liverpool before joining Barcelona in 2010. However, Benitez admits there is no chance of him be- ing able to lure Mascherano away from the Nou Camp. He said: "This (possibility) is closed. i spoke with Javi- er and his agent but luis Enrique has great respect for him and i understood that it was not possible to take him." MaNCHEsTER United ended their Us pre-season tour unbeaten with a 3-1 win over premier league rivals liverpool. liverpool captain steven Ger- rard's penalty gave liverpool the lead, but Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse lingard replied for Unit- ed. More than 50,000 fans were at the sun life stadium, home of the NFl's Miami Dolphins, to see the international Champions Cup fi- nal. "it's nice for the fans in the Usa and also at home that we beat liv- erpool," said new United boss lou- is van Gaal. Midfielder Gerrard slotted home from the spot in the 14th minute after defender phil Jones brought down winger Raheem sterling. liverpool's new signing Rickie lambert made a hash of a chance to add to their lead before half- time, and United proved to be in a much more ruthless mood after the break. England striker Wayne Rooney, who wore the armband on the night, scored the equaliser – and his third goal of the competition – after 55 minutes from a Javier Her- nandez cross. spanish midfielder Juan Mata gave his side the lead just two min- utes later and fellow midfielder lingard rounded off the victory near the end. Rooney was named player of the tournament and his new boss sin- gled out the England striker for special praise, describing him as a "winner". The former Netherlands boss added: "He deserved to be player of the tournament because he scored a lot of goals and gave a lot of as- sists." Despite the defeat, liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased overall with his side, say- ing: "i thought it was an excellent run-out for us. "obviously we're disappointed to lose the game, but it's been a great trip." Rodgers also confirmed Brazilian midfielder philippe Coutinho, 22, had been offered a new deal, add- ing: "He is someone we want to tie up for a period of time." The result means United f lew back home unbeaten on their five- game tour of america and the Red Devils are yet to taste defeat under their new manager. United overcame italian sides Roma and inter Milan in Denver and Washington respectively, be- fore beating Real Madrid in front of a record Us crowd of 109,318 in ann arbor, Michigan. sUNDERlaND signed Manches- ter City midfielder Jack Rodwell for a fee of around €12 million. Yesterday, the 23-year-old Eng- land international was on Wearside for talks and to have a medical with the Black Cats. Rodwell joined City from Ever- ton for €15 million in 2012 but has made only 25 appearances, after struggling with a hamstring injury and falling behind other midfield- ers in the pecking order. sunderland's Uruguayan manager Gus poyet pulled off quite a trans- fer coup as Rodwell had been pur- sued by a queue of premier league rivals. Rodwell – 6ft 2in and with three senior England caps – promises to sat- isfy the sunderland manager's desire for a "box-to-box mid- fielder". although Jordi Gómez has arrived on a free transfer from Wigan this summer, the midfield has been weakened by the de- partures of Jack Col- back, Ki sung-yueng and Craig Gardner. With Fabio Borini – who enjoyed a suc- cessful loan stint at the stadium of light last season, helping sunderland accom- plish a near-mirac- ulous escape from relegation – stalling over his £14m per- manent move from liverpool, poyet had become markedly restless in recent days. The Uruguayan in- creased the pressure on lee Congerton, sunderland's new sporting director, by going public with his impatience last week but it is hoped Rodwell's imminent arrival will encourage Borini to commit himself to return- ing to Wearside. a final answer from the italian striker is expected before the week- end, with liverpool keen for him to sign the agreement reached with sunderland. poyet, meanwhile, is optimistic that argentinian defender santiago Vergini – who also had a successful loan stint at sunderland last term – will shortly agree a permanent transfer from Estudiantes. However, rumours that samuel Eto'o, released by Chelsea in June, is poised to relo- cate to Wearside appear fanciful. FOOTBALL United captain Wayne Rooney celebrates after bringing drawing his side level in Miami Jack Rodwell Marouane Fellaini