Fergie's jet dash to save deal

14 April 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson flew to Oslo today as the row over Nigerian teenager John Obi Mikel took a dramatic new twist.

The Manchester United manager was due to arrive in the Norwegian capital this afternoon after the 18-year-old failed to show for training with his club Lyn Oslo this morning.

Although United beat Chelsea to the signature of Mikel in a £4million deal in April, the Premiership champions remain hopeful they can prise him away from Old Trafford.

Today the player said he was unhappy at the way his move to United had been handled and that he would prefer to join Chelsea.

Mikel fled from Lyn Oslo's cup tie against Klemetsrud last night and there have been unconfirmed reports of a sighting of Mikel and agent John Shittu at Oslo airport this afternoon, with the suggestion the pair were preparing to board a flight to London.

It is the first time Mikel has missed training during his two-year stay in Oslo and club officials are growing increasingly concerned for his safety. He has been under armed guard since receiving death threats earlier in the week.

United are also extremely worried about the welfare of the player and such is their concern that Ferguson decided to fly to Oslo to resolve the situation. United's director of youth football, Jim Ryan, was one of the last people to see Mikel last night and today expressed his worst fears. He said: "I've never experienced any like this before and am very worried for the boy."

Chelsea are monitoring the situation after missing out on a player described by manager Jose Mourinho as "pure gold".

Mikel said: "I don't want to play for Manchester United anymore. I'm not satisfied with the way Lyn have handled this case and I'm angry that they sent the police after me. I find this very degrading."

His agent, John Shittu, added: "John Obi is angry. We're angry at Lyn because the boy has had his 18th birthday and has become a punchbag.

"It's a circus with everyone following our steps. John has taken it personally. How can he play his football in these circumstances?"

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