Let me leave for the Lane

The Socceroos midfielder player broke his silence after he was forced to do an about-turn at the city's airport yesterday.

Carney, once linked with the Owls, was set to board a flight bound for the UK when Sydney got tough over "terms of consent".

They want a cash offer before granting him permission to talk to United.

Carney, who has an extended two-year contract with Sydney, also claimed to be attracting interest from Wigan after unleashing his frustration.

"There are a number of English clubs who want to meet with me," Carney fumed.

"Like any other player, I am really keen to explore those options.

"It has been a bit frustrating the last couple of days. One minute I am going to England for talks, the next minute I am not.

"I'd really like the club to put themselves in my shoes. I don't believe they are doing that."

"I want the opportunity to go and at least see what they have got to offer.

"All I'm asking is a fair deal.

"The club have been great to me, so have the players, (Sydney coach) Branko (Culina) and the fans."

But club chief executive George Perry said that Sydney wouldn't change their stance until they received an offer for Carney.

And Culina poured cold water on United's suitability by insisting: "If David were to get a Premier League club, all well and good.

"But I don't think his style would suit Championship football."

Blades boss Bryan Robson will hope things run more smoothly when he attempts to persuade Everton striker James Beattie to become the club's record signing.

Robson, whose side travel to Rotherham for their latest pre-season friendly tonight, has lodged a 4 million bid for the 29-year-old but acknowledges that convincing Beattie to drop down a division at such a pivotal stage of career could prove a problem.

As well as offering to make him the highest paid and most expensive player in United's history, Robson has prepared a presentation for the former England international which highlights the transformation the Bramall Lane outfit has undergone in recent seasons.

Together with United chairman Terry Robinson, Robson has already opened talks with Beattie's advisors as he seeks to clarify the type of financial package it would take to soften the blow of Championship football.

Beattie, aged 29, is believed to earn around 40,000 a week at Goodison Park. Although United are unlikely to match that figure, money generated from the sales of Claude Davis and Phil Jagielka means Robson can still offer extremely attractive terms.

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Click here to email the sports editor. And Everton are likely to honour part of the remainder of Beattie's contract - he has been deemed surplus to requirements rather than requesting a transfer.

While United wait for Beattie's answer, Robson also remains hopeful that Michael Brown will turn his back on Wigan and accept his invitation to return to the ground where he first rose to prominence.

Former United manager Neil Warnock will work for Setanta during the forthcoming Premiership season.