Benitez lined-up for Inter Milan and Hodgson for Juventus as European merry-go-round starts up

Rafa Benitez has emerged as a shock candidate for the Inter Milan manager's post as Europe's top clubs prepare to embark on a summer merry-go-round.

The Italian giant's current boss Jose Mourinho is expected to take over from under-performing Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid lining up summer move to reunite Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho 

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus this season, but it is thought that Inter have now moved to the head of the queue after contacting the Spaniard's representatives this week.

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Judgment day looms for Cesc Fabregas's Barcelona plan

Cesc Fabregas seems likely to request a meeting with Arsene Wenger inthe next fortnight to tell him he wants the leave the club for Barcelona.

Fabregas, 23, had one session with Wenger before the end of the season in which the manager is understood to have discussed the player'sfrustrations with the young squad, who have not won a trophy since 2005.

Though the midfielder would stay if the club had kept pace with Manchester United and Chelsea in recent years, he remains unconvinced about their ability to close the gap next season.

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Scottish FA Cup Final: Ross County 0 Dundee Utd 3: David Goodwillie and Craig Conway break County's heart

This was to have been the day fairytales came true - when littleRoss County would pull off the most spectacular victory ever witnessedin a Scottish Cup final.

But if the Highlanders' heart beat strongly, their only realarmoury was sheer effort and that was never going to be good enough todeny Dundee United their first major trophy for 16 years.

The manager that day was Ivan Golac, a larger than life character well known in English football with Southampton.

United had lost a run of six finals since under Jim McLean, who wasstill so traumatised by his bad fortune that he decided not to jinxcurrent caretaker manager Peter Houston and stayed away fromyesterday's final.

McLean need not have bothered. If United made life tougher forthemselves than they should have, they eventually cruised to whatbecame inevitable victory.

A dreadful error by Michael McGovern set them on the way in the 61stminute. The Ross County goalkeeper, who spent a season at United and isclose to his first senior cap for Northern Ireland, made the crazydecision to rush from his 18-yard line and head a clearance.

CUP FINAL TEAMS

Dundee Utd: Pernis, Kovacevic, Webster, Kenneth, Dillon, Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Conway, Daly, Goodwillie. Subs: Banks, Scott Robertson, Cadamarteri, David Robertson, Watson. Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Boyd, Scott, Morrison, Craig, Vigurs, Keddie, Brittain, Gardyne, Barrowman. Subs: Malin, Di Giacomo, Kettlewell, Lawson, Wood. Referee: Dougie McDonald (Glasgow)

The ball went straight to David Goodwillie, who ran on to drive inthe opener. t was a classic goalkeeping blunder that is certain to bereplayed worldwide, to McGovern's considerable embarrassment.

Craig Conway then ran away from a flailing defender to stroke numbertwo in the 76th minute and capped it with the third, another impeccablefinish 10 minutes later.

And so a glorious run by the team from Dingwall - population 5,000 -was soon over and instead of a tumultuous celebration, their supporterswere left with the consolation of saying thanks for the memories tothose players who had helped them dare to dream.

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Chelsea captain John Terry says Wembley pitch 'ruined' final

John Terry was delighted to complete Chelsea's first Double but he was scathing about the much-maligned Wembley surface. "The pitch ruined the final," he said after his side's 1-0 win against Portsmouth. "It's probably the worst we've played on all year. It was not good enough for a Wembley pitch. The FA have to decide if this is a football pitch or an events stadium."

Terry's complaints come after Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, called the Wembley surface "a disgrace" following his side's semi-final defeat by Portsmouth last month. "For any professional team to have to play football on that is farcical," he said.

The Chelsea manager, though, was milder in his assessment. Carlo Ancelotti said: "In the semi-final it was a different problem, with the players sliding. Now it was different. [It was still] not so good but the players didn't slide."

Ancelotti said Chelsea would celebrate the first League and FA Cup Double of the club's history, sealed by Didier Drogba's second-half free-kick, with "champagne and wine" and then claimed the side needed no additions to win next season's Champions League.

The Italian, who saw his team hit the woodwork five times during the opening half, said: "Chelsea have never won the Champions League. It is one of our aims next season. This team has the quality to win the Champions League."

By winning the Double in his first season the former Milan head coach managed a feat José Mourinho was unable to achieve during his three years in west London. Asked if this made him "Special" Ancelotti smiled. "I am normal," he said. "But this was a fantastic victory. I was happy to work in a fantastic club with a fantastic atmosphere.

"We [will do] nothing special [in celebration]," he added. "I will follow my players and friends. Drink some wine and champagne. It is right to have a celebration, the team did a fantastic season."

Despite being unfavoured, Portsmouth gave Chelsea an uncomfortable afternoon at times, and Ancelotti might have thought his luck had ceased after a series of squandered opportunities. He said: "It's strange to hit the post five times in one half. It never happened in my career that you hit five posts in one half. It was also strange to concede a penalty. That was a key moment," he said of Juliano Belletti's foul on Aruna Dindane. "If Portsmouth went 1-0 up it would have been more difficult for us. [But] I was not worried. The team had control and a lot of chances to score."

Ancelotti had praise for Drogba, who has scored six goals in competitive Wembley appearances. The manager said: "He finished the season how he started. He has scored a lot of goals and played with continuity all the year."

Chelsea's Michael Ballack limped off before half-time and Ancelotti said: "We don't think it is a bad injury. He took a kick on his ankle. We hope he will make the World Cup."

Avram Grant, his opposite number, said he was disappointed about the result, but proud of his team's effort in what has been a trying year. He said: "This was a very difficult season. One I will not forget."

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