• Week in Words

'How have Arsenal got Welbeck for £16m?'

Danny Welbeck showed Louis van Gaal what he's capable of with two goals for England against Switzerland © Getty Images

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In the latest edition of ESPN's Week in Words, Gary Neville is dumbfounded over Danny Welbeck, Rio Ferdinand is left in a blur and it's no sweat for Rory McIlroy ...

"The criticisms from the fans are fair. You can't get beat 4-0 - I've had a few of those at the club"
Alan Pardew knows he's under pressure at Newcastle after their 4-0 thumping by Southampton

"I was taken aback. I was sitting there in a blur. It was the last game of the season and I was still in match mode. It was almost in one ear and out the other, and after a little while it hit me what he was saying"
Rio Ferdinand recalls the moment executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told him he had played his last game for Manchester United

"I personally don't think Defoe will come back. I think if he doesn't want to be here, you get rid of him. If you don't want to be here, get the hell out of our way"
Strong words about Jermain Defoe's future from Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns Toronto FC

"It's been, what... three, four weeks since I won the world title? Why? Why this? I've gone from the top of the world to the bottom of the ocean"
A shaken Kell Brook speaks after the horror of being stabbed while on holiday with his young family

"I wasn't going in there. I know how sweaty my pockets are. I'm not going into anyone else's"
After his wayward tee shot landed in a spectator's pocket at the Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy opted to let the man retrieve it himself

"It's sport and sometimes you come across things you can't explain"
Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea in the aftermath of seeing his side lose 39-0 at home to Saracens

"How have Arsenal got him for £16m? I can't work it out. It has helped out a competitor because Arsenal are the team they are fighting for fourth. I am struggling to work out the logic, I can't understand it"
Gary Neville can't figure out why Manchester United sold Danny Welbeck to Arsenal

"Danny Welbeck was here since he was nine. He plays three seasons at Manchester United ... but he doesn't have the record of Van Persie or Rooney. That is the standard but that is why we let him go"
A brutally honest Louis van Gaal explained the sale, however

"They're getting into the sort of last few holes of their careers, and that's what happens"
Not sure Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson will appreciate this comparison, Rory...

"It was by far the worst pitch I have ever played on. I can't describe how bad, bobbly and hard the pitch was to deal with"
Yep, it sure looked like you struggled against Andorra, Gareth Bale. Or should that be "two-goal hero Gareth Bale"?

"I've been like Dracula since I've been here - sleeping all day - so I hope I am a bit fresher for the next one"
Alan McManus didn't deal with the jetlag too well but it didn't seem to affect him in his 5-3 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Shanghai Masters

"I felt like I was doing them a favour, that it was good for them and for me"
Leaving Barcelona was right thing to do then, Cesc Fabregas

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