His side were, at times, a dispirited shambles and, without a dramatic intervention, relegation appears inevitable. There was a minute’s silence for Ron Greenwood, the former West Ham and England manager who died last week, and a parade of his former players to lead out the teams. It has upset West Ham – and certainly seems mystifying – that Greenwood will not be accorded a similar tribute at other grounds.. Nicky Butt, the former England midfielder, last night stormed out of Birmingham City’s Premiership match at West Ham United after a pre-match row with his manager, Steve Bruce. The 31-year-old was believed to be incensed that he had been dropped in favour of Bruce’s inexperienced 21-year-old son, Alex, who is normally a defender but who played in central midfield in the club’s 3-0 defeat.

I’ve been fighting for my place for the last two years, so it’s obvious I want my future to be here. My ambitions are here.”If Chelsea are attempting to add the American Freddie Adu to their ranks, as has been reported, their task was made easier yesterday when Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that Manchester United are not looking to sign the 16-year-old.Adu, who could force his way into the United States World Cup squad this summer, before making a move to one of the major European leagues in time for next season, has been watched by United but Ferguson said that there was no immediate chance of the youngster joining United.”We are not interested in Freddie Adu,” the Scot told MUTV. Johnson knows that will not be easy, but he insists that his main priority lies with the champions.Johnson said: “My priorities are Chelsea I can’t get to England without Chelsea. The manager’s told me that I’m better off now at Chelsea, learning at Chelsea, rather than going out on loan I’m still young and I feel as though I’m learning. Johnson was left out of Mourinho’s side for the defeat at Middlesbrough but could return in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against the League One promotion hopefuls Colchester at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Johnson looked favourite to travel to Germany as cover for Gary Neville at one point but the Charlton Athletic captain Luke Young appears to have usurped him.The 21-year-old needs to establish a consistent run in the first team if he is to have any hope of reaching the finals.

“It was a way of letting me understand he would have preferred me to stay.”Meanwhile, the fringe right-back Glen Johnson has not given up on his hopes of playing for England in the World Cup this summer. I am looking for efficiency.”Mourinho would have preferred the striker to stay at Stamford Bridge instead of playing in the competition and if his injury worsens then Chelsea would have only Hernan Crespo and Carlton Cole as recognised replacements. Eidur Gudjohnsen can adapt to his former role in attack but the Iceland international has been enjoying a spell in the first team as a midfielder.”At first, Mourinho said, ‘You are on holidays, you have to come back perfectly fresh’,” Drogba said. Even for my goal against Nigeria, I didn’t kick the ball as I wanted.