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Don't blow it against Chelsea, warns Sir Alex
Sir Alex Ferguson has piled the pressure on his own players by urging them not to miss their chance to pull away from Chelsea in the Premiership title race.
Leaders Manchester United face champions Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday and would be six points ahead of their London rivals if Ferguson can get the better of Jose Mourinho for only the second time in nine attempts.
Ferguson said: "It's a great opportunity for us and it is up to us to make sure that it doesn't pass us by. In the last two years Chelsea have got themselves into a fantastic position of being nine or 10 points ahead of us and it's been very difficult to get back.
"We did our best last season in terms of a late run, but not quickly enough. We've been quick out of the blocks this time and for the first time we're in front. Now we have the prospect of going six points clear and them chasing us rather than us chasing them."
One distraction Ferguson could have done without was Wayne Rooney's appearance at a Manchester police station to answer questions about an alleged brawl outside a nightclub.
The 21-year-old was interviewed by officers investigating claims that a photographer was assaulted outside Panacea in Manchester city centre on October 15. He was questioned under caution but not arrested.
United expect to be at full strength on Sunday after defender Rio Ferdinand made good progress towards recovering from a knock he took in the Champions League defeat against Celtic on Tuesday night.
Ferguson has told his players to concentrate on the match and ignore the hype, but could not resist a mild dig at Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon's suggestion this week that the London club are on their way to toppling United as the world's biggest football name.
Ferguson said: "It was a nice time for him to bring that out. We're going to quake and tremble at that. What I do know is we've got a rich history and I don't think anyone can deny that."
Having witnessed Celtic's remarkable support on Tuesday at Parkhead, Ferguson is hoping for a similar input from his own club's supporters on Sunday.
"My only concern is that we have 76,000 people in that stadium and they had better shout," he added. "We have fantastic support and when they're really fired up, they are the best."
John Terry is expected to play alongside Ricardo Carvalho in Chelsea's defence after hearing that his mother's health is improving following a heart attack on Thursday.
Kenyon has confirmed Chelsea would be willing to consider an offer from West Ham for unsettled winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, but want to recoup a fair slice of the £21million they paid Manchester City for him in 2005. West Ham are thought to be prepared to pay £10m.
United can inflict lasting wound
Whether or not Chelsea succeed in their stated aim of overtaking Manchester United off the pitch as the biggest club in the world, they managed to eclipse them on the field the moment Roman Abramovich took control of Stamford Bridge on a day, heavy with symbolism, that also saw David Beckham leave Old Trafford.
Abramovich must have thought that United, who had just wrestled back the Premiership title from Arsenal and made more money than any other club on the planet, were his greatest threat.
Instead, the challenge to the new order was led by Arsene Wenger's thinly resourced but wondrously talented Arsenal side, while United picked up a couple of domestic cups as consolations.
Only in January, after their humiliation in the Champions League by Benfica sobered up the club from top to bottom, did United look like the challenge to Abramovich they ought to have been. Tomorrow, they meet at Old Trafford with United capable of inflicting a lasting wound on the champions.
"In the last two years Chelsea have been in a fantastic position, nine and 10 points ahead of us," the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said yesterday. "We did our best last season in terms of coming in with a late run but we were not quick enough out of the box at the start of the season. This time we are in front and have the prospect of going six points clear and have them chase us." When asked how Chelsea might respond to that, his face split into a wry grin. "Well, they might go out and buy six players."
That might cause Jose Mourinho more problems than it solves. Chelsea may be a less fluent force this season because Mourinho is attempting to shoehorn Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko into an already successful unit and Ferguson reiterated his belief that this season their priority had to be the European Cup rather than a third Premiership title.
United's squad is rather weaker and is unlikely to be significantly strengthened in the January transfer window. There is an acceptance at Old Trafford that they are unlikely to land either of their principal targets, Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich and Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid. And although Ferguson's first XI is man for man as talented as anything Mourinho can field on a football pitch and is playing rather better, they cannot afford major injuries.
This season United have faltered at Crewe, Southend and Copenhagen. In all these matches Ferguson put his trust in his reserve players and found them wanting. Tuesday night's defeat at Parkhead was, however, inflicted on a virtually full-strength side.
"When you lose a game, you sometimes need to go into the dressing room and address some things," Ferguson said. "I didn't have to do that this time because we played exceptionally well.
"What they did was forget they were playing in a competition against an opponent. They started to enjoy it, relax, controlled the match and lost it. What can you say in that situation?"
Nevertheless, given their reliance on Louis Saha, comments by the Celtic captain, Neil Lennon, that Gary Neville had confided in him that the Frenchman's "head had gone" would have been disturbing. "I don't give much credence to Lennon's comments," said Ferguson. "The Celtic players were high on adrenalin and got carried away."
Head-to-head battles
Michael Carrick v Frank Lampard
Still to properly show his Tottenham form for United, Carrick needs a good game against his England team-mate. As a holding midfielder, he must keep an eye out for his opponent's clever runs before trying to set the tempo when he gets the ball himself. Suspended for the Champions League defeat to Werder Bremen, Lampard should be full of running from the word go. Interesting to see if Sir Alex Ferguson bolsters that area to avoid getting over-run.
Nemanja Vidic v Didier Drogba
Sore ankle permitting, Drogba is central to Chelsea's attacking threat. If the muscular forward is on song, Vidic will need every ounce of his undoubted fighting qualities to combat his man. Rio Ferdinand, of course, must play his part too. Their ever-improving partnership doesn't leak many goals. For Vidic, however, this is fairly new territory. He'll certainly be hoping things go better than his only other experience of Chelsea, last April's 3-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge.
Cristiano Ronaldo v Ashley Cole
Always a cracking contest, this, dating back to the night when England's left-back stood up magnificently to the threat posed by Portugal's flying winger at Euro 2004. Ronaldo is in great form, showing more consistency for United than ever before, and will be keen to come out on top in this thoroughbred duel. Yet if Cole can repeat his Lisbon heroics he will go a long way towards helping Chelsea avoid defeat.
Saha in spot kick vow
Louis Saha insists he will have no problems taking a penalty for Manchester United against Chelsea.
The striker is still coming to terms with his last minute miss from the spot in United's UEFA Champions League defeat to Celtic in midweek.
Reports have suggested Cristiano Ronaldo will assume penalty-taking duties in the future, but Saha is ready to step up to the plate on Sunday if required.
"If there is a penalty against Chelsea I will take it if that is what the coach wants," Saha told The People.
"I will have absolutely no problem with that."
Saha is also eager to score against the champions, live on Sky Sports 1, to help erase the pain of his miss against Celtic.
He also wants to show Gary Neville that he can rise to the big occasion after the United captain allegedly predicted he would not score his penalty.
"The penalty in Glasgow will take a long time to get out of my system, but I want to help wipe it out of my mind by scoring against Chelsea," continued Saha.
"It won't be the same, but it will be me vindicating myself after what happened in midweek.
"My mission is to score goals. If I fail then it's sad for the team, but I'm not a nutter.
"If I score today I will dedicate it to the supporters and to Gary, but not in a bad way as though I have something against him.
"At United we are all together and I want to interpret what he said as a way of encouraging me.
"We all make mistakes. Sometimes the strikers don't score goals and sometimes the defenders don't mark players the way they should do - that's football."
Wayne commits himself for another four years
The Observer:
Wayne Rooney has agreed a new £100,000-a-week contract with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012. The England striker still has four years to run on his present contract, but had no hesitation signing a two-year extension with a significant pay rise to put him among the club's top earners.
'I have been looking to sign a new contract for a while now and it's great for me and the club to get it over with,' said Rooney. 'I've loved my time here, all the fans, the players and the staff have made me feel welcome from day one, and obviously the manager played a big part in my decision too. He is the best manager of all time and I'm looking for a lot more trophies. Hopefully we can win the league this season and kick on from there.'
By the year 2012 Rooney will not be so much of a boy any more, but Ryan Giggs, a player who celebrates 20 years with United next year, agreed continuity was important. 'It's great news because Wayne is the kind of player you build a team around,' Giggs said. 'He is such a special talent. Wayne and Cristiano Ronaldo are the kind of players who are going to be the future of Manchester United for the next five or six years.'
Sunday Times:
Manchester United have given themselves the greatest fillip imaginable before today’s showdown with Chelsea by announcing that Wayne Rooney has extended his contract and will remain at Old Trafford for at least six more years.
Rooney’s new deal will expire in 2012, by which time he will be almost 27, guaranteeing United the services of England’s greatest talent through to his peak years. The value of the striker is reflected in the financial terms of the contract, which is thought to be the most lucrative in United’s history and will make Rooney Britain’s richest player, apart from David Beckham.
"We are building a new team and we want our best players like Wayne, who, without question, is going to be one of the best players in the world if he isn’t at the moment. We are going to get the best years of the boy, there is no question," said Sir Alex Ferguson. "He is improving all the time. Cristiano (Ronaldo) signed a new contract last year and we see him and Wayne emerging as the best players in the world. They have their finest years in front of them."
Rooney said: "It’s something I have always wanted. There is so much that I want to achieve here, hopefully starting with the Premiership this season. The manager has played a big part in me wanting to agree a new deal. He is the best manager of all time." Ferguson will hope the feelgood factor will give his side the edge in this afternoon’s league meeting with Jose Mourinho’s men.
It is believed Rooney will increase his wages from £55,000 to around £100,000 a week, making the deal worth more than £30m in salary alone. With bonuses and commercial deals, he could earn £10m a year.
Sunday Telegraph:
As his manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We're going to get the best years of the boy, there is no doubt about that. Our chief executive David Gill has been working on this with Wayne's agent for some weeks."
The deal also closes the door on any ambitions Chelsea might have harboured of stealing Rooney, the jewel in England's crown, in the next few years. They were in for him before United signed him two years ago but he explained: "I really didn't fancy going to live in London. I wanted to stay close to home. Once I knew United were interested, there was only one place I was going." Rooney said last night: "Obviously I'm delighted to sign an extension to my contract. I have loved every minute of my time here and had no hesitation in signing. I'm looking to achieve a lot and want to win trophies. Hopefully, we can win the league this year and then kick on from there."
Then, in a tribute to Ferguson, he added: "The manager played a big part in my decision. He is the best manager of all time." The news of the contract came also, as Labour spin doctors would have realised, on a good day to bury bad news after Rooney was interviewed by police over allegations that he was involved in a brawl outside a Manchester night club.
Mail on Sunday:
Wayne Rooney will earn up to £100 million over the next six years after signing a new contract with Manchester United which makes him the highest-paid player in British football history.
Rooney, 21, last night put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012 and add £36m to his bank balance in salary alone.
Add to that his earnings from commercial endorsements, image rights and bonuses for United and England, and Rooney's income over the life of his new contract will hit the £100m mark.
He said: "I'm delighted. I've loved my time here and didn't have any hesitation signing."
News of Rooney's bumper deal will give United fans a massive boost ahead of today's crucial Premiership showdown with Chelsea, especially after the claim by the champions' chief executive, Peter Kenyon, that his club wanted to surpass United as the biggest in the world.
Castrol
27-11-2006, 10:29 AM
Whether or not Chelsea succeed in their stated aim of overtaking Manchester United off the pitch as the biggest club in the world, they managed to eclipse them on the field the moment Roman Abramovich took control of Stamford Bridge on a day, heavy with symbolism, that also saw David Beckham leave Old Trafford.
even if chelsea become the biggest club in the world, i am sure they will also be the one with the biggest debts. they keep buying at big big prices and selling small. next special offer is swp, bought 21m, but going for? and 30m for an ageing shev... dont need a rocket scientist to figure out the ROI. :D
Castrol
27-11-2006, 10:53 AM
Wayne Rooney has agreed a new £100,000-a-week contract with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.
i'm sure rooney's friends wont have to pay for anything in the pubs from now on. :D
Castrol
27-11-2006, 10:54 AM
Wayne Rooney has agreed a new £100,000-a-week contract with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.
i'm sure rooney's friends wont have to pay for anything in the pubs from now on. :D
United find striker option
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have uncovered an option for a new striker during January's transfer window.
Sources in Sweden and Italy claim United will test Internazionale's resolve to hang onto Goran Slavkovski.
Dubbed 'The new Zoran Ibrahimovic', the 17-year-old is Inter's youngest-ever player at Serie A level and has a number of international countries chasing his services due to his Balkan background.
Ferguson is desperate to add a new forward to his squad, a point highlighted by John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher being the only viable alternatives to injured duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
Alan Smith has yet to get back to his best after injury, and would have left on loan but for rejecting the opportunity, and Giuseppe Rossi was surprisingly farmed out to Newcastle United.
Although Rossi is likely to return to Old Trafford in the New Year and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be available again soon, United remain short of attackers and Slavkovski is believed to be one of the names on Ferguson's hit-list.
even if chelsea become the biggest club in the world, i am sure they will also be the one with the biggest debts. they keep buying at big big prices and selling small. next special offer is swp, bought 21m, but going for? and 30m for an ageing shev... dont need a rocket scientist to figure out the ROI. :D
How can Chelsea be the biggest club in the world when they have yet to beat Newcastle in terms of fan support or Spurs for trophies won? Talk about counting chickens before they hatch....
Chelsea are already the biggest club in the world for squad value. :rolleyes: With the Russian's backing they can go into debt overdrive.
i'm sure rooney's friends wont have to pay for anything in the pubs from now on. :D
As long as Rooney drinks sky juice or OJ when he is out clubbing with his friends, I'm sure Sir Alex is most willing to pick the tabs too. :D
Castrol
29-11-2006, 11:03 AM
Chelsea are already the biggest club in the world for squad value. :rolleyes: With the Russian's backing they can go into debt overdrive.
i think they are also "enjoying" the biggest weekly wage bill in the whole wide world of soccer. if lampard's spanish gf tell the reporters she wants him to live with her in barcelona, chelsea will surely renew his contract again, maybe for 200k pounds/week. thats business as usual for roman. :D
i'm sure rooney's friends wont have to pay for anything in the pubs from now on....
Not if he continues hanging out with England team mates Lampard, Terry and Owen.... If he does he'll need his friends to buy him the drinks at pubs... :p
i think they are also "enjoying" the biggest weekly wage bill in the whole wide world of soccer.... thats business as usual for roman...
Yes, seeing the oil prices as they are and the likelihood of a price drop as good as me winning the euro millions, Chelsea can continue to buy high sell low for the next decade at least.
Silvestre admits Spain fancy
Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has revealed that he would like to play in La Liga at some stage of his career.
The Frenchman has been used sparingly this term by Sir Alex Ferguson after losing his place to Nemanja Vidic.
Although the 29-year-old is happy at Old Trafford, he could emerge as a target for other clubs next year - but has no intention of returning to France.
When quizzed on whether he would ever consider leaving United, he told Foot Interviews: "Sure, why not? What's certain is that, for the moment, I am excluding any possibility of a return to France - even if you should never say never.
"It's not because I don't love my country, but simply because I know the league too well.
"Personally, I would like to discover a new style of play.
"I've done Italy in the colours of Inter, England in the jersey of the Red Devils. All that's left for me is Spain."
Silvestre has paid tribute to Louis Saha, Sunday's goalscorer against Chelsea, for helping compensate for the loss of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The prolific Dutchman was off-loaded to Real Madrid after a fall-out with Ferguson but Saha has stepped into the breach effectively.
"Fortunately, we have 'Little Louis'," he replied when asked about Van Nistelrooy's departure. "At the end of last season, he already succeeded in relegating Ruud to the bench.
"This season, he has confirmed [this decision]. He brings us an enormous amount - starting with goals."
The Red Devils stopper also had words of criticism for West Ham's Lee Bowyer, whom he describes as his worst opponent.
"The worst? That's Lee Bowyer," he stated.
"He, on the pitch, is really a poor type. He gives you cheap shots from behind.
"He really has a dirty mentality. That's typically the type of player I hate."
Moyes' battle with Rooney spices Everton's visit
David Moyes has insisted Manchester United boast the quality to reclaim the Premiership title this season, though his side's visit to Old Trafford tonight is overshadowed by a first confrontation with Wayne Rooney since the Everton manager launched legal proceedings against his former protégé over allegations made in the England forward's autobiography.
Moyes instructed his lawyer Mel Goldberg, chairman of the British Association for Sport and Law, to sue the 21-year-old, his ghostwriter Hunter Davies and HarperCollins, the publishers of Wayne Rooney - My Story So Far, this month. The Scot felt his reputation was damaged by allegations that he had leaked details of a private conversation with Rooney to the Liverpool Echo just before Rooney's £27m move to United in 2004.
He is also aggrieved at claims in the book that he was responsible for forcing Rooney out of Goodison Park, arguing to the contrary that Everton were willing to make him the highest-paid player in their history. Rooney's management and legal advisers have insisted their client stands by his comments, with the row now apparently destined for the High Court and relations between Moyes and the player he nurtured so keenly as a 16-year-old prodigy now damaged beyond repair.
Moyes would not answer questions on Rooney yesterday but, while their squabble is an unnerving sub-plot tonight, the manager was more forthcoming about Sir Alex Ferguson. He attended Sunday's draw with Chelsea and, with United three points clear at the top, said Ferguson boasts the pedigree in his squad to reclaim the title.
"What United have done is show it's going to be a really tight championship battle," said Moyes. "There was nothing between the two teams on Sunday. When you've been at a club 20 years like Sir Alex, you're going to have times when you have to change the team and build a new one. But now they are a really good team. It's a real tight call to pick between them and Chelsea . . . but United can do it."
United may rely on Rooney playing as a lone striker tonight with Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo both facing fitness tests and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hamstrung. Everton have not won at Old Trafford since 1992, despite drawing on their last two visits, and Moyes has his own injury concerns with Everton's leading scorers, Andrew Johnson and Tim Cahill, out and Tim Howard, on loan from United, ineligible.
"We don't go there with fear," he added. "We understand how good the quality of the opposition is. Yet this is a game I've been looking forward to for a long time. We've had a couple of draws and I'm looking forward to getting my first win there."
[B]...."The worst? That's Lee Bowyer," he stated.
"He, on the pitch, is really a poor type. He gives you cheap shots from behind.
"He really has a dirty mentality. That's typically the type of player I hate."
Add to that list, Michael Ballack.
Lost all respect for him after seeing his dirty moves from behind on sunday. And he acts like it was his right to employ those tactics when penalised for fouls. Someone should tell him that WW2 ended about 60 years ago and ze Germans are no longer fighting Allied forces.
United Linked With Defoe Swoop
Tue 28 Nov, 8:09 AM
Manchester United are plotting a £12million bid for Tottenham frontman Jermain Defoe in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.
With Giuseppe Rossi out on loan, Alan Smith well short of match fitness and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer injured, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears a striker shortage could derail his side's Premiership title bid.
Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha have formed a powerful partnership up front so far this season but with the latter notoriously prone to injuries, strength in depth is vital if United are to prevent Chelsea from wrapping up a title hat-trick.
Ferguson was first interested in signing Defoe when he was leaving West Ham in January 2004, however the Scot decided to sign Saha from Fulham and the England striker, now 24, joined Spurs for £7million.
But the Mirror now claims he has rocketed back to the top of Ferguson's wanted list, ahead of the likes of Fernando Torres, Darren Bent and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
curiosityz
29-11-2006, 03:17 PM
in the first place, i really don't know why man utd lets rossi went to newcastle. to gain explosure? but in newcastle, most of the time he is playing as sub...:rolleyes:
in the first place, i really don't know why man utd lets rossi went to newcastle. to gain explosure? but in newcastle, most of the time he is playing as sub...
At MU he wasn't even playing as a sub. Mostly only league cup matches. Some appearances is better than no appearances I guess.
Castrol
29-11-2006, 04:25 PM
United Linked With Defoe Swoop
Tue 28 Nov, 8:09 AM
Manchester United are plotting a £12million bid for Tottenham frontman Jermain Defoe in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.
the last time man utd signed a spurs striker, they went on to win the champions league. :D
in the first place, i really don't know why man utd lets rossi went to newcastle. to gain explosure? but in newcastle, most of the time he is playing as sub...:rolleyes:
It was Rossi that wanted to go on loan when he found out he will be behind Solskjaer in the pecking order. Man Utd thought Newcastle will suit Rossi because they play in front of big crowds for their home games and their fans expectations and pressure will help in Rossi's future development.
But Roeder is one of the worst managers in England.
At MU he wasn't even playing as a sub. Mostly only league cup matches. Some appearances is better than no appearances I guess.
It is true that Rossi may not get many appearances if he stayed at Man Utd. But he would definitely get more appearances if he stayed with Man Utd.
Roeder is not giving Rossi enough chances to help Newcastle.
Add to that list, Michael Ballack.
Lost all respect for him after seeing his dirty moves from behind on sunday. And he acts like it was his right to employ those tactics when penalised for fouls. Someone should tell him that WW2 ended about 60 years ago and ze Germans are no longer fighting Allied forces.
:D :D
What to do? He is now playing for Chelsea.
United to use Silvestre in Torres bid
MIKAEL Silvestre could be a tasty sweetener in a United swoop for Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres.
The Reds' lack of depth in the striker department is a concern at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson only has Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney fit and the Frenchman picked up a knock against Chelsea on Sunday which has had the Reds sweating over his place against Everton.
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Ole Solskjaer and Alan Smith are not 100 per cent and Giuseppe Rossi is on loan at Newcastle. Even when the American returns in the New Year, it is unlikely he'll be up to speed as his St James' Park first-team experience has been limited.
If United see off Benfica at Old Trafford next Wednesday to make the Champions League knockout stages, the attack will need strengthening to sustain a Euro and Premiership title challenge.
Torres, part of Spain's attack at last summer's World Cup, is among the candidates and isn't cup-tied in the Champions League, as Atletico did not qualify for Europe this season. Spurs striker Jermain Defoe and Charlton's Darren Bent have been linked with a move north, but Torres could be the top priority.
Reluctant
Atletico have been reluctant to sell and want around £25m, but the possibility of Silvestre being involved in the deal could be tempting for the Spanish outfit and the out-of-favour defender.
The Frenchman has slipped down the pecking order at United since Nemanja Vidic established himself as Rio Ferdinand's defensive partner, and Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze have been contesting the left-back role. Since returning from injury in October, his only starts have come when United boss Fergie has played his fringe XI in Copenhagen and in Carling Cup ties at Crewe and Southend.
Last January, despite the £12m arrival of Vidic and Evra, Silvestre turned down a move to Gerard Houllier's Lyon and vowed instead to fight back at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old successfully did that and earned himself a new contract in August that can tie him to the club until 2009.
But since putting pen to paper, his United standing has declined.
A January move to La Liga would interest Silvestre even though he remains up for the challenge at United.
He said: "I would like to discover a new style of play. I've done Italy in the colours of Inter, England in the United jersey - all that's left for me is Spain."
29/11/2006 12:23, Report by Steve Bartram
Transfer Rumours: Nov 2006
Charlton Athletic are set to offer star striker Darren Bent a new contract to ward off the alleged interest of United.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with a host of players when the January transfer window opens, with Bent the most surpising name on a long list.
Owen Hargreaves and Fernando Torres continue to be tipped for big-money moves to Old Trafford in the new year, with Torres' availability in Europe a major plus-point.
Jermaine Defoe is another player whose name has resurfaced as the tabloids continue to second guess which players Sir Alex Ferguson's scouts have identified as targets.
As well as the usual suspects, however, a string of teenage talents have allegedly been watched as United continue to covet the best young players around.
The tabloids claim Scottish midfielder Jamie McCarthy (16) is already a first-team regular at Hamilton Academicals, and is being watched by every top club either side of the border, with United particularly interested.
Norwegian defender Harvard Nordveit (16), Southampton's Gareth Bale (17) and Argentine attacking midfielder Gonzalo Higuain (19) have all supposedly been watched by Reds scouts.
Thanks to Bro imom for his contributions.
If any bros have newspapers acticles they are welcome to contribute.
Cheers :)
Fergie: Drogba should have seen red
UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Didier Drogba should have received a red card for his aerial challenge on Nemanja Vidic in the Barclays Premiership clash at Old Trafford.
Although Ferguson did not mention Drogba by name, it is clear he was referring to the Chelsea striker.
"The concern for us was that the player got only a yellow card for use for the elbow when it could have caused a serious injury," Ferguson is reported as saying in this morning`s papers.
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"Vidic got an elbow into his jaw, and that`s a concern. It could have been a serious one.
"We thought it was fractured and we sent him for a scan. Fortunately it is not - but he is still very very tender, so we had to leave him out (against Everton in midweek)."
United are optimistic that Vidic will return against Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium.
Larsson Joins Manchester United
HENRIK Larsson faced a bigger challenge going back to Helsingborg than the one in front of him at Manchester United.
That is the view of the Swedish club's coach, Stuart Baxter, following the former Celtic striker's loan move to Old Trafford.
Baxter said: "It is easier going to United than coming back to your home town where everyone expects you to work miracles on a daily basis.
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"It is a lot easier to play when you are one good player among so many good players."
Larsson made a huge impact when he returned to Helsingborg after leaving Champions League winners Barcelona.
With his experience, they lifted the Swedish Cup and finished a creditable fourth in the league.
Baxter said: "Henrik came back here because he loves playing football. He did not want to sit on the bench.
"I do not think he is a centimetre slower than he was in the Champions League final.
"Henrik is in excellent physical condition and as fit as a fiddle. He works hard with me and still does a bit of training on his own. He is a great professional."
Contact
The move came about when Baxter was contacted by United's chief scout Jim Lawlor.
The two men had worked together when Baxter was in charge of the South Africa national side.
Baxter explained: "Jim called me and asked me if Henrik might fancy a temporary move to United.
"I told him he had turned down an extension to his contract at Barcelona and at least one move to the Premiership because he wanted to go home.
"But I said that maybe the move might be on as going to United for a short spell would not change any long-terms plans Henrik had for himself and his family.
"I said I would ask him and if he wanted to do it, I would speak to the club.
"Henrik took a couple of days to think things over then said okay. It went from there pretty quickly."
Baxter, who is due to meet United manager Sir Alex Ferguson later this month for a debrief, expects Larsson to be a success in his first spell in England.
He said: "A lot of people here think he will be burnt out but I do not see any negatives in this move.
"If you are doing something you are inspired by, you do not feel burnt out.
"I expect him to be a useful addition to the United squad - I think he will more than back up - and to come back firing on all cylinders."
Baxter believes the move will remain short-term and that his talisman will return.
He said: "Henrik's personal plans, as far as I know, include him being in Sweden.
"Certainly we see him as an important part of our restructuring plans.
"It suits everyone at the moment for the deal to be temporary."
Fergie bemoans Rossi plight
Giuseppe Rossi will return to Manchester United in January, with Sir Alex Ferguson unhappy with the number of games the striker has played at Newcastle United.
Ferguson loaned the youngster to The Magpies in the expectation he would accrue valuable Premiership experience.
But Rossi has started just two league games, and appeared as a substitute four times, much to Ferguson's frustration.
With United short of attacking options at present, Ferguson suggested Rossi would have been better served staying at Old Trafford.
"Giuseppe will come back to us because he is just not getting enough football at Newcastle," said Ferguson.
"The understanding we had with them was that he would play more games.
"Every manager is subject to their own opinions on players, so I don't want to say too much about that.
"But we could have done with him here, so he might as well come back to us."
Ferguson has already agreed a deal to bring Henrik Larsson to the club in the New Year, but is still mulling over another bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
He added: "I don't know what the situation is.
"I have read some things about his injury, but you never usually get the full story that way.
"Besides, I don't want to upset those poor Germans. They are very fragile."
asiancigar
03-12-2006, 08:38 AM
Personally, i have always liked Henrik Larsson's playing style..... he is lethal and can turn a game around in a blink of an eye.
Hopefully Sweden has not dulled his instincts....
Great move by SAF.
With Rossi back, we'd not be short of firepower up-front.... fabulous news
Cheerz
asiancigar
mike2006
03-12-2006, 10:13 AM
Finally glory days are ahead, Treble in sight! Hope next time i visit old traford museum got a new set or treble trophies to take photos.
SIR ALEX READY FOR THE CHALLENGE
Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected Jose Mourinho’s comments that the race for the title had swung in favour of the London club.
The Reds now sit six points clear of their nearest rivals after a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.
"Jose can make his comments and predictions," Ferguson told MUTV. "Why should I worry about what he is saying? We have all the answers, we are doing it on the pitch. All I know is our form has been terrific and we were a better team than Chelsea last week."
Although Ferguson's squad could be regarded as weaker compared with the riches Mourinho has at his disposal, the Scot has started to address the problem by announcing the arrival of Henrik Larsson on a short-term loan from January 1.
Ferguson is confident his team will still be top when the Swede arrives.
"I hear all this nonsense about who is going to be top.On January 1, we will all know where we stand in terms of winning the league. The spirit in the place is fantastic. We are playing great football and we are defending better than we have in my entire time at this club.
"We will still be at the top when Henrik comes , don't worry about that."
Off-balance Cristiano Ronaldo committed no crime
By Alan Hansen
Amid the furore that surrounded Manchester United's penalty at the Riverside Stadium, my sympathies were with Cristiano Ronaldo.
From the moment he pushed the ball past Mark Schwarzer he was in a position of total threat. True, Ronaldo was looking for the Middlesbrough keeper to hit him, and he would not have been the first centre forward in the last 30 years to have done that. There is a thin dividing line between looking for someone to hit you and diving but although Schwarzer was starting to take his hand away, Ronaldo was already off balance because of the goalkeeper's approach. Under the laws that a centre forward lives by, he was guilty of no crime. The only hope Schwarzer had was that the referee or his assistant would have spotted the absence of any contact.
There does not have to be contact for a penalty to be given. On the opening day of the season at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan went to tackle Steven Gerrard and as the Liverpool captain acted instinctively to get out of the way of a late challenge, he fell to the floor. Was there contact? No. Was it a penalty? Yes.
As a penalty the incident at the Riverside was a far more reasonable award than the one Graham Poll gave Arsenal after Pascal Chimbonda's challenge in the north London derby. From where he was, Poll could not possibly have seen if contact was made.
There is no doubt that a referee's task has been made considerably more difficult since the first wave of foreign players began arriving in the Premiership. When I began playing in the European Cup in my first season at Liverpool in 1977, I was told to never go near a centre forward inside the box.
But if you had to nominate a moment when diving began to get seriously out of control, it would be the 1994 World Cup, and with the rewards for success and the penalties for failure growing steadily in the Premiership, it has become almost accepted as a legitimate way to win.
No manager is going to complain if his side win a penalty with a dive. They will intervene if he gets a reputation for going down too easily, as Andy Johnson has done at Everton. Then, they are likely to take the player to one side and say they are not getting penalties simply because he is looked on, whether unfairly on not, as a diver.
Managers will intervene for the good of their club or the good of the individual. This is 2006. Football managers stopped thinking about the good of the game some time around 1956. I would love to see that kind of attitude come back into football but I am a realist. It would be touching to think that the players and the managers would take responsibility and stamp it out from within the dressing room. But I am laughing almost as I think about it. They will cling on to the familiar view that these things even themselves out over the course of a season.
When Arsene Wenger was likening the Premiership's refusal to sanction video replays as continuing to light a football stadium with torches, he was pursuing a familiar argument but one I cannot accept. You can see a replay nine or 10 times and still not be convinced whether it is a foul or not – and you would have the same quandary if you insisted that diving was punishable by a red card.
How long are you going to stop a match and how will it affect a product which has just signed a foreign rights television deal for £500 million largely because the speed of the game makes it so distinctive from any other European league?
It was not just the win on Teesside that would have buoyed Manchester United. Henrik Larsson is not going to win the championship for Sir Alex Ferguson – he is available for only seven Premiership matches – but he can certainly be a big help to them.
He may be 35 but Larsson is supremely fit and he will always be a natural predator who, as we have seen for Barcelona in the European Cup final, is adept at coming off the bench and changing games.
Manchester United may not be able to match the quality and depth of Chelsea's squad but they are now six points ahead and the signing of Larsson, if only for three months, will step up the pressure by another notch.
Off-balance striker committed no crime
By Alan Hansen
Amid the furore that surrounded Manchester United's penalty at the Riverside Stadium, my sympathies were with Cristiano Ronaldo.
From the moment he pushed the ball past Mark Schwarzer he was in a position of total threat. True, Ronaldo was looking for the Middlesbrough keeper to hit him, and he would not have been the first centre forward in the last 30 years to have done that. There is a thin dividing line between looking for someone to hit you and diving but although Schwarzer was starting to take his hand away, Ronaldo was already off balance because of the goalkeeper's approach. Under the laws that a centre forward lives by, he was guilty of no crime. The only hope Schwarzer had was that the referee or his assistant would have spotted the absence of any contact.
There does not have to be contact for a penalty to be given. On the opening day of the season at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan went to tackle Steven Gerrard and as the Liverpool captain acted instinctively to get out of the way of a late challenge, he fell to the floor. Was there contact? No. Was it a penalty? Yes.
As a penalty the incident at the Riverside was a far more reasonable award than the one Graham Poll gave Arsenal after Pascal Chimbonda's challenge in the north London derby. From where he was, Poll could not possibly have seen if contact was made.
There is no doubt that a referee's task has been made considerably more difficult since the first wave of foreign players began arriving in the Premiership. When I began playing in the European Cup in my first season at Liverpool in 1977, I was told to never go near a centre forward inside the box.
But if you had to nominate a moment when diving began to get seriously out of control, it would be the 1994 World Cup, and with the rewards for success and the penalties for failure growing steadily in the Premiership, it has become almost accepted as a legitimate way to win.
No manager is going to complain if his side win a penalty with a dive. They will intervene if he gets a reputation for going down too easily, as Andy Johnson has done at Everton. Then, they are likely to take the player to one side and say they are not getting penalties simply because he is looked on, whether unfairly on not, as a diver.
Managers will intervene for the good of their club or the good of the individual. This is 2006. Football managers stopped thinking about the good of the game some time around 1956. I would love to see that kind of attitude come back into football but I am a realist. It would be touching to think that the players and the managers would take responsibility and stamp it out from within the dressing room. But I am laughing almost as I think about it. They will cling on to the familiar view that these things even themselves out over the course of a season.
When Arsene Wenger was likening the Premiership's refusal to sanction video replays as continuing to light a football stadium with torches, he was pursuing a familiar argument but one I cannot accept. You can see a replay nine or 10 times and still not be convinced whether it is a foul or not – and you would have the same quandary if you insisted that diving was punishable by a red card.
How long are you going to stop a match and how will it affect a product which has just signed a foreign rights television deal for £500 million largely because the speed of the game makes it so distinctive from any other European league?
It was not just the win on Teesside that would have buoyed Manchester United. Henrik Larsson is not going to win the championship for Sir Alex Ferguson – he is available for only seven Premiership matches – but he can certainly be a big help to them.
He may be 35 but Larsson is supremely fit and he will always be a natural predator who, as we have seen for Barcelona in the European Cup final, is adept at coming off the bench and changing games.
Manchester United may not be able to match the quality and depth of Chelsea's squad but they are now six points ahead and the signing of Larsson, if only for three months, will step up the pressure by another notch.
United destiny comes down to Old Trafford finale
By Justin Palmer
LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - After a blazing start Manchester United find themselves trying to crawl across the finish line and secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of Benfica on Wednesday.
Three successive wins, including a 1-0 victory over Benfica in Lisbon in September, had looked set to secure United a comfortable passage through to the knockout stage.
But 1-0 away defeats to FC Copenhagen and Celtic, games in which the English side dominated but failed to break through, have left the 1999 winners needing to avoid defeat at Old Trafford to qualify from Group F.
Benfica eliminated United at the group stage last season and manager Alex Ferguson is wary of the Portuguese side's threat.
"It won't be an easy game but with our form and as long as we remember to finish teams off will we be OK," Ferguson told the club's Web site. "That's going to be an issue, when we get chances we've got to take them in this one.
"This is a game you can't trifle with," he added. "It's too important for us. If we get chances we have to take them, but I think we've got a chance."
United have failed to score in nine of their last 14 Champions League matches. But their fine Old Trafford record of only one defeat in their last 29 European home games, points to United securing at least the point they need.
Ferguson was in Lisbon on Friday and watched Benfica's 2-0 win over local rivals Sporting, secured with goals from defender Ricardo Rocha and midfielder Simao Sabrosa.
RICH HISTORY
The match marked the return from injury of Brazilian defender Luisao who had been sidelined for three weeks.
"It can be considered a real final, a game of all or nothing," coach Francisco
Santos said of the Old Trafford showdown.
"We will face a great team but I believe we can win. With a little luck, which is also necessary in soccer, we will be able to score and move ahead."
Benfica, who have seven points and need to win to remain in the competition, are no strangers to winning on English soil having stunned then holders Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield last season to reach the quarter-finals with a 3-0 aggregate success.
United only have to look back to 2004 for another reminder of the capabilities of Portuguese sides on their travels.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Porto, a Paul Scholes goal looked set to send United through to the quarter-finals on away goals before Costinha's equaliser in the final minute put the Portuguese side through instead.
Still, a glance a little further back in history should give United cause for optimism.
Benfica have a special place in United's story for two of their most famous matches played in the 1960s -- United's stunning 5-1 European Cup quarter-final win in Lisbon in 1966 when George Best scored twice and their famous 4-1 victory in the 1968 final when they won the trophy for the first time.
If they are inspired by those epic old victories, United will go through.
curiosityz
05-12-2006, 05:38 PM
"Besides, I don't want to upset those poor Germans. They are very fragile."... what a sentence said by ferguson.... wonders how wilk the german responds man...
Ferguson certain United won't fail against Benfica
Tue 05 Dec, 4:32 PM
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Alex Ferguson does not expect Manchester United to suffer a repeat of last year's Champions League humiliation when they play Benfica on Wednesday.
The Portuguese side beat United in the final group match a year ago to deny the 1999 winners a place in the second stage of the competition for first time since 1994-95.
A win for Fernando Santos' team in the Group F match at Old Trafford on Wednesday would see Benfica eliminate United for the second successive season.
But Ferguson told reporters on Tuesday: "I don't think it will happen. We are playing better for a start. Our form has been excellent this season.
"There is growing sense of maturity and a fantastic team spirit. If the defenders' concentrate and we play to our form, we have a fantastic chance of going through."
Ferguson confessed his team were rocked by their exit last season following a 2-1 defeat in Lisbon.
FELT TERRIBLE
"At the time you can image what the dressing room was like. We felt terrible because we had a fantastic history in European football with qualifying for the latter stages," Ferguson added.
"So there was a question mark of how we got over it and what the next step would be.
"The response was fantastic, they went on a run from that game until the end of the season that was the best in the country. We have continued that this season as well. Some times you are tested and we recovered from that devastating defeat."
Ferguson admitted he was surprised his team had not already qualified for the next stage after winning their opening three games.
Defeats at Copenhagen and Celtic have left them on nine points with Benfica on seven points. Celtic have already qualified.
"It's a surprise we are in this position. I know the history of this club though and we enjoy making it hard," he said.
I did make changes but some times you have to take some risks. I don't think it was too big a risk though because we put international players in."
Ferguson also defended Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo after he was accused of diving by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate in United's 2-1 win at the Riverside on Saturday.
Ronaldo fell after challenge with keeper Mark Schwarzer to win a penalty when it appeared he had not been touched.
"Gareth Southgate is very naive. He's a young manager. We will have to give him a chance to settle in.
"I have looked at it a million times and without question there is no way a player will give up the chance of an open goal."
Ronaldo sees long-term future at Old Trafford
Tue 05 Dec, 7:42 PM
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo has brushed aside concerns he could leave Manchester United by revealing that he plans to remain at Old Trafford for the long-term future.
Ronaldo has become a target of opposition fans in the Premiership after the Portuguese winger helped end England's World Cup ambitions in controversial circumstances in Germany in the summer.
The 21-year-old was at the centre of a storm after being caught up in the incident which saw England reduced to 10-men after his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney was sent-off.
Since then speculation has continued about whether Ronaldo, who is regularly jeered by supporters when United play away, will remain in England or move back to mainland Europe because of the abuse that has come his way.
But Ronaldo, whose popularity has not been helped by accusations of diving, has brushed aside those concerns by revealing that he will remain until United tell him he is no longer wanted.
The former Sporting Lisbon player even hinted that he enjoys being cast as the player everyone loves to hate.
"Do I intend to stay for many, many years? Yes, unless the club doesn't want me," said Ronaldo.
"It's true that people criticise me for anything I do. They love that.
"But since the World Cup all I have done is my best. I play my best and try and do the best for my team.
"Am I bothered about what people say? No.
"I try and do what I do best - play football and do my best for the team.
"If I suffer a foul I get up and carry on.
"I don't care whether I'm criticised."
Meanwhile, Gabriel Heinze believes United are coming of age as they continue to make impressive progress in the Premiership.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side will increase their lead over reigning champions Chelsea to nine points should they beat neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And Argentina defender Heinze believes that will give the club a huge lift going into the busy Christmas period.
"We're improving with each game," said the left-back.
"We have a fantastic group and at the moment we're playing some marvellous football.
"Throughout the squad we've got quality players and day by day, match by match we're showing just how good we are.
"The position we currently have in the Premiership backs that up."
Heinze has recently re-established himself back in the side after injury.
And he believes having Patrice Evra and Mikael Silvestre pushing for his position can only be healthy for the club.
"At all the great clubs there's always plenty of healthy competition for places," Heinze added.
"It's good for the individual because it makes them work harder and get better. However, the man who makes the ultimate decision is the manager.
"Every player has got his own level of form and fitness, and after that it comes down to the boss to decide."
Clean Bill Of Health For United
Tue 05 Dec, 3:09 PM
Manchester United are expected to be at full strength for Wednesday's make-or-break Champions League clash with Benfica at Old Trafford.
After successive defeats to FC Copenhagen and Celtic, the Red Devils require at least a draw to advance into the last 16.
And the good news for manager Sir Alex Ferguson was that all his first team stars were training at Carrington on Tuesday morning, offering the Scot the kind of selection dilemma he would have wanted ahead.
Team (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra, Heinze, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, O'Shea, Scholes, Giggs, Richardson, Park, Rooney, Saha, Smith, Solskjaer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(my prediction for the team in red)
Fergie eyes Euro glory
UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a British club can win the Champions League this season.
The Red Devils joined Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic in the knockout stages after a 3-1 victory over Benfica at Old Trafford in their final group match.
Every English team topped their pool and Ferguson believes any one of Britain's representatives can go on to be champions of Europe.
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"It is fantastic for British football," said Ferguson.
"I think one of the British teams can win and I just hope it is us.
"I think the team is confident of their ability now. They know they can win games and can play and there were a lot of moments last night when I think we played some fantastic stuff."
United went into the match needing a draw to progress but things looked grim when Benfica right-back Nelson's hammered in a 25-yard shot in the 27th minute.
Crucially Nemanja Vidic nodded in Ryan Giggs' left-wing free-kick in first-half injury time.
Further headers from Giggs and Louis Saha ensured, with Celtic losing, the Red Devils topped Group F.
That brings its own problems, with some real European heavyweights like Real Madrid and Barcelona among the teams to finish second in their groups and so both potential opponents for United.
But with his side's participation in the knockout phase in doubt until midway through the second half last night, Ferguson was just pleased to be in the next round.
"If you were in the situation we were in you are happy to be there first of all," he admitted.
"When we look at the possible teams we could face then there are some very good opposition there. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Roma all have great history.
Advantage
"I don't know if it is an advantage for the second game to be at Old Trafford. Some people see that as an advantage but I'm not so sure that is always the case.
"But if we had been in second place we could have faced Lyon, who I think are one of the favourites, Milan, Valencia so I don't know which is worse to be honest with you."
Benfica coach Fernando Santos admitted conceding the goal to Vidic cost them dearly
"The goal they scored at the end of the first half caused us a lot of problems," he said.
"We started well and although we had difficulty in possession from defence to attack we were controlling the game.
"Then United had four or five minutes of possession (at the end of the first half) and the goal changed the game.
"In the second half United were too strong for us."
Meanwhile, United winger Cristiano Ronaldo took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the club after another week of controversy.
"I'm very happy at Old Trafford," he insisted "Things are running well.
"We are at the top of table, we are winning games. But in football you never know what is going to happen next"
And he claimed recent allegations of diving made by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate had only motivated him ahead of the game.
He added: "I'm already used to it. The more they criticise me the better I play. Those critics do not affect me any longer"
Glazers Ready To Splash The Cash
Mon 11 Dec, 10:09 AM
The Glazers are reportedly ready to let Sir Alex Ferguson splash the cash in the January transfer window in a bid to bring the Premiership title back to Manchester United.
The Red Devils head the table by eight points after the weekend derby win over City, although they've played a game more than second-placed Chelsea.
And Fergie has already added to his squad for the post-Christmas programme with the loan signing of former Celtic and Barcelona star Henrik Larsson.
But according to The Manchester Evening News, that won't be the end of the new arrivals at Old Trafford next month.
Chief executive David Gill says the Reds haven't made any further moves to persuade Bayern Munich to sell England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, and Fergie has yet to pop his shopping list on Gill's desk.
"We haven't really discussed incoming transfers in detail but there is money there," said Gill.
"If we determine that there is somebody who can come in and strengthen the club, then there is certainly money there."
Hargreaves, who consistently expresses his wish to leave Germany and move to Old Trafford, will remain United's top target but the possible capture of Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres is still on the agenda for next summer.
United have also been linked with Dutch hitman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and the £10m-rated Ajax striker says a move to Old Trafford would be his first choice.
"I know certain English clubs are following me," said the 23-year-old. "I also love United. It's a club that makes me dream."
*Snigger Snigger*
Ferguson Tells Players To Ignore Mourinho
Mon 11 Dec, 6:09 PM
Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Jose Mourinho's title taunts by claiming Manchester United will only be in trouble if they spend too much time listening to the Chelsea boss.
Despite failing to beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge yesterday, a result which left the back-to-back Barclays Premiership title winners eight points adrift of the league leaders, Mourinho claimed Ferguson and his team "would be in trouble" if they thought the championship battle was over.
A veteran of eight Premiership triumphs during his 20 illustrious years at Old Trafford, Ferguson is far too canny to let his focus be deflected by pointed comments coming out of the opposition camp.
And, at the launch of Manchester United's official 850-page Opus, Ferguson provided the perfect response to Mourinho's jibes.
"We will only be in trouble if we listen to Jose too much," said Ferguson, whose side are looking to prevent Mourinho emulating the Scot by becoming only the second manager to preside over three successive English title wins.
"I won't be letting the players fall into the trap of thinking it's won because all we have done is given ourselves a foundation. There are many hurdles to be navigated in the run-in.
"To win the league, you have to have great consistency, particularly around March and April. Historically, we have done okay at that time of the year.
"All championship races are difficult, but the real test comes on the run-in when any mistake can cost you everything.
"That will be the test for us. I am sure it will be ourselves and Chelsea but I am sure we will last the distance."
Meanwhile, Ferguson expressed his sympathy for sacked West Ham boss Alan Pardew.
Ferguson believes the decision is indicative of the pressure managers are under in the modern game.
He said: "Football is unfortunate in that it is a kind of industry where failure is quickly decided upon. I'm sorry to hear it, I don't like anyone losing their job."
Ferguson hopes Pardew's reign will be remembered for the good times, including last season's dramatic FA Cup run, which culminated in a dramatic final against Liverpool in May.
"At least he can be satisfied he did his best, gave West Ham great memories of the FA Cup final and came within a minute of winning it," Ferguson said.
"I'm sad for him - it is not an easy situation for the lad."
Man Utd must win Champions League: Ferguson
Mon 11 Dec, 7:14 PM
LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson ordered his Manchester United players to win the Champions League, the English Premiership and the FA Cup if they want to be considered as a great side.
He told his charges it was time to prove how good they are by turning their promising start to the season into silverware.
Ferguson said it was no good just showing signs of being a peerless team -- top players back up the swagger with medals round their necks.
"I'll put it this way: I feel far better today waking up and looking at my team than I did two or three years ago when we weren't winning anything," the Scot said.
"Because at the end of the day, you have to win at our club. That's the nuts and bolts of it all.
"The present day team are showing signs of being a really good team. But they've got to win the league, they've got to win the European Cup, they've got to win an FA Cup. They've got to win these things.
"That's the only way you'll be judged as a good team. Coming a good second, that doesn't come into it."
United are eight points clear of champions Chelsea at the top of the Premiership and are in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has had the last laugh on Ferguson in his first two years in English football, winning the championship both times.
The former Porto coach said United would be "in trouble" if they thought this season's title was in the bag.
But Ferguson has had enough of his taunts and "Special One" swagger, and, being no stranger to mind games himself, the Scot was adamant that the Portuguese manager's digs would not be allowed to derail his title charge.
"We'll all be in trouble if we listen to Jose enough," he said.
"The important thing is to keep our heads and not get carried away, don't make any predictions. I won't be letting my players or myself fall into that trap of thinking we've won the league.
"It's not easily won and Chelsea know that better than anyone," said Ferguson, who has guided United to the Premiership title eight times.
"All we've done is given ourselves a foundation. It's the first time we've ever been in this position at the beginning of December. Usually we're lagging behind a little. I think we've given ourselves a good chance."
Ferguson said he was confident that his side would last the distance with Chelsea thanks to a combination of livewire youngsters and battle-hardened veterans.
"All the championship races are tough because you know you can't make mistakes," said the 64-year-old.
"The real test comes in the run-in when you know that mistakes can cost you everything.
"I'm sure it'll be ourselves and Chelsea. I'm sure we'll last the distance. I'm confident of that because we've got a lot of energy in the team, we've youth in the side. We have got a couple of old codgers like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs but we can rest them at the right time.
"When the run-in comes in, experience teaches you that we've been there before."
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, a defector from United, recently claimed that the Blues have the potential to be the world's most powerful club by 2014.
But Ferguson snorted at any notions of Chelsea being an elite name in world football, saying there were European teams with a far more illustrious past.
"There's nothing wrong with people having ambition, I've no problem with that," Ferguson scoffed.
"But there's other great clubs in the world: there's ourselves, Arsenal and Liverpool with history, there's Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Italian giants, and all these clubs have got a fantastic history.
"So they've got a big mountain to climb to get over that lot. We'll continue doing our talking on the pitch."
Vida and Rio keep United ahead of Chelsea
OLD Trafford's new defensive double act can keep United's noses in front as the title race hots up over Christmas.
That his the verdict of Reds skipper Gary Neville, the man who plays along side the solid centre-back partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Chelsea's back-to-back titles were built the solid foundations laid by John Terry and Co, who conceded 22 fewer goals than their United counterparts in their two season of glory.
But this season United's Premiership table-toppers are level-pegging with Jose Mourinho's defenders, having shipped just nine.
That has meant Chelsea, who edged past Newcastle 1-0 last night to close the Reds' lead to five points, have been the chasing team this term. That is thanks largely to the silk and steel partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic.
"Vida has been nothing short of fantastic over the last two or three months," enthused Neville.
"He has been an outstanding performer. But, for me, Rio is still the one single most important member. He offers that calmness and experience and positional sense. Nothing fazes him.
"It is a partnership; they both need each other. They compliment each other. We are blessed.
"The manager said last season he wanted to create a solid foundation at the back. We are seeing more of that. We look like we are enjoying defending."
Whilst Ferdinand is the obvious silk in the pairing, tough guy Vidic is has been showing more and more of his steel.
Hero
The Serbian is becoming an Old Trafford cult hero after coming to terms with life in England following his £7m move from Spartak Moscow last January.
And Neville believes he's developing into a similar figure to one of his legendary former United colleagues.
"He is a good old-fashioned defender. He loves to head the ball. He loves to tackle," added Neville. "He is a little bit like Steve Bruce in the way he plays. He is infectious in the way he makes everybody around him want to defend in the same manner.
Calm
"But not everybody in the back four can be like that. You have to have the calm one alongside him and Rio is very important to our back four. Vida is benefiting from having Rio alongside him.
"He is keeping Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre out of the team and they are excellent players in their own right, so he must be doing well. And he has also been an asset going forward because he has scored some important goals."
loppp
15-12-2006, 11:40 AM
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti has revealed his hope of securing a dream tie against Manchester United in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.
“At this stage of the competition all the teams are equally strong, but if I have to choose, then I’d like to face Manchester United,” said the Giallorossi player.
“I’ve never been able to play at Old Trafford and it’s something I would really like to experience.”
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti has revealed his hope of securing a dream tie against Manchester United in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.
“I’ve never been able to play at Old Trafford and it’s something I would really like to experience.”
Roma or any team are welcome at Old Trafford for the second round.
Man Utd's possible opponents from the draw - Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Roma, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, Lille
Hopefully, we meet either Madrid, Barcelona or Inter. :)
Chelsea could get worse, laughs Fergie
MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted John Terry's assertion that Chelsea could find a different level as the battle for the Premiership title hots up. Fergie thinks they might get worse.
The Reds boss has again laughed off Terry's dig at United's five-point lead at the top of the table.
After Chelsea's midweek win over Newcastle, their captain claimed United could not play any better than they are now, while his own side could still step up a gear.
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But Ferguson is in no mood to get drawn into mind games, resisting the temptation to do anything other than poke a bit of fun at Terry.
"Yes, Chelsea could find a new level," he said. "They could get worse.
"I actually think Chelsea's level at the moment is better than it has been over the past two years.
"I didn't see their game on Wednesday and to be honest, I am not going to pay much attention to what they are doing. I prefer to concentrate on my own team because we are doing everything right.
"Even if we were two points behind Chelsea, I would still be delighted with the way things are going.
"I know we are going in the right direction and I know we have an outstanding chance. That is the only thing that matters to me."
Happy
However, Ferguson is focusing solely on Sunday's trip to face a West Ham side boosted by the arrival of new boss Alan Curbishley.
As high-ranking officials within the League Managers' Association, the pair know each other well.
Curbishley even rang Ferguson before he accepted the challenge of replacing Alan Pardew and the United chief believes his side will face a stiffer challenge because of his old friend's appointment.
"There is no doubt Sunday will be a harder game for us now," said Ferguson.
"The West Ham players will have an increased energy and desire because they will want to convince and impress their new manager.
"But maybe that will be a good thing for us because we will have no illusions about the task that awaits us."
Having effectively lost two league titles - 1992 and 1995 - at West Ham, Ferguson is in no mood to suffer a damaging blow in the East End this season.
Certainly, his head-to-head record with Curbishley is encouraging as he is yet to taste defeat in 14 previous meetings.
Full-back Patrice Evra is again United's only injury absentee, so Ferguson could name an unchanged side from the one which recorded a Manchester derby triumph over City at Old Trafford last weekend.
Chelsea could get worse, laughs Fergie
MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted John Terry's assertion that Chelsea could find a different level as the battle for the Premiership title hots up. Fergie thinks they might get worse.
The Reds boss has again laughed off Terry's dig at United's five-point lead at the top of the table.
After Chelsea's midweek win over Newcastle, their captain claimed United could not play any better than they are now, while his own side could still step up a gear.
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But Ferguson is in no mood to get drawn into mind games, resisting the temptation to do anything other than poke a bit of fun at Terry.
"Yes, Chelsea could find a new level," he said. "They could get worse.
"I actually think Chelsea's level at the moment is better than it has been over the past two years.
"I didn't see their game on Wednesday and to be honest, I am not going to pay much attention to what they are doing. I prefer to concentrate on my own team because we are doing everything right.
"Even if we were two points behind Chelsea, I would still be delighted with the way things are going.
"I know we are going in the right direction and I know we have an outstanding chance. That is the only thing that matters to me."
Happy
However, Ferguson is focusing solely on Sunday's trip to face a West Ham side boosted by the arrival of new boss Alan Curbishley.
As high-ranking officials within the League Managers' Association, the pair know each other well.
Curbishley even rang Ferguson before he accepted the challenge of replacing Alan Pardew and the United chief believes his side will face a stiffer challenge because of his old friend's appointment.
"There is no doubt Sunday will be a harder game for us now," said Ferguson.
"The West Ham players will have an increased energy and desire because they will want to convince and impress their new manager.
"But maybe that will be a good thing for us because we will have no illusions about the task that awaits us."
Having effectively lost two league titles - 1992 and 1995 - at West Ham, Ferguson is in no mood to suffer a damaging blow in the East End this season.
Certainly, his head-to-head record with Curbishley is encouraging as he is yet to taste defeat in 14 previous meetings.
Full-back Patrice Evra is again United's only injury absentee, so Ferguson could name an unchanged side from the one which recorded a Manchester derby triumph over City at Old Trafford last weekend.
Dong cleared for United duty
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 15 Dec 2006
Manchester United have secured a work permit for China international Dong Fangzhou, leaving him free to begin his Premiership career in the New Year.
The 21-year-old striker has only been able to play for United on their pre-season tours since joining in January 2004, as he has not had the paperwork necessary for him to play in England.
However, after spending three years on loan at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, during which time he won seven caps for China, Dong has now been
cleared to link up with United on a permanent basis.
He will now head to Old Trafford on 1st January and Sir Alex Ferguson is excited about what he will bring to United's title push.
"Dong has been doing exceptionally well and scoring a lot of goals at Antwerp," Ferguson told MUTV.
"He has great pace and power and the boy has a big chance."
United have also confirmed that six other loan players will return to the club in January.
Lee Martin and Phil Bardsley will come back from Rangers, along with Chris Eagles (NEC Nijmegen), Giuseppe Rossi (Newcastle) and Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson, who have been playing alongside Dong for Antwerp.
Larsson Joins Red Devils Training
Mon 18 Dec, 4:10 PM
Former Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has trained with Manchester United for the first time.
Larsson, 35, flew in to England on Saturday and then travelled with the squad to watch United lose to West Ham.
He has sealed a two-and-a-half month loan deal from Helsingborgs, which kicks in on New Year's Day when he could make his debut against Newcastle.
Larsson will spend this week training in Manchester before going back to Sweden to celebrate Christmas with his family.
And Helsingborgs coach Stuart Baxter says Larsson will be in excellent shape.
Baxter said: "We only finished our season 10 days ago so Henrik is still in good shape.
"If he works reasonably hard over Christmas - which I presume he will do - and gets in some good work with United that will bring him back up to speed.
"Of course Henrik has got to adjust to the pace of the game, the same as everyone else.
"But for the job United want him to do, his fitness will not be a problem."
Baxter - like Larsson - was at Upton Park on Sunday as the Red Devils suffered a frustrating time in front of goal.
He added: "If Henrik had been available, I am sure it would have been an interesting one for Sir Alex to tinker with. He would have given him another option.
"I know he is looking forward to the challenge and of course I will be monitoring his progress."
Larsson's two-and-a-half month loan deal kicks in on New Year's Day when he could make his debut against Newcastle.
He cannot wait to get started.
"I feel quite humbled that such a huge club and great manager are interested in what I can do, " said Larsson on his website.
"I am really excited at the prospect of playing for United."
Howard Eyes Old Trafford Exit
Mon 18 Dec, 4:09 PM
Tim Howard believes he has been pushed a step closer to an exit from Manchester United by Edwin van der Sar's contract extension with the Old Trafford club.
And the USA international, currently on a season-long loan at Everton, understands discussions about a permanent move to Goodison Park have already taken place.
The 26-year-old feels he does not have the right mentality to be an understudy, which he clearly feels would be the case if he returned to Manchester United next season.
Now that Van der Sar has agreed a new one-year deal with the Old Trafford club, Howard admits it will affect his future.
He said: "The contract is fantastic news for Edwin, I'd imagine United would be delighted to keep him for as long as he's fit. But it affects my mindset, of course. It's like a game of chess.
"United have made their move and it tells me what I need to do next."
Howard has been a big hit on Merseyside and added: "I don't do very well on the bench, to be honest. You need someone who accepts that position and doesn't rock the boat. It's not in my blood because I like a little bit of fire.
"Raimond van der Gouw was a fantastic deputy goalkeeper at United. He came in, did a job and shut his mouth. I don't think I am the type."
And although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted recently he has been impressed with Howard's form at Everton, the chances now of the goalkeeper returning to the current Premier League leaders are increasingly remote.
Everton boss David Moyes has consistently declined to discuss Howard's future, but the player now reveals: "I had a conversation with Sir Alex when Everton went to Old Trafford recently. Without words being spoken directly about it, I think moves have been made.
"It's not like Ferguson stuck his foot up my backside and kicked me out the door.
"But without question, if it doesn't happen for me at United, it can happen somewhere else, even though I still have good friends at Old Trafford. I am still in contact with the United boys, particularly Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs."
Larsson just what we needed: Fergie
MANAGER Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced 10 weeks of Henrik Larsson will be enough to help Manchester United seize the Premiership title from Chelsea's grasp.
The former Sweden international is spending a week at United's Carrington training base prior to his arrival on January 2 for an extended loan spell from his hometown club Helsingborg.
Although it seems inconceivable Ferguson would just wave Larsson goodbye when the deal expires on March 12 if the team were still heavily involved in the battle for silverware on the European and domestic fronts, both parties continue to insist that is exactly what will happen.
Ferguson has admitted the situation is not entirely ideal but the Red Devils chief believes Larsson can have such a major impact during the 13 matches he will be around, his exit will not be a disaster.
"We know Henrik is only here for a short period but it could be the most important short period in this club's season," said Ferguson.
"The timing is difficult but we have to be fair to Helsingborg. We don't want to intrude on their ambitions.
"Hopefully, by the time he does leave us, the job will have been done in terms of keeping us at the sharp end of all the competitions."
Specifically, Ferguson is hoping the 35-year-old can bring a more clinical edge to United's strikeforce over the coming weeks.
Having forcibly expressed his fears about a recurring failure to take chances on numerous occasions recently, Ferguson's words proved to be chillingly accurate at West Ham on Sunday when United suffered their first away defeat of the Premiership campaign.
The unexpected slip allowed Chelsea to move within two points of the leaders ahead of the packed festive programme and Ferguson accepts the finishing flaw must be eradicated.
"The most important thing about Henrik is that he has a tremendous goal instinct," he said.
"It has always been there and it has carried him right through his career.
"Some of the football we are playing at the moment is very good but we are missing chances, as we did on Sunday. Hopefully, the experience of Henrik will be decisive for us."
It is a measure of the esteem with which Larsson is held within the wider footballing world that virtually no-one has questioned why Ferguson would want to bring in a player of such advancing years six months after he effectively called time on a top-level career by quitting Barcelona for his homeland.
In confirming top scorer Louis Saha had a lucrative four-year contract extension until 2010, Ferguson is clearly looking towards the future as well as the present, which, in Larsson has brought a sense of excitement to the star-studded United dressing room.
"Henrik has created a buzz around the dressing room, there is no question about that," he said.
"When we announced it, a few of the players came to me and said 'That was a good one, where did you get that one from'. They were surprised at the suddenness and the secrecy of it.
"He has come at a good time. It looks as though the championship race is going to go the whole road. Players like Henrik will only help us with that."
Larsson cannot be registered for the New Year's Day clash with Newcastle, so he will almost certainly make his debut in the following week's FA Cup tie against Aston Villa, now managed by his former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill.
It will be the start of a minimum 13-match stint which includes Premiership visits to Arsenal and Liverpool, all FA Cup ties up to the quarter-final stage, plus the two-legged Champions League clash with Lille.
Larsson: Judge me on my goals
AT 35, Henrik Larsson is old enough to know goals will determine whether his short-term spell at Manchester United is deemed a success.
Larsson checked in at United's Carrington base on Monday for a week's training prior to his arrival on January 2 for a 13-game stint Sir Alex Ferguson hopes will propel the Red Devils to glory at home and abroad.
After a stellar career, which included seven successful years with Celtic before a two-season stint at Barcelona which culminated in a starring role in the Champions League final win over Arsenal in May, Larsson was supposed to be winding down in his hometown of Helsingborg.
Instead, he accepted "an offer he could not turn down" to join United.
It is a measure of the esteem in which Larsson is held throughout the footballing world that no-one has questioned his arrival at Old Trafford.
But ultimately, the former Sweden star accepts his contribution to the United cause will be measured by the tally which appears next to his name in the goals column.
"Strikers get judged on goals," he said.
"That is the way it has always been and that is the way it always will be. It is no problem for me. I am really looking forward to the challenge."
Larsson's wife Magdalena and children Jordan and Janelle will accompany him on part of his mission, although not for the entirety as his young son has his own footballing duties to fulfil.
After heading back to his homeland in order to spend more time with his family, Larsson felt it was only fair they should offer their consent to his move.
But now the agreement has been reached, he cannot wait to get started.
"There are some world class players here and I am very excited about having the opportunity to play with them," he said.
"Some I have seen on TV, others I have played against but I feel as though I know them all anyway.
"When I heard about this loan deal I just thought it was a chance I could not say no to.
"I did have opportunities to move to the Premiership when I was at Celtic but my family was settled in Glasgow, which is the reason I did not come down.
"But I am 35 now, I do not think this opportunity will come around another time. I wouldn't get the chance to join such a big club again."
As his registration will not be cleared in time for him to appear in the New Year's Day fixture with Newcastle, Larsson is almost certain to make his debut in the FA Cup third round clash with Aston Villa on January 7.
It pits the forward into an immediate meeting with his old boss at Celtic, Martin O'Neill, who is now in charge of the midlands outfit.
"Martin O'Neill is a man I have the greatest respect for," said Larsson.
"I had some great times with him in Scotland and I spoke to him and met with him when I was at Barcelona.
"I still talk with him quite regularly. It is quite ironic my first game could be against Aston Villa but that is the way it is."
loppp
21-12-2006, 09:48 AM
Saha signs on for Mancunians
Louis Saha has signed a new contract with Manchester United, tying the striker to the club until 2010.
The 28-year-old French forward came in from Fulham in January 2004 for around €18 million.
While his start at the Manchester giants was frustrated with injuries, he managed to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy as Alex Ferguson's first-pick striker last season. Saha scored twelve goals this season for the Red Devils.
"I am really enjoying my time here," Saha simply stated on the club's website.
"I want to show my commitment to Manchester United and repay the faith that they have shown in me."
Saha is the third forward to commit himself to the Premiership leaders, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney also signed long-term contracts
dom01
21-12-2006, 10:26 AM
For a moment, I tot SAF was going to offload him. I am nt entirely convinced by Saha. :cool:
mike2006
21-12-2006, 12:33 PM
Saha should not be our main striker. Our main striker should be similar like Rudd who is a predator in a box player. 10 chances can score 9 goals type.
I guess the signing of Larsson is to keep Saha on his toes. As for his contract extension, it doesnt mean much to Fergie if he makes up his mind to sell.
...As for his contract extension, it doesnt mean much to Fergie if he makes up his mind to sell...
In fact, they might have even upped the value of the get-out clause and try to milk more from would-be suitors.
In fact, they might have even upped the value of the get-out clause and try to milk more from would-be suitors.
I am not too sure if there is a get-out clause in the contract in Saha's favour. But I wont be surprised if there's one in Man Utd's favour to get him out if he doesnt score enough for them. :D
Anyway, I cant recall Fergie selling a player for a higher price than he initially bought. :(
Glazers setting aside £25m to pay for next Old Trafford 'superstar
Manchester United will restrict Sir Alex Ferguson’s annual transfer expenditure to £25 million except for a one-off “superstar” purchase who meets the Glazer family’s desire for an icon to play alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to documents seen by The Times.
In two 60-page presentations outlining their business plan for the refinancing of the club earlier this year, the Glazers made clear that United’s annual transfer kitty will remain £25 million, despite their belief that operating profits will increase to more than £100 million by 2011. The only exception relates to an extra £25 million set aside for a “superstar”, seemingly a headline act who would raise the club’s profile off the pitch as well as on it.
Last year, The Times disclosed details of the Glazers’ original business plan, including controversial ticket-price rises. The new documents reveal the latest debt figure as £656 million, which is forecast to reach £733 million by 2012, and that the total costs of the takeover were £831 million, including bank and legal fees of £41 million. Annual interest payments have risen from £20 million to £40 million as a result of the refinancing.
The documents also reveal the Glazers’ belief that no other English club comes close to United’s commercial prowess and that “Chelsea’s lack of brand appeal and limited fan-base beyond the UK make it a less compelling commercial partner”.
They say that tickets at Old Trafford, which were subject to a minimum 12.5 per cent price rise this season, remain “undervalued” and will increase by a further 36 per cent by the start of the 2012-2013 campaign.
Television contracts will continue to soar, increasing the club’s annual media revenue from £46 million to £78 million by 2012. It is also revealed that players’ salaries will soar as a result of new television deals, with the squad’s wage bill (including bonuses) increasing from £53.2 million last season to £78.1 million by 2012. Increased sponsorship prospects will see the club’s annual commercial revenue rise from £56 million to £78 million by 2012 while the documents also recommend that the team should travel “to all corners of the globe” on pre-season and end-of-season tours to exploit the club’s brand.
Red Football, the Glazers’ investment vehicle, receives £1.6 million a year from United. The report makes no mention of the long-rumoured plan to sell and lease back Old Trafford or to break away the club’s rivals by pursuing separate broadcasting deals. Indeed, the Glazers describe the central distribution of broadcasting rights as “essential”.
The Glazers, whose initial plans for the club were described as “aggressive” by David Gill, the chief executive, regard their latest plan as “conservative”, but in many areas they speculate boldly. Predictions of playing performance are relatively cautious — a third-placed finish in the Barclays Premiership and progress to the last 16 of the Champions League each year — but their projected commercial and broadcasting revenues rely heavily on the latest football boom being sustained.
One area where have yet to speculate is in the transfer market. While Chelsea spend on average £75 million a year, the Glazers believe “£25 million of annual net player spend is sufficient to support forecast growth over the next five years” although an incremental £25 million capital spend bucket is available to the club.
A spokesman for the Glazers declined to respond to The Times revelations last night beyond saying that, “if the manager feels the right player is available, then Manchester United, as the world’s richest club, will seek to secure him.”
...Anyway, I cant recall Fergie selling a player for a higher price than he initially bought...
Well, maybe he has never sold a player for higher than he initially bought (difficult when you are managing a top club and you usually only offload when players are past their prime), but he sure has sold one at a very high price for whom he paid nothing for.... it was practically all profit... ;)
Well, maybe he has never sold a player for higher than he initially bought (difficult when you are managing a top club and you usually only offload when players are past their prime), but he sure has sold one at a very high price for whom he paid nothing for.... it was practically all profit... ;)
That player must be Beckham. But I still believe it wasnt the best deal. Something like 18m pounds cash and the rest were dependent on Madrid's performance in the Champions League.
Beckham alone can sell 20m pounds of jersey in less than 2 yrs, yet to include the club merchandise with his face or name on it.
Van Nistlerooy Added To Ferguson’s List
At this point, Alex Ferguson’s history of rows at Manchester United is pretty well documented. Paul Ince, David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane - no matter how good you are if you cross Sir Alex you’ll find yourself shipped out. Ruud Van Nistlerooy joined the gang last season after months of rumours of a riff, and the Dutchman has confirmed the lot,
“It started at the Carling Cup final, after an hour we were 4-0 ahead,” van Nistelrooy told the News of the World.
“I could not wait to get on as a substitute, to play half an hour and maybe score a goal and then go and lift the cup.
“It’s a big trophy after all, but first Kieran Richardson was put on.
“After that Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, and Evra had only been at the club a few weeks.
“I exploded and started swearing at Ferguson. That was the killing moment.
“It was both our faults but we never made up after that. The relationship fell apart.”
“I do consider it kind of tragic,” van Nistelrooy added.
“After all, Ferguson was the man who was there for me during my serious knee injury at PSV Eindhoven and even came to my sick bed.”
“The way it all went down in the end does say something about the football world.
“But to me that does not permit you to treat people that way.”
Despite the fact that Ferguson is the constant in all these spectacular fallings out, it’s a little hard to argue that it’s not working for him. The Scot seems to dislike those without a Neville brothers or Paul Scholes-like committment to football and nothing else, so if we’re honest it seems like a matter of when, not if, Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney stray just a little too far from the pack.
Hargreaves finally signs as Fergie tops table at Christmas
By BOB CASS
Sir Alex Ferguson will finally get his man when he clinches the £12 million capture of England midfielder Owen Hargreaves within the next fortnight as he celebrates Christmas with Manchester United sitting proudly on top of the Premiership.
Two Cristiano Ronaldo goals and a wonderful volley by Paul Scholes brought United a 3-0 win at Villa Park yesterday that keeps them two points clear of Chelsea, late 3-2 winners at Wigan.
Hargreaves, who has been pursued by the United manager since before the World Cup finals last summer, is approaching full fitness after breaking the fibula in his left leg playing for Bayern Munich on September 16.
He will arrive to stiffen United’s midfield at an opportune time, with Michael Carrick facing a six week lay-off with an ankle injury.
The Hargreaves deal, allied to the short-term recruitment of Sweden striker Henrik Larsson, will enable Ferguson to crank up the pressure on his title rival, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Ferguson has revealed that he instructed chief executive David Gill to resume talks with Bayern, who last week claimed they would fight to keep the player until next summer.
But there has been a sudden softening of Bayern’s stance and Ferguson said: "We will wait and see about that. David will probably make contact with them. He’s always in touch with the G14 anyway and he sees (Bayern executives) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness regularly. So we will see."
But I can reveal that a deal will be completed in the January transfer window, with Hargreaves having informed Ferguson that he is on his way to Old Trafford.
The arrival of the combative Canadian-born player, set to be welcomed to the club well before his 26th birthday on January 20, will bring to an end a typically determined manhunt by Ferguson and an equally stoic refusal by Bayern officials to let him go.
The United manager’s interest in the player mirrors his quest to sign Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who remained top of his wanted list in spite of being out for the 2000-01 season with a serious knee injury.
Ferguson tried to sign Hargreaves before the August transfer deadline but the German club refused to talk, especially after an attempt to do a deal involving Van Nistelrooy foundered when the striker opted for Real Madrid instead.
Ferguson said then of the midfielder: "He is at a good age and still maturing. He would fit our age profile very well and he would be able to play the type of football that we like."
HuiGe3387
25-12-2006, 02:07 AM
That is Good News !:)
Ferguson makes his point
SIR Alex Ferguson has claimed Manchester United's superior goal difference is now worth an extra point in the Premiership title battle with Chelsea.
The Red Devils took maximum advantage of Chelsea's surprise failure to beat Reading at Stamford Bridge by beating Wigan, to open up a four-point lead over Jose Mourinho's men at the top of the table.
However, even if Chelsea claw back the points, it will not be enough to oust United from the summit.
Their two-goal triumph over the Latics means their advantage in the goal difference stakes now stands at 13, a figure it is impossible to see Chelsea hauling back in their present form.
It is 1989, when Arsenal's amazingly win at Liverpool in the final game of the season allowed them to creep above the Merseysiders on goals scored, since the top two in the English championship have finished level on points.
But, in a battle he has long predicted will go right down to the wire, Ferguson believes it is a useful advantage to have.
"The goal difference helps us, there is no doubt about that," said Ferguson.
"I have always believed in those terms, 10 or 12 goals makes a point.
"If it remains that way, it is something we have to fall back on. Hopefully we won't have to, but it is there anyway."
Changes
Having utilised a squad he feels it is `an insult' to claim is not deep enough to sustain a title charge against Wigan, Ferguson intends to make more changes for Saturday's encounter with Reading.
Two have been forced on him anyway as Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes are both suspended after reaching five yellow cards for the campaign.
The twin absences should signal an automatic return for Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, while Louis Saha and Gary Neville can also expect recalls at the expense of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Wes Brown, both of whom caught the eye in front of another Premiership record crowd, the seventh time United have set a new figure this season.
"We are coming to the part of the season where we have to utilise the squad and I need to give some of the players who haven't been in the team regularly that I have confidence in them and that I trust them," he said.
"I want them to feel they made a contribution. I also need them to have minutes on the clock in case we do pick up injuries and suspensions."
Having put clear daylight between themselves and Chelsea once more, United are in no mood to allow the Londoners another opening to close the gap.
Nevertheless, Ferguson did not need to see events unfold at Stamford Bridge yesterday to know Reading will provide a stiff test for the Red Devils this weekend.
Steve Coppell's men have already held United to a richly-deserved draw at the Madejski Stadium this season and Ferguson has been impressed by the Royals' form this term.
"We have to be wary of Reading," he said.
"I wasn't really surprised by the way they performed at Chelsea, although I was pleasantly delighted by the result. It just reinforced what we will have to do this weekend."
Fergie predicts Ole haul
SIR ALEX Ferguson is still confident that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will get 15 goals for United this season if he stays fit.
Cristiano Ronaldo's double against Wigan was supplemented with Solskjaer's first goal since Crewe in the Carling Cup in October and the veteran 33-year-old is still set to achieve Fergie's personal target for the Norwegian.
"Ole is an incredible finisher," added Ferguson.
Capable
"I said before he got his injury in Copenhagen he is definitely capable of getting us 15 goals in a season if we keep him fit. I am still certain of that."
Meanwhile, Edwin van der Sar revealed his anger at conceding a late goal against the Latics after Leighton Baines slammed home a penalty.
The Dutch stopper said: "unfortunately the last thing in the game is what you take home with you and that was conceding a goal so I'm not happy.
"We had lots of chances but when Ronaldo came on he made the difference."
Netzer: Hargreaves not worth it
German legend Gunther Netzer believes Bayern Munich should accept Manchester United's offer for Owen Hargreaves because he is not worth €30 million.
Netzer, speaking in his Bild column, believes that if reports of a raised bid from United are true, then Bayern should cash in on the England international.
"It was correct of Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that they decided to keep Hargreaves," he stated. "Not like Hamburg did [with Daniel van Buyten and Khalid Boulahrouz].
"They pointed out their expectations to the player and called in his loyalty.
"Now the conditions have changed.
"Manchester United have again increased [their bid].
"If the sum of €30 million is really true, I can only say: Now they must sell Hargreaves!
"Because he's not of that value and, secondly, they could buy an alternative player.
"Because it is clear - Hargreaves is a good and important player for Bayern.
"But he is completely and surely not worth €30 million."
Rossi: Loan move valuable
Giuseppe Rossi insists that his loan move from Manchester United to Newcastle United has not been a waste of time.
The 19-year-old will return to Old Trafford in January after making only five starts (13 appearances in total) and scoring just a solitary goal since moving to St. James' Park in the summer, but the Italian-American says he has learnt from the experience.
"It has helped me coming to Newcastle," he said.
"In life I believe that you take something from every experience, whether it is good or bad."
"I've enjoyed myself, I've had a few games under my belt, but it was only ever about coming here and taking that experience back with me to Manchester United."
Rossi also stated that he is hoping to force his way into Alex Ferguson's thinking as soon as he returns, and wants to play a part in United's push for honours this season.
"It's a great time to be going back to United because we're challenging for the title and in the latter stages of the Champions League," he confirmed.
"Obviously I'd like to be involved in that. I've spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson and I hope there will be opportunities for me to play when I go back.
"He has said he wants to have big squad of players in the second half of the season and there might be an opportunity for me to show what I can do."
Castrol
29-12-2006, 10:54 AM
Rossi: Loan move valuable
Giuseppe Rossi insists that his loan move from Manchester United to Newcastle United has not been a waste of time.
actually this rossi guy is nothing right? he just scored a couple of goals (deflected shot/s somemore?) or so and the toilet newspapers hailed him as the future of blah blah blah. i think if any club offers to buy him, fergie will quickly throw in free disneyland tickets for them. :D
dom01
29-12-2006, 12:32 PM
No fish, prawn also nt bad. Haha...
A pity he is nt big sized, might topple over easily.
actually this rossi guy is nothing right? he just scored a couple of goals (deflected shot/s somemore?) or so and the toilet newspapers hailed him as the future of blah blah blah. i think if any club offers to buy him, fergie will quickly throw in free disneyland tickets for them. :D
We havent seen the real Rossi yet. Looks like Roeder fucked Rossi's loan at Newcastle. Sir Alex agreed to Rossi's Newcastle loan coz they have big crowds and fans expectations - this is help his future development.
But Roeder didnt give him a run of games during their strikers injuries. To be fair to any strikers, they need a string of games (even as subs) to see their contributions to the teams.
He will do himself justice in the very near future at Utd. Italy U21 and Full team coaches are excited with Rossi. Sir Alex, Roberto Donadoni and Pierluigi Casiraghi cant be that wrong on the same player right? :D
No fish, prawn also nt bad. Haha...
A pity he is nt big sized, might topple over easily.
Size doesnt matter much if there are other attributes like speed, football brains and Rossi can shoot with both feet. Look at Michael Owen, Defoe, Robbie Keane, E'oto.
Sometimes got height and size also no use - just nod goal kicks to fellow strikers and wait for headers from corners, free kicks and crosses (ask Crouch)
Castrol
29-12-2006, 03:29 PM
We havent seen the real Rossi yet. Looks like Roeder fucked Rossi's loan at Newcastle. Sir Alex agreed to Rossi's Newcastle loan coz they have big crowds and fans expectations - this is help his future development.
hahaha... seems like roeder is paying rossi for training purpose only. seriously, it is already quite incredible that a big club like newcastle is loaning a young, inexperienced and unproven player like rossi. newcastle is a club with the $. :D
dom01
29-12-2006, 07:31 PM
Yoz brudder qbdp,
No news on nani of sporting? He was heavily linked to man u a couple of months back.
Saw some of sporting videos, he seems to be a good buy. Pacy... And can shoot.
Yoz brudder qbdp,
No news on nani of sporting? He was heavily linked to man u a couple of months back.
Saw some of sporting videos, he seems to be a good buy. Pacy... And can shoot.
Apparently in the past 2 days a few sites are still reporting that Man Utd are maintaining the interests in Nani and there may be a bid in January.
There are some whispers that Man Utd are interested in Man City's Joey Barton.
All I know is if a fully recovered Hargreaves joins us then the Premier League commitee can tie Man Utd's colours on the EPL trophy. Hopefully Larsson will change his mind to sign till the end of the season and help us in the Champions League.
Mourinho
Are you listening
You better keep
Our trophy glistening
We'll be back in May
To take it away
Walking in the Fergie Wonderland
Ronaldo's best is yet to come says Ferguson
Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:56 PM GMT
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo, who has emerged as a candidate to become England's Footballer of the Year this season, has yet to hit his peak, according to his Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Just six months after being English football's "Public Enemy No.1" for the part he played in Wayne Rooney's sending off when England played Portugal in the World Cup, Ronaldo has been a key figure in helping United establish a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
He has scored 10 goals this season, and both his approach play and recent scoring form have been mesmerising.
But Ferguson has warned United's pursuers that there is still more to come from the Portugal international, who he already rates as among the best players in the world.
"I'm sure he's in that bracket," Ferguson told a news conference on Friday.
"He's 21 and I think he will get better. He's showing maturity that we hope all young players start to show and the realisation of their potential as they start to get older.
"There are very few players who can play wide and attack players like he does. Defenders are not used to handling that type of player. That's why he is such a danger."
Ronaldo's form is an even bigger bonus for United given that his future at Old Trafford was in doubt last summer after his involvement in the sending off of club colleague Wayne Rooney in England's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal.
Ferguson's support for the player was steadfast and United are now reaping the benefits as United look to hold off the challenge of Chelsea.
"We had good experience of that because David Beckham went through the same thing (being vilified after being sent-off for England in the 1998 World Cup).
"He survived. The most important thing was to play well and Cristiano has done that," Ferguson added.
United face a holiday weekend double-header against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday followed by a New Year's Day trip to Newcastle United.
Between those matches Ferguson celebrates his 65th birthday on New Year's Eve but shows no signs of slowing down after chalking up 20 years in charge of United last month.
He said: "It is just another birthday, but the thing about 65 is that it is a landmark in terms that people do collect their pensions then. I am waiting for the envelope to come through the door. But I feel good and I feel fresh."
Ferguson will make changes to his side for the visit of mid-table Reading, who drew 2-2 at Chelsea on Tuesday, with Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes both suspended. However, Michael Carrick is fit again following an ankle injury and will replace Scholes.
Giggs eyes managerial career
Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is keen to become a manager when his playing career ends.
The 33-year-old Welshman has played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford for his entire career, and thinks the experience has given him a few pointers should he make the switch.
Giggs told the Daily Star Sunday: "I want to carry on playing as much as possible, although I've no idea how much longer my legs will hold out, but I'd definitely consider a move into management.
"Obviously I've spent my entire career playing for one of the most successful managers in history, which can't be a bad education."
Should Giggs, who is approaching his 700th appearance for Man United, take up management, he would follow in the footsteps of his former team-mates Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane, Paul Ince and Chris Casper.
dc7176
01-01-2007, 04:03 PM
AC Milan alerted as Man Utd to let Heinze leave
tribalfooball.com - December 31, 2006
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will allow Gaby Heinze to move on in the summer.
The People says the Argentine left-back will choose between AC Milan and Valencia after realising he has no long-term future at Manchester United.
Heinze has been told United will not renew his contract, which has had clubs scrapping for his signature.
The former Paris St Germain defender conceded: "Everything is now in the hands of Manchester United. I know there has been an offer, but that is all I know at the moment. But I'm not going to let it worry me.
"All of my physical problems have gone and I'm fit to play. I don't have a problem with Ferguson."
Heinze, 28, first caught the eye in Spain with Real Valladolid. Valencia are ready to hand him a three-year deal if they get a free transfer after concerns they will lose centre-back Roberto Ayala to Villarreal. Valencia's sporting director Amedeo Carboni has made him the top of his transfer list.
Heinze is open to all offers, but has told United he won't move to a club not in the Champions League next season
dc7176
01-01-2007, 04:08 PM
AC Milan alerted as Man Utd to let Heinze leave
From tribalfootball.com
I wouldn't be surprised if Heinze is allowed to leave as although he has heart and grit both in abundance he is somewhat lacking in football skills. Modern fullbacks are expected to be able to defend and be more skilful going forward and interchanging with the forwards. Heinze has proved time and again that he is much more comfortable at defending and blocking opposing wingers.
I wouldn't be surprised if Heinze is allowed to leave as although he has heart and grit both in abundance he is somewhat lacking in football skills. Modern fullbacks are expected to be able to defend and be more skilful going forward and interchanging with the forwards. Heinze has proved time and again that he is much more comfortable at defending and blocking opposing wingers.
I would be very surprised if Heinze is sold. If Sir Alex is going to sell a left back than it is more likely to be Silvestre.
l3atu
03-01-2007, 07:27 AM
I would be very surprised if Heinze is sold. If Sir Alex is going to sell a left back than it is more likely to be Silvestre.
Man.U is trying to keep their squad young. I heard Gareth Bale is the replacement for Heinze. ;)
dom01
03-01-2007, 11:46 AM
Silvestre confirm going.. But henize going is a surprise. Even Spector joining west ham was a surprise. I tot he was a hit with SAF
Man.U is trying to keep their squad young. I heard Gareth Bale is the replacement for Heinze. ;)
Between Heinze and Silvestre, the one likely to be sold is Silvestre - this is my personal view.
Fergie turns to Red Vikings
UNITED will use their all-Scandinavian strike-force of Henrik Larsson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the FA Cup this weekend to bounce back from dropping two priceless points in the Premiership title race.
Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed, after his side's 2-2 draw at Newcastle, that former Celtic and Barcelona Swedish hero Larsson will team up with Norwegian legend Solskjaer.
Ferguson was toying with the idea already, but a groin injury to joint top-scorer Louis Saha has made his mind up for him.
Solskjaer stayed at home for the trip to the North East, leaving United without a striker on the bench, but will return in the Cup tie against Villa.
Fergie said: "I didn't take Ole to Newcastle because he has played two games in four days and I thought he would be better resting ready for Sunday's match. He will play along with Larsson."
Larsson's arrival signals a greater depth of available resources but Ferguson reflected on losing the lead at Newcastle when his team appeared to be in control, and feared that the result may haunt the Reds in the title race.
"I just hope we don't look back at the end of May and say this was a throwaway," said the Reds' boss, who had the shine taken off his New Year's Eve 65th birthday celebrations.
"Even after we lost the first goal we made four chances in the last 15 minutes of the first half.
"Defensively we did very well most of the time - they scored a screamer for the first and a deflected shot for the second which was a bit unfortunate for us, as we had three shots cleared off the line and missed some great chances."
...Hopefully Larsson will change his mind to sign till the end of the season and help us in the Champions League...
Actually I think it's Larsson's club's decision. SAF was saying he is already very grateful that the club agreed to release Larsson on loan at all and he wants to be fair to his club and not hog him till the summer...
How Fergie kept getting the Ron number
SIR Alex Ferguson has revealed that he was concerned when he could not contact Cristiano Ronaldo after his World Cup bust-up with Wayne Rooney.
The Reds manager tried to contact both players after their confrontation during the England versus Portugal match, as Rooney was sent off.
But, while he immediately got hold of Rooney, it was some time before he contacted Portuguese ace Ronaldo, although he finally discovered he had been texting the player's old mobile number.
That revelation comes after Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has told how he "offered" the Reds ace to Barcelona last summer, only to be turned down because the club were holding out for Arsenal's Thierry Henry.
Speculation was rife in June that Ronaldo was about to leave Old Trafford after he told a Spanish newspaper, a week before the altercation with Rooney, that he wanted to join Real Madrid.
Rumours
That followed just a month after a training-ground row with Ruud van Nistelrooy which had sparked rumours that Ronaldo would be Spain-bound in the summer - although it was the Dutchman who eventually left.
United fans feared that, with a baying mob waiting for him in England, Ronaldo's apparent desire to leave would be fuelled by those two incidents. And even Ferguson, untouched by media hysteria more than most, has hinted that he was concerned at the time.
He attempted to contact both players, amid wild claims that Rooney was out for Ronaldo's blood over the affair, but only managed to speak to one.
"I was able to get hold of Wayne straight away but with Ronaldo I was texting his old number. I was thinking to myself `Why's he not ringing back?' " he said.
"If you add that to our concern over what had been said - and the media did go completely over the top - it was getting to be ridiculous as well as irresponsible. So while it's better not to take all the over-reaction seriously, we address it back here.
"We find that players are always fine once we get them back within the confines of the training ground. But it's true that it's more difficult where a World Cup is concerned, because you've no direct link right away.
"I remember I told David Beckham to bite the bullet, to get away to the USA and say nothing after his red card against Argentina in 1998 and that turned out OK."
Actually I think it's Larsson's club's decision. SAF was saying he is already very grateful that the club agreed to release Larsson on loan at all and he wants to be fair to his club and not hog him till the summer...
Nevertheless, I hope Larsson will stay til the end of the season. He is eligible to play 9 games during his loan period. This is too short a time for him to make an impact.
If he is a success with Man Utd and wants to continue till May I doubt his club will disagree. Afterall he is Larsson, Helsingborg should be grateful he is their player. If they disagree he can jolly well says he wants to retire immediately after finishing his loan with Man Utd.:D
yinyang
06-01-2007, 12:12 AM
Greed is colour of money? Think it's OTT:D
Bayern name price for Hargreaves
Hargreaves has made no secret of his desire to join Man Utd
Bayern Munich will consider selling Owen Hargreaves to Manchester United - but not for less than £20m.
Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer told German newspaper Bild that if an offer of that size was tabled "we would have to think about it".
Beckenbauer added: "That is a figure that would allow us to be active in the transfer market."
Hargreaves has just been told that he is not ready to return to full training as he recovers from a broken leg.
The 25-year-old sustained the injury in a league match against Arminia Bielefeld in September and had hoped to return in January.
"It is normal to want to keep a player who has just extended his contract"
Franz Beckenbauer
But he is now unlikely to be ready to play against Borussia Dortmund when the Bundesliga restarts after its winter break on 26 January.
Hargreaves had hoped to return to full training with his Bayern team-mates, who are on a training camp in Dubai.
However, tests on his leg revealed the healing process was not as advanced as previously predicted and he will instead only take part in light training.
Hargreaves has been repeatedly linked with United over recent months - with the player admitting he would relish a move to Old Trafford.
Bayern had previously stated that they would not sell a player who last season signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2010.
And Beckenbauer added: "It is normal to want to keep a player who has just extended his contract and who only wants to join another club because they will pay him better."
606: DEBATE
Hargreaves is a hard-working player, but until he can prove it consistently, why should Man Utd pay £20m for him?
Hargreaves has always maintained that his desire to play in the Premiership is not motivated by money.
The England midfielder said: "It's about the opportunity to possibly play in another league I haven't played in before, which is also the country I represent and where my family lives.
"It's not like I'm saying I want to go to AC Milan or Inter Milan because they're offering me more money.
"It's because it's England and because Britain is where my family is. My parents and my brothers are in Canada, but the whole of my dad's side of the family is in Bolton and my mum's side is in Rhyl.
"I think some people don't realise that. They think I'm half-German or something, but I'm not. I was brought up by a British family. It just happened to be in Canada."
Real Madrid bid for Cristiano Ronaldo
MADRID (AFP) - Spanish giants Real Madrid have made a bid for on-fire Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real, without silverware for four years, have bid 40 million euros for the 21-year-old Portugual international in an effort to sign him in the January transfer window, the Madrid-based ABC daily has said Thursday.
But the English Premiership leaders have no intention of letting go of the in-form Ronaldo, who scored three consecutive doubles for his club over the holiday period, and have slapped a price tag of 70 million euros on him, ABC said.
It was not possible to confirm the report at Real Madrid.
:D :D
Ferguson planning double dip into transfer market
MANCHESTER (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he is planning to make two new additions to his squad during the January transfer window.
The Manchester United manager, who dismissed speculation about Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Real Madrid, has been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, Southampton full-back Gareth Bale and Charlton forward Darren Bent in recent weeks.
His lengthy pursuit of England star Hargreaves has been boosted by reports that Bayern are ready to discuss selling the player this month.
And although Ferguson refused to name the players on his hit-list, with United pushing on three fronts in the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup, he admits there is a neeed for reinforcements at Old Trafford.
Ferguson said: "We have brought a lot of players back to the club from loan spells and we are looking to maybe sign one or two in January as well.
"We are looking at a few things. I won't discuss any names, but we are looking at various options.
"The story about Ronaldo is nonsense, though. We have not had any offer from Real Madrid, but his future is not even an issue."
United launch their bid for FA Cup glory on Sunday with a third round tie at home to Premiership rivals Aston Villa.
The Cup Final is set to finally return to Wembley this May for the first time since 2000 and Ferguson, who confirmed that Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak will make a rare start in place of Edwin van der Sar against Villa, is determined to ensure that record Cup winners United are there for Wembley's grand re-opening.
He said: "The Cup Final is expected to be at the new Wembley and all clubs will want to go there at some point, but I am hoping that we can do it this year.
"It will be interesting to see it when it does open. So much has been done to it over the last five or six years that it will be a relief when they finally open the gates. Hopefully, they will be opening the gates to us.
"Everyone is anticipating that it will be the best stadium in the world and it should be considering the money that has been spent on it because it has cost a lot. I am certainly expecting it to be special.
"We obviously need to navigate this round first. There is a lot of FA Cup history between United and Villa because I think only ourselves and Spurs have appeared in more finals than them.
"They are bringing 6,000 fans and there will be cup fever at the game. Martin O'Neill has got great enthusiasm and freshness at Villa now, so it will be a tough game for us."
Loan signing Henrik Larsson is set for a place on the bench against Villa, but Ferguson confirmed that the Swedish striker would be given his United debut at some point during the game.
He said: "Henrik will certainly be involved at some stage. His training performances have been very good and he has looked very sharp, so there are no concerns over his fitness."
O'Neill: Ronaldo a 'great' player
ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill has praised Cristiano Ronaldo for emulating David Beckham in dealing with being public enemy number one amongst fans in a positive manner ahead of Sunday's FA Cup clash with Manchester United.
Beckham had a spell of being reviled by supporters after his sending-off when on World Cup duty for England against Argentina during the 1998 finals but gradually won his critics over.
Ronaldo has also been the victim of the boo-boys after the part he played in Wayne Rooney's dismissal during the World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal in Germany last summer.
But he has also responded in an upbeat way with a series of superb performances to make himself a leading contender with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for the PFA Footballer Of The Year award.
Ronaldo tormented Villa in United's 3-0 away win a fortnight ago, scoring twice, and continued in the same rich vein of form during the festive period.
O'Neill said: "If there is a comparison to be drawn between Ronaldo and Beckham, in the way they have responded to adverse criticism, that's fine.
"I don't necessarily look at it like that. But I think that Ronaldo's response, if it is a response to what happened in Portugal, has been fantastic.
Amazing
"If it's just him maturing more quickly as a player, then it's just amazing.
"But what happened in the World Cup could affect people. It hasn't seen to have bothered him.
"I wouldn't know him well enough to know whether it inspired him or whatever but it has not bothered him."
O'Neill believes Ronaldo has found the right balance between being a crowd pleaser and doing effective job for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
The Villa chief said: "Ronaldo came to Manchester United a couple of season ago with raw talent and people talked about his ability to play the final ball, of him being rather superfluous and not seeing things.
"If his performance against us was anything to go by, he can still do the occasional trick that goes wrong, but he instantly forgets about it and gets onto the next thing.
"He gets onto the next thing. It wouldn't prevent him from doing another little trick but, in essence, Ronaldo is not only a crowd pleaser but a brilliant player.
"They are different things. You can be a crowd pleaser and drive your manager insane. Great players can combine both and that's why he is a great player."
Service
O'Neill will come fact to face on Sunday with veteran striker Henrik Larsson, who gave him sterling service at Celtic.
He believes the 35-year-old can be successful during his three month spell with United but admits he did not consider trying to tempt him to Villa for fear of affecting the relationship he had with the Swede.
O'Neill said: "Henrik has been and still is a quality player. He is also not too old either.
"I can see exactly why Sir Alex Ferguson has gone for him because he will need a number of quality players in January-February and Henrik is certainly that.
"He owes me absolutely nothing and I am hoping that is reciprocated as well. I wish him all the best and he will do wonderfully well.
"Those days with Henrik at Celtic have passed and if it was only to get him for a couple of months, it is not eventually where I want Aston Villa to go.
"It doesn't mean I wouldn't want some experienced players around me. But I don't really want to ruin a decent relationship that I had with him.
"He might have arrived here and maybe found life wasn't so rosy and maybe I didn't pick him in games. I really don't want a Henrik Larsson knocking on my door every single day saying I should have started the games."
Hargreaves hope for United
BAYERN Munich supremo Franz Beckenbauer looks to have given Manchester United the green light in their bid to sign Owen Hargreaves.
The England midfielder has been the Reds' number one transfer target ever since last summer's World Cup finals, despite a propsed £15m price tag and a defiant stance from the German giants
But now the Reds appear to be close to getting their man after Bayern president Beckenbauer conceded: "If the offer that is being talked about really is true, we will have to think about it.
"If we receive an offer on the scale that is being talked about we are going to have to give it serious consideration."
Hargreaves, who has made no secret of his wish to move to Old Trafford, is nearing recovery from a broken leg and is said to be ready to fly to Manchester for a medical at immediate notice.
United are also thought to be ready to make an improved offer for Southampton's teenage full back Gareth Bale, who was withdrawn from Saints' squad ahead of their FA Cup tie at Torquay.
Sir Alex Ferguson hinted there may be some activity in the transfer window, but reassured fans that Cristiano Ronaldo was going nowhere.
He said: “We may sign someone in January, there may be a couple of signings, who knows? We are looking at some things.
“But we have the squad to handle it (all competitions).”
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid but Ferguson said: “There has not been an offer.
“It is not worth talking about anyway. It is not an issue for us.”
yinyang
06-01-2007, 11:15 AM
Friday's football gossip - Transfer rumours
-BBC football 5/1
MU 1st (but of course)...
Manchester United will try to sign Blackburn's David Bentley - if their move for Owen Hargreaves falls through. (Daily Mirror)
Aston Villa will sign Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley, but not until the two teams have played in the FA Cup and league. (Daily Mirror)
Javier Mascherano will join Liverpool in a few days - but needs to check he is eligible to play because of Fifa regulations limiting the number of clubs a player can represent in one season. (Various)
West Ham will spend more than £20m in January in a bid to save their Premiership status - with £5m Fulham skipper Luis Boa Morte their first target. (Various)
Other targets for the Hammers include Matthew Upson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Mark Viduka. (Various)
Tottenham have made a £4m bid for West Ham's Anton Ferdinand. (The Sun)
Spurs boss Martin Jol has seen a £7m offer for Charlton's Darren Bent rejected. (Daily Mail)
Tottenham are ready to offer Wayne Routledge and Calum Davenport to Watford, in return for Watford striker Ashley Young. (The Guardian)
Young is closing in on a £5.5m move to Liverpool, with Watford ready to replace him with £1m Will Hoskins from Rotherham. (Daily Express)
Charlton boss Alan Pardew has made a shock bid for Portsmouth's veteran striker Andy Cole. (Daily Mirror)
Rangers are closing in on a double swoop for Wigan defender Andy Webster and Falkirk striker Alan Gow. (Daily Record)
Charlton have agreed a £2.7m fee for Arsenal striker Anthony S+++es. (The Sun)
Newcastle are still confident they can capture the signature of Liverpool's Peter Crouch. (Various)
Chelsea want to sign Valencia's veteran Argentine defender Roberto Ayala. (Daily Mail)
Fulham striker Collins John has rejected a move to Watford after they failed to meet his personal demands. (Various)
Real Madrid are considering a shock £7m bid for Everton defender Joleon Lescott. (Daily Mirror)
Sheffield United are on the verge of signing Egypt international defender Ahemed Fathi from Ismaily in a £700,000 deal. (The Sun)
QPR have rejected two £2m bids from Spurs and Man City for winger Lee Cook. (Various)
Southampton's young star Gareth Bale has rejected a new contract with the club. (Daily Mirror)
Hibs player Scott Brown says he has been threatened by the club's supporters after requesting a transfer. (Daily Record)
Sunderland boss Roy Keane will raid former club Celtic for midfielder Stephen Pearson in a £400,000 deal. (Daily Mirror)
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is lining up a surprise swoop for Coventry's Stern John. (The Sun)
Benfica's Manuel Fernandes is keen to stay in England despite his loan spell with Portsmouth coming to an end. (The Sun)
Marseille star Franck Ribery says he has snubbed a second bid by Arsenal - but will consider joining the Gunners in the summer. (Daily Star)
Millwall want to re-sign their joint-record scorer Neil Harris from Nottingham Forest. (The Sun)
Sheffield United winger Paul Ifill will join Crystal Palace. (Daily Mirror)
OTHER GOSSIP
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill fears Manchester United's veteran striker Henrik Larsson - who played under him at Celtic - will come back to haunt him in Sunday's FA Cup tie. (Various)
yinyang
06-01-2007, 11:20 AM
Man Utd v Aston Villa
Old Trafford
Sunday 7 January
Third Round
Kick-off: 1400 GMT
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Martin)
Replay date (if required) : Wed, 17 Jan, 1945 GMT
Henrik Larsson is expected to make his debut for Manchester United after joining the club on loan, partnering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Tomasz Kuszczak will make his fourth appearance of the season, replacing Edwin van der Sar in goal.
Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry will return after suspension but Olof Mellberg serves a one-match ban.
With Thomas Sorensen still injured, Villa have been given permission to play on-loan keeper Gabor Kiraly.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd (from): Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra, Heinze, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, O'Shea, Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Solskjaer, Larsson, Heaton.
Aston Villa (from): Kiraly, Olejnik, Hughes, Cahill, Ridgewell, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Davis, McCann, Barry, Osbourne, Gardner, Angel, Baros, Samuel, Whittingham, Agathe, Djemba-Djemba.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
MANCHESTER UNITED begin their challenge for a record 12th FA Cup against Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa at Old Trafford, in front of live BBC Match of the Day cameras. United are the most successful club in the 136-year history of the competition. They have qualified for the final of 17 occasions, seven of which have been under Sir Alex Ferguson, and five of those were victorious. Sir Alex has never lost a third round FA Cup tie - this is his 20th. Bournemouth were the last club to knock out United at this stage (in 1984). Spurs were the last top division to defeat them in the third round in 1980.
The Red Devils are already going strong on two fronts - leading the Premiership by six points from Chelsea, and safely into the knock out stages of the Champions League. Now they add this third string to their bow. They've not lost in any competition in 10 matches at Old Trafford since Arsenal defeated them in the League on 17 September, and have won the last five at the Theatre of Dreams.
This is the 11th time United have been drawn with Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and the third time in the third round in six seasons (2002, 2004 and 2007). They lead by eight wins to two, including the last four .
ASTON VILLA began the season revitalised under newly appointed manager Martin O'Neill. But they have gone off the boil more recently, failing to win any of their last 10 matches.
Villa have lost their last nine League and Cup contests against United, including the most recent at Villa Park on 23 December. Paul Scholes produced a Christmas cracker of a strike between two Cristiano Ronaldo goals in a 0-3 result. Villa have not experienced victory at Old Trafford since 5 November 1983. Peter Withe scored both their goals in a 1-2 top flight triumph.
These clubs have only come up against each other once in an FA Cup final. Villa prevailed 2-1, and duly lifted the Cup for the seventh and most recent occasion in the club's history.
asiancigar
09-01-2007, 01:29 AM
Wah Lau Bro YY..... u very 'kot lat leh'.... hehehe
Want to upz u also cannot coz ever b4 liao... sigh
Sorry i couldn't join u guys last nite.....juz got back from Batam (after Tanjung Pinang) this evening.
Cheerz
AC
Bro qbdp,
You might get your wish yet... :D
Larsson surrounded by United extension stay fever
Mon 08 Jan, 6:36 PM
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Speculation was rife over whether Sweden, Celtic and Barcelona veteran foward, Henrik Larsson, would convert a dream debut at Manchester United into an extended stay at the club.
Larsson on Sunday launched his 10-week loan stint from Swedish side Helsingborg in style to fire United into a 55th minute lead over Aston Villa in a dramatic FA Cup third round tie at Old Trafford.
Helsingborg was however keen to dampen speculation that Larsson could extend his stay at United.
"First we must have a request from Manchester ... but so far there have been no discussions on an extension," Helsingborg FC chairman Sten-Inge Fredin told AFP.
"According to the contract ... he's coming back to us on March 12," Fredin added.
Swedish papers made much of his dream debut at Old Trafford with both broadsheet and tabloid front pages carrying pictures of a jubilant Larsson surrounded by his team mates.
Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter heaped praised on the 35-year-old and called on him to return to the national side.
"He made dream passes, reverse kicks, bicycle kicks and he scored a goal. Make yourself available for the national team again. Please!" the paper said.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was so delighted with Larsson's debut he compared him to Old Trafford hero Eric Cantona.
"I'm delighted for Henrik," said Ferguson. "I wanted to find out about his fitness and sharpness and he has proved that with this performance.
"I think he can score some very important goals during his time with us. He's done that throughout his career.
"Eric Cantona did the same thing and I think Henrik can make a big impact too," the Scot added.
After the 2006 World Cup Larsson left the national side saying it was time for young talent to come up through the ranks.
yinyang
09-01-2007, 08:55 AM
... u very 'kot lat leh'.... hehehe...Sorry i couldn't join u guys last nite.....juz got back from Batam (after Tanjung Pinang) this evening.
AC, your memory's as good as last bonk hehehe.
Tried to impress rest bros with your sms live FRs (err graphical accounts), but they were unconvinced unless mms pics leh.
Hope your 4 wheel drive's serviced for next x-country jaunt hehehe:p
bonkudear
09-01-2007, 12:39 PM
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Speculation was rife over whether Sweden, Celtic and Barcelona veteran foward, Henrik Larsson, would convert a dream debut at Manchester United into an extended stay at the club.
I saw the game against Villa and I hope that Sir Alex will seriously consider extending Larsson's loan period till the season's end.
Larsson will provide much needed cover for injury prone Saha and Solskjaer, not to mention take the pressure off 'under-scoring' Rooney.
If Sir Alex were to really go for the treble, he will need an experienced man like Larsson around to guide youngsters Ronaldo and Rooney.
At the same time, I think Rooney may just be trying too hard now to score to break his dry spell. He should take a well-deserved short break and come back even stronger for the final push for glory.
I saw the game against Villa and I hope that Sir Alex will seriously consider extending Larsson's loan period till the season's end.....
I think all who saw the game would want Larsson to stay on (except for Chelsea fans of course). Most of the team were a little slow-witted (compared to their usual speedy selves) except for Larsson (and Solskjaer after he came on). Nimble, intelligent and no less tricky then Ronaldo - plus he has a wealth of international and top club-level experience. I'm sure he would love to win a champ's league medal for two years running so there's no lack of hunger there... ;)
yinyang
09-01-2007, 06:32 PM
Just to add fat to fire on Larsson's extension hopes.. bit more Swedish realism from his coach:
Helsingborg coach Stuart Baxter also insisted it was too early to discuss such matters, although he doubts there would be any obstacles preventing Larsson's deal being extended.
"While it is very early to speculate, it could happen," said Baxter.
"We are in a world where we are not really able to force Henrik back.
"Sweden being Sweden they would probably think of the person and not the footballer.
"There would be a discussion between Henrik and the club but he has given us no indication this is any more than the agreement we have."
He added: "We knew this situation might happen when we did the deal. It is Manchester United, after all, not Bristol Rovers."
...It is Manchester United, after all, not Bristol Rovers...
Walau.... Bristol Rover tio suan ah... kekekeke....
dom01
10-01-2007, 07:35 PM
brother... no news on the transfer market?
dc7176
11-01-2007, 10:29 AM
Man Utd must pay big for Larsson stay
tribalfooball.com - January 09, 2007
Manchester United must cough up £1.2 million to extend the loan of striker Henrik Larsson to the end of this season.
And if United boss Alex Ferguson wants the 35-year-old striker for 2007-08 as well, it could cost the Premiership leaders a cool £3m, says The Sun.
The Swede has initially agreed to stay at Old Trafford until March 12 before returning home to play for Helsingborgs.
Chairman Sten-Inge Fredin said: "The exact sum a deal like this will cost United depends on a lot of circumstances. For example, we would have to decide if we need to replace him in our own team.
"It is, first and foremost, up to Henrik if he will stay in Manchester. If he wants that, then we are certainly up for discussions with United."
brother... no news on the transfer market?
Typically SAF likes to keep things quiet and do his deals in the background... We all know he's looking at a few options and I guess we'll be hearing about them when the deals are done...
mr_missile
11-01-2007, 12:43 PM
Typically SAF likes to keep things quiet and do his deals in the background... We all know he's looking at a few options and I guess we'll be hearing about them when the deals are done...
Right bro imom. Else Chelski will try to scupper the potential deals by offering above-market transfer fees and pay for the players that United is interested in.
One only has to look at Robben, Essien, Ballack, Obi Mikel to name but a few who have gone to Chelski instead.
Better to keep things under wrap till the deal is done or better still, throw some red herrings for Chelski. ;)
yinyang
12-01-2007, 12:23 PM
Ronaldo wins monthly award again
Ronaldo is the Premiership's second-higest goalscorer.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become only the third player to win the Barclays Premiership Player of the Month Award twice in a row.
The in-form Manchester United winger picked up the December award to follow in the footsteps of Dennis Bergkamp (1997) and Robbie Fowler (1995/6).
Ronaldo, 21, scored seven goal in six matches in December to take his season's tally to 12.
That is only one behind the Premiership's top scorer Didier Drogba.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6252317.stm
yinyang
12-01-2007, 12:28 PM
Edited for red devils bias...
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona are lining up a summer swoop for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo - with star midfielder Xavi heading to Old Trafford in return. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham want Manchester United's Wes Brown and are ready to slap in a £5m offer. (The Sun)
AND FINALLY...
Noise levels experienced by players at Fratton Park, Old Trafford and Anfield are often in excess of 90 decibels - meaning that players may be given earmuffs to protect their hearing under health and safety legislation. (The Sun)
l3atu
12-01-2007, 12:52 PM
One only has to look at Robben, Essien, Ballack, Obi Mikel to name but a few who have gone to Chelski instead.
Better to keep things under wrap till the deal is done or better still, throw some red herrings for Chelski. ;)
Right ! Must inform SAF to start looking for more Djemba Djemba, Liam Miller, Bellion, Forlan, Kleberson, Veron etc. :p
l3atu
12-01-2007, 12:54 PM
I read somewher the german newspapers reported Chelsea is offering Robben + 10 mil for Hargreaves...knn...toopid Chelsea everytime trying to steal our targets... :o
I read somewher the german newspapers reported Chelsea is offering Robben + 10 mil for Hargreaves...knn...
Nevermind. If Hargreaves goes to Chelsea instead, Michael Carrick will break Hargreaves' legs again in April. Hehe.
But at least Hargreaves has indicated his desire to be a Red Devil, unlike the nazi Ballack (orbi good, now doing badly at Chelsea) and the money-face Mikel.
Right ! Must inform SAF to start looking for more Djemba Djemba, Liam Miller, Bellion, Forlan, Kleberson, Veron etc....
Dun forget a goalie like MASSIMO TAIBI, Fabian Barthez or Mark Bosnich , so that Chelsea can hijack to 'ease' their goalie woes... Wahaha....
Also wingers like Karel I've-come-to-England-to-sit-on-the-bench Poborsky, Jordi I-wish-I-was-half-the-player-my dad-was Cruyff... :D
thumper
12-01-2007, 02:40 PM
I can't believe players still want to go to chelski even though they know that those idiots are signing them just to piss United off and not let them have the players... are they retarded, blind or simply plain dumb?
kudos to park that he still wants to sign with United even though chelski came in, in the last min to try to sign him.
l3atu
12-01-2007, 03:51 PM
Why not ? Those who went to Chelsea are diagnosed with the Borgarde disease...just sit still on the bench and make occasional appearances will makes you a millionaire... :D
Quote from the commentators during last Sat's game vs Villa:
Sir Alex has said in his match notes that he is unlikely to bring in any new faces in January if their bid for Owen Hargreaves fails....
yinyang
15-01-2007, 12:54 PM
TRANFER RUMOURS, GOSSIP-
BBC Sun 14/1
(edited for bias on MU)
Manchester United have won the race to sign Southampton's Gareth Bale and will clinch an £8m summer deal. (Mirror)
Gabriel Heinze admits his United career is over. Inter Milan, Juventus, PSG and Valencia are interested. (NotW)
Wigan have failed with a £7m bid for Manchester United's Alan Smith. (NotW)
OTHER GOSSIP (aka Chelski WOES)
Chelsea are set to move for ex-Italy coach Marcello Lippi - if manager Jose Mourinho quits in the summer. (People)
Mourinho, who is wanted by six clubs, will have showdown talks with Blues owner Roman Abramovich. (Sunday Mirror)
And the Portuguese manager has already told Abramovich that he will leave immediately if the Russian pays off his contract. That redundancy cheque would amount to £25m. (Sunday Times)
Abramovich blocked a bid to bring Aston Villa's Milan Baros to Chelsea, with Shaun Wright-Phillips going in the opposite direction. (News of the World)
Mourinho has told 'friends' Andriy Shevchenko has come to Chelsea to be "on holiday". (Sunday Independent)
And there are also reports Mourinho has been told to hire a Russian assistant in place of Steve Clarke. (Independent)
asnee2
15-01-2007, 05:19 PM
For Bro and Sis who wager regularly on soccer, do drop me a message. I can give you the best odds :)
asiancigar
16-01-2007, 01:50 AM
What is this nonsense that Chelski are also interested in Owen Hargraves... aiyah why always like that.... damn 'gee seow'.
Now SAF have to go shopping again... sigh
Cheerz
AC
dom01
16-01-2007, 06:06 AM
Yar, i read it in the papers.. Just like robben, they like to lee siao.. buy n put on bench. SWP also...
sigh.. what to do? they hv got $$$
Sayangku
16-01-2007, 07:11 AM
I know this will not happen, but i hope Jose can replace Ferguson as ManU manager, no matter how we dislike Chelski, we gotta admit Jose is good, way way better than Rafa and Wenger :)
l3atu
16-01-2007, 08:02 AM
Taken from Tribalfootball.com....hope the sentence in bold is not true... :o
Juventus have held talks with Manchester United over wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
La Stampa says Juve representatives spoke with United officials on Friday about Ronaldo's situation and learned that despite the Portuguese being contracted until 2010, he is not untouchable.
Like with Barcelona last week when United demanded Xavi be included in any offer, Juve were told a deal would be considered if they were willing to offer goalkeeper Gigi Buffon in exchange.
The stumbling block is the valuation of the two players. United insist Juve would have to include a major cash component because of Ronaldo's age and potential, while the Italian giants, for now, would be happier with a straight swap.
....i hope Jose can replace Ferguson as ManU manager, no matter how we dislike Chelski, we gotta admit Jose is good, way way better than Rafa and Wenger....
Jose is better than Rafa IMHO, but not necessarily better than Wenger if you consider it from an 'EVA' perspective. I have more respect for Wenger as he has done so much with so little.
Jose has managed to win with Chelsea only because of the Roman empire and adoption of Bill Gates' HR strategy - hire all the best people and give them big fat salaries even if you have no jobs for them, just so they can't work for the competition.
Wenger, on the other hand, has not had resources to match even MU, let alone Roman.
As for Jose v SAF, I will admit Jose is better when he wins more EPL titles than SAF, with the same financial resources and same success in grooming talent from youth programmes. :p
sgbetfor
16-01-2007, 06:04 PM
Jose is better than Rafa IMHO, but not necessarily better than Wenger if you consider it from an 'EVA' perspective. I have more respect for Wenger as he has done so much with so little.
Jose has managed to win with Chelsea only because of the Roman empire and adoption of Bill Gates' HR strategy - hire all the best people and give them big fat salaries even if you have no jobs for them, just so they can't work for the competition.
Wenger, on the other hand, has not had resources to match even MU, let alone Roman.
As for Jose v SAF, I will admit Jose is better when he wins more EPL titles than SAF, with the same financial resources and same success in grooming talent from youth programmes. :p
In my opinion, Alex has won the treble for MU, which the other current top mgrs like Wenger and Jose has yet to do so. I am betting on MU to win the EPL title.
yinyang
17-01-2007, 06:20 PM
RUMOUR mill, wed 17/1
Spurs have joined Juventus and Valencia in the race to sign Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze. (Various)
Tottenham will only land the Argentine left-back if United can sign Southampton's Gareth Bale. (Various)
The Premiership leaders are 90% of the way to closing a deal for Bale, which could rise as high as £10m. (Guardian)
Blue WOES (aka Chelski), continued
And the Blues will spend £20m at the end of the season on Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres - a player Jose Mourinho does not rate. (Daily Star)
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has told Roman Abramovich he should get AC Milan boss Carlos Ancelotti in to replace Mourinho. (Various)
Ancelotti will be leaving the San Siro in the summer with either Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard or Holland head coach Marco van Basten taking over. (Mirror)
Mourinho may pick Shevchenko against Liverpool just to keep the peace at "crisis club" Chelsea. (Various)
But Abramovich may not be there to see the striker in action as he has threatened to boycott Saturday's match at Anfield. The Russian does not think Blues fans appreciate him enough. (Daily Mail)
AND FINALLY
David Beckham could sue Real Madrid for damages over the way the Spanish club have treated him. (Times)
Fella looks a bit old for a 21 y/o... but I dun give a damn as long as he can score regularly! He looks big and strong - can't wait to see how he performs...
Dong set for Man United debut
Wed 17 Jan, 2:06 PM
http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1889709/0/nouser_1889/T0_-1_1889709.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php?action=show&ident=1889709)
LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United's China striker Dong Fangzhuo has been given a British work permit and is clear to make his competitive debut for the Premier League leaders, the club said on Wednesday.
United signed the 21-year-old from Dalian Shide in January 2004 but sent him out on loan to Belgian club Royal Antwerp, where he scored 35 goals in 61 games.
Handed shirt number 21, Dong is now eligible to turn out in league and cup games for United and has signed a new contract until 2010. He has only played previously for them in pre-season friendlies, scoring the winner against Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa last July.
"We're all excited he has eventually arrived and can start playing," United manager Alex Ferguson told the club's Web site www.manutd.com. "He sacrificed two-and-a-half years at Royal Antwerp, which showed great patience and determination.
"He is quick and athletic and he can only improve by training with the first team squad here."
Sad to see that Gabby's likely to go... He's been good and ENGLISH fans have even been singing Argentinian songs for him...
United Expect Bale Deal - Report
Wed 17 Jan, 9:09 AM
Southampton starlet Gareth Bale is "90% certain" to join Manchester United before the transfer window shuts, according to The Guardian.
United have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign the Wales left-back and the deal looks likely to go through this month despite Saints boss George Burley claiming Bale would be going nowhere at least until the summer.
The Premiership leaders are reportedly hoping to strike a deal for around £5.5million, but Saints are asking closer to £10million.
However United are apparently willing to allow Bale to spend the rest of the season on loan at St Mary's, which could bring the price down particularly as Bale would then be only 12 months away from the end of his contract.
But the 17-year-old's arrival at Old Trafford could spell the end of Gabriel Heinze's Red Devils career, with several national newspapers claiming Spurs are plotting a £5million bid for him once the Bale deal is struck.
After missing the start of the season through injury, the Argentine has slipped behind Patrice Evra in the pecking order and could look for a way out.
If he does so, Martin Jol will be keen to bring him on board and is happy to match the 28-year-old's Old Trafford pay packet.
Juventus are also confirmed admirers of the tough-tackling South American.
In comes Dong and away (again) goes Rossi... Hopefully Parma use him in a more fruitful way than the zebras did!
Parma raid Reds Devils for Rossi
Wed 17 Jan, 9:15 PM
Parma have signed Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi on loan until the end of the season.The 19-year-old Italian American, who has previously been on the books of Parma as a youth team player, has been signed to boost the club's battle against relegation from Serie A.
Parma board member Roberto Cappelli told the Serie A club's official website: "It gives us particular pleasure to announce the news that today we have concluded the arrival on loan until June 30, 2007 of Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi."
Rossi spent the first half of the season on loan at Newcastle and scored one goal in five starts for the Magpies.
Owen's United move looking unlikely
Thu 18 Jan, 1:45 PM
Owen Hargreaves' chances of joining Manchester United have become even more remote with Bayern Munich set to lose several midfielders.On Tuesday, Sebastian Deisler announced his immediate retirement and that, coupled with the impending transfer of Ali Karimi to Al-Ahli, has left Bayern short of cover in the squad.
The situation will become more acute in the summer when Mehmet Scholl intends to retire and Hasan Salihamidzic will complete an agreed move to Juventus.
That will leave Bundesliga champions Bayern with just four recognised midfielders in Mark van Bommel, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andreas Ottl and Hargreaves.
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has indicated that the situation will mean that players will not be allowed to leave.
"It is not the case that we are care-free," he said.
"We have got to start being careful with our squad."
Instead, Bayern will themselves be in the market for midfield reinforcements, but Hoeness added that academy prospects would also be given their chance.
"Sometimes enforced restructuring like this is not a bad solution," he said.
United have been interested in Hargreaves since his impressive performances for England during the World Cup in Germany last summer.
Castrol
19-01-2007, 10:36 AM
On Tuesday, Sebastian Deisler announced his immediate retirement
very sad indeed at 27 only, dazzling deisler didnt fulfill his destiny to be one of the greatest german footballers. i was anticipating his return to the pitch. i wish scv will show some of his brilliant games. :(
United given hope as Bayern discuss £20m Hargreaves bid
Just hours after Sir Alex Ferguson claimed to have “hit a brick wall” in his pursuit of Owen Hargreaves, Manchester United were last night given hope of a long-awaited breakthrough. United made a firm £20 million offer to Bayern Munich yesterday and, although it was not accepted immediately by the German club, there is hope at Old Trafford that an agreement will be reached.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s director-general, told a German newspaper yesterday that it was “out of the question” that Hargreaves could leave during the transfer window, but, with United all but certain of his capture at the end of the season, there were indications last night that Bayern might be starting to soften. Rummenigge is due to consult Uli Hoeness, the general manager, and Franz Beckenbauer, the president, today to decide whether or not to accept the bid.
United’s hopes have fluctuated over the fortnight, with negotiations progressing behind the scenes. Bayern have relented in acknowledging that Hargreaves will almost certainly move to Old Trafford at the end of the season, but it was only yesterday, once United expressed a willingness to get close to the £21 million asking price, that a breakthrough became feasible. Even now there remains a strong chance that Bayern will reject the bid, having had their midfield weakened by the retirement of Sebastian Deisler earlier this week at the age of 27 because of a knee injury.
For Ferguson, who remains unsure whether to increase his offer for Gareth Bale, Southampton’s teenage left back, the apparent softening in Bayern’s position will have come as a surprise. “We’re hitting a brick wall at the moment,” Ferguson said yesterday morning. “It’s interesting. I make the point each year that not a lot happens in January. It’s very quiet for us, Chelsea and Arsenal. Blackburn have done a bit of business, Portsmouth have brought two or three players in, but there’s not many deals. It’s not easy in January.”
It means that Ferguson may not have to settle after all for having Henrik Larsson as his only mid-season acquisition, despite uncertainty about whether the former Celtic forward will stay until the end of the campaign or return to Helsingborg when his loan agreement expires on March 12.
Tomorrow’s match away to Arsenal is due to be the second of only seven Premiership appearances for Larsson, but on the evidence of his two matches against Aston Villa, the first in the FA Cup third round, the 35-year-old is in better form than Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.
Neither Rooney nor Saha has scored since the derby victory over Manchester City on December 9, which in Rooney’s case represents 10hr 37min of playing time without a goal. For all United’s success, the 21-year-old has more often than not caught the eye with his workrate rather than the flashes of genius that have led his manager to call him “the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years”.
Ferguson said yesterday that he was happy with Rooney’s contribution, but admitted that United’s form would improve further if the forward began to score regularly. “Wayne needs a break,” he said. “What he needs is get into that one-goal-a-game rhythm that strikers can. If he does that, it will make a big difference to our run-in.”
It is unlikely that Rooney will get into any rhythm without getting into more dangerous positions than he has done in recent weeks. Ferguson would not hear of such talk yesterday, preferring to comfort himself in the view that Rooney “is a big-game player”.
Tomorrow brings a big game and an opportunity for Rooney to live up to that billing.
Firing blanks
24 games in which Rooney has failed to score for United this season (out of 28)
14 Champions League games since he last scored
637 minutes he has gone without scoring for United since December 9
61 goals he has scored in his club career to date (196 appearances)
Ronaldo is the best in Europe, says Larsson
Henrik Larsson has hailed his Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as Europe’s top player, ranking him above even former Barcelona colleague Ronaldhino
Larsson has spent only two-and-a-half weeks training and playing with Ronaldo, 21, but said he has been amazed by what he has seen.
United yesterday had a £20million bid for Owen Hargreaves turned down by Bayern Munich. But Larsson believes Ronaldo is in such stunning form that even missing out on England midfielder Hargreaves will not stop United winning the Premiership.
Larsson said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the Premier League and in the whole of Europe. The things I have seen him do since I have been in Manchester have been incredible, amazing. It is just like a total show in training and even in the matches.
"This kid will one day arrive at the very top in the world of football — if he isn’t there already — because of the fact that he makes the most difficult plays look easy. I know both him and Ronaldhino and have now played with both of them. And Ronaldo is top in Europe at the moment.
"But Cristiano and Ronaldinho in the same team would be like a bomb. It would be an incredible spectacle for the people. What’s more, I am totally convinced the two are able to play in the same side."
Larsson’s dream team could have been a reality had United manager Sir Alex Ferguson succeeded in bringing Brazil star Ronaldhino to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain three-and-half years ago.
But the 35-year-old Swede believes United are good enough to win this year’s title anyway. He has already set his sights on demoralising Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow, just as he did in helping Barcelona beat them in last season’s Champions League Final.
Larsson said: "United are the best team in England and at the moment they are superior to Chelsea, who have suffered a descent in comparison to the last year.
"For me each match with Manchester United is a challenge and a dream. I have scored in the FA Cup and now my desire is to savour a goal in the league, too. That is my immediate objective. A goal in Arsenal’s stadium would be magnificent for me.
"I am very excited about this experience with Manchester United. I had heard all the stories about this club but now I am living on the inside and it is spectacular. It is probably the best club in the world."
Arsenal beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford in September and last night their Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas challenged his team-mates to stop Ronaldo and give themselves the best chance of completing a double.
Fabregas said: "With the arrival of Larsson, United are most dangerous in attack. A line-up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Larsson will always create chances. But the main drive in Manchester United is Cristiano Ronaldo. If he is stopped then that team is reduced by 50 per cent.
"Matches against Manchester United always are very special and we need to win this one to try to jump to third place. They arrive as the leaders but we are now in an excellent mood and we can win."
Games between Arsenal and United have been blighted by controversy in recent years, with Fabregas the man widely thought to have thrown the pizza that hit United boss Ferguson during the infamous ‘Battle of the Buffet’ in autumn 2004.
But Fabregas added: "A match between Arsenal and Manchester United always is a battle but first and foremost it is sport. The incidents of recent seasons are forgotten and I do not believe that United will arrive to provoke us in London."
United last night signalled their month by lodging a £20m bid with Bayern Munich.
Bayern immediately turned down the offer but hinted that Hargreaves, 25, might be allowed to go in the summer. Director-general Karl- Heinz Rummenigge said: "We can’t let him go this month. He must stay for now but who knows at the end of the season?"
United are planning a final attempt to buy Hargreaves and remain confident that an offer in the region of £23m will bring him to Old Trafford. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said early yesterday that the club were ‘banging against a brick wall’ in their attempts to land Hargreaves.
Late in the day, the midfielder indicated his desire for a move, saying: "With Rio, Wayne Rooney and players like that, United have incredible potential. I think they have the nucleus of a great squad and can achieve great things. For a club like intent to land Hargreaves this Man United to make an offer is something I appreciate."
Hargreaves is just back in training with Bayern after recovering from a broken leg.
Ferguson must choose between Larsson and Louis Saha for tomorrow’s game but has no doubt that Rooney will soon end his scoring drought.
The England striker has not scored since early in the game against Manchester City on December 9. But Ferguson said: "He just needs a little break. There’s nothing wrong. I’m not concerned. It will come.
"What he needs to do is to get these odd goals. He’s had spells of a two, a three, a two and he needs to get into that one-goal-a-game thing that strikers can do for you.
"If he does that, it will make a big, big difference to our run-in. He will be fine against Arsenal. He’s a big game player, isn’t he?"
dom01
20-01-2007, 09:49 PM
i heard that chelsea want to sign Hargreaves too... Gosh.. always lee lee siao siao, just like robben, ballack, obi mikel.. :mad:
Tot nt enough strikers liao, SAF still loan out Rossi? So weird.... Hope Dong can do us asians proud.
i heard that chelsea want to sign Hargreaves too... Gosh.. always lee lee siao siao, just like robben, ballack, obi mikel.. :mad:
Tot nt enough strikers liao, SAF still loan out Rossi? So weird.... Hope Dong can do us asians proud.
The Chelsea board is not backing Mourinho with 2-3m needed to buy Bolton's Ben Haim so whats there to talk about Hargreaves? :D
The self proclaimed Special One has fucked himself big time at the bridge.
Ferguson masters the art of moving on
Sir Alex Ferguson claims that the team sitting on top of the Premiership table is the fifth he has created at Manchester United. But where does one team end and another begin? It is not as if every few years he drives out to dump all of his starting XI on the hard shoulder of the M6 before bundling a whole new set of players onto the team coach.
In truth, good teams are always evolving and the trick for a manager in constructing a new one is as much about knowing when to let go of the past, on some occasions brutally tearing it down, as spotting the new young thing.
Understanding that, Ferguson has shown a keen eye for spotting that precise moment when a once invaluable player turns into a liability, which led to him sell Ruud van Nistelrooy last season, dispensed with as ruthlessly as David Beckham was three years earlier.
Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, who had grown into part of the furniture at Old Trafford, were also turfed out of their cosy armchairs as Ferguson sought to subtly alter the identity of his side. He says: "You do such things with a heavy heart because they were fantastic personalities, fantastic human beings and they were great characters about the club, so it was not easy.
"But Nicky and Phil weren't getting a regular game and it wasn't easy for me having brought them up as kids. With their love of the club, they would feel it more when you weren't playing them than players you had brought in from other clubs. They were brought up at the club, they love the club so it became a difficult situation for both of us."
Three older members of the squad, however, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, are still hogging the same dressing room pegs and will be doing so until they shuffle out of Old Trafford on Zimmer-frames. Ferguson says: "They are completely different cases to Phil and Nicky because they are regular players and there has never been a moment when I have had to consider not playing them, other than to give them rests.
"I believe they create the spirit of the club because of their longevity and their loyalty. There are a lot of players who come here for the first time and see the names of Giggs, Scholes and Neville in the team but don't realise that they have been here since they were kids. All of them were 13 when they arrived and it is amazing, absolutely fantastic that they are still here in their thirties."
Giggs, in his 34th year, is the oldest and fairest of them, having been a part of every one of Ferguson's five teams, playing 13 games during the first Premiership success in 1993 and now looking for a remarkable ninth title. He says: "That first title probably gave me the most satisfaction because Liverpool had dominated for so long, so winning that one was also a relief.
"But all the titles have been great because it's such a hard league to win. Chelsea have also raised the bar in the last couple of seasons with their consistency and the money they've spent, so it will be very satisfying if we can win it this season. We're playing good football and we've got some exciting young players, not just the obvious ones such as [Wayne] Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, but others who can also turn it on."
United are breezing along at the top without much assistance from Rooney, who goes into today's game against Arsenal at The Emirates without a goal in seven matches and only one in 13. That speaks volumes for the team's efficiency as a unit, as does the fact that 13 players have contributed Premiership goals this season. As Ferguson quipped: "We're just waiting for Gary Neville."
The most satisfying goal, however, came against Aston Villa last week from the foot of Michael Carrick, his first for the club and a sign that a player who made almost a diffident entrance into Sir Matt Busby Way is now developing the swagger needed to make an impression at such a famous venue. Old Trafford is no place for faint hearts.
Thanks to the brilliant form of Scholes, effortlessly winning the ball, recycling it and opening up space for his midfield colleagues, Carrick is free to wait for his opportunity to deliver the killer ball into the box in a role that American owner Malcolm Glazer would instantly recognise as football's equivalent of the quarterback.
Glazer himself has been a quiet and surprising part of United's success, mainly through his complete lack of interest in the game and his refusal to leave Florida. How much would Chelsea's beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho pay for his club owner Roman Abramovich to set up home 4,000 miles from Stamford Bridge?
Glazer is clearly wise enough to realise that you do not appoint generals and then try to deploy the troops yourself, allowing Ferguson both funds to buy players and the freedom to make his own selections. Carrick, who initially seemed an expensive misfit at £18 million, is beginning to look a shrewd investment and two of last season's buys are blossoming into players of true United pedigree.
Patrice Evra made such a disastrous debut against Manchester City last season that he was hauled off at half time, but he has improved so dramatically that Ferguson is apparently prepared to let Gabriel Heinze go.
And Nemanja Vidic's form has made him the first choice central defensive partner of Rio Ferdinand.
The wiles of Henrik Larsson are also likely to play a significant part in the destination of the Premiership title, while Ferguson is still doggedly pursuing £20 million Owen Hargreaves. As much as Fergie wants him, with Hargreaves having only just returned to training after a broken leg, you wonder why United are so desperate to complete the deal now, rather than wait until the summer.
Knowing Ferguson, of course, he might just want to tease Mourinho about his own lack of transfer funds.
Last Updated: 11:19pm GMT 20/01/2007
dom01
21-01-2007, 12:21 PM
haha... good one... i guess we need owen for champ league.. no knows, SAF might sign ronaldo of r. marid. Cheap cheap 5 m
....SAF might sign ronaldo of r. marid. Cheap cheap 5 m
In his contract, there must be a clause stipulating that he must lose min 10kg.... :p
yankim3
21-01-2007, 01:10 PM
In his contract, there must be a clause stipulating that he must lose min 10kg.... :p
hahaha this is a gd one. hes too overweight to run with the attacking of man u. they are too fast for him. he will only drag the offense down.:D
TERRY VENABLES: SCHOLES IS TOP PLAYER
MOST people seem to make the Footballer of the Year Award a two-horse race between Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. May I add a third name: Paul Scholes.
It's good to have an English contender. Sadly, he no longer plays for his country — and don't think Steve McClaren has not tried to remedy that — but I would say he has been the outstanding English footballer in the Premier League this season.
Scholes is an Englishman who plays football like a Brazilian.
Everyone thinks Brazilian football is all about ball-juggling and clever little tricks. It isn't. It is about speed of thought and fantastic, accurate, one-touch passing.
Brazilian players are always looking to give the ball as early as possible.
Think about the Carlos Alberto goal in the 1970 World Cup Final and the way the ball moved through the team as quickly as possible, the players doing everything first time.
If the way is blocked, that is when a Brazilian tries his tricks — but his initial thought is always the killer pass.
That is what Scholes brings to Manchester United.
He does not always choose to take people on or attempt anything too complicated — and that's why players like to play alongside him.
He just plays his football fast and intelligent.
When a coach takes a training session and plays a two-touch game, everybody is usually comfortable with one touch to get the ball under control, the next to lay it off.
Ask them to play one-touch and you find out who can really play.
It is about doing things off the back foot, to give you that split-second of extra time. If the ball is coming slowly, no matter, but if it comes in fast, that step back can make all the difference. Either way, it is the hardest technique to master — which is what sets Scholes apart.
Some argue that for a midfielder his tackling is a point of weakness — but how many players do you know with his talents who are even half-interested in making a tackle?
Change
Some think Paul's reason for retiring from international football was that he was asked to play out of position. I hope that's not the case.
He has been adamant about his choice since then, when clearly his role in the team would now change under a different manager.
It has been a great disappointment to me that Paul will not reconsider his decision but we must respect that.
I do worry sometimes what would happen if all 11 players adopted the same stance but I have been told that Paul's devotion to family life made international football tough for him.
Today, United are up against Arsenal, though, and this will be a huge test for Scholes because of the way Arsene Wenger's team love to attack down the middle.
United use the flanks a lot with Scholes quick-witted one-touch football often setting up breaks through Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs.
Arsenal come through the centre and it will be interesting to see how Ferguson counters this, and whether he makes Giggs play in a narrower formation to crowd that space.
It will certainly make life difficult for Scholes and Michael Carrick because, while both do their share of work, neither are defensive midfielders like Claude Makelele. It will be fascinating to see whether Scholes can sustain his level of performance today.
If he can do it at the Emirates he might just give his team-mate Cristiano a run for his money as the Footballer of the Year.
United track PSG youngster
Manchester United are tracking young Paris St Germain midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, according to reports in the French media.
The Premiership leaders sent scouts to watch the defensive midfielder in a match against Troyes last December in one of his four first team starts for the capital club.
But since then, the coach who launched Mulumbu's career, Guy Lacombe, has been sacked and replaced by Paul Le Guen, who seems less willing to play the 19-year-old.
Eduoard Cisse and Clement Chantome are currently above the Congolese youngster in Le Guen's pecking order, and the former Rangers' boss may yet bring in further cover in that position.
Jeremy Clement, Emerse Fae and Florent Balmont have all been linked with PSG, and should one of them go to the Parc des Princes, Mulumbu would be relegated to the reserve team.
United are yet to find a true replacement for Roy Keane, and despite the arrival of Michael Carrick at Old Trafford in the summer, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring in another defensive midfielder.
It is not the first time Mulumbu has been linked to a big European club, with Ajax and Valencia also thought to have shown an interest in securing his services.
Agent reveals Rossi interest
Giuseppe Rossi’s agent has warned interested Italian clubs that they would have to dig deep in order to convince Manchester United to sell.
The Parma striker made an immediate impact on his Serie A debut on Sunday just days after his loan switch from United, a performance which has already sparked speculation over his future.
His representative has admitted that a number of the peninsula’s top clubs are keen, but that United have already turned down a sizeable offer for the Under-21 international.
“Sides like Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma are following him,” Andrea Pastorello stated on Monday evening.
“United turned down a £4.2m bid before the season started basically because they have great faith in the youngster.
“This winter there was a chance for Parma to get him on loan, without an option to buy, and Giuseppe now has a chance to shine.”
Although Pastorello has nothing but praise for the Premiership leaders, he has admitted that Rossi may be more suited to Serie A.
“I’m grateful to United and we will never clash,” he added. “But in terms of his characteristics, I think Rossi is more suited to the Italian game.
“That’s why we rejected a loan to another English club [after his brief spell at Newcastle], also ruling out Second Divisions sides.
“We have also had contact with Barcelona, but I repeat that it will not be easy to take him away from Manchester United.
“His price? They’ve already said no to £4m which is no small fee by today’s standards…”
Queiroz dismisses Ronaldo rumours
UNITED assistant coach Carlos Queiroz has shrugged off reported interest from Real Madrid about star winger Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the player is going nowhere.
Reports in the Spanish press on Wednesday suggest Ronaldo will be the big summer target for Madrid, who were also heavily linked to the Portuguese international last year.
However, Queiroz, who was manager at Madrid in 2003, is adamant the 21-year-old is not for sale.
"No (to a possible transfer). In addition to that, we are speaking with him about renewing his contract," Queiroz said in Marca.
Ronaldo's current contract ties him to Old Trafford until 2010.
"The club have a clear policy. It is not necessary that a player has to finish his contract before we think about renewing it," Queiroz added.
"(Ryan) Giggs has been with us for 14 years and he has renewed his contract many times.
"This club do not need the agents to recognise the work of the players.
Anticipation
"We anticipate things ourselves and that is what we are going to do with Cristiano."
Speculation about a possible Madrid swoop for Ronaldo hit fever pitch during last summer's World Cup.
Ronaldo twice declared he wanted to quit Old Trafford for Spain, the second time coming in the wake of his antics in the World Cup quarter-final against England, where he appeared to be involved in getting United club-mate Wayne Rooney sent off.
However, Ronaldo ended up staying in Manchester and has been a revelation this season, scoring 13 goals already to help United go clear at the top of the Premiership.
And Queiroz believes it is the way of the sport that rival teams such as Madrid will be linked to the player, who was a £12.24million signing from Sporting Lisbon in August 2003.
"It is natural that the media talk about Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid. He is a great player and Madrid are a great club, but it is just speculation. They are fantasises," said Queiroz.
"The football that he is playing in Manchester is an example that he is happy here and he has his head at United. He has talent and is the best in the world.
"He is always the first to arrive at training and the last to go.
"Many times when the session has finished, we shower, eat and then we look at the pitch and he is still training," said Queiroz about his fellow Portuguese.
"He is a player who has a divine gift. He was born to be the best in the world."
Fergie in check on Welsh whiz-kid
SIR Alex Ferguson will make one final check on Gareth Bale this weekend before considering an 11th hour improved bid for the teenage defender.
United and Spurs are locked in a battle for the 17-year-old Welsh international left-back who will be in action for Southampton against City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Tottenham made a £6m December bid for Bale and the Reds are believed to have made an offer that would amount eventually to £8m.
United could also be prepared to loan back Ryan Giggs's international colleague to the Saints for their promotion challenge.
Bale has been reported to have been at White Hart Lane for talks but United remain in the hunt.
Mission
With the Reds playing Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday teatime, it leaves Fergie able to take in a personal spying mission on Bale at City on Sunday afternoon.
It would then leave United three days to do business before the transfer window closes next Wednesday.
Ex-Old Trafford defender Clayton Blackmore, who played left-back for the Reds and for Wales like Bale, believes the youngster is on a fast track to stardom.
"Gareth has got the world at his feet," said the Welshman.
"Wales have put their faith in youngsters at the moment because they are looking to the future so playing international football for us at present might not be as big as people think.
"But if Manchester United are willing to pay £8m for a 17-year-old then that is different. That really is a recommendation.
"Also the fact he is a regular in Southampton's side and is supposed to be their key figure says everything about his talent.
Influential
"If a left-back can be so influential in any side then he has to have something about him. You don't normally rely on someone in that position to be your most inspirational player.
"He is obviously got it physically and has been able to stand his corner in the championship all campaign.
"United are well blessed with left backs at the moment with Patrice Evra, Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre. So Gareth is obviously one more for the future.
"Players have to be careful because they can move to a bigger club and then get lost in the system.
"There is talk of him being loaned back to Southampton until the end of this season and maybe even for 18 months when his current contract is due to end anyway.
"That would be ideal for him, his education, Southampton and United."
Bale, however, is being encouraged to stick on the south coast by Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.
"I would advise Gareth to stay for the benefit of his career because he will be playing week in and week out," said Le Tissier.
Man Utd secret training sessions filmed by a hi-tech spy plane.
MANCHESTER United’s secret training sessions have been filmed by a hi-tech spy plane.
The light aircraft packed with specialist camera gear made sorties 1,500ft overhead as stars such as Wayne Rooney worked on team tactics below.
After the covert mission the footage - that could be vital to rival clubs - was whisked from an airfield in Derbyshire to a service station near Heathrow airport and handed to a mystery client.
Four spy missions are thought to have been made this season. An aviation expert said: “The plane was equipped for the best in surveillance operations.”
25 January 2007
OOH-AH IT'S OV-AH
CANTONA: Chelsea must now forget the title, Ferguson has built a stronger squad at United
AS THE MAN who was the catalyst for Manchester United's re-emergence as the dominant force in English football, Eric Cantona knows what it takes to create a team capable of long-term success.
And in the current United squad, Cantona believes Sir Alex Ferguson has a collection of players who can dominate the Premiership for years to come - just as they did in the 1990s when the enigmatic Frenchman was in their ranks.
Despite the late collapse at Arsenal last weekend, which allowed Chelsea to cut United's lead at the top to six points, Cantona believes his old club remain on their way to their first title since 2003.
He is confident they have the talent and mental strength this season to emulate their feat of 1999 by completing the Treble of the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup.
As Fergie looks to reap the rewards of a fourth great dynasty from a glittering 20 years at Old Trafford, Cantona is convinced the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will be trailing in United's wake for a long time yet.
"United can beat Chelsea in the league," said Cantona. "There is no doubt about that. They are stronger than Chelsea at the moment and will be for a long time.
"They brought in young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that.
"United are strong, but have to prove they are a great team. They can win the Treble and they need to do it."
Although Cantona was the figurehead for United's revival in the 1990s, their sustained success beyond his departure was down to the emergence of young players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.
The 40-year-old influenced younger team-mates back then, and now Giggs, Scholes and Neville are mentors to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Giving young talent a chance has been one of Fergie's greatest strengths, and it is this faith in emerging prospects that Cantona believes still gives the Scot a vital edge over his rivals.
While Chelsea have struggled to adapt to the arrival of ageing Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, United flourished with their dynamic young duo of Rooney and Ronaldo. Proof, Cantona claimed, that Fergie still knows best.
"Last year United had a new team, a new generation," he said. "But I was sure they would become the best because you are always stronger when you start with a new generation as you can work with them together for a long time.
"Sometimes you need to buy players who have experience, but I think United have the balance at the moment which makes them the best team in England."
Cantona wore United's iconic No.7 shirt during his five years at Old Trafford. And he believes the current No.7, Ronaldo, is already well on his way to becoming a United legend.
Ronaldo's 13 goals have provided the inspiration for United's title charge and Cantona claimed the 21-year-old had proved his quality by the way he handled abuse from opposition fans this season.
"Ronaldo needed to gain experience and needed to score goals, and now he is a worldclass player," said Cantona. "He's one of the family. It's exactly the same with Rooney."
no_faith
25-01-2007, 06:32 PM
"They brought in young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that.
bro, i tink cantona is wrong in this paragraph.
how abt Wenger? the young guns?;)
bro, i tink cantona is wrong in this paragraph.
how abt Wenger? the young guns?
He didn't say only SAF can do it - he just said 'not all managers can do it'. Meaning there can be a few who can do it. ;)
Yes, Wenger is one of them. Much more respect for him than Mourinho, cos Wenger has done so much with much less resources than the so-called 'special one'.
HuiGe3387
25-01-2007, 07:23 PM
Yes, Wenger is one of them. Much more respect for him than Mourinho, cos Wenger has done so much with much less resources than the so-called 'special one'.
I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.
no_faith
25-01-2007, 08:25 PM
I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.
althought im chelsea fan but as a soccer fan, he do earns respect. look at d depth of his squad, building for the future, smiliar to ajax in the past. also must give credits to his talened scouts to spot these gems.
I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.
Got...Henry costs more than 10m in 1999. Wenger bought Wiltord for maybe 13m in 2000 and Reyes for more than 9m with add-ons to 17m in 2003. There's also Walcott in a deal worth about 12m in 2006.
althought im chelsea fan but as a soccer fan, he do earns respect. look at d depth of his squad, building for the future, smiliar to ajax in the past. also must give credits to his talened scouts to spot these gems.
No doubt that he is a good manager but his team looks like a foreign team playing in the ENGLISH Premier League.
Shame that he hardly fields more than 2 English players in a match.
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Mystery Over Spy Mission
Updated: 13:12, Thursday January 25, 2007
Former Manchester United striker Frank Stapleton has told Sky News the big money in the football may force people to spy on top clubs' training.
It follows newspaper reports claiming a plane flew a spy mission over United's training ground.
A light aircraft, packed with high-tech surveillance equipment, has reportedly made a number of passes over the Carrington facilities where Sir Alex Ferguson is plotting another Premiership title bid.
"It seems at first sight to be a bit far fetched," Stapleton said.
"But when you look at it closer, it's so competitive now and there's so much money at stake in the Premier League and Europe.
"It's like almost anybody would go to any lengths to try and find out the secrets of Manchester United."
The Daily Mirror claims footage from the alleged mission was taken from an airfield to a service station near Heathrow airport and "handed to a mystery client".
A silver-coloured metal case was handed over to a man who left in a blacked-out Chrysler, it said.
The paper claims three other similar missions have already been carried out.
An aviation source told the newspaper the plane that allegedly flew over the training ground was a Cessna which had a £100,000 engine "which operates on jet fuel".
"This is very unusual and means that the plane is able to fly much more quietly which obviously does not alert people on the ground so much to its presence," the source added.
"It also has £50,000 worth of specialist equipment on board.
"It has been deliberately modified so it looks like a little sight-seeing pleasure plane but it's equipped for some of the best surveillance operations in Britain."
The Daily Mirror claims the plane took off from Egginton airfield in Derbyshire last Wednesday morning.
The paper says the firm that carried out the flight is a respected aerial photographic agency called British Geographical.
BG owner David Goddard told the paper: "We never discuss who our clients are. We always fly under strict Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and always comply fully with local air traffic control."
dom01
26-01-2007, 06:56 AM
Wha.. this is so amazing?
SPying over man u training? NT as if SAF methods r special. :D
No doubt that he is a good manager but his team looks like a foreign team playing in the ENGLISH Premier League....
Yes. There is a french/french-speaking african team and a spanish team in the EPL :p
Wahahaha.... Kena suan by old boss.... orbeegoot, snub us and now suffering the blues.... :D
Kaiser Ridicules Ballack Move
Wed 24 Jan, 11:09 PM
Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer claims Michael Ballack made a mistake joining Chelsea, adding the Germany international would be better off at Manchester United.
Ballack left Bayern in the summer, joining the Barclays Premiership champions on a free transfer and signing a deal which is thought to make him the highest paid footballer in the world on wages of £130,000 per week.
But Ballack has failed to shine in a Chelsea shirt this season and, along with Andriy Shevchenko, has been blamed for unbalancing the team in the wake of their recent inconsistent form.
"I cannot see a place for Ballack at Chelsea," Beckenbauer said.
"As you can see, the game mostly passes him by. Frank Lampard is stronger and takes his position.
"He [Ballack] would have been better off at Manchester United."
mike2006
26-01-2007, 04:33 PM
Man U should hire air defence, shoot down those kiasu intruders.
yinyang
26-01-2007, 05:09 PM
.. Kena suan by old boss.... orbeegoot, snub us and now suffering the blues.... :D
Imomy, seems there's no love lost on aryan player arh? Not 1st time if I recall.. hehehe. Blues was the flavour last season.. :p
Piqué of his powers
Gerard Piqué has an impeccable football pedigree. The grandson of famed FC Barcelona vice-president Amador Bernabéu - no relation of Real Madrid CF's Santiago - the defender was developed by the Camp Nou side before being signed by Manchester United FC aged just 16 in 2004. Within four months he had made his first-team debut, and he has been a regular for Europe's strongest nation at youth level, Spain.
Ferguson's rage
His rise continued apace in 2006. Two years after helping Spain win the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final, he went one better for the U19s in Poland last July, setting up Alberto Bueno's winner in the final against Scotland. However, the identity of Spain’s opposition did not endear Piqué to patriotic United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, a man the youngster has described as like a second father. "He rang me after the final and said he was angry because we had beaten Scotland," Piqué told uefa.com. "I told him it was my job and he was just going to have to be happy and proud because someone from his club had won. I think in the end he was happy!"
Zaragoza loan
Piqué, who turns 20 next Friday, made his first Premiership start in March, and this summer was sent on loan to Real Zaragoza for 2005/06, though he remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2009. It has become normal for Sir Alex to send his young prospects out to another club to sharpen them before using them regularly. "I talked to Sir Alex and agreed it was the best decision for me and for the club, I can get first-team experience," said Piqué, who scored on his Primera División debut in September. "It's going well. I'm playing games and scoring goals, even though I am a defender. But I hope next year I'll go back to Manchester and get a place. I talked to the boss and he said he wanted to come to the stadium to see us play. I will try to show him that everything is going fine and I'm playing well."
'New life'
That he has already picked up English parlance like "the boss" shows how quickly he was able to settle when he first moved to Manchester. "When you first go you don't have your family or friends, you have to start a new life," Piqué remembers. "You meet new people and after six to seven months you are happy again." But then he did have an example to look to - his friend Cesc Fabregas left Barcelona for Arsenal FC not long before Piqué’s own English switch and they remain close. "Every week we try to talk. But we don't always talk about football, we talk about our lives. We've played together since we were six or seven, after that he went to Arsenal I went to United, but we are still in touch."
Spanish success
The victory in the U19 finals was especially sweet for Piqué and many of his team-mates, due to the disappointment at U17 level two years earlier when a Spain side including Fabregas lost the final to a late goal from hosts France. "A lot of the players were in France, so we were extra motivated to win in Poland," Piqué said. "We didn't want to repeat that experience. We tried to react and we succeeded." However, Spain's stellar record at youth level - it was their third U19 title in five years - meant they knew expectations back home were high. "It can be hard," Piqué admits. "All the country thinks you are going to win the tournament before it starts. This is very difficult to handle. Also, we are the favourites and all the teams respect you. You have to use that respect to change it into fear, make them scared of you."
Youth tournaments
Certainly, he has enjoyed his experience with UEFA's youth finals. "These tournaments are nice as you develop," he said. "It is hard as you are young, 17 or 19, but once it has happened you are better as a player." Next on the agenda is adding to his two caps at U21 level, then in the summer gaining another triumph at his generation's farewell to youth football at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, to repeat the celebrations he experienced last July. I remember when we got to the airport a lot of people were waiting for us and that was a great experience. You feel you have a country behind you and following you," Piqué said. "I hope to repeat that after the World Cup in Canada." And doubtless many more times in his career.
Wenger remark petty, says Ferguson
MANCHESTER, England, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Alex Ferguson called Arsene Wenger petty on Friday after the Arsenal manager questioned Manchester United's stamina in conceding two late goals in their 2-1 defeat in London last weekend.
Arsenal scored twice in the last 10 minutes at home on Sunday to snatch victory and keep United's lead in the Premier League to six points over Chelsea.
Ferguson admitted his side has shown a tendency to let in late goals on occasions this season but dismissed Wenger's theory, expressed by Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, that it was down to tiredness.
"In the game against Arsenal, (was it) a lack of concentration? 'Yes'," Ferguson told reporters on Friday.
"From a winning position we were all gutted. It was disappointing but in terms of the stamina side of it, it's absolute nonsense.
"I thought it was a bit petty, coming out with that nonsense. There's absolutely no evidence. In terms of endurance and that kind of thing, we are well in control of that."
Asked why Wenger might have made his remarks to his team, Ferguson said: "I'm not sure. I think it's maybe making him look great again. 'I'm the great Arsene Wenger'.
"If they'd lost the game 1-0 what could he have said? Which they should have done."
However, Ferguson stressed that he does not wish to see a repeat of last weekend's late slip-up during the title run-in and believes his side may need to be more ruthless.
"I think last Sunday was a final warning for us in that respect because we are getting to the tricky time of the league...if we are winning 1-0 with nine minutes to go in the next few games, it (losing) won't happen again," he said.
Ferguson was also quick to kill speculation linking winger Cristiano Ronaldo with a possible move to Real Madrid, saying: "There's no way Ronaldo is leaving, absolutely no way."
United switch their attention on Saturday to a fourth-round FA Cup tie against Portsmouth at Old Trafford.
Ferguson has a fully fit squad but plans to make no more than a couple of changes to his first-choice side as United look to keep alive hopes of a domestic league and cup double.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/qbdp/rooney2.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/qbdp/rooney.jpg
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dom01
28-01-2007, 08:16 PM
Ern.. seems that no one is coming to man u... Sigh... tot at least sign bales?
Ern.. seems that no one is coming to man u... Sigh... tot at least sign bales?
We have to wait til 2359hr on 31 Jan to see if there's any new addition. Sir Alex may possibly surprise us. :)
Larsson permanent move 'extremely unlikely'
Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists it remains “extremely unlikely” that Henrik Larsson’s loan move to Old Trafford will ever be extended to become a permanent deal.
The 35-year-old striker has impressed boss Alex Ferguson since arriving on a three-month loan deal from Swedish club Helsingborgs earlier this month.
But while United are keen to hold onto Larsson for the remainder of this Barclays Premiership campaign, they are not seeking to persuade him into a permanent switch.
Gill told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek: “Henrik played for Barcelona and went back to Helsingborgs for family and other reasons, so I would have thought that is extremely unlikely.”
But he did not rule out the possibility of talks with the Swedish club to extend the current arrangement which is due to run out on March 12.
Gill added: “He is due to go back in the middle of March and we haven’t really discussed that yet as we are focusing on the next few weeks and we will see what happens.
“I think it is a bit early. You can never say never and we will go through that nearer the time with Henrik and the club.
“I know for a fact Alex, Carlos and all the players are very impressed with him in terms of what he can do, his attitude and how he has fitted in and we want great players at the club.”
Meanwhile Gill has rubbished reports of Real Madrid’s revived interest in Ronaldo, maintaining that the Portuguese star will not be leaving Old Trafford at any price.
Asked how United would react if they received an offer in the region of the mooted £35m (€53m), Gill said: “It would be turned down straight away.
“One benefit of being a private club as opposed to one on the stock exchange is that we can take a long-term view and we invest in our assets.
“As Arsene Wenger has said on many occasions, clubs aren’t banks, we are there to put on entertainment and play a top-class team and there is no point having £35m (€53m) or £45m (€68m) if you can’t replace that talent. At 21 Ronaldo has had a great season and we believe the best is yet to come.”
HuiGe3387
29-01-2007, 02:03 AM
Ern.. seems that no one is coming to man u... Sigh... tot at least sign bales?
Manchester is boring place. It's a industrial city, compared to London, Milan, Madrid. The babes of the star players also dun want the bf or hubby to go there.
FERGUSON TO AXE CUP HERO ROONEY FOR HIS OWN GOOD
WAYNE ROONEY'S reward for his FA Cup heroics could be the axe from Manchester United's Premiership clash with Watford on Wednesday.
Despite Rooney's superb form, the United striker is currently on four bookings and a fifth against Watford would rule him out of United's crucial Premiership trip to Tottenham next Sunday.
After United's win over Portsmouth, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he had planned to rest Rooney until the Spurs game, which he believes could have a huge impact on the title race.
But United needed to call on Rooney to overcome Pompey and now Fergie faces a dilemma over whether to play his £27million striker against Watford and risk losing him for the White Hart Lane trip.
"The plan was to rest Wayne for the Portsmouth and Watford games," said Fergie. "We felt if we could get through the Arsenal game then we would rest him until Spurs.
"But when he's in such sparkling form it's difficult to leave him out. It is something we will have to look at with the Tottenham game coming up."
Louis Saha, who missed the Pompey match with a bruised knee, is set to return to the United line-up against Watford, along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
yinyang
29-01-2007, 06:16 PM
Monday's football gossip
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United are set to make a second bid to land Southampton's Gareth Bale, with the defender being loaned back to the Championship club until the end of the season. (The Sun)
Meanwhile, United have told Real Madrid that they are wasting their time preparing a £45m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo. (Various)
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is in a battle with his board over his acceptance of the position of England Under-21 manager, with the club not having yet given their permission and still holding talks with the Football Association. (Various)
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has warned owner Roman Abramovich that he will be an impossible act to follow if he is forced out in the summer. (Various)
West Ham are ready to make a £14m bid for Charlton striker Darren Bent. (The Independent)
Newcastle are closing in on a £5m deal for Ajax striker Ryan Babel. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may have to panic buy before the January transfer window closes because of mounting injury concerns. (Various)
Edgar Davids is to leave Spurs and join Ajax after a bust-up with boss Martin Jol. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea are considering a fresh bid for Bolton's Tal Ben Haim. (The Guardian)
CibLover
29-01-2007, 06:33 PM
Bro Yinyang,
How do you do. Thanks for the rumours and gossips update.
As a Red Devil fan, we could ask Predrag Mijatovic and the Real president (or president to be during their next election) to collect all the 45 mil Pound and shove it up their arse. Couldn't even handle their so-called ageing Galacticos but now wanna come and di-siao people's rising star.
David Gill's press release is just right. If we receive a bid of 45 mil Pound for C. Ronaldo, we'll just turn down straight away. Man Utd is known for developing and playing young, bright prospect like the famous Fledglings. On this note, Gareth Bale should also be heading our way. Real only know how to use monies to buy. Hmmm....sounded familiar?? :rolleyes:
Anyway, Roon is back with a bang after his goal drought. We'll get more goals from him now...hopefully. :cool:
yinyang
29-01-2007, 06:44 PM
..As a Red Devil fan, we could ask Predrag Mijatovic and the Real president (or president to be during their next election) to collect all the 45 mil Pound and shove it up their arse. Couldn't even handle their so-called ageing Galacticos but now wanna come and di-siao people's rising star. ...Man Utd is known for developing and playing young, bright prospect like the famous Fledglings. Gareth Bale should also be heading our way. Anyway, Roon is back with a bang after his goal drought.
Thx, hope you keeping well too. Yo, galacticos = big EGOS too. For RM, they only know colour of money -also invariably tied up with vested political interests. Just think how many coaches/managers over last seasons (just as many or more!). Youth development? It's ALIEN to our moneyed spaniards;)
no_faith
29-01-2007, 08:20 PM
Real only know how to use monies to buy. Hmmm....sounded familiar??
eh...do ring a bell?
Bayern dig in on Owen
OWEN Hargreaves is set to become a United player, but the saga won't end until the summer.
United's pursuit of Bayern Munich's midfielder will go the 12-month distance.
The January transfer window closes on Wednesday and as the German club have consistently insisted, the 25-year-old England midfielder will not be allowed to leave mid-season and have turned down a £20m bid from Old Trafford.
But Bayern's president Franz Beckenbauer has suggested Sir Alex Ferguson's patience will be rewarded at the end of the season.
"Money talks and I would say United have a good chance - but not until the end of the season," says Beckenbauer.
"We know Hargreaves wants to leave. He is under contract but at the end of the season maybe, yes."
Meanwhile Henrik Larsson is on the verge of extending his loan spell at United from Helsingborg - thanks to his nine-year-old son Jordan.
The Swede's deal expires on March 12 and Helsingborg have said they would not stand in the 35-year-old's way and it was up to Larsson to decide.
The striker was adamant he'd return home to be with his family, but Larsson junior has told him to stay on at Old Trafford.
However, United chief executive David Gill said: "He is due to go back in the middle of March and we haven't really discussed that yet as we are focusing on the next few weeks and we will see what happens.
"I think it is a bit early. You can never say never and we will go through that nearer the time with Henrik and the club."
Meanwhile, Gill has hit back at reports of Real Madrid's revived interest in Ronaldo, maintaining that the Portuguese star will not be leaving Old Trafford at any price.
yinyang
30-01-2007, 12:47 PM
Why chelskis not down on their luck for FA 5th rd draw, again face minnows?:( We meet Steve Coppell's gang again..
Man Utd & Chelsea given home ties
Favourites Chelsea and Manchester United were both handed home ties in the draw for the FA Cup fifth round. Chelsea will host either Blackpool or Norwich, while United will face Premiership rivals Reading.
Two other all-Premiership matches came out of the hat, with Spurs away to Fulham and Blackburn travelling to the winners of the Arsenal-Bolton replay.
Preston will host neighbours Manchester City, with matches due to take place on the weekend of 17 and 18 of February.
One Championship side is guaranteed to reach the last eight, after Plymouth were drawn at home to Derby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chelsea v Blackpool or Norwich
Watford v Ipswich
Preston v Man City
Plymouth v Derby County
Man Utd v Reading
Arsenal or Bolton v Blackburn
Bristol City or Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Tottenham
Castrol
30-01-2007, 01:17 PM
Fulham v Tottenham
jia lart, spurs dont do so well in craven cottage. :(
jia lart, spurs dont do so well in craven cottage. :(
Bro, dont give up hope on a Man Utd - Spurs FA Cup final! :D
Why chelskis not down on their luck for FA 5th rd draw, again face minnows?:( We meet Steve Coppell's gang again..
What to do they depend on luck....the rest have to depend on skills. :p
machoman
30-01-2007, 02:18 PM
Rooney prostitute libel case thrown out
Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 01:07:09 HRS
http://images2.asianbookie.com/SGE.MXH56.290107170401.photo00.quicklook.default-245x168.jpg
A woman sueing a British newspaper over reports that she was a prostitute who had sex with footballer Wayne Rooney saw her claim thrown out of court.
Patricia Tierney, 52, a mother of seven, claimed libel damages of 750,000 pounds (1.47 million dollars, 1.14 million euros) in her case against The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling daily.
She claimed that the tabloid's August 2004 article, which carried a front-page picture of Tierney bearing the headline "Don't fancy yours much, Wayne," had destroyed her reputation and her life through "horrible lies."
Manchester United striker Rooney, 21, who has admitted that he visited brothels when he was "young and stupid," had been put on notice by the court that he might be called as a witness.
Tierney claimed she had only ever worked as a receptionist at Diva's massage parlour in Liverpool, northwest England. Rooney played for English Premiership side Everton in the city at the time of the article.
But at Manchester Crown Court in northwest England, The Sun's defence lawyer produced a May 2002 police witness statement in which Tierney told officers she sold herself for sex.
The judge said that the central plank of Tierney's case that she was not, and never had been, a prostitute and worked only as a receptionist was plainly not true.
In a statement, The Sun said: "This lady is the latest in a long line of people who think they can get away with a dishonest and fraudulent claim by suing newspapers.
"The Sun story was 100 percent accurate and we are glad justice has been done. This is a good day for The Sun's journalists and Sun journalism."
- AFP
Castrol
30-01-2007, 05:04 PM
Bro, dont give up hope on a Man Utd - Spurs FA Cup final! :D
oh ya bro i nearly forgot, what a final! :D
United gag Ronaldo
Tuesday January 30th 2007
Winger banned from Madrid talk as speculation mounts
GUILTY of a few untimely indiscretions during the summer, Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he has been forbidden from talking about Real Madrid by Alex Ferguson.
And so, with the Spanish club to confirm their interest in the Manchester United winger publicly this evening, there appears to be a recognition within Old Trafford that retaining his services may prove easier said than done.
Predrag Mijatovic, the Real sporting director, has admitted his interest in Ronaldo in an interview that is due to be broadcast tonight and, while both Ferguson and David Gill, the United chief executive, have declared that the 21-year-old will not be sold, the manager's words behind closed doors - somewhat misguidedly revealed by the player to, of all things, a Madrid-based sports newspaper - betray more than a little unease at the speculation emanating from the Spanish capital.
Real's courting technique is tried and tested and, after the initial leaks to their chosen media outlets, Mijatovic has confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga show this evening that Ronaldo is a target.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic player and any team would love to have him in their squad," Mijatovic said.
"The fact that he is already at such an important club as Man U, with the contract he has, shows what an important player he is. It is very early on to be talking about this."
Whether it is based on intelligence or mere arrogance, Real are confident that they will get their man.
Ronaldo announced on a number of occasions last summer that he wished to join them, particularly after being vilified for his role in England's elimination from the World Cup finals, and even reached a verbal agreement whereby he pledged to sign for them if Juan Miguel Villar Mir won the presidential election - which, perhaps to United's relief, he did not.
On Sunday afternoon, Spanish journalists camped outside Ronaldo's Cheshire home and, when he emerged, they were told more than they might have bargained for.
"I know of the interest in me from Real Madrid, but I can't say anything about it," the player said. "I had two conversations on Saturday, with Carlos Queiroz and Alex Ferguson, and they banned me from talking about Real Madrid. I had to understand them, as I don't want to have any problems at United."
Insisted
Last Friday, Ferguson insisted he was accustomed to Madrid methods since the departure of David Beckham in 2003, but added: "We only sell the players we want to sell and there is absolutely no way Ronaldo is leaving."
Despite the winger signing a new deal committing himself to United until 2010 only 14 months ago, estimated to be worth £70,000 a week, United are now prepared to bring him into line with their highest earners, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, on £100,000 a week. United, however, know better than most how a player's head can be turned by a rival club.
In the case of Owen Hargreaves, the England midfield player, they have been willing suitors while he has spent the past six months pleading for the opportunity to join them from Bayern Munich.
Gill suggested on Sunday that no deal will be done until the summer, but, even over the past three days, discussions between the clubs have continued.
Certain
With less than 48 hours remaining before the transfer deadline, United now have only a slim hope that an agreement can be struck, but it is all but certain that Hargreaves will finally move to Manchester in July.
The 26-year-old held discussions with Uli Hoeness, the Bayern general manager, on Sunday and was told that, while the club's management are opposed to selling him now, they will reluctantly allow him to join United in the summer if he gives his all in the season's final months.
Barring a last-minute twist or an improved bid for Gareth Bale, it means that Ferguson will continue with Henrik Larsson as his only mid-season acquisition, but another player who will be at United next term is Ben Foster, goalkeeper, who has impressed on loan to Watford.
Foster does not want to return to play second fiddle to Edwin van der Sar but Ferguson believes that the 23-year-old, ineligible for Watford's visit to Old Trafford tomorrow evening, can establish himself at United soon. (© The Times, London)
Paolucci: I'd jump at United move
Ascoli attacker Michele Paolucci has revealed Manchester United are interested in signing him and he would jump at a move to Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old is owned by Juventus but has impressed during his loan stint at Ascoli and has caught Sir Alex Ferguson's eye.
Although under contract with Juve until 2009, the young Italian would relish the chance to head for Manchester and possibly work alongside Giuseppe Rossi, who is currently on loan at Parma.
"I have a contract with Juve until 2009 and I should return there next year," he told Corriere dello Sport.
"My future does not depend on me.
"Manchester United want me and I know that there has been the possibility to sign me and wait for two years.
"I would accepted the offer from Manchester United immediately but it will be up to Juve to appraise it."
Deco: Barca need Ronaldo
Deco says he would love to team up with Portuguese team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Camp Nou.
The Barcelona schemer is a big fan of the Manchester United ace.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a fantastic season for the Premiership leaders, but has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford with Barca and Real Madrid both keen to secure his services.
Real attempted to lure the 21-year-old to La Liga last summer but were rebuffed by Sir Alex Ferguson, but Deco would like to see the United star join him at Barca.
"I would like to have Cristiano here in Barcelona," Deco told MaisFutebol.
"He has great talent and is still very young, but it seems unlikely he would leave Manchester in their current position."
With Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi both sidelined the midfielder feels Barca are in need of bolstering their squad sooner rather than later.
Deco claims he has been forced to play in some games despite not being fully fit.
CibLover
31-01-2007, 12:50 PM
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S agent insists he could still be heading for Spain this summer.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are ready to pay £35million for the Portuguese winger — even though Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson insists he is not for sale.
Ron’s agent Sergio Alves said: “When Real and Barca are involved the future is always open, not closed. Given a little bit of time the situation may change — let’s see.”
Fergie will be fuming at Alves’ comments because he has already banned Ronaldo, 21, from talking about a move.
Alves added: “There is not much we can do at the moment because United are making their position very clear.
"But you never know in these matters.” Excerpts from The Sun.
================================================== ============================
CCB.... all these KNN agents only wanna earn their farking commissions from big monies transfer.
After this public statement, I'm sure that Ronaldo will get an earful from SAF. Hmmm....wonder Ronaldo will go and fark his agent, boh?? Crossing finger that Alves will get dumped. Dun wanna see Ronaldo in a white jersey or a blue/red jersey. It's never a good idea to sell your best player to a rival (except if that player is in loggerheads with the Gaffer). :rolleyes:
yinyang
31-01-2007, 03:26 PM
[B]..all these KNN agents only wanna earn their farking commissions from big monies transfer. ..Ronaldo will get an earful from SAF. Hmmm....wonder Ronaldo will go and fark his agent, boh?? Crossing finger that Alves will get dumped. Dun wanna see Ronaldo in a white jersey or a blue/red jersey.
Bro, mai hot under the collar with latest trumpet blowing by ass of agent. Sure, no devil fan wants to see our red hot portuguese exit to iberian peninsula. Hope this is all just talk (bullshit walk?) and media publicity to boost client's marketability. And not just to keep options open. :cool:
CibLover
31-01-2007, 03:31 PM
Latest rumours heard was that Man Utd has opened new contract talks with Ron. Offering him 100,000 Pound per week for 5 years till 2012. His contract now runs till 2010 signed just recently. And he has delayed his decisions on this new contract. Discussion still on-going.
That's why RM and Barca are playing with his young mind. Hope SAF can straighten him out. :o
Xavi confirms United enquiry
Barcelona schemer Xavi has confirmed Manchester United have made an enquiry to his agent.
The Spain international is settled at Camp Nou but clearly has an admirer in Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Red Devils have been determined to strengthen their midfield for some time but, with Bayern Munich blocking all bids for Owen Hargreaves, only Michael Carrick has arrived since Roy Keane's exit in 2005.
"It's true that the contact arrived with my agent Ivan Corretja to play for United but I have a contract with Barca and we have demanded that this was with the club," Xavi told BTV.
"After that, I do not know what has happened between the clubs.
"In England, there's a rumour about a possible exchange between Cristiano Ronaldo and myself but I do not know of anything formally that has ever been discussed."
Sir Alex: 12 more United wins and Premiership title is ours
By David Mcdonnell
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has told his title-hungry Manchester United stars: "Win 12 games and the Premiership crown is yours."
United have 14 league games left and Fergie has promised his squad that victory in 12 of those will burn off Chelsea and bring the title back to Old Trafford for the first time in four years.
Although United still have to go to Chelsea and Liverpool, the footballing knight believes his side's six-point lead at the top of table - coupled with their superior goal difference - means they could lose both games and still clinch the title.
"I've said to the players that we're in a position where the league starts now," said Fergie, whose side face bottom club Watford at Old Trafford tonight.
"There are 14 games left and we've got a six-point lead.
"There are some fantastic games ahead. And it's a challenge that we hope we can enjoy. If we win the league after going to places like Chelsea and Liverpool, then we deserve it. But if we win the other 12 games left do you think we will win the league? I think so.
"We know we've still to go to Liverpool and Chelsea. But Chelsea still have to go to Arsenal, which won't be easy.
"We don't have to play Arsenal again, so we can forget about them until next season.
"We drew with Chelsea at home and beat Liverpool. So we've only got two games left of major importance in the sense of playing the other top teams - and both of those are away, at Liverpool and Chelsea."
And Fergie is supremely confident that United will land their ninth Premiership title because the Scot claimed their rivals will all drop points as the season enters the home straight.
"With 14 games left, I think there will be more twists and turns to come," said Fergie. "Ourselves and Chelsea will drop points, and I think Liverpool and Arsenal still have a part to play."
United's massive clash with Chelsea on April 14 at Stamford Bridge is already being billed as a title-decider. But if one or both sides reach the FA Cup semi-finals, the game will be rearranged for the Tuesday before the end of the season.
Rooney is back to his best, says Queiroz
By Simon Stone
Published: 31 January 2007
Carlos Queiroz has warned Watford to beware Wayne Rooney as Manchester United look to consolidate their lead at the top of the Premiership against the club lying bottom in the table at Old Trafford tonight.
After struggling for form over the opening half of the season, Rooney has recently sparked back into life, and goal-scoring form. The 21-year-old followed up his goal at Arsenal by scoring twice in the FA Cup win over Portsmouth at the weekend, the second a chip few would have dared try.
"When he does something like that, we immediately know we have a different forward in the next game," said Queiroz. "It didn't really surprise me - because when the opportunity arises in training, Wayne always tries to do special things like that."
When the concern over Rooney's form was at its height in December, Queiroz was among those to urge restraint, insisting a slight dip in standards was only natural considering how much the player had pushed himself to make England's squad for last summer's World Cup after breaking his foot in April. Added to that, the former Everton man missed three games at the start of this season after a pre-season dismissal against Porto.
However, having watched Rooney score his 11th goal of the season, Queiroz believes the youngster is almost back to his best. "Forwards are special in the sense that one goal can change the quality of their game from one moment to the next," he said.
"When they don't score they can become disturbed and lose confidence. It is almost as if the fewer goals they score, the less likely they are to score again. But I never saw anything that concerned me about Wayne's progression or the way he was working and playing. What happened to him in the first stage of the season was natural, given he had gone so long without playing."
Rio Ferdinand also saw nothing to worry about in Rooney's early-season form. "It is funny," he said. "With players of Wayne's calibre, no matter how well he is playing, when he is not scoring people start hammering him and taking his game to pieces. The one thing you know you will get from Wayne is a good workrate and a good team ethic. That runs through the club."
Ferguson had initially suggested Rooney might be on the bench tonight, but with the French international Louis Saha still to recover from a knee injury, he may well start. Cristiano Ronaldo is available again after a brief recuperative break in Dubai, while Edwin van der Sar will replace Tomasz Kuszczak in goal - the one certain change from the team that beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup at the weekend.
United next face Reading in the Cup and Ferdinand is desperate to make it third time lucky this year. The defender has not enjoyed the best of times in the competition since his arrival at Old Trafford from Leeds United. After being forced to sit out the 2004 final victory over Millwall because of his ban for a missed drugs test, Ferdinand was reduced to tears at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 12 months later when United felt they dominated Arsenal, only to lose in a penalty shoot-out.
"I have not had great memories of the FA Cup in recent years," Ferdinand told MUTV. "Losing to Arsenal in Cardiff was probably one of the worst feelings I have ever had in football. We battered them for the whole game and lost on penalties. It just reminds you that you need the rub of the green and also need to play well to get to the final. Hopefully, we can do that this year."
Top of the Barclays Premiership by six points and with a seemingly inviting Champions' League knockout clash against Lille looming next month, United are still in a position to emulate their historic 1999 Treble-winning campaign.
Ferdinand is not getting carried away by the prospect of adding to a single League title and last season's Carling Cup. But he believes the mentality within the Old Trafford dressing room suggests the present standards can be maintained.
"You don't want to become runners-up," he said. "You get nothing for finishing second and we want to win every competition we are in. We have that winning mentality. We are doing okay, we have to keep going."
QUEIROZ WARY OF COMPLACENCY
By Simon Stone, PA Sport Chief Football Writer
Carlos Queiroz has urged Manchester United not to use their six-point Barclays Premiership lead as a safety net.
United head into Wednesday night's Old Trafford encounter with rock-bottom Watford knowing 12 victories from their final 14 matches would ensure they reclaim their title after a three-year barren spell.
Given the tricky trips to Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City that lie ahead, as well as the crunch showdown with chief rivals Chelsea currently pencilled in for Sunday April 15, United could be forgiven for viewing their present advantage as a much-needed buffer zone.
However, Queiroz believes they must adopt a more positive mentality and look to stretch their lead rather than allow it to be slowly whittled away.
"The points are important," said Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant. "Clearly, we would prefer to be six points in front rather than three or four.
"But we cannot afford to rely on it and we must not be satisfied. We want more and we need more.
"Once we start to lose focus and concentrate on what other teams are doing, that is when we will start to make more mistakes.
"At the moment, the title is between us and Chelsea. But we must not forget we are in a very difficult league.
"Teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and others are perfectly capable of interfering in one way or another."
It had initially been suggested Wayne Rooney might again start on the bench but, with Louis Saha still to recover from a knee injury, the United boss may opt to draft the youngster straight back into his starting line-up.
Cristiano Ronaldo is also available again after enjoying a brief break in Dubai, while Edwin Van der Sar will replace Tomasz Kuszczak in goal - the one certain change from the team which beat Portsmouth to earn an FA Cup fifth round tie with Reading.
Although few expect Watford to pose any threat despite their current two-match winning run, a reminder of Sunderland's draw at Old Trafford last Easter should shake out any complacency from home ranks.
"If you want to become champions, you cannot afford to make mistakes like we did last season," he said.
"When you make huge mistakes like that you pay a very high price indeed.
"We need to consider that result but we don't want to spend too much time dwelling on it, we want to think about the things we are doing right and emphasise how well we have been playing."
Hmmm....wonder Ronaldo will go and fark his agent, boh?? Crossing finger that Alves will get dumped. Dun wanna see Ronaldo in a white jersey or a blue/red jersey. It's never a good idea to sell your best player to a rival (except if that player is in loggerheads with the Gaffer). :rolleyes:
Bro, relax....Sergio Alves claimed he is Ronaldo's representive. Not confirmed he is Ronaldo's agent. :)
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Henrik's R and R tribute
HENRIK LARSSON reckons Old Trafford’s deadly duo are already on a par with Ronaldinho.
The Swedish striker has become an immediate cult figure with Manchester United fans just a month into his loan spell.
But Larsson, 35, believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are the real reasons for his form.
The United hitman won the Champions League alongside Barcelona’s Brazilian star Ronaldinho and he said: “I’ve always said it is easy to play with great players and they are certainly among the great players.
“They’re already up there with the best I’ve played with.
“Wayne has got the vision and can score goals. So as long as you move when you have a player like that around you, then you are always going to get chances.
“I really enjoy playing with him and Cristiano. It’s frightening what they can do.
“I’ve been watching those guys playing on television and now I’m here playing alongside them and I’m really enjoying it.
"There are a few characters here and plenty of character in the squad as well, and that is always important. We have a great team spirit.”
Portuguese wing ace Ronaldo believes the title race has turned into a four-team battle.
United are six points clear of Chelsea, 11 ahead of third-placed Liverpool and 15 in front of Arsenal.
Ronaldo said: “If we had won against Arsenal, then the race for the title would have been between us and Chelsea.
“But Liverpool are coming strong and Arsenal are coming on as well — it is going to be a very difficult race.”
Comeback of 2001 still a spur for Fergie
Last Updated: 10:49pm GMT 03/02/2007
It's always rewarding to ramble through the memories with Sir Alex Ferguson and today's visit to White Hart Lane with white-hot Wayne Rooney and company threw up one of the richest. As he said at the time: "It might not have been good for the blood pressure, but I will be able to look back upon this day and remember it vividly for the rest of my life. Not many managers could say that."
The sense of experiencing something special has not diminished from that day, Sept 29, 2001, when United emerged from the dressing room at half-time 3-0 down, but rode home winners 5-3 with goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham. "I was almost threatening to get back on the bus at half-time," he said as the sunlight shafted in through the windows of the United Youth Academy at the Carrington training ground on Friday. "As we came out for the second half, Teddy Sheringham was leaving their dressing room when I heard someone say, 'Now don't let them score in the first five minutes.' We scored in the first."
He laughed at the memory, but today is about keeping United flowing towards the Premiership title, holding off Chelsea and taking three points. Someone has to score the goals and Rooney has struck such spell-binding form there could be diamonds on the soles of his boots. Sir Alex was a striker himself and when he talks about Rooney the words become a rhapsody.
"He's got wonderful feet, a great touch on the ball,'' he said. "He has always had bursts of scoring. The goalscorers are the ones who get one almost every two games. I said to him some weeks ago that if he could get into that scoring one goal a game thing - odd goals, deciding goals - it would make a hell of a difference to our season. It would give us a massive chance."
United gave him a rest recently. He was on the bench for an hour before Ferguson brought him on against Portsmouth, who were threatening to stifle their FA Cup tie. His two goals were sublime. He followed them with another against Arsenal and one more in Watford's submission.
"It was only an hour's rest, but it seemed to galvanise him," said Ferguson. "Those goals gave him encouragement and hopefully he is going into his best form now. He's not a goalscorer who wants to stay in the penalty area, because he wants to link the play and be in the box at the same time. When he drops into these positions and surprises a defender, you know it is a great contribution."
The final piece in the United jigsaw? "I thought he was a while ago. He's come up against obstacles in matches and he is overcoming all that. His goalscoring will make the difference. Everyone matures. He is a young lad [21] and he has fantastic enthusiasm. It's good to see young lads. They want to train all the time. It becomes a discipline they enjoy. It's great to see Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and the young players enjoying the discipline."
High on the wall, surrounded by a montage of young players who became household names - Beckham, Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and so on - were the words that continue to be the mantra. "The responsibility to the future of this game is to give budding talent the very best opportunity to flourish. The academy is just such a place, a proving ground for tomorrow's heroes."
Rooney is a product of the Everton Academy, but Ferguson is convinced a new wave of homegrown talent is about to burst through and that several 19-year-olds could be challenging for first-team places next season.
The present, though, concerns Tottenham, a team with a good home record and a manager, Martin Jol, who almost joined United as assistant manager before Carlos Queiroz, the present incumbent, returned to the job after a stint as Real Madrid coach. Ferguson said: "Martin has done a really good job, as he did in Holland with clubs with limited resources. I spoke to him about coming here, but when I knew Carlos was coming back, the matter stopped there.
"Martin is a talented coach. You only need to talk to Michael Carrick, who enjoyed playing for him at Spurs. It can't be easy for Tottenham with Arsenal above them. If they keep consistency of management it will give them a better chance. Martin has ambitions to make them better. You can't just do it in a year. You need four or five years to implement your vision of the club.''
No one appreciates that more than Ferguson. He laid down his plan when he arrived in 1986. The first years were not easy. Now United are a model for all impatient chairmen to study.
United offered Ron reassurance
Cristiano Ronaldo's agent has admitted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid but insists the winger is focused on extending his Old Trafford contract.
Ronaldo's outstanding form this campaign has prompted Manchester United to offer the winger fresh terms but a new deal has yet to be signed.
The Portuguese's displays have also caught the attention of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Real continue to monitor the player, while Barca were recently linked with a swap deal involving influential midfield anchor Xavi.
"It's normal that half the world is asking after Cristiano because every game he is delivering exhibition performances," said Mendes.
"Manchester United have repeated their intention not to sell him, and I would do the same if I was a United director.
"It's no secret there is interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona. For us, the matter does not exist and what we are negotiating is the renewal of his contract."
United brush aside Spurs to maintain title charge
Monday, February 05, 2007, 02:02:10 HRS
Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial penalty put Manchester United on course for a 4-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday that restored their six-point advantage at the top of the Premiership.
Ronaldo convinced referee Mark Clattenburg to award a spot-kick when he stumbled under minimal contact from Steed Malbranque just before half-time and the Portuguese winger converted it himself to give United the lead.
Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs added further goals in the second half at White Hart Lane as Sir Alex Ferguson's side underlined their determination not to be overtaken by second-placed Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho's team had increased the pressure on United with a 1-0 win at Charlton 24 hours earlier that reduced the gap to three points, but they replied with a clincial display worthy of potential champions.
Tottenham were completely out-classed by the end of a chastening defeat, but they will feel Clattenburg's decision was the turning point.
With fit-again Aaron Lennon and Dimitar Berbatov back in the side, they had looked a threat early on.
But United gradually imposed their patient passing game and should have taken the lead in the 24th minute.
Ryan Giggs's corner was flicked on by Vidic to Michael Carrick, whose header was parried by Paul Robinson. Ronaldo, just five yards out, seized on the loose ball but the winger somehow managed to blaze his shot well over.
United had a case for a penalty after half an hour when Henrik Larsson stumbled under Anthony Gardner's challenge, but Clattenburg waved away their appeals.
Gary Neville was furious and Tottenham almost rubbed salt into the wound when Berbatov took Tom Huddlestone's pass and worked space to drive in a low shot that Edwin van der Sar pushed away for a corner.
Tottenham thought they should have had a penalty when Neville wrestled Pascal Chimbonda in the area, and they felt even more aggrieved in the 45th minute when Clattenburg ruled Malbranque's challenge on Ronaldo was worthy of a spot-kick.
There appeared to be little contact by the French midfielder, but Clattenburg pointed to the spot and Ronaldo picked himself up to fire the penalty past Robinson.
The dubious nature of that goal knocked the stuffing out of Spurs and it took a superb save from Robinson to keep out Vidic's fierce effort just a minute into the second half.
From the resulting corner Carrick's header forced Robinson to concede another corner and this time United made their pressure pay.
Giggs's 48th minute inswinger invited a United player to make it count and Vidic did just that as he got in front of Michael Dawson to plant his header past Robinson.
United were rampant now and they added a third goal in the 54th minute.
Ronaldo surged past Young-Pyo Lee on the right before sending in a low cross that Scholes tapped-in on the goal-line.
Such was United's dominance that Ferguson felt able to take off Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but that didn't stop the visitors making it four after 77 minutes.
Louis Saha slipped a pass through to Giggs and the Welsh winger kept his composure to beat Robinson with a fine finish.
The only disappointment for United came when, having used all their substitutes, van der Sar suffered a nose injury that forced John O'Shea to go in goal for the last five minutes.
Thanks for reading! :)
What they said
A brief look at how those involved reacted to Manchester United's comprehensive 4-0 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
United boss Alex Ferguson: "Ronaldo was fantastic. The boy has come on great, he's got a courage to play and always wants the ball. In the early part of the match I thought he was a bit careless but he got more of the ball and was more comfortable. He's not the kind of player who can play on the fringes. The scoreline was very good. Winning 4-0 is an exceptional scoreline and in fairness Tottenham had chances."
Spurs manager Martin Jol: "I don't think it was a penalty but Steed Malbranque stuck his foot out and pulled it in again. He [Cristiano Ronaldo] took advantage of that but I don't know. It didn't help. The referee must make a decision, he is a human being. He was standing there with a good view of it. I wouldn't say Ronaldo was diving. It was a difficult situation."
United goalscorer Paul Scholes: "The score said everything, to win 4-0 away from home at a tough place like this is a great result for us. We won it going forward. We thought Chelsea would win yesterday so this weekend we had the more difficult game so to come and win is a big result for us. We'll keep plugging away and hopefully at the end of the season we'll get our just rewards."
Stand-in United keeper John O'Shea, who replaced the injured Edwin van der Sar: "I was very proud and I just asked Edwin if he gets a clean sheet bonus and if so, I want half of it. It was a bit nerve-wracking, especially with a corner to defend straight away and every time they got the ball near the penalty area the crowd kept shouting 'shoot'."
yinyang
05-02-2007, 09:15 AM
Good thing O'shea's irish luck held out in last gasp of corners and goal shots:o
Van der Sar suffers broken nose
Van der Sar was hurt in a clash with Robbie Keane. Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar could face a spell on the sidelines after breaking his nose in Sunday's 4-0 victory over Tottenham. The 36-year-old Dutch keeper was forced off after a late clash with Spurs striker Robbie Keane.
United's assistant boss Carlos Queiroz said: "He needs a scan. We must wait and see what kind of fracture he has."
It was later announced Van der Sar had pulled out of Holland's squad for the friendly against Russia on Wednesday.
Defender John O'Shea replaced Van der Sar in goal in the closing minutes.
"There was a lot of blood coming out so Edwin had to come off," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added.
"We have got a new nickname for John now - 'The Cat'."
United, who had already secured the points by the time Van der Sar was injured, were forced to turn to O'Shea as they had used all three of their substitutes.
The Republic of Ireland defender was called into action before the end when he came out to deny Keane on the edge of the area.
yinyang
05-02-2007, 09:23 AM
Sun press media fuelling up grapevine.. (edited for MU bias), courtesy BBC sports
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Thierry Henry will be allowed to leave Arsenal in the summer, with Real Madrid or Barcelona likely to pay £25m for his signature. (Sunday Express, Daily Star)
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United is even more uncertain after Barcelona joined Real Madrid in the hunt for the winger. (News of the World)
Ronaldo met Madrid officials in a chance meeting during his mid-season break in Dubai. (Sunday Mirror)
Rafa Benitez will be given a transfer fund of between £100m and £150m when Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks take over the club. (Various)
Barcelona and Real Madrid are on alert after learning Frank Lampard's contract talks have been delayed. (The People)
Portsmouth want Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate. (News of the World)
Gabriel Heinze is poised to quit Manchester United this summer to join Italian side Juventus in a £5m deal. (News of the World)
Arsenal are chasing teenage Czech defender Ondrej Mazuch, who plays for FC Brno. (News of the World)
The Gunners have pipped Liverpool to sign France Under-16 prodigy Gilles Sunu from Chateauroux (Daily Star)
OTHER GOSSIP
Sheikh Mohammed will make a £450m takeover move for Arsenal after his Dubai International Capital group pulled out of negotiations for Liverpool this week. (The People)
Some of West Ham's relegation rivals want the club deducted points if it is found they broke rules in fielding Argentine pair Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. (The Mail on Sunday)
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Early payout
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A Boylesports spokesman conceded that the decision will cost the firm £190,000.
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This bookie is highly recommended! :D
Ronaldo is going nowhere
UNITED will fight off all offers from the world's biggest clubs for Cristiano Ronaldo - even if they bid a world record £46m.
Reports at the weekend have suggested that Real Madrid and Barcelona are still in pursuit of the Reds wing wizard.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already said that the Portuguese ace, who hit his 15th goal of the season at Tottenham last night, is priceless, while chief executive David Gill is on record as saying the player is not for sale - and there is no reason why the Reds should cash in.
The 21-year-old's superb form has put him in line for the Golden Boot and that form is being monitored by Real.
Sergio Alves, who claims to be the player's representative, kept the issue alive when he spoke to the Barcelona radio station, Onda Cera.
He told listeners: "When Real and Barca are involved, the future is always open, not closed. Given a little bit of time, the situation may change, let's see."
Hunt
Barcelona, who are also reported to be joining the hunt, have distanced themselves from the chase.
Coach Frank Rijkaard described Ronaldo as a "great player" but insisted "without doubt he is one of the most valuable players in world football, but now, they are just rumours, there is nothing concrete. Yes, he is a great player, but we cannot do anything else at this moment."
Ronaldo has made his intentions clear.
He said: "Something like the Golden Boot doesn't concern me. I want to win the Premier League. We have been the best team in England so far, but that will count for nothing if we let our standards slip."
Meanwhile, left back Gabriel Heinze is still a target for Juventus.
Ronaldo better off at Barcelona: Scolari
Monday, February 05, 2007
Ronaldo's brilliant form for United this season has attracted interest from Barca and Real Madrid, but his boss at Old Trafford Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear the Portugal winger is not for sale.
Despite Ferguson's insistence reports emanating out of Spain suggest the two Spanish giants are set to lock horns in a bid to lure the 22-year-old with a bid in the region of 40 million pounds.
And Scolari has joined in the debate telling Monday's The Sun newspaper that Ronaldo would be better off at the Camp Nou.
"The basic education stage of his career is ending and I know Cristiano is ready for a change of atmosphere," Scolari told the tabloid.
"Barcelona would hugely enjoy having Cristiano in their team because he would complement Ronaldinho perfectly - they have different characteristics.
"For Cristiano, the Barcelona climate would be important - most days are sunny and it's hardly ever cold like England.
"That gives a player all the motivation he needs to train and play."
Scolari feels Barca rather than Real Madrid where Ronaldo would be linking up with former United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy is the more attractive option.
"Cristiano needs to move somewhere where the team is an integral part of the club - not somewhere where the system is based on individual 'heroes' or 'stars'.
"Moving to a club where there are four or five 'stars' who do their own thing is unworkable," said the Brazilian.
Ronaldo sacored his 15th goal of the campaign in the Premiership leaders 4-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Scolari denies Ronaldo comments
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has denied suggesting Cristiano Ronaldo should leave Manchester United to play in Spain.
Scolari was reported to have said that Ronaldo would benefit from a move to Barcelona, but speaking in the build-up to Tuesday's friendly against Brazil, the Brazilian claimed he had been misquoted.
"I don't have any explanation on this matter, for what they wrote or didn't write," Scolari said. "It doesn't matter - what I say goes in one ear and out the other."
Scolari backed Ronaldo to become one of the best players in the world, but said he was only interested in the winger's international future - not where he plays his club football.
"It's not a matter that concerns me," he said.
When asked about the matter, Ronaldo said he was unaware of the reports.
"I don't know anything about it," he said. When Scolari's reported comments were repeated to him, Ronaldo said: "He didn't say that. 100%."
yinyang
06-02-2007, 05:34 PM
Latest from rumour mill on transfers (edited for MU bias) :p
Tuesday's gossip column
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has told Manchester United he does not fancy a £25m summer move to Old Trafford. (Various)
The Spain international, 22, is understood to view Arsenal as an ideal destination. (Various)
Or does he? Manchester United do in fact lead the chase for Torres and face competition from Chelsea. (Daily Star)
Striker Mark Viduka is ready to walk out on Middlesbrough after the club stalled on contract talks. (Sun)
Arsenal are set to close a deal for new French whizzkid striker Gilles Sunu within the next month. (Various)
OTHER GOSSIP
Squad selector:
Pick your England XI: England boss Steve McClaren is pondering going with a 4-3-3 formation against Spain on Wednesday. (Guardian)
Barcelona director Txiki Begiristain will run the rule over Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in England's Old Trafford game against Spain. (Sun)
That scouting trip will come 24 hours after he has checked up on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal's match against Brazil at the Emirates. (Sun)
Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz says Cristiano Ronaldo can have the same impact on European football as Michael Jordan had on the NBA. (Star)
Portgual boss Luiz Felipe Scolari would like to work in England. (Various)
Gunners skipper Thierry Henry has voted for Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes in this year's PFA Player of the Year award. (Express)
Brighton and Bury could sue West Ham if the FA fails to expel the Premiership club for fielding an ineligible player, Carlos Tevez, in the FA Cup. (Express)
AND FINALLY... (Chelski blues?)
"Chelsea is not as good as we thought" read the headline in a Chinese daily paper. The country's Olympic football team were upset they could not train on the same pitches used by the Blues first team and were not allowed to shower, as the facilities were being used by female players at the time. (Titan/Daily Mail)
Vidic adds weight to United defence
NEMANJA Vidic can bulldoze his way to double figures for United and outpoint Chelsea's John Terry.
The Reds have not had a defender who can pile in with goals since Steve Bruce bravely forced home countless goals from set-pieces and crosses in the late 80s and 90s.
With 51 goals from 411 appearances, Bruce stood out as Sir Alex Ferguson's most lethal defensive weapon in his 20 years at Old Trafford.
Bruce memorably registered a record 19 goals in the 1990-91 campaign (although 11 were from penalties).
He also famously bagged a vital brace at Old Trafford in April 1993 to beat Sheffield Wednesday, and lead the Reds to their first title in 26 barren years.
Fergie's side have been bereft of such potency for over a decade since. But Vidic's fourth of the campaign at Tottenham on Sunday sees the big Serb shaping up into a real threat.
He had a legitimate header chalked off against Portsmouth in the FA Cup when Pedro Mendes cleared it a yard behind the line and the woodwork has been getting hammer from the 25-year-old former Spartak Moscow defender's efforts.
"Nemanja attacks the ball from crosses, corners and free kicks. He is dangerous," said Paul Scholes. "He will throw his head at everything. We hope he will score more goals for us."
Former Old Trafford defender David May, who partnered Bruce during some of his glory games, is convinced Scholes will get his wish.
"Nemanja has had some bad luck in front of goal with efforts hitting the post, bar, being hacked off the line," May said.
"He could be in double figures by now, he has been knocking on the door so many times.
Aggressive
"He is certainly capable of getting double figures regularly for United in seasons to come.
"Like Brucey he is not afraid to put his head in where it hurts. He's very aggressive attacking balls in the air, as well as on the ground.
"He's got a fantastic leap on him and a determination to get his head on to something no matter what's happening around him. He is focused solely on going for that ball.
"In terms of bravery he is top of the list for me. As a defender it is great for United because that kind of player is a bit of a throwback and strikers don't fancy going up against such courage.
"In attacking terms defenders aren't that used to his kind in the box these days. Even they might have a few second thoughts when Vidic is around and a ball is coming into the box. I think some are scared of him possibly.
"John Terry has given Chelsea that edge in recent seasons. He might not always have scored but he can upset and panic the opposition and create opportunities off that for his team-mates. He also attacks the ball so well.
"Obviously as a defender he has been vital for Chelsea in their title wins but I think as a danger and a potential scorer in the box he has been very important as well.
"We have seen in recent weeks the kind of hole Terry has left in Jose Mourinho's side both defensively and in an attacking sense.
"United haven't had that kind of threat for years since Brucey left. There have been some good defenders like Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand but they didn't provide that danger at set-pieces in the opposition penalty area.
"As an all-round player I think Vidic is better than Terry. Nemanja is faster and I think now if he was out of United's side than he'd leave a similar hole, if not bigger.
"If it were not for the fabulous form of Ronaldo and Paul Scholes this season then I think Nemanja Vidic would be United's player of the year."
Hearts growing even fonder of absent Scholes
In the boys playground that is England football, the talk yesterday was of whether the new boy, Joey, would get on with the smart boy, Frank, and whether Stevie would be the new head boy. The chatter even extended to whether the wide boys, Aaron and Kieron, would attack some Spanish passers-by. Yet everyone missed an old boy, Scholesy.
English football has thrown up a few candidates for footballer of the year and no one deserves the award more than Paul Aaron Scholes, the softly spoken big noise of Manchester United's midfield. He is the man for all reasons, a coach's dream, an inspiration to any child with asthma and a welcome antidote to the bling brigade. Old Trafford reverberates to "Paul Scholes – he scores goals" but he does so much more. Scholes delivers passes and trophies.
Of course, other candidates present themselves in a season of fluctuating standards of entertainment, such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien at Chelsea, even Scholes' club-mates Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo. Others excel elsewhere, including Morten Gamst Pedersen, Joleon Lescott, Kevin Doyle, Dirk Kuyt, Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate, Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto Silva and Obafemi Martins.
Narrowing the field, Ronaldo's attacking verve and refusal to wilt under constant abuse certainly places him on the podium with Drogba and Scholes. In the results-driven world of modern football, some may feel it matters little whether Ronaldo occasionally tumbles, as at the Riverside and White Hart Lane this season, or that Drogba engages in hilarious stand-up spats with opponents like Jens Lehmann. All's fair in love, war and the pursuit of set-pieces.
Scholes does not stoop to such ruses. Unlike Gary Neville and Ronaldo, Scholes could not be found haranguing the referee, Mark Clattenburg, at Spurs on Sunday. He should really have been in Clattenburg's book for a series of lunges, but officials like Scholes because he gives them no grief.
For a midfielder whose game revolves around timing and composure, Scholes is actually a dreadful tackler, the one overt weakness in his rich armoury. He even holds the dubious distinction of being the only England player sent off at the old Wembley in 223 internationals. It was such a nasty tackle that the Swedish victim, Hakan Mild, demanded English journalists examine the damage, a collection of Scholes' stud-marks in his leg.
The Swedes may not lament Scholes' departure, but England do. Steve McClaren has sought, on more than one occasion, to entice the workaholic wizard out of international retirement. Yet it is probably because he decided to focus on club football, a decision announced with minimal fanfare to his team-mates on the flight back from Euro 2004, that Scholes currently flourishes.
Twelve years and five months after his United debut, Scholes is still going strong, shrugging off early breathing difficulties and more recently blurred vision. Along with longevity, the long-range goals (like against Aston Villa this season), the well-timed runs (against Scotland in the play-offs for Euro 2000) and refusal to be a diva or a diver, the reason why Scholes should be cherished is because he has that rare English gift of treating the ball as a friend, not a hot potato.
Game after game, season after season, Scholes gives a masterclass in the use of possession. When England launch themselves into Spain at Old Trafford tomorrow, the ball will move most sweetly between the feet of Fabregas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso. Without Scholes, England too often waste possession.
He learned from Eric Cantona, eventually succeeding the French magician in the United team. The Frenchman's good advice, famously dubbed Norman Wisdom, was never to give the ball away cheaply, always work and train hard, always believe. The difference was in their idols: Cantona revered Sartre, Scholes worshipped Andy Ritchie.
Down to earth, Scholes deserves praising to the heavens. He will have this observer's vote for the writers' Footballer of the Year. Anyway, ask Scholes' peers who they consider the players' player of the year. Fabregas and Thierry Henry will both answer "Paul Scholes".
yinyang
07-02-2007, 04:15 PM
Only with rich and famous...
Ronaldo gets £1,000 speeding fine
Ronaldo admitted he was driving but was not in court. Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been given six points on his licence and fined £1,000 after being caught speeding. The Portuguese international was snapped by a speed camera travelling at 60mph in a 40mph zone on the Princess Parkway in Manchester in July 2006.
He did not turn up for the hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
Ronaldo, 21, of Stockport, returned a notice of intended prosecution to confirm he was the driver.
Prosecutor William Donnelly outlined the facts of the case against the winger, who was identified by his full name, Cristiano Ronaldo Santos Aveiro.
"In Mr Ronaldo's case there can be no credit at all for a guilty plea" District judge Wendy Lloyd
He said Ronaldo's Porsche Cayenne was photographed by a speed camera close to the junction with Mauldeth Road West.
He said: "In the document he admitted he was the driver of the vehicle at the material time."
District judge Wendy Lloyd said she found the case proved in Ronaldo's absence. He was not legally represented at the hearing.
She said: "In Mr Ronaldo's case there can be no credit at all for a guilty plea. The system has been manipulated in this case up until the last minute.
"It is 50% over the speed limit for that area but it does not reach the stage at which I would ask for Mr Ronaldo to be here in order for me to consider disqualification."
yinyang
07-02-2007, 04:25 PM
Wednesday's gossip column
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has cast doubt over his future by saying he does not know where he will be in six months. (The Sun)
OTHER GOSSIP
Coventry want to talk to Macclesfield boss Paul Ince about becoming their new manager. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson's England place is under threat for the first time after Watford's Ben Foster was picked to start the friendly against Spain. (Various)
Striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Inside United magazine that he feels this season is the last chance for the club's old guard to savour glory in the Champions League. (The Sun)
Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires, who is now at Villarreal, hit out at Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in L'Equipe for subjecting him to "the worst moment" of his career - being substituted in the Champions League against Barcelona in 2006 after only 20 minutes. (Daily Express)
Midfielder Mikel Jon Obi's Chelsea future could be in the balance after he ignored Blues boss Jose Mourinho's instruction not to play for Nigeria in Tuesday's friendly because of an injury concern. (Various)
Reading midfielder Glenn Little says the players, who are riding high in sixth place in the Premiership, have started to talk about qualifying for Europe - but only to make each other laugh. (Daily Express)
AND FINALLY...
Security teams are investigating how six of Manchester United's Opus books, hich are worth £4,250 each and weigh 88lb, went missing from a distribution warehouse in London. Two of the volumes have surfaced in Memphis and China. (Daily Mail)
....Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson's England place is under threat for the first time after Watford's Ben Foster was picked to start the friendly against Spain...
Actually McClaren has clarified his choice of Foster's selection as purely for Foster to gain international experience. With Chris Kirkland out with an injury, McClaren did not want to have a keeper on the bench who had no international experience at senior level during the qualifier. So this friendly with Spain will be used to ease Foster in and Robinson is still firmly the no.1 choice.
Barca meet Ron agent in London
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes that Cristiano Ronaldo could move to Barcelona after reports in Catalonia suggested Barca technical director Txiki Begiristain had met with the Manchester United star's agent.
Begiristain was in London to watch Portugal's 2-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday evening, a match for which 22-year-old Ronaldo was made captain. Catalan dailies Sport and El Mundo Deportivo reported that agent Jorge Mendes met with the former Barca player to discuss a possible transfer.
"It is not impossible, but very complicated that Cristiano Ronaldo moves to the Camp Nou," Fabregas opined.
"[However Manchester United] will not let him go easily and will request a huge amount of money from whoever signs him in the future.
"Cristiano is the most popular player at United and the fans are enchanted with him now in spite of the criticism he received after the World Cup."
Fabregas warned that it would not be easy for the flying winger to get into the Barca side, but added that the club would love to sign him.
"In Barcelona he would have to fight for a place with players like [Lionel] Messi, [Samuel] Eto'o and Ronaldinho," he acknowledged. "For that reason it may be difficult.
"But Ronaldo is a great player. Great players can walk into any club."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Arse-anal player wishes that Ronaldo will leave Man Utd so that his team has a glimmer of hope next season. :rolleyes:
Singster
07-02-2007, 06:05 PM
Really hope Alex dun sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid :(
yinyang
07-02-2007, 08:30 PM
...Arse-anal player wishes that Ronaldo will leave Man Utd so that his team has a glimmer of hope next season. :rolleyes:
My fear is that all this talk will gain momentum b4 season is out. Ron's striking hot form is no help either. Definitely not the last we see or hear of such (hopefully idle) talk:p In that eventuality, what a BIG payback
I think even if man u win the title this season, it will be very difficult to defend the title next season if ronaldo is not around....:(
I think even if man u win the title this season, it will be very difficult to defend the title next season if ronaldo is not around.
My fear is that all this talk will gain momentum b4 season is out. Ron's striking hot form is no help either. Definitely not the last we see or hear of such (hopefully idle) talk In that eventuality, what a BIG payback .
Really hope Alex dun sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid
We all know that Ronaldo is on form this season but if he refuses to sign a new improved deal (rumoured 100k/wk) and commit his future to the club then he ought to be sold this summer. The club cant be held ransom.
Man Utd should easily get above 30-35m pound from the sale. With the money Sir Alex can buy a couple of players to replace him.
Sir Alex always remind the players that no one is bigger than the club.
Larsson skills wow Reds team-mates
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted veteran striker Henrik Larsson has produced tricks in training that have left even United's stellar names baffled.
In Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes United have three of the most gifted players in world football, but 35-year-old Larsson has already taught them a few lessons in his short spell at Old Trafford.
"I didn't expect anything else," Solskjaer told MUTV.
"We all know Henrik is a quality player. I have said before I think he is the best Scandinavian player since Michael Laudrup - and he has shown that in training and games.
"His touch is something we can all learn from.
"You never stop learning as a player and Henrik has done a few tricks in training that have had us all standing up and looking and saying 'we have not seen that before'."
Calls for United to keep Larsson beyond the present March 12 deadline have been long and loud, although so far both Ferguson and the Celtic legend continue to insist the present deal will be honoured.
Larsson is expected to start on Saturday when United look to maintain their six-point lead at the Premiership summit against relegation-threatened Charlton at Old Trafford.
Rooney is a doubt after being ruled out of England's friendly with Spain after suffering an injury at Tottenham last week, although with Louis Saha now back in action after a minor knock, Ferguson still has plenty of striking options available.
XueJing
08-02-2007, 09:32 AM
Post first since got delay ... paiseh
MU 4 Charlton 0
yinyang
08-02-2007, 09:35 AM
..but if he refuses to sign a new improved deal (rumoured 100k/wk) and commit his future to the club then he ought to be sold this summer. The club cant be held ransom.
With momentum ever growing, and fact of life is that there is "no smoke without fire" -realistically, we have to expect he's moving for his OWN vested interests (this summer or by next). MU's great on his resume, but the weather's (women too?) even more conducive across Iberian pensinsula:p
With momentum ever growing, and fact of life is that there is "no smoke without fire" -realistically, we have to expect he's moving for his OWN vested interests (this summer or by next). MU's great on his resume, but the weather's (women too?) even more conducive across Iberian pensinsula:p
He wanted to leave before the World Cup began and his bad relationship with van Nistelrooy could be the reason. Plus the media making him the scapegoat of Rooney's red card only reinforce his decision.
van Nistelrooy has left and Sir Alex and Queiroz convinced him to stay after the World Cup. He should be settled now. Not forgetting how the club stood by him when his father passed away and is alleged rape case
His form has been good this season and now he is refusing to quash rumours of him leaving this summer. Does he really want to leave or is he trying to gain any advantage for contract negotiation?
Seriously, I dont think Sir Alex's patience will last very long if this continues. I am one who wont feel sad if he leaves but I will be devastated if Rooney wants to leave.
yinyang
08-02-2007, 12:14 PM
...His form has been good this season and now he is refusing to quash rumours of him leaving this summer. Does he really want to leave or is he trying to gain any advantage for contract negotiation?
Seriously, I dont think Sir Alex's patience will last very long if this continues. I am one who wont feel sad if he leaves but I will be devastated if Rooney wants to leave.
Early signs yet, but me thinks we ought to expect the inevitable. Any leverage on contractual part is part of the equation with Barca or RM. That's how the dice (err, ball) rolls.
As for Roon, think it's a different ball game..:D
mr_missile
08-02-2007, 12:21 PM
He should be settled now. Not forgetting how the club stood by him when his father passed away and is alleged rape case
His form has been good this season and now he is refusing to quash rumours of him leaving this summer. Does he really want to leave or is he trying to gain any advantage for contract negotiation?
Seriously, I dont think Sir Alex's patience will last very long if this continues. I am one who wont feel sad if he leaves but I will be devastated if Rooney wants to leave.
My sentiments exactly bro qbdp.
SAF certainly will not let any individual place himself above the club. This is one reason SAF has my utmost respect.
If there is any player found to have overstepped the line, SAF has shown many times (read ince, stam, beckham, RVN to name but a few) that he will not hesitate to ship them out.
I do hope Ronaldo will remember what the United had done for him, plucking him out from near obscurity at Sporting Lisbon and making him what he is now, and commit himself to the club long-term just like what Rooney has done.
As for Roon, think it's a different ball game..:D
I find Rooney plays more for the team. His vision is good as Scholes and Giggs or even Carrick.
As for Ronaldo, his dribbling skills are exciting to watch but he still has to learn to release the ball earlier to team mates and pass when they are in better goal scoring positions.
yinyang
08-02-2007, 01:47 PM
I find Rooney plays more for the team. His vision is good as Scholes and Giggs or even Carrick.
Yo, even if Ron fails to get on score sheet he does many "assists". And he gives >100% :D
yinyang
08-02-2007, 05:55 PM
More trivia on OUR club... money, money:p
Man Utd drops down wealth league
Real Madrid and Barcelona top the league despite contrasting seasons
Manchester United have dropped from second to fourth in the list of the world's wealthiest clubs, trailing Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
United headed Deloitte's Football Money League for eight years until being deposed by Real Madrid last year.
English clubs fill eight out of the top 20 spots in Deloitte's table, based on revenues generated during 2005/6.
United remain the world's most profitable club, making a £49.7m profit in the year to June 2006.
Deloitte's figures take into account income from ticket sales, merchandising and broadcasting contracts but do not include transfer revenues and does not calculate profitability.
Between them, the top 20 clubs had sales of more than £2.1bn.
Real Madrid retained its crown as the world's wealthiest club, in terms of sales, despite securing no silverware for the third consecutive year.
Its revenues rose to £202m from £186.2m the year before.
Barcelona leapfrogged Manchester United into second place, boosted by their victory in the Champions League final, while Italian club Juventus moved up one spot to third.
WORLD'S WEALTHIEST CLUBS BY REVENUE
1)Real Madrid: £202m
2)Barcelona: £179.1m
3)Juventus: £173.7m
4)Man Utd: £167.8m
5)AC Milan: £165m
6)Chelsea: £152.8m
7)Inter Milan: £142.8m
8)Bayern Munich: £141.5m
9)Arsenal: £133m
10)Liverpool: £121.7m
Source: Deloitte: 2005/6
United dropped into fourth place after its revenues rose from £166.4m to £167.8m.
Deloitte said it believed this fall may only be temporary as further expansion of their Old Trafford ground should significantly boost the club's match day income.
"Manchester United may be in fourth position this year but with the completion of their stadium development we can expect them to move back up the list in 2006/07," said Deloitte's Paul Rawnsley.
Chelsea dropped a place to sixth despite their revenues rising to £152.8m while Arsenal, helped by their appearance in the Champions League final, jumped a place to ninth.
The other British clubs to make it into the list were Liverpool(10), Newcastle United(13), Tottenham Hotspur(15), Manchester City(17), Rangers(18) and West Ham(19).
Galactico effect
With a lucrative new TV contract coming into effect next year, Deloitte said Premiership clubs could fill more than half of the list by 2007/8.
But Deloitte added that Spain's two footballing giants would not give up their positions at the top of the table lightly.
"The two clubs have had contrasting strategies, with Real focusing on driving commercial revenue from recruiting its Galactico players and Barcelona having a more balanced revenue portfolio," said Dan Jones, a partner in the firm's Sports Business Group.
Ronaldo’s winter of discontent chills United
The dreary weather in England was a significant factor in dissuading Ronaldinho from joining Manchester United in the summer of 2003 and, as Sir Alex Ferguson was pressed yesterday on concerns that Cristiano Ronaldo may be pining for a warmer climate, it emerged that the Portugal winger — the best player in the world on present form, according to his manager — was at home in bed nursing a “heavy head cold”.
Ferguson and David Gill, the United chief executive, have dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo could move to Spain this summer, but, with Barcelona having joined Real Madrid in confirming interest in the 22-year-old, yesterday’s medical bulletin served only to heighten the belief, hinted at by the player, that a young man brought up on the island of Madeira would regard Spain as a more natural habitat.
Ronaldo has proved himself to be anything but a fair-weather player this season, maintaining an outstanding standard for United through the winter months. Ronaldinho has been widely acclaimed as the world’s best player since snubbing United to join Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain 3½ years ago, but it is tempting to wonder whether Ferguson might have struck the better long-term deal by paying £12.24 million for a largely unknown 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon.
Ferguson accepted for the first time yesterday that Ronaldo may be tempted by a move to sunnier climes, but he suggested that neither the Nou Camp nor the Bernabéu Stadium could match the newly expanded Old Trafford as a stage on which Ronaldo can exhibit his remarkable skills.
“The better climate is always an attraction, but when you think about it, look what you get from Manchester United,” Ferguson said. “We get 76,000 people in the stadium for every home game. You don’t get that anywhere else. I know Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan can fill their stadiums when they have big games, but their stadiums are not full every week. Old Trafford is.
“Cristiano is at a good club and he knows it. There are no issues because I know the boy is happy here. I don’t need to sit down with Cristiano because in modern-day football, you have to accept that speculation will be rife.”
That speculation will continue, not least because there is a belief in both Barcelona and Madrid that the player can be enticed to Spain. The conspiratorial whispers grew on Tuesday after Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s agent, was pictured alongside the Barcelona sporting director, Txiki Begiristáin, at Portugal’s friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium, but Ferguson said: “That doesn’t bother me. Clubs have to make agents feel wonderful. That is the name of the game.”
The name of the game for United at present is winning and, with Ronaldo hopeful of shrugging off his cold, another victory is expected when Charlton Athletic visit Old Trafford this afternoon.
Wayne Rooney should also be fit to face Alan Pardew’s team, having missed England’s midweek defeat by Spain because of a back problem, but Ferguson confirmed that the forward, who is suspended for next weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Reading, may be given a short break next week to recharge his batteries before the resumption of the Champions League campaign.
Ferguson also expressed his pleasure at Ben Foster’s debut for England and indicated that the goalkeeper, on loan to Watford, will pose a serious challenge to Edwin van der Sar when he returns to Old Trafford next season.
Man of honour Larsson will make up his own mind
TO THE frequently asked question of whether or not Henrik Larsson's loan period at Manchester United will be extended beyond 12 March, only one man will eventually give the definitive answer. He is, of course, Larsson himself.
This is a player to whom agents and advisers have long since seemed to be mere props. Freed by his own single-mindedness from the ties that bind the majority of his contemporaries to the questionable direction of "handlers", the great Swede has never provoked anger or criticism because his actions throughout a distinguished career have invariably been self-determined. His most important decisions - ranging from the signing of new contracts through movement between clubs - have also, without fail, been taken honourably, giving due notice to those directly affected by them.
When Allan MacDonald became chief executive of Celtic towards the end of Fergus McCann's period as owner, he enjoyed the most powerful fillip anyone in his position could have wished when his first notable achievement was to have Larsson sign an extension to his contract. At the time, MacDonald gave most of the credit to McCann but he was also quick to acknowledge the benefit of dealing with a player of Larsson's judgment of what was best for himself.
If Sir Alex Ferguson has any reason to be doleful these days - a seemingly outrageous suggestion, considering Manchester United's contention for three major tournaments - it will stem from the realisation Larsson's scheduled return to Helsingborg is a mere four weeks away. Like all who have worked with the 35-year-old, the Old Trafford manager holds him in the highest esteem. In conversation the other day, he did not hesitate to declare his desire to see Larsson remain beyond the deadline.
"But we won't push it," said Ferguson. "Helsingborg have been very good with us and we wouldn't want to put any pressure on them. The season in Sweden starts at the end of March, but I believe they're going to Spain to prepare for a couple of weeks before, which is the reason for the loan ending on the twelfth.
"Of course, Henrik himself may come to feel he would like to stay on here. If we're still involved in the FA Cup and the Champions League as well as the Premiership, he may fancy being part of the run-in. I would certainly love to have him, because he's been brilliant. He has brought more fluency to our movement in forward areas with his intelligent running and his ability to bring others into the play. Great players love to play with other great players and you can see how people like [Wayne] Rooney, [Ryan] Giggs and [Cristiano] Ronaldo have benefited from his presence."
Since Helsingborg have already stated that they would not stand in Larsson's way if he decided to extend his time with United, there remains the possibility that he will find the opportunity to win medals in the Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions League - the last-named to complement the one he acquired with Barcelona nine months ago - irresistible.
NikonMan69
10-02-2007, 05:30 PM
I hope Larsson stays on till the end of the season and then SAF can look to buy a potent striker.
Ronaldo must stay. He is like another Henry and def will be better than Henry.
Rooney stars as United edge closer to title
Sunday, February 11, 2007, 03:39:08 HRS
http://images2.asianbookie.com/SGE.RBJ36.100207193852.photo00.quicklook.default-245x188.jpg
Manchester United's English forward Wayne Rooney(R) pulls away from Charlton Athletic's Alexandre Song during their English Premeirship football match at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Rooney stole the show as goals from South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher sealed Manchester United's 2-0 win against Charlton.
Wayne Rooney stole the show as goals from South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher sealed Manchester United's 2-0 win against Charlton.
Premiership leaders United struggled to claim the convincing victory that many had expected against Alan Pardew's struggling outfit at Old Trafford.
But Rooney's magic proved decisive as the home side survived a nervous 90 minutes to maintain their six-point lead over second-placed Chelsea and edge closer to the title.
Although Charlton arrived marooned in the bottom three, a run of four points from their last two Premiership away games suggested that they would be a tough nut for United to crack.
And although the league leaders made a bright start, Charlton quickly grew in confidence as they began to trouble a United side without in-form regulars such as keeper Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Charlton keeper Scott Carson served notice of the London team's defiance when he produced a top-class save to deny Park a sixth minute opener.
And the on-loan Liverpool stopper kept out another good chance sixty seconds later when he dived low to save Louis Saha's glancing header from Ryan Giggs's corner.
Having survived the initial onslaught, Charlton put United on the back foot and Danish midfielder Dennis Rommedahl should have done better when he shot into the side-netting after being released on the edge of the penalty area by Marcus Bent.
United's stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was then forced into action when he dived full stretch to tip Darren Ambrose's header behind for a corner.
It was hardly the script that most people were expecting, but United emerged from their slumber on 24 minutes when Park opened the scoring with a header from 12 yards.
http://images2.asianbookie.com/SGE.RBJ36.100207193852.photo02.quicklook.default-245x175.jpg
Manchester United's French forward Louis Saha(L) takes a shot on the Charlton Athletic goal during their English Premeirship football match at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Wayne Rooney stole the show as goals from South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher sealed Manchester United's 2-0 win against Charlton.
Patrice Evra's run down the left flank proved crucial and the French defender crossed from the by-line for Park to outjump defender Ben Thatcher for the goal.
A piece of Rooney brilliance almost made it 2-0 to United shortly before half-time but, after leaving Thatcher for dead in the six yard box, the striker shot wide of the far post.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team were by no means firing on all cylinders and they lacked the killer touch they needed to put the game beyond Charlton.
Despite their dominance of possession, United struggled to create any real clear-cut chances and they seemed to be missing the skill of Ronaldo.
And with the score only at 1-0, Charlton always remained a danger and sporadic attacks by the visitors ensured that United couldn't take the victory for granted.
That message was spelled out loud and clear when Gary Neville almost headed into his own net on 77 minutes.
The United captain jumped with Bent as Rommedahl's free-kick curled into the penalty area, but the ball glanced off his head and flew inches wide of Kuszczak's left-hand post.
After surviving that near miss, United finally claimed the second goal that ensured they maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table.
Yet again, Rooney produced a moment of magic. The striker had seen his shot saved by Carson, but instead of firing the rebound goalwards, he lofted the ball sideways for Scotland international Fletcher to head into the empty net with eight minutes left on the clock.
Thanks for Reading.
http://image2.sina.com.cn/ty/g/p/2007-02-10/U2029P6T12D2750019F44DT20070210235453.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/ty/g/p/2007-02-11/U2029P6T12D2750102F44DT20070211005355.jpg
Manchester United's Ji-Sung Park celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammate Patrice Evra
I hope Larsson stays on till the end of the season and then SAF can look to buy a potent striker.
Yeah.....many fans hope Larsson will stay too.
United have no fears: Fergie
SIR Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United to look forward rather than back in the final stages of the Premiership campaign.
The Red Devils struggled for long periods against Charlton at Old Trafford but eventually recorded a 2-0 win over the relegation-threatened Londoners to maintain a six-point cushion over Chelsea at the top of the table.
With only 11 games to go, it is a handy cushion to have, and United could inflict major damage if they gain maximum reward from the two matches they play - at Fulham and Liverpool - before Chelsea are in action again.
And Ferguson has made it clear his team should not start looking over the shoulders and fear the damage Chelsea may cause.
"We are playing well and with a lot of confidence," he said.
"Sometimes in these situations, there is a tendency to look over your shoulder and concentrate on the team that is chasing.
"I prefer to look forward because we have some really promising games coming up.
"We have an FA Cup tie against Reading next week, which should be terrific and that is all we should be concentrating it on now."
Ferguson admitted he was surprised by Charlton's enterprising approach, although he claimed his side should have taken full advantage of the pressure his team applied after Park Ji-Sung had nodded them into a first-half lead.
In the end, United had to survive a major scare when Gary Neville nodded Dennis Rommedahl's free-kick narrowly wide of his own goal before Wayne Rooney provided Darren Fletcher with the easiest of finishes to wrap up the win.
"It wasn't the greatest goal in the world but I would have taken it any time," admitted Ferguson.
"Their free-kick was a worry because it just reminds you that at 1-0 up, the opposition can get a goal in a second."
After stressing the value of giving all his squad some playing time recently, it was particularly pleasing for Ferguson that Park and Fletcher should get themselves on the scoresheet after standing in for injured duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick.
"We need to give everyone some miles on the clock because you never know when you might need them," he said.
Ronaldo: Wayne and I are mates
Cristiano Ronaldo claims his World Cup bust-up with Wayne Rooney has made their friendship stronger.
Ronaldo enraged many supporters with his perceived goading of Rooney during the World Cup, with many holding him directly responsible for the striker's red card against Portugal and England's subsequent exit from the tournament.
"After everything that went on Wayne and I are still the best of mates. That has been proved by the way we have played this season," he said.
"Wayne and I are like brothers and what happened at the World Cup has just made our friendship stronger.
"The reaction to him being sent off was very strong. I took quite a lot of stick, but it never bothered me.
"At Manchester everybody was always behind me at all times
"After the game, and Wayne's deserved sending off, we saw each other. He wished me luck and we sent each other texts, just like mates."
Ronaldo has also been accused of diving, but he claims to feed on the resentment of opposition supporters.
"It's because people think I am a diver that I lost the title of best young player at the World Cup," he offered.
"But it doesn't bother me and I'll just get on with things. Critics should look at the number of kicks I get in a game.
"The taunts just make me want to do better. I like feeling the hostility of a crowd - it means they are afraid of me.
"The World Cup has made me a better player."
Ronaldo: Make me richest - or I go!
CRISTIANO RONALDO will deliver Manchester United an astonishing £8.3million-a-year ultimatum: Make me the world's highest-paid player or I'm off.
We can reveal an Arab oil sheik has offered to stump up £30m to take Ronaldo to Barcelona in the summer.
At the same time, Ronaldo's representatives want to seal a deal that would guarantee the Portuguese superstar £160,000 A WEEK. A source close to Ronaldo confirmed: "There are lots of meetings taking place regarding Cristiano's new contract.
"But if United say he's the best player in the world they have to give him the best salary in the world."
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have both made Ronaldo their No1 target.
Sheik Mansour Al-Balawi, who owns Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, has developed a strong football and business link with Barca president Joan Laporta.
And Al-Bawi last night confirmed "I will do what is necessary to help Barcelona sign a great player like Cristiano."
Chelsea's Michael Ballack is currently the world's best-paid player on £130,000 a week, while Stamford Bridge skipper John Terry is finalising a new £150,000-a-week deal.
But the intervention of a wealthy third party is the biggest threat yet to United's hopes of hanging onto their 22-year-old winger.
Our exclusive revelation about Barca's interest in Ronaldo was confirmed when the player's agent Jorge Mendes was accompanied by the Spanish giant's director of football Txiki Begiristain to Portugal's friendly against Brazil.
And Ronaldo added further fuel to the debate over his future by insisting: "I've always said that I like Spanish football and that it's a kind of football which attracts me.
"I've got a contract with United. If Spanish clubs speak to anyone it's with my agent, not with me."
The link between the Saudi club and Barça was sealed in a recent visit to the Middle East by Laporta.
The bilateral agreement, signed last December, allows for two friendly matches and the construction of six football academies.
Al-Ittihad recently signed former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo in a deal brokered by Spanish agent Mariam Montano who said: "Right now Al-Ittihad and Barca are very close.
"Sheik Mansour Al-Balawi is happy to support Barcelona financially in the transfer market."
We revealed last month that United offered to double Ronaldo's salary to £100,000 a week to stave off interest from Real and Barca.
But Ronaldo's representatives are playing hardball and are holding out for more.
NikonMan69
11-02-2007, 10:02 PM
Wow I dont make even 150,000 pounds a year.
Even at 50,000 pounds a week, other EPL players can bonk diff "game" every Sat :D
Nonama123
12-02-2007, 03:12 AM
Nice info here
Nice info here
Agreed, very detailed too.
Nice info here
Agreed, very detailed too.
This thread was started for all Man Utd fans' reading. Bros are welcomed to contribute and share too. :)
Park wants to be perfect
Manchester United ace Park Ji-sung says he is working hard to improve his game.
The South Korean international is ready to work hard to try and establish himself at Old Trafford.
Park has seen this season interrupted by injury and he is determined to make sure he is in top condition when called upon by Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Although I am 100 per cent in shape I always try to find something to improve in every match," Park told Yonhap news agency.
"I have to try to be perfect."
The 25-year-old marked a rare appearance in the starting line-up on Saturday against Charlton with a goal in the 2-0 win and he admitted he just tried to make sure he did not miss the chance after a mistake in the visitors' defence.
"I just tried not to miss the chance when Charlton's defenders were struggling to clear the ball. Fortunately for me it went in," added Park.
Neviller talks up Red Devils
Gary Neville says the rest of the Premiership is struggling to live with Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men maintained their six-point lead at the top by beating Charlton 2-0 on Saturday, despite never getting out of second gear.
Goals from Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher gave United another win, although they didn't have to hit top form to do it.
Neville told The Sun: "Teams are struggling to live with us right now.
"We are playing some of the best level of football seen for a few years and we have to maintain that.
"People talk about the pressure at the top but we are just enjoying our football right now."
It's almost four years since the Red Devils last clinched a league title, and Neville has suffered more than most during that lean period.
But the United skipper believes that the drought could almost be over with the latest Old Trafford dream team firing on all cylinders.
He added: "I think the squad is ready to win again. We've had three years where we've really suffered and not really performed to our capabilities.
"We've suffered with injuries in the last three years at important moments in the season.
"It's meant we've been so far behind and at times we've just not performed well, so I think the team has had enough of that and is ready to stay together and know what we need to do.
"We've matured in certain areas and some of the younger players are now producing incredible displays."
CibLover
13-02-2007, 12:11 PM
WAYNE ROONEY has found a sympathetic listener in team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United’s Ronaldo claims that striker Rooney often gets ribbed for his Scouse accent.
And he knows what it is like — because the winger was teased as a kid for his strong accent.
Ronaldo, who hails from the island of Madeira, moved to the Portuguese capital Lisbon when he joined Sporting as a boy.
He said: “Rooney and I are like brothers. We are the same age and he also has great talent.
“We get on well but there is one big difference. Even if he does have a Scouse accent he handles the mickey-taking better than I did.
“I had to put up with it from when I was 11.
“I remember my first day at school with Sporting Lisbon.
“My accent made everyone laugh. It was as if I was speaking a foreign language.
“It was a really bad time for me. I was on my own for five years in Lisbon and I got in some filthy arguments. It wasn’t good but it served me well for what followed in my career. I now have the experience to deal with any taunts I get. I’m still only 22 but I had to learn to be mature at an early age.”
Ronaldo, who insists Rooney and he have made up after their World Cup spat, also credits United boss Alex Ferguson for his continuing development.
He said: “I am a born dribbler. I know I overdo things at times and lose the ball, but it’s getting better and every year I am becoming more solid.
“I now know how to choose the moment to pass better. It’s the result of working daily in training with Sir Alex.”
Meanwhile, former United winger Andrei Kanchelskis has retired.
Kanchelskis was part of the United team that lifted their first Premiership title in 1993 — but was recently released by Russia’s Krylia Sovetov.
Kanchelskis, 38, said: “Now seems the right time to start a new chapter in my life.” Excerpts from The Sun .
================================================== ========================================
Nice to hear that Ron is happy and crediting his developments due to SAF. his relationship with Wazza is getting better and it shows in their field play.
Hmm... Kanchelskis is retiring. All the best to him. Damn speedy winger.
yinyang
14-02-2007, 10:34 AM
Liverpool pair named in Europe XI
Gerrard will team up again with ex-England captain David Beckham
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will play for a Europe XI side in a jubilation match against Manchester United on 13 March.
The game at Old Trafford commemorates the 50th anniversary of United's first competitive European fixture as well as the founding of the Common Market.
Marcello Lippi will manage the Europe team and Real Madrid's David Beckham will also play against his former club.
Fixture congestion means Lippi cannot select Arsenal and Chelsea players.
"It is an honour for our club that two of our players have been selected to represent Europe" Rafael Benitez
Sir Alex Ferguson has already pledged to field a full-strength line-up, including Henrik Larsson in what could be his farewell United appearance.
While the precise European line-up is yet to be finalised, Lippi has expressed the hope that most of his 2006 World Cup-winning squad will be at Old Trafford.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists he is happy to release his two most senior England internationals for the fixture.
He said: "It is an honour for our club that two of our players have been selected to represent Europe.
"I know that they feel very privileged to be in the team and that they will enjoy playing alongside the top players from other clubs.
"It will be a nice experience for them and one I am sure they will remember with pleasure in years to come."
Larsson: We will be positive
Henrik Larsson insists Manchester United will remain positive when the UEFA Champions League resumes next week.
United have been in dominant form in the Premiership all season and have scored 15 goals more than anyone else in the league this term.
They face a tricky away game in Lille next Tuesday but, despite a couple of disappointing years in Europe, Larsson maintains United will still take an attack-minded approach to the game.
"I don't think you will see any game when United aren't trying to push forward and score goals," he explained.
"In training I look around and you can see that any one of them could start a game and United would be as strong as ever."
United must play three games in three different competitions over the next week, but Larsson believes the squad is strong enough to cope with the ever-increasing demands.
"It's now that you start to appreciate having a big squad of quality players. Each player offers something a little different to the team," he said.
"There has been a great process of bringing players through and buying intelligently at the club.
"We do have a lot of games coming up over the next couple of weeks but that is what being at a club like United is all about.
"We train well and prepare well and there is no reason why we can't take these games in our stride.
"Everybody is up for it and when you are playing well and enjoying the football you want to play every day."
Ronaldo warned by Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz claims Cristiano Ronaldo would be making a big mistake if he left Manchester United, insisting Old Trafford is the perfect stage for the Portuguese winger to fulfil his potential.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a truly memorable season and has been one of the main reasons for United’s resurgent league form.
But the Portuguese star’s superlative displays have attracted envious glances from across Europe with Real Madrid and Barcelona making known their interest in the 22-year-old flyer.
Ronaldo himself has been notably coy over his long-term future, although Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to tie him to a new extended contract.
The Scot’s right-hand man, Queiroz, feels the youngster is in exactly the right place to realise his ambitions and is backing him to become the club’s most important player in the not too distant future.
“Very soon he could become the symbol of Manchester United,” Queiroz stated. ”The ideal club for him is Manchester United.
”There is no reason for him to leave the club because he knows that United is the best club in the world.
”At this time, no club in the world has someone playing so consistently or at the level at which Cristiano Ronaldo is in every game.
”It is not just lip-service to call him one of the best in the world and the individual awards will start to arrive shortly.”
Indeed, Queiroz has warned Ronaldo that the grass is not always greener having had first-hand experience at Real Madrid.
The Spaniards have made clear their determination to prise Ronaldo from Old Trafford, but Queiroz — who had a ten-month spell as manager at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2003/04 — has warned his compatriot that life at Real is very different to the air of glamour and prestige that surrounds the club.
”I have been at Real Madrid and I know the reality of the club,” he continued. “Cristiano is part of the United family and if he stays he will become a symbol of the whole club.
”This is the best Manchester United in recent years and we are where we want to be, a step from becoming champions.”
FERGIE'S OVER LOSS OF KEANE
SIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Manchester United have finally come to terms with the loss of Roy Keane.
Fergie admitted to finding the task of replacing the Republic of Ireland midfielder almost impossible - but believes his current midfield players have proved they can cope without him.
He said: "The most valid criticism levelled at us is that we haven't signed a replacement for Keane. But where is there another Keane?
"But we have evolved to produce a midfield every bit as effective as the one with Roy in it."
Robbo backs unsung Carrick
MIDFIELD general Bryan Robson has hailed the form of Michael Carrick.
The Reds' £18m purchase from Spurs has won a vote of confidence from Sir Alex Ferguson but his Old Trafford impact to date still polarises fans and critics alike.
But the former England and United captain believes Carrick is having a quietly effective impact.
"Michael Carrick is not an explosive type of player so it is understandable that people will regard his impact at United as solid rather than anything else," Robson told M.E.N. Sport at Nationwide's Manchester offices.
Solid
"It has been a solid effort from him but I still think it is also a great job he's been doing for United. The role he has played in front of the back four and probing with his passing has been very good.
"He is a very intelligent midfielder and everything he does is neat and tidy. He's not going to be smashing into tackles or anything like that.
"He's not that kind which is why he probably doesn't come across as looking influential but if you look at the way he has released the likes of Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and also let Paul Scholes play, you will understand he is having a great effect.
"He is quietly getting those kind of players in space and letting them do the damage.
"At the back he has also been a great protection for the central defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
"That pairing has had some great press this season and rightly so. They are very strong but Michael, for one, has played his part in helping that.
"For me he does a great job in front of them retrieving the ball and snapping back at people who get near their area. It's not a dynamic job in the way Roy Keane used to do it but nevertheless it is equally successful. People should also take note of how he doubles up with Gary Neville and sits in when he has one of his attacking runs forward. It can go unnoticed but it is vital.
"He reminds me a lot of Ray Wilkins in that he releases colleagues with intelligent passing and does his share of tackling back. He won't score many goals the same as Ray didn't but you notice that kind of player when he is not there."
Carrick happy with contribution
MICHAEL Carrick insists he is not bothered about being left trailing in the United goalscoring stakes.
So far, Carrick has contributed just a single goal to United's quest for silverware, netting in last month's Premiership home win over Aston Villa.
Despite playing fewer games, Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-sung and John O'Shea have managed two each, while central defender Nemanja Vidic has weighed in with four during an outstanding first full season in England.
But Carrick is not bothered about the statistics. In the knowledge he has never been regarded as a free-scoring midfielder, even going back to his West Ham days, the 25-year-old is content to make his contribution in other areas.
"If we were struggling and needed to score goals, maybe I would be a little bit more concerned about the need to chip in," he told MUTV.
"But we have a nice balance at the moment. Everyone else has been scoring pretty freely over the past month so the goals situation does not really bother me.
"I have other jobs to do, so it is not much of a concern at all."
Damage
After suffering ankle ligament damage during a pre-season encounter with Ajax in Amsterdam, Carrick endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford following his £18.6million summer move from Tottenham.
However, the Wallsend-born player has now found his feet and has forged a productive partnership with Paul Scholes in the United engine room.
Although Carrick is loathe to highlight just how far he has moved forward since quitting White Hart Lane, there is no doubt he is a far more accomplished player now and is benefiting from playing in a side packed with world class talent.
"I am improving," he said.
"I wouldn't say there was a massive difference in the way I am playing compared to Spurs but there is one.
"I am just enjoying being part of this fantastic side. It feels like everyone is playing unbelievably well, so it is understandable I have a lot of confidence.
"It makes it a lot easier to pick people out because you have so many options."
Confident
Carrick should be involved on Saturday when United look to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Reading at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney is suspended for the clash with Steve Coppell's high-flyers but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return from the virus which ruled him out of the weekend victory over Charlton.
Ronaldo has again been at the centre of intense speculation about his future this week, with Portugal team-mate Hugo Viana suggesting the winger had told him his days at Old Trafford were numbered.
However, United have already made it perfectly clear they do not intend to let Ronaldo go anywhere and, once again, Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz has claimed the 22-year-old has nothing to gain from moving on.
Queiroz has a close relationship with Ronaldo and moved yesterday to allay fears that the wing ace was seriously considering a move to Spain in the summer.
"He has no interest in leaving the Red Devils for Real Madrid," insisted Queiroz.
"I know that Cristiano would not improve his situation by going to Real Madrid.
"At Manchester United he is part of a family and knows he can eventually become a great legend of this club."
Larsson: Lesser lights shining bright
UNITED are only now beginning to feel the full benefit of having such a strong squad, according to on-loan striker Henrik Larsson.
The 35-year-old Swede was drafted in last month to assist the Barclays Premiership leaders' three-pronged assault on silverware and is scheduled to return to parent club Helsingborg in March.
Larsson has lightened the load of fellow forwards Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer at Old Trafford and believes the forthcoming fixture logjam will see all the club's fringe players play crucial roles.
"The season is entering a massively important stage," he wrote on his personal website, www.henriklarsson.com.
"It's now that you really appreciate having a big squad of quality players."
United are looking to emulate their historic treble of 1999 and the next week will help determine whether they are able to do so.
Saturday sees them host Reading in the FA Cup fifth round, while on Tuesday they travel to Lille for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Rotation
Four days after that, they visit Fulham in the Premiership looking to stretch their lead to nine points.
Larsson feels last weekend's 2-0 victory over Charlton proves how important rotation can be, with key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick rested to be replaced by Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher.
Larsson said: "I thought the lads who came in for Ronaldo and Carrick - Park and Fletcher - did really well against Charlton and the fact that they scored the goals shows just how important it is to have guys like that who are an integral part of the set-up.
"Ronaldo and Carrick are world-class players, so you will always miss them, but when you have these other tremendous players coming in it's just a matter of doing things slightly differently. Each player offers something different to the team."
Larsson has played a part in every game since registering as a United player and, while he would love to continue being so involved, he would understand if he was asked to stand aside because of the quality waiting in the wings.
"In training, I look at the squad and see that anybody could start a game and United would be as strong as ever," he said.
"There has been a great process of bringing players through and buying intelligently at the club.
"We have a lot of games coming up now over the next couple of weeks, but we train well and prepare well, so there is no reason why we can't take these games in our stride.
"Everybody is up for it and, when you are playing well and enjoying the football, you want to play every day."
Ronaldo can be Reds legend
A PLACE in Old Trafford's hall of fame could prove the decisive factor in United's battle to keep Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reds assistant manager Carlos Queiroz believes becoming a United legend can dispel the temptations of Spain.
La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid appear to have the Spanish media on board in efforts to unsettle United's 22-year-old winger.
But Queiroz is hitting back in the war.
"Very soon Cristiano could become the symbol of Manchester United," said Sir Alex Ferguson's sidekick.
"The ideal club for him is Manchester United. There is no reason for him to leave the club because he knows that United is the best club in the world.
"At this time, no club in the world has someone playing so consistently or at the level at which Cristiano Ronaldo is in every game.
"It is not just lip-service to call him one of the best in the world and the individual awards will start to arrive shortly."
Queiroz himself had a bitter and unsuccessful 10-month period as coach at Real Madrid after helping United to the Premiership title in 2003, his debut campaign at Old Trafford as Fergie's No 2.
And he has warned Ronaldo that life at the Bernabeu isn't all it's cracked up to be.
"I have been at Real Madrid and I know the reality of the club," he added.
"Cristiano is part of the United family and if he stays then he will become a symbol of the whole club.
"This is the best Manchester United in recent years and we are where we want to be, a step from becoming champions."
United eyeing Argentinian starlet
Racing Santander defender Ezequiel Garay has revealed that he is being tracked by Manchester United.
The 20-year-old Argentinian has been a fixture in coach Miguel Angel Portugal's team this season, and his impressive performances appear to have attracted the eye of the Premiership leaders.
"It's a pleasure that a club as big as Manchester [United] are interested in me, but at the moment there has been no official contact," he told Spanish daily As.
"I haven't yet had the chance to speak with my representative about it. The club hasn't spoken to me about the matter either, so we shouldn't go shouting about it from the rooftops."
"At the moment all I'm thinking about is Racing, and my only aim is to continue working in the way I am now, with my thoughts on the upcoming game against Nastic. The important thing is to make sure those three points stay in Santander."
Chelsea and Barcelona are said to have enquired with Racing about the defender, though the Cantabrian club has made no official statement as yet.
Any club wishing to prise the player away from the club is likely to have to shell out a transfer fee of around 20 million euros (£13.8 million).
Queiroz hails Ferguson youth plan
Manchester United are reaping the benefit of a long-term strategy to invest in young players, assistant manager Carlos Queiroz told BBC Sport.
He said their return to top form was due to their faith in stars such as Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"You cannot perform at this level in a consistent way if these players are not mature and ready to compete," he said.
"We knew sooner or later the results would come up if we kept going with patience, stability and continuity."
Queiroz said United's success this season was the fruit of plans laid by manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the last two seasons.
And he said Ronaldo, whose conversion from unfulfilled talent to one of the most destructive players in the Premiership has been at the forefront of United's resurgence, was an example of how the strategy had worked.
"[It's] continuity, daily work, being patient with mistakes, being on the right track, believing that if we trust them and if we provide them with the right preparation that sooner or later they grow up and they start to perform," Queiroz said.
"And this is exactly what happened."
Queiroz, who earlier this week said Ronaldo had "no reason to leave" United this summer despite interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, added: "What we are doing this season is the natural progression of everything we have done in the last few years."
That has meant melding the increasing maturity of the younger generation of players - which he said also included midfielders Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea and defender Wes Brown - with the experience of established stars such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
He said the fact that United had flourished despite selling lead striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real last summer was proof that Ferguson's strategy was correct.
"Those decisions - one in, one out - are one thing. And of course they can interfere. But in this moment they are a minor part of the overall plan of the club," Queiroz said.
"The other thing is the core of the group, the structure, the tactical concept, the harmony between the players, the tactical knowledge, making the young players grow up to be more mature, more knowledgeable of the game.
"Then you add different solutions, buying or selling. But that part of the team is the easiest part. This is what everyone can see.
"Of course, when you lose a player who used to score 30 or 40 goals a season, theoretically it is a concern.
"But when that decision came up it was important to be sure that the team and structure didn't suffer with that. And we just kept going because the manager thought we had the right solution.
"It was our belief that some of the problems we had during the [last] season were not related to a, b or c.
"It was part of the main decisions we've been doing - giving the opportunity for young players to play, giving the opportunity for them to learn the game and gain experience, to mature."
United last won the title in 2003, but were third in the following two seasons behind Arsenal and then Chelsea.
United had appeared in the last two seasons to be struggling to keep pace with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, who beat them into second place with a margin of eight points in 2006.
But this season Scholes has returned to full fitness after being out for much of 2005/6 with an eye problem, Ronaldo has enjoyed his best season, striker Louis Saha started strongly and veteran Swede Henrik Larsson joined in the new year on loan to bolster the team up front.
That successful blend of youth and experience has led to United being six points clear at the top of the table.
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