Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

Javier Hernandez signs new deal at Manchester United

JAVIER HERNANDEZ has signed a new five-year deal at Manchester United.

SunSport revealed on Tuesday that Spanish giants Real Madrid were planning a £30million swoop for the Mexican, 23.

But the Red Devils were determined to tie the Little Pea to an improved contract — tripling his wages from £25,000 a week to £75,000.

Eduardo Hernandez, the striker's representative, said: "We have renegotiated Javier's contract and he is now committed for five years with United.

"The initial contract was good for Manchester and for Javier because it enabled them both to see if they could fit together and if he could achieve what was expected of him.

"Both sides have met their expectations and United were happy to reward Javier after his very good performances last season.

"I will not talk about numbers but it is a five-year contract. It is a fixed salary with incentives based on the team's success in each of the different tournaments.

"Javier was not badly paid with his initial contract, but it was his first contract and, with respect, not comparable with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Nani.

"But today I can say that the contract has just been signed and everyone is satisfied."

[mr_missile]

Rooney handed three-match ban

Fabio Capello's worst fears were realised when UEFA gave Wayne Rooney a three-match ban that will see him miss England's Euro 2012 group games.

Rooney's kick at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovoic last Friday was judged "an assault" by UEFA's control and disciplinary panel, who stuck to the letter of the law in handing out the punishment despite a plea for leniency from the Football Association.

It means Capello now has to judge whether to take Rooney as part of his squad to Poland and Ukraine, and hope that he can make an impact if England make it through to the quarter-finals.

The FA will wait for the full reasons behind the decision before deciding whether to appeal. The ban could even be increased by an appeal panel, but that would be unlikely and it looks odds on that the FA will try to have the suspension reduced.

The Manchester United striker is understood to be extremely disappointed in the outcome but will follow the FA's advice about any appeal.

Former England striker Alan Shearer described the ban as "a huge blow" to England's chances in the European Championships, and called the kick "a silly error".

Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a huge blow. It's not only a huge blow to the team, to the fans and to football followers but to Wayne himself because he realises he's made a stupid error.

"I still think whoever replaces him in the team, England still should have enough to get through the three games without him."

Phil Neville, Rooney's former team-mate for United and England, labelled the ruling "a joke".

The Everton midfielder said on Twitter: "Rooney banned for 3 games what a joke- if it was a Dutch Spanish Italian german player they wouldn't even get 1 game £fact."

Rooney was shown a straight red by German referee Wolfgang Stark for kicking Dzudovoic - England boss Capello admitted it was a "silly mistake" by the 25-year-old, who immediately put himself in danger of receiving the three-match ban.

UEFA's disciplinary regulations state that a player will receive a "suspension for three competition matches or for a specified period for assaulting another player or other person present at the match".

A UEFA statement said: "Today's decision was taken in relation to the red card shown to Rooney for assault after 74 minutes of England's final Group G game, the 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Podgorica.

"The striker will now be suspended from playing in his country's next three UEFA national competition matches for which he would be eligible."

The FA have three days to decide whether to appeal, and they said in a statement: "Further to UEFA's decision to impose a three-match suspension on Wayne Rooney following his sending-off against Montenegro, the FA await the full reasons from the disciplinary committee, and will give full consideration to the decision internally, before deciding on any response to UEFA or making any further public comment."

The FA had taken some hope from a previous case involving Andrey Arshavin, who was given a two-match ban and missed Russia's first two games of Euro 2008 after being sent off against Andorra. But in that case television evidence was less clear cut than in Rooney's.

In 2004, Chelsea's Marcel Desailly was initially handed a three-match ban for elbowing Monaco's Fernando Morientes but that was reduced on appeal to two games after UEFA said the act was not deliberate.

[mr_missile]

FIGHT OR WE KOP IT SAYS SIR ALEX FERGUSON

SIR ALEX Ferguson has demanded more fight from his Manchester United players as they bid to end their dismal run at Anfield.

Ferguson’s unbeaten table-toppers have lost their last three games in Liverpool.

And the United chief says his side cannot afford to be outfought again at the home of their great rivals.

The Scot said: “We’ve been poor there of late, our record hasn’t been great.

“On a couple of occasions we’ve been outfought by them, which has been disappointing. The atmosphere always plays a part.

“But we need to be better than we have been in recent seasons and this team can do that.”

Fergie will be tempted to include Darren Fletcher.

The Scot has missed all three recent defeats, but has been in the starting line-up for their last three wins over the Merseysiders.

Fletcher, who chased shadows against Spain earlier this week, is likely to be given the nod ahead of the fit-again Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick to partner Anderson in midfield.

Skipper Nemanja Vidic is also set to return after a month out with a calf strain.

Javier Hernandez’s agent has confirmed the Mexican has signed a new five-year contract.

Eduardo Hernandez said: “I will not talk about numbers, but it is a five-year contract. It is a fixed salary with incentives based on the team’s success in each tournament.”

[mr_missile]

Fergie has faith in young stars

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he would have no worries throwing his youngsters into the intense atmosphere of a North-West showdown with Liverpool.

The Scot has admitted he is facing a major dilemma over whether to recall skipper Nemanja Vidic for Saturday's trip to Anfield. Vidic has not featured for United since he limped out of the opening-day triumph at West Brom with a calf injury almost two months ago.

However, the 29-year-old was fit enough to start for Serbia in their Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovakia on Tuesday, only to miss a penalty in a defeat that sent his country tumbling out of the competition.

Now Ferguson must decide whether that is enough to warrant selection against Liverpool, with Vidic's long-standing central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand also hoping for a recall after starting the Premier League win over Norwich on the bench immediately before the international break.

It is a major issue for Ferguson because when Vidic and Ferdinand have been out, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have, between them, met almost every challenge during United's unbeaten start to the season.

Ferguson is certain his youngsters are up for their latest test, which just makes the task of picking a team even harder.

"They have shown they have got the temperament," said Ferguson.

"They have come through the Tottenham game, the Arsenal game and the Chelsea game - all good tests.

"Jonny Evans' form has been absolutely brilliant so I don't have any real concerns about who I play because they are all doing particularly well."

Yet Vidic is such a dominant figure that heading to Liverpool without him would seem a gamble.

"He came in yesterday and felt okay," said Ferguson. "But the Liverpool game is such an intense, stamina-draining affair that you want everyone to be 100 per cent. It might be more down to how he feels himself."

[Ken88999]

I'm a mu fan...I think tonight the game will be end up o-o ....

[barbet]

tonite,it is a match between the Reds.
i am an soccer fan,just love to watch these big teams matches.
always sure have a few disputed decision,movement and goal.

good luck to all MU fans here...

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by Ken88999

I'm a mu fan...I think tonight the game will be end up o-o ....

welcome to the thread fellow red devil. . hope we can at least break the trend of losing for the last 3 matches vs pool at anfield.

Originally Posted by barbet

tonite,it is a match between the Reds.
i am an soccer fan,just love to watch these big teams matches.
always sure have a few disputed decision,movement and goal.

good luck to all MU fans here...

good to see a neutral soccer fan here. i think the media is kicking up way too much fuss about the NBUs and ABUs.

and thanks bro for the well wishes to the team. cheers!

[jitlong69]

I think differently. I think there should be some goals from both sides tonight. Unlike a cup game, Liverpool and ManU younsters would want to score and score even if they are in the lead whenever they meet. Though basing on the current strength ManU has the upper edge even though Liverpools is at home tuff but always play well and very well against Manu at home. Therefore I hate to say this........Liverpool may have the last laugh and I hope I am wrong. Really I hope I am wrong.

[machoman]

Man United rescued by super-sub Hernandez

LONDON - Steven Gerrard scored on his first start for seven months before Javier Hernandez headed a late equaliser as Liverpool and leaders Manchester United battled to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League's early kickoff at Anfield on Saturday.

Gerrard, returning for Liverpool after a complicated groin injury, struck with a 68th-minute free kick that went through the defensive wall after Rio Ferdinand had tripped Charlie Adam just outside the penalty area.

Hernandez, who came on as a 76th-minute substitute for Phil Jones, then nodded the ball into an empty net from point-blank range with nine minutes to go after Danny Welbeck had flicked on a corner.

United stayed top of the table with 20 points from eight matches, at least until Manchester City host Aston Villa later on Saturday. Liverpool remained fifth with 14 points.

"It wasn't the best free kick," Gerrard told Sky Sports. "I tried to get it over the wall but I got a bit of luck.

"To come back and play my first full 90 minutes today ... growing up these are the games you dream of playing in and when you are sitting in the stands there is nothing worse, to be out there experiencing the emotions again was fantastic."

United defender Ferdinand, who has also had a spell out injured, said: "It was great to be back and after losing here for the last three visits I'm pleased we've left with a point."

The visitors started without Wayne Rooney, Hernandez or Nani up front. They played five men in midfield and made little impact on the Liverpool defence, failing to have a worthwhile shot on target until the closing stages.

Liverpool, buoyed by the return of Gerrard who had made three previous substitute appearances this season, had more possession and looked more dangerous as the match wore on and went close to a winner several times in the final minutes.

Rooney, who was handed a three-match ban for Euro 2012 by UEFA on Thursday following his England sending-off against Montenegro last week, came on for the last 20 minutes but made little impact.

[mr_missile]

A Few Thoughts On Liverpool 1 United 1 extracted from article in football365

The thing that sets true goalscorers apart from the rest is movement. Javier Hernandez is a master.

Some quick stats: Liverpool had 56% of possession, five shots on target to United's two, eight corners to United's three and a pass completion rate of 79% to United's 72%.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team selection seemed odd. There were obvious and sensible arguments for the 4-5-1 team selection (matching Liverpool's expected set-up, a safety-first approach away from home, introducing some fresh legs after international week), but if nothing else it sent a curious message. The team seemed designed in deference to Liverpool, who have been in decent but hardly scintillating form so far this season, a curious mentality for a side top of the table without a defeat so far. The use of Park Ji-sung in particular made it look like a side that Fergie might select for a tricky away Champions League game. At best, it looked like a manager who would be happy with a point, but at worst it smacked of one scared of Liverpool.

Having decided to pick a side to contain their opponents (in the early stages at least), the personnel seemed odd. Danny Welbeck is a fine striker, but perhaps not one to chuck in as a lone forward in a game as big as this. With not a great deal of support likely to come from a central midfield three of Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and Phil Jones, Welbeck was always likely to be isolated, and so it came to pass. Surely therefore, a man with a little more experience of playing as a lone forward would've been more sensible. Does Ferguson not trust Wayne Rooney in that role? Was he trying to protect his number 10 after a trying week?

It's tricky to disagree with Ferguson's post-match assessment that both sides cancelled each other out in the first half, and the game only came to life after Liverpool's goal. All those fans in Singapore, so beloved of Ian Ayre, would've got more early entertainment watching Bolton at Wigan - Nigel Reo-Coker bagged in that game after just four minutes.

It was slightly difficult to take Rio Ferdinand's complaints about Charlie Adam's rather easy tumble seriously. Sure, Adam fell to the ground under the very slightest touch (and Ferdinand admitted there was contact), and in that way 'earned' the free kick, which is unpleasant, but imagine if it had been Rooney, or Hernandez, or even Ferdinand himself. Ferdinand's response would've been 'There was contact, so it was a free-kick', as all professional footballers say.

Aside from an apparent desire to protect his genitals (no comment), Ryan Giggs allowing Gerrard's free-kick to sail where a defensive wall should've been was inexplicable and inexcusable. TEAMtalk.com scribe, friend of F365 and all-round good egg Ian Watson to put things plainly: 'If you're in a wall, don't try & be clever. Stand still & trust that your keeper has set it up in the right place.'

The thing that sets truly great goalscorers apart from the rest is movement. Occasionally it's in the form of outright pace, but it's often the way a striker finds space, and if there is no space to be found, creates it. Fernando Torres is brilliant at that, and if one is to go back a little further, Gerd Muller was a master. Javier Hernandez has this knack too, virtually manufacturing his equaliser with some brilliant movement on the edge of the six-yard box. At first glance, it looked like shambolic defending by Martin Skrtel, but having watched the reply it seems more appropriate to give Hernandez credit for turning the big defender inside out, and forcing him to slip over. Hernandez's nimble feet made the chance, and the finish was simple.

Having said that, if Hernandez hadn't scored, Ryan Giggs was waiting unmarked just behind him to take advantage. Whoever was supposed to be marking Giggs needs to be spoken to in a very firm manner.

Anyone have any idea why more was not made of Jose Enrique's handball in the area late on?

The great thing about watching young players in the Premier League is you can see them developing. David de Gea started his Manchester United career in shakey fashion, but he was excellent at Anfield. One flap in the second half aside, he was assured and impressive, and capped the performance off with a couple of late saves. The first, from a close-range effort from Dirk Kuyt, was simple enough because it was more or less straight at him, but the second from a looping Jordan Henderson effort, offered more evidence as to why Sir Alex Ferguson has so much faith in him.

[mr_missile]

sir alex must have baffled many, me included, when i first saw the line up vs pool.

there was no rooney, no chicharito, no nani and no anderson. and he played 5 across the midfield with jones playing there for the 1st time in a united shirt.

i thought to myself, "what the? is sir alex playing for a draw? it is not the united way to play for a draw leh."

as we all know by now, nani, rooney and chicharito all went in as subs and salvaged a draw at anfield where united had lost 3 games straight.

is that master stroke from sir alex again or what? to contain pool and not let them overrun utd and then send in the more mobile trio as pool faded in the game?

or was it that sir alex has more "important" games coming up that he had opted to rest his big guns for?

the next 2 games certainly look that way. the mid-week champions league tie vs Otelul Galati has become a must win tie. then followed by the weekend top of the table clash against the noisy neighbours man city.

both seem to rank higher in importance to sir alex rather than the game vs pool and hence his team selection on sat.

come next week, we will know if sir alex has indeed delivered another master stroke in team rotation.

[jitlong69]

You have never post it more rightly, bro. The only reason I can think off is the mastery of sir alex. It is the next 2 games that are more important to him than last sat's game.

I was totally surprised that the line up has no rooney, nani and anderson and hernandez ???

City should be facing their first real test next week playing at Old Traford. Among the top 6 this is the second for them. They have yet to play Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool and I am sure City will drop points.

[mr_missile]

Wayne Rooney to return for Manchester United

ALEX FERGUSON says Wayne Rooney is ready to ignore his international trauma and put Manchester United's Champions League campaign back on track.

Ferguson left Rooney out the starting line-up for Saturday's clash at Liverpool believing his three-match Euro 2012 ban had hit him too hard.

But after bringing him on in the 69th minute — following Steven Gerrard's opener — he realised the striker had put the disappointment behind him.

Now Rooney, 25, will start tonight's Champions League encounter with Romanian minnows Otelul Galati as United look to get their first group win after two opening draws.

Referring to the Liverpool game boss Ferguson said of Rooney: "When he came on he was quite bubbly. He was full of energy and enthusiasm.

"He was desperate to get on actually, which is good because when he sat watching the game he probably said, 'I could be out there'.

"He'll be playing in this game."

Despite Rooney's enthusiasm when he came on at Anfield, Fergie admits his star striker is still very disappointed.

The ban that will see him miss all England's Euro 2012 group games next summer.

Rooney was red-carded this month for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic in England's final qualifier.

He hoped to receive only a one-match ban, but UEFA made it three and the FA have yet to decide if they will appeal. Ferguson added: "I think the initial news was a definite blow for him. He didn't expect that.

"I don't think any of us did. To me, it was a silly action but it wasn't seriously dangerous. It was a slight reaction, but to get a three-match ban...

"When he realised it meant missing all the games for England and he might not be involved at all, that resonated in Wayne's mind.

"UEFA are strict in a lot of things and they've deemed it a three-match ban. I can't say any more on that."

Ferguson was adamant yesterday had he brought Rooney and Nani into the game before Gerrard's goal they would have left Anfield with all three points.

He claimed: "I felt we might have won the game by bringing on Rooney and Nani before Liverpool scored.

"I thought it was the right thing to start with the team we did at Liverpool. We never looked like losing a goal until Gerrard scored and then it became a very open match.

"If we had brought Rooney and Nani on before then it would have been very different."

That draw meant United fell two points behind local rivals City, who they meet on Sunday at Old Trafford.

First, Ferguson has to turn his attentions to Europe after a stuttering start to their campaign which saw them draw against Benfica in Lisbon and at home to Basel after leading 2-0.

The United boss added: "Against Basle we became very complacent in the match and it's not a tournament where you can afford to be complacent, so this is an important game for us now.

"We had them watched. We've got a good idea of how the game should be played and hopefully get the result we want. I think we have to win and I'll play a strong team.

"But I can play several teams and still be strong enough to win the game, like I did on Saturday.

"We have to progress in the Champions League and then we have four or five days to recover for the Sunday game against City.

"The timescale for recovery is perfect for us and it's the same for City as well."

United are understandably favourites for tonight's Group C clash having lost only one of their last 24 away games in Europe.

Galati by contrast have lost five of their last nine games in all competitions and won only two of their seven home games this season.

Club president Marius Stan admitted: "The simple objective from this game is not to be embarrassed."

[mr_missile]

MANCHESTER UNITED'S PATRICE EVRA: I'LL FIGHT SLUR

Manchester United’s French full-back confirmed to boss Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday that he wants to pursue his case against the Uruguayan.

Evra claims Liverpool striker Suarez called him a ‘n*****’ more than 10 times when the pair clashed during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Suarez and Liverpool vehemently deny the claims, and the Anfield outfit have suggested Evra should face charges if his allegations are found to be baseless.

The FA will quiz Evra on his return from United’s Champions League game against Otelul Galati in Romania tonight. They will then speak to Suarez.

Ferguson revealed Evra’s determination to stand his ground yesterday when he said: “I spoke to Patrice and he is adamant he wants to follow it on.

“Obviously Patrice feels very aggrieved at what was said to him. It rests in the hands of the FA now.

“I’m confident he is in the right frame of mind for this game. No problem. It is not an easy one for us. Everyone knows Manchester United and Liverpool have great responsibilities in terms of things that happen on the field.

“Saturday was terrific. Both sets of fans were good. There was not any of that silly chanting we have had in previous years.

“Both sets of fans deserve praise for that. It is not something we would want to level against Liverpool anyway. It is not against Liverpool.” Ferguson added: “I am not aware of any instances (of racism) in British football.

“We concentrate on our own game. What happens in other countries I am not really sure.

“I have read about some things but I have never immersed myself in that kind of thing. It doesn’t happen in England. There are very few examples of that. Since I have come down we have had some fantastic players at Manchester United who have been black, fantastic players.

“It is not an issue for the game itself. There is an odd example. Maybe this is what surprised Patrice Evra.

“He thought he was slighted on Saturday. We don’t want to see it. It is as simple as that.”

[machoman]

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Group C : Vidic off as Man Utd win in Romania

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Manchester United’s first win in this season’s Champions League came at a cost as Nemanja Vidic was dismissed in the 2-0 defeat of SC Otelul Galati.
Going into this game United had conceded just 13 fouls in the Champions League, fewer than any other side, so it was somewhat ironic that Vidic should be shown red by the German referee for what looked a hard but acceptable tackle in the 67th minute on Gabriel Giurgiu.

In the final minute Milan Perendija was then sent off for Otelul Galati for a second bookable offence after bringing down Javier Hernandez.

Fortunately for the visitor’s they had only moments earlier taken the lead from the penalty spot as Sergiu Costin stuck out an arm for a definite infringement inside the box.

Wayne Rooney easily converted from 12 yards sending the keeper the wrong way.

Even with ten men the Reds looked comfortable, but then so did the Romanians who generally kept United at bay with relative ease. The game had reached the interval scoreless which was still a fair reflection of play.

But, after a low key first half Sir Alex Ferguson’s men triumphed, and United have conceded just one goal in their last eight Champions League away games.

Referee: Felix Brych (GER)

Venue: National Stadium, Bucharest

Attendance: 49,500

Galati scorers: Man Utd scorers: Rooney (pens) 64, 90

Yellow cards: Giurgiu (GAL), (Costin (GAL), Neagu (GAL), Rapa (GAL), Perendija (GAL), Carrick (MANU) Red card: Vidic (MANU), Perendija (GAL)