Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[CibLover]

Sorry, didn't know that bro qbdp had already posted the same news in the other MU thread .

Manchester United’s boss called Sky’s Geoff Shreeves a ‘f*****g bastard’ and told him to ‘f**k off’.
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That's why the players just LOVES SAF. He stands up for his players and you better don't f*** with him or his staff. All his locker-room hairdryer blasts at his players remains just that....in the locker room...not a word outside. Keano did the mistake of blasting his colleagues in public (on MUTV). He learnt his lessons and is having a great period now with his managerial career.

C. Ronaldo, Rooney and all the young players would do well under the Gaffer's "protection".

[mr_missile]

Taken from another website: Old Trafford and Villa Park have been confirmed as the venues for this season's FA Cup semi-finals.

As expected, the Football Association have scheduled Blackburn's match with Chelsea at the home of Manchester United.

The game will kick off at 4pm on Sunday, April 15 and will be televised live by Sky Sports.

Watford will face United at Aston Villa's home ground the previous day, kick off at 5.30pm, with the BBC providing live coverage.

[CibLover]

JONATHAN WOODGATE insists that Cristiano Ronaldo is no diver.
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The England defender, 27, conceded the penalty Ronaldo won and put away to send Manchester United into the FA Cup semis on Monday night.

But despite talk from inside the Middlesbrough camp that Ronaldo is a cheat, Woodgate was quick to rise to the defence of the Portuguese winger.

He said: “I don’t know if it was a penalty but Ronaldo is a very clever player, one of the best in the world.

“Whether it was a penalty or not, I don’t know. I couldn’t honestly tell myself but I don’t think he dived so you can’t blame him.

“He’s a fantastic player. There is a touch of genius in him and to be fair, he lights up the Premiership.”

Monday night was the second time Ronaldo, 22, has earned a disputed spot-kick against Boro this term.

And while it prompted an angry response from some of Boro boss Gareth Southgate’s backroom team at Old Trafford, Woodgate is keen to move on.

He said: “The challenge for us now is to win as many games as we can.

“We don’t want the season to fizzle out on the back of one penalty.

“There’s a UEFA Cup spot to go for. If we keep winning, we can get it.”

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Now he (Woodgate) has my respect. Unlike someone (the other ....gate) who condone james Morrison's last-ditch high tackle on the sidelines at the end of the game on Ron that brought a red card.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by CibLover

Sorry, didn't know that bro qbdp had already posted the same news in the other MU thread .

That's why the players just LOVES SAF. He stands up for his players and you better don't f*** with him or his staff.

Keano did the mistake of blasting his colleagues in public (on MUTV). He learnt his lessons and is having a great period now with his managerial career.

Bro Ciblover, we are here to share so it doesnt matter. Hope more bros will continue to contribute in all Utd's threads.

I agree that Sir Alex stands up more his players and staff in the public sensibly.

Keano has done really well at Sunderland. They were at the foot of table with 4/5 consecutive losses when Keane joins and now they are 3rd. If they are promoted he will return to Old Trafford as the best loved rival boss.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by CibLover

[SIZE="4"]Now he (Woodgate) has my respect. Unlike someone (the other ....gate) who condone james Morrison's last-ditch high tackle on the sidelines at the end of the game on Ron that brought a red card.

Southgate? Only an average player when at his peak. Still registered as boro player (god knows why) and doesnt have the required proper badges to coach in EPL. Probably inexperienced and talking nonsense.

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Keano has done really well at Sunderland. They were at the foot of table with 4/5 consecutive losses when Keane joins and now they are 3rd. If they are promoted he will return to Old Trafford as the best loved rival boss.

roy keane doing an amazing job in sunderland. i bet spore pools on sunderland a few times after he took over and all napshot lah.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by Castrol

roy keane doing an amazing job in sunderland. i bet spore pools on sunderland a few times after he took over and all napshot lah.

Definitely learned a fair bit after having played under Cloughie and Fergie.

When collecting your winnings, you got sing 'Keano..there's only one Keano..' or not?

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Southgate? Only an average player when at his peak. Still registered as boro player (god knows why) and doesnt have the required proper badges to coach in EPL. Probably inexperienced and talking nonsense.

Some flak from blades manager on kelonging man city game with buddy Pearce

At Boro on Saturday, boss Gareth Southgate decided to rest Jonathan Woodgate and Mark Viduka, with an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford looming two days later.

His side went on to lose 2-0 to Manchester City, a result that moved Stuart Pearce's strugglers two points ahead of Sheffield United in the table and then moved Warnock to lash out at Southgate's decision.

"It's a disgrace and it is scandalous," fumed the sixth longest-serving manager in English football.

"I know Gareth's a friend of Stuart's, but I don't think a club like Boro should disrespect Sheffield United and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

That bitter taste could just be sour grapes, though.

After all, Warnock had just watched his team capitulate at Chelsea and, coupled with Charlton's win over Newcastle, it meant the Blades were only four points above the dreaded drop zone.resting his best players prior to Monday's replay?

Boro are 12th in the league with almost no chance of getting into Europe next season and their entire campaign rested on 90 minutes against the best team in the country - a team gunning for a remarkable treble.

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Definitely learned a fair bit after having played under Cloughie and Fergie.

When collecting your winnings, you got sing 'Keano..there's only one Keano..' or not?

of course, and i also sang "roy roy you bring me joy..."

[CibLover]

RON to stay. Galactico he's not.
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The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with moves to both Real and Barcelona in recent weeks but Barca claimed on Tuesday they have made no approach, and Real's hopes of signing him now appear to have been dashed.

The Portuguese winger said: "I consider myself a United footballer who is playing well and trying to help the team.

"If things keep going well, I want to stay here. I'm not a Galactico.

"I'm only thinking about United and I want to stay here for more than two more years.

"I want to leave my mark on this era, win titles and be a figure in the history of this club."

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If this report is true and those words comes from his mouth, then a very good job done by the Fergie, Gill and especially Carlos Queroz, who has been a father figure for Ron. Defenders, beware.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Some flak from blades manager on kelonging man city game with buddy Pearce

He is also mates with Hammers' Curbishley whom Boro are playing next. If Boro lose again, more missiles will be fired from Sheffield, Charlton and Wigan!!

A better team like Bolton can lose 3-4 games on a trot, so it wont be surprising if it happened to Boro with an inexperience player-manager.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by CibLover

If this report is true and those words comes from his mouth, then a very good job done by the Fergie, Gill and especially Carlos Queroz, who has been a father figure for Ron. Defenders, beware.

Bro check this new one......if it's true..sell or not??

Football: Real Madrid ready to pay Man Utd 80m euros for Ronaldo
Posted: 22 March 2007 0144 hrs

MADRID : Real Madrid are ready to pay Manchester United a club record 80 million euros (US$105 million) to land Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish sports daily AS reported on Wednesday.

Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been a constant subject for speculation with Spanish media saying for months he will end up at the Bernabeu.

If Real do stump up and convince the 22-year-old starlet his future does lie in La Liga then the Spanish giants would smash the 75 million former record of 75 million euros paid to Juventus to land now retired French star Zinedine Zidane in 2001, AS said.

AS and rival sports daily Marca said last week that Ronaldo, whose contract at Old Trafford runs to 2010, wanted to come to Spain with Real or Barcelona his mooted destinations.

Contract talks over an extension at United have not yet reached a breakthrough but on Sunday United coach Alex Ferguson voiced confidence his star will stay with the English Premiership leaders for years to come.

"I'm confident he will be a United player," Ferguson said regarding a proposed two-year extension to Ronaldo's existing deal.

The player has hit 16 goals this season but was involved in a "diving" storm after winning the penalty which saw United see off Middlesbrough to boo their passage to the FA Cup semi-final. Ronaldo himself converted the spot-kick. - AFP/de

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by Castrol

of course, and i also sang "roy roy you bring me joy..."

followed by....."money for girls to give me joy"

[yinyang]

Thurs trivia... edited for MU bias.

Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona have made Chelsea captain John Terry one of their priority transfer targets in the summer. (Daily Star)

Sir Alex Ferguson will try to lure Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona to Manchester United for £8m in the summer. (The Sun)

Cristiano Ronaldo has told Real Madrid and Barcelona he is not interested in leaving Manchester United. (The Sun)

Reading manager Steve Coppell has joined the chase for Spanish defender Cesar Navas. (Daily Star)

Barcelona striker Javier Saviola says he would like to move to England if Barca do not renew his contract beyond the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will keep striker Dimitar Berbatov after slapping a £40m price tag on the in-form Bulgarian. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea have targeted Frank Rijkaard as their new manager when they sack Jose Mourinho in the summer. (Independent)

Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen has told Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo he will "have to leave the pitch on a stretcher" after being "massacred" during Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier. (The Sun)

Man City boss Stuart Pearce says Neil Warnock was wrong to criticise Gareth Southgate for resting players at the weekend. (The Sun)

Cesc Fabregas reckons Arsenal can still finish second in the Premiership this season and says they will be genuine contenders to lift the title next term. (Daily Star)

Martin O'Neill will get £30m to spend at Aston Villa this summer, with Craig Bellamy, Steve Sidwell and David Nugent on his wish-list. (Daily Star)

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hailed Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as "exceptional". (Daily Mirror)

[qbdp]

RONALDO BEST AND A PEST

CRISTIANO Ronaldo is on course to eclipse Ronaldinho from his standing as the world’s best player according to the coach who has nurtured him through his Manchester United career.

Ronaldo’s one-man dismissal of Middlesbrough in Monday’s FA Cup replay was just his latest stunning contribution to United’s quest for the Treble.

It was a display that teased, tormented and frustrated Boro – particularly when he drew England’s Jonathan Woodgate into the schoolboy lunge which brought a matchwinning penalty.

Typically, his performance was laced with controversy as Boro claimed the 22-year-old dived to get the spot-kick.

That sums up the mixed feelings Ronaldo provokes.

While doubts remain about his willingness to go to ground, nobody now questions the effectiveness of a player who arrived from Sporting Lisbon four seasons ago with more tricks than nous.

Then, he seemed desperate to turn each game into a showcase for his stepovers and ball juggling.

But Rene Meulensteen, United’s skills development coach, is convinced Ronaldo has now learnt exactly when to turn on the style.

Such remarkable progress has made him the hottest property in world football, with Real Madrid and Barcelona desperate to land him.

That is why Dutchman Meulensteen believes that Barca ace Ronaldinho will soon be playing catch-up in the
battle to be known as the world’s greatest.

“At the end of Cristiano’s first season with United, I said he was the most talented, technically gifted player here in terms of tricks,” he said.

“All he needed was to become effective with his skills and that’s the transition he has made this season. Cristiano has got the same attributes as Ronaldinho, a complete range of skills.

“He is heading very swiftly to becoming the best in the world.

“Top attackers possess an element of unpredictability. That’s what I have talked to him about.

“If he gets the ball and always starts to run with it then the defender gets wise to it. It’s the same if he always passes.

So it’s about getting the right package and having the ability to use all his skills for the right reasons.

“He has made tremendous strides. He knows now that every time he steps on a pitch he’s going to make an impact.
Because of what he has created already, defenders stand off, meaning that he has time and space to run.

“He’s also learning the power of standing still, which is very underrated.

“At the top level, defenders don’t dive in. If they do, then one pass and you’re gone. It’s very functional because you’re standing still and then it’s explosive when you move.”

Meulensteen worked with Ronaldo when the winger arrived for £12.25million back in 2003 and was given David Beckham’s old No7 shirt.

The coach, who returned to United recently after a brief spell managing Brondby in Denmark, is convinced his star performer can live up to all the hype.

He added: “Cristiano has got the mentality that he can always add to his game. He never gets complacent.

“He wants to quicken his footwork. He’s a quick boy, a very intelligent learner. But what I think will eventually make him the best in the world is that he has got the courage to try new things on the pitch.”

While the focus was all on Ronaldo on Monday, striker Alan Smith came through his first start since last February’s agonising double leg-break.

He said: “Hopefully now, when difficult times come, the boss knows I am someone who can stand in and do a job.”