Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

MU fixtures, with crowded calendar to new year. 11 Jan must be BIGGIE, revenge on the cards?

Fixtures to Jan 2009 (time at BST):

Saturday, 13 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham v Man Utd, 17:30
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Thursday, 18 December 2008
FIFA Club World Championship
Winner Q/F 2 v Man Utd, SF, 10:45
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Friday, 26 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Stoke v Man Utd, 12:45
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Monday, 29 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Middlesbrough, 20:00
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Sunday, 04 January 2009
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Southampton v Man Utd, R3, 16:00
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Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Carling Cup
Derby v Man Utd, SF, L1, 19:45
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Sunday, 11 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Chelsea, 16:00
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Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Wigan, 20:00
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Saturday, 17 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Bolton v Man Utd, 15:00
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Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Carling Cup
Man Utd v Derby, SF, L2, 19:45
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Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Brom v Man Utd, 19:45

[alex18122003]

Premier League - Tevez saves United at Stoke

A late Carlos Tevez goal spared Manchester United's blushes as they beat 10-man Stoke 1-0 in a fractious encounter at the Britannia Stadium

The Argentinian rammed home just his second Premier League goal of the season on 83 minutes as the champions claimed maximum points despite a vexing afternoon.

Stoke had right-back Andy Wilkinson sent off for two bookable offences, but a more strict referee than Chris Foy might have shown a red card to any or all of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville.

Rooney could face further disciplinary action after appearing to throw an elbow at Abdoulaye Faye.

The newly-crowed Club World Cup champions were denied an easy return to domestic action by Tony Pulis's side, and their problems were deepened by a pre-match back injury to Rio Ferdinand, which saw Jonny Evans come into the starting line-up at short notice.

It would be unfair on Stoke to put United's lacklustre display down to jet lag following their return from Japan.

This was a far cry from the 5-3 knockabout against Gamba Osaka. Stoke showed all the qualities that have earned them five home wins this season - power, desire and an ability to play to their strengths and their opponents' weaknesses.

Early on, the nervous-looking Evans misjudged a high ball and allowed Ricardo Fuller a shot, which flew over, so Stoke decided to test him again.

The Northern Irishman's hesitancy dealing with long balls with the sun in his eyes was ruthlessly exploited time and might have led to a goal but for a Fuller footware malfunction.

The Jamaican raced clear down the right channel, but lost a boot and fell over as his socked left foot slipped on the turf when he tried to change direction.

The home side also used the familiar tool of Rory Delap's long throws - the Irishman's strained shoulder having kept him out of action recently - and one from the right side flicked Ryan Shawcross's head, forcing a sharp save from Edwin van der Sar.

In the second half they went even closer when Delap found the unmarked Danny Pugh, whose header brushed the top of the net on its way over.

United dominated over two-thirds of possession but struggled to transform that into goals, or even clear-cut chances.

Wilkinson had been a thorn in Ronaldo's side, reducing the world's greatest player to virtual anonymity with his dogged, physical play.

However, that physicality spilled over on 72 minutes when he launched a needless tackle from behind at the winger. Referee Foy showed him a second yellow card.

In the main, however, it was United who lost their cool. Rooney's indiscretion was missed by Foy and the England striker escaped a red card.

And Ronaldo also flicked his leg at Wilkinson after being upended for the umpteenth time, although his action was more petulant than reprehensible and may have provoked the tackle that got the Stoke man sent off.

Late on, Neville clashed with Glenn Whelan in an incident that saw both men booked.

Opportunities for United were scarce. Rooney and Nemanja Vidic went close with first-half glancing headers while a trademark Paul Scholes shot brought a superb save from Sorensen.

But as it looked like another Big Four side would slip up, United were saved by two strikers who are not supposed to be supposed to play together.

Tevez started in place of Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian came off the bench and volleyed a low cross from the right that the Argentinian finished gleefully.

[alex18122003]

Champions League - Jose: Vidic should miss tie

Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho has said Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic should be banned for both legs of the Champions League last-16 tie between the two sides.

Vidic was sent off in December's FIFA Club World Cup final against LDU Quito, which United won 1-0, after appearing to swing an elbow at opposition striker Claudio Bieler.

The Serbian centre-back does not yet know how many matches he will miss as a result, with UEFA still to decide on the length of any punishment.

Vidic will almost certainly miss the world champions' trip to the San Siro for the first leg of the Champions League tie on February 24, but Mourinho believes that would not be punishment enough.

The former Chelsea boss told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'd be surprised if Vidic didn't get at least two matches - which wouldn't even be much for a gesture like that, during a match seen by the whole world."

Mourinho, who will lock horns with Sir Alex Ferguson five years on from knocking United out of the Champions League at the same stage when coach of Porto, added that he felt Wayne Rooney had been fortunate to avoid a ban for an incident in the group stages.

Rooney appeared to stand on the chest of Aalborg's Kasper Risgard during the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on December 10 but avoided punishment after the incident was reviewed by UEFA.

"I don't like the fact that in football there are different standards. I was amazed that Rooney was not suspended," Mourinho said.

[ryanlim]

Manchester United 3 Chelsea 0...............

[alex18122003]

Premier League - United third after Chelsea rout

Manchester United gave their Premier League title defence a major boost by beating rivals Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Goals from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov moved United up to third - above Aston Villa on goal difference - and five points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand. They will move above second-placed Chelsea with a win over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.

Vidic lost his marker at the far post to head home his fourth of the season from a corner in first-half stoppage time and give United a lead they just about deserved on the balance of play.

That goal was registered at the second attempt after Cristiano Ronaldo had a header of his own disallowed just moments earlier. Rooney had casually knocked the inital corner into play while nobody except Ryan Giggs was looking, and the Welsh veteran jogged over to the ball before quickly crossing in to the far post for Ronaldo to glance a header past goalkeeper Petr Cech. However, the linesman's flag was immediately raised and referee Howard Webb ruled that, as none of the officials were made aware that the ball was in play, the corner must be retaken.

Midway through the second-half, United doubled their lead when Patrice Evra - returning from a four-match ban for his row with a Chelsea groundsman at Stamford Bridge last April - curled in a cross that was too high for Berbatov to head but Rooney was able to prod home from close range.

Berbatov put the gloss on the victory with three minutes of normal time remaining when he steered in Ronaldo's free-kick delivery at the near post.

Considering the inevitably fevered build-up to the match, the first-half was a largely uneventful one.

The referee handed out four yellow cards, the first to Frank Lampard after just four minutes for a cynical trip on Ronaldo.

Ronaldo found himself in the book midway through the half along with fellow Portuguese Ricardo Carvalho after the two tangled with each other while battling at a corner.

The only shot on target preceding the opener came from Berbatov after Rooney had found him in the Chelsea area with a delicate flick. The Bulgarian striker was in front of goal but his left-footed shot under pressure was tame and an easy stop for Cech.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari brought on Nicolas Anelka at half-time to partner Didier Drogba, but the league's top scorer did little to aid his coahces cause.

The Frenchman could not muster any efforts on goal himself, while Drogba blazed one strike over the bar and air-kicked another attempted volley as the Blues chased the game.

Four more booking were handed out before the final whistle, including one for Rooney, whose performance deserved both the goal he scored and the yellow card he received.

Ronaldo fired a shot inches wide from distance and had a free-kick loop up off the wall and tipped over the bar by Cech before he set up the third goal that ended Chelsea's unbeaten run of 20 away matches in the league.

[imom]

Those jounos at yahoo/eurosport really have long memories..... Article taken from their 'Early Doors' column...

You can't handle the truth

Mon Jan 12 08:24AM

When Rafa Benitez began his extraordinary outpouring of Fergie-bashing on Friday, he said he did not want to start any mind games, which is a bit like Hitler saying he didn't want a war as Panzers were rolling into Warsaw.

Benitez said he was interested only in facts. Sadly, even the briefest look at what he actually said reveals that he is to facts what Prince Harry is to race relations.

FICTION 1: "Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything."

FACT 1: Rafael Benitez, September 2007: "We will be talking to the Premier League about this because it is not fair. I don't know if it is possible to change these fixtures in the New Year, but I hope so because, in the last few years, we have played more games on a Saturday than anyone and more away games than anyone. There are too many early kick-offs and I am not pleased about the situation at all."

FICTION 2: "You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off."

FACT 2: Opposition players sent off at Old Trafford in the league this season - none. Stoke's Andy Wilkinson is the only player to be sent off against United in the Premier League this season. Opposition players sent off against Liverpool this season - five, including Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United.

FICTION 3: "Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage."

FACT 3: Last time ED checked everyone had to play everyone else twice - surely the order in which you play your games is irrelevant. And it's not like United covered themselves in glory in their away games against the top four - one point out of nine hardly represents a fantastic advantage.

FICTION 4: "At Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then."

FACT 4: United played 31 hours later, but their opponents Middlesbrough also had the benefit of an extra day's rest so it wasn't much help. And Liverpool's game against Newcastle was so one-sided they would have exerted themselves more by staying in and watching Wallace and Gromit. Plus, to be really pedantic, Aston Villa - who are level on points with United - played Hull on Tuesday 30.

FICTION 5: "There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures. One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know."

FACT 5: That wouldn't help at all. You all know your fixtures anyway, and a Spanish system wouldn't stop United playing all of the Big Four at home in the second half of the season.

FICTION 6: "During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett. He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."

FACT 6: Harry Redknapp can also get away with it, having got off scot-free for this pop at Steve Tanner: "He's a poor referee and I've seen him make a mess of so many games. I couldn't even put into words what I thought of his performance. I walked into the referee's room before the game and saw who was refereeing and I knew what was coming. I expected that sort of performance. I've had him before many times and I know what he's like. He's really not good enough."

FICTION 7: "I will be watching United's game with Chelsea. The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter."

FACT 7: Sorry, that one was a fact.

[bigassman]

An article i found

Rafa should've shut up

Miind games do exactly what they say on the tin: they mess with the mind.

Which is why they should be left to the experts such as Sir Alex Ferguson and not wheeled out ad hoc as they were by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez last week, especially when your team is already top of the Barclays English Premier League.

The purpose of mind games is to irritate and divert. Yet the only people Benitez seems to have succeeded in distracting is his own Liverpool side, whose goalless draw at Stoke might well come to be seen as a squandered opportunity in the EPL title race.

The bottom line is that when all the talking is done, when Benitez has accused Ferguson of influencing referees and when Ferguson has branded Benitez as "ridiculous" and "disturbed," winning trophies comes down, as it always has done, to players.

It comes down to whether the players possess character, resilience and talent.

The resounding conclusion from a revealing weekend was that in all those areas United are still ahead of the rest.

Way ahead of Chelsea, whose season is not so much fraying at the seams as unravelling before our eyes.

The defensive lapses that saw them lose 3-0 at Old Trafford proved how far they have slipped from the time when Jose Mourinho made them into the most miserly team in England.

Yet that was not the worst of it. Not by a long way. It was the way players capitulated when the game was running away from them that betrayed the problems of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge.

Where was Michael Ballack? Where were Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba? Where was the commitment from the strolling John Obi Mikel? The big-hitters simply failed to deliver when needed most.

What was worse was that they did not appear to possess the desire to run through the brick walls that was second nature under Mourinho.

That points to an enduring malaise at Chelsea, one which has been hinted at in the dressing room and which Scolari will struggle to rectify on the training pitch.

Everything suggests Chelsea are an ageing team on the point of breaking up, a feeling that might yet be exacerbated by Wednesday's tricky away FA Cup tie at Southend.

United, by contrast, are a team who look to have caught their second wind in a season that began slowly but is now starting to spark into life.

It is all about balance and no team in the EPL has a more pleasing blend of youth and experience.

The dynamic contributions of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are obvious, but Dimitar Berbatov has begun to weigh in with game-winning contributions while on Sunday, 35-year-old Ryan Giggs gave one of those midfield performances that mark him out as one of the Premier League's enduring greats.

United can also bring in a talented youngster such as Jonny Evans to deputise for the injured Rio Ferdinand, while Gary Neville appears to be rediscovering his old form with perfect timing.

That is what makes United stand out; strength in depth, character from back to front, plus desire in bucketloads.

Liverpool have much of that too as well as the world-class contributions of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, and their yearning to land a first Premier League title still promises to make this season special.

Yet Benitez's team do not have game-winners surging from all directions. Not like United.

They do not have the capacity to overwhelm in the manner in which Ferguson's men saw off Chelsea.

It is why the title race, even with so far to run, might well have witnessed its defining moment.

[alex18122003]

Substitutes inspire Tevez

Not for the first time, the sight of a striker warming up on the touchline had its desired effect on Carlos Tevez.

United assistant manager Mike Phelan admits the Reds were about to make a late change at Bolton when the Argentina international produced a moment of magic to tee up Dimitar Berbatov for the goal that sent United to the top of the league.

"We weren’t far off bringing Tevez off and sending young Danny Welbeck on," Phelan told the BBC. "But he has a habit of doing that: you warm up a centre forward and it spurs him on! Carlos did extremely well for the goal."

A similar scenario unfolded at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day. On that occasion, however, the roles were reversed and it was Tevez who fired home from Berbatov's cross.

The win at the Reebok - rarely an easy place to play - was made even more difficult for the Reds due to injury concerns to several key players. Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic both passed late fitness tests, while the recent hectic fixture schedule has started to take its toll on the squad.

"A few of the lads were tired," Phelan admitted, "but some of them will have a bit of a rest now.

"The bench [at Bolton] was good and definitely played its part. Giggsy has those skills to unlock people and Scholesy has good control. We were on top of the game but we thought bringing those two on would give us that little bit extra."

Phelan praised the Reds for persevering until the final whistle but also revealed United's loyal army of travelling supporters played its part in the victory.

"I felt the crowd, in the second half in particular, sucked us into that goal area and we responded to that. I’m glad they got the reward as well as us.

"It doesn't matter if we score in the first minute or the 90th minute - we keep going until the end."

[machoman]

Squeaky clean United

Manchester United broke the Premier League record for consecutive clean sheets after their 5-0 win at West Brom.

Edwin van der Sar has beaten Petr Cech's record

"The fact that everyone has come in and done a job shows the strength of the squad"
- Edwin van der Sar

As referee Rob Styles raised his whistle to his lips at The Hawthorns on Tuesday 27th January 2009, a Premier League record was broken, writes Claire Harmer.

With the match between West Brom and United ending 5-0 in favour of the visitors, the Barclays Premier League leaders had broken the record held by title rivals Chelsea for the last four years.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side had gone an incredible 11 top-flight matches without conceding a single goal, one more than the Blues' stretch in the 2004/05 season.

Having been between the sticks for every minute of those matches, Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar took the crown once held by Chelsea's Peter Cech, who had previously held the record for the number of minutes without conceding a goal in the top flight, with 1,025.

After the match, Ferguson was quick to praise the 38-year-old goalkeeper for his role in the feat. Of the Dutch shot stopper, the manager said: "Edwin Van der Sar, who has achieved everything in the game, is as delighted as when he saved that penalty kick in Moscow during the Champions League final.

"He was over the moon in the dressing room and that tells you his desire. He has still got that ambitious streak and wants to win all the time."

SPECIAL MENTION

Van der Sar, who was given the match ball at the final whistle, admits he was aware of the record as the minutes passed by in the Midlands, knowing at the kick off that he only had to hold out another 85 to claim the glory.

He survived all 90, and afterwards told the club's official website: "It feels terrific. I was watching the minutes tick away towards the end and even though you're a few goals up you still feel very nervous. When I saw the clock reach 85 minutes I started to get a good feeling.

"It's been some performance from all the defenders who have played in those eleven games especially when you consider we didn't have a settled back four during those matches.

"The fact that everyone has come in and done a job shows the strength of the squad."

It certainly does. In the first 11 matches of their run, United have used nine different defenders: John O'Shea, Nemanja Vidic, Johnny Evans, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Rafael Da Silva, Gary Neville, Wes Brown and Richard Eckersley. Special mention should go to Vidic, who was the only ever-present defender, and who also found time to help out the team's strike force, contributing three goals of his own in the run.

And there was something fitting about the final scoreline at the Hawthorns. It was the second time United had won 5-0 this season. The first, was back in mid-November, as Fergie's giants gave promoted Stoke City a harsh lesson about life in the Barclays Premier League, putting five past them at Old Trafford, and beginning an impressive run in the process.

United 5-0 Stoke City (15th November)

A rampant United gave Stoke a demonstration of their attacking prowess as well as their defensive metal. Goals from Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Wellbeck and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo sent a clear signal of intent to United's title rivals.

Aston Villa 0-0 United (22nd November)

A tough fixture lay in wait for United. Under Martin O'Neill, Villa are eying a Champions League place and had no intention of rolling over for the champions. In front of their home fans, the Villians ended a 14 match losing sequence against United by keeping a clean sheet of their own, but with chances at a premium for both sides, honours were shared after a goalless draw.

Manchester City 0-1 United (30th November)

Having conceded six points to their local rivals in the 2007/08 season, Sir Alex's men went in to their encounter against City with a point to prove. Wayne Rooney's 100th club goal settled it in favour of United, although a red card for Ronaldo saw United reduced to 10 men and brought about a nervy finish. Fortunately, the rearguard held strong and bragging rights went the way of the red half of Manchester.

United 1-0 Sunderland (6th December)

Three days after Roy Keane's dramatic exit from Sunderland, the Black Cats travelled to his old stomping ground to challenge the club with whom he spent many a happy year as a player. Mounting an impressive defensive display of their own, Sunderland proved harder to break down than most had predicted in the run up to the match. It took United defender Vidic to break the deadlock at the death.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 United (13th December)

Should United's title challenge falter as the season draws to a close, they may look back at this one against struggling Spurs as a case of two points dropped. But while the strikers could be blamed for failing to make the most of their numerous chances, once again the defenders did what they were supposed to. A last minute save from Spurs 'keeper Heurelho Gomes denied the Red Devils the victory.

Stoke City 0-1 United (26th December)

As the Old Trafford outfit returned from a successful Club World Cup campaign, they found Stoke had learnt the lessons of their 5-0 drubbing well. The Potters held firm for 83 minutes, with scoring a goal of their own very much further down the agenda. The dismissal of Andy Wilkinson was followed shortly after by the winner from Carlos Tevez, ensuring the Red Devils kept the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool.

United 1-0 Middlesbrough (29th December)

With 2008 drawing to a close, the goals had all but dried up for United. In six attempts, they had managed four goals, with that 5-0 win over Stoke seemingly a distant memory. With the side as a whole missing a string of opportunities, Berbatov scored the only goal against Boro. With the defence continuing their remarkable run of clean-sheets, that was all it took to claim all three points.

United 3-0 Chelsea (11th January)

Finally, the goals were flowing again for United as they took on Chelsea in one of the biggest matches of their season. With the deadlock broken by Vidic in first-half stoppage time, Rooney and Berbatov added one each after the break in this meeting of two of the Barclays Premier League title challengers. With two matches in hand over top of the table Liverpool, United were now the masters of their own destiny.

United 1-0 Wigan Athletic (14th January)

With former stalwart of the United defence, Steve Bruce, returning to Old Trafford as Wigan manager, Ferguson's men laid on an impressive display that Bruce, in his heyday would have been proud of. The former central-defender would have been wishing his own side could have emulated their opponents' defensive qualities, as he watched Wayne Rooney score what turned out to be the winner in the first minute. The win saw United close the gap between themselves and Liverpool to just two points, with Fergie's men on course to top the table if they won their next match against Bolton.

Bolton Wanderers 0-1 United (17th January 2009)

And win they did. But it was not a resounding victory, far from it in fact. A last minute strike from Berbatov was all United needed to earn their place at the Barclays Premier League's summit for the first time this season. Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen won the accolades after a fine individual display, but the United resistance continued their storming run, equalling Chelsea's record of 10 successive clean sheets.

United 5-0 West Bromwich Albion (27th January)

Top met bottom at the Hawthorns and the difference in class was there for all to see. The flood gates well and truly opened with goals from Berbatov, Tevez, Vidic and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo seeing off the Baggies in the same magnificent style that they had demonstrated at home to Stoke two and a half months before. Claiming the record for the longest run of consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, United produced the same score with which they had started.

[Markowitz]

Fellow Good Players For Everton Game

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Patrice Evra and Nani could be at his disposal this weekend.

The Red Devils have recently been victim of an injury crisis, with several of their first-team players sidelined.

However, the Premier League champions have still demonstrated impressive form, while Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Park Ji-sung all returned in the 5-0 midweek win at West Bromwich Albion.

And Ferguson has revealed Evra (ankle) and Nani (groin) are both set to return for the home clash with Everton on Saturday.

Looking up
The Scot told the Manchester Evening News: "Things are looking up and players are starting to come back.

"Patrice may have a chance for Saturday against Everton. If the game had still been on Monday I'd say he'll definitely play. But he's still got a chance of making it.

"Nani should also be fit for Saturday as well. The ones still unavailable are Jonny Evans, Rafael and Fabio, and Anderson."

Meanwhile, United captain Ferdinand has praised the side's recent displays while issuing caution over maintaining their focus.


Medals
He said: "We have got players who are very businesslike at the moment, wanting to get the job done, score goals, wanting to defend, and defend for our lives, and keep clean sheets.

"With that form, you are on to a good thing. But medals haven't been handed out yet so we are not going to get ahead of ourselves.

"We have just got to the top of the league and we need to consolidate on that now, try to keep the momentum and get more points on the board.

"If we continue to do that, in the manner we have done in the last few games, we have got a great chance of picking up some silverware."
================================================== ================================================== =========
Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...868094,00.html

[Markowitz]

Fergie Rules Out 2012 Olympic Coaching Role



Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out taking charge of a British football team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The Manchester United manager had informal talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Lord Coe, chairman of the 2012 organising committee, last year over the possibility of spearheading a bid for gold on home soil.

But Ferguson has confirmed he has no interest in a career in international football.

''No. I won't turn to international management,'' he told a special 200th anniversary edition of the club's magazine Inside United.

''When I've finished here, I think I deserve a rest. After here, I'm finished.''

The involvement of a Great Britain side at the 2012 Games has yet to be confirmed and is opposed by the football associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who fear it could jeopardise their independent status within FIFA.

But just last month, when asked at a Downing Street press conference what he wanted for Christmas, Brown said: ''That we have an Olympics team for the 2012 Olympics that is a football team from Britain.''

Brown also suggested the involvement of Ferguson could help to bring the Scots on board, adding: ''Sebastian Coe and I have talked to Alex Ferguson about the possibility that he might want to be the manager.''

He added: ''I think there is a way around this problem, and I think the way around this problem can be found if people can get round the table and discuss it.''

Earlier last year, however, Ferguson, 67, insisted that he was too old to guarantee his involvement.

''I'll be 70 then, so I don't need any commitment to anything like that,'' he said.

''I would not, in any way, shape or form try to commit myself to anything like that four years away.

''I'm not sure they would allow it [the GB Team] anyway, because countries have their own identity.''

================================================== ====
Source: Soccernet

[Markowitz]

Toffees Battle Too Soon For Rooney

Rooney: Set to return at West Ham

Rooney limped out of United's Premier League clash with Wigan earlier this month after picking up a hamstring injury but could now be available for England's friendly with Spain in Seville on February 11.

Patrice Evra and Nani could also return next weekend, while Ferguson reports no fresh injury worries from Tuesday's 5-0 win at West Brom.

Neither Rio Ferdinand nor Wes Brown have suffered any reaction to their comebacks while young Brazilian full-back Fabio is also in contention as United look to complete an unprecedented 12th top-flight clean sheet in a row.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is 5:30pm. (GMT :: 01:30am.)

United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Vidic, O'Shea, Fabio, Chester, Eckersley, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick, Park, Gibson, Possebon, Tevez, Berbatov, Welbeck.

================================================== ======
Source: Teamtalk

[Markowitz]

Ferguson Chasing New French Starlet

Yven Moyo :: Star of The Future

Even though Sir Alex Ferguson is nearing the end of his coaching career, he is still thinking about the future. In the last two years the Scottish manager signed Serb Adem Ljajić, Davide Petrucci, one of the brightest talents to have emerged from Roma’s youth academy and Kike Macheda from Lazio, while another Serb, Filip Đuričić is currently on trial at Old Trafford. Ferguson is also chasing Leeds’ whizz-kid Fabian Delph and Daniel Situ from Lens, the captain of French U17 side. The latest target is one of the hottest prospects in France, Yven Moyo. The reports are suggesting that Manchester United is close to signing highly-rated youngster after the player was scouted on five occasions.

All these youngsters have the potential of becoming truly great players, thus Ferguson’s successor will be well-equipped for the future challenges. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is working with these kids at the moment and it is possible that he is being prepared to succeed Alex Ferguson as the first team manager.

The 16-year-old Yven Moyo is playing for Sochaux youth teams and he is yet to make a senior debut. Still, the attack-minded left-footed player has really impressed the visiting scouts while playing for the youth team and it seems that he is destined for the big move very soon. He is still under a trainee contract at Sochaux, which should keep him at the club for another two years but he is likely to leave the club before his contract ends. Sochaux’s academy director Jean-Luc Ruty is denying that United have made any approach about the youngster and he is thought to be surprised with all the hype.

Ruty is aware that Moyo is a very good prospect but he believes that the youngster is still not at the same level as Jeremy Menez was at that age. Menez was one of the hottest prospects to have graduated from the club’s youth academy and he is currently playing for Roma. Still, this could be just Ruty’s way to take the pressure off the young player and try to keep him at the club for as long as possible.

However, I don’t think that the club will be able to fend off interest from big clubs and Moyo could join Manchester United very soon. He will certainly have the opportunity to further develop his skills in such a great club, although there are no guarantees that he will become a great player.
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Source: SoccerPie

[Markowitz]

Fergie: Time For Forwards To Shine


Ferguson: Wants Strikers To Impress

"Quite rightly, defenders have been taking the credit this season up until now. I hope it is now the forwards' turn," said Ferguson.

United are aiming for an unprecedented 12th clean sheet on Saturday evening when they tackle Everton at Old Trafford.

The run has enabled Ferguson's side to collect maximum points from their last six games - even though they scored just a single goal in four of them.

But Tuesday's five-goal mauling of West Brom was a sign of a strike force beginning to find its form - and Ferguson feels Cristiano Ronaldo and company are ready to take centre stage again.

"Quite rightly, defenders have been taking the credit this season up until now. I hope it is now the forwards' turn," said Ferguson.

"It is important, because I have said for years we have always had the best goal difference when we are contesting the Premiership title.

"Last season I was able to make changes for the game at Chelsea before the Champions League semi-final the following week, because our goal difference was like an extra point.

"When we were in Japan we were 13 goals behind Chelsea. Now it is just two, which is a measure of the change."

Apart from Ronaldo finding his goalscoring boots again, Ferguson cites Dimitar Berbatov as the major reason for the change in fortune.

Often in his early weeks at United, the £30.75million signing from Tottenham was not on the same wavelength as his new team-mates.

All that has changed, Berbatov scoring four times in his last six games to prove he has adapted to life with the Red Devils.

"Players are understanding Dimitar now," said Ferguson.

"They are feeding him and playing to him much more.

"It took the players time to recognise his talents, because he is a different player to what we have been used to. Now they are realising it, and the benefits are there for all to see."

Ferguson reported no further injury concerns from the Baggies trip.

Following the return of Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown at The Hawthorns, the situation is getting slightly easier. Fabio is available on Saturday - while Nani, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney should be fit for next Sunday's trip to West Ham.

Another victory for the Red Devils on Saturday night will take them five points clear of nearest challengers Liverpool and Chelsea, who meet at Anfield on Sunday.

United's progress since they returned from Club World Cup action in Japan has hinted at an inevitability about a title hat-trick next May - which Ferguson refuses to get drawn into.

"The one thing that is inevitable about this league is that there will be shocks," he said.

"Football can kick you in the teeth, so the best way to handle it from our perspective is not to get carried away and not to make any predictions.

"By doing that, we can concentrate on each game and treat it seriously."

Nemanja Vidic will miss the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League tie with Inter Milan after being suspended for one match following his red card in the Club World Cup final.
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Source: TeamTalk

[Markowitz]

Owen Hargreaves Will Be Fit By August

''Owen had a second operation last week and it was completely successful,'' said the United boss.

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will be fit for the start of next season.

Hargreaves has been forced to undergo two operations under the guidance of Colorado-based knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman in a bid to cure a tendinitis problem that has plagued him since his arrival from Bayern Munich 18 months ago.

There have been suggestions if surgery does not prove successful for the Calgary-born midfielder he will be forced to retire from the game.

However, Ferguson reports the operations have gone well, allowing Hargreaves to begin a long recovery programme that should get him back on the pitch again by August.

''Owen had a second operation last week and it was completely successful,'' said the United boss.

''It was better than the last one, which was much more difficult.

''This one is completely clear and I am certain he will be ready for the start of next season.''

Hargreaves has been restricted to just three appearances this season and has not been on first team duty since the draw at Chelsea in mid-September.
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Source: SoccerNet