Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[Green Smoke]

i think Wolves will not be so lucky as against Spurs.
SAF will be furious about not taking the chance to close the gap but instead widen it.
but normally,this is the period till end of season where MU starts into top gear and go all the way.
i believe Wolves will be confidence but those players must be having a load full of bombardment from SAF...so i am quite expecting a high scoring match here.

[machoman]

Vidic wants United to bite back against Wolves

Monday, December 14, 2009, 09:01:20 HRS

Nemanja Vidic has called for an immediate response as Manchester United look to force their way back into control of the English Premier League title race against Wolves here Tuesday.

With Chelsea only managing a 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday, second-placed United passed up the chance to move level on points with the leaders when, later that day, they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Vidic returned to the side against Villa following a spell on the sidelines with illness.

And as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's injury problems continue to lighten, Vidic could be joined by Wes Brown, who has been missing with a hamstring injury, against a Wolves team who climbed out of the bottom three with a 1-0 win away to Tottenham last weekend.

Serbia international Vidic wants English champions United to show what they are made of against a team tipped for relegation.

"This is our best chance to play well, score goals and bring the confidence back," he said.

"It's important when you lose a game to have the next one quickly, so you can play better and fix what you did in the last match.

"We are very disappointed. We had a game at home and the chance to share the first position with Chelsea but we didn't take it."

South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung believes the congested festive period is the time when United will put together a run that will pile the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.

United traditionally come on strong around the turn of the year and Park, who has retuned to the team in recent weeks following a knee injury, is banking on a similar run as the Old Trafford club aim for a record fourth straight league title.

"We have a lot of games until the end of the season and December and January are particularly busy," Park said.

"It's going to be hard but we have done well at this stage in the last few seasons so we have to do that again.

"We can't worry about what other teams do, we just have to concentrate and do our best in every game."

Park added: "It's a pleasure to be back among the team. When you play you feel more a part of the side.

"I want to play as many games as possible and I want to help the team win as much as possible, starting with the (English) title. It would be amazing to win four in a row.

"To make three Champions League finals in a row would also be amazing for the club.

"The FA Cup is one I haven't won yet so I want that but all four (United are also in this season's English League Cup semi-finals) would be great."

Wolves pulled off one of the shocks of the weekend with their victory at White Hart Lane. They are though set to be without midfielder David Edwards with an ankle injury sustained at White Hart Lane.

But there was better news with chief executive Jez Moxey promising owner Steve Morgan will back manager Mick McCarthy in the January transfer window.

"Steve Morgan is so passionate about the club that he thinks about it 24/7," Moxey said.

"As regards January our position is quite simple - if we found the right players that the manager thinks can strengthen the team, then the board will do everything within its power to try to bring that player to Molineux.

"We have also done good business in January in previous years and are currently looking to see if we can strengthen the team."

- AFP

[richie_rich]

Manchester United 3 Wolves 0

Angry Wolves fans launched a blistering attack on manager Mick McCarthy for a team selection that virtually handed Sir Alex Ferguson victory on a plate to mark his 900th game as Manchester United manager.

Chants of "we want our money back", "where is our first team" and "£40 to watch the reserves" bellowed out of the visiting section after McCarthy made 10 changes to the side that defeated Tottenham on Saturday.

Although Wolves' second string battled hard, the result was a formality and, if United had got themselves out of third gear, they would probably have won by a more comfortable margin than goals from Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia gave them.

McCarthy, presumably, was not offering his team selection as a gift to mark the latest milestone in Ferguson's long and illustrious career.

The Yorkshireman had his reasons for making 10 changes, notably the weekend encounter with Burnley.

But Wolves now have five days to prepare for that one.

For half an hour the hardy band of travelling fans had plenty to cheer as their representatives gave everything in the Wolverhampton cause.

If Rooney had taken the third-minute opening that presented itself when Darron Gibson's shot crashed into him, the landslide the team sheets suggested might have materialised.

Instead, Marcus Hahnemann, the one player to keep his place from White Hart Lane, made a close-range save, as he did to deny the England striker when he got on the end of Patrice Evra's low cross midway through the half.

It seemed barely credible the visitors should give United any more assistance.

But that is exactly what Ronald Zubar did as he rose to head away Gibson's corner under minimal pressure and instead punched it out of the area.

Having been so lethargic before, Rooney upped the pace by drilling home his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Once in front, there was never any real suggestion United would not join Chelsea at the Premier League summit, having failed in that objective against Aston Villa at the weekend.

On his first league start, Gabriel Obertan was guilty of taking too much time to get his crosses in, a failing that Cristiano Ronaldo received a few admonishments for earlier in his career.

If the young French winger needed any proof the direct route was best, he got it when Vidic rose highest at a Gibson corner and got enough power into his header to carry it over the line, even though Hahnemann attempted a goal-line block.

The effort secured victory and the hosts knew it, which probably explained the sense of lethargy that gripped them at the start of the second period.

Vidic's departure was the most notable aspect of that period. The defender did raise his hands to say he was willing to continue after originally indicating a desire to come off and Ferguson will be hopeful of having him fit for Saturday's testing trip to Fulham.

It did not matter on this occasion, though, and the scene was set for a brilliant piece of skill from Dimitar Berbatov.

Such a maddeningly laid-back figure, the Bulgarian first collected Paul Scholes' lofted pass before delivering a brilliant overhead kick into the path of Valencia, who drove a first-time shot into the roof of the net.

The 15 minutes Ferguson afforded Michael Owen as replacement for Rooney was presumably not what England boss Fabio Capello had in mind when he said he wanted the striker to play more often.

But, then again, this was not what Manchester United away was meant to mean for Wolves when the fixture list came out, either.

McCarthy will only know whether his grand plan has worked on a professional level on Sunday afternoon.

Many disgruntled Wolves fans making that late-night trip back down the M6 might not be quite so easily convinced.

Teams:

Man Utd Kuszczak, De Laet, Carrick, Vidic (Fletcher 60), Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Obertan (Welbeck 70), Berbatov, Rooney (Owen 75).

Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Park, Fabio Da Silva.

Booked: Gibson.

Goals: Rooney 30 pen, Vidic 43, Valencia 66.

Wolverhampton Hahnemann, Zubar, Mancienne, Elokobi, Hill, Halford (Jones 76), Foley, Castillo, Friend (Jarvis 61), Surman, Maierhofer (Iwelumo 54).

Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Henry, Ebanks-Blake, Berra.

Booked: Castillo.

Att: 73,709

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

[richie_rich]

BECKHAM TO MAKE UNITED RETURN

David Beckham is in line to make a return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn with AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will be on loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy and is therefore likely to feature at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will travel to San Siro on Tuesday February 16 for the first leg while the return encounter will take place at Old Trafford on Wednesday March 10.

It will be the former England captain's first return visit to the club he served with such distinction before leaving in 2003 after Sir Alex Ferguson tired of his love of the limelight.

Although the pair have since patched up their differences, and shook hands in public ahead of United's meeting with Inter Milan at the San Siro 12 months ago, the competitive edge of both men will ensure a highly-charged last-16 tie.

Patrice Evra did not join United until two and a half years after Beckham had left to join Real Madrid, but is well aware of Beckham's status and will reserve the warmest of welcomes for a man he will probably end up marking.

However, that is where the kindness will end.

"I am very happy for David Beckham," said the France full-back. "He did a lot of great things for Manchester United and I want to say to him "Welcome Home".

"I have met him. He is a gentleman. He is a good person and a good professional. This is why Milan wanted him to go back there.

"I like that type of player. He is still one of the best right-footed players in the world. But I hope he plays badly and I intend to make sure he doesn't do very well."

The match could also be the first time Ronaldinho has played against United since he rejected them when Ferguson had tied up a deal for the Brazilian to become Beckham's replacement.

And it will have not escaped any United fan's attention that the seven-time European Cup winners have beaten them in all four two-legged ties between the sides, including three semi-finals.

The last one, a 3-0 drubbing in 2007, remains the last time United have lost a European away game, and cost them a final meeting with Liverpool.

Yet Evra believes that defeat spurred the Red Devils on to reach the last two finals.

"That was a frustrating year," he said. "We didn't play well in the first leg, even though we won 3-2. I was suspended for the second game and watched it on TV.

"It was horrible to lose like that but after that game we had a lot more experience.

"The year afterwards we won the Champions League. The following year we reached the final. Now we are still using that experience and we have enough to win this game."

Beckham though will remain the central figure. All the famous incidents, from the goals and the glory to the infamous day of the flying boot at Old Trafford, will be raked over.

"Who can say whether it will help or not the fact that all the focus will be on him," Evra added. "After all, when we played against Barcelona it was all Messi v Ronaldo. For us it is normal. The pressure is normal.

"I am more interested in playing against AC Milan than David Beckham.

"What I do know is that our confidence is high. For us, the target every year is to reach the final, and from there to win it."

United's director of communications Phil Townsend welcomed the draw. "It will be fantastic," he told Sky Sports News. "I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it's what the Champions League is all about.

"He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing."

AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini was confident the Rossoneri could repeat their 2007 semi-final victory over United.

He told Eurosport: "It's a difficult tie, we know that but we can be boosted by the result the last time we played them. That year we went on to win the competition.

"They are still two great teams but they are very different to 2007. Now there is no Kaka, no (Cristiano) Ronaldo and no (Paolo) Maldini."

On Beckham's return, he said: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."

Gandini played down the suggestion that playing the second leg in England would prove a disadvantage.

"I don't think so," he added.

"This club has proven it can win in any stadium. We won at Old Trafford (in 2007) and we have won at Real Madrid and Marseille in this season's qualifying group.

"In fact, we only got two points at home in our group so it's better to play the second leg away."

Full draw:

Stuttgart v Barcelona
Olympiacos v Bordeaux
Inter Milan v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
CSKA Moscow v Sevilla
Lyon v Real Madrid
Porto v Arsenal
AC Milan v Manchester United

The first legs will take place on February 16, 17, 23 & 24, with the second legs on March 9, 10, 16 & 17.

[machoman]

Michael Owen's hattrick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League:

[asiancigar]

Ferguson fears for Man Utd title bid as injuries bite

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson fears the injury jinx afflicting his defenders could wreck their challenge for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Fulham put a patched-up United to the sword on Saturday, winning 3-0 at Craven Cottage as the champions struggled to cope without centre backs Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.

United, who have already lost five league games this season, are also without the experienced Wes Brown and Gary Neville which meant midfielder Michael Carrick was again used as a makeshift centre half on Saturday.

Young Belgian defender Richie De Laet also made only his sixth appearance at senior level.

"I hope that defeat doesn't prove too damaging," Ferguson told the club's television channel. "In other words I hope it doesn't cost us the league.
"There was a fragility at the back today but we couldn't do anything about that. I have sympathy for my players because it's difficult for midfielders to play as centre-backs and De Laet's only 20 so he's not got the experience you need for these type of matches.

"The players are feeling a little bit sorry for themselves at the moment because of the situation they find themselves in," said Ferguson.

"But I think it's obvious if we get our defenders back we'll be okay. We need to get them back to give us a proper chance of challenging for the league."
United, who have not lost five matches at this stage of a season since 2001-02 when they finished third, also received sympathy from Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.

"We were playing a Manchester United side suffering very badly from injuries but we can't do much more I suppose than play as well as we can play and get the best result we can get," he told the BBC.

"I have got a lot of sympathy for Alex at the moment because it is not easy when you are missing a whole back four."

[asiancigar]

At this rate..... i fear that all we can hope for is maybe an FA Cup.

The signs are there that we have come to the end of the FABULOUS SAF era...... having given us glorious footballing moments, record number of Trophies, developed world class players like Cantona, Andy Cole, Beckham, Peter S, Ronaldo, Giggs etc. He has achieved Greatness and will be forever be Immortalized in OT, but it is time for him to accept that after 20 years..... it is time to pass the baton to someone younger, bolder and hungrier for change.

It was painful to to see Scholes struggling last night.... outpaced, outfoxed and looking so old. It was embarrassing to see Thetcher, Carrick being out-manoeuvred in defense. It was so pitiful watching Wayne, Evra, Owen playing so cluelessly. THIS CANNOT GO ON..... IT WILL ERODE THE CONFIDENCE OF ANY PLAYER IF THE TEAM CONTINUES TO BE AS DYSFUNCTIONAL AS WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

Do the right thing Fergie..... RETIRE GRACIOUSLY and MAGNANIMOUSLY

Cheers
AC

[asiancigar]

Manchester United to swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa - report
20 Dec 2009 12:56:25

Manchester United are believed to be plotting an audacious £50m bid for Valencia’s exciting attacking duo of David Silva and David Villa.

The Spanish international pairing have been regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford since the summer, but both players remained at the Mestalla and have been in good form in La Liga this season.

However, Los Che’s financial difficulties are well documented and it is likely both Silva and Villa will be sold in January in order to balance the books.

The Daily Telegraph comments that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sees Silva as the long-term replacement to veteran Ryan Giggs, while Villa is regarded among the top strikers in European football.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid seemed set to land Villa in the close season but Los Blancos instead opted for Karim Benzema while the Blaugrana signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ferguson has watched his side lose to both Aston Villa and Fulham in the past week, and is desperate to boost his squad for a title push in the second half of the season, to stay in touch with current leaders Chelsea.


Hopefully this comes through........

[imom]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Manchester United to swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa - report
20 Dec 2009 12:56:25

Manchester United are believed to be plotting an audacious £50m bid for Valencia’s exciting attacking duo of David Silva and David Villa.....


Hopefully this comes through........

I was thinking SAF might be eyeing Dzeko after scoring twice in two matches against MU... SAF has a habit of signing players who do well against MU.... lol

[machoman]

Why get more attacking players when what they really need is additional cover for the long list of injured defenders???

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by imom

I was thinking SAF might be eyeing Dzeko after scoring twice in two matches against MU... SAF has a habit of signing players who do well against MU.... lol

Might be so Bro....... but something i noticed about SAF through the years.... he does not like signing players who are taller than him..... the exception being Rudd Van Nistleroy, Van Der Sar, Rio and only recently Obertan. Everyone else seems to be in the 'pendek' league i.e. Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, MO, Hargreaves, Fabio twins, Valencia, Anderson, Tosac, Nani.... even Bebartov

Is it just my imagination...... mmmmmmmmm

Cheerz
AC

[imom]

Originally Posted by machoman

Why get more attacking players when what they really need is additional cover for the long list of injured defenders???

Sometimes it's a case of having to make a move before others swoop for their targets. Rooney, for eg., was signed earlier than SAF planned because he got intel that Chelsea were lining up a bid.

[machoman]

Originally Posted by imom

Sometimes it's a case of having to make a move before others swoop for their targets. Rooney, for eg., was signed earlier than SAF planned because he got intel that Chelsea were lining up a bid.

Point taken, that is good planning for the future but SAF seriously need to address the more immediate problem of providing defensive cover before Chelsea goes on to extend their lead over Man Utd in this crucial run-up period in the title race, with Arsenal hot on our heels as well.

[richie_rich]

FERGUSON NOT LOOKING TO RECRUIT

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making new signings to ease his defensive injury crisis.

Manchester United lost for the second time in three games when they were hammered at Fulham on Saturday.

The result leaves them four points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea and Ferguson is acutely aware that unless United's form improves quickly, they can forget about a record fourth consecutive title.

With seven senior defenders - Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, John O'Shea, Gary Neville and Rafael Da Silva - out of action, plus keeper Edwin van der Sar, it was felt Ferguson may make an emergency signing, even though he had already ruled out the possibility of out-of-contract Sol Campbell joining the Old Trafford outfit on a short-term basis.

However, with the majority of his players due back at some point in January, Ferguson will not be making any additions.

"That has not come onto the agenda," he told Key 103.

"We hope that Wes Brown will be back in a week or 10 days' time, Rio Ferdinand is improving, Gary Neville is getting there and Rafael Da Silva has now started training.

"We are not so bad and we are not looking at signing players."

Under the circumstances, Ferguson is probably relieved that United's Festive programme has been pushed back from the planned timescale.

What would have been a Boxing Day trip to Hull will now take place on December 27, with the home encounter against Wigan now not being played until December 30.

The Red Devils should be confident of getting maximum points from those two games, even with a weakened line-up, after which they are not in league action again until January 9, when they face in-form Birmingham at St Andrews.

Despite the denial, Ferguson continues to be linked with new faces.

Fiorentina 'keeper Sebastien Frey is believed to be being monitored by United, who have still not been informed by Van der Sar whether he is going to extend his career by another season.

Frey does have a £17million release clause in his contract. However, as he has already featured in this season's Champions League for Fiorentina, who have booked themselves a last-16 meeting with Bayern Munich, it seems unlikely the 29-year-old will move at this stage.

Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa is also said to be on Ferguson's radar and is available following a bust-up with coach Didier Deschamps.

Signing Ben Arfa would represent a gamble given his unhappy disciplinary record, which includes having to be pulled away from Djibril Cisse during a training ground fracas just a fortnight after his summer arrival at Marseille.

However, having enjoyed so much success with Eric Cantona, who hardly represented a meek presence in the face of authority, that reputation alone is unlikely to deter Ferguson if he decides to pursue the 21-year-old.

[richie_rich]

Transfer Gossip

UNITED BID FOR DI MARIA

Talk to Manchester United fans about who they think Alex Ferguson should buy in January, and you'll probably come away with a list for a whole new team.

Some think a new keeper is needed, some a bit of defensive cover, some a creative midfielder, some a new striker or two.

However, The Gossip Column reckons they could really do with a proper left winger, and if you believe The Daily Mail, they have made a move for one.

The paper reports that United have made a bid of £9million plus Nani for Benfica's Angel Di Maria.

Now, given that the papers were discussing figures of around £30million for Di Maria earlier in the year, does that mean that Fergie values Nani at £21million?

Crivens.