MUFC BLOG

Manchester United and Inter agree €40m fee for Wesley Sneijder as negotiations continue on personal terms

2011-07-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Premier League champions will step up negotiations with the Dutch international's representatives as they seek a compromise over his €227,000-a-week stance

Manchester United have agreed a €40 million club record fee with Inter for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder, Goal.comcan reveal.

But Sneijder's wage demands are currently holding up the deal from being close to completion. Sources have told Goal.com that the player's camp have indicated they want around€227,000-a-week but United are reluctant to pay more than €193,000-a-week.

Nevertheless, the Premier League champions are hoping to reach a compromise over the difference as the prospect of a switch that would smash United's transfer record grows increasingly likely.

Senior officials from the two clubs are understood to have shaken hands on the terms of the deal after United chief executive David Gill made it clear the Premier League champions are willing to meet Inter's asking price in a series of meetings in recent days.

United have confirmed that Gill was in Zurich on Wednesday, where an Inter delegation was also present, to attend a European Club Association meeting but an Inter source told Goal.com that he had been in Milan on Tuesday and early on Wednesday to lead Sneijder negotiations with another Old Trafford director.

United's focus will now turn to agreeing personal terms with the Holland international, who is regarded by the club as a natural heir to the recently retired Paul Scholes. An official bid will follow if the 19-times English champions are confident they can meet the player's demands.

It is believed that the 2011 Champions League finalists could attempt to meet the shortfall in the two parties' positions with bonus-related payments or an enhanced image rights deal

Sneijder is currently at Inter's pre-season training camp at Pinzolo in Italy. The deal will now depend on his desire to force through a move to Old Trafford, which offers him an excellent chance to add to an already impressive medal haul which includes domestic titles in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to the 2010 Champions League.

He has a contract at San Siro that expires in 2015 and would be content to see it out if a transfer fails to materialise this summer, hence his reluctance to agitate in public for a move.

New Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini has told the Inter hierarchy that he does not see the Holland star as indispensable as he prepares to field a new 3-4-3 formation next season.

Despite the negotiations, Sir Alex Ferguson has attempted to cool talk of Sneijder moving to Old Trafford this summer.

The United boss, currently in America as part of the club's pre-season preparations, toldESPN

: "I keep reading about this, there's absolutely nothing at all to that.

"First of all I don't think Inter are prepared to sell him anyway.

"You get conjecture and you get speculation every week in newspapers unfortunately.

"And we have to answer these for some reason - why, I don't know, but we have to find a reason without adding insult to any particular club, or embarrassing any particular player. There's nothing we can do about it."

As in Goal.com

Nike emerge as key to Wesley Sneijder completing €40m transfer from Inter to Manchester United

2011-07-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Sportswear giants prepared to help facilitate move to Old Trafford by closing the gap between United's offer and Dutchman's wage demands, which are threatening to derail talks

Sportswear giants Nike have emerged as key to Wesley Sneijder completing a €40 (£35.2) million move toManchester United.

The US-based firm sponsor Sneijder and supply the Premier League champions' kit and could be ready to step in and pay a percentage of the Dutchman's wages to ensure the club record transfer goes through.

Nike did the same when Brazilian striker Ronaldo made his move from Barcelona to Inter while their commercial rivals Adidas, who sponsor Real Madrid, were heavily involved in smoothing through the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham to the Bernabeu.

United have been trying to secure a deal for Sneijder this week, with chief executive David Gill staying behind from the club's pre-season tour of the US to hold talks with senior Inter officials in Milan.

Goal.com understands that United have indicated they will meet Inter's €40m asking price but negotiations have stalled over personal demands. The player's camp have indicated they want around €228,000 (£200,000) a week but United are reluctant to pay more than €194,000 (£170,000) a week.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson declared on Thursday that "there's no interest in Wesley Sneijder at this moment in time for a lot of reasons", sources have said that the deal is still very much alive.

The 27-year-old wants to move to Old Trafford and Ferguson regards the player as the final piece in his summer transfer jigsaw, while new Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini views Sneijder as expendable as he prepares to field a new 3-4-3 formation next season.

United have lost Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Owen Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown and John O'Shea from their wage bill but have replaced them with David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, and with annual interest payments of £45m per year to meet debt repayments they do not possess the funds of neighbours Manchester City or Chelsea.

Nevertheless, senior Nike officials are keen for Sneijder to move to Old Trafford because United's global brand and reach in markets such as the Far East and Latin America far outweighs that of Inter, who are also sponsored by the commerical giant, and they can help enhance the exposure of the Holland international.

It is increasingly common for major sponsors to play instrumental roles in mega-money transfers of marquee players.

A source close to the negotiations told Goal.com: "If Nike wants you to move then you will move. Nike wants Sneijder to Manchester United because it is easier for them to use him as a commercial icon.

"If United will only pay the same salary as Rooney and there is a gap between what they can offer and what the player wants, then Nike will pay the gap. It was the same with Adidas when they bought Cristiano Ronaldo and Beckham. When top players go to Real Madrid, Adidas are always involved in things financially."

Coincidentally, Nike have opened talks with United over a new kit deal to replace the current £23.5m-a-year package, which has been dwarfed by those recently signed by the French national team and Barcelona.

As reported at Goal.com

Ferguson expects open title race

2011-07-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes any one of six teams could win the Premier League this season.

Ferguson is not prepared to write off any of the traditional big four, even though Arsenal have endured a miserable summer, with question marks remaining over the futures of star men Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and Liverpool are without a championship since 1990.

And, with Manchester City preparing to make a concerted challenge on top spot and Ferguson believing Tottenham will benefit from being out of the Champions League, the United boss feels it will be a tougher title race than ever this season.

''We used to talk about a top four, with ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool,'' he said. ''You can't say that any more. Manchester City have definitely come into the frame. They have a buying power better than the rest of us.

''Maybe having the run in the European Cup just stretched Tottenham too much last season and they ended up being out of the top four. But you look at those teams and say any one of them could win the league.''

And Ferguson believes United's tour of the USA will be part of a vital preparation for what lies ahead.

''We know it is going to be such a big challenge again this season,'' said the Scot. ''It never changes. It is not an easy league to win. But we have experience of winning it. That helps.''

Credit to SoccerNet

Man Utd top Forbes' rich list

2011-07-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Manchester United have been named the world's most valuable sports team, according to Forbes magazine's annual top 50 list.

United, who are currently touring the USA for their pre-season preparations, came top in the list with a value of £1.65 billion. The Red Devils have recently signed sponsorship deals with Aon and Nike worth around £380 million and have accumulated 333 million supporters across the globe.

Seven other football teams made the list, with Real Madrid (5th) and Arsenal (7th) in the top ten.

Despite owner Roman Abramovich's vast personal fortune, Chelsea only came 46th, while Bayern Munich (19th), AC Milan (34th) and Juventus (49th) also made appearances.

Barcelona - widely regarded as the best side in the world - came only 26th in the ranking as their debts held them back despite their worldwide appeal.

The Forbes Top Ten:

1. Manchester United £1.65bn
2. Dallas Cowboys £1.13bn
3. New York Yankees £1.06bn
4. Washington Redskins £960m
5. Real Madrid £900m
6. New England Patriots £850m
7. Arsenal £740m
8. New York Giants £734m
9. Houstan Texans £727m
10. New York Jets £708m

United legend Irwin wary of City slickers

2011-07-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

Former Manchester United full-back Denis Irwin believes that Manchester City will pose the greatest threat to the Old Trafford side's hopes of claiming a 20th league title next season.

Ahead of the opening game of United's pre-season tour of the USA, which takes place against New England Revolution on Wednesday, the Irishman recently toldESPNsoccernet of his belief that, when the real games begin, the team from Manchester's blue half will be the one to watch.He said: "For the title, I think Manchester City will be a huge threat, particularly if they hang on to (Carlos) Tevez and sign a couple of quality players as well. They are getting better, the noisy neighbours, and it is going to be very interesting in Manchester next year."

United's visit to North America in 2010 saw the debuts in red of two hitherto unproven youngsters. One year on, Chris Smalling has emerged as an able deputy for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, while Javier Hernandez has established himself as a first-choice following a 20-goal debut season in England.

Irwin agrees with the comparisons which have been drawn between Herna

ndez and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but adds that he sees the qualities of another of his former teammates in the Mexican.

"I'd compare him to (Andrew) Cole as well. He was such a quick player who made a lot of his own chances because of how fast he was. I think Hernandez is very much like that as well, he is a really rapid player," Irwin explained.

"He is like Ole too, in that he looks to play off the shoulder of the last defender and he knows where the goal is. Ole was a fantastic student of the game while Coley scored some great goals for us so a combination of both those players is really a plus."

Smalling and Hernandez have been joined by David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to reshape his squad. As youth comes into Old Trafford, a number of experienced faces have left the club and there has been speculation that another, Dimitar Berbatov, may also be sold.

However, despite the omission of the Premier League's joint top-scorer from the matchday squad for the Champions League final, Irwin expects the Bulgarian to remain in Ferguson's plans."I know (Berbatov) didn't get much playing time in the last three of four months of the season but he is a very important player for United. You can't just go moving out players willy-nilly. He is a fantastic player and I expect him to stay," said Irwin.

Retirements will deprive United of two of this season's title-winners. Paul Scholes has hung up his boots after 676 matches and will now take on a coaching role with the club. Meanwhile, Irwin compares the task of replacing Edwin van der Sar with that of finding a successor to Peter Schmeichel in 1999, after which a number of goalkeepers were given a chance to claim the number one shirt, with varying degrees of success.

Irwin said:"It's going to be very hard, very, very hard. I remember too well. Big Pete was a monster of a keeper for us. When you get a back four or back five that play so often together, they develop a great understanding. In our case, we knew what he would do on crosses, he was a fantastic shot-stopper.

"Van der Sar had an unbelievably good six seasons at United. He was great with both feet and made very few mistakes which is what you want. He had very good concentration levels as well. Sometimes at United you only have to make one or two saves every game but they are important ones."

One veteran who will continue for at least one more season is Ryan Giggs and Irwin is impressed with the way the veteran Welshman has evolved as a player since he made his debut as a 17-year-old substitute in March 1991.

"He actually came on for me against Everton - it's a long time ago! To play for this club at the highest level for 20 years is some achievement. He was a left winger and then had to kind of reinvent himself a little bit," reflected Irwin.

"The game has got quicker and more physical with bigger players but he has shown he can play off the front man or in central midfield. He played left-back at West Ham (in April) so it just shows the ability he has got."

United's 19th title took the club past Liverpool into first place on the list of English champions. However, hopes of a fourth European Cup triumph were dashed by Barcelona at Wembley."We had such a good season," said Irwin. "We won the league by nine points and our home record was great but we came up against a Barcelona team that is probably the best I have seen of any teams, certainly in my day. You just have to look at the names: (Andres) Iniesta, (David) Villa, Xavi, (Lionel) Messi. We got well beaten on the night and I think everybody has held their hands up and said they were much better."

Irwin concedes that the current Barcelona side is playing at a level 'it might take two or three years' to reach. He also admits that the two great United teams for which he played would have taken very different approaches to stopping Pep Guardiola's men.

He said: "The 1994 team, had we played them, would have tried to kick them! The game was different then and we had some tough players: (Roy) Keane, (Paul) Ince, (Steve) Bruce, (Gary) Pallister. Paul Parker was a fantastic man-marker so maybe he could have taken Messi. With Giggs and Kanchelskis we had a lot of good pace as well to go with the tough lads.

"The 1999 side was very attacking. We won the European Cup final despite our two best players not playing. So it's very difficult for me to say but, certainly, if we had played Barcelona in 1994, we would have tried to kick them!"

Catching Barcelona is one of the greatest challenges faced by Ferguson, who will celebrate 25 years as United manager in November. The Scot turns 70 the following month but Irwin is in no doubt that his old boss is ready to take on the test.

"(Ferguson) leads the club by example," reflected Irwin. "He's first into training, his desire and hunger are there to see and, if any player doesn't match that, he will soon on his way. When the players come in for pre-season, he will spell out what is expected of them.

"It's a winning mentality and all of that comes from the manager. His man-management is great and he is steeped in football knowledge as well but it is his determination and desire to win trophy after trophy after trophy every year that comes back every pre-season."

After New England, United face MLS clubs from Seattle and Chicago, followed by the league's all-stars in New Jersey. The tour ends on July 30 with a friendly against Barcelona on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. The encounter will provide another reminder of the benchmark set by the Catalan giants, one which Ferguson will hope to reach in Munich next May.

Before then, domestic duty will take priority for the champions and, while Irwin does not rule out Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool from a title race he believes could the tightest in years, of all the pretenders to Manchester United's throne, it is their cross-city rivals who represent the biggest danger.

Credit to Soccernet.

Ferguson: No Nasri deal for United

2011-07-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

Manchester United's pursuit of Arsenal's Samir Nasri looks to be at an end after Sir Alex Ferguson said he thought the Frenchman had "agreed to go elsewhere".

Speaking in Boston as United begin their three-week tour of the United States, Ferguson was asked at a press conference about a player for whom his club are reported to have made an offer.

"Nasri, no. I don't think he's coming to United," said Ferguson. "I think he's agreed to go somewhere else. Maybe he has to stay at Arsenal too. That's a possibility."

Ferguson was guarded on a next signing to follow those of Ashley Young, David De Gea and Phil Jones, with midfield largely expected to be the next reinforced department following the retirement of Paul Scholes.

"How do you replace somebody like Paul Scholes? It's very difficult," said Ferguson of a player who is set to join his coaching staff after his testimonial.

"If you bracket four of the best midfield players in the world he'd be alongside Xavi and Iniesta and then you take your pick. In my mind he's one of the top four players in the world. How will we overcome it? Maybe the next few weeks will help us overcome it. Maybe somebody will emerge out of the youth team or one of the young players ermerge, and then we carry on."

Luka Modric, most likely headed for Chelsea, and Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder are the midfield names also linked with a move to Old Trafford. Owen Hargreaves has taken his leave of the club and Darren Fletcher has missed the current tour, as his recovery from a virus that wrecked his 2010-11 season is still by no means complete.

United face New England Revolution on Wednesday, in a game that Ferguson promised he would not be taking lightly.

Manchester United Nani backs Villas-Boas move

2011-07-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

Manchester United winger Nani has applauded new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas for making the switch from the Portuguese Primeira Liga to the English Premier League.

Nani, 24, made the leap from Sporting to United in 2007 and has not looked back, making 95 appearances in his four seasons at the Red Devils. The winger has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer after United signed Ashley Young from Aston Villa, but the Portugal international has stated that he is willing to stay and fight for his position.

Villas-Boas was appointed Chelsea boss after guiding Porto to an impressive domestic league, Supercup and Europa League treble last campaign. This success, Nani believes, has earned his compatriot the right to guide one of the Premier League's powerhouse clubs.

"Villas-Boas did well to trade the Portuguese League for the Premier League. Chelsea is an excellent club, it is fair to try his luck because it is always a dream job," Nani told SIC.

"I understand Villas-Boas, it is always a difficult decision to leave the club who are in your heart."

Meanwhile, former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has pinpointed Chelsea and Manchester City as the club's greatest threats in their attempt to claim a 20th Premier League crown. Van der Sar cited a lack of stability as potential insurmountable hurdles for Arsenal and Liverpool.

He told ESPN Star Sports and Asia One: "Liverpool will be really motivated to try and win the league. They will be anxious to try and overtake our 19th title, but I don't think that's going to happen.

"Arsenal, at the moment, are a little in limbo because some players are going to leave. They have issues of strengthening key areas and convincing players to stay.

"It's going to be Chelsea again, they are always going to be challenging. Maybe Manchester City will be there, although they may have some trouble convincing Carlos Tevez to stay."

Credit to Soccernet

Photo history of Space Shuttle Program-PART 3

2011-07-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

Columbia Disaster
On Feb. 1, 2003, tragedy struck the shuttle program again, as NASA Mission Control lost contact with space shuttle Columbia during the re-entry phase of its mission. The shuttle broke up over Texas, and all seven astronauts on board died in the crash. Debris from Columbia was found all over Texas and Louisiana. In this photo, recovered debris is arrayed in a grid on the floor of a hangar at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for NASA's attempt to reassemble the craft to learn what caused it to break up.

Silhouette
The shuttle Endeavour, as photographed over Earth by an International Space Station crew member. The orange layer is known as the troposphere, where all of the weather and clouds are generated and contained. It gives way to the whitish stratosphere and then into the mesosphere. The black segment is part of a window frame, not space.

Port of Call
Atlantis docks at the International Space Station in February 2010.

Soaring
Space shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station on Feb. 26, 2011, on its 39th and final flight.

Into Place
The shuttle Endeavour is lowered into place and attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters at Cape Canaveral, Fla., ahead of its 36th and final scheduled flight in March 2011.

Ready for Takeoff
If all goes according to schedule, the final shuttle, Atlantis, will launch into orbit on July 8, 2011.

Photo history of Space Shuttle Program-PART 2

2011-07-10T00:50:00.000-07:00

Discovery 10

After a 32-month delay, the shuttle program resumed with the launch of Discovery in September 1988. Here, the shuttle is mounted on a mobile launchpad weeks before its liftoff.

Hubble
In addition to shuttling astronauts to and from the International Space Station, the shuttles contributed to NASA initiatives like the Hubble Space Telescope program. The telescope was launched into space in 1990 by the space shuttle Atlantis. Since then, Hubble has proved a vital research tool for astronomers by collecting data, producing stunning images and helping solve long-standing problems in the field.

Earth from Space
A cloud forming over Asia is photographed as the space shuttle Atlantis orbits Earth on its 10th flight, in 1991.

Aurora Australis
The southern lights are viewed from the space shuttle Endeavour in 1994.

Atlantis in the Evening
The evening launch of space shuttle Atlantis from the Kennedy Space Center precedes its mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir in 1997.

Photo history of Space Shuttle Program -PART 1

2011-07-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

The Launch

Formally introduced by President Nixon on Jan. 5, 1972, the shuttle program set out, in the words of the President, to develop "an entirely new type of space transportation system ... that would center on a space vehicle that can shuttle repeatedly from Earth to orbit and back." On the day of the announcement, NASA administrator James Fletcher, left, demonstrated a model of the Space Shuttle concept to the President.

Wild Blue Yonder
Before NASA put a shuttle into space, it conducted five free-flight tests over the Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., in 1977. The approach and landing tests were performed by the shuttle prototype Enterprise, which in this photo flies free of a 747 carrier aircraft during one of the tests.

The Age of the Space Shuttle Begins
The shuttle Columbia leaves the launch pad on April 12, 1981, with astronauts John W. Young and Robert L. Crippen aboard. The trip, which lasted more than two days, was the first to take the shuttle into orbit.

Tragedy Strikes

Once the shuttle program began, it operated more or less successfully for five years — until Jan. 28, 1986, when shortly after takeoff, the shuttle Challenger exploded, killing all those aboard.

The Challenger Crew
This group photograph of the fallen astronauts was published broadly after the Challenger disaster as the faces of the crew became familiar to all Americans. They are, back row, from left: Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis and Judith A. Resnik; front row, from left: Michael J. Smith, Francis R. Scobee and Ronald E. McNair.

Chris Smalling rewarded with new deal

2011-07-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

Manchester United have announced that defender Chris Smalling has signed a new five-year contract at Old Trafford.

United won the race to sign Smalling from Fulham last summer, paying the London club a fee in the region of £9 million for the youngster's signature.
The centre-back totalled 33 appearances for the Red Devils last eason, impressing as his side claimed the Premier League title.
And, following further fine displays for the England Under-21s this summer, United have moved to extend Smalling's current terms.

"I am delighted Chris has signed a new contract," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Chris has been outstanding since joining us from Fulham last year.
"He is an extremely talented young defender. He is quick, strong and reads the game well. He is a great asset to the team."
Smalling himself added: "This is a great club and in the short time I have been here I have already achieved more than I could have ever expected to. I am looking forward to a long and successful career at Manchester United."

It seems likely that Smalling will play an even greater role in the forthcoming campaign following the departures of experienced pair Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

Javier |Chicharito| Hernández - 20 Goals 2010-2011

2011-07-09T01:35:00.000-07:00

Teams he scored on in order
1-Chelsea
2-Valencia
3-West Brom
4-Stoke City
5-Stoke City
6-Wolverhampton
7-Wigan
8-West Brom
9-Stoke City
10-Blackpool
11-Southampton
12-Wigan
13-Wigan
14-Liverpool
15-Marseille
16-Marseille
17-West Ham
18-Chelsea
19-Everton
20-Chelsea

Sunderland sign Wes Brown and john O'Shea

2011-07-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Sunderland have confirmed the signing of defender Wes Brown and O'Shea from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. The players has agreed a four-year contract.

All the best for two of the most dependable assets when everything looks so terrible. This surely a bargain for the Black cats but invaluable in terms of player experience and mental strength.

Ostensibly a central defender, he can also play at right-back and with O'Shea equally comfortable across the back four as well as in midfield, Bruce could have healthy options at the back next season.

Chicarito - Best Scorer on the Planet

2011-07-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Javier Hernandez is the best scorer on the planet in 2011, according to statisticians IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics).

United's Mexican marksman heads a prestigious 'World goalgetter 2011' list released this week, in front of Porto's Colombian international Radamel Falcao and Villarreal's former Reds striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Neymar and Lionel Messi are further down the pecking order with Hernandez's scoring exploits for United and Mexico sending him to the summit.

he table refers only to goals at international level and in continental competition for the player's club side with Chicharito managing 13, two clear of nearest challenger Falcao.

The statisticians' top domestic goalscorer is ex-Man Utd, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

IMAX - Cool Stuff

2011-07-06T01:53:00.000-07:00

Three Musketers - Man Utd three new stars.

2011-07-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

1 . PHIL JONES

2. ASHLEY YOUNG

3. DAVID DE GEA

Selected Collections of My Beloved Team - MUFC

2011-07-04T08:35:00.001-07:00

Rooney fires United to victory

2011-02-12T22:30:00.001-08:00

Wayne Rooney proved the old adage that form is temporary and class is permanent as he scored a sensational overhead kick to give Manchester United the derby-day spoils at Old Trafford.

For over ten months now, there have been major question marks over United's talisman.

Even following England's victory over Denmark in midweek, Fabio Capello was quizzed about whether he would consider dropping the 25-year-old, who had scored five goals all season for United prior to the derby.

How can that be contemplated? How can what Rooney achieved here be ignored? How many players could watch Nani's floated 77th-minute cross, then leap to send the ball flying past Joe Hart, the City goalkeeper rooted to the spot, lost in admiration for a goal that sent United eight points clear of their local rivals.

It was tough luck on City, who were the better side, and responded to Nani's opener by levelling through an Edin Dzeko shot which deflected in off David Silva.

But Rooney's moment of genius was worthy of winning any game, and with City surely out of the running now, maybe it will win United the Premier League title too.

Attempts from both sides to avoid inflaming what was always going to be a volatile atmosphere, even before City's startling rise up the Premier League, were breached only by a member of the Blues groundstaff, who used a social networking site to post some pretty ugly comments and also the stadium announcer, who repeatedly welcomed supporters to the "greatest football club in the world".

A goalless meeting between the sides in November had prompted complaints of negativity towards Blues boss Roberto Mancini, a feeling a similarly tepid encounter with Arsenal last month only reinforced.

Faced with a table that showed his team five points in arrears of their neighbours, having played a game more, this was the point of no return for City though - and Mancini went for it.

City should have been ahead after only three minutes.

Silva started an intricate move that also involved Micah Richards before Carlos Tevez threaded a brilliant pass through to the Spain international, leaving him completely clear deep inside the penalty area.

Edwin van der Sar advanced quickly, forcing Silva to make an instant decision, the former Valencia star turning in anguish as his delicate prod rolled just wide of the far post.

Even at that early stage, Mancini must have wondered whether another such opportunity would come.

Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov both went close as the visitors continued to press, but City could not get a clear sight of the United goal.

Not that their hosts were doing much in return. It took them almost 35 minutes to force Hart into a meaningful save, Darren Fletcher climbing to reach Ryan Giggs' curling cross and though the Scot's header was firm enough, it lacked power.

Nani had been a peripheral figure up to that point. He did serve notice of his intentions shortly afterwards though as he fired over from the edge of the area.

Having done so well, City would have been cursing at the manner in which they were opened up.

One long ball from Van der Sar, which Rooney flicked on to Giggs. A neat pass from the Welshman and Nani was in, his first touch taking him away from Pablo Zabaleta before he steadied himself, then beat Hart with clinical ease.

City must have spent the interval cursing at the injustice of it all.

They were the ones who continued to press after the restart, although it was not until Mancini had called Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dzeko off the bench that they got their equaliser.

Even Mancini would admit it took his side a huge slice of luck to drag themselves back into it, with the substitutes combining at the start.

Dzeko's shot from Wright-Phillips' cross was going well wide of the goal when it struck Silva on the back, the deflection leaving Van der Sar totally helpless. It looked like City would grab a winner, with Dzeko causing huge problems inside the United area.

However, the inspirational figure was wearing red. For so long now, there have been questions, but there can be none now - not after he met Nani's cross with a jaw-dropping overhead kick that sent the ball into the far corner, Hart rooted to the spot.

Resurrection

2011-02-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

Hye all,

Its been a while since i wrote here. As the tell the purpose of this blog, i create this just for my joy to accumulate information of my favorite team Manchester United.

Hope you enjoy.. :-)

Sir Alex Ferguson Believes Manchester United's Defence Will Be Crucial Against Bayern Munich In Champions League Clash

2010-03-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has identified his defence as the key factor in the club's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

United will play the first leg against the German side at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday and, after a season of injuries to his first-choice defence, Ferguson believes having them back and fit at this stage of the campaign will prove crucial.

Gary Neville is expected to start at right-back withPatrice Evra on the left, leaving Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as centre-backs and Edwin van der Sar in between the sticks.

"The back four have been solid, together again," Ferguson said in his pre-match press conference, noting that his side have kept four clean sheets in their last five games.

"[Edwin] Van Der Sar has returned again, because there was a time in the season when all those players were injured and it wasn't easy, we were very fragile.

"But you can see the solidity now, you can see the experience of these players and it is making a massive difference to the performance of the team.

"It is a true saying, 'strong at the back, strong as a team', and we are looking very strong now." With a potential title-decider against Chelsea coming up on Saturday before the return leg against Bayern at Old Trafford next week, United face three significant games in the space of eight days. But Ferguson is confident his side are in the right frame of mind to rise to the challenge. "I think it is a big week, it is a massive week for us," the Scot agreed. "Eight days for us and we have two great games for us against

Bayern and a great game on Saturday against Chelsea. "This is the time of year where you have to enjoy it and also know that things can be crucial — like a mistake or error in an area when you are hoping you are not going to make any." United have profited from 11 own goals - only one less than Dimitar Berbatov has contributed - in the Premier League this season, and Ferguson sees no reason why errors could not continue to benefit his side in forthcoming games. "Mistakes will happen that will win games for you," he said. "You saw that on Saturday [against Bolton Wanderers], we got an own goal to begin with and after that we played exceptionally well. "So it is going to be an exciting week."

Dimitar Berbatov Believes Manchester United's Experience Can Make Them Premier League Champions

2010-03-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes that the number of seasoned professionals amongst the Old Trafford ranks will give Sir Alex Ferguson's side a crucial edge in the race for the Premier League title.

The title race is promising to go right to the wire, with United involved in a dog fight with Arsenal and Chelsea to see who will be crowned champions.

Chelsea have not won the title since 2006, whilst Arsenal's last trophy was in 2005, and Berbatov is sure that the experience of having won major honours in the recent past will see United home come May.

"It's always important, that's why we have so many experienced players in the team mixed with the young ones," he told MUTV.

"We have a great mix of players, the spirit of the team, we have the Boss - who is the most experienced of all - and it makes for a great team.

"In the end there can be only one winner."

United's odd couple showing signs of success

2010-03-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

They make an odd couple. One is hyperactive, the other appears inactive; one is short and stocky, the other lean and pale; one is the essential element in the side while the other can seem an expensive ornament.

It is easy to view Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov as opposites, but opposites do not always attract. They can be thrust together on the presumption Nevertheless, it was almost incongruous to see Berbatov fling himself to the turf to head in Park Ji-Sung's 89th-minute cross - a moment to negate the theory that his kit is invariably the easiest to wash. The finish was a move that featured a beautiful cross-field ball from Rooney to find Park and belatedly seal a victory that could have been more comprehensive.

So this, perhaps, was a rarity, a game where they dovetailed beautifully, sharing all three goals and combining for two of them. Rooney determined it, Berbatov embellished it. That, some may say, is the story of the Bulgarian's Manchester United career. But, confined to the bench in Europe and with disturbing regularity on the road, his was a display of unhurried class.

Rooney's, meanwhile, was another demonstration of an insatiable hunger. Two more goals returned United to the top of the table and took his tally to 32. "I said a while ago it's impossible for a player to get 42 in the present day but he's on 32," Sir Alex Ferguson said. "What can I say? It's a challenge for him. He's possibly got 13 games to go." It was proof that mentions of Cristiano Ronaldo, the 42-goal man, still abound at Old Trafford, but a look outside the ground can provide a reminder of the ultimate objective for an attacker. Denis Law, celebrated in a statue, possesses the club record of 46 goals in a season.

With ruthless efficiency, Rooney is United's modern-day Law, dispensing his own form of justice. He punished Fulham, who had defended with determination until the interval, for a lax start to the second half, scoring within 30 seconds of the restart after a pass from Nani. A second cool display of finishing made a Fulham fightback, which always appeared unlikely, impossible. Short of picking up a green and gold scarf, a la Beckham, and replacing his Scouse tones with a Mancunian accent, there is little more Rooney can do to endear himself to the United faithful.

Berbatov has irritated and enchanted them in equal measure, but he has the capacity to delight, and Ferguson was among those charmed after the Bulgarian's role in Rooney's second. He pushed the ball one side of Chris Baird before displaying an unacknowledged turn of pace to run to the other and then picked out his strike partner. "The making of the second goal was just superb football," Ferguson said. "It was marvellous. He is a really good footballer. He's got good composure on the ball."

There is an art to making things look simple and Berbatov possesses it. When guiding a pass into Darren Fletcher's path or turning to volley a corner just wide, his ability was apparent.

But nonchalance can be a curse when it leads to accusations he is uncaring. Plenty of people go for a stroll after their Sunday lunch, the sceptics say, and not all are wearing Manchester United's No. 9 shirt when they do so. Indeed, the early afternoon feel of such fixtures can suit Berbatov, rather than the urgency and intensity of the evening games. Yet his prominence throughout the game was an indication of an impact that was not achieved solely by standing still.

Nevertheless, it was almost incongruous to see Berbatov fling himself to the turf to head in Park Ji-Sung's 89th-minute cross - a moment to negate the theory that his kit is invariably the easiest to wash. The finish was a move that featured a beautiful cross-field ball from Rooney to find Park and belatedly seal a victory that could have been more comprehensive.

Mark Schwarzer, who denied Rooney and Fletcher, kept Fulham in the game. Berbatov, Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra each might have scored earlier goals. So too, at the other end, could have Bobby Zamora, who was denied an equaliser by a fine challenge by Nemanja Vidic. "The tackle from Vidic was fantastic," Ferguson said. "To get back was really first-class." Class, cliche has it, is permanent; when United return to their time-honoured place at the summit of the division, their dominance can appear so, too.

THE JOY OF ROY: Hodgson deflected questions about whether Rooney is the world's outstanding player by replying: "What difference does it make if the man in the pub says he's good or Roy Hodgson says he's good? It's the same thing."

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dimitar Berbatov. Rooney has 24 goals in 22 games, but Berbatov's stylishness earns him this vote. The antidote to the frenzied, frantic approach of his partner, he savoured the occasion.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: A third clean sheet in as many games since Rio Ferdinand and Vidic reformed their alliance in defence may prove the most encouraging element. However, Gary Neville, so impressive against AC Milan, was error-prone and, Park apart, the replacements were largely untried. Injuries did not matter on this occasion, but they present a cause for concern.

FULHAM VERDICT: They were resilient in the first half but a heavy workload took its toll later in the game. Fulham are unused to a sequence of games that includes Juventus, Manchester United and then Juve again. Hodgson gave Simon Davies and Damien Duff 45 minutes each to restrict the risk of injury. At least Clint Dempsey made his first start for two months.

Sir Alex Ferguson fears Arsenal charge

2010-03-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Arsenal may yet "mount the biggest challenge" to Manchester United's aspirations of claiming a fourth consecutive Premier League crown and surpassing Liverpool to record their 19th title win.

Arsenal have been written off on numerous occasions this season but are just two points off United, and level with Chelsea having played a game more than their London rivals, thanks to an dramatic late goal from Nicklas Bendtner against Hull City on Saturday.

It is the second away game in succession that Arsenal have profited from an injury-time winner and with a favourable run-in ahead of Arsene Wenger's side, Ferguson is wary of a team that claimed the title in both 1998 and 2002 thanks to strong finishes at the end of the season.

"We are back in the lead, but Chelsea have a game in hand," Ferguson said. "It's also going to be a hard-fought tussle, with Arsenal coming strongly now, and I have a suspicion that they might yet mount the biggest challenge.

"To a certain extent the title is in our hands because Chelsea have to come to Old Trafford [on April 3] and naturally that will be a massive match, but, as I say, I'm wary of Arsenal if they don't suffer too many more injuries to key players.

"Right now it's looking like it [might be the tightest title race yet], I must say. It's looking very tight. We have only got eight games left, Chelsea have nine games left, so you never know.

"You have to think about goal difference. We're four goals ahead of Chelsea. I wish it was 14, but at least it's something in our favour. I suppose the simple way for us and Chelsea to look at it is just to win all our games. But life is never that simple."

Midfield marksmen guide United to victory

2009-11-22T02:33:00.000-08:00

Some games appear scripted for the strikers. This was one such, providing a trio of protagonists with interweaving tales. There was Wayne Rooney, Everton's teenage prodigy turned Manchester United's talisman; Michael Owen, the boyhood Evertonian alongside a Scouser in the champions' forward line; and Louis Saha, a byword for unfortunate injuries at Old Trafford, but a man who has outscored both Owen and the missing Dimitar Berbatov after being rehabilitated on Merseyside.

Yet, in a welcome development for Manchester United, all three were overshadowed by more irregular scorers. "Everyone was talking about the lack of goals from midfield," said Sir Alex Ferguson after the game. The conversations can continue, but the subject can change to the calibre of the finishes after Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia scored. The men in the middle determined the game with Ryan Giggs and the substitute Paul Scholes each creating a goal. As a result, the reliance on Rooney, even if only temporarily, was eased and the memories of Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps, were tinged with rather less nostalgia.

He averaged 30 goals a season in his last three years in Manchester, even if some were spot kicks and quite a few came when he operated in attack rather than on the flank. Yet, as this season is proving, goalscoring has to be a team effort. There were times when Ronaldo's magnificent megalomania obscured that, when everything was about him and when he struck so frequently it scarcely mattered that others barely contributed.

Now it is an issue. Unflattering comparisons could have been drawn with both Chelsea, where Frank Lampard invariably musters 20 goals a season from the centre of the pitch, and Arsenal, where Cesc Fabregas threatens to do likewise. Even, perhaps, with Liverpool, where Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun offer the potential to reach double figures from the flanks.

If none of United's myriad of midfielders are as prolific, there are indications that a settled unit are beginning to produce a return in front of goal. Earlier in the campaign, Ferguson's policy of permanent rotation produced an entirely different midfield for the matches against Burnley and then Wigan. Each of his preferred quartet today started at Chelsea, and three of them found a finish against Everton.

Fletcher's was first and finest. United had been enterprising, but failed to penetrate until Valencia displayed the awareness to head Patrice Evra's cross towards the Scot. His stunning volley flew into the top corner. "Unbelievable," said Evra. "A quality finish," added Ferguson. "It was a goal you wouldn't expect him to score."

Recognition outside Old Trafford is no longer elusive. Fletcher is arguably the Premier League's most improved player over the last 15 months. Ferguson added: "You see his performance level each year for the last few years has gone up and up. He is extraordinary like that."

Carrick's form this season has been rather more ordinary. There is a sense, however, that such a talented technician should be on the scoresheet more often. His second of the season was placed beyond Tim Howard after Giggs' perceptive pass.

Valencia had arrived at Old Trafford with an unenviable scoring record at Wigan, where he struck seven times in three years. A fourth of the current campaign followed Scholes' pass, requiring a deflection off Leighton Baines but justifying United's pre-match instructions. "We have been saying to him to shoot because he has power in his shooting," Ferguson explained.

Rooney had clipped the crossbar against his former employers during a spell when Everton threatened an equaliser. The offside Marouane Fellaini had a goal chalked off, Tim Cahill was denied by Edwin van der Sar and Yakubu shot narrowly wide. David Moyes' half-time reshuffle, when he introduced the Nigerian and moved to a two-man attack, almost succeeded.

Instead Everton were condemned to defeat for the fifth time in seven matches. Injury-ravaged as they are, they have become unaccustomed to such bleak times. A depleted side prospered last season, helped in no small measure by the efforts of their goalscoring midfielders. They are, as United can testify, useful players to possess.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren Fletcher - "A great player," according to Evra. Such a statement would once have invited ridicule. Now, plenty would concur. Besides a glorious goal and an all-action display in midfield, Fletcher finished the game at right-back where he was competent.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: This was their biggest home win of the season and perhaps their most convincing, but nervy moments have become a feature of matches at Old Trafford. There were plenty in Everton's revival after the interval but the impressive Evra and the returning Nemanja Vidic helped keep a clean sheet. In attack, Owen couldn't quite make the most of the opportunity Berbatov's absence afforded him.

EVERTON VERDICT: Moyes' injury problems never seem to abate. As Ferguson noted in his column in the programme, that accounts for their position in the lower half of the table. Yet Everton displayed spirit, first in their defending and then in their search for a leveller. With Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea coming up, they will need to be similarly determined again.

RUGBY FOR RAFAEL: The oval-ball game probably doesn't have a huge following in Brazil, but it does seem to include the Da Silva twins. Fabio attempted a rugby tackle against Wolves two months ago and now Rafael, in a bid to halt Tim Cahill, emulated his brother.

Obertan eyes regular place, Nani have to begin!!

2009-11-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

Manchester United's £3 million summer signing Gabriel Obertan has given himself a year to become an Old Trafford regular and it could be at the expense of Portuguese flop Nani.

The France Under-21 joined United from Ligue 1 club Bordeaux on the recommendation of former Red Devil and current les Girondins coach Laurent Blanc but knee surgery sidelined the winger soon after he arrived in England.

After almost four months out injured, Obertan finally made his debut in the Carling Cup victory at Barnsley last month and has since gone on to make two more appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's men - both as a substitute.

The Manchester Evening News report that Obertan's progress is already putting Nani's future at United in doubt and the Frenchman is eager to force his way into manager Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up on a regular basis.

"I wanted to feel part of the squad and be involved in the games, so I am feeling really good right now," said the 20-year-old. "At first I just want to be part of the squad, be in the group that travels to all the games, and get a few minutes on the pitch.

"But I have ambition. If I keep working hard and show what I can do, why not aim to be a regular in the team? I might need a year to achieve that, but I hope I can do it."

Portuguese international Nani has struggled to establish himself at United since his £18 million move from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and now Obertan aims to leapfrog the winger in the pecking order.

Manchester United Debate: Where Now For Wounded United?

2009-11-10T05:29:00.000-08:00

The lessons learnt from the Chelsea clash should shape the rest of the season...

As the dust settles after another damaging setback for Manchester United, the challenge is on to pick up the pieces and push forward.

The bitter pill of outplaying Chelsea on their own patch and coming home empty handed is a hard one to swallow. Sir Alex Ferguson is an expert at pulling his troops through the tough times and his revitalising skills will have to be at their sharpest once again.

No matter the result, United are still right in the race for the Premier League title. The lessons learnt from yesterday’s loss could prove critical in nudging them ahead by the time May comes along.

Ginger Meastro plays his last tune

Time's up | Scholes' has been usurped

Paul Scholes’ place in the pantheon of United greats is already set in stone, but another run out in a top of the table clash is beyond his reach.

Time catches up with everyone and the sharpness of mind remains, but his legs can no longer keep up. United’s dynamism was their greatest weapon in London but its absence was the architect of their downfall in Merseyside.

Scholes cannot compete against the bulldogs guarding the patches of the ‘Big Four,’ but Darren Fletcher, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson can bare their teeth at the best of them.

Two up top no more against ‘Big Four’

Bullied at Anfield but dominant at Stamford Bridge, the difference was in the detail for United. A flimsy 4-4-2 was replaced by a solid 4-5-1, and the result was a display rarely seen in the last year.

No matter the twin talents of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, too much is sacrificed against the Premier League elite with both utilised as centre forwards. A central midfield over-run when reduced to a pairing found its lungs as a triumvirate.

Control is key in the top-end clashes and this proved much harder to attain in the previous guise. With Hargreaves set to return in the coming days, United will now be able to punch their weight in the midfield battleground.

Fletcher earns his stripes

Braveheart | Fletcher is United's talisman

As the old guard makes way for the new, Darren Fletcher’s position as the standard bearer should be rewarded with the captain’s armband.

The Scot fought for every inch of the Stamford Bridge turf and deserved recognition as the man of the match honours were handed out. Such a performance didn’t deserve to end in defeat and he almost dragged his team-mates along with him to claim a share of the spoils.

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney have long been considered as the heirs to Gary Neville’s throne, but United’s miracle man's transformation from pariah to platoon leader has seen him move to the front of the line.

Nani Ober-taken

In little over 30 minutes of football, Gabriel Obertan has exhibited he has the credentials to overtake Nani in the fight for the left-wing spot.

The former Bordeaux man excelled again in his cameo performance yesterday, adding flair and a final ball to the United push for parity. An understanding has already been formed with countryman Patrice Evra, and this pair has added another weapon to Ferguson’s armoury.

Nani’s infuriatingly inconsistent output stands as a stark contrast. It’s still early days, but the successor for Ryan Giggs could finally have been found.

Evans in ascendancy

Proven performer | Evans is ready to face the best

Karate kick aside, Jonny Evans didn’t put a foot wrong against Chelsea. Any doubts existing after a shaky performance against CSKA Moscow were answered in emphatic fashion.

The Blues’ deadly duo of Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba held no fear for him as he defiantly kept out the home side for 76 minutes.

Centre-backs are a combative bunch and Evans’ boldness as the game drifted away fired up his team-mates and supporters. With Ferdinand caught in a spiral of never-ending injuries, the Ulsterman proved he is the man to step in to the fray.

Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK

Ferguson to escape action for ref comments

2009-11-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Fergusonwill not face any action from the Football Association for comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson following his side's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Ferguson condemned the decision to award the free-kick that led to the goal as "absolutely ridiculous'' and said he is losing his faith in refereeing.

It is understood however the FA are not planning to take any action against the United manager as he did not question the referee's integrity or claim there was any bias.

Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard's delivery was turned into the net by John Terry.

Ferguson said afterwards: "Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball - Ashley Cole's never touched and has jumped up in the air - and then [Didier] Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous - he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player [Joe Cole] standing right in front of him - and he doesn't even move.

"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there - it was a bad one.''

Atkinson has suffered criticism from Ferguson before; the United boss branded him a "disgrace" after he awarded Portsmouth a penalty that proved to be their winner in United's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford in March 2008.

Sir Alex also declared after that game that Atkinson's performance "should not be accepted in our game" and then rounded on referees' chief Keith Hackett for "not doing his job properly".

Ferguson was charged with improper conduct but was cleared after the FA decided they could not appeal against the independent Regulatory Commission, which found that the charges levelled against him could not be proven.

Ryan Giggs Is The Best Premier League Player Ever - Manchester United Boss Alex Ferguson

2009-10-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

The evergreen Welshman's achievements have put him at No.1, argues Fergie…

Manchester United manager Alex ferguson believes Ryan Giggs is the best player in Premier League history. The 36-year-old Welshman continues to play an influential role for the Red Devils this season, despite his advanced years.

"We have had a lot of top-class players in this league – and some have probably made more of an impact than Ryan – but nobody can boast the same sort of longevity and consistency," Ferguson said, according to Press Association.

"He was there when the league started and he is still there now. I think you would have to say Ryan is the best."

And it is the Welshman's versatility and professionalism that particularly impress his manager.

"We have played him out wide in a few games recently because he is fresh at the moment," Ferguson added.

"It's the beginning of the season so he has got plenty of running in him and he can do a lot of damage in the wide position.

"But I think you will find as the season progresses he will move back into the middle of the park where he can dictate the games."

Better late than never

2009-10-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

Do you know any United fans who persist in leaving games at Old Trafford early? Surely by now they would have learnt their lesson.

Yes, an early dart has its advantages. You can avoid the bad traffic that’s inevitable when 75,000 people all leave at once. And the tram is nowhere near as crowded. But early leavers this season would have missed the incredible drama at the end of the Manchester derby and another chunk of heart-stopping action against Sunderland on Saturday.

One of Sir Alex’s great legacies at United will be late goals. Somehow, he infuses into his players a determination to keep going – a refusal to accept defeat. Let’s be honest though, United were poor by their very high standards on Saturday. Have you ever seen so many passes go astray? There was no fluency or thrust about United’s play. And yet, despite all those deficiencies on the day, United still emerged with a point from a game they probably should have lost. It’s not just luck – it happens far too often for that.

Steve Bruce knows that all too well. His two late headers against Sheffield Wednesday in ‘93 probably began the legend of late goals at Old Trafford. In the tunnel after the game on Saturday, Brucie looked dejected. Before the game he would have gladly accepted a point. But he left his old stomping ground unhappy at not getting all three and finally getting one over on his old boss.

Perhaps timekeeping duties should be taken away from referees. They’ve already got enough on their plates. On Saturday, a minimum of four minutes were added on at the end. During those four minutes United scored a goal so surely at least another 30 seconds or so should be added on. How much additional time did Mr Wiley allow for the United equaliser? 2 seconds. How on earth did he work that out?

Sir Alex admires Rooney's drive

2009-09-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is driven to score goals regardless of trying to fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The boss tells the new issue of Inside United: “I don’t think he looks at it that way (replacing Ronaldo's goals). Wayne always wants to do well and play well.

“The boy’s got a real hunger and drive. He has so much energy that sometimes he overdoes it in the sense that he wants to use it all; he’ll drop into midfield or go outside left. But he’s young, and young players sometimes want to spend all their energy on the pitch.

"If he concentrates like he did (in the match) at Wigan and spends more time in the central areas rather than the wide positions then he will get goals. There’s no doubt about that.”

Sir Alex picks out a volley against Newcastle in April 2005 at Old Trafford as his favourite Rooney goal so far, now that the striker has scored more than 100 for the Reds.

“His volley against Newcastle takes some beating," says Sir Alex. "It came totally out of the blue. He should have had a foul a minute before and the referee didn’t give it, so the anger in him was so high that he tried to burst the ball!”

Although Rooney has notched his first century for the Reds, Sir Alex is not sure he will overtake Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record.

“It’ll be very tough. Sir Bobby’s record is 249, so at this stage of Wayne’s career he’ll have to do very well to get anywhere near it.”

Gill feels insulted by Le Havre's Pogba slur

2009-09-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has criticised Le Havre for their public condemnation of his club's transfer tactics over the signing of teenage star Paul Pogba.

Gill said that the Premier League champions will not allow themselves to be insulted by the Ligue 2 club over claims which he insists are completely unfounded and false.

"It's not intimidation but they can't insult us," Gill said at a meeting of the European Clubs Association. "We are not intimidating Le Havre, we have no intention of intimidating Le Havre, they can take whatever action they fell appropriate.

"We have done everything by the book, we are confident in that, they can take whatever action, we won't be insulted by Le Havre.

"It's an insult by Le Havre to suggest that Manchester United and employees of Manchester United have paid the parents and bought the player's parents a house.

"We will not accept the good name of Manchester United being trawled around Websites and the press saying we have done these things we are not allowed to do.

"If they want to take action, they can take action, we will defend our case in the football bodies, we are very comfortable about doing that."

Le Havre this week claimed United had offered the player's parents a number of inducements to get the player to sign for them. And United hit back by threatening legal action of their own should they continue to make such claims.

"Manchester United has written to Le Havre to put it on notice that action will be taken if such allegations are repeated in relation to the transfer of Paul Pogba," United said in a statement.

Reds suffer Nani blow

2009-08-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Nani may miss the start of the Barclays Premier League campaign after sustaining a shoulder injury in United's Community Shield defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

The winger, who scored and impressed on the left wing, was forced off in the second half after landing awkwardly following a tackle from John Terry. The Portuguese will have a scan on Monday morning to discover the full extent of the injury.

It comes at the most inconvenient time for Nani, who had hoped to cement his position as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's position as winger-in-chief at Old Trafford.

He'd made a good start in putting in his application with a stunning long-range goal after ten minutes of the entertaining Community Shield clash on Sunday.

Nani is added to an injury list that also includes Nemanja Vidic (calf), Wes Brown (thigh), Edwin van der Sar (hand) and Gary Neville (groin) ahead of the new league season.

Carlo Ancelotti Acknowledges Manchester United's Threat To Chelsea

2009-08-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

They may have beaten them to win the Community Shield, but the Blues boss remains convinced that the Red Devils will be his side's main rivals this season.

Chelsea beat Manchester United on penalties at Wembley today after a 2-2 draw in the Community Shield, giving them an early boost as they look to reclaim the title from the Old Trafford giants.

However, Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti is attaching little significance to today's result, and thinks that Sir Alex Ferguson's men will still prove to be his side's main rivals over the course of the coming campaign.

"Manchester (United) will be the most important opponent in the Premiership because they are a great team and have great experience," Ancelotti told The Guardian.

The Italian does feel that his side can improve further, but was impressed with plenty that he saw from his players in today's Wembley outing.

"Naturally, we still have to improve because we've changed a little bit the play of the team," he added.

"But I like the players' mental attitude and the organisation of the club, and I think we are ready to start a very important season for us."

Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United (4-1 pens)

2009-08-09T21:55:00.001-07:00

The Blues denied United a third successive Community Shield, with yet another being decided on penalties. Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad rates the players.

CHELSEA

Petr Cech - 7 - Guilty of poor positioning and letting Nani's good shot look a little too great as United took the lead, but made three good saves from Park, Berbatov and particularly Fletcher thereafter, to keep Chelsea in the game.

Branislav Ivanovic - 5- Was run ragged, particularly in the early stages, by a combination of Nani, Evra and even Rooney. Certainly had his work cut out, and when the ball broke for him at the other end from a corner, he couldn't quite get past the man on the line.

Ricardo Carvalho - 8 - Was a solid, if not occasionally cynical figure, at the back and was in the right place at the right time with a cool head - in every sense of the word - to draw Chelsea level just when they needed it.

John Terry - 7 - Made a series of strong last-ditch challenges and looked a man fully focused on the season ahead, with the weeks of Manchester City transfer speculation firmly behind him.

Ashley Cole - 6 - Wasn't always at his best with the ball at his feet going forward, but manned his flank well enough to avoid United getting too much joy.

Jon Obi Mikel - 5 - Overrun from early on, struggled to contain United's fast-moving forward runners. As time went on, he got better adjusted to getting his foot on the ball and easing the pressure on Chelsea, but he's not quite looking like Makelele just yet.

Michael Essien - 7 - Energetic as ever and looked to be first to every ball. As the game progressed, he certainly played a vital part in closing down United's passing game and ensuring Chelsea were the stronger side in the second half.

Florent Malouda - 6 - Had a big miss on the volley and was otherwise tidy, without being particularly impressive in possession. Never really able to penetrate the United defense either on a run or with a cross.

Frank Lampard - 7 - Shadowed by Fletcher in the early stages but grew into the game in the second period, kept his head to score the goal that put Chelsea in front and also scored in the penalty shootout, albeit not with one of his best efforts.

Nicolas Anelka - 7 - Showed good movement and energy, not to mention a willingness to shoot and shoot well. Perhaps deserved more for his efforts.

Didier Drogba - 6 - Was his usual physical presence up front and showed glimpses of his powerful shooting ability and clattered into Ben Foster which led to Chelsea's first. Good penalty as well - and the cliched question is: would he have done the same in Moscow?

Substitutes

Jose Bosingwa - 7 - Showed in the second half why he is a better right-back than Ivanovic. His pace and more natural positional sense made him a lot more difficult to beat.

Michael Ballack - 6 - Didn't do a whole lot after coming on, other than cause controversy. First for going to ground a little too easily and winning a foul, then for bodychecking Patrice Evra and not being disciplined for his trouble, as Chelsea went down the other end and scored. Put away his penalty, of course.

Deco - n/a.

Salomon Kalou - 7 - Didn't do a lot in open play, but scored the winning penalty in sensational style.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ben Foster - 5 - Shaky all round. Perhaps could have claimed under threat from Drogba and almost certainly should have done better to prevent Lampard putting Chelsea in the lead.

John O'Shea - 7 - Showed good touch early on and confidence up and down his flank.

Jonny Evans - 7 - Looks like carrying on his impressive form from last season into this one. Very solid and dealt with the threat of Drogba quite well.

Rio Ferdinand - 7 - A bit off the pace, but didn't let it show too often in what was generally a comfortable performance.

Patrice Evra - 7 - The center of attention. He was outstanding for the majority of the game, and was controversially fouled after which he was down and out and Chelsea went on to score. Played an eventual part in United losing the encounter with his penalty in the shootout, which made Gareth Southgate's look like vintage Zidane.

Ji-sung Park - 5 - Quite simply lacked finesse when it mattered. He missed a chance under difficult circumstances early on, but from then on, as United played their deft touches going forward, far too many of his were misplaced.

Michael Carrick - 6 - Not bad, but not good enough. There will be a vast amount of onus placed on Carrick's shoulder's to be United's heartbeat from center midfield all season, and while he enjoyed a fruitful and fairly carefree opening 25 minutes, when Chelsea began to squeeze, he struggled to make an impact.

Darren Fletcher - 7 - Tracked Lampard well early on and had a good shot of his own when at his most confident. A solid outing.

Nani - 7 - Certainly did his best Cristiano Ronaldo impression on the afternoon, full of running, skill, goal-threat and, for good measure, a sweetly struck opening goal from outside the area. He did, though, let Carvalho go to head home the equalizer.

Dimitar Berbatov - 7 - Showed great touch and more work rate than he is often credited with, but never quite hit top gear or got into the box to really make his classy touches count in front of goal.

Wayne Rooney - 8 - Already looks a little more like the Rooney of which every England fan has been dreaming. A relentless forward free role, always classy in possession and perhaps his only flaw was a lack of a consistent goal threat. Just to prove a point, then, he showed quite incredible composure to latch onto a Giggs throughball and stick a left-footed effort past Petr Cech at the death to take the game to penalties.

Substitutes

Luis Antonio Valencia - 6 - The new signing looked short of pace and ideas. Certainly had the work rate to put in a solid shift down the right flank, but not a lot more beyond that.

Ryan Giggs - 7 - Played a delightful through ball for Rooney, from which he equalized, but disappointed with an abysmal penalty at the beginning of the shootout.

Michael Owen - 6 - Certainly eager - maybe a little too eager - to prove himself in his first competitive game for United. A couple of inches away from potentially heading home from a Giggs set-piece, though.

Paul Scholes - 6 - Some good distribution, as always, in his brief cameo.

Fabio da Silva - 7 - Looked full of running and smart in possession, though not overly involved during his short appearance.

Chelsea 2 United 2 (4-1 on pens)

2009-08-09T21:47:00.001-07:00

The Community Shield was prised from United’s grasp in an enthralling clash at Wembley, a game that required a penalty shoot-out to separate two evenly-matched sides. Despite this defeat, 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time, the Reds' performance provides plenty of promise for the season ahead.

Nani had given United the lead with a long-range effort after just ten minutes, then Ricardo Carvalho equalised shortly after half-time. But in a competition that used to be called the Charity Shield, there was little charity in Chelsea’s second. As Patrice Evra lay prostrate on the ground after a bad Michael Ballack challenge, referee Chris Foy neglected to stop play and Frank Lampard scored what everyone thought was the winner. That was until substitute Ryan Giggs picked out Wayne Rooney’s run, and the Reds forward expertly finished to send the tie to the lottery of spot-kicks.

New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti experienced his first match at Wembley and in English football, but he has plenty of recent practice in facing Sir Alex Ferguson. In four Champions League games with AC Milan - Ancelotti’s last club - the Italian won three, twice knocking United out of the competition.

However, in 2004/05 the Reds were mid-transition, while 2006/07 was perhaps the final phase in the Reds’ European education. In many ways this was a different United to the one Ancelotti faced back then. With significant differences even from last year, this would undoubtedly be the first major test of how the champions can cope without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. The signs are promising.

As expected, Rooney played further forward and right down the middle, with Dimitar Berbatov starting just behind his strike partner. Elsewhere, Jonny Evans deputised for the injured NemanjaVidic while Ben Foster was favoured over Tomasz Kuszczak in place of the also sidelined Edwin van der Sar.

Foster is a bright, young hope (young in goalkeeper terms, at least) and he was immediately called to showcase his talents after two minutes, as Didier Drogba’s long-range effort was well-held by the England shot-stopper. Chelsea went even closer when, from a corner after six minutes, Branislav Ivanovic’s poked shot forced Evra to head the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger.

But it was United who broke the deadlock after ten minutes of this high-tempo contest. Nani received Fletcher’s raking pass out on the left wing, and Evra’s overlapping run created space for the Portuguese winger, who cut inside and let fly with a fierce low drive that nestled into the far corner of the net. Cristiano who? Not quite. But it was certainly a fine start in the season curtain-raiser for Nani, and for United.

The Reds were clearly in the ascendancy and Park almost made it two on 16 minutes when Berbatov’s deep cross was headed back across goal by Rooney, but unfortunately the Korean couldn’t get enough on his hooked volley. Two minutes later, Berbatov’s one-two with Park unlocked Chelsea's defence, but the Bulgarian striker's dinked finish was well stopped by Petr Cech. United continued to threaten – as did Chelsea, although more intermittently so – and the nearest either side came to the game’s second goal in the rest of a highly-entertaining first half was Fletcher’s turn and curling shot, acrobatically tipped over by Cech two minutes before the break.

The second half didn’t start at the same breakneck speed as the first, and it was Chelsea who looked sharpest. Indeed, they got an equaliser seven minutes after the restart. Play pin-balled around in the area and United couldn’t clear it,and when Foster’s attempted punch lost its power due to a collision with Drogba, Carvalho dived in and headed home. And the Reds were dealt another blow when the impressive Nani was forced off, arm in a makeshift sling made from his shirt, after a tumble following a tackle from John Terry. He was replaced by Antonio Valencia, making his first competitive appearance for the Reds.

Things got worse when Chelsea took the lead in the 70th minute in controversial circumstances. Ballack clearly blocked Evra’s run, putting his arm to the Frenchman’s face. Referee Chris Foy played advantage, but when United lost the ball he failed to stop play for a head injury. Chelsea, perhaps unsportingly, carried on with three forwards against two Reds defenders, the move ending with Lampard’s shot going in via Foster’s hand and a post. Ballack wasn't even booked after the event. Sir Alex responded with four substitutions. Park, Berbatov, Fletcher and O’Shea were replaced by Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes and Fabio.

United still rightfully felt aggrieved, particularly Evra, who earned a yellow card for a strong challenge on Ballack, one in which he got the ball, but that reeked of revenge. There looked as though there'd be no revenge in play as the match entered a third minute of added time, but then came Rooney’s intervention to take the tie to the lottery of penalties.

Lampard, Ballack, Drogba and Kalou all scored a spot-kick for Chelsea, while only Carrick did so for United with Giggs and Evra both unable to beat Petr Cech with tame efforts. And so the Blues won 4-1 from 12 yards, avenging their 2007 defeat in this competition, although not their loss in Moscow just over a year ago.

Defeat, as always, brings disappointment, but the Reds can certainly be heartened by the overall display.

Community Shield: The Season Starts Here

2009-08-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

As we segue from pre-season to new season, Manchester United and Chelsea begin as they mean to end: competing for silverware.

Previously...

Chelsea pick up where they left off last season: on a high note at Wembley, where they beat Everton to lift the FA Cup and collected their first trophy since 2007. On the other hand, Manchester United's season ended in misery, as Barcelona knocked them off their European plinth by winning the Champions League final. Before that, however, it was business as usual, including the FIFA Club World Cup, Carling Cup and a Liverpool-equaling 18th league title.

The Community Shield is more often than not a cagey affair, but there just might be a bit more needle and an early power struggle this time around.

Blues' Clues

The punters are going mental for Chelsea in the lead-up to the new season, forking over their paper money to bookmakers all over the country and fully expecting to see a big return on their investment come the end of the new Premier League season.

The reasons for this are simple: Chelsea have managed to come out of a period of turmoil with a solid, well-balanced squad. They have match-winners and are full of belief, after enjoying a resurgence under last season's temporary gaffer Guus Hiddink. Now, still hungry after several high-profile 'close but no cigar' tournament conclusions, they've appointed a born winner in Carlo Ancelotti.

Add to this promising situation the fact that their rivals have taken something of a beating during this ultimate transfer market silly season, and you can see why the 'smart money' is on the Blues.

United They Stand

Manchester United certainly know how to put that Shield in the cabinet; for the last two seasons, the curtain raiser has kick-started what would become successful seasons. In 2007, the Red Devils beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw, before doing the same to Portsmouth last term, after a goal-less stalemate.

Going back in time to assess United's record in the show-piece, we can see that they've gone through spells of negotiating the game with ease, followed by droughts. For example, they won it four times between 1993 and '97 but lost four on the trot from '98 to 2001. Still, they have the last two years on their side.

Now, they come into the new season without their free-scoring centerpiece Cristiano Ronaldo, who finally made his long-touted move to Real Madrid for mega money, and they are also without that little Argentine battler Carlos Tevez. The game against Chelsea is United's first chance to show that, with the rest of their squad in tact and a few modest signings added, they're still able to set the standard for the rest of the 'Big Four' to aim for.

FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

18 July: Seattle Sounders W2-0 (Friendly)
22 July: Inter W2-0 (Friendly)
25 July: Milan W2-1 (Friendly)
27 July: Club America W2-0 (Friendly)01 Aug: Reading D2-2 (Friendly)

Manchester United

18 July: Malaysian XI W3-2 (Friendly)
20 July: Malaysian XI W2-0 (Friendly)
24 July: FC Seoul W3-2 (Friendly)
26 July: Hangzhou Greentown W8-2 (Friendly)
29 July: Boca Juniors W2-1 (Audi Cup)
30 July: Bayern Munich L0-0 (pens) (Audi Cup)
05 Aug: Valencia W2-0 (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Ancelotti's squad is still far from 100% fit, with Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira crocked and new signing Yuri Zhirkov doubtful. Michael Ballack has also been struggling but could recover in time. Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge could play their first competitive games for the Blues.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Cech; Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, A.Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka, Drogba.

Manchester United

Ferguson is not without his pre-game headaches either. Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville are all out of action, meaning that Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak will start between the sticks.

Newcomers Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia are poised to make their official debuts.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Foster; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea will likely look to Didier Drogba, who loves doing the business at Wembley, to spearhead their front-line. The Ivorian will relish being bereft of injury woes at this stage of the summer and will look to start strongly. That's not to say that most eyes won't be on skipper John Terry, who rebuffed Man City to stay at Stamford Bridge, after a brief flirtation with the moneybags club.

Manchester United, meanwhile, will hope that Wayne Rooney can make a similar impact. 'CR7' has morphed into 'CR9' and has relocated to Madrid, and many feel that this season could be the making of Rooney. He's set to be the attacking focal point; he's likely to play more centrally; he has a World Cup to start thinking about. Can he live up to the expectations?

PREDICTION

With six substitutions available to both gaffers, this one could be stop-start. In recent times these have been tight affairs, so I'll plump for Chelsea to exact some minor revenge for their penalty shoot-out loss to United in the 2007-08 Champions League final.

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Ferguson insists Rooney will fill Ronaldo's boots

2009-08-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson will hand Wayne Rooney a centre forward role this season after backing him to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of Manchester United's goalscoring charts.

Rooney has been deployed in a variety of roles in recent years, with the England international often shifted out wide or into a deeper position.

But with Ronaldo having moved to Real Madrid, Ferguson needs to find another regular source of goals and he believes Rooney will relish the challenge.

The United boss said: "I don't think the responsibility of getting more goals will affect Wayne at all.

"He's got the mental strength for all that kind of thing. He's proved that time and time again.

"He will be used as a central striker this season. He goes on these bursts of goals.

"Last season I think he hit seven in a row at one point - but if he can do that more consistently over the season, he will get to 25 and above.

"But Wayne is a totally different type of player to Ronaldo.

"I don't think you can compare them, they are such different types."

Ferguson Braces Fans For Man United's 'New Berbatov'

2009-08-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex has warned other teams about his new and improved Bulgarian hitman.

As Sir Alex Ferguson begins to embrace the prospect of winning a very unique fourth Premier League title in a row, the boss has claimed that the public should ready themselves for a more confident Dimitar Berbatov.

Having shrewdly snapped up Michael Owen on a free transfer during the summer window, Fergie faces the task of picking a striking pair out of a possible three: Berbatov, Owen and, of course, Wayne Rooney.

With Rooney being continually tipped as the gaffer's top pick and Owen playing exceedingly well during United's pre-season friendlies, Sir Alex is aware that he must be careful with his squad rotation so as to get the best out of Berbatov, who has been struggling for confidence since his move to the club from Tottenham Hotspur last year.

"I've never met a player who has not been affected by a lack of confidence at times, even Eric Cantona," The Daily Mail quote Ferguson as saying.

"Strikers are the worst. They feel that only scoring goals counts for them because that is what they are judged on.

"But we were a bit unfair to [Berbatov] last season because we asked him to play too deep. We thought that suited him because of how he played at Spurs, but we were wrong.

"We realize now he is at his best in the final third of the pitch, where he's a real threat. We know how to use him this season and he won't change from that.

Report: Hargreaves In Munich To Save Manchester United Career

2009-08-09T05:44:00.001-07:00

The midfield crock is back in Germany as he attempts to find a cure for his crippling injury problems.

Owen Hargreaves is undergoing specialist treatment in Munich as doubt grows over his long-term future at Manchester United, the News of the World claims.

It was reported recently that the England midfielder had flown to the United States to recuperate under the guidance of Dr. Richard Steadman, the world-renowned knee surgeon.

Hargreaves has been out of action since going under the knife for a tendinitis problem last year, an operation that was later followed up by a similar prodecure on his other knee.

Sir Alex Ferguson had said that the player could return this September at a "conservative estimate", but it now looks likely that the Canadian-born star will remained sidelined until
Christmas.

In Germany, Hargreaves has sought the advice of Dr. Hans Muller-Wolfahrt, who has ruled out the possibility of the former Bayern Munich man returning to the field this year.

Interestingly, it is claimed that the nature of the 28-year-old's injury is almost identical to that of Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis champion, as both athletes put extra strain on their knees by moving in short sprints from stationary positions.

There is real concern now that Hargreaves may never recover fully and will be forced into an early retirement. Although Ferguson has declared that he will be patient, many believe that one more setback will spell the end of the player's stay at Old Trafford.

John Terry : Its time for blues.....

2009-08-09T05:13:00.001-07:00

'JT' can't stand seeing the Red Devils rake in the honours while the Blues go without.

As Chelsea and Manchester United prepare to square off in the 2009 Community Shield, there is one man who would love nothing better than to get one over Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

"I'm fed up with seeing United win trophies," said John Terry, according to the News of the World.

"It's killed me personally as I'm ambitious. I want to push on as a player and win so many more things for Chelsea."

With the men from Old Trafford edging Liverpool last season to claim their third straight Premier League crown, the Blues of west London are yet to add to their tally since winning back-to-back titles under Jose Mourinho.

And although he is eager to make amends for his infamous slip in Moscow in May 2008, Terry stressed that bringing domestic success back to Stamford Bridge was top priority.

He said, "I want to win the Champions League. I swear to God, I'm desperate to win it. But I'm desperate to get the title back. Going three years without the Prem isn't where we want to be."

Having resisted the advances of Manchester City this summer, Terry will lead Chelsea out on Sunday afternoon as the FA Cup winners take on the league champions at Wembley.

And while he knows that the traditional curtain-raiser is not exactly a win-at-all-costs affair, the England captain is nevertheless hoping to kick off the season with a big win.

He added, "We've got the Community Shield, which will be great to win. OK, it's not the be all and end all, but it would be so nice to beat Manchester United."

Mourinho eyes up United job when Sir Alex quits

2009-07-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

Jose Mourinho has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he finally leaves Old Trafford.

The Inter Milan boss says he would jump at the chance to fill the Red Devils' hot seat when 67-year-old Ferguson calls time on his glittering managerial career.

After 23 years at United, Ferguson shows no signs of slowing down, but Mourinho says he would love the chance to continue his love affair with English football, if United chief executive David Gill and the board decided he was the right man to take over.

"I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson,'' he told the Daily Mirror. "If they do, then of course.

"I like England, where the fans are very passionate and make the game a beautiful occasion with such an incredible atmosphere.''

The Portuguese coach isn't lacking in confidence and believes he has the right credentials to take one of the most high-profile jobs in world football.

And he took the opportunity to point to his success with Inter Milan, who retained their Serie A title this year, as a contrast to Chelsea's failure to recapture the Premier League title since his departure in 2007.

"I had many conversations before Chelsea and I decided on a divorce,'' he said. "It was difficult for me because we loved each other but the relationship went in one direction and it was best for everyone.

"Since I left I became champion again but they have not been champions again. I keep on winning and they don't.''

Valencia to face Boca

2009-07-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex isn’t in the habit of announcing his team too far in advance, but the United boss has confirmed Antonio Valencia will start against Boca Juniors in Munich on Wednesday.

The Ecuadorian winger will pull on a Reds shirt for the first time when United kick off the two-day Audi Cup competition against the Argentinean giants.

“Valencia didn’t join us in the Far East because he was behind the rest of the squad in terms of his fitness,” Sir Alex said.

“He’s been back at Carrington doing his endurance and speed work, catching up with everyone else.”

And although it’s unrealistic to expect Valencia to step straight into Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes, the United manager is confident he’s found a player who will go from strength to strength.

“We lost Ronaldo in the summer and he’s someone who gave us 26 goals last season. It’s going to be hard to replace him and we hope we can find an answer to that.

“We’ve signed Valencia, who has a lot of potential – he’s young, very athletic and possesses good power. At 23 years of age I think he can develop at our club.”

Anderson: Manchester United Want To Get Owen Back To His Best

2009-07-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Michael Owen is the "pride of the country", according to stocky midfielder Anderson.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson advocates the free acquisition of diminutive goal poacher Michael Owen, and today declared that one of the club's primary intentions is to ensure the former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker returns to his exemplary best.

The burgeoning Brazilian explained to the club's official website, “I am certain that he will help us a lot. He is a player who has played a big part in the history of English football.

“I hope he has more success in Manchester and helps us repeat the excellent season that we had last year.

“Owen is more than just an athlete, he is the pride of the country. Our intention at United is to help him get back to his best.

“We want to have the player who enchanted the world at the beginning of his career.”

It is believed that Owen has taken a drastic pay-cut in order to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson, but partnering Wayne Rooney in attack could help the ageing forward play his way into contention for Fabio Capello's next England squad. The Italian manager has always maintained that the door is open for an Owen return.

Michael Owen Eyes England Role

2009-07-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

The new Manchester United striker has a 'burning desire' to get back onto the international bandwagon...

Michael Owen believes his move to Manchester United could re-ignite his international career under England manager Fabio Capello.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has been starved of opportunities to represent his country, as his injuries have largely coincided with the Italian's reign.

But Owen, who signed for The Red Devils on a free transfer on Friday after his contract at Newcastle United expired, is eager to break back into the international fold with his new club.

"Obviously, if I am fit and playing well, then I have got a better chance of getting back into the England squad and I am sure my team-mates, with their quality, will help me to do that," he told Sky Sports News.

"If I play well, then I'd like to think I can force my way back in. There are internationals coming up and I'd be a fool to say I wouldn't want to be a part of it.

"I think I have 89 caps for England and it would be great to add to that. There is a burning desire to do well for whatever team I play for."

Owen is one of the top goalscorers in England international history, scoring 40 goals in 89 games for his country.

Owen Will Be Better Than Tevez For Manchester United – Glenn Hoddle

2009-07-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Michael Owen will bag more goals for the champions than Tevez ever did, claims the former Tottenham midfielder...

Former England manager Glen Hoddle has insisted that Michael Owen will be a better attacking option than Carlos Tevez for Manchester United.

Owen went from Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Friday in a move that has taken the football world by surprise.

However, Hoddle insisted the transfer would suit Owen perfectly and he tipped the striker to thrive at his new club.

“The way United play will suit Michael down to the ground,” Hoddle told the Sunday Mirror.

“Possession football and a lot of chances. It couldn't be better for him.

“At United, he won't be the focal point of the team. He will have the likes of Rooney, Berbatov and Valencia around him. They are match-winners as well. He will thrive at United.”

Hoddle also insisted that Owen would outscore Tevez, who rejected the chance to stay on at the club and now looks set to move to Manchester City instead.

“It is a superb bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson. I'm convinced it could be the shrewdest signing of the summer,” he added.

“If Michael can stay relatively fit and be involved in 30 or so games, he can be better for United in front of goal than Tevez.”

I Knew I Would Sign For Manchester United Last Year – Antonio Valencia

2009-07-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Manchester United’s new signing Antonio Valencia has revealed that he has known for some time that he would be moving to Old Trafford.

The winger swapped Wigan Athletic for the English champions last month but, according to skysports.com, he admitted to Ecuardorian television that he had spoken to manager Sir Alex Ferguson about a deal as long ago as last December.

“I knew last December I would be going to United,” the 23-year-old reportedly revealed.

“I had a conversation with Alex Ferguson and he told me once the season was over, he wanted to have me in his squad - I felt honoured.

“What he said was as good as having signed a contract - he does what he says.”

Indeed, United had long been linked with a move for the Wigan man and subsequently paid the Latics £16 million to secure his services.

Valencia has signed a four-year deal at the club and will be joined by fellow new signing Michael Owen, who completed his shock move on Friday.

English Angle: He's No Ronaldo, But Valencia Can Make It At Manchester United

2009-07-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

He'll never win the Ballon d'Or, but that's not to say United won't keep winning the titles, writes Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad.

There's only one Ronaldo, and it's not the Portuguese winker, but what even his most vitriolic detractors must surely recognise is his outstanding individual ability cannot be replicated or replaced by another player on the planet.

Leo Messi may even be superior, but doesn't offer as many options as a forward and, as an adopted Catalan, is one of the few players that can still be considered truly untransferable in world football.

Who else can wreak so much havoc from either wing? Maybe Franck Ribery, but he is nowhere near the same goal-threat.

Who else can combine the pace, power, skill and goals? Kaka, yes, but he is not so effective from wide areas, nor is he on the market, having also found his way to the Bernabeu, alongside CR7 (or CR9, as it is speculated he will soon be known).

Sir Alex Ferguson, blanking one and all streams of speculation from the mass media, has not even considered 'replacing' Cristiano Ronaldo. Even names as big as Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, though they may have ended up taking the No. 7 shirt, wouldn't have taken CR7's place.

It seems Fergie is adopting a much more low-key route towards rebuilding for life after Ronaldo. Luis Antonio Valencia was confirmed as the first signing of the summer just yesterday, for a rumoured £16m from Wigan Athletic.

This is on a par with Tottenham signing Wilson Palacios - also from Wigan - for £14m in January, a transfer universally criticised but ultimately vindicated, as the Honduras international hit the ground running at White Hart Lane and added an invaluable dimension to the Lilywhites' midfield.

The same can be expected of Valencia. Sir Alex appears to now be favouring the blueprint of his 1999 treble-winners. That was a team - despite the inclusion of Ronaldo's No. 7 predecessor, David Beckham - that was full of hard-workers and level heads. For all of Beckham's fame, he rarely made a scene with a strop quite like Ronaldo.

Valencia can slot in on one wing and develop into a top class player, but never will he be made a star. Like Carrick, like Anderson, even like Berbatov, he will be subject to squad rotation whenever Sir Alex sees fit, and serve as just one of many weapons in United's armoury. Their only guaranteed starter up front is Wayne Rooney, and even he can end up playing anywhere from centre-forward to either wing, whether he likes it or not.

You can guarantee that Fergie will have not once told Valencia he is Ronaldo's replacement. At least one more player will be signed by the Red Devils this summer as they seek to further substitute for the loss of their star man. Karim Benzema looks to have slipped through their fingers, as Real Madrid moved for the French prodigy after Valencia (that's the club, this time) refused to sell David Villa.

Next on Ferguson's list, if you believe what you read, is Sergio Aguero. Certainly, United could do a lot worse, and El Kun would certainly make a worthy heir to the No. 7. Then again, the least glamorous option, still rumoured to be under consideration at Old Trafford, is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

We can't quite even rule out the possibility of Ribery making the move to Old Trafford, although he, like Benzema, has a preference for the Spanish capital, if he is to be released from the clutches of the incredibly bullish Bayern hierarchy.

Whatever happens, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo will not be a simple, like-for-like swapping exercise. Valencia may not quite be in 'youngster' territory any more, but as he is approaching 24 years of age, still has several years ahead of him in which to improve, given the right coaching and the right team-mates. He couldn't ask for much better than Man United, and despite his relatively low profile, the test of time may reveal that United would have struggled to do too much better than Valencia.

After all, this is just the beginning...

Goal.com's Top 10 English Players: Bobby Charlton (1)

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

We've reached the pinnacle of Goal.com's top 50 countdown of the greatest English players, and the man at number one eptomises both his club and his country: Sir Bobby Charlton.

Robert "Bobby" CHARLTON

Born: 11 October 1937, Ashington, Northumberland

England: 106 caps, 49 goals

Clubs: Manchester United, Preston North End, Waterford United

No-one symbolises English football - or a nation's sporting aspirations and achievements - more than Bobby Charlton. During the 1960s he was the most famous - and popular - Englishman in the world, a byword for sportsmanship and fair play, whose fame and universal esteem were based upon the twin virtues of phenomenal footballing ability and a quintessentially Corinthian spirit.

He was, and remains, English football's ultimate ambassador, with an unsurpassed record of achievement in the game.

That record is impressive enough: Charlton won three Football League championships, the FA Cup, European Cup and World Cup; was Footballer of the Year in both England and Europe; and scored more goals for Manchester United and England than any other player. But it is also the context of his career that made it so unique, poignant and globally admired.

For Charlton was shaped and forever affected by the Munich disaster that decimated an outstandingly vibrant team in which he was a rising star of huge promise. Surviving that horror, he was thereafter burdened with the awful question, 'why me?' - while at the same time becoming the focus of his mentor Matt Busby's determination to rebuild a team that would honour the memory of those who had perished. That he met the challenge with such style and success is why Bobby Charlton is number one among Goal.com’s greatest English players of all time.

Busby said of Charlton, "There has never been a more popular footballer. He was as near perfection as man and player as it is possible to be." Sir Alf Ramsey, England's manager when they became world champions, put it more prosaically, "He was one of the greatest players I have seen, very much the linchpin of the 1966 team. Early in my management I knew I had to find a role suitable to Bobby's unique talents. He wasn't just a great goalscorer, with a blistering shot using either foot. Bobby was a player who could also do his share of hard work."

Charlton was born to play football. It was, quite literally, in his blood. His mother Cissie was one of the Milburns, a footballing clan from the Northumberland mining community. Charlton's grandfather and four of his uncles were professional players, one of them 'Wor' Jackie Milburn, the legendary Newcastle United centre-forward who is deified on Tyneside. Cissie herself was passionate about the game and coached it to children. So it was inevitable that her own sons Bobby and Jack - who forged an illustrious playing career with Leeds United and England - would be footballers.

Bobby grew up supporting Newcastle but was mesmerised by the wizardry of Stanley Matthews, from whom he noted the importance of balance, the timing of runs, and speed over the first 10 yards. He represented England Schools and his potential soon attracted a host of scouts from leading clubs to the Charlton's Ashington home.

He opted to join Manchester United, becoming a 'Busby Babe' as the former Scotland wing-half implemented his vision of a successful club built upon a productive youth system and European competition.

United had won the League in 1955-56, and the following season defied the FA by entering the fledgling European Cup, progressing to the semi-final where they lost to Real Madrid. Charlton was drafted into the team in autumn 1956, appropriately enough against Charlton Athletic, scoring twice on his debut. He won a League championship medal as United retained the title, and also played in his first FA Cup final, though Aston Villa controversially denied United the double.

In 1957-58, their second crack at the European Cup was progressing thrillingly, Charlton scoring twice in a 3-3 draw against Red Star in Belgrade that put them through to another semi-final. Then disaster struck on February 6, 1958, when the plane in which they were flying home crashed in the slush on the runway at Munich, where it had stopped to refuel. As the aircraft broke in two, Charlton was flung from the wreckage, still strapped in his seat. Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes, heroically pulling survivors to safety, at first thought Charlton was dead. In fact Bobby was suffering from head cuts and shock, and was the first to be discharged from hospital. Seven team-mates died on the runway, and an eighth - Charlton's great friend and hero, Duncan Edwards - died in hospital.

When the seriously injured Busby eventually returned to Manchester, 20-year-old Bobby Charlton became the key figure in his rebuilding plans.

Charlton earned his first senior England cap two months after the disaster, scoring a sensational goal against Scotland. In May he was in the FA Cup final again, as a makeshift United side lost to Bolton. Then he was off to Sweden with the England squad for the 1958 World Cup.

At this stage of his career he was playing on the left-wing, though later he would move to inside-forward and ultimately into the deep-lying centre forward role - essentially an attacking central midfielder - for which he is best remembered.

Busby had said it would take five years to rebuild a winning team, and in 1963 Charlton collected an FA Cup winner's medal as United beat Leicester. The following season, with the dazzling trinity of Charlton, Denis Law and George Best now firmly in place, they finished runners-up to Liverpool in the League; and in 1964-65 were crowned champions again. They repeated the achievement in 1966-67; but in between was the little matter of the World Cup, hosted on English soil.

Charlton hadn’t played in 1958, but was a regular by 1962 in Chile, when England lost to eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals. In 1966 he and his team were destined to go all the way. They began inauspiciously against Uruguay, but in the second group game, against Mexico, Charlton lit the fuse of English expectations, firing home a stunner after collecting the ball from deep and running 30 yards with it before letting fly with a thunderbolt.

It was vintage Charlton, a scorer of great goals. Further wins against France and Argentina took England to the semi-final, where Bobby produced possibly his best performance in an England shirt, unsettling Portugal's defence with his runs, spraying passes with precision and hitting both goals in a 2-1 win. In the final against West Germany, Franz Beckenbauer was deployed to try and shackle Charlton's effectiveness; the Englishman edged the contest, and his team - which included brother Jack - lifted the World Cup. Bobby, already England's Footballer of the Year and European Footballer of the Year in 1966, was also voted Best Player of the World Cup.

But if it was a case of job done on the international stage, there was still unfinished business in the European Cup. United's League title in 1965 was their passport back into the competition. They stormed into the last four, thrashing Benfica 5-1 away in the process, with Best and Charlton lighting up Lisbon; but the semi-final took them to Belgrade for the first time since Munich, and they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Partizan. The dream was put on hold.

Recapturing the League in 1967 meant the wait would not be long. The quest for the holy grail began with aggregate victory over Hibernian Valletta. Then FC Sarajevo and Gornik Zabrze were overcome, setting up a semi-final with Real Madrid, as Busby told journalists, "I feel this is our year."

United took a precarious 1-0 lead to Madrid for the decisive second leg, and without the injured Law trailed 3-1 at the break. Yet goals from David Sadler and Foulkes rescued the dream in the second-half, prompting Charlton to hail the match as the greatest he ever played in.

May 29 1968 at Wembley was thus United's day of destiny, with Eusebio's Benfica the dangerous and experienced opposition. The Eagles of Lisbon had appeared in four previous European Cup finals, winning two of them. In contrast, this was the first time United - or any English team - had reached the final.

A week before the match, Charlton had broken Jimmy Greaves's record of 44 goals for England when he scored against Sweden; but he hadn't yet scored in United's European Cup campaign. Captaining his team, he rectified that just after half-time with a rare but perfectly executed header from a Sadler cross to put United ahead. But Graca equalised in the 81st minute, forcing extra-time. Mercurial Irishman Best scored a marvellous individual goal, Brian Kidd headed a third, and Charlton hit the fourth to complete Busby's mission ten years after his Babes had been destroyed.

Busby received a knighthood, Charlton was honoured with the OBE, and United reached the semi-finals of the European Cup the next season; but with Busby retiring, the team was heading into decline.

Internationally, Charlton still had the challenge of defending the World Cup to look forward to in 1970. But that Mexican quest foundered against West Germany in the heat of Leon, despite England having led 2-0. Charlton was substituted by Sir Alf, who wanted to save him for a semi-final which the Germans snatched from England with a 3-2 win after extra-time.

Charlton decided to retire from playing at the end of the 1972-73 season. The following year United were relegated. He had scored a record 247 goals for the club in 758 games – an appearance record that Ryan Giggs broke in the 2008 Champions League final. For England, Bobby had made a record 106 appearances (subsequently overtaken by Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and David Beckham) and scored 49 goals, which remains unequalled.

He took the reins at Preston North End, and played for them in 1974, but realised he was not cut out for management, though he did briefly caretaker-manage Wigan Athletic while on the board there. In 1974 he was awarded the CBE, and in 1975-76 scored 18 goals in 31 appearances for Waterford United in Ireland.

Charlton ran several businesses and established successful soccer schools in the UK and around the world. In 1984, he was invited onto the board at Manchester United, and is still a director. He was instrumental in the appointment of Alex Ferguson as manager in 1986, recognising in the Scot the same skills, drive and vision with which Busby had led United.

Knighted in 1994, in April 2009 he was further honoured when UEFA president Michel Platini presented him with a special award recognising his outstanding contribution to European football. Platini said it was a privilege to present the UEFA President’s Award to an outstanding ambassador and role model who “represents everything that is good about the game of football; fair play, respect, and true loyalty, and is a good example for future generations, both on and off the pitch”.

As for the football, current England coach Fabio Capello recently said Charlton was the one past player he would love to have in his current England squad. "He was a midfielder, a bit like Alfredo di Stefano. He had the same style. He ran a lot. He could defend and attack. Overall, he was a really fantastic player."

The late George Best - a team-mate with whom Sir Bobby had an occasionally fractious relationship - summed up Charlton's ability succinctly, "I've never seen anyone go past players as easily as he did."

Valencia thanks Latics

2009-07-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

Luis Antonio Valencia today begins a new life as a Manchester United player, but, before looking ahead to the future, the winger was keen to pay a heartfelt tribute to former club Wigan Athletic.

The Ecuadorian signed for the Reds on Tuesday, bringing down the curtain on a three-year stay at the JJB Stadium, and he admits he is forever indebted to the Latics for giving him his break in English football.

"It is quite simple, I owe Wigan everything," Antonio told the Wigan Evening Post. "Without them, there would be no Manchester United for me. The club has been fantastic for me, and I am genuinely sad to be leaving some fantastic memories and friends behind.

"Of course, I am excited to be joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I have to say I owe it all to Wigan. To Paul Jewell, Chris Hutchings and Steve Bruce, I say a massive thank you – and to the chairman Dave Whelan.

"I also want to say a big thank you to (Wigan manager) Roberto Martinez. I think I would have really enjoyed playing for him, but he has not opposed this move and I am grateful for that."

Time to move on

2009-07-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

So, farewell then, CR7.

The long goodbye that began in earnest in summer 2008, with Real Madrid’s entreaties, and the drip-drip of public pronouncements from sloganeers, has finally played itself out. The fabled shirt is vacant once more.

For those who mourn the passing of one of the modern game’s finest talents, a word of advice: don’t dab your eyes as he dots the ‘I’s on his new contract. Memories are wonderful and precious things, but that, ultimately, is all they are. They will not win trophies, nor push us forward; and the quest for fresh challenges has always kept Sir Alex one step ahead of the chasing pack.

Manchester United, as the boss has always said, are bigger than one man. A constant summer of constant speculation would have benefited no-one.

We’ve been down this road before, of course. We were told we should never have sold the goals of Ruud van Nistelrooy; that we would never replace David Beckham’s dead-ball expertise, or transplant the lungs and heart of Roy Keane anew. We did and we have. There will be new names to conjure with, new songs to learn and sing.

Of course, we will miss Ronaldo’s quest for invention; yes we will smile fondly as we recall the astonishing, buck-toothed, spaghetti-haired kid who bewildered Bolton’s defence for 29-minutes six summers back. That initial cameo was a performance so dripping with wit and wonder, those fortunate enough to have seen George Best in the flesh were moved to make comparison. Six summers: half a career.

Will he burn brightly enough to score 42 goals in a season in Spain? Who knows? Will he miss the arm of Sir Alex, the paternal, protective touch in those long, dark moments of the soul? Probably. Will we miss him? Yes, of course – those capable of pinging in 40-yarders to order are in short order. But we can and will move on. The adventure continues.

Goodbye Cristiano and good luck. You will live in interesting times; the times you leave behind may yet prove to have been the most interesting.

United sign Valencia

2009-06-30T22:54:00.001-07:00

Manchester United is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Ecuador international has played 34 times for his country, scoring four goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan. I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team.”

Antonio Valencia said: “Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here.

“Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can’t wait to get started.”

Winging his(Antonio Valencia) way to OT?

2009-06-30T00:25:00.000-07:00

This morning’s papers are awash with talk of Luis Antonio Valencia’s imminent arrival at Old Trafford.

Okay, so he’s not of Kaka, Ribery or Benzema proportions, but his acquisition, if indeed the press are correct and United beat off competition for the Ecuadorian’s signature, could well prove to be yet another managerial masterstroke by Sir Alex.

A lot of fans are crying out for big-name signings, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez heading elsewhere, but surely the £80million United will receive from Real Madrid for the Portuguese is better spent on a couple of burgeoning talents than one over-priced “galactico”.

In fact, United rarely plump for established superstars (Berbatov was the exception in recent years), instead preferring to cast the net at an earlier age. It’s a tactic that’s so often reaped benefits for the club, largely because younger players find it easier to adapt to a new playing style and are eager to soak up the experience from United’s older heads. Stop for a minute and just imagine what an impressionable young winger could learn from Ryan Giggs.

A player at the beginning of his career is also less likely to feel the weight of expectation or be hounded by a fickle media demanding instant success. That leaves him free to express himself on the pitch and enjoy his football.

Of course, Valencia is no naive newcomer. For the past two seasons he’s consistently been Wigan Athletic’s best performer. Fans at the JJB Stadium have grown accustomed to watching the skilful Ecuadorian tear down the wing and whip dangerous crosses into the opposition penalty area. United fans will hold similar memories from his outstanding performance here at Old Trafford in January when he terrorised the Reds’ defence in an awesome second-half display. He’s not work-shy either: Valencia tracks back unselfishly and isn’t afraid of getting stuck into a tackle.

And remember, he also possesses something the likes of Ribery and Benzema don’t: experience in England. Not all players adapt to life in the Premier League – and, to be fair, Valencia hardly wowed Wigan fans when he first arrived on loan from Villarreal in 2006 – but the youngster has now well and truly settled and understands the rigours and intricacies of the English game.

That’s all very well, but can he handle life at Old Trafford? Standing out in the crowd at Wigan, you might say, doesn’t exactly equate to setting the world on fire at the Theatre of Dreams.

I agree: it doesn’t. But in June 2006, with the eyes of the footballing world fixed upon a little tournament in Germany called the World Cup, Valencia shone at just 20 years of age, helping Ecuador qualify for the second phase of the finals for the first time in their history. His performances were also noted by astute fans and at one point he was the overwhelming favourite – ahead of even Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – to pick up the prestigious Best Young Player award. (The honour eventually went to Germany’s Lukas Podolski.)

At the time, Valencia's national team coach, Luis Suarez, said: “He's doing very well right now, but he has an even more exciting future ahead of him.”

A future that includes a move to Manchester United? I, for one, sincerely hope so.

Strength in reserve

2009-06-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

My first year in charge of a team was a challenge, a new challenge for me, but I felt I was ready for it and it was a good experience - very enjoyable indeed.

By starting my coaching career at United, I have stayed in the same familiar environment. Some of the players I played with come down and play for me once in a while, Gary [Neville] and Wes [Brown] for example, so that’s enjoyable. It’s also great to see the young players, with the talent they have and their whole careers in front of them, and we just try to give them a little bit of advice and help along the way.

One of the most satisfying parts of the job is when you see the young lads making up the step up to the first team - it was brilliant for so many of them to make their debuts last season. They’re great players and they have their careers ahead of them. When they play with better players in the first team, they’re ready to take the step.

The gaffer recognises that they’re ready and they can be thrown in at the deep end. We train them every day to be good professionals and they know every day is a chance to impress me and Warren [Joyce] and that we then tell the gaffer who’s ready.My first year in charge of a team was a challenge, a new challenge for me, but I felt I was ready for it and it was a good experience - very enjoyable indeed.

By starting my coaching career at United, I have stayed in the same familiar environment. Some of the players I played with come down and play for me once in a while, Gary [Neville] and Wes [Brown] for example, so that’s enjoyable. It’s also great to see the young players, with the talent they have and their whole careers in front of them, and we just try to give them a little bit of advice and help along the way.

One of the most satisfying parts of the job is when you see the young lads making up the step up to the first team - it was brilliant for so many of them to make their debuts last season. They’re great players and they have their careers ahead of them. When they play with better players in the first team, they’re ready to take the step.

The gaffer recognises that they’re ready and they can be thrown in at the deep end. We train them every day to be good professionals and they know every day is a chance to impress me and Warren [Joyce] and that we then tell the gaffer who’s ready.My first year in charge of a team was a challenge, a new challenge for me, but I felt I was ready for it and it was a good experience - very enjoyable indeed.

By starting my coaching career at United, I have stayed in the same familiar environment. Some of the players I played with come down and play for me once in a while, Gary [Neville] and Wes [Brown] for example, so that’s enjoyable. It’s also great to see the young players, with the talent they have and their whole careers in front of them, and we just try to give them a little bit of advice and help along the way.

One of the most satisfying parts of the job is when you see the young lads making up the step up to the first team - it was brilliant for so many of them to make their debuts last season. They’re great players and they have their careers ahead of them. When they play with better players in the first team, they’re ready to take the step.

The gaffer recognises that they’re ready and they can be thrown in at the deep end. We train them every day to be good professionals and they know every day is a chance to impress me and Warren [Joyce] and that we then tell the gaffer who’s ready.

The players are great, a joy to work with every day. Me and Warren have been trying to show them how to be good professionals and they responded really well all season.

I enjoyed my first year as a coach, even if the grey hairs are coming!

The players are great, a joy to work with every day. Me and Warren have been trying to show them how to be good professionals and they responded really well all season.

I enjoyed my first year as a coach, even if the grey hairs are coming!

The players are great, a joy to work with every day. Me and Warren have been trying to show them how to be good professionals and they responded really well all season.

I enjoyed my first year as a coach, even if the grey hairs are coming!

Silly season

2009-06-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

Benzema, Villa, Costa, Ribery, Silva, Young, Valencia, Aguero, Eto'o, Nilmar... the list of players supposedly on United's transfer radar lengthens by the day.

The media's scattergun approach to transfer speculation means that every glance at the morning tabloids yields a new exclusive, while the internet spawns and perpetuates fresh myths by the hour.

The sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, topping up Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer fund with an extra £80million, was the fabulists' dream situation - an entire summer with the licence to fill slow news days.

It makes for exciting reading, as a glance at our own What The Papers Say section can attest. Unfortunately, the upshot is that it all needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. There will be truth in some of the whispers, as the club's extensive scouting network always has recommendations and rarely does a transfer materialise without the media catching wind of it.

But the vast majority will be nothing more than bunkum. Will Villa swap Spain for England, just days after admitting that he would definitely be in his homeland next season? Would United move for the 27-year-old in the first place, or even Ribery (26) or Eto'o (28) for that matter?

And how about the fees involved? £50million for Aguero? It's near-impossible to imagine the club parting with a fee of that magnitude. Yes, records have tumbled before for the likes of Ferdinand, Berbatov and Veron, but Sir Alex and David Gill both have a stringent sense of value.

Just because Real Madrid can throw exorbitant amounts of money around, hoovering up players from all over the world, doesn't mean we will.Ronaldo, Rooney, Anderson, Nani, the Da Silvas, Macheda, Park, Tosic, Vidic, Evra, Carrick. A quick glance over the club's transfer activity in recent years shows mainly players bought in their teens or on the right side of their mid-twenties for reasonable fees and subsequently developed.

When the signings come, the chances are that they will be in that same mould, rather than established superstars with inflated price tags. Anything that suggests otherwise, while entertaining, will be little more than fantasy.

Ronaldo sale set for completion

2009-06-28T23:29:00.001-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure is all but done and dusted after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalised the agreement for his transfer on Friday evening.

The Portuguese winger was the subject of a world record £80million offer from the Spanish club on Thursday 11 June. He has since been on holiday but a return to work with new employers now beckons, with the sale set to be completed on Wednesday 1 July.

United have made no further comment, other than to confirm the finalisation.

Rooney Confident Of Shouldering Man U's Goal-Scoring Burden

2009-06-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

The Red Devils may have lost CR7 and Carlitos, but Roo believes he can make up for their loss.

Wayne Rooney is confident that he can fill the goal-scoring void left by the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from Manchester United.

Rooney often found himself on the wing to accommodate one or both of the pair, and while he was not averse to the role, he is hoping for a more central role in the coming season.

Speaking to The Times, Rooney said, "We've lost two key players, and obviously I hope we can get a few players in.

"Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I'm capable of filling that gap. I've said before that if I can play in my right position, I'm capable of doing that.

"I want to play in the position where I feel I'm best. A lot of people think I'm best as a center forward."

However, Rooney was keen to emphasize that he understood the need for the team to play around Ronaldo last season, and he expressed confidence that they could cope with his loss.

"Cristiano is such a talent, he can score from anywhere, so you try and accommodate him," he continued.

"As a team, we accommodated him because we knew he could win matches for us. Now that he has gone, we will have to score more goals between us, but I feel like I'm capable of scoring a lot of goals.

"To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it's something I'm very lucky to be doing, but I don't think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to."

With the signing of Antonio Valencia looking imminent, Rooney's wishes could well be granted, as the Ecuadorian is more likely to occupy a slot on the wing, rather than the central role in which Ronaldo sometimes played.

Antonio Valencia Would Be A Sensation At Manchester United - Wigan Owner

2009-06-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Valencia is better than Franck Ribery and an 'absolute steal' according to the Wigan chief...

Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan has claimed that Antonio Valencia is the best player in the world in his position and will be a ‘sensation’ should he move to Manchester United.

The Ecuadorian is widely tipped to make the move to Old Trafford before the start of next season, a deal that looks increasingly likely with Cristiano Ronaldo now on his way to Real Madrid.

Speaking to The People, Whelan insisted Valencia was a better player than Franck Ribery and said that he could quickly became a firm favourite at the Theatre of Dreams.

“I think Antonio is the best wide right player anywhere, and that includes Franck Ribery,” said the Wigan chief.

“If this lad goes to Man United, he will be a sensation there.

"Within a few months and over the course of a season, the United supporters would come to worship this lad.

"We see him week-in, week-out in games and in training and he's a world-class player.”

Whelan also insisted that whilst Valencia was a different player to Ronaldo, United would be doing great business if they were to buy the winger.

"He doesn't play the same way as Ronaldo. There is no show or flash, but he's a world-class player and he'll take some replacing," added the Wigan man.

"No-one tackles him or takes the ball off him, because they can't get near him.

“At the kind of money that's been talked about for Antonio, he'd be an absolute steal. United appear to be getting £80m for Ronaldo and they would be paying out a fraction of that for Valencia, so it would be great business because this boy has got immense ability.”

Mourinho Prepares Macheda Swoop – Report

2009-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kiko' has attracted the attentions of 'The Special One'...

Federico Macheda could well be Jose Mourinho’s next transfer target accoring to the latest reports from The People. After showing signs of brilliance in some first team cameo appearances for Manchester United, the young Roman native has apparently caught the eye of ‘The Special One’.

According to reports, the Inter coach is set to utilise ‘Kiko’s’ summer break on the penisula to persuade him into a potential switch to the Italian champions.

Given the imminent departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, it seems highly unlikely the English champions would consider any offers for their rising star.

With a real opportunity to break into the first team setup at United, it seems Mourinho will have some presuading to do, if he is to tempt the Italian back to his homeland.

New signings 'will be worthy'

2009-06-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sir Bobby Charlton is confident that Sir Alex Ferguson will make the right signings to compensate for Cristiano Ronaldo's impending departure.

The Portuguese winger is set to join Real Madrid for a staggering £80million, prompting a whirlwind of speculation over who will be replacing him.

Speaking at a press conference in China to launch United's sponsorship deal with aigo, Sir Bobby said: "I'll have to leave that (deciding how to replace Ronaldo) to Alex Ferguson.

"He is a great judge of a player, he's very brave with his decisions, he's very decisive with his decisions and that's why he's been a great success. Who the players will be I don't know, but they will be worthy of putting on the shirt for Manchester United."

Charlton concedes that there was little point in trying to coax Ronaldo away from his childhood dream of joining Real, although he feels that hindsight may show the winger that his best days of his career were at Old Trafford.

"He is a great player," he said. "He's been with us for five or six years and in that time he has improved beyond all recognition. I suppose, in time, he will reflect, and say that the best time he ever had in football was when he was at Manchester United. It was better for him and it was fantastic for the club.

"But we have no divine rights, we talked him out of it for one year but he's gone and we move on. Ronaldo leaves us because as a young boy he always dreamt about playing for Real Madrid, so if he leaves us, it's with our blessing.

"It's a lot of money, but it's a little bit soul-searching. You never know if you've made the right decision until the start of the season. It's an enormous amount. We will make sure we will use it properly and our club will be better for it."

Ex-Reds' regrets as Carlos quits

2009-06-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Former United players Lou Macari and Clayton Blackmore have voiced their dismay at Carlos Tevez's departure - and the motives for his move.

Ex-midfielder Macari, now a respected pundit for MUTV, said on Saturday: "I'm disappointed that Carlos Tevez won't be playing at Manchester United next season.

"I think he would have been a regular in the team next season had he stayed. Ronaldo's going, so Tevez would be needed."

Reds legend Lou supports the efforts made by his former club to keep Carlos.

"I don't think United could have done any more," he said.

"Tevez was offered a five-year contract and five years is a long time to commit to any player, but I think that was in recognition of what he did last season, both when he started games and when he came on as a sub.

"He was a well-liked player at Old Trafford and it will be a big loss to everyone."

Although clearly an admirer of Tevez's playing talents, Lou seems less than convinced by the reasons given for his decision.

"One of those excuses we hear when a player moves on is, 'I want to play regular club football because I want to play for my national team.' But Carlos is still going to be a regular for Argentina even if he's only playing every so often for United.

"It's simple nowadays - if a player or his agent don't want him to sign for a certain club, then they don't sign. It's rather surprising because Carlos Tevez couldn't get a better club than Manchester United. But I think we're in a day and age when the size and stature of aclub isn't the main reason why a player signs or doesn't sign.

"It's advisors, it's money, it's all the wrong reasons. Carlos Tevez has been fantastic for United but he and his agent have decided to move on, and move on they will."

Another ex-player and MUTV pundit agreed with Macari on the motivation for Tevez's move. Clayton Blackmore said:

"I think it's money. It might be due a little bit to his name not being first on the team-sheet, but very few players are guaranteed a start at United and I would put it more down to money.

"I don't think it was in his hands, I think he would have been happy with what he was offered. I think it's the people in charge of him (his representatives) who were the problem.

"I felt the writing was on the wall when I saw his body language at the end of the season and the interview he gave after the final home game against Arsenal. So I'm not too surprised; I was more surprised when Ronaldo left.

"We're going to miss Tevez's work-rate and he is a great finisher. But I'm sure the manager will have someone up his sleeve and he'll come up trumps again."

Tevez leaving United

2009-06-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Following contact received from Carlos Tevez’s advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club.

The Club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the Club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club’s most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

The Club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.

Lets Go On Celebrate-Manchester United

2009-05-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

Manchester United Celebration of the Premier League season 2008/2009

2009-05-20T13:10:00.001-07:00

Messi vs. Ronaldo clash captivates Ferguson

2009-05-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has picked out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - rivals in next week's Champions League final - as the two most gifted players in the game.

The Manchester United manager believes the two stars' work ethic allied to their natural ability sets them apart.

Ferguson, who rates the quality in the Champions League as even higher than in the World Cup, also rates AC Milan's Kaka to an extent ''although he has never really taken my breath away''.

He told the latest issue of UEFA publication The Technician: ''There are some players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted.

''But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very important.

''If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practises after every squad training session, and quite a few others do the same.

''As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement, passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of the great players.

''If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that extra edge. They must do something extra on their own.''

Asked which opposition players he rated highest, Ferguson replied: ''When I think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top level and, although he has never really taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed.''

Messi and Ronaldo will come face to face in the Olympic Stadium in Rome, and Ferguson believes the Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to drama - even compared to the World Cup.

The United manager added: ''There are many good games at the World Cup, but in general the quality in the big UEFA Champions League games is, in my view, higher.

''I think that, overall, the UEFA Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to consistency, quality and drama.

''The World Cup, of course, is every four years, and big changes always take place with the departure of many players and coaches and continuity then suffers.''

Ferguson also picked out AC Milan's Paolo Maldini as his favourite opposition player during his time as a Champions League coach.

''He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although not the world's greatest technically, he has influenced all the AC Milan teams during his wonderfully successful era - a truly marvellous player,'' said Ferguson.