Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[Alex Ferguson]

League: Chelsea lose

A great day for United in the title race was sealed on Saturday evening when rivals Chelsea lost 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur.

The damage was done in the first half when Jermain Defoe punished John Terry's handball by firing a penalty past Petr Cech and then Gareth Bale scored a brilliant second goal to make it 2-0 to on-song Spurs. Frank Lampard pulled a goal back for Chelsea in second-half injury time but it was too little, too late for the below-par league leaders.

It was poetic justice, perhaps, that Terry's use of the arm was spotted by referee Phil Dowd - he was fortunate not to concede a penalty in similar circumstances when the Blues unconvincingly beat Bolton 1-0 in midweek. Worse was to follow for Terry at White Hart Lane - he was sent off midway through the second half after two bookable offences.

The defeat for Carlo Ancelotti's side, following United's injury-time win in the Manchester derby, means their lead has been cut to just one point with three games remaining for each side.

The Reds could go top as soon as next Saturday when Spurs, now fourth, travel to Old Trafford (12:45 kick-off) with Chelsea facing Stoke at Stamford Bridge the next day.

[EightPoints]

Originally Posted by richie_rich

as what SAF has claimed, it's not that United does not have money, it's just that he does not want to pay over the board for players.

Yeah, but billioaniare pretenders like Gillet & Hicks (for Liverpool) & Glazer (for ManU) are ruining EPL clubs that they bought. These Americans got no money & yet want to buy football clubs !!

Porthsmouth went into Administration when the owners got no money !!

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by Ole Ole Ole

Man City 0 Red Devils 1

but if the champions are to be dethroned, it won't be without a fight.

agree totally. it's just so heartening to see United fight till the very last kick and not give up the title so easily. go red devils!

even if we don't win the 4th consecutive BPL title this time round, the 19th championship title will not be too long a wait. that i am sure.

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by Alex Ferguson

A great day for United in the title race was sealed on Saturday evening when rivals Chelsea lost 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur.

The defeat for Carlo Ancelotti's side, following United's injury-time win in the Manchester derby, means their lead has been cut to just one point with three games remaining for each side.

The Reds could go top as soon as next Saturday when Spurs, now fourth, travel to Old Trafford (12:45 kick-off) with Chelsea facing Stoke at Stamford Bridge the next day.

bro, i love your signature detailing each of the club's major trophy win. hope to see more of you here. cheers!

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by EightPoints

Yeah, but billioaniare pretenders like Gillet & Hicks (for Liverpool) & Glazer (for ManU) are ruining EPL clubs that they bought. These Americans got no money & yet want to buy football clubs !!

Porthsmouth went into Administration when the owners got no money !!

i am not a supporter of the Glazers. i am a supporter of Manchester United.

if the Glazers are not running United the right way, i am sure sooner or later they will be 'bought' over since their aim is to make money. they may just be holding out for the right price.

the Red Knights are already planning a takeover bid. it's just that the plan will only be revealed in the summer so as not to cause a distraction to the club as it bids to win the 4th consecutive BPL title.

[keano16]

hello to all big bros and big sisters here in this thread. and all Manchester United fans. With news spreading fast that SAF will retire after next season. Who will be the most ideal man to replace the mightly SAF. Jose Mourinho looks to be in the chasing packs according to some British newspapers. Big bros and Big sisters, any thought on that?

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by richie_rich

bro, i love your signature detailing each of the club's major trophy win. hope to see more of you here. cheers!

Nice but we were also Champions of the World! Where is the Club World Cup? The first english team to win it. Another first for us.

I guess not enough signature space

[VirtualGuy]

just like La Liga,now it is a 1 pt lead for Chelsea. MU still in with a chance.

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by keano16

hello to all big bros and big sisters here in this thread. and all Manchester United fans. With news spreading fast that SAF will retire after next season. Who will be the most ideal man to replace the mightly SAF. Jose Mourinho looks to be in the chasing packs according to some British newspapers. Big bros and Big sisters, any thought on that?

UNITED BEGIN MANAGER SEARCH - REPORT

Manchester United have reportedly begun their long-anticipated search for Sir Alex Ferguson's successor after he told the club's board: "One more season and I'm out."

According to The Sun, it is now scheduled that 'Fergie will go in the summer of 2011, six months before his 70th birthday'.

Jose Mourinho remains the clear favourite to take over at Old Trafford, but there are apparently reservations about his candidature within the club because of his reputation for being 'a short-term type of boss who is always looking to the next job'.

Among the other candidates mentioned by The Sun are Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, England's Fabio Capello, Guus Hiddink, Martin O'Neill and Arsene Wenger.

[Chua Soi Lek]

Originally Posted by keano16

hello to all big bros and big sisters here in this thread. and all Manchester United fans. With news spreading fast that SAF will retire after next season. Who will be the most ideal man to replace the mightly SAF. Jose Mourinho looks to be in the chasing packs according to some British newspapers. Big bros and Big sisters, any thought on that?

Yes, Jose Mourinho is eyeing for this job. If he plays his card correctly, he should the one.

[machoman]

Fergie backs Moyes for Scots succession at United

Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 19:05:15 HRS

Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to have annointed David Moyes as his chosen successor as manager of Manchester United in a snub to Jose Mourinho's aspirations of stepping into the Old Trafford hotseat.

A flurry of reports this week have claimed that Ferguson, who turns 69 on December 31, has told United's board that he will retire at the end of next season.

Mourinho, who is on the verge of taking Inter Milan to the Champions League final after Tuesday's 3-1 semi-final first leg win over Barcelona, is the bookmakers favourite to take over.

According to The Sun however, Ferguson believes that his fellow Scot Moyes, who is widely admired for his achievements at Everton on a tight budget, would be a better choice for United.

Ferguson has often said that he is fond of Mourinho and the Portuguese's phenomenal record in charge of FC Porto, Chelsea and now Inter undoubtedly makes him an extremely strong candidate for a job he may have been talking about when he spoke recently of his desire to return to England.

But United directors including Sir Bobby Charlton reportedly harbour reservations related to Mourinho's ability to generate controversy, which may bolster the chances of Moyes being asked to take over.

At 46, Moyes is a similar age to Ferguson when he took over at Old Trafford in 1986 and is cut from similar cloth. As a fellow Glaswegian, he also combines an apparently abrasive public persona with an ability to coax the best out of players drawn from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds.

Ferguson may be contemplating retirement, but he still has his eye on United's long-term future and the Scot believes he has a promising crop of young players in the club's title-winning reserve team.

Coached by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Warren Joyce, the United second string secured the trophy for the first time in four years after Liverpool lost to Everton on Tuesday evening.

Ferguson particularly highlighted the contribution of Northern Ireland Under-21 midfielders Oliver Norwood and Corry Evans.

"Some of the players have done very well," Ferguson said. "For example, in the 1-0 win against Liverpool, the back four were absolutely brilliant, they really did well.

"One or two younger players are developing quite well. Gabriel Obertan scored an unbelievable goal.

"Oliver Norwood and Corry Evans do really well and have a good attitude towards the game. That's an important thing and Ole and Warren have maintained that attitude right through the team."

Ferguson added: "I'd like to say congratulations to Ole and Warren. They've done a great job.

"Whenever we've appointed a new reserve team coach, I've always explained to them what a difficult job it is because it's subject to what I need.

"I may pull out three or four players from a training session or I might say, 'these players can't play for you on Thursday because they're on standby for me on Saturday'."

- AFP

[asiancigar]

Jose M has my VOTE to take over....... but alas, he may not last long coz he is always on the look out for better and bigger challenges..... sigh

David Moyes IMHO stills lacks the winner's mentality...... and it would a cardinal sin if he took over and we end up like Everton as also-runs in all competitions...... ouch

Cheerz
AC

[5dmarkii]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Jose M has my VOTE to take over....... but alas, he may not last long coz he is always on the look out for better and bigger challenges..... sigh

David Moyes IMHO stills lacks the winner's mentality...... and it would a cardinal sin if he took over and we end up like Everton as also-runs in all competitions...... ouch

Cheerz
AC

i has to agree that JM is an outstanding coach with rich european experiences, just look at his CV. and what a result at San Siro against the all conquering Barcelona in the champions league. And you need a brain to do that against that team. But SAF strongly recommended David Moyes so he has to be a bit special. I do hope JM got the job. i really do.

[richie_rich]

FERGUSON DISMISSES RETIREMENT REPORTS

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed speculation that he might confirm his retirement at the end of next season.

Ferguson will celebrate his 69th birthday at the end of this year and has shown no sign of being affected by the pressures of being United boss since 1986.

However, the Scot has always stated that his health is of paramount importance and stories have emerged recently claiming he would leave his job at the end of next term, with Jose Mourinho lined up as his successor.

Ferguson was more amused than outraged when the suggestion was put to him ahead of Saturday's crucial Barclays Premier League encounter with Tottenham at Old Trafford, but he insisted the reports are false.

"It is absolute rubbish," said Ferguson.

"There is no truth in it.

"I have no intention of retiring and if I did the people I would tell are (chief executive) David Gill and the Glazer family."

With a 12th Premier League title suddenly back on the agenda following Tottenham's victory over Chelsea last week, Ferguson has plenty to occupy his mind at present.

"It is what you have to accept in life," he said.

"There is pressure in life. I can deal with it.

"The only thing that determines whether I stay here is my health. And I am in rude health."

[Alex Ferguson]

United go top of Premiership as Spurs pay penalty

LONDON (AFP) - – Ryan Giggs scored two penalties as reigning champions Manchester United returned to the top of the English Premier League with a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Victory moved United two points in front of Chelsea with two games to play as they once again scored important late goals, this time in a match which was all square at 1-1 with 10 minutes left.

However, Chelsea will regain top spot in the Premier League if they win at home to Stoke City on Sunday.

United's joy was tempered by fears England striker Wayne Rooney, who sat out this match, may miss the end of the season with a groin injury.

"I think it will probably take two or three weeks to be honest with you," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The first of Giggs's penalties, awarded after Patrice Evra was brought down in the box by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, gave United the lead in the 58th minute.

But Tottenham, fresh from wins over Arsenal and Chelsea, equalised in the 70th minute when injury-prone central defender Ledley King headed in a corner.

United, though, hit back when Portuguese ace Nani broke down the right and chipped goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Veteran midfielder Giggs then sealed United's victory with his second spot-kick four minutes from time after Nani went down under a challenge from Wilson Palacios.

"We have beaten probably the form team of the league which says a lot for us. We can't ask for more," Ferguson said. "We played well, that was important, but most important was we kept our nerve."

Tottenham will lose fourth place, and the last Champions League qualifying spot on offer to English clubs, if Manchester City win away to Arsenal in Saturday's late kick-off match.

At the other end of the table, West Ham moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a come from behind 3-2 win at home to Wigan.

The Hammers were 1-0 down in just the fourth minute after Jonathan Spector's own-goal but were back on level terms when in-form striker Araujo Ilan turned in Carlton Cole's cross in the 31st minute.

And the east Londoners took the lead when Radoslav Kovac followed-up on the stroke of half-time after Mark Noble's 25-yard free-kick was clawed away by Chris Kirkland.

Wigan saw Hugo Rodallega equalise from an early second half corner.

However, Scott Parker eased the pressure on Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola with a 25-yard drive in the 77th minute.

Hull moved closer to the drop after Sunderland won 1-0 at the KC Stadium thanks to Darren Bent's seventh minute tap-in, his 25th goal of the season.

Hull, six points adrift with two games to play and a massively inferior goal difference, could have equalised before half-time but Jimmy Bullard's penalty hit the post.

Both sides received a red card late in the first half after Hull's US striker Jozy Altidore and Sunderland's Alan Hutton clashed.

Aruna Dindane scored twice as already relegated Portsmouth came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Bolton Wanderers.

The hosts, all but assured of Premier League football next season, scored twice in three first half minutes through Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies before Dindane struck after the break for the FA Cup finalists.

Blackburn Rovers and Wolves, still not mathematically safe, drew 1-1 at Molineux after New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen's first half goal for the visitors was cancelled out by Wolves striker Slyvan Ebanks-Blake's effort nine minutes from time.

Sunday's other matches will see Aston Villa continue their push for Champions League football in a derby against Birmingham City while second-bottom Burnley have a daunting test at home to Liverpool and Everton face Fulham.