Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[machoman]

Ferguson expects United to hold nerve in title race

Monday, January 17, 2011, 09:47:45 HRS

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale (left) fights for the ball with Manchester United's Rafael Da Silva during their English Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London, on January 16. The matche ended in a goalless draw.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes 10-man Manchester United's defiant 0-0 draw against Tottenham proves they have the mental strength to hold their nerve and win the Premier League title race.

Ferguson's side returned to the top of the table, on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, after extending their unbeaten league run to 21 games despite Rafael da Silva's second half red card at White Hart Lane.

United had to play the last 16 minutes down to 10 men but the leaders' back-four, superbly marshalled by Nemanja Vidic, held firm to grind out a hard-fought point.

While United once again lacked any real fluency going forward, Ferguson took heart from the way his players dug in to frustrate one of the most attacking teams in the top-flight.

With games in hand at Chelsea and Blackpool to come later in the season, the United boss believes his team are in pole position to regain the title if they keep displaying that kind of composure under pressure.

"As I said some weeks back it could be a real thrilling end to the season. All five teams have chances and Tottenham are not out of it. It is about winning games and keeping your nerve," Ferguson said.

"We have got to win those two games in hand. We have to go to Chelsea on March 1 which will be a massive game. We have to go to Blackpool, who are in great form at the moment.

"Defensively we kept our nerve here. They never really troubled us and considering the goals they have scored and the performances they have shown at home I think we take really good credit from that.

"It's a decent point although we were a bit careless with the ball, particularly before half-time and in periods of the second half."

Rafael's red card and his subsequent foul-mouthed tirade at referee Mike Dean could have been the catalyst for United's first league defeat since last season.

The Brazilian right-back was slightly fortunate only to be booked for a wild lunge on Wilson Palacios in the first half, but he was unlucky to earn a second yellow card after making minimal contact with Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the 74th minute.

Ferguson made it clear he was unhappy with Dean's decision but stopped short of lambasting the official.

"I do not need to discuss that. You can see it for yourself. I'm not even going to discuss the referee," Ferguson added.

Even Spurs boss Harry Redknapp agreed Rafael was unlucky to see red.

Tottenham Hotspur's William Gallas (right) vies with Manchester United's Ryan Giggs during their English Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London, on January 16. The match ended in a goalless draw.
"It was a harsh sending off. He has not stuck his leg out. He was running and has just clipped his heels. What can you do about that'" Redknapp said.

Fifth-placed Spurs had marginally the better chances and went close when Peter Crouch got in front of Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a flicked volley but his effort flashed just wide from close-range.

Rafael van der Vaart also threatened when he headed into the side-netting from Gareth Bale's cross.

Spurs had only one real chance to steal the points after Rafael's dismissal but Van der Vaart's curled his shot over.

"I never felt we would get beat. It was just a question if we could get a goal," Redknapp said. "We got in a few good positions but just couldn't get the final ball."

Although Spurs have now failed to beat United in their last 24 meetings, Redknapp remains convinced the leaders will slip up before the end of the season.

"It would be a miracle if Alex got them through the season unbeaten. I'm not knocking them, they are above us, but other teams have improved," Redknapp said.

"They are disciplined at the back and hard to break down but I can't sit here and say they will walk away with the championship.

"We have got closer to them, yet they are still top of the pile, which is full credit to them."

- AFP

[A Red Devils]

Man Utd 5-0 Birmingham City

a hat-trick from Berbatov. We will be champion again at the end of this season 2010-2011.

[machoman]

Berbatov on fire as United scorch Birmingham
Sunday, January 23, 2011, 02:11:15 HRS

Manchester United's striker Dimitar Berbatov (2nd R) tries to avoid Birmingham's midfielder Alexander Hleb (2nd L) and defenders Steven Carr (L) and Liam Ridgewell (R) during their English Premier League football match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Berbatov claimed his 18th goal and third hat-trick of the season as Manchester United retained first place in the Premier League with a 5-0 win.

Dimitar Berbatov claimed his 18th goal and third hat-trick of the season as Manchester United retained first place in the Premier League with a 5-0 battering of Birmingham at Old Trafford.

Berbatov started the rout inside two minutes after Nani won a corner inside the first 60 seconds and Ryan Giggs curled in a superb cross from the right-hand flag.

John O'Shea steered a strong header towards the far corner where the Bulgarian forward headed into the back of the net from a position practically on the goal-line.

The Bulgarian, who would go on and add a hat-trick to his three goals against Liverpool and five against Blackburn earlier in the season, claimed a second goal just after the half-hour when Birmingham defender Roger Johnson carelessly conceded possession just inside his own half.

Anderson collected the errant pass, feeding Wayne Rooney who, in turn, sent Berbatov powering into the penalty area, the forward wrong-footing Johnson, who had made a committed recovering run, before driving the ball past former United goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Those goals had decided the outcome of the game but it was United's third, claimed by Giggs in first-half injury-time, that showcased their superiority and the wonderful attacking football they were putting together.

Berbatov fell, in an attempt to dispossess David Murphy, but still managed to win the ball from his position on the ground, finding Rooney who instantly returned the pass with an audacious back-heel.

Berbatov completed the one-two with a ball that allowed Rooney to race to the right-hand by-line and send over a perfectly-weighted far-post centre which Giggs, arriving at pace, placed first-time into the back of the net.

The first-half performance could hardly have been more emphatic and the risk of United seeing their 26-match unbeaten streak come to an end always looked minimal from the opening goal.

The second half opened with more of the same; the unmarked Rooney somehow missing an open goal as he attempted to connect with Nani's cross although it did not take long for Berbatov to show his team mate how to find the net, completing an impressive hat-trick in the process.

Rooney's pass allowed Giggs to deliver a pinpoint cross from the left which Berbatov met with an accomplished finish into the roof of the Birmingham goal from six yards.

The misery of the visiting players was summed up in the 58th minute when Keith Fahey lost his footing at the far post as he appeared poised to convert Matt Derbyshire's cross-shot.

The relentless United pressure seemed likely to yield more goals and, after failing with a number of efforts from distance, Nani collected O'Shea's 75th minute pass and finished clinically.

- AFP

[asiancigar]

Wah...... all my predictions exploded (which is good)..... hahaha

I think we have a very well balanced team..... impregnable Defense..... industrious and creative Mid-field (without Carrick) and really frightening goal grabbing Forwards.....

like the song goes "WE ARE SIMPLY THE BEST".... better then all the rest................ hahaha

Cheerz
AC

[machoman]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Wah...... all my predictions exploded (which is good)..... hahaha

I think we have a very well balanced team..... impregnable Defense..... industrious and creative Mid-field (without Carrick) and really frightening goal grabbing Forwards.....

like the song goes "WE ARE SIMPLY THE BEST".... better then all the rest................ hahaha

Cheerz
AC

Well said, bro AC.

[machoman]

United battle back to rock Blackpool in Premier League
Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 07:49:56 HRS

Manchester United's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov (L) vies with Blackpool's Irish defender Craig Cathcart during the English Premier League football match at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool. Berbatov snatched a late winner as Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Blackpool 3-2.

Manchester United moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after staging a stunning late fightback to win 3-2 at Blackpool on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side had gone 27 league matches without losing, a run stretching back to their 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in April last season.

But that sequence looked in danger as goals from former United defender Craig Cathcart and striker DJ Campbell put the Seasiders 2-0 up at half-time.

Blackpool could have had a penalty when Luke Varney was bundled over by Rafael da Silva early in the second half.

But United finally got one back when in-form Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov volleyed home Darren Fletcher's cross in the 72nd minute.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, on for the lacklustre Wayne Rooney, equalised when he ran onto a Ryan Giggs pass and slotted past Richard Kingson in the 74th minute.

United right-back Rafael was carried off on a stretcher after lengthy treatment on a head injury, but Berbatov stole the points in the 88th minute as he drove beyond Kingson to leave the leaders well ahead of second placed Arsenal.

"They just never give in," Ferguson told ESPN. "In the first half we were battered. We couldn't handle Charlie Adam. We were terrible.

"I don't know the reason for the first half. We were all over the place. Maybe we were too confident.

"We changed at half-time, Ryan Giggs made a tremendous difference. We started to penetrate and I think we were deserved winners in the end.

"I know the game's never done in situations like this. You know at some point we're going to do something."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson reacts during the English Premier League football match against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool. United came from two goals down to beat Blackpool 3-2.

Praising Berbatov, who has 13 goals in his last 10 games, Ferguson added: "He's having a great season. He has great talent. The third goal, the composure, I was screaming for him to square it to Hernandez but, no, he has the confidence and ability to do what he did."

In Tuesday's other Premier League clash, Aston Villa won 2-1 at third bottom Wigan to move six points away from the relegation zone.

Gabriel Agbonlahor opened the scoring in the 49th minute when he nodded home his first Premier League goal of the season after Ali Al Habsi saved Carlos Cuellar's header.

Gerard Houllier's side, who beat Manchester City on Saturday, wrapped up the points in the 62nd minute when Ashley Young converted a penalty after being fouled by Hendry Thomas.

James McCarthy's deflected effort reduced the deficit in the 80th minute but it was too late for Wigan to salvage a draw.

- AFP

[yinyang]

What a comeback, after looking like losing our unbeaten run at hands of Blackpool. And what story of 2 halfs!!

[mr_missile]

Taken off Football365 :

Five ManYoo Questions After Blackpool

'The stuff of champions' is the oft-peddled line about Man United's comeback at Blackpool and it certainly looks like being enough to win the title. But there are some lingering questions posed.

This may not be a great United side but it is certainly a resilient and determined United side. But judging by comments from United fans, that resilience is masking some issues...

1) Is it time for Rooney to be dropped?

One goal from open play in 14 Premier League games is a meagre return for the most mediocre of journeyman strikers, but for a player earning £200,000 a week, it is plain embarrassing. It's particularly difficult to justify Rooney's place in the starting XI when Javier Hernandez is sitting on the bench with a record of seven goals from 16 games - especially when he comes on and does more in 20 minutes than Rooney managed in almost 70. The obvious argument for Rooney's inclusion are the nine Premier League assists - his all-round performance against Birmingham on Saturday was brilliant apart for the missed chance that would have been far, far easier to convert. That said, when the Champions League latter stages roll around, Rooney is far more likely to start as United's lone striker than the 20-goal-plus Dimitar Berbatov. Is he still the best option against the best defences?

2) Do United's away tactics need to change?

They switched to a 4-4-2 when it became obvious that the tactics were flawed, but were there any United fans who didn't sigh when they saw a starting line-up that featured Rooney on the left and a central midfield trio of Darron Gibson, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher - with the Scot clearly detailed to track Charlie Adam. Was this too much respect to pay a side with the worst home record in the Premier League? Should they have played a similar style and formation that whacked Birmingham for five on Saturday? Has the fear of losing away from Old Trafford become greater than the desire for victory?

3) How much do United need an alternative for Ryan Giggs?

At least part of the motivation for changing United's formation must have been the desire to give the 37-year-old Giggs a rest. With Park Ji-Sung unavailable and Luis Antonio Valencia injured, United are woefully short of left-sided alternatives for a 4-4-2. Even with the full gamut of options, they're stuck with an uninspiring Park or an out-of-position Nani. Pickings are so slim that even Patrice Evra has been tried in that position this season. As it happens, United were woeful and Giggs was wheeled out again in the second half at Bloomfield Park to sprinkle some magic. The idea is presumably that United will stumble on until the summer when funds will be available for Ashley Young, Gareth Bale or someone else capable of playing 40-plus games a season. Will that be too late?

4) Should Gibson be shipped out on loan?

Or simply shipped out never to return? The fact that a United fan referred to Gibson as 'the poor man's Carrick' in a Wednesday morning conversation is a damning indictment. We're struggling to see what he offers. He's one-paced and a one-trick pony - quite good at shooting from around 20 yards and, erm, that's it. Is he really any better than David Jones, Luke Chadwick, Jonathan Greening or any other midfielder ruthlessly shipped out of Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson over the years? Perhaps Gibson needs a few months with another Premier League club to ascertain whether he has the potential to be the next Darren Fletcher or whether he will be sold to Sunderland for £3m.

5) Should United worry about fallibility in the air?

Twice against Blackpool they conceded from Charlie Adam corners (worth £10m, according to Sir Alex in a generous mood) and the last Premier League goal they conceded against Stoke was from a Dean Whitehead header after he was given the freedom of the penalty area. One theory is that United have become a rather short team - with the likes of Patrice Evra, Rafael, Anderson, Paul Scholes, Nani and Wayne Rooney all on the diminutive side. It's hardly a massive cause for concern as long as United remain unbeaten, but the saying goes that strikers win matches and defences win titles. Will United pay for having two short-arse full-backs? If not in the Premier League, then in Europe.

[asiancigar]

After Blackpool's second goal, I was resigned to accepting that if we were going to loose..... then loosing to Blackpool was more palatable than to people like Chelsea or Arsenal or Liverpool.

But what can be said that has not already been said about our complete turn around after Giggsy came on and then Chicha....... our boys seemed to hit sixth gear with a tired and fast tiring Blackpool....

Our 1st goal was fabulous......

Our 2nd goal was magical....

And the 3rd goal was sheer heaven...............

WE ARE SIMPLY THE BEST..... better than all the rest

Cheerz
AC

[A Red Devils]

a great comeback win against Blackpool.
champion all the way liao !!!

[machoman]

Owen, Hernandez rescue United
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 03:59:48 HRS

Manchester United's striker Javier Hernandez (2nd L) slides in to score the equalising goal past Southampton's goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski (R) during their FA Cup fourth round football match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton.

Javier Hernandez booked Manchester United's place in the FA Cup fifth round as the Mexican striker clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over League One Southampton on Saturday.

United were in danger of heading out of the competition in embarrassing fashion after being outplayed by the hosts, who took a 44th minute lead through Richard Chaplow.

But the second half introduction of Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs helped turn the tide at St Mary's as Michael Owen and Hernandez struck after the break to spare United's blushes.

That saved United boss Sir Alex Ferguson from an inquest into his team selection as his decision to field a team of reserves briefly looked set to backfire.

Ferguson's selection showed his confidence that Southampton would present his side with few problems, with seven changes from the line-up that started at Blackpool four days previously.

Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was handed a first appearance since his recent move from Danish outfit Aalesund, while Owen made only his fifth start of another injury-plagued season.

The former England striker was employed in an unfamiliar midfield role, operating behind Hernandez and Gabriel Obertan and was clearly keen to make an impression.

Owen produced United's first chance of the game, exchanging passes with Obertan before shooting narrowly wide in the 11th minute.

Then moments later he almost caught out Southampton keeper Bartosz Bialkowski with a cross that looped over the keeper and bounced to safety after clipping the bar and post.

Even before then, however, Southampton had served notice of their threat with left back Dan Harding having an eighth minute-effort chalked off for offside.

And after Owen had provided a couple of early scares, Saints settled to take control of the game.

Rickie Lambert sent a long range effort narrowly over the bar before centre back Jose Fonte caused confusion at a corner.

It was no surprise when United's defences were finally breached on the stroke of half time through Chaplow's excellent finish.

Southampton were helped on their way by some poor United defending with Fabio da Silva caught out by Lambert's flick, allowing Chaplow to get a clear sight of goal.

And the former England under-21 international made no mistake with the opportunity, lashing a powerful volley into the roof of the net.

Southampton's midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (up) jumps over a challenge from Manchester United's defender Jonny Evans during the FA Cup fourth round football match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Manchester United won 2-1.

Fabio was replaced by Wes Brown at half time as Ferguson attempted to revive his ailing side but the visitors still lacked a cutting edge.

They could have fallen further behind had Harding produced a finish to match his excellent mazy run in the 54th minute.

Ferguson had seen enough and threw on the experienced Ryan Giggs and Nani before the hour while pushing Owen into a more familiar striking role.

And the move quickly paid dividends with Owen demonstrating the striker's instinct that once made him European footballer of the year when he met Obertan's right wing cross and headed past Bialkowski.

The momentum was now with the visitors, although a neat corner routine demonstrated that Southampton were by no means finished.

Harding and Chamberlain combined to catch the visiting back four out with Harding drilling a low cross that flew narrowly wide.

That, though, was the home side's last chance of winning the tie with United finally clinching the winning goal in the 76th minute.

Saints substitute Ryan Dickson was caught out deep in his own half, losing the ball to Giggs, who played in Hernandez and the Mexican cleverly steered his shot home while stumbling to the floor.

- AFP

[A Red Devils]

another great comeback again.

[machoman]

Rooney inspires United to victory over Villa
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 06:24:58 HRS

Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester. Rooney scored twice as Manchester United remained five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 3-1 win at home.

Wayne Rooney scored twice -- his first goals in open play at Old Trafford this season -- as Premier League leaders Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-1 here on Tuesday.

Victory, sealed by Nemanja Vidic's goal shortly after Darren Bent had reduced Villa's deficit to 2-1, ensured United remained five points clear at the summit of English football and saw Sir Alex Ferguson's men equal a club record of 29 unbeaten league games set in the 1998/99 season.

It took Rooney just 49 seconds to give United the lead following home goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar's long clearance flying over the Villa defence.

Rooney outpaced Richard Dunne and took one touch before driving the ball into the top corner.

Nani was soon looking to add a second and cut in from the right before lifting a shot over the bar of Brad Friedel, who became Villa's oldest-ever player at the age of 39 years and 259 days.

Dimitar Berbatov should have done better from a deep Rooney cross but struggled to get a decent header on the ball under pressure from James Collins.

When Villa finally got some decent possession in the opposition half, Bent scuffed his shot from Ashley Young's cross.

Friedel came to Dunne's rescue when the Irish defender slipped and gave the ball away on the edge of the box.

Nani swapped passes with Rooney and then hit a powerful shot that was blocked by a fine save from the veteran American.

United continued to press and Berbatov spurned another chance when Nani lifted a cross up to the far post and the Bulgarian could only guide his header on to the roof of the net.

But Rooney doubled his tally just before half time thanks to a fine cross from Nani.

Manchester United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (2nd L) celebrates with Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov (R) and Irish defender John O'Shea (L) after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester. United won 3-1.

The Portuguese lifted a cross to the far post and Rooney stabbed in from close range after getting to the ball ahead of Collins.

After the restart, Aston Villa had a penalty appeal waved away after Bent went down under a challenge from Patrice Evra.

Stewart Downing also had a shot blocked from 25 yards as the visitors pressed for an unlikely comeback.

Ashley Young also curled over the bar from a free kick just outside the area as United were content to sit deep and hit the visitors on the break.

But just before the hour, Villa got in behind the United defence and Downing's cross was touched in by Bent from six yards.

However, United restored their two goal advantage five minutes later.

Rooney laid a pass off for Vidic and the United captain curled a powerful shot into the top corner.

Van der Sar had to tip over from Dunne's header from Downing's corner as Villa refused to give up and Ashley Young also saw a shot bounce off the bar.

Rooney might have had a hat-trick when he broke clear but Dunne denied him with a fine sliding challenge.

Friedel also pulled off a fine block from Nani before Berbatov shot well over the bar from close range in the closing stages.

- AFP

[machoman]

Man. United's Rooney leads goal-spree against Villa
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 09:22:16 HRS

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney has finally rediscovered his scoring touch after the England striker netted twice in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa here on Tuesday.

Rooney had not scored from open play at Old Trafford since the 2-1 victory over Liverpool in March last year, the game before he suffered an ankle injury at Bayern Munich.

The forward has only scored five goals so far this season yet United are still five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and this latest victory equalled their club record of 29 league games unbeaten, set in the 'treble' winning season of 1998/99.

Ferguson insisted he never doubted Rooney would get back on the goal trail, saying: "Goals always help strikers still had the appetite to play and that's the important factor in it all, that he never stops trying the lad.

"It's an in-bred thing in the lad.

"He can't be criticised when he gives that effort. He gets his rewards eventually," the veteran United manager added.

Rooney opened the scoring with less than a minute gone before adding a second just before half time.

Bent pulled one back for Villa just before the hour but Nemanja Vidic fired in United's third five minutes later.

Villa manager Gerard Houllier believes Rooney will take United to another level if he can maintain the form he showed at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

"He made a difference and his goals will help his confidence," Houllier said. "They managed to win a lot of games and remain unbeaten without him.

"With him -- well he was on top of his game against us," the former Liverpool manager added.

"He has everything, his control, he can turn, he can, twist, his passing, he defends he works hard," the Frenchman explained.

"On television you can press a button to follow a player and that's what kids should do because you can see the way he links play.

"After his injury he came back and was a bit difficult because usually you are good and then you are down and you come back. Now he's on his way back."

Ferguson's only deal during the January transfer window was the �3.5 million signing of Aalesunds' Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard.

But a transfer spree from Chelsea, who signed Fernando Torres and David Luiz for �70 million on deadline day, and Liverpool, who brought Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez to Anfield on Monday, made it a record window for English clubs.

Ferguson said the remarkable spending spree had been sparked by the move of striker Darren Bent, who briefly reduced United's lead to 2-1 on Tuesday, from Sunderland to Villa for �24 million.

"I think the Darren Bent transfer has escalated the figures," Ferguson explained. "People are saying 'Well if Darren Bent's worth �24 milllion, my player is worth 24 plus and that's what's happened.

"It created a chain reaction right through the country."

United are now in sight of a record 19th English title and Ferguson said: "You get in the run-in and you'll find that if we win games and keep knocking them off, we'll run out of games and that's what we've got to do.

"We've just got to keep winning."

- AFP

[machoman]