Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by Ole Ole Ole

Glory Glory Glory

Final Score : Red Devils 2 : 1 Chelsea

Glory Glory Man United! The 19th title is all but wrapped up!

[mr_missile]

Don't want to jump the gun but here's a report extracted from Football365 that makes for an interesting read :

Five Games That Won United The Title

From the comeback at Blackpool, to the Neviller's escape at Stoke, to the schooling of Chelsea that virtually secured their 19th title, here are five games that won the league for United...


Stoke City 1 - 2 Manchester United, October 24, 2010

This was Manchester United's first Premier League away win in five attempts, and the first to feature a couple of inexplicable Gary Neville reprieves and a late Javier Hernandez winner. Chelsea had raced into an eight point lead over United and were looking unbeatable after taking 22 from a possible 24 points. To top it all off Wayne Rooney decided to take a weekend break in Dubai to recuperate from all the, erm, extra-marital activities and public mouthing off he'd been up to.

Hernandez scored a breathtaking opener, powering the ball with the back of his head into Thomas Sorensen's left-hand corner. Tuncay equalised with eight minutes to go, but a late Hernandez tap-in won it for United to spark jubilant scenes. Perhaps the pivotal moment of the game though had been Andre Marriner's failure to send Neville off for a second bookable offence on Matthew Etherington, who had skinned him time after time in the first-half. Neville was pulled off and he later admitted he was lucky to escape.

This game was the first sign that United were getting back to their old selves. They had just dropped two points against West Brom at Old Trafford, inexplicably losing a 2-0 lead in what is now very likely to be their only home blip of the season. They were struggling to hold onto leads and Chelsea and Arsenal had won both their games comfortably. It looked to be yet another frustrating draw until the Mexican did what he does best.


Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal, December 13, 2010

United were third in the table after a series of routine wins, while Chelsea were in the middle of their mid-season collapse. Arsenal came to Old Trafford top of the league and in decent form themselves. It was billed yet again as a coming-of-age style showdown for this young Arsenal team; a chance for them to extend their lead at the top and rid themselves of a perceived inferiority complex.

United did what United do best though and beat Arsenal 1-0, in what was ultimately a flattering scoreline for the visitors. Ji-sung Park scored another fantastic header just before half-time, while Rooney missed a penalty in the second half. It was the comfortable manner of the victory that was significant though. Arsenal yet again failed to trouble Sir Alex Ferguson's defence and Samir Nasri - up to then a potential player of the season - had no impact on the game in Cesc Fabregas' absence. Nani once again terrorised Gael Clichy, Park scored in a big game and everything went exactly as Ferguson had planned it.

It was perhaps a more significant defeat for Arsenal than it was a victory for United, but that in turn helped Ferguson's men as Arsenal were their closest challengers at that time. The result put United top of the league, and they've been there pretty much ever since.


Blackpool 2 - 3 Manchester United, January 25, 2011

Blackpool were just beginning to slip as they came into this game, but were still a very respectable 12th in the table. United were top, only by a couple of points, yet were still unbeaten in the league. Chelsea had hinted at what was to come by thrashing Bolton 4-0 at the Reebok the day before.

Blackpool went 2-0 up thanks to two Charlie Adam corners, and Ian Holloway's team were magnificent. They had United on the back-foot for 70 minutes and played with a dynamism and speed of thought synonymous with the club they were beating. Shortly after half-time, Rafael brought down Luke Varney in the area, which should have been a penalty and a sending off, but referee Peter Walton waved play on. Holloway reflected: "It's stonewall. And if we go three up, who knows what would have happened?" Knowing Blackpool and their inability to keep out goals, it might simply have been 4-3.

Ryan Giggs was brought on at half-time and swung the game their way. His was a display of intelligence and subtlety, which was typical of the rest of his season. With less than a quarter of the game to go a Hernandez goal, sandwiched between two Dimitar Berbatov strikes brought United what seemed the unlikeliest of victories.


West Ham 2 - 4 Manchester United, April 2, 2011

This was the return of the real Rooney. His rebirth began with the bicycle kick against Man City, but this was the game - or more accurately the half - in which everything came back together. Upton Park was the site of both the defeat that allowed Leeds to take the title back in 1992, and the 1-1 draw on the last day of the '95 season, which allowed Blackburn to steal their crown. Although this was probably only playing on the mind of Giggs, it nevertheless appeared that another significant defeat was on its way, courtesy of two Mark Noble penalties.

Rooney was useless in the first-half, with a series of wayward passes and poor touches, but a 14 minute hat-trick in the second put paid to that and inspired his famous piece to camera (which the FA weren't too keen on). Hernandez grabbed a fourth late on to put the seal on yet another astonishing comeback.

The game was also notable for the performance of Antonio Valencia. He had only just returned from a broken leg, but he terrorised Wayne Bridge and slotted seamlessly back into the United side. The winger set up Rooney's second and has gone from strength to strength ever since.


Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea, 9 May, 2011

The game was simply the biggest of the season, and won United the title all but mathematically. If Chelsea had prevailed it would have been a straight shoot-out for the league; they were only three points behind United with an equal goal difference and were coming off the back of an imperious run of form, taking 25 from a possible 27 points.

United had slipped the weekend before, suffering a relatively surprising reverse to Arsenal, whom they had previously had an iron grip upon in terms of getting results. Chelsea had just come off the back of a lucky victory over Spurs and it seemed as if the force was with the London side.

United though tend to ignore any sense of fate and set their own story. Hernandez's early goal and Nemanja Vidic's typically brave second were deserved. Chelsea on the rare occasions where they found an opening were thwarted by the endlessly excellent Edwin van der Sar. They pulled one back with 20 minutes to go, but failed to really trouble the rock that is United's central defensive pairing any further.

A record 19 league titles, and an opportunity to sit atop Liverpool's f*****g perch is surely a certainty.

And five other games that helped...


Chelsea 0 - 3 Sunderland, November 14, 2010
The start of a terrible run of form, which ultimately left Chelsea with too high a mountain to climb.


Aston Villa 1 - 0 Manchester City, January 22, 2011
For a brief period in January, City went top, albeit having played more games. But Villa's record signing Darren Bent ended their run of good form.


Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool, February 6 2011
It was Fernando Torres' debut, a player that was supposed to reinvigorate Chelsea's title challenge. Needless to say it did not go well and was a sign of things to come for the Spaniard.


Birmingham City 2 - 1 Arsenal, February 27, 2011
The game that caused Arsenal's end-of-season collapse.


Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool. April 17, 2011
A chance for Arsenal to move to within four points of United with six games left. Arsenal scored the latest goal of the season, but proceeded to concede even later

[The Monkees]

last night,sweet dream all the way.
one record down,looking forward when we break another of their record - 5 European Cup/Champion League wins.

[jitlong69]

Originally Posted by The Monkees

last night,sweet dream all the way.
one record down,looking forward when we break another of their record - 5 European Cup/Champion League wins.

Yo bro, it is a matter of time........

[mr_missile]

Glory Glory Man United!

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by The Monkees

last night,sweet dream all the way.
one record down,looking forward when we break another of their record - 5 European Cup/Champion League wins.

Please, lets not use them as a bench mark. We set the mark and in any event there are teams with bigger records in Europe then them.

[ryang74]

[mr_missile]

Reported in the UK Daily Mirror.

United have £16m bid for No.1 keeper target accepted

Manchester United believe they have secured their first signing of the summer.

Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea has confirmed he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, and now his club have accepted, in principle, a United offer of around £16million.

[alex18122003]

Papers: De Gea deal close

Top Gea
Manchester United believe they have secured their first signing of the summer. Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea has confirmed he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, and now his club have accepted, in principle, a United offer of around £16million.Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed this week he wants three high-profile new faces to cover the departure of some of his most experienced players, with Gary Neville and Edwin Van der Sar retiring, and Paul Scholes possibly following suit. A keeper is top of his list, and positive contact has already been made with representatives of De Gea, who is only 20 but is already regarded as one of the best at his position in Europe. Contrary to suggestions in Spain, no deal has yet been signed. But the new Premier League champions are supremely confident they have their man after being given permission to talk to the player. Chief executive David Gill said: "We know the keeper we want and are in a good position, and I'm sure we can get the deal done." But the De Gea deal is clearly just the start of a big-money summer for United, who are prepared to spend big to ensure they replace important players with quality performers proven at the highest level. While De Gea is still a youngster, he has already won his spurs at the top level, helping Atletico win the Europa League last season and the UEFA Super Cup back in August and playing in the Champions League.
David Maddock, Daily Mirror

The Guardian speculate that Paul Scholes may play his last game for the Reds against Blackpool on Sunday with the midfielder set to retire from the game. The Sun features quotes from Wayne Rooney who says he is desperate to play against Blackpool. "You play football to play in these games and I hope I can play on Sunday. You want to keep ticking over."

Sir Alex's team selection will be very much under the spotlight on Sunday and the Express' Matt Dunn reckons United could be sued if we lose and another team is relegated.

[mr_missile]

FERGUSON AND VIDIC WIN TOP AWARDS

Manchester United have claimed an awards double with Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic landing the Barclays Manager and Player of the Season honours.

Ferguson has led United to their 12th Premier League title, and 19th English league success overall, plus the Champions League final.

Centre-back Vidic has been the key cog in United's defence and has made more league starts than any other Red Devils player during the campaign.

Ferguson, 69, lands the top manager award from the Premier League sponsors for a ninth time, while 29-year-old Vidic has now been named Barclays' player of the season twice in his United career, with votes coming from representatives of football's governing bodies, the media and supporters.

[mr_missile]

NO INJURY WORRIES FOR SEASIDERS

Dimitar Berbatov will be given the chance to secure the Premier League's Golden Boot prize against Blackpool on Sunday.

The Bulgarian has scored just two goals since January and is now level with Carlos Tevez on 20. But he will start for Manchester United in a match that will determine Blackpool's top flight future.

Paul Scholes could make his final Premier League appearance and Edwin van der Sar will, with Anderson, Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher also expected to be in Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up.

Blackpool are expected to be at full strength for their last-day fight for survival.

Even a repeat of their last Old Trafford triumph, in 1962, may not be enough to save the Tangerines should other results go against them, although conversely, they could stay up with a narrow defeat.


Teams:

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Gill, Smalling, Evans, Brown, Evra, Obertan, Bebe, Valencia, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson, Park, Giggs, Nani, Tunnicliffe, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez, King.


Blackpool (from): Gilks, Eardley, Cathcart, Crainey, Evatt, Southern, Adam, Varney, Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Grandin, Baptiste, Sylvestre, Puncheon, Vaughan, Phillips, Harewood, Ormerod, Beattie, Reid, Kornilenko, Rachubka, Kingson.

[machoman]

Manchester United have reportedly agreed to sign David De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

According to The Mirror, the Barclays Premier League champions have secured the signature of the 20-year-old goalkeeper after Atletico accepted an offer of around £16 million.

United chief executive David Gill revealed earlier this week that the Old Trafford club were closing in on a successor to Edwin Van der Sar - with De Gea apparently now ready to replace the Dutchman.

"We know the keeper we want and are in a good position and I'm sure we can get the deal done," Gill told BBC Radio 5.

"We've made the decision of who we want, we've been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe over the past six months, but we've known who we wanted for many months and we aim to achieve that."

De Gea's protracted move to Old Trafford has been ongoing for several months with the Spaniard initially said to have reservations about leaving Madrid so early in his career.

However, it would seem he has now decided that joining United is an opportunity too good to refuse, with the shot-stopper set to become the Red Devils' second signing of the summer after Lens teenager Raphael Varane.

Schalke No.1 Manuel Neuer had initially been tipped to join United during the transfer window, but the 25-year-old will instead move to Bayern Munich.

Holland 'keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has also been consistently linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but the curtain looks set to be brought down on one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the season.

[sentsggirls]

Originally Posted by machoman

Manchester United have reportedly agreed to sign David De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

According to The Mirror, the Barclays Premier League champions have secured the signature of the 20-year-old goalkeeper after Atletico accepted an offer of around £16 million.

United chief executive David Gill revealed earlier this week that the Old Trafford club were closing in on a successor to Edwin Van der Sar - with De Gea apparently now ready to replace the Dutchman.

"We know the keeper we want and are in a good position and I'm sure we can get the deal done," Gill told BBC Radio 5.

"We've made the decision of who we want, we've been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe over the past six months, but we've known who we wanted for many months and we aim to achieve that."

De Gea's protracted move to Old Trafford has been ongoing for several months with the Spaniard initially said to have reservations about leaving Madrid so early in his career.

However, it would seem he has now decided that joining United is an opportunity too good to refuse, with the shot-stopper set to become the Red Devils' second signing of the summer after Lens teenager Raphael Varane.

Schalke No.1 Manuel Neuer had initially been tipped to join United during the transfer window, but the 25-year-old will instead move to Bayern Munich.

Holland 'keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has also been consistently linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but the curtain looks set to be brought down on one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the season.

this guy is good, i always buy him when i play Football manager. his stats are nice in the game.

[asiancigar]

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND AGAIN !!!!!!!!

NOW FOR EUROPE AND TO AVENGE BARCA....... AND THE REDS GO MARCHING ON ON ON !!!!!!


Cheerz
AC

[mr_missile]

MAN UNITED YOUTH TEN TIMES TERRIFIC

The day after they collected the league trophy for a record 19th time, Manchester United became the first club to win the FA Youth Cup on 10 occasions.

Ravel Morrison and Will Keane each scored a brace to see off Sheffield United, who reached the end of the road after an outstanding campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to witness the triumph and must now decide the next career move of a group who look destined for much bigger things.

It might have been a season of unremitting gloom for the Blades at first-team level but their youth team squad have been exceptional.

The key for the South Yorkshire outfit will be keeping hold of them, which in the case of Jordan Slew in particular may prove to be difficult.

Slew has already made eight first-team appearances and has a couple of England Under-19 caps to his name, a number that seems certain to rise.

The Sheffield-born youngster went close on a couple of occasions before the break, including a dipping, curling shot that had Sam Johnstone scrambling across his goal to watch it to safety.

United have been producing top youngsters for over half a century now.

Indeed, it was Sir Matt Busby's Babes that won the Youth Cup five years on the trot from 1953.

Of the current crop, the ones tipped for great things are French import Paul Pogba, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Morrison and Keane.

Morrison has been claimed by some to be United's most talented junior since Paul Scholes.

Unfortunately, he is not without problems off the field and on Wednesday will be back in court after being placed on conditional bail, charged with assault and causing criminal damage.

On the pitch, he has so much to offer and his first-half goal was outstanding for its simplicity.

After Keane screwed twin brother Michael's cross into his path, Morrison required one touch to control before burying a clinical shot into the bottom corner.

Pegged back twice in last week's first leg, United were in no mood to release their grip tonight.

And after Terry Kennedy had handled a Will Keane header, the rangy striker strode up to send George Long the wrong way.

In a second half that saw the unfortunate departure of the Blades' Harry Maguire on a stretcher, Morrison was first to double his tally.

This time, it was sublime in a more orthodox manner as he strode to the edge of the area, crabbed his way across the box, then cut a fantastic shot low into the far corner.

Joe Ironside pulled one back but Keane responded with another to round off the scoring.