Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[machoman]

Valencia strikes as United go top

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 01:12:29 HRS

Manchester United's midfielder Antonio Valencia controls the ball during their English Premier League football match against Bolton at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United won 2-1.

Manchester United moved top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford here Saturday.

An own goal from Zat Knight and Antonio Valencia's first for United saw the reigning champions regain top spot by a point after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.

United never had to get out of second gear after taking an early lead through Knight's error.

And when Valencia drove past the impressive Jussi Jaaskelainen, they looked set for a comfortable victory.

But United failed to add to that lead and when Matthew Taylor's header made it 2-1 with 15 minutes left, a tense climax ensued.

Although it was not the most convincing display, it set United up for a key week with a Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow and a clash with rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

United were without Nemanja Vidic after the Serbian's training ground injury but the hosts were in front with just four minutes on the clock.

Ryan Giggs had already caused trouble down the left flank and a quick throw down the same side saw Michael Carrick flick through for Patrice Evra.

The French left back's cross was met by a glancing header from Michael Owen and the ball flew in off Knight.

A minute later, clever work from Gary Neville and Dimitar Berbatov allowed Giggs to lift in another cross that was headed goal-wards by Jonny Evans only for Jaaskelainen to push on to the post.

The pressure was constant and Bolton could do little to stem the flow.

Another fine move saw Valencia break down the right and send in a cross that was volleyed towards goal by Berbatov only to deflect off Owen and wide.

With just under a quarter of an hour gone Bolton were presented with a great chance to get back on level terms.

Manchester United's midfielder Antonio Valencia (R) is tackled by Bolton Wanderers' defender Jlloyd Samuel during their English Premier League football match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United won 2-1.

Sam Ricketts sent over a cross from the right but Kevin Davies, who had escaped Evans, headed wide.

On another quick Bolton breakaway, Taylor lifted over the bar from distance.

Midway through the opening period, Owen picked out Valencia just outside the area and the Ecuadorian winger's thumping effort was blocked by Jaaskelainen once again.

Another decent foray forward from the visitors was wasted when Davies clipped a cross wide when he might have had a shot after fine work from Chung-Yong Lee.

Taylor gave Edwin van der Sar his first real work of the day with a free-kick that was easily dealt with by the Dutch goalkeeper, who was making his first appearance of the season after a hand injury.

And just after the half hour, Taylor went much closer, drilling just wide of goal from Davies's knock-down.

But in the 33rd minute, United came up with a second goal of real quality.

They cut through Bolton with Valencia swapping passes with Neville before driving past Jaaskelainen for his first league goal since a pre-season move from Wigan.

Van der Sar comfortably gathered a bobbling shot from Fabrice Muamba as United went in two goals up at the break.

Knight attempted to make up for his early error with a header from Taylor?s free-kick that was held by Van der Sar after the break.

And at the other end, Owen dragged wide after he was slipped through by Berbatov before Taylor fired over from distance once again.

Just before the hour, Valencia clipped a cross to the far post and Jaaskelainen pulled off another fine save from Berbatov's volley.

Taylor though snatched one back for the visitors with a firm header from Davies's cross.

But United withstood some late skirmishes - with Davies drilling wide in the final minute - to keep the points.

- AFP

[richie_rich]

FIVE MATCH BAN FOR FERGIE?

Alex Ferguson could face a five-match touchline ban over his criticism of referee Alan Wiley's fitness.

The Daily Mail reports that Ferguson could be charged on Monday, after he accused Wiley of not being fit enough to referee a top level Premier League game.

Ferguson has issued an apology, and written to the FA explaining his comments, but it seems that it won't be enough to save him from a hefty punishment.

His accusations prompted a furious reaction from the referees union, claiming that a harsh punishment should be given out to make an example of the Manchester United manager.

Alan Leighton, national secretary of the union Prospect, said: "I think the punishment should be a UEFA-type coaching ban, which is rather more than a touchline ban.

"Referees always accept decisions are going to be pored over - they have no problem with legitimate criticism.

"What's problematic is when the integrity and key components of refereeing are being questioned in a totally unwarranted and unfounded way - and we will defend our members when they are."

If Ferguson does receive the maximum sanction, it will be the heftiest punishment he has received while in England.

[tehlulz]

the refs really can't handle criticism don't they...
if the ref thinks he's so fit, they dun even have to respond to any accusation.

[richie_rich]

UNITED QUINTET MISSING IN MOSCOW

Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs are among five senior Manchester United players to have been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had revealed the duo had been doubtful for the game and they have not been included in the squad to travel to Russia.

Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-sung and Patrice Evra are also missing for United, who have made a 100 per cent start to Group B.

Giggs will not make the trip to the Russian capital after picking up a knock during the Red Devils' 2-1 win over Bolton on Saturday when he played the full 90 minutes.

Rooney is out with the calf strain suffered on international duty with England and he sat out the Bolton game as a result of the problem.

He will also be sidelined for the game against CSKA Moscow, but Ferguson is optimistic the striker will be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with arch-rivals Liverpool.

Evra was another player to collect a knock against Bolton and he was replaced by John O'Shea in the final 10 minutes at Old Trafford.

Fletcher and Park both missed the Bolton clash and are again unavailable as the 2008 winners look to edge a step closer to booking a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, Nemanja Vidic, who missed out against the Trotters due to an ankle problem, has travelled with the squad, along with Dimitar Berbatov.

[richie_rich]

FERGIE HAS NO PITCH CONCERNS

Sir Alex Ferguson is not concerned Manchester United must play on an artificial pitch in Wednesday's Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow.

England lost to Russia in a Euro 2008 qualifier at the Luzhniki Stadium, while Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was critical of the pitch after his side lost to CSKA in the UEFA Cup there last season.

However, Ferguson is not worried about the quality of the pitch and is drawing on past experience of playing on artificial surfaces.

"I have no issues with the pitch in Moscow," said Ferguson. "When Luton and QPR had them all those years ago we always played well on them.

"We had a great record at those artificial pitches and that was when the artificial pitches weren't as good. The one in Moscow has a far better covering on it.

"I watched CSKA's previous Champions League game and I didn't see any issue with it at all. It is a passing surface and we have good passers in our side."

United head to Moscow without five senior players through injury and Ferguson is expecting a stiff test against the 2005 UEFA Cup winners.

He added: "They are a very young team and they deserved to win their game against Besiktas, so it should be a good game.

"But we're in a strong position ourselves after winning our opening two games and, if we can navigate the back-to-back games against CSKA, we're through, I think.

"The Champions League for a few years now has had a tremendous amount of quality in it. I think the Russian teams in particular have improved a lot in the last few years thanks to big investment.

"There are a lot of Brazilian players in Russia now. So you can expect a difficult game there and it's a surface which we're not used to playing on."

[richie_rich]

FERGIE AT FULL STRENGTH

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to welcome back a number of his top stars against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Red Devils are set to make the short trip to Anfield for a crunch encounter which could all but end Rafa Benitez's title dreams.

With Liverpool having already lost four times in the Premier League this season, United will be hoping to write off the challenge of one of their fiercest rivals.

Victory on Merseyside would also pile further pressure on Benitez, with the Spanish coach having led his side to four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

With so much riding on the game, Ferguson is delighted to be in the position of having an almost full strength squad from which to choose.

A UEFA Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow is currently at the forefront of United's thoughts, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher all set to sit out the match in Moscow.

However, all four are expected to be back in contention for the weekend, much to Ferguson's delight.

"We are hoping we get the main players fit because it's a big game," he said in The Sun.

"Evra will be fit for Sunday. He's just had a little problem with his heel.

"I'm hoping Rooney, Giggs and Fletcher will be fit."

Rooney is still nursing a calf injury he picked up while on international duty with England, but he will be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness.

Giggs, meanwhile, should shake off a cold in time to feature and Fletcher has responded well to treatment on a groin problem.

[machoman]

United break Russian duck to maintain perfect start

Thursday, October 22, 2009, 03:03:29 HRS

Chidi Odiah(R) of CSKA Moskva vies with Nani of Manchester United FC during their Champions League groupe B football match in Moscow. Manchester won 1-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Manchester United's win over CSKA Moscow here on Wednesday as testimony to the maturity of a squad that is now unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League away matches.

Antonio Valencia's late strike ensured United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 to equal Ajax's record on the road, as well as delivering the English champions' first European win over Russian opposition.

The victory left Ferguson's men on the verge of the knockout stages after a third win from three matches in their group, and the Scot with a broad smile on is face.

"I think it (the away record) is something we should be proud of," he said.

"It is not easy away from home in Europe and we've been to some fantastic places over the years.

"I think it shows maturity. There is a way of playing in europe away from home and I think you saw that tonight. We showed good patience and retained good possession and I think that was the key factor."

Ferguson played down concerns over the condition of Brazilian left-back Fabio, who had to be stretchered off near the end.

"The boy is a magnificent player for 18 years of age, he was absolutely first class," the United boss said before revealing that the teenager had merely succumbed to a bout of cramp.

CSKA coach Juande Ramos commented: "We were playing very good for 80 minutes but later in the match we got tire and lost concentration and that cost us all three points.

"Today Manchester were the more classy team. They were very good in posession, while we made too many mistakes in the very end."

The former Sevilla, Real Madrid and Tottenham boss added: "Manchester have already (virtually) qualified for the play-offs, while three other teams in our group have equal chances for the second pass into the knockout stage. We are set to perform better in the remaining matches and enter the play-offs."

United had returned to the Luzhniki Stadium, scene of their 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea, with depleted resources.

Georgi Schennikov(L) of Russia's CSKA Moskva vies with Gary Neville of Manchester United FC during the Champions League Group B football match in Moscow. Manchester won 1-0.

Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs were the most conspicuous absentees but Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung also had to be left behind in Manchester because of injuries and the proximity of Sunday's Premier League showdown with Liverpool.

Ferguson was at least able to restore Nemanja Vidic to his customary role alongside Rio Ferdinand following the Serbian centreback's recovery from an ankle injury. Ferdinand and Paul Scholes were both replaced before the end but Ferguson indicated both switches had been purely precautionary.

CSKA had to do without injured Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez.

The Russians kicked off with a run of six consecutive European wins on home soil behind them but their guarded approach to the contest hardly indicated a side with deep reserves of confidence.

CSKA's much-admired Serbian midfielder Milos Krasic had the first shot on goal but his effort, following a mazy run to the edge of the area, was struck well wide.

United gradually began to assert themselves as the opening period wore on but the only time Igor Akinfeev, was called into action was when a hopeful 35-yard strike by Scholes bounced in front of him and accelerated off the artificial surface, forcing the goalkeeper to palm the ball over the bar.

Krasic responded by working his way past two defenders and into the box but the subsequent shot was pulled across the goalmouth.

United continued to look the more composed of the two sides after the interval and, with just under an hour elapsed, would have taken the lead but for a fine save from Akinfeev, who threw himself full-length to his left to keep out Nani's diving header from a Gary Neville cross.

Valencia soon went even closer to breaking the deadlock. After exchanging passes with Nani on the edge of the area, the Ecuadorian winger unleashed a fierce right-foot drive that struck the angle of post and bar.

At that stage it seemed as if United's controlled dominance would go unrewarded but, with five minutes left, Valencia made sure of the points by beating Akinfeev from close range after Berbatov had flicked Nani's cross on to him on the right-hand edge of the six-yard box.

Anderson might have doubled the winning margin but the Brazilian midfielder contrived to place his shot from a similar distance wide of the post after Berbatov's back heel had left him with only the goalkeeper to beat.

- AFP

[thaivisitor]

Sunday will also be crucial for Man U.

Liverpool needs to "turn around" and if they lose this one, I think they're finished. Man U will not feel any competition from Liverpool.

For Man U, even if they lose, they will still be OK but Liverpool with eventually breathe down their necks. If Man U wins, they are really going to maintain the lead as Chelsea will be missing some key players during the coming African Nations Cup.

Tee Vee

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

Sunday will also be crucial for Man U. Liverpool needs to "turn around" and if they lose this one, I think they're finished. Man U will not feel any competition from Liverpool.
For Man U, even if they lose, they will still be OK but Liverpool with eventually breathe down their necks.

Another orgasmic victory over scousers?

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

Sunday will also be crucial for Man U.

Liverpool needs to "turn around" and if they lose this one, I think they're finished. Man U will not feel any competition from Liverpool.

For Man U, even if they lose, they will still be OK but Liverpool with eventually breathe down their necks. If Man U wins, they are really going to maintain the lead as Chelsea will be missing some key players during the coming African Nations Cup.

Tee Vee

Wah Brudder........ so long MIA. So when we going to get together...... hehe

Originally Posted by yinyang

Another orgasmic victory over scousers?

Brudder....... i am hoping that MO will get to play and SCORE !!!!!........ hahaha

Cheerz
AC

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Brudder....... i am hoping that MO will get to play and SCORE !!!!!........ hahaha

Cheerz
AC

A hat-trick perhaps?

[richie_rich]

MAN UNITED AWARE OF LIVERPOOL THREAT

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic claims his team-mates will not let Liverpool's problems influence their preparations for Sunday's Anfield showdown.

The Premier League leaders will travel to the home of their fiercest rivals looking to a catch a side that has lost their last four games with another telling blow.

Victory would give United a 10-point advantage over a perceived title rival with 10 games gone and exacerbate a growing crisis on Merseyside.

Yet whilst United go into the game on the back of a Champions League win at CSKA Moscow - Liverpool having suffered a demoralising home loss to Lyon - Vidic insists the game is no foregone conclusion.

The Serbia international said: "It is not good to have too much confidence but it is good to have won before the game against Liverpool.

"We believe in the squad and each other and this is important."

Vidic made a successful return from injury against CSKA on Wednesday, playing the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 win in the Russian capital.

United now look well on course for a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with the victory having taken their points tally to a maximum nine from three games.

Wolfsburg, their nearest challengers, are five points behind.

"It is perfect - three games, three wins," Vidic said. "We can breathe at the moment.

"It was important we kept the clean sheet also because in the last few games we have lost too many goals.

"I now think we need to keep going and build on this, get more clean sheets and confidence for the games to come.

"We have some big games in the next few weeks and that was a good start."

As well as the Liverpool game, United also have a trip to Chelsea looming on November 8.

Vidic added his praise for Wednesday's match-winner Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuador international, signed for £16million from Wigan as a potential Cristiano Ronaldo replacement in the summer, struck the only goal at the Luzhniki Stadium four minutes from time.

Vidic said: "He was under pressure at the beginning of the season and he played out of position. Media and fans were expecting so much of him.

"But in the last two games he has shown he is a very high quality player.

"It will mean a lot for the confidence and I am sure he will do very well."

[imom]

Quote from an article on manutd.com, recounting the burgeoning of the great MU-Pool rivalry:

"....Early in the 1960s, I don’t remember a great rivalry, certainly not like there is today.... Busby and Shankly were great mates and most Reds remembered Liverpool were the first team after Munich to offer help....."

Just a nugget for the younger Red Devils who might not have known. Think about this the next time you decide to disrespect opposition fans. Especially the older folk who lived through Munich.

This will probably fall on deaf ears, but oh well, one can indulge in a bit of idealism once in a while.

[thaivisitor]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Wah Brudder........ so long MIA. So when we going to get together...... hehe


Brudder....... i am hoping that MO will get to play and SCORE !!!!!........ hahaha

Cheerz
AC

Make arrangement with yinyang and he can sms and we can get together ...tomorrow?

Cheers
Tee Vee

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

Make arrangement with yinyang and he can sms and we can get together ...tomorrow?

Cheers
Tee Vee

KNN..... must make appt thru PA now arr. ::

Cheerz
AC