Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[joew2005]

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Ferdinand keeps the faith
December 9, 2011

Rio Ferdinand is convinced ManU's vast experience will drag them thru their Champions League nightmare.

United flew home on Thursday, still coming 2 terms with the shattering experience suffered in Switzerland, when a 2-1 defeat 2 FC Basel turfed them out @ the group stage of European football's most prestigious competition 4 the 1st time since 2005.

Rough estimates put the loss of income alone @ £20 million, although a small percentage of tat could be made up if United were 2 progress 2 the latter stages of the Europa League. Ferdinand, though, insists it is a time 4 cool heads.

"We r definitely good enough 2 bounce back," he said. "It is only a couple of weeks ago ppl were saying we were going 2 be champions & we were going 2 do tis & that. It doesn't change aft 1 night in Europe.

"We hv alot of players here with valuable experience. Tat will come in2 play now. I hv no worries or qualms abt this weekend coming. We will be up 4 it.

"You don't 1 2 experience tis type of feeling often. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. The young players in the squad who haven't been here long know wat tat is like now."

And Ferdinand concurred with team-mate Patrice Evra abt the low Champions League elimination has brought, although he denied completely any suggestion United may hv been complacent abt the task they faced in gaining a single point @ St-Jakob Park.

"There was no complacency," he said. "Tat is way off the mark. The manager wouldn't stand 4 complacency @ tis club.

"But it is embarrassing 2 go out @ tis stage & any player with pride in his performance & in his job doesn't 1 2 feel tat. We don't like tis. We will try & rectify it."

[joew2005]

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Ferguson not planning January signings
December 10, 2011

ManU manager SAF has played down the possibility of making reinforcements 2 his squad in the January transfer window.

United hv been criticised in recent days, aft the club slumped out of the Champions League following a surprise away defeat 2 FC Basel on Wednesday.

Now facing an ignominious run in the Europa League during the 2nd half of the season, & with captain Nemanja Vidic ruledn out 4 the rest of the season, many had expected the Scot 2 open his cheque-book & make additions 2 his options @ Old Trafford when the window opens.

However, Ferguson has played down tat possibility - saying previous January signings including Henrik Larsson, Vidic & Patrice Evra r exceptions rather than the norm.

"It is very difficult 2 buy players in January," Ferguson said. "You don't just 1 2 buy any player simply becos it gives u another 1. You 1 2 buy some1 who can make a difference.

"We hv only had maybe 4 or 5 signings in my time here in January. It is not a consistent route 4 us simply becos of all the disadvantages."

The difficulty of prising players fr clubs mid-season, as well as the complications surrounding which potential signings would be eligible 4 United's Europa League campaign, will also affect Ferguson's willingness 2 dip in2 the market.

"It is not easy 2 get players in January," said Ferguson. "I m not quite sure if u went 4 a player if he could play in the Europa League. There is criteria there in the sense of playing in the Champions League & whether they could play in the Europa League. There r alot of issues there but there is nothing in my mind @ the moment."

[mr_missile]

McCarthy denies United demise

Mick McCarthy dismissed talk of a Manchester United demise after watching Wolves beaten 4-1 by the Premier League champions at Old Trafford.

Dumped out of the Champions League in midweek and with skipper Nemanja Vidic ruled out for the rest of the season through injury, United are on the ropes.

Not for the first time, their response to such a predicament was to come out swinging.

And with Nani and Wayne Rooney both bagging their first league goals since September, they were able to record a win that closed the gap on Manchester City to two points ahead of the Blues' showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

"I don't look at Manchester United in a different way," said McCarthy.

"I can't remember when Manchester United, at Old Trafford, was an easy task.

"All the hype and talk about their demise is nonsense.

"They have had a tough couple of results. They have been knocked out of the Champions League.

"But they will get back again because they have got really good players and a whole load of young players, who are developing."

Not that McCarthy, who has endured plenty of criticism himself this season, could fail to manage a wry smile at the thought of Ferguson being under pressure.

"I am not surprised by that at all," he said.

"He is not immune. It is kind of refreshing when the best managers are under pressure and getting stick. It makes me feel a whole lot better.

"I would imagine when you walk into this place, or any of the top clubs, there is instant pressure. You have to live with it.

"He has done it better than any manager and will continue to work at it.

"He has had a tough time. It happens. It is cyclical. You can't always be a success.

"You have to change things and constantly work at it. He has been better than anybody else at changing team after team after team and constantly being the top dog.

"But you still have to have some tough results from time to time."

Ferguson has made a point of stressing he retains total confidence in his squad.

And with Rooney in particular back on the scoresheet again, taking his tally to 11, having scored nine in his first six games, the United boss can talk optimistically about what lies ahead.

"Wayne in particular, does go in spurts," he said.

"He scored nine in the early part of the season. Now we are going up to an important part of the season, if we get the goal ratio again, it puts us in good fettle."

Ferguson was delighted with the response of his players, arguing that for some, the shattering Champions League experience will turn out to be a positive.

"We will take a lot of stick from critics and even from people we thought were perhaps on our side," he said.

"This was the right response. Some of the football was fantastic."

Two seasons ago, McCarthy was fined £25,000 for fielding a weakened team in the corresponding fixture, which Wolves lost 3-0.

He clearly has not forgotten.

"That is what you get when you put your full-strength team out against them," he said, when asked about today's result.

"I was happy with the performance.

"We played 4-4-2 against a team who are better than us, who have better players than us and are a bigger club than us.

"And, unfortunately, we got turned over."

[mr_missile]

Jones: Roo not all about goals

Phil Jones does not believe Wayne Rooney has to score in order to make a positive contribution to the Manchester United cause.

Rooney bagged his first Premier League goals since September as United romped to a 4-1 victory over Wolves in front of their biggest crowd of the season at Old Trafford.

It was a positive end to an eventful week for the 26-year-old, who managed to get his Euro 2012 suspension reduced to two matches from three, clearing him to face co-hosts Ukraine in the final Group D game in Donetsk on June 19.

However, less than 24 hours before, Rooney missed the Red Devils' best chance as they crashed out of the Champions League to Basle.

It would be easy to make a connection between Rooney's disciplinary problems being dealt with and the freedom of his overall performance on Saturday.

But Jones feels goals should not be the only factor by why Rooney's contribution is judged.

"Wayne was brilliant," he said.

"But he still has an influence on the team even when he is not scoring. The things he does off the ball are terrific as well.

"People sometimes don't take that into consideration. They look at his goal tally and think he is not doing well but he has been terrific for us."

Nevertheless, after scoring nine times in his first six league games of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Rooney "goes on a spurt" over the congested Festive programme as United approach the New Year's Day deadline their manager uses as the marker for how they will be challenging for the Premier League title in May.

He will hope for a favour from old rivals Chelsea, who meet leaders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

However, after the disastrous European experience in midweek, Ferguson will be pleasantly surprised at the ease with which his side brought some stability back to the season.

It gave him the opportunity of returning to the defence of his young players, heavily criticised by Roy Keane, amongst others, in his assessment of the defeat in Switzerland.

"I don't understand people doubting these players," said Ferguson.

"(Danny) Welbeck, (Chris) Smalling and (Phil) Jones have played for their country.

"If they are not that good, why are England playing them?

"They are fantastic young players. They will be the foundation of our club for years."

It expanded on a comment Ferguson made in his programme notes about criticism "from people we thought perhaps were on our side".

"Though we may gnash our teeth, there is no use wailing about it."

Instead, Ferguson is trusting his depleted squad to drag United out of their disappointment, which will only truly be rammed home on Friday, when the draws for both the Champions League they are no longer part of, and the Europa League, which they are, will be made.

"It has been hard," said the Portugal winger.

"Normally we always go to the final of the Champions League. We used to pass easily through the group. This time was a bit disappointing.

"No-one expected to go to the Europa League. But this is life. We are still alive.

"We still have the opportunity to play. Now we just have to do our best to win whatever competition we can."

Like Rooney, Nani also scored twice, his first goals since September too.

With so many players out injured, Ferguson needs the winger to maintain his present high standards.

The United boss has not sought any sympathy. But opposite number Mick McCarthy gave a typically blunt assessment of the Scot's plight.

"There is this ridiculous nonsense that goes about," he said.

"I know he is not immune and it is kind of refreshing when the best managers are under pressure and getting stick. It makes me feel a whole lot better.

"But he is the best manager there has been as far as I am concerned.

"He has had a tough time. It happens. You can't always be a success."

[mr_missile]

Break from football for Fletcher

Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is to take "an extended break from football" owing to a chronic bowel condition.

United have revealed that Fletcher, who has been sidelined at various points in recent times with was reported to be a virus, has been suffering with the inflammatory condition known as ulcerative colitis for some time.

The 27-year-old has now been advised to take a complete break from the game.

The club said in a statement: "On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons."

Fletcher made only one start for United last term after March 1 and was an unused substitute for the 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

He has made 10 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils during the current campaign, with the last coming on November 22.

The statement from United continued: "Over the past year, he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality.

"Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.

"Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period, this has proved more difficult recently and Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.

"He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.

"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."

Fletcher, the Scotland captain, has also played for his country in four Euro 2012 qualifiers this season.

Scotland boss Craig Levein said: "I am obviously absolutely devastated for Darren because I know how hard he has worked to get back to playing regularly for his club and country.

"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and on behalf of his Scotland team-mates and my backroom staff I sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family, will enable him to make a full recovery.

"Darren has shown tremendous dedication and fortitude, demonstrated by his ability to overcome this illness and perform at the highest level for Manchester United and Scotland.

"I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren this week and the most important thing at this stage is for the player to be given time to rest and recuperate.

"Nobody is more committed to his country's cause than our captain. He is a central part of our plans for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers but at this stage his health is paramount and I would like to reiterate the best wishes of everyone at involved with the national team and the Scottish FA."

[mr_missile]

the old trafford treatment room seems to be overflowing these days. at last count :

vidic and fletcher (out for the season), anderson, cleverley, chicharito, fabio, rafael, owen.

united's midfield is really short in numbers now as we are left with just giggs, park, carrick, rooney and jones (one or the other when really necessary).

i guess saf thinks that the younger players like pogba and morrison are yet to be ready this season for their premier league breakthroughs.

yet at the same time, saf has insisted that united will not buy reinforcements during the january window for transfers. and now that we are out of the champs league, to come to united this season may have somewhat lost its attraction to some players.

still, i do wish that saf will buy at least a top midfielder (dreaming of modric more than sneidjer) to help united at least retain the bpl crown.

[yinyang]

We can take heart on noisy neighbors MC's slim lead down to 2 pts. With tough games to Gunners and Pool start 2012.

See who's right side of Manchester on 8/1 FA tie and 3 days later vs Pool in Carling cup. When going gets tough, see if big cheque book egomaniacs can handle new year crunch

[mr_missile]

Beware the Pog, barks Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson may turn to 18-year-old Paul Pogba, who he describes as a 'big, strong lad', to ease his Manchester United midfield crisis.

Darren Fletcher is unlikely to be seen again this season following confirmation he will take an extended break to recover from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

And, as Tom Cleverley and Anderson are also on the long-term injury list, Ferguson is short of options for the pre-Christmas trips to QPR and Fulham.

Yet the United boss still insists he has no plans to enter the January transfer market, and hinted that instead, Pogba could be asked to play a significant role.

"Pogba is a possibility," said Ferguson. "He is a big, strong lad and a good athlete.

"He is improving and developing well. We have seen the progress he has made since coming to the club and physically, he is better than the rest of last year's youth team, apart from Zeki Fryers."

Even in Ferguson's long time as manager, it is unusual to encounter such a list of significant problems in one specific area of the field.

However, with Fletcher, it was an issue that had been rumbling on for some time.

United initially dismissed the Scot's absence in March as "a virus", maintaining that stance even when Fletcher failed to return for six weeks.

Further suspicions were raised when Fletcher missed the summer tour of America and, when he sat out the Champions defeat to Basle last week, when Phil Jones and Ryan Giggs were paired together in central midfield, there was no point maintaining the pretence any further.

"It's easier now it's out in the open," said Ferguson. "That was the big decision he had to make.

"We were trying to address the confidentiality part of it in a different way by talking about a virus but that was down to protecting Darren.

"He got to the position, particularly in Scotland, where there was more delving into why we kept talking about a virus.

"He felt a bit uncomfortable about it so he decided to make it public."

Ferguson confirmed there was no timescale to Fletcher's recovery programme, and that the 27-year-old has spent a couple of days in hospital.

"The medical people have made the right decision," he said.

"They regarded Darren's health as the more important issue and we as a club agree completely with that.

"He's not been in training - he was in hospital for a few days, and he'll rest now."

Ferguson has previously stated he expects Cleverley to have recovered from an ankle injury at some stage over the festive programme.

It is not anticipated the Yorkshireman will be fit to face QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday, yet still there is no intention for Ferguson to enter the transfer market.

"I don't why people keep going on about that," he said.

"It's never been a route we've taken consistently unless a player that we've been interested in appears. But there is no sign of at the moment."

Instead, Ferguson will rely on Jones, Giggs, Michael Carrick and Park Ji-sung, in addition to the precocious talent of Pogba, who joined amid some controversy from Le Havre in 2009.

"We have a few options there, including Pogba, so we are not too bad.

"There isn't much point in bringing an individual in just because it gives you another player."

Ferguson will have Dimitar Berbatov available for United's first trip to Loftus Road since 1996 as the Bulgarian has now recovered from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for three matches.

Should the Red Devils win, they will assume the Premier League's top spot ahead of Manchester City's meeting with Arsenal later in the day.

"It's going to be hard game," said Ferguson. "Hopefully we can get our form back and by the end of the month be challenging for the league.

"That is what I always hope for. You always have a good idea by that time as to what you have to do and who the main challengers are going to be."

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by yinyang

We can take heart on noisy neighbors MC's slim lead down to 2 pts. With tough games to Gunners and Pool start 2012.

See who's right side of Manchester on 8/1 FA tie and 3 days later vs Pool in Carling cup. When going gets tough, see if big cheque book egomaniacs can handle new year crunch

yups bro. if united are able to overcome qpr in our earlier game tomorrow nite, we will go on top of the league before city plays arsenal. i for sure will be rooting for the gunners and a certain rvp then!

[joew2005]

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Keane blasts Ferguson in bitter row
December 18, 2011

Former ManU captain Roy Keane has revealed the extent of his bitter exit fr Old Trafford & hit out @ SAF, claiming tat "without players like myself, maybe he wouldn't hv such a good managerial record".

Keane, who won the Premier League, Champions League & a host of other trophies during his 12 years @ United, was shown the door in November 2005 & has been critical of his former team during his new career as a football pundit.

The Irishman lambasted Ferguson's flops aft they dropped out of the Champions League against Swiss minnows Basel & Fergiuson was quick 2 hit back @ Keane's own management record.

The United boss continued his criticism in Saturday's programme notes, writing: "My immediate job is 2 sift thru the disappointment & the criticism 2 get everything in perspective & I can tell u already tat I still hv faith in our players.

"We will take alot of stick fr critics & even fr ppl we thought were perhaps on our side but we mustn't dwell on tat."

In an interview in the Sunday Times Keane hit back @ Ferguson, claiming tat he felt abandoned by his manager during the later part of his career & suggested tat Ferguson puts his own interests ahead of United's.

"Ppl say he stood by me in difficult times," Keane said. "But [he didn't] when I was 34, not when I was 2wards the end & had a few differences with Carlos Queiroz. All of a sudden then, 'Off you go, Roy, & here's the statement we've done'."

On his coaching career, Keane added: "If u 1 2 question my managerial record ... listen, u could question every pundit's managerial skill in relation 2 his & we're all going 2 come up short. But I would also say tat without players like myself, maybe he wouldn't hv such a good managerial record becos players who go down the punditry road, it's soon forgotten tat we put bodies on the line 4 him."

Keane also cites the legal action taken against John Magnier over the breeding rights 2 the stallion Rock Of Gibraltar as an example tat everything Ferguson does is not necessarily in the interests of United.

"This didn't help the club, the manager going 2 law against its leading shareholder," said Keane. "How could it be of benefit 2 the club? I said, 'You're not going 2 win', & he said, 'I don't care, no-1 does tat 2 me'. And I go, 'Okay, off u go, I'm not going 2 change your mind'."

However, despite the total breakdown of his relationship with Ferguson he is still honoured 2 hv represented United.

"I count my blessings 2 hv played 4 ManU. All of my family r United fans & I don't hv any bitterness 2wards ManU, pls let's make tat clear."

[yinyang]

Great stuff tonight, knocked socks off QPR. Now, for gunners to hit our noisy neighbors. Was watching this in OZ +2.5hrs time diff. Managed to find sports bar 5 mins from my htl, thank goodness

[12121212]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Great stuff tonight, knocked socks off QPR. Now, for gunners to hit our noisy neighbors. Was watching this in OZ +2.5hrs time diff. Managed to find sports bar 5 mins from my htl, thank goodness

Yupz...great match for man utd

[mr_missile]

Fergie: We were wasteful

Sir Alex Ferguson was happy with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers, but admitted they missed a hatful of chances.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring inside 60 seconds, with Michael Carrock adding a second goal after half-time.

And Fergie said: "I thought it was a good performance but I thought we were wasteful of a lot of the chances we had.

"We should really have had the game won by the 30 minute mark. I think that today's result gets a bit of consistency back.

"It stabilises a good deal and by New Year we're hopefully close to being top of the League."

"Queens Park Rangers in their home games have been a real problem to a lot of teams.

"But we kept them quiet for most of the game and we played some terrific football at times, and I'm pleased with that.

"We're used to situations like that where we miss chances. Quite a few games, we've won 1-0 and said, 'We should have scored more'.

"Nonetheless, you want to get that goal that matters and when Michael Carrick scored a second goal, I think that put it to bed."

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Great stuff tonight, knocked socks off QPR. Now, for gunners to hit our noisy neighbors. Was watching this in OZ +2.5hrs time diff. Managed to find sports bar 5 mins from my htl, thank goodness

Originally Posted by 12121212

Yupz...great match for man utd

a good win against qpr. we know by now that city beat the gunners to go back on top of the league.

but we take heart that united played well in the win although they should really have scored more.

more plus points below :

1. great to see chicharito back (and also berbatov on the bench too).
2. jones and carrick did a magnificent job in midfield.
3. rooney found his scoring boots (or head should i say ) again.
4. valencia finding his fitness and form.

[bonkudear]

Heard that Anderson is back in training too. He is 6 weeks ahead of the schedule predicted by the team's medical staff. Hope that Cleverley will also be back soon to ease the midfield injury crisis.

Next up, Fulham away.