Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

David Gill rules out Jose Mourinho Manchester United link - for now

Jose Mourinho hasn’t ruled out taking charge of Manchester United one day and neither, it would appear, has David Gill.

The chief executive today pointedly refused to answer the question of whether the axed Chelsea manager would at some stage in the future take over the reigns at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson finally decided to step down.

Gill did, however, categorically rule out Mourinho assuming any kind of role at Manchester United while Ferguson was still in charge.

“It is not going to happen,” he said. “We don’t need it and we don’t think it is appropriate. We don’t want that kind of confusion coming into Manchester United.

“Mourinho is clearly a very successful coach, he has done well here in a relatively short period of time. But we don’t need that kind of interference in our club.”

Gill also made it clear that Ferguson, who is about to celebrate 21 years in charge of United, has no intention of stepping down anytime soon.

“Alex has a good few years ahead of him, so succession plans are not on the agenda at the moment,” Gill said. “As and when Alex decides to step down we will look at all possibilities but we have a great team managing Manchester United on the pitch at the moment and we see no reason to change that at all.”

And while there have been suggestions that Mourinho was saddled with players he did not want - such as Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack - during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Gill said he did not believe that to be true, nor would he ever interfere with team affairs at United.

“I have never suggested signing players and I don’t think any of the big clubs would ever do that, he said. “It would never work, and it would be a recipe for disaster. And knowing Peter Kenyon as I do, I’m sure that didn’t happen at Chelsea either.”

Gill: no concerns over Glazer debt

DAVID Gill has insisted Manchester United's profits will 'amply cover' their long-term debt repayments.

Reports have surfaced over the last few weeks that the Glazer family are struggling to cope with massive interest rates, raising the possibility they could sell at least part of their stake in the Old Trafford outfit.

Unnamed consortia from both the Far East and Dubai have been linked with a potential move for the club, although twice in the last month, the Glazers have unequivocally denied any desire to do business.

Gill, who reports to the Florida-based family, has backed up that theory.

And he revealed United are stable enough financially for fans not to have any worries over the future.

"Things are going very well," he said. "Because of the changes in the economics of the business, with the expansion of the stadium and the (new) television deal, both our revenues, and importantly, our cash profits will be up significantly.

"We can amply cover what are the long-term financing plans for the business."

Earlier this year, United did attempt to restructure the debts incurred by the Glazer's controversial £790million in 2005 but in the end decided not to.

As a former financial director at Old Trafford, Gill is perfectly placed to judge United's ability to meet their obligations. And he sees no cause for concern.

"In the summer of 2006 we put in place a long-term financing plan which brought down the interest costs on the business as compared with the takeover in 2005," he said.

"Since then we have fixed the interest rates, we are moving forward.

"Our interest cover is excellent, and over time we will generate sufficient funds to make sure the business is on a sound financial footing, and continues to be so."

And, Gill denied the Glazers had fielded any approach from interested parties over United, which has been valued at over £1billion.

"No, no-one has been in," he said.

"These things surface every six weeks but the reality is the Glazers are long term holders of the club.

"If you look at their other investments, whether it be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or other business investments in the States, they have held them for many, many years.

"They don't need to sell, and don't intend to sell."

[qbdp]

Saha angry at injury claims

Injury-jinxed striker Louis Saha has reacted angrily to critics who suggest he does not have the hunger to play for Manchester United.

Saha has suffered with a catalogue of injuries at Old Trafford and was laid low last season with a knee injury.

The Frenchman’s limited game time led to mischievous suggestions that Saha was unwilling to play unless he felt 100 percent fit.

However the former Fulham star is angry that his desire to play for United was ever called into question.

“Anyone who says I was not willing to play until I was 100 percent fit is not telling the truth,” said Saha.

“I have never refused to play for the team, yet I was hearing claims about me not being psychologically committed.

“The people who criticised me don’t know that three years ago I was playing games despite having a knee that I couldn’t bend more than 90 degrees.

“It was a case of my knee being too swollen to play and you need to be in my body to understand the pain I was going through every time I played.

“I was able to get through training because it was done on small pitches and you don’t have to be going at full pace for the whole time.

“Games are different. You have to be close to full fitness – especially if you rely on your pace as much as I do.

“Now I feel I am close to last year’s top form. I am not far away now and the more minutes I gain on the pitch, the better I will play.”

United aim to catch new boy cold

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe the Chelsea job is a poisoned chalice, despite the week's events at Stamford Bridge. He expects Avram Grant to be given at least the rest of the season, with a first-team coach to be appointed in the near future, and says the queue would stretch 'from here to London Bridge' were the position of successor to Jose Mourinho ever to be advertised.

'It's a great job, for anyone,' the Manchester United manager insists in advance of Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford this afternoon. 'Even though Jose has gone, they still have untold resources at that club. I don't think you can say that's the end of Chelsea or their title challenge. They have still got the same group of players, they are all well paid, there is no obvious reason why anyone would want to leave. The only thing I can foresee happening is Jose turning up at a substantial club and wanting to buy one or two of them. You never know.'

As anyone who is anyone in football seems to have spent some part of their life studying United's training methods at first hand, it is not a complete surprise to discover that Ferguson already knows Avram Grant, who would be a stranger to most other Premier League managers. 'He used to come to training here, when he was in charge of Israel and Maccabi Haifa,' Ferguson says. 'He came two or three times. He seems a nice man. He was very inquisitive, asking how we did this and why we did that, then he left the Israel job and I never heard of him for a spell until he turned up at Portsmouth.
'It's a big step up, what has just been thrust upon him, but he seems a calm lad. And in one sense at least it should be easy for him to come here. Chelsea know the drill when they are playing United. They know what to do. I shouldn't think motivation will be a problem.'

That might be so, but Chelsea seem certain to bring problems of one sort or another. If Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are missing, their goal threat is greatly reduced. They are scoring fewer goals than they have normally managed in early season and have picked up five points from their past four games. They were unable to beat Rosenborg at home in the Champions League and, while these things can go either way, there seems to be a certain amount of simmering discontent over the treatment of Mourinho.

While diplomatically declining to discuss the attractiveness or otherwise of Chelsea's playing style in the week of their manager's departure, Ferguson can scarcely conceal his respect for what Mourinho achieved at Stamford Bridge, nor does he attempt to. The two are quite friendly in private and Ferguson certainly feels he has lost a worthy adversary.

'There is no question that Chelsea have enjoyed unparalleled success under Mourinho,' he says. 'Arsenal have probably been our most consistent challengers down the years, but when Mourinho's Chelsea came along they turned the table upside down in one season. Suddenly they were the team you had to be looking to beat. I have to say I enjoyed the competition, though. With Jose. It was something new for me, having this new kid on the block. What he said to the press and the way his teams played gave us something different to assess. He made life harder for us all, set a new challenge, and in that situation you can either lie down and wither or do something about it. We are the sort of club that has to do something about it.'

United's own start to the season has not been that impressive, with two draws and a defeat in the first three games before three uncharacteristically narrow 1-0 victories. The win against Sporting in Lisbon that extended the sequence to four set a club record, one that Ferguson would have no objection to extending. 'I hope it's five one-nils by Sunday night,' he says. 'Chelsea have a lot of determination, their consistency has been so good over the last couple of years that not many teams have managed to beat them. They can score and they can come back at you, because they don't give in, and I don't see this game being any different. One-nil would do me fine. I'd be delighted.'

[Sayangku]

i missed the 1st half of the match, but the 2nd half i thought Man U played very badly despite having 1 player advantage. They have no enthusiasm to attack at all, only Tevez run his heart out but only to be substituted.

Our quick counter and passing game was non existent and all the players are on sleeping mode after 70 minutes, and they keep attacking the middle where it's so packed. Only during Cantona era that we always attack through the middle.

I agree 3 points won and we should be happy, but 2-0 against Chelsea, which has a player disadvantage, an almost non-existent manager, and a penalty, is a bad result for Man U.

What happen man? Giggs corners are crap, carrick have to take it, rooney temperament is bad, keep tripping Ashley, Ronaldo always showing his tricks and lose the balls. Why cant they just play basic simple soccer?

I'm very sad at the current team, I'm a Man U fan since 1986, i dun fancy this current team because it have lack the burning desire i've seen during 1995 - 2003 era. sad........

[qbdp]

Giggs impressed by mean United defence

Ryan Giggs believes that Manchester United's impressive defence is the bedrock upon which the Premier League title can be retained.

United have recorded four straight League victories with no goals conceded, after an unconvincing start that saw them drop seven points from their opening three games.

Veteran winger Giggs feels that United are well capable of stringing together a set of results that can put pressure on their Premier League rivals.

"We're capable of going on a run, and hopefully we're in the middle of that run now," said Giggs after United's 2-0 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

"Hopefully we can go on a winning run of 10 or 12 games because we're capable of doing that. We're keeping clean sheets, whether it's 1-0, 2-0 or 5-0. As long as we're not conceding goals, that will give us a great chance of retaining the title."

Speaking before Wednesday's Carling Cup third round clash with Coventry City at Old Trafford, Giggs added: "Each win breeds confidence.

"We've got a lot of options in attack, but we're also looking very good at the back.

"Defensively, if we keep it tight we know we'll get chances at the other end. The goals will come for us."

[qbdp]

Tevez: Justice prevailed

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez believes Chelsea were lucky to escape with only one red card in Sunday's Old Trafford clash.

The Blues were up against it at the weekend following John Obi Mikel's first-half dismissal for catching Patrice Evra.

Many felt Mike Dean's decision to dismiss the Nigeria international was harsh, although Tevez thinks Chelsea's rough-house tactics warranted more red cards.

While United eased to a 2-0 success in Avram Grant's first game in charge of Chelsea, the former West Ham ace felt the winning margin could, and should, have been greater.

"Chelsea pushed the violence to the absolute limit and there could have been other red cards during the match," he told the Daily Mail. "But justice prevailed in the end and we deserved to win.

"Our game is totally superior to Chelsea's this season and the scoreline was actually short of what we deserved.

"I have seen the problems at Chelsea with the change of coach, but this season they have just not developed the rhythm of the other years.

"Chelsea were very nervous and it was impossible that we were going to lose the match."

[alex18122003]

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre could play again this season according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Silvestre, 30, damaged cruciate ligaments in the 1-0 win over Everton on September 15th, leading to fears that he would miss the entire campaign.

But, after successful surgery in his homeland, Sir Alex is optimistic that the France international could return for the crucial title and possible Champions League run-ins.

"I'm sure Mikael will be back in March," he told the club radio station. "We had him operated on in France last week and it all went well.

"It was pleasing to see there was no further damage other than the cruciate ligament. That's a big bonus because sometimes there can be cartilage problems that also come along."

United currently only have one other specialist left back in their first team in compatriot Patrice Evra, who has been playing in midfield, although Ireland utility player John O'Shea can play in the position

[yinyang]

Man Utd v Coventry

Manchester United are likely to pack their squad with youngsters as usual in the early rounds of the Carling Cup.
Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans is set for his debut, but Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha could feature, as may fit-again Owen Hargreaves (thigh).

Coventry will field Andy Marshall in goal instead of Dimi Konstantopoulos, as has been their policy in cup games.

Boss Iain Dowie could also make changes in defence, with Elliott Ward, Robert Page and Ben Turner in contention.

[yinyang]

Man Utd v Coventry

Manchester United are likely to pack their squad with youngsters as usual in the early rounds of the Carling Cup.

Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans is set for his debut, but Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha could feature, as may fit-again Owen Hargreaves (thigh).

Coventry will field Andy Marshall in goal instead of Dimi Konstantopoulos, as has been their policy in cup games.

Boss Iain Dowie could also make changes in defence, with Elliott Ward, Robert Page and Ben Turner in contention.

[qbdp]

Maradona - My 'son' Tevez will be a United legend.

Diego Maradona has opened his heart about his love and admiration for Carlos Tevez - and backed his fellow Argentine to become a Manchester United legend.

The former Argentina star has arranged a trip to England to watch Tevez in action at Old Trafford in their Premiership clash with Wigan on October 6.

It will be a special pilgrimage for Maradona who will take part in the "Hand of God" rematch between the England and Argentina teams of 1986 at Villa Park on October 14.

But Maradona is equally keen to see Tevez as he treats him like a son and the pair have an incredibly strong bond of mutual respect.

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Maradona even played a role in persuading Tevez to go to Old Trafford in the summer as he is such a big admirer of English football and believes Tevez will be a huge success alongside Wayne Rooney.

Maradona said: "Tevez is like a son to me - from the moment I met him I have felt like that. I met him six years ago when he was at Boca Juniors and instantly I could see he was going to be great. "He reminded me of when I was his age - the hunger and the passion for the game.

Every second he had a ball with him he was happy.

"We are still so close and my ex-wife and his wife are very good friends.

"I can't wait to get over to England and see him and for him to come to watch me play.

"I will make sure he sees a good game when we play England. I still have the hunger to play well and score goals and that's what I will do."

Tevez, 23, has been compared to Maradona because they are both compact and strong and came up through the Boca Juniors ranks.

Former West Ham and Corinthians star Tevez is often called "Little Maradona" and the man himself believes the striker will go from strength to strength at Old Trafford.

Tevez scored his first United goal in Sunday's 2-0 Premier League win over Chelsea and, on the eve of tonight's Carling Cup third-round clash against Coventry at Old Trafford, Maradona predicts it will be the first of many.

"He is a fantastic player," said Maradona. "He is very strong on the ball and has amazing vision."

The 46-year-old Argentine legend has also revealed his admiration for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England star Rooney who he believes will form a lethal partnership with Tevez.

Maradona turned down the chance to come to England in his heyday - but would have fancied a move to the Premier League as it now is.

"Alex Ferguson been a great manager - any manager who can have the success he has had must be very good," said Maradona.

"Of course he likes Argentine players like Tevez, Heinze and Veron - Argentine players are the best in the world! He likes attacking players.

"Rooney is a fantastic player - young and fearless and has a passion for winning. As a pair Rooney and Tevez have everything. You just need to make sure their styles are suited - only time will tell.

"I like a few teams from England - Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and of course Manchester United. I watch as many games as I can from the Premier League. It is fast and exciting.

"I had opportunities to go to England, but I made the moves I wanted. If I was younger now and teams like Manchester and Chelsea asked me then I would seriously consider it.

"I like all the top teams but Boca Juniors are my team. Once I was in hospital and I made the doctor let me go the game - I had the drip in my arm and he came with me." Maradona, currently in one of his healthy phases off booze and drugs and slimmed down again, is in training for next month's 1986 World Cup quarter-final rematch.

The whole Argentina team is coming over with their coach Carlos Bilardo, while England have signed up the likes of Chris Waddle, Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker to take part.

[asiancigar]

Coventry stung into action after United reserves run dry
Manchester United 0 Coventry 2

A makeshift Manchester United were stung by a mosquito at Old Trafford last night as Sir Alex Ferguson, not for the first time in this competition, appeared to bite off more than he could chew.

The United manager has claimed his youngsters are as good as Arsène Wenger’s at Arsenal, but the comparisons seemed farfetched as a capable and confident Coventry City brushed them aside with a victory that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

It is the second successive season in which United have bowed out of the Carling Cup at the hands of a Coca-Cola Championship side, but while this defeat may not have been as humbling as the one suffered against South-end United, when Ferguson fielded a much stronger team, it was, nevertheless, a reminder that many of the youngsters the manager rates so highly are still extremely raw.

Two goals in either half – the second a bullet into the top corner – from the outstanding Michael Mifsud, a striker aptly nicknamed “The Mosquito” because he is always buzzing around, ensured Coventry a place in the fourth round.

A former Malta Sports Personality of the Year, Mifsud is as popular in his homeland as David Beckham, but after last night’s exploits, Coventry supporters will hold him equally close to their hearts.

Gerard Piqué excluded, United looked like a bunch of strangers lumped together for the first time. That may have been partly explained by Ferguson having made 11 changes to the team that defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, but if the likes of Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson, who were making their debuts, could blame nerves, Anderson, Nani and John O’Shea had no such excuses. Nani resorted to shooting woefully from distance, while Anderson barely looked a £20,000 player, let alone one United paid FC Porto a projected £20.4 million for in the summer.

Take nothing away from Coventry, however, who were all crisp passing and crunchy tackles. Iain Dowie’s side may have taken only one point from their past three in the league, but the manner in which they counter-attacked was reminiscent of the best United teams.

In the 27th minute their industry and invention was rewarded. Leon Best swept the ball out wide to Michael Doyle, who skidded a dangerous ball across the face of goal. It eluded United’s defenders but not Mifsud, who slid in at the far post to score.

Coventry now had the taste for it, and within four minutes, they were unlucky not to go 2-0 in front. Robbie Simpson curled in a cross and Mifsud, beating Phil Bardsley to the ball, sent a lovely backheel spinning goalwards. United breathed a sigh of the relief as the ball bounced off a post.

For all Ferguson’s desire to give his youngsters an airing, needs must sometimes and so it was little surprise to see Wes Brown come on at the start of the second period in an attempt to bolster the defence and having watched Simpson fire narrowly over, Nani seemed to take note and thrashed a stinging drive at Andy Marshall, who parried well. The Coventry goalkeeper had played in Millwall’s 2004 FA Cup final defeat by United, but this was proving a far more enjoyable experience.

If only the same could be said for the 74,055 United supporters who, yet again, turned up en masse.

Manchester United (4-4-2): T Kuszczak – P Bardsley (sub: W Brown, 46min), G Piqué, J Evans (sub: M Carrick, 56), D Simpson – L Martin (sub: F Campbell, 46), J O’Shea, Anderson, Nani – Dong Fangzhou, C Eagles. Substitutes not used: T Heaton, A Eckersley. Booked: Piqué.

Coventry City (4-1-2-3): A Marshall – I Osbourne, E Ward, B Turner, G Borrowdale – S Hughes – J Tabb, M Doyle – R Simpson, L Best (sub: D Adebola, 90), M Mifsud. Substitutes not used: D Konstantopoulos, A de Zeeuw, D McNamee, K Thornton.

Referee: M Halsey.

[chickenzip]

Our 2nd string team bite the dust....very disappointing...

lets hope the reserve young players buck up....comeon devils...!

[asiancigar]

Its very obvious that of the following cups..

1. Premiership
2. Champions League
3. FA Cup
4. Charity Shield (WON liao)
5. Carling Cup

The Carling Cup is pee wee.... hence, our 2nd stringers got to roll in the mud for a bit. But do agree with Bro Chickenzip that the young ones should have seized the opportunity to shine... guess SAF will have to continue buying more 15 & 16 yr olds to build for the future... Hell.... they better because i still have another 40 years of viewing time based on our " cheng hoo's " guarantee that i will live till 85+....

no chionging (when i'm 85) never mind but no ManU winning team CANNOT..... hehehe

Cheerz
AC

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

..our 2nd stringers got to roll in the mud for a bit. ...

Originally Posted by chickenzip

Our 2nd string team bite the dust....very disappointing...

I actually woke up at 0300, (wrongly assumed it'd be on) but instead the hull v chelski game.. Consolation is no lost sleep over this blip. AC, your convent gals must have done the trick!

[chickenzip]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

The Carling Cup is pee wee.... hence, our 2nd stringers got to roll in the mud for a bit.

but the League Cup is actualli one of the few competitive games that these 2nd stringers get to play...very disappointing to see them waste such playing time. now they have to pray for more playing time in the FA Cup and EPL games...which normally are hard to come.

Originally Posted by yinyang

AC, your convent gals must have done the trick!

Bro AC, next time leave the convent gals to me lah...

[Java_script]

Ferguson 'flabbergasted' by Coventry defeat

Bitterly disappointed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was 'flabbergasted' by his side's stunning Carling Cup exit to Coventry at Old Trafford tonight.


Although he completely changed the team which beat Chelsea on Sunday, Ferguson still named six full internationals in his starting line-up, including £34million duo Nani and Anderson.


Yet the Red Devils totally failed to impose themselves on the contest and ultimately fell to a goal in each half from Coventry's Malta international 'mosquito' Michael Mifsud, whose bite certainly left Ferguson in pain.

'I was absolutely flabbergasted by that performance,' said Ferguson.

'I did not expect that at all. I am not interested in giving reasons or mitigating circumstances. It was just a very bad performance.'

After spending the last 18 months hailing his emerging talent, Ferguson could scarcely understand what went so badly wrong.

Aside from Nani and Anderson, both of whom were major disappointments, Chris Eagles was also poor, as was Dong Fangzhou, who came closest to scoring for the hosts with a header Coventry keeper Andy Marshall pushed wide just before Mifsud fired home his second.

'We have trumpeted these young lads a lot, so what has happened tonight was a big shock for us all,' admitted Ferguson.

'You want to give these boys a chance and we have not had the opportunity to do that.

'The number of Coventry fans who came made it a real cup-tie atmosphere and maybe that was an issue for some of our players because in the first half, we were second to every ball.'

The Sky Blues' 11,000-strong travelling army was a reminder of their Premier League past.

Yet Iain Dowie's side currently find themselves in the middle of the Championship, thereby becoming the first lower league side to beat United at Old Trafford since York City famously knocked three goals past them 12 years ago.

'This will go down as a great night for Coventry,' said Dowie.

'I have been here as a player and a manager and never done that well, so hopefully this result will give us all some belief because I felt we deserved it.'

Dowie was anxious not to spend too much time reflecting on the United players who were omitted by Ferguson, preferring instead to concentrate on the men Coventry beat.

Not even the introductions of Michael Carrick and Wes Brown could halt the Red Devils' slump, with Mifsud agonisingly close to becoming the first visiting player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since legendary Brazilian Ronaldo.

'The big credit for us was that we forced Manchester United to make their changes early,' said Dowie.

'They had all three substitutes on within 55 minutes, which tells you something in itself.

'You are bound to benefit when you are playing a team without Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic but Sir Alex still picked a team he felt was good enough to win.

'Arsenal picked a team full of youngsters last night and they still won, so you can't argue Manchester United were anything other than a great side.'

For Mifsud it was a special night. The 26-year-old has now scored twice against both Carlisle and United in this competition, yet he is still to start a league game for the Midlands outfit this term.

'Michael can be a real pest around the box,' said Dowie, referring to the former Lillestrom player's strange nickname.

'At times he is almost too quick but he is getting calmer all the time and his finishing is improving too.'