Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[machoman]

Rooney blow casts shadow over United title bid

Sunday, April 25, 2010, 08:02:39 HRS

Manchester United midfielder Nani (L) celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. An exquisite finish by Nani helped send the club back to the top of the English Premier League table after a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United's celebrations after returning to the top of the Premier League table were cut short when it was revealed they may have to win the English title without Wayne Rooney.

The England striker missed United's 3-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, a result which sent Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions two points clear of title rivals Chelsea with two weekends of the season remaining.

Ferguson, speaking after United had defeated in-form Spurs at Old Trafford, said Rooney might be out for the next "two or three weeks" following a groin strain suffered in training on Thursday.

That would rule Rooney, United's leading scorer this term with 26 league goals, out of United's remaining games against Sunderland on May 2 and Stoke on May 9.

"It's difficult to say (how long he will be out for)," said Ferguson, after watching his side keep alive their hopes of clinching a 12th Premier League title in 18 seasons and fourth in a row.

"A groin injury is a groin injury. But it might take two or three weeks.

"Wayne will be desperate to play."

The loss of Rooney at such an important stage of the season is a major concern, but United showed against Tottenham they can cope without their main source of goals.

Ryan Giggs scored two penalties, awarded after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had fouled Patrice Evra and Wilson Palacios brought down Nani, who netted a wonder goal in between the two spot-kicks.

"We played very well today. We deserved it against the form team in the league," added Ferguson.

"Wayne did his groin on Thursday. We were doing simple possession and he tweaked his groin. We got him out on Friday and tried, but it wasn't good enough. We have to look at maybe two or three weeks possibly.

"I thought we were creating chances in the first half and Dimitar (Berbatov) was unlucky to have a shot blocked near the goal-line and a couple of shots over the bar.

"We needed to up our game a little bit and I think we did that in the second half.

"I left it to Giggs and Nani to decide between them who took the penalties with Wayne out and I think Ryan's experience showed.

"He showed composure to take two really good penalties right in either corner, both sides for the first and second. I think that was his experience telling there."

Spurs levelled at 1-1 in the 70th minute through defender Ledley King's header from a corner.

"I thought it was a clear foul from King for their goal but nobody protested in the mayhem of the goal," Ferguson added.

"But we came back. Nani has had the audacity and courage to chip the goalkeeper from that angle. It says a lot for him, not many players would have tried that at that stage. It was fantastic. Credit to him for doing that.

Injured Manchester United English forward Wayne Rooney (C sitting) watches from a hospitality box as his team takes on Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League football match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Rooney may be sidelined for the rest of the season.

"I hope Chelsea (who will regain the lead if they beat Stoke on Sunday) feel pressure. There are two games left, we are top of the league at the moment.

"Who knows what is going to happen at Chelsea but we've done our job."

Despite defeat, Tottenham remain in contention to finish fourth and secure a place in next season's Champions League.

But Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was bitterly disappointed his side failed to carve out a point against a United side that is also missing injured England defender Rio Ferdinand.

"With no Rooney or Ferdinand, I felt it was a real opportunity for us," said Redknapp. "It would have been a massive point for us if we had hung on."

- AFP

[tropiccana]

go go mu!!

[Lionel Messi]

without Rooney is a bit sad but still have those old guards.
and they have been good for the last few matches scoring and winning also.
now the pressure is on Chelsea and do not forget they still have to face Liverpool.
now the momentum is back with Man Utd.

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by Lionel Messi

... do not forget they still have to face Liverpool.

Sorry but I have more faith in Stoke and Wigan.

[machoman]

Rooney wins PFA player of the year award

Monday, April 26, 2010, 08:22:17 HRS

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award and used the opportunity to declare his readiness for the World Cup.

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award at a ceremony here on Sunday and then declared his readiness for the World Cup.

Rooney, currently out of action with a groin injury, is widely regarded as being central to England's chances of winning the World Cup in South Africa later this year.

"I'm good," Rooney told guests at the PFA dinner at Grosvenor House in central London.

"I'm disappointed to miss a couple of games. Hopefully I will play before the season finishes."

Asked if he would be fit in time for South Africa, Rooney replied: "No problems for the World Cup."

Rooney dismissed suggestions England could not win the World Cup, which starts in June, without him: "We've got a lot of great players. If I get injured, so be it."

He added: "Watching games is very frustrating."

Rooney, asked for a definition of World Cup success, said: "Success would be to win the trophy. We prepared well and hopefully we can bring the trophy back home."

England have won the World Cup just once, in 1966 when they triumphed on home soil.

Reigning champions United trail Chelsea by one point in the English Premier League title race with two games remaining and may need a favour from arch rivals Liverpool if they are to overtake the London club.

"I'm sure Liverpool will want to beat Chelsea," Rooney said.

"They are a proud club and they are still aiming to qualify for Europe."

Asked what had made the difference to a season where he has already scored 34 goals, Rooney replied: "The manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) is playing me in a more central position up front which I've been asking him to do for a few years now and the service has got better."

Rooney, twice a former young player of the year, topped a poll of his fellow professionals in England to ensure the senior award stayed at Old Trafford after Cristiano Ronaldo's double in 2007 and 2008 was followed by United great Ryan Giggs's success last year.

Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal and Spain midfielder, was third with Chelsea striker Didier Drogda the runner-up.

Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner won the young player of the year award.

Former South Africa international Lucas Radebe, who played in England's Leeds United, won the PFA special merit award for his community work in both countries.

- AFP

[machoman]

Rooney is PFA player of the year

Wayne Rooney has been voted player of the year by his peers in the Professional Footballers' Association.

The Manchester United striker, who has scored 34 goals this season, beat off competition from Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez and Cesc Fabregas.

Rooney, 24, said: "It's a great feeling to win because it's voted for by the players. It's a great honour and I'm really proud."

The young player of the year award was won by Aston Villa's James Milner.

Rooney has blossomed at Old Trafford this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

He has played in a more advanced role than in previous seasons and has added powerful heading ability to his overall game.

But he injured ankle ligaments in the first leg of United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, and missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Tottenham with a groin injury sustained in training.



However, Rooney insisted he will be fit for the World Cup and indeed hopes to play in United's last league game, against Stoke.

"The groin will be fine for the World Cup, there are no worries about that," he said. "I'm hoping to play for United in the last game of the season.

"I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year award. I saw the players winning the main one and it's something I've aimed for since."

The striker paid tribute to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the influence he has had on his career.

"Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United. His hunger passes through to the players.

"It's great to see that he's pushing 70 and he hasn't changed a bit. I'm sure he'll be at United a long time yet."





Rooney was also nominated for the young player award but Milner, also 24, was voted winner.

A string of fine performances and an ability to play in a number of positions have made him a front-runner for a position in Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup.

Milner said: "I've been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more. Sometimes when you are wide on the right you can't get yourself into it."

Former Leeds and South Africa defender Lucas Radebe, 41, won the PFA Merit Award.

"Sport can change the world. Football has played such a big part in lifting my community," he said. "I'm very proud to get such a great award."

Premier League team of the year: Joe Hart (Man City, Birmingham on loan), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), James Milner (Aston Villa), James Fletcher (Man Utd), Antonio Valencia (Man Utd), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Didier Drogba (Chelsea).

[Pussies-Licker]

congratulation to all MU fans here.
look like the title is also going to MU.

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by Pussies-Licker

congratulation to all MU fans here.
look like the title is also going to MU.

title going to United? let's not jump the gun. there are still 2 games to play for both United and Chelski and it is the Blues who are 1 point ahead and in the driving seat.

we need to win both games and Chelski to drop points to emerge Champions for the 4th year running.

we just got to keep winning and see how it goes.

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by richie_rich

Blues who are 1 point ahead and in the driving seat.

Yeah, title's for chelskis to lose. Stoke cannot be relied upon, after their backsides kena whipped 0-7. Can understand they lose to away at SB, but to go out like with that kind of scoreline sucks .. more for teams outside premier league

[mangoesteam]

First I thought the loss to Burnley will haunt us but the draw against Blackburn appears will be more telling.

[valkyria]

All we can do is win the remaining matches and hope LIverpool could do us a favour and get a draw. Title no 19 is ours!

[richie_rich]

Point to ponder. It's 51:49 in someone's favour. This week's great debate will be identifying the team in the better position: the leaders with the one-point advantage who have to travel to Liverpool before facing Wigan at home, or the champions in second place who have to travel to Sunderland before tackling Stoke at Old Trafford.

[asiancigar]

Here is my take....

Chelsea should draw with Liverpool and a win over Wigan = 4 pts

Our Champs to secure double wins = 6 pts

Slowly do the maths ya.......

Cheerz
AC

[alex18122003]

Berba deserves credit

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Dimitar Berbatov's contribution to United's vital win over Tottenham should not be overlooked.


With Wayne Rooney missing with a groin injury, the Bulgarian led the line against his old club and it was his fine run and flick which led to Patrice Evra being upended in the area for United's first penalty of the afternoon.

Ryan Giggs and Nani grabbed the all-important goals for the Reds, but Sir Alex was keen to highlight Berbatov's all-round display.

"Dimitar was marvellous throughout and he led the line very well," the manager told MUTV.

"He played a great role for us and had three great attempts on goal which he was very unlucky not to see go in.

"He's a great player, but it's one of those things that when you buy someone for £30million if he's not scoring three goals a week he's going to get criticised. It's just part of life here."

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Chelsea should draw with Liverpool and a win over Wigan = 4 pts
Our Champs to secure double wins = 6 pts
Slowly do the maths ya.......

2 high fives