Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[richie_rich]

FERGIE BACKS ANCELOTTI TO IMPRESS
Carlo Ancelotti's impressive start to life at Chelsea has not surprised Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The pair lock horns for the first time in Premier League combat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when United look to leapfrog Chelsea, who have established a two-point lead at the top of the table.

Chelsea's start is more noteworthy given Ancelotti's only previous experience of the English game was as an opposition player or coach although even then he usually came out on top, including two meetings between United and AC Milan.

But it is only what Ferguson anticipated once Roman Abramovich had decided who would succeed Guus Hiddink in the summer.

"I thought Ancelotti would do well," he said.

"He was a great coach at AC Milan. He won the European Cup twice and brought a wealth of experience with him to Chelsea.

"He was also a great player so he has a lot of knowledge.

"He brought a different system to the ones Chelsea have used in the past.

"It has maybe been easier to adapt tactics because they have very experienced players, who have more tactical knowledge than the younger ones.

"It has probably been a bonus for them in that respect and it seems to have worked well."

It is still to be established whether the Londoners can combine the rigours of an arduous domestic programme with the loss of key men, including Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, to the African Nations Cup in January.

For Ferguson, it might be tempting to look upon that period as the time when his own side must make their move.

Certainly that would have been the case pre-Jose Mourinho, when the Red Devils traditionally found top gear around the Christmas period before pulling away from their rivals.

One of many things Mourinho changed during his time in England was United's trusted formula. In making their own flying starts, Chelsea forced Ferguson to follow suit, which is why the Red Devils are not thinking beyond Sunday.

"They caught us all on the hop during the two years they won the league because they got great starts," he said.

"We had to change our ideas about pre-season training because we always had this vision that it was more important to make sure the bandwagon was rolling in the second half of the season.

"That is why we shouldn't be looking at January really. We should be looking at Sunday."

The obvious problem for United is that having lost at Burnley and, more recently, Liverpool already, and scraped an Old Trafford draw with Sunderland, they have already proved themselves to be vulnerable.

Throw in the fact they have not won at Chelsea - where they traditionally used to do well - since 2002 and it is easy to see why many pundits are predicting a home win.

"We have to get our act together because our record down there has not been good for the last six years," said Ferguson.

"It is a strange situation because we used to have a terrific record down there up until a few years ago. But we have let it slip.

"The players all realise it is going to be a big game and their performance is going to be important."

The return of Nemanja Vidic from a calf strain is well timed and Ferguson is optimistic Dimitar Berbatov will be involved despite missing Tuesday's six-goal thriller with CSKA Moscow after taking a bang on the knee-cap.

There is some gloomy news though as Rio Ferdinand's injury problems have resurfaced.

Ferguson felt Ferdinand's present complaint was calf related. However, with no easing of the pain, there is a worry it could be a nerve being aggravated in his lower back, which would bring the spectre of an extended period of the sidelines.

Ferdinand will certainly miss England's friendly with Brazil in Qatar next week, which is depressing enough for a player desperate to appear in the World Cup.

But the fear is it could end up being a far longer absence.

"There is no improvement," said Ferguson.

"We don't know whether it is a calf injury or a nerve thing in his lower back but there is no sign of him recovering."

[nicole_luv]

EPL:Chelsea1ManUnited0

i never know the leaving of C.R will let ManUnited suffered such a big impact...

[asiancigar]

Overall with our big guns either injured or suspended.... i think we played relatively well against the onslaught of a full Chelski team and not to forget...... the fact that Chelski played with 12 man....

The F^%KING Referee was totally bias against us and was a very frustrating match to watch coz it was always a uphill task playing against the Ref...

But its still early days...... its okay for Chelski to feel swell headed for now.... only 11 games played with another 27 more to go. Lets see how many points we will be ahead / behind come Christmas. I do remember a season where we were 12 points behind and ultimately won the Championship......

So,.... Bravo Young Guns of our Beloved Red Devils....... there is nothing to be ashamed of to lose to a dirty rough neck team like Cheski plus the 12th guy

Cheerz
AC

[mangoesteam]

I have a feeling that this loss will galvanise the Champions for the remainder of the season.

They were expected to be played out of the park by most pundits. A hammering by 3 or more goals was what some said but the Champions bossed the proceedings at the bridge.

A loss in the circumstances, though maybe hard to bear, they walked away from the bridge with heads held high.

cheers

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Overall with our big guns either injured or suspended.... i think we played relatively well against the onslaught of a full Chelski team and not to forget...... the fact that Chelski played with 12 man....

The F^%KING Referee was totally bias against us and was a very frustrating match to watch coz it was always a uphill task playing against the Ref...

But its still early days...... its okay for Chelski to feel swell headed for now.... only 11 games played with another 27 more to go. Lets see how many points we will be ahead / behind come Christmas. I do remember a season where we were 12 points behind and ultimately won the Championship......

So,.... Bravo Young Guns of our Beloved Red Devils....... there is nothing to be ashamed of to lose to a dirty rough neck team like Cheski plus the 12th guy

Cheerz
AC

United lost the game with their heads held high. At least we went down fighting. That's the United spirit. Am proud of them.
Chelski will have Drogba, Essien, Obi-Mikel and Kalou missing come January when the African Nations Cup will be held. United, being the traditional slow-starters must keep Chelski within their sights now and be ready to pounce then.
Must also look out for Arsenal who are on a great run at the moment.

[oovoo]

MU will surely catch the others team in January

I think Valencia is already integrated to MU system as he already gave some contribution to the team

[richie_rich]

The Rights Gossip

NANI ARGUES HIS WAY OUT OF MANYOO

Here's a story that nobody could have seen coming: The Daily Mail says that 'Nani is on his way out of Manchester United after a furious row with Sir Alex Ferguson.'

While Nani's public criticism of Ferguson was thought likely to signal the death knell of his United career, the Mail says that it was an actual row between the pair after Nani was substituted during the 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow last month that has caused Fergie to call time.

'Angry that he had already made way for Gabriel Obertan during the previous game against Blackburn, Nani angrily told Ferguson that he was unhappy at his treatment,' says the newspaper.

Oh blimey, what was the silly lad thinking?

'Ferguson responded by leaving Nani out of the squad for Sunday's defeat to Chelsea and it appears he will be sold or loaned out in January.'


ROONEY TO SIGN A NEW DEAL

But one player who says he won't be leaving Manchester United is Wayne Rooney.

It was reported at the weekend that Barcelona are prepared to pay in excess of £80m for Rooney with the Daily Star repeating this rainy moring that 'Barca - the champions of Europe having beaten United in last season's Champions League Final - are plotting to lure Rooney to the Nou Camp by offering a deal to make him the richest footballer in the world.'

But from the sounds of it, Rooney isn't interested.

"I've got two years left after this year so I'm sure we'll be negotiating a new deal in the next few months," he declared in his press conference on Thursday. "It's nice to be noticed but I've said before I'm really happy at United. Unless they tell me otherwise, I can't see myself leaving. I love the place. It's 30 minutes from home and all my family and I've got a great chance of winning trophies."

There is, however, a minor twist in the tale as reported by The Guardian.
'Rooney's representative, Paul Stretford, is currently banned from working as an agent having been found guilty of misconduct in his initial acquisition of Rooney's signature when he was an Everton player, but is able to operate again as of February, when Rooney anticipates talks will open with the club's chief executive, David Gill.'

[asiancigar]

Premier League - Paper round: Fergie in for Cole
Eurosport - Sat, 14 Nov 11:55:00 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson is lining up a shock £20 million bid in the January transfer window for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.

The Manchester United boss is keen to bolster his forward line in the transfer window, and the Daily Mail is confident that Cole (pictured, left) will be the answer.

The imposing striker's development has been immense under the guidance of Hammers coach Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke, and Liverpool are also understood to be interested.
While Reds boss Rafael Benitez is watching the situation closely, Ferguson is believed to have more conviction, seeing Cole as the perfect partner for Wayne Rooney.

WHAT THE F%$K..... HAS SAF GONE SENILE !!!!!. Who the hell is this chap..... is he worth even 1/3 of that amount..... KNN

Cheerz
AC

[gedangsa]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

WHAT THE F%$K..... HAS SAF GONE SENILE !!!!!. Who the hell is this chap..... is he worth even 1/3 of that amount..... KNN

Cheerz
AC

I think it is just Carlton Cole's agent trying to seek a move and up his price so that he can get high commission.

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by gedangsa

I think it is just Carlton Cole's agent trying to seek a move and up his price so that he can get high commission.

Hopefully so Bro...... coz i think we should sign David Villa

Cheerz
AC

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Hopefully so Bro...... coz i think we should sign David Villa

Cheerz
AC

Yups yups. We should sign 2 Davids. David Villa and David Silva from Valencia.
And get rid of that bungling, miscueing, whining and under-performing Nani once and for all.

[richie_rich]

UNITED TO SPEND IN JANUARY

The Sunday tabs have a few ideas on the cash Fergie will be spending while he still has his hands on the United tiller.

The News of the World goes with a rumour that has been knocking around for a bit now, namely that United and Chelsea are duking it out with a couple of massive piles of cash for Jack Rodwell.

The paper reports that Chelsea have made a £14million bid for the youngster, and United reckon he's worth a couple of mill more.

However, Everton are apparently of the opinion that he is worth around £20million, and they won't take a penny less.

Over to The Sunday Mirror now, and that paper reports that Fergie has his beady eye on Bayern Munich full-back Philip Lahm.

The German can play on either side of the back four, but the Mirror claims Ferguson has Lahm marked out for the right-back slot, as the long-term replacement for the Neviller.

Lahm is mulling over his future at Bayern after a series of diagreements with boss Louis van Gaal, but it will still take around £15million to persuade the Teutons to sell.

[richie_rich]

FERGUSON: NO LOAN FOR FOSTER

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of Ben Foster leaving Manchester United in January - and insisted the goalkeeper will go to the World Cup as England's first choice.

After playing his second consecutive game for the Three Lions in Qatar last weekend, Foster expressed frustration with his predicament, pointing out that while he was figuring prominently for his country, he was effectively third choice at Old Trafford.

The statement was not strictly true given Foster was the man selected for the Carling Cup tie at Barnsley last month, the only game Edwin van der Sar has missed since his return to action after the last international break.

However, Foster's absence from the United bench in recent times has only increased a feeling of exclusion and fuelled speculation he might seek a loan to keep at the centre of Fabio Capello's plans.

But Ferguson is having none of it. He needs Foster to stay where he is and, while he does not think it will affect the keeper's England place, he accepts there is a chance it might.

"He is definitely staying here," said Ferguson.

"He has had a couple of bad mistakes in games but his performance level has been very good. He will be a terrific goalkeeper.

"So will Tomasz Kuszczak. They are good goalkeepers they just have the problem that they have Edwin van der Sar in front of them.

"Ben is a strong lad. Without doubt he is England's best goalkeeper.

"Without question he has the best presence and he is the quickest. He is also very brave.

"But for a lad of 26 he has not had much game experience. That is the negative part for him and that is where maybe it will cost him his England position at the moment.

"However, I am not protecting the lad because he is my goalkeeper but when I look at the abilities of the goalkeepers in the league who are English, I don't think they are as good as Ben Foster. It is as simple as that."

Whether the message has filtered down to Foster is unclear but Capello has previously said that in the former Watford keeper's case he would be willing to set aside his stated desire for players to be featuring regularly for their clubs.

Such words might offer Foster some comfort as he wrestles with his future.

So too might Ferguson's reminder the legendary Peter Schmeichel was 27, a year older than Foster is now, and went on to become arguably the best keeper in the world during his eight seasons at Old Trafford.

"At the time we were talking about him being a young goalkeeper who still had a lot to learn," recalled Ferguson.

"I remember sending our scouts over to watch him. Alan Hodgkinson went over for six games and every time he came back he said sign him.

"I was a wee bit reluctant to bring European goalkeepers into the English game I must admit. But Alan kept saying sign him and we eventually did.

"He had a couple of ropey first games. One was down at Wimbledon and the Crazy Gang were pumping the ball on top of him and karate kicking him. Schmeichel was screaming protection but there was no chance.

"He then came out against Leeds the following week and missed a cross by about three days and Chapman headed into an empty net.

"But once he got used to the game over here he was unbelievable."

[richie_rich]

Vidic poised for United return

Nemanja Vidic should return to the heart of Manchester United's defence for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton at Old Trafford. The Serbian has been struggling with a calf injury recently, but he came through his country's midweek international with South Korea and is expected to feature as Rio Ferdinand (back) and John O'Shea (thigh) are definitely out.

Jonny Evans (calf) and Michael Carrick (ankle) are also doubts, while Fabio (groin) is definitely missing.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm.

United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Rafael, Valencia, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney, Owen, Macheda.

[asiancigar]

I often wonder why SAF has to poach and buy youngsters from other teams..... Wayne Rooney being the best example. When in fact, we do have an Academy that is bursting with young exciting talent.... PLAYERS AND STAFF - The Academy - Manchester United Official Web Site but alas, SAF is never one to test and try out less they are proven products..... what a shame.

Hopefully, we get to see a few more coming thru the ranks instead of having to pay ridiculous amounts for transfers....

Cheerz
AC