Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[alex18122003]

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo says he is angry at all the speculation over his future insisting on Wednesday that he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international has scored 37 goals this season and that dazzling form has prompted links with some of United's leading European rivals.

But the 23-year-old told The Sun newspaper that he wasn't planning a move away from Manchester any time soon.

"I just don't care what the whole world seems to want to say about me or speculate about my future.

"I've said it a thousand times and, by now, people should realise...I'm totally happy at United," he told the tabloid.

"I'm in the form of my life and I'm having the season of my career so far so it makes me mad sometimes to read some of the things which are supposed to be related to my future.

"I get angry but I'm trying to accept it's a waste of energy to be furious because it is not worth it."

[yinyang]

Man Utd trio agree new contracts

Carrick (left), Brown (centre) and Ferdinand have signed new deals

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown have agreed new contracts with Manchester United.

Ferguson was informed of the news by chief executive David Gill this morning but the length of the deals has not been revealed.

"They have agreed new deals," said Ferguson ahead of his side's game against Blackburn.

"It continues our policy of lengthening contracts at the right time."

As well as tying three key members of his squad, Ferguson added that there could be some new arrivals at Old Trafford next season.

"We have a strong squad already and this just keeps it going," said Ferguson.

"And I would imagine there is a good possibility of stocking up again in the summer.

"The strong squad we have built has aided us this season and this latest bit of business is definitely good news."

Ferguson was unable to put a precise length to the new contracts but Ferdinand's representative, Pini Zahavi, revealed earlier this week that the defender agreed a new five-year deal, believed to be worth £130,000 a week.

Brown, 28, and 26-year-old Carrick meanwhile are also likely to pen new five-year deals.

Brown's contract was due to expire in the summer while 29-year-old Ferdinand had two years remaining on his previous deal.

In the absence of the injured Gary Neville, Brown has been a key figure for Ferguson this season and was subject to a bid from Newcastle during the January transfer window.

But this new deal puts paid to the intense speculation that linked the England defender with a move away from Old Trafford.

Ferguson added: "There's no other club for Wes Brown.

"He's a Manchester United player. We were always quietly confident he would sign."

Carrick, 26, only joined the club in 2006 in a £18.6m deal from Tottenham.

The midfielder has become a key player for United and his new deal underlines his importance to the club.

"Talks have been going on for a while now," said Carrick.

"Things have been falling into place for me here and it is nice to know the club reward you for that."

[alex18122003]

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe Manchester United could be in any better shape heading into their "hugely significant" encounter with Blackburn.

Although Chelsea cut United's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with their 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park, Avram Grant's bizarre post-match press conference hinted at extreme tension within the Stamford Bridge camp.

In contrast, Ferguson is happy in the knowledge his side will be just four points from the league title should they emerge victorious against Mark Hughes' side, with just a win at Chelsea next weekend being enough.

It is just what Ferguson was looking for heading into the Champions League semi-final meeting with Barcelona.

And while the Scot is refusing to discuss Grant's antics, he admits his own side could not be in better shape.

"This game is hugely significant for us," said the Red Devils chief.

"We got the bonus we were looking for when Chelsea dropped two points on Monday and we could not have asked for anything more.

"Ewood Park is not the easiest place to go but we are looking for top performances from our players.

"It is in our hands. We are two points in front with a game in hand, so hopefully we will make it count."

While United have often encountered difficulty at Blackburn, they have enough happy memories of their trips to Lancashire, both during Mark Hughes' time and beyond, to feel confident of gaining a positive result.

Even a draw would represent a major milestone so close to the climax of the campaign and, having come so far, Ferguson feels his players should trust each other to get the results required.

"Your players are the ones who have to go out and do it on the pitch," he said.

"They are carrying the burden of pressure.

"Blackburn play attractive, attacking football. They have some exciting players and we have to bear that in mind.

"But the players also need to trust each other because our form is good and we are not searching for anything."

The return of Nemanja Vidic after a knee injury strengthens United's defence while, even though Nani is only ready for a place on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury that he kept him out for five games, the Portugal winger provides cover should either Anderson or Owen Hargreaves fail to shake off minor knocks.

Louis Saha's absence is a bigger blow, particularly as the injury-plagued Frenchman may now find himself missing for the remainder of the season after being struck down by yet another hamstring injury, just as he was about to make his latest return.

"The season is running out, that is the problem, so this is not good news," Ferguson added.

"Louis has been training really well and was pencilled in to play part of the game at Blackburn."

[LiverPOO]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Man Utd trio agree new contracts

Brown's contract was due to expire in the summer while 29-year-old Ferdinand had two years remaining on his previous deal.

In the absence of the injured Gary Neville, Brown has been a key figure for Ferguson this season and was subject to a bid from Newcastle during the January transfer window.

But this new deal puts paid to the intense speculation that linked the England defender with a move away from Old Trafford.

Ferguson added: "There's no other club for Wes Brown.

"He's a Manchester United player. We were always quietly confident he would sign."

Barring an improbable collapse Manchester United are within touching distance of their 17th league title, and the satisfaction will be enhanced today by an official announcement that Wes Brown has ended his contract wrangle with the club.

The defender had threatened to sever his ties after months of haggling over a new deal. Sir Alex Ferguson criticised Brown's agent, Paul Martin, for his role but the impasse was broken this week with a compromise four-year agreement which will extend Brown's stay at his hometown club beyond his 32nd birthday.

Ferguson will announce the news this afternoon, with Brown agreeing a weekly salary believed to be just under £50,000. The 28-year-old had initially wanted more and it will not have escaped his notice that Rio Ferdinand will be on more than twice that money when his lawyers sign off his new five-year deal. However, it is a handsome rise on Brown's previous £31,000 a week and he is now in the middle bracket of earners at United.

Ferguson, who has relied heavily on Brown this season in the absence of the injured Gary Neville, will be relieved. He had accused the defender of "living in his agent's pocket" and had said the dispute "depresses me at times".

Brown could conceivably have earned more elsewhere but United were always bargaining from a position of strength because they knew he would be reluctant to leave a club he joined on YTS terms and for whom he made his first-team debut 11 years ago.

An extra factor in healing frayed relations is that his father died in February and Brown is understood to have been moved by the support he received from Ferguson and his colleagues.


Both club and player had done well to sort this out. The club recognise Brown's contribution and it shows in his wage increase. Loyal Brown stays whilst knowing he could play more and earn more if he joins another club.

[dom01]

Hey man,

Thanks for the info. Frankly, i am saddened by the fact that he chose to stayed. Did you see how many times our right defence was breached by Arsenal last weekend? Brown was non-existence.

[alex18122003]

A late Carlos Tevez header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United away to Blackburn Rovers, despite a majestic performance by Brad Friedel.

Tevez glanced the ball home to equalise Roque Santa Cruz's opener three minutes from time just as it looked like they would be denied.

Friedel pulled off a string of outstanding saves while referee Rob Styles could easily have awarded a penalty for a Brett Emerton handball.

Although the leaders were held, they remain three points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table with a significant goal difference advantage.

Consequently, they could lose to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend and still retain their title if they win their remaining games against West Ham and Wigan.

The smiles on the visitors' faces at the end were testament to what they deemed a satisfactory end to an agonising afternoon that saw Wayne Rooney limp off with a stomach injury - a worry ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Barcelona.

Tevez had missed a golden chance to give United the lead on 10 minutes when he raced forward to meet a low cross from Rooney but somehow missed the ball altogether when he seemed certain to score.

United fans who expressed delight at the return of Nemanja Vidic to the centre of defence after injury found their expression turn to one of horror on 21 minutes.

Rio Ferdinand and Vidic both jumped for the same long throw from Morten Gamst Pedersen and neither won the ball, which took an unlikely deflection off both men into the path of Santa Cruz, who could hardly miss from six yards.

Ferguson's two centre-backs have excelled this season, contributing to the best defensive record in the Premier League - now their blunder threatened to derail United's bid for a second consecutive Premier League title.

As United's frustration grew, it found an outlet from a predictable source. Rooney was lucky to stay on the pitch after the red mist descended late in the first half.

Rooney has worked hard to keep his temper in check but it flared horribly after he was denied a penalty following a Steven Reid challenge.

Incensed, Rooney chased after the nearest opponent - in this case the giant Christopher Samba - and fell him with a thigh-high two-footed tackle from behind.

Referee Rob Styles could have sent him off, but showed commendable restraint in settling for a yellow card and a stern talking-to.

The second half saw Blackburn more or less give up any ambition of scoring a second as United poured forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo cracked a shot off the base of the post from the edge of the box after beating Friedel, but that was one of the few shots the veteran did not get his hands on.

At 36, the American is still at the top of the game and vastly outshone his shaky opposite number Tomasz Kuszczak, in for the injured Edwin van der Sar.

Friedel was alert to prevent an own goal when a cross ricocheted off a defender and did even better on 80 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be fouled 12 yards from goal but the ball broke for Tevez, who turned and fired. Friedel got a hand to it and raced back to smother the ball as it rolled onto the line.

Four minutes later he stayed big to repel Wayne Rooney when the England striker had been sent through one-on-one. Rooney has been told by Fabio Capello to convert more chances - Friedel ensured he did not made an immediate start.

This was after referee Styles again showed leniency when Emerton appeared clearly to use his arm to 'save' a goalbound Michael Carrick header.

But if the sign of a champion side is the bloody-mindedness to plough on when all seems lost, the United might have gained a decisive result.

A Nani corner came in on 88 minutes and was flicked on by Paul Scholes to Tevez, who finally found the net from close range.

[Cum_Luver]

this will makes the next match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge,so interesting.
the last 3 matches for each club:

Manchester United:
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Chelsea v Man Utd Stamford Bridge
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Man Utd v West Ham Old Trafford
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Wigan v Man Utd The JJB Stadium

Chelsea:
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Chelsea v Man Utd Stamford Bridge
Monday, May 5, 2008
Newcastle v Chelsea St James' Park
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Chelsea v Bolton Stamford Bridge

Man Utd vs West Ham,very interesting,one of your bogey team.
If Chlesea were to win next weekend,i think the last match for each team will be the decider,if both Wigan and Bolton were still in the dog-fight for survival in the EPL by then. Presently,Wigan seems to be safe with their 2 great performance against Chelsea and Tottenham. So Chelsea will have a tougher last match,as Bolton are still not in the safe zone.

[LiverPOO]

Originally Posted by dom01

Hey man,

Thanks for the info. Frankly, i am saddened by the fact that he chose to stayed. Did you see how many times our right defence was breached by Arsenal last weekend? Brown was non-existence.

If I am not wrong, Brown has played the most matches this season amongst the Utd defenders.

Probably he is tired and he is human afterall. Surely Ferguson and Queiroz know what Brown is capable of to offer him a new improved contract.

Don't be sad with Brown, be disappointed with Ferguson and Queiroz for offering him a chance to stay.

[dc7176]

1-0 Santa Cruz (Min 20)
Click Here for Video
C.Ronaldo Header (Min 42)
Click Here for Video

C.Ronaldo Shoot (Min 64)
Click Here for Video

Tevez Chance (Min 79)
Click Here for Video

Rooney Chance (Min 85)
Click Here for Video

1-1 Tevez (Min 87)
Click Here for Video

[dc7176]

The Last Stretch 2007-2008

Remaining Fixtures

23 Apr UEFA Champions League Barcelona (Away)
26 Apr Barclays Premier League Chelsea (Away)
29 Apr UEFA Champions League Barcelona (Home)
03 May Barclays Premier League West Ham (Home)
11 May Barclays Premier League Wigan (Away)
21 May Possible UEFA Champions League Final (Vodkaland)


Note how Barca, Chelsea, Barca, West Ham are 4 matches in 10 days. Including the match with Blackburn, this amounts to 5 matches in 13 days. Stamina, strength in depth will come into play here. Personally I feel that we did not go all out against Blackburn today by running crazy and that is crucial to riding through this upcoming demanding 2 weeks.


Premiership Table & Analysis


Man Utd 81Pts, +54
Chelsea 78Pts, +36
Arsenal 71Pts, +36

We have an enormous goal difference advantage unlikely to be surpassed by Chelsea in the final three PL games. This means that in the event of the two teams having equal points, United will take top position.


ONE. If we beat Chelsea, we (effectively) win the Premiership.

TWO. If we lose to Chelsea, we can win the Premiership by beating Wigan and West Ham.

THREE. If we draw with Chelsea, we need only one win against either Wigan or west Ham.



Overall Comments

Premiership still looks very possible, and there's no need at all to panic thanks to Tevez's equalizer at Blackburn. Chelsea will be as haggard as we are from their encounters with Liverpool, so the two teams will be more or less equally stretched save for the fact that we need to travel to Spain for the Barca match.

I have faith in our team to win the league again this year, although we all know what football can do.

Let's all be patient and grouphug when the going gets tough..

[alex18122003]

Wayne Rooney has recovered from a side injury and should start Manchester United's Champions League semi-final first leg away to Barcelona.

The England international limped out of Saturday's 1-1 against Blackburn after colliding with Ryan Nelsen but Sir Alex Ferguson said he is back at full fitness.

Rooney is expected to play as a lone striker, supported by the roaming Cristiano Ronaldo, with Carlos Tevez restricted to a place on the bench despite his goalscoring performance in the quarter-final second leg against Roma.

Edwin van der Sar is back in the squad following his groin injury and should take over from Tomasz Kuszczak, while Owen Hargreaves could also return after shrugging off a hamstring problem.

Sir Alex Ferguson has an embarrassment of riches in central midfield, and will have to perm three from Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Anderson.

With captain Gary Neville also flying to Spain, United have a fully fit squad except for Louis Saha, whose absence will barely register given his dreadful injury record.

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is expected to take a risk by starting star man Lionel Messi, who returned from injury in a cameo performance against Espanyol on Saturday.

Thierry Henry has come in for heavy criticism following a long spell of lacklustre form and trained by himself on Tuesday. The Frenchman is unlikely to return to the left wing to play a side against whom he had a fine scoring record for Arsenal.

Teenage starlet Bojan Krkic could deputise, while Samuel Eto'o is a near-certainty to start as a lone striker.

Yaya Toure anchors the midfield with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Deco battling it out for central midfield places - the latter two players also returning from injury.

Captain Carles Puyol misses the game through suspension, meaning Rafael Marquez partners Gabriel Milito at centre-back. Sylvinho and Gianluca Zambrotta fill the full-back positions with Victor Valdes in goal.

[alex18122003]

We sum up the key battles ahead of the massive Champions League semi-final clash between Barcelona and Manchester United in the Camp Nou.

Cristiano Ronaldo v Eric Abidal

Barcelona are going with Abidal despite a disappointing season after signing from Lyon because of his greater defensive capabilties compared with Sylvinho. The Frenchman will have to be more than wary of the player many regard as the best in the world. Make no mistake, this is Ronaldo's biggest stage yet: he will go down in history if he turns it on for a United win tonight.

Lionel Messi v United defence

The importance of Argentine whiz-kid Messi to Barcelona's cause cannot be understated. And it is not enough this season to 'do a Liverpool' - the team that knocked them out last season - and stick the full-back to him like glue, especially at the Camp Nou. Patrice Evra must do what he can at left-back as the left-footed right-sided player skips inside and across the pitch; then it is up to Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown to block his entry-route to the penalty area and goal.

Samuel Eto'o v Rio Ferdinand

Livewire front man Eto'o will be as bouncy as an over-sugared child on a bouncy castle and have to be kept in check as his team go on the attack. Nemanja Vidic is out, replaced by the less secure Wes Brown, meaning the main responsibility will fall to Ferdinand. The centre-half must perform to the standards set over a league season in games such as this and then some if United are going to win the Champions League again any time soon.

Wayne Rooney v Rafael Marquez

Barça captain Carles Puyol is suspended for the first leg and his brand of boundless energy and commitment will be sorely missed. Stand-in centre-back and Mexico captain Marquez has been criticised recently for his attitude and the spotlight will fall upon him as United's star striker Rooney looks to silence the Catalan hordes with a typical sparkling display up front.

Paul Scholes v Yaya Toure

Silent assassin Scholesy will prowl on the counter and look to get on the end of moves from Ryan Giggs on the left and Ronaldo on the right. He will be tracked by Barça's main defensive midfielder and Ivory Coast international Toure, who will have a job on his hands.

[dc7176]

vs

FC Barcelona vs Manchester United
Uefa Champions League
Semifinal 1st Leg
April 23 2008


C. Ronaldo misses a penalty kick!!
Click Here for Video

Messi flicks the ball over Evra's head!!
Click Here for Video

A well played cooperative attack for Barcelona ends with Eto'o shooting the ball beside the left post
Click Here for Video

[alex18122003]

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty as Manchester United ground out a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty as Manchester United ground out a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp.

The visitors could have gone ahead in the third minute when they were awarded a penalty for Gabriel Milito's handball, but Ronaldo placed a poor penalty wide of the post.

United were forced to defend for large portions of the game, but a disciplined defensive effort reduced their hosts to pot-shots from distance that rarely troubled goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

And despite the missed opportunity of Ronaldo's penalty, the result probably makes United slight favourites ahead of the second leg.

The Premier League leaders took to the field shorn of the services of centre-half Nemanja Vidic - laid low by a stomach bug - and Sir Alex Ferguson decided to replace him with Wes Brown and move Owen Hargreaves to right-back.

Ronaldo began the game behind Carlos Tevez in attack with Wayne Rooney starting on the right, while Lionel Messi made his first start in seven weeks for Barcelona after overcoming a thigh problem.

One of the most keenly contested pre-match talking points was the competing claims of Messi and Ronaldo for the title of best player in the world, and the United man was handed a golden chance to score a precious away goal when Milito used a hand to block his header and referee Massimo Busacca pointed to the spot.

But United's number seven, usually so reliable from 12 yards, placed his spot-kick wide of the right-hand upright, and the shock of nearly going behind so early in the tie stunned Barca into action.

First Andres Iniesta just failed to pick out a team-mate after being released by a cute ball down the inside-left channel from Messi, and then Messi seized on a scuffed clearance from Van der Sar to feed Samuel Eto'o inside the United area, only for Eto'o's attempted return pass to be intercepted.

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Barca struggled to craft any clear-cut openings, and after half-an-hour Ronaldo had a second strong penalty appeal turned down when he was bundled over by Rafael Marquez after latching onto Iniesta's loose pass.

The darting Messi was at the heart of all his side's best football, but all too often their attacks ran out of steam when confronted by the massed ranks of white shirts defending the threshold of the United penalty area.

Chances were more forthcoming in the opening stages of the second period, with Gianluca Zambrotta forcing Van der Sar to touch a 30-yard effort over the crossbar and Michael Carrick producing a timely intervention to cut out Eto'o's cross after the Barca striker had skipped past a lunging challenge from Rio Ferdinand.

Eto'o then slammed a low shot into the side netting after a neat touch from Iniesta, before a rising left-footed effort from Carrick met the same fate at the other end.

Ronaldo had another penalty shout waved away after being halted in his tracks by an airborne challenge from Eric Abidal, before Frank Rijkaard revealed his final hand with the introduction of Thierry Henry from the bench.

The Frenchman was so often the scourge of Ferguson's men in his Arsenal days and he stung Van der Sar's gloves with a well-struck effort from the left-hand corner of the area with just under 10 minutes remaining.

But it was the nearest Barca game to breaking the deadlock, meaning there is all to play for at Old Trafford next week.

[machoman]

Chelsea (2nd) v
Manchester United (1st)

Last Season: 09/05/07, Chelsea 0 - 0 Man Utd
D W W W D W Form W W W D W D



Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful Nemanja Vidic will be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Manchester United look to wrap up a 10th Premier League title.

Only a mathematical improbability will prevent United securing the title should they beat Avram Grant's men and the return of Vidic will be a major boost.

The Serb was rushed to hospital with a stomach complaint on Tuesday and missed the Champions League semi-final with Barcelona but he trained on Friday morning and should be ready for Saturday, with Ferguson promising a 'couple of changes', which could include the return of Ryan Giggs.

first leg

Chelsea manager Avram Grant will be without grieving Frank Lampard following the death of his mother on Thursday.

Michael Essien, suspended for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, returns to the squad.

squads

Chelsea: Cech, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Makelele, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, J Cole, Malouda, Shevchenko, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka, Sidwell, Pizarro.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Brown, Neville, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.