Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Read in the internet that Wrigley's chewing gum factory working 24/7 this week

Btw Chewing gumGerson team tel0r - Liverpool 1

hahaha....pak, i like your sense of humour! gd one there!

but i beg to differ on your predicted scoreline. united will win by 2 goals.

[mr_missile]

De Gea wants to be United great

David De Gea is convinced he will remain at Manchester United for 'many years' as he continues to find his feet in English football.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper arrived at Old Trafford last summer with a big reputation and a billing as a potential star of the future.

A hefty transfer fee and the expectation which accompanies turning out for one of the biggest clubs in the world has weighed heavy on his shoulders at times, with a number of nervy performances leading some to question his prospects of remaining at United long-term.

De Gea, though, maintains complete faith in his own ability and is confident he will prove to be a shrewd acquisition if he is given the time he needs in which to showcase his true ability.

"I have every intention of spending many years at Manchester United," said the Spaniard.

"I want to go on to become a great United keeper and to earn and deserve respect. I want to help United make history."

Part of the problem for De Gea this season has been his lightweight frame, with Premier League opponents having discovered that the best way to rattle him is to get in his face.

He admits that it has taken time for him to grow accustomed to the physicality of life in the English top-flight, but insists he always knew that he was going to face such challenges.

He added: "I think it is fair to say La Liga and the Premier League are the two best leagues in the world.

"But it's well known the style of play here is rather more physical and, as a goalkeeper, you have to be right on it. You have to be attentive all through the match.

"The players coming at you can shoot from any angle and from distance. You need to be aware you might get a shot from distance at any time.

"Having said that, there's a lot of crosses from the sides, a lot of high balls and aerial play. So you have to be able to get in there and block, interfere and stop shots being taken.

"I knew when I was coming to United this was the style of play. So I was pretty much ready and I was already confident."

[machoman]

Rooney brace sinks Liverpool

Saturday, February 11, 2012 8 hours ago

Wayne Rooney scored both goals as Manchester United moved back to the summit of the Premiership with a 2-1 over Liverpool at Old Trafford with Luis Suarez replying for the visitors.

With this game being overshadowed with United’s Patrice Evra and Suarez coming face to face for the first time since the Uruguayan served an eight game ban for racially abusing the Frenchman the first-half was low key with the host’s having the majority of the possession but without really threatening to score.

Paul Scholes had Man United’s best chance when he headed straight at keeper Jose Reina but the moment of controversy arrived just before the break as last man Rio Ferdinand, as television replays showed, just got the ball ahead of Suarez who claimed he had been fouled and wanted the England international to see red.

As the whistle blew for the break Suarez angrily kicked the ball into touch sparking a minor incident amongst the players.

The Uruguayan had been the subject of controversy after refusing to shake the hand of Patrice Evra before the game.

But within three minutes of the restart United had scored twice, both by Rooney.

The first followed a Ryan Giggs corner which was flicked-on and Rooney volleyed home. Then Jay Spearing was caught in possession and Antonio Valencia immediately slipped the ball through for the England international to double the host’s lead.

At this stage there seemed no way back for Liverpool who looked disjointed and shocked by the two-goal salvo. The home side easily retained possession and looked to be comfortably playing out time until with ten minutes remaining Liverpool were handed a lifeline.

Substitute Charlie Adam flung over a free kick which hit Ferdinand before falling kindly for Suarez to poke home from close range.

The men from Anfield increased the tempo but it was too late and United clung on for the tree points and their seventh league win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in eight matches.

Referee: Phil Dowd

Venue: Old Trafford

Attendance: 74,844

Man Utd scorers: Rooney 47,49 Liverpool scorers: Suarez 80

[machoman]

Evra's & Ferninand's "handshake" with Suarez & Evra celebrating in front of Suarez after the match

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by machoman

Evra's & Ferninand's "handshake" with Suarez & Evra celebrating in front of Suarez after the match

I love it when Ferdinand refused to shake his hand! What a loser Suarez is!

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

I love it when Ferdinand refused to shake his hand! What a loser Suarez is!

suarez is an absolute disgrace to the sport. all my friends who are Pool supporters couldn't believe what they saw on TV when suarez refused to shake hands with evra. they too were absolutely disappointed with his unsportmanship and childish behaviour. absolutely disappointed.

let's see if any of the Pool players (and I don't mean those nonsensical rants by the so-called Pool fans in the Pool thread ) have got anything to say about this now.

i sure hope the FA comes down hard on him.

[mr_missile]

evra too should be disciplined for celebrating the win infront of suarez. that was uncalled for and i believe saf will discipline him.

[mr_missile]

Reds misled, Suarez and KD sorry

Liverpool say Luis Suarez misled them before refusing to shake Patrice Evra's hand, with the player and Kenny Dalglish having issued apologies.

Manchester United have thanked their rivals for the apologies and insist they want to "move on" from the whole affair.

Liverpool claim Suarez indicated to them he would shake hands with United defender Evra prior to Saturday's Premier League game at Old Trafford before refusing to do so on the pitch.

The Uruguayan, who was banned for eight matches after racially abusing Evra during the league game between the sides at Anfield in October, had been expected to shake hands with the Frenchman, but failed to do so.

On Sunday, Suarez apologised for his actions and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre also released a statement criticising Suarez's actions.

Later, Reds manager Dalglish apologised for his conduct during his post-match interview with Sky Sports.

Ayre said: "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club.

"It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

"Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."

Suarez issued his own apology, which read: "I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalglish) since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.

"I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

Dalglish said in a statement: "Ian Ayre has made the club's position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford.

"To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

"But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."

United then issued their own statement, which read: "Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued following Saturday's game.

"Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry unparalleled in British football.

"That should be the focus in the future of all those who love the clubs."

Suarez scored in a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool, with Evra appearing to taunt the South American by celebrating right next to him at the end of the match.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described Suarez as "a disgrace" and suggested he should never play for Liverpool again while Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor branded Suarez's conduct as "disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing".

Taylor added: "If anything, Patrice Evra was the victim and he was prepared to put his hand out.

"These players are expected to be role models but if we have a situation where nobody accepts the findings of hearings and just carries on regardless, all you get is anarchy.

"Now the Football Association have to step in because the whole situation has gone too far.

"Suarez had a chance to put everything to be yesterday, in front of a worldwide audience. The fact that he chose not to is, quite frankly, depressing."

Having already defended his man in the flash TV interview with Sky Sports, Dalglish opted not to make himself available for further discussion on the matter.

On Saturday night, long-time friend Alan Hansen did not say on Match of the Day whether he had spoken to Dalglish prior to transmission.

However, his own observation was withering in its condemnation.

"Liverpool FC made a statement that there would be a handshake," he said.

"Luis Suarez was party to the statement. He knew about it and obviously agreed with it. To snub Patrice Evra was, in my view, totally unacceptable.

"The football club and the manager have given him total and unequivocal support through thick and thin.

"He has let Kenny Dalglish down, the club down and himself down."

[badboynani17]

Good statement from Suarez. His apology makes my day!!!

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

Good statement from Suarez. His apology makes my day!!!

his big boss, the managing director, already very pissed off with him. he still dare not to apologise meh?

[yinyang]

Seems Suarez has a bit of history before Pool

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...orry-mess.html

[shark89]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Seems Suarez has a bit of history before Pool

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...orry-mess.html

Thanks for the link bro. Suarez is a big joke. Made a fool out of his own club, manager, fellow players and fans who "stood by" him when he was accused "wrongly". BIG JOKE! He should be banned for 16 matches now and then sold to play in Africa!

[mr_missile]

Ferguson gives Evra a break

Patrice Evra has been left out of Manchester United's Europa League trip to Amsterdam as a result of his "emotional week".

Evra was missing from the Red Devils squad that flew into the Dutch capital this afternoon, just four days after he was at the centre of the handshake row with Luis Suarez.

And Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he felt the France full-back had been through so much, it was better for him to remain at home.

"We have rested Patrice," said the United boss.

"It has been an emotional week for him and it is the right thing to do."

It was the first time Ferguson has spoken about Saturday's events since he labelled Suarez "a disgrace" and claimed he should be sold.

Since then, Suarez has apologised for his actions, part of a massive Liverpool climbdown that also brought words of contrition from manager Kenny Dalglish and managing director Ian Ayre.

Ferguson admitted he had not spoken to Evra about the weekend events.

However, he did admit to welcoming Liverpool's shift in stance, which he hopes will allow the Merseysiders' unique rivalry with United to advance in a more normal fashion.

"We are all delighted that we have put the matter to an end," he said.

"The two clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool, have too much great history and great rivalry. That is what we are going to concentrate on in the future.

"Both sets of supporters should be pleased and delighted that all we are going to talk about is who is going to win the game.

"Sometimes we will lose to Liverpool, sometimes we will win. But one thing you cannot take away is that both of us need each other."

[badboynani17]

No Evra how to win Ajax? Fabio is not as good as him leh... ok la, give him a chance to prove himself. Maybe he will shine againt Ajax. And funny why SAF left out Berbatov. He injured meh????

[mr_missile]

Ash and Chicharito sink Ajax

Goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a 2-0 win at Ajax in Thursday's Europa League last-32 first-leg tie.

Young's first United goal since September set the Red Devils on their way to a comfortable victory in Amsterdam.

The last time the England winger found the net was a last-gasp face-saver against Basel at Old Trafford, in a match which Sir Alex Ferguson still looks back on as the draw that cost his team their place in the Champions League.

And, after a poor first-half, the visitors roused themselves after the break and Young's 59th-minute strike came at the end of their most threatening spell, the former Aston Villa man tucking home after Nani's cross had been deflected into his path.

Hernandez added a second five minutes from time to secure a result that will allow Ferguson to take a pragmatic approach to next week's second leg, which, unlike Thursday evening, will be followed four days later by a crucial Premier League game, against high-flying Norwich at Carrow Road.

As Tom Cleverley was handed his European debut after playing just twice since the beginning of September and not at all for over three months, Nani and Phil Jones back after four match absences and Young only just returned from a pre-Christmas injury, it was perhaps no surprise United were so far off the pace.

Too many first touches and passes went astray.

Crossing was a particularly bad area.

Nani sent one corner straight out for a goal kick, failed to pick out a team-mate with one obvious cross and then smashed a shot into the side-netting from an impossible angle as Wayne Rooney and Hernandez screamed for a pass.

On the other flank, Young fared only marginally better and though Cleverley flickered, he could not sustain his impact for any length of time.

As usual then, Rooney was the visitors' main threat, although his 25-yard effort lacked the venom to beat Kenneth Vermeer with the best chance of that tepid opening period.

Ajax played the kind of free-flowing passing football for which Holland is renowned.

Christian Eriksen may be a Dane but it was easy to see why he chose Holland to learn his trade rather than expose himself to the physicality of the Premier League.

Eriksen prodded and probed and tested David de Gea with a couple of pot shots.

Siem de Jong came closest to breaking the deadlock though, also from long-range.

The wide-man's shot was on target though and De Gea needed to stretch to keep it out.

When United last appeared in a European game outside the Champions League, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was amongst the scorers.

De Gea never contemplated emulating the great Dane. His stock is starting to rise though and Ajax refused to reduce themselves to pumping their opponents' box with crosses in an effort to expose the Spain star's weakeness under a high ball.

That there was no injury-time reflected a general lack of first-half excitement.

There as a talking point in the final minute though when Miralem Sulejmani went down under Rio Ferdinand's challenge.

Ajax were convinced it was a penalty. Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi decided otherwise, leaving Ferdinand to hobble down the tunnel for his break.

Stand-in skipper for the night in place of an emotionally drained Patrice Evra, Ferdinand was able to return for a second-half United began with far more zip than they had shown previously.

Jan Vertonghen was at full stretch to prevent Young's cross reaching Jones at the far post and Vermeer and Vurnon Anita combined to snuff out an opening that seemed to be presenting itself to Hernandez.

United were definitely turning the screw though and it was no surprise they broke the deadlock just before the hour.

So frustrating so often, Nani for once managed to find a team-mate with a cross that flicked off an Ajax defender.

Young steadied himself after beating Anita, eventually drilling a low shot through a crowd of bodies.

It was Young's fourth goal since his £18million summer move to United from Villa and was followed immediately by Cleverley's departure for Paul Scholes, in the absence of Ryan Giggs the only remaining member of that 1995 UEFA Cup team.

Antonio Valencia's introduction for Young provided the South American with enough time to begin a move that ended with Hernandez exchanging passes with Rooney before slotting home his third goal in as many games and ninth of the season.

Valencia was instantly replaced after taking a knock in the build-up, although it only appeared to be a precaution.