Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[shysaint]

Tottenham 1 United 3

United emphatically cleared a major hurdle in the race for the Barclays Premier League title, posting a priceless victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane to move within two points of the top of the table.

Wayne Rooney's header in first-half injury-time followed a half of dominance for the hosts, while Ashley Young's brace of brilliant finishes added an almost surreal layer of gloss to the scoreline for Sir Alex Ferguson's champions.

Tottenham were dealt a disservice by the full-time deficit, having bossed matters for the first hour of the game, but found themselves thwarted by a dogged display of resilience from David De Gea and his excellent defence.

Harry Redknapp will also point to a moment of controversy in the first period when Emmanuel Adebayor had a goal contentiously ruled out for handball, but his side were gradually worn down by United's clinical finishing and improved passing in the second half, and had only Jermain Defoe's late consolation goal to show for their considerable efforts.

The Reds welcomed back Rooney after a throat infection, but were without Chris Smalling, the victim of a head injury during England's midweek defeat to Holland. The hosts, meanwhile, were bereft of Gareth Bale (virus), Rafael van der Vaart (ankle) and Scott Parker, who served a one-match ban after picking up a pair of bookings in last weekend's defeat at Arsenal.

Nevertheless, both sides lined up with attacking formations, each spearheaded by two strikers. In the opening exchanges, each of the quartet chanced their arm in alternation. After Louis Saha's scuffed effort dribbled straight at De Gea, Danny Welbeck capped a surging run by blazing over from just outside the area, before Emmanuel Adebayor blasted a 25-yard effort over for the hosts.

The game's first effort of note was executed by Rooney, who curled a powerful effort into Brad Friedel's midriff after impressive approach play from Nani down the right flank. For all the attacking intent on show, however, the first 15 minutes of the game were bitty, with both sides guilty of sloppy distribution.

De Gea produced one such errant pass to inadvertantly forge Tottenham's first glaring opening, but the Spaniard atoned by dropping to his left and parrying away Adebayor's low, curling effort after he had been allowed to advance to the edge of the United area.

As the game's flow coagulated under heavy pressing from both sides, set pieces grew in significance. Spurs were given a free-kick from 25 yards, only for Youne Kaboul to drill just off-target, via a slight deflection, before Rooney hooked a low corner from Young goal-wards, but straight at Friedel. The deadlock remained in-tact, but wavered in an almighty scare for the Reds.

Aaron Lennon, hitherto well-shackled by Patrice Evra on the hosts' right flank, switched sides and motored past Phil Jones. His pull-back was well turned away by De Gea, but Saha's follow-up struck Adebayor on the chest and then the arm and, though the Togolese striker flicked home a finish, referee Martin Atkinson promptly halted play for handball.

The home support loudly bemoaned the decision, which could easily have gone unpunished, and their ire was only heightened when the champions moved into the lead in injury-time. Having been so disjointed in open play, it was fitting that a set-piece yielded reward, as Rooney escaped Kyle Walker to emphatically head home Young's wickedly-dipping corner.

Suitably stung by the unjust nature of their deficit, Spurs began the second period on the front foot. They would have drawn level soon after the restart, but for heroics from both De Gea and Jonny Evans; the Spaniard to instinctively block Jake Livermore's 20-yard effort which deflected off Saha, and the Northern Irishman for subsequently slashing the ball away from a packed goalmouth.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto then curled a 25-yard free-kick against the top of De Gea's crossbar as the hosts continued to boss matters. Yet, despite creaking under pressure at times, United's lead was doubled on the hour-mark - and again it came from alertness at a set-piece.

Jones' quick throw-in found Nani on the Tottenham byline, lurking behind Luka Modric. The Portuguese's cross was turned away from the goal-line by Walker, but Young dealt with the looping ball by brilliantly arrowing a volley inside the far post. Under the kosh but two goals up, Sir Alex Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs for Scholes.

The Welshman was heavily involved as, incredibly, the Reds moved three goals clear eight minutes later. A sustained spell of passing and possession culminated in Evra slipping the ball to Young, who advanced on goal and exploited Kaboul's reluctance to meet him by curling a stunning, 25-yard effort high into Friedel's top corner.

For once, there would be no late drama; instead a 20-minute spell of dominant possession for the champions. One errant pass from Giggs gave Defoe the opportunity to advance on goal and thump a low, 25-yard effort past an unsighted De Gea, but United otherwise ran down the clock safe in the knowledge that, with 11 league games remaining and the home straight in sight, there will be few greater hurdles to clear.

Extracted from Manutd.com

[66cccc66]

well done MU.
look like the match on April 30 against City,will be the decider.

[shysaint]

Originally Posted by 66cccc66

well done MU.
look like the match on April 30 against City,will be the decider.

Hope Arsenal will do us a favor by beating them first ....

[shark89]

A good weekend indeed!

Started with the Gunners beating Pool to really wreck the hope of them finishing 4th. Let them continue to celebrate winning the mickey mouse cup! Leave the Champions League to the big clubs. Good job RVP!

And last night's win at Spurs despite being outplayed especially in the 1st 40mins. A very good weekend indeed!

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by omnia

...but my all time fav has to be kenny dalglish...best no#7 red ever...

ahhh.....the no.7. so happens my united great also wore no.7! king eric!

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by shysaint

Hope Arsenal will do us a favor by beating them first ....

bro, when is the game between city and the gunners? at the etihad or the emirates stadium?

man, the names of these stadiums nowadays. give me old trafford anytime!

[shysaint]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

bro, when is the game between city and the gunners? at the etihad or the emirates stadium?

man, the names of these stadiums nowadays. give me old trafford anytime!

20 Mar : Man City vs Chelsea ( Looks like its a goner for Chelsea unless ... )

08 Apr : Ars vs Man City @ Emirates Stadium

30 Apr " Man City vs Man Utd

That's all the Big Match Available for Chelsea .. rest should not be a Hurdle to them ...


Glory Glory Man Utd ...

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by shysaint

08 Apr : Ars vs Man City @ Emirates Stadium
30 Apr " Man City vs Man Utd ...

C'mon Van Pussy!

[badboynani17]

City will drop points, definitely. Utd will switch to the highest gear and overtake these assh!@es!! Glory Glory Man Utd!

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by shysaint

20 Mar : Man City vs Chelsea ( Looks like its a goner for Chelsea unless ... )

08 Apr : Ars vs Man City @ Emirates Stadium

30 Apr " Man City vs Man Utd

That's all the Big Match Available for Chelsea .. rest should not be a Hurdle to them ...

Glory Glory Man Utd ...

the 20 mar game may not be a goner yet bro. with avb gone, the chelski players may just wake up and start playing for the 4th champ league spot! hope for a draw game here.

Originally Posted by yinyang

C'mon Van Pussy!

ooohh! that's a good one there bro! hahaha!

this rvp is really a mean scoring machine. he could be giving his best to the gunners now knowing that next season he could well be playing elsewhere.

Originally Posted by badboynani17

City will drop points, definitely. Utd will switch to the highest gear and overtake these assh!@es!! Glory Glory Man Utd!

let's hope by the time united meet city on 30 Apr, it will be united who are clear on top.

[mr_missile]

Fergie wants Euro improvement

Sir Alex Ferguson wants his Manchester United players to "waken" from their slumbers against Athletic Bilbao to protect their European status.

For so many years United have used their form at Old Trafford as the basis to launch deep inroads into the Champions League. This term has been very different, however.

Ferguson accepts his side never recovered from tossing away a two-goal lead against Swiss outfit FC Basel on matchday two, a further home draw with Benfica helping to condemn them to a group stage exit for the first time since 2005.

But United have found it no easier in the Europa League, where they almost contrived to get knocked out despite at one stage boasting a three-goal aggregate lead to Ajax.

The Red Devils chief accepts if his side want to prolong their stay in the competition, they must do better, especially as they are now facing a team that is fifth in La Liga and have booked a Copa del Rey final encounter with Barcelona in addition to their conquests on the European front.

"It is a game in which we need to waken up," said Ferguson.

"Some of our European form this season has been disappointing. I don't know whether we are making too many changes.

"Obviously I will be playing a strong team tomorrow and hopefully that makes a difference because it is going to be a very difficult game."

Domestically, Sunday's win at Tottenham was United's 10th on the road this term, twice the number they managed in the whole of last season, and leaves them just two points adrift of City having completed their most testing run of fixtures.

"It is going to be an exciting time for the club," said Ferguson.

"We had a fantastic result on Sunday. Hopefully that gives us the impetus to have a real go at this league."

It is why Ferguson is so glad Tom Cleverley has recovered from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for a fortnight and Anderson is in line to make his first start for four months after finally shrugging off a knee injury from which it appears he tried to come back too soon.

"Anderson was a substitute on Sunday and he is back, fit and training very well," said Ferguson.

"He will be involved. It is good to get a player of that quality back for the run-in."

Ferguson confirmed keeper Anders Lindegaard could be ready to resume football training in a fortnight whilst Antonio Valencia, who strained a hamstring in the first leg against Ajax three weeks ago, should be pushing for a return from the beginning of next week.

He might be needed too because evidently Athletic are a strong team.

"They press the ball very well and are not afraid to flood players forward," said Ferguson.

"They are very positive and have a particularly dangerous centre-forward in Fernando Llorente. He is a great header of the ball and his goalscoring record is very good.

"They have very strong self-belief and that is something we have to be prepared for."

Nevertheless, it seems unlikely to produce the 11 goals over two legs which the only previous competitive encounter between the pair served up in 1957.

On that occasion United emerged triumphant thanks to a 3-0 second leg win at Maine Road.

Ferguson freely admits he would accept a third of that number on Thursday.

"I will accept 1-0 tomorrow rather than 2-1 or 3-2 without question," he said.

[shysaint]

Boss issues wake-up call!

Sir Alex has urged United to "wake up" in European football this season ahead of the Old Trafford encounter with Athletic Club.

The Reds face the side from Bilbao in the Round of 16 in the Europa League, looking to improve on the home showing against Ajax as the Amsterdammers won on the night but lost 3-2 on aggregate.

"It's a very difficult tie," stated the boss. "All the work Bilbao have done has been very impressive. They're a very progressive team in Spain at the moment and it's going to be very difficult for us. We need to waken up, there's not question about that. Some of our European form has been disapppointing.

"But it's an opportunity to progress and we want to take that opportunity, although it's going to need a very good performance."

The manager was honest enough to reflect on the Champions League exit and wonder what may have been the problem, after doing so well to reach three finals in four years.

"I don't know if it's because we're making too many changes in these games," he pondered. "Certainly against Ajax in the second leg we did that. We also made mistakes in the group stages. It's our own fault. The Basel game will always be remembered for the carelessness of our performance.

"We were a bit unlucky against Benfica at home but, at that point, we needed to beat them. It was a disappointment but tomorrow I'm playing a strong team and I hope that makes a difference."

Extract from Manutd.com

[mr_missile]

Home help on Ferguson's mind

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United's slack European performances will force him to reassess how to approach games at Old Trafford.

Normally so solid on home soil, United have endured a disastrous campaign.

They only managed to win one of their three home matches in the Champions League and despite dropping into UEFA's secondary competition, the Red Devils have been even worse after the winter break.

Thursday night's defeat to Athletic Bilbao was their second in succession after they almost tossed away a three-goal aggregate advantage against Ajax in the last round.

Even before the game Gary Neville was declaring it was one of those years where United were taking a step back in order for their youngsters to move forward.

And after Thursday night's 3-2 reverse, Ferguson feels a change in attitude is now required.

"We have had a bad year in Europe," he said.

"We conceded three against Basel, two against Benfica, another three against Bilbao and two to Ajax. That tells its own story.

"Maybe it is just one of those years where we are having to restock and assess how we should approach games at home."

Ferguson conceded that without a man-of-the-match display from young goalkeeper David de Gea, the damage could have been even worse.

It was probably the reason why he didn't spend too long dwelling on that fact his team were the victims of an offside goal for Athletic's second, and half his team were arguing at the concession of a bizarre free-kick when the Basque outfit shot down the other end of the field to grab their third.

Far more responsible was Rafael's failure to react after De Gea had denied Oscar de Marcos, allowing Iker Muniain to belt the rebound into an empty net.

It was the low point of a sub-standard defensive display from the hosts, more in keeping with their early season performances which culminated in the horrendous 6-1 derby-day loss to Manchester City.

"There has been that slackness all season," said Ferguson, a view endorsed by midfielder Michael Carrick.

"We have been giving the opposition too many chances, which tells a tale," said Carrick.

"That is not just putting the blame on the defence, it is the team as a unit. We have to defend right altogether. That hasn't been the case."

The strange thing is that the European nightmares have come in the midst of some excellent form on the domestic front.

Since that near fatal wobble against Ajax, United have won at Norwich and Tottenham. Before facing the Dutch giants they saw off Liverpool and came from three goals down to grab a point at Chelsea.

Now they must recover in time to tackle in-form West Brom at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"We are desperate to win the league again and Sunday is the next game," said Carrick.

"It is massive, as they all are, and we will be ready for it."

Chris Smalling is United's main doubt, although with Rio Ferdinand due back anyway, the blow would not be too severe should the England defender not report for duty after the stitches in a head wound originally suffered playing for England reopened.

In theory, United are now embarking on a run of easier fixtures after the tougher tasks just completed.

But Carrick has been around too long to be duped by such talk, especially as West Brom were the only side to leave Old Trafford with any points last term.

"We are satisfied with the situation we are in," said Carrick.

"But just because we have come through a tough two months doesn't mean we will sail through the next two nicely.

"We are not getting carried away and we are not taking anything for granted.

"We know how quickly it can come back and bite us."

[machoman]

Rooney brace sends Man Utd top of the pile

Monday, March 12

Manchester United shrugged off the disappointment of the Europa League defeat in midweek to easily collect the three points against ten-men West Bromwich Albion, with a 2-0 success at Old Trafford.

West Brom have never beaten United in the Premier League and once Jonas Olsson saw red for a second bookable offence, with the visitor’s already trailing to a Wayne Rooney strike, that record looked set to continue.

The Red Devils have now won seven of their last eight league games and rarely looked in trouble during this encounter were they dominated for long periods.

The breakthrough for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men came on the stroke of half-time when Javier Hernandez ended a mazy run with a perfect cross for Rooney to finish with the simplest of conversions.

The one moment of alarm for the home side came just after the break when Albion had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Patrice Evra brought down Peter Odemwingie, but the officials were unimpressed.

Shortly after and West Brom were reduced to ten men as Olsson clattered Hernandez for a second yellow card.

United wasted no time in making their numerical advantage count and after Keith Andrews fouled Ashley Young inside the penalty area, Rooney steeped to send former United keeper Ben Foster the wrong way to clinch a critical victory in the light of leaders Manchester City going down at Swansea.

Albion’s run of three successive league wins came to an end, but more importantly United leapfrogged City at the summit of the Premiership to lead by one point with ten games remaining.

Referee: Lee Probert

Venue: Old Trafford

Attendance: 75,598

Man Utd scorers: Rooney 35, 71 West Brom scorers:

[guccirush]

Back in August, a comprehensive 4-0 home victory over Swansea got Manchester City's Premier League title challenge off to a flying start. Eight months later, the same opponents have got their revenge and applied the brakes to Roberto Mancini's men - big time.

An 83rd minute Luke Moore header proved enough for the Swans to earn a shock victory over City, just as Manchester United were polishing off a comfortable 2-0 win over West Brom to go top of the Premier League table by a single point with ten matches to play.

City have led, and led fairly comfortably, for some time. But faltering at this stage of the season is not indicative of champions, especially when dealing with an adversary as relentless and experienced as United.

Sir Alex Ferguson and many of his players have been here many times before. The same cannot be said for Roberto Mancini or his expensively-assembled squad, and questions will now be asked as to whether they possess the substance to back up the style and become winners.

With ten matches to play and 30 more points still up for grabs, United's current lead is far from unassailable. But bearing in mind their pedigree at this level, Mancini will be rightly worried to concede the initiative at such a crucial stage of the season.

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