Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[alex18122003]

Glory Glory Man Utd

[mr_missile]

top of the league now but not getting carried away with 10 more "cup finals" to go.

the injuries are clearing up leaving long-term injury players vidic and fletcher still out till the next season. but more importantly, cleverly, anderson, smalling and even valencia are back or will be back to first team action very soon.

as saf questioned earlier this week, "will city blink first?"

just hope that city's defeat to swansea last night is one of their many blinks to come.

glory glory man united! and the reds go marching on on on!

[Gennaro_]

Bro machoman,

lurve your signature, i wonder what's going through his mind?

[shysaint]

We Are Back !!! We Are Back !!!

We Are Back on Top of the League Table

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

top of the league now but not getting carried away with 10 more "cup finals" to go.

the injuries are clearing up leaving long-term injury players vidic and fletcher still out till the next season. but more importantly, cleverly, anderson, smalling and even valencia are back or will be back to first team action very soon.

as saf questioned earlier this week, "will city blink first?"

just hope that city's defeat to swansea last night is one of their many blinks to come.

glory glory man united! and the reds go marching on on on!

Well said bro... Man Utd cannot be complacent cos' any slips in the next 10 matches can be disastous. I think this 1-0 defeat for City is a wake up call for them. They will likely to start their engine and go full throttle. So the red devils will feel the pressure, this time from the 2nd placed bitter rival.

It was a joyous moment for all Man Utd fans. Feels so good to be on top of the league table again.... phew!

[guccirush]

City has a much tougher fixture. Hopefully by the derby clash, we will be at least 4 points ahead.

[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

Glory Glory Man Utd ...

Originally Posted by guccirush

City has a much tougher fixture. Hopefully by the derby clash, we will be at least 4 points ahead.

on paper, city has a tougher fixture going into the clash with united on 30 apr.

hopefully chelski can take some points off city as they too are fighting for the champ league spot.

the gunners are on song at the moment. they are gunning for 3rd spot now that they are only a point behind spurs.

so hopefully united will keep winning and city keep "blinking" as we march towards the premiership title!

[mr_missile]

Berbatov set for United exit

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United's record signing Dimitar Berbatov is set to leave Old Trafford in the summer.

The £30.75million forward has found first-team places difficult to come by since being left out of the United squad for last season's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

And, on the eve of a last-16 Europa League second leg tie with Athletic Bilbao, Ferguson confirmed the Bulgarian is set to leave in the summer.

"His concern is not getting first-team football," said Ferguson.

"At 31, he is looking at first-team football.

"It is difficult for me to guarantee that so it could lead to him looking elsewhere."

Berbatov's contract is due to expire in the summer. However, rather than let the former Tottenham man leave for nothing at the end of the season, they will trigger a one-way clause to extend the deal for a further year.

That would mean United would get a fee for the player, who was linked with former club Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window.

However, the Red Devils hierarchy know they would get nothing like the mammoth sum they paid for the striker, whom Ferguson had such high hopes for when he arrived but has never quite managed to fulfil them, despite ending last season as the joint Golden Boot winner.

"We will be taking up the option on his contract but, having had chats with him, I understand he wants to get first-team football," said Ferguson.

"It is something we need to consider at the end of the season. For a player of his age and his ability it is disappointing for him that he is not getting first-team football.

"We will look at the end of the season but until then, he remains at United."

Ferguson confirmed Berbatov is again set to miss out tomorrow as United look to overturn a 3-2 deficit from last week's home encounter.

"He could play tomorrow but I have good options in terms of front players with Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney," said Ferguson.

[badboynani17]

I feel really sad for Berbatov. He is a genius with great control and vision as a footballer. But he only lacks one thing; not speed but opportunities by SAF. He is often kept warming the bench this entire season and I feel unjust for him. He was the top scorer for last season, why shouldnt he start more games this season? I know Chicharito and Welbeck are young and swift but then again, I believe Berbatov can still play behind them as playmaker? Haiz, if I were SAF, I would play him as playmaker since his speed is lacking and front strikers...

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

I feel really sad for Berbatov. He is a genius with great control and vision as a footballer. But he only lacks one thing; not speed but opportunities by SAF. He is often kept warming the bench this entire season and I feel unjust for him. He was the top scorer for last season, why shouldnt he start more games this season? I know Chicharito and Welbeck are young and swift but then again, I believe Berbatov can still play behind them as playmaker? Haiz, if I were SAF, I would play him as playmaker since his speed is lacking and front strikers...

saf tends to play 4-4-2 : rooney is the undisputed 1st striker while it is always a battle for the 2nd forward slot between chicharito, wellbeck, berba and owen (when he's fit of cos. haha). that's why young players like macheda (and mame diouf) have hardly a sniff in as they are so far down the pecking order.

berba's 1st team opportunities were restricted by the form of chicarito last season and then wellbeck early this season. saf said last season when berba finished as joint top scorer in the bpl, that the form of chicharito makes it impossible to drop him and play berba. how many times have chicharito scored late opportunistic goals to snatch a draw or a win for united? sad to say, berba could never have that sort of impact.

so yes, i agree that berba is a very skilful player to have in the squad. but to choose 2 strikers to start a game, i will still choose rooney plus either chicharito or wellbeck. this choice is based on united's attacking game of using our fast wing play through nani, young and valencia crossing into the box for the strikers to create scoring chances. berba is thus always found lagging behind in these instances.

as a playmaker, saf has used giggs, cleverley, scholes and even rooney for that role. again berba is going to find it hard here.

he is a fine player. but he wants consistent first team football just like any other footballer (we are not like our noisy neighbours where the players get paid an obscene amount and yet are more than contented to just plant their backsides onto the bench and stay there ) especially at his age. saf understands that and therefore will not stand in his way to find another club in the summer.

united will not lose that much. we can always recall macheda as his loan spell with roma (if i recall correctly) ends also in the summer.

or perhaps saf will go for another big-name striker (but at a massive discount). fernando torres anybody?

[mr_missile]

Wolves 0 v Manchester Utd 5

Wayne Rooney hailed a "great result" for Manchester United after they put their Europa League exit behind them with a 5-0 rout of Wolves.

The home side were already behind to a Jonny Evans goal when Ronald Zubar was sent off for his second bookable offence in the space of 12 minutes, and United took full advantage through Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck before the break.

Javier Hernandez scored twice in the second half to complete the rout which leaves United four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table and Wolves bottom on goal difference.

"It was a great result for us, Thursday [against Athletic Bilbao] was a disappointing night for us all," Rooney told Sky Sports 1.

"We knew it was important we bounced back and bounced back well. Over the last few years coming here has been a difficult game, so to come away with three points so convincingly is a great day for us.

"The most important goal away from home is the first one to quiet the home fans down and then they had a man sent off and we took advantage of that, got a goal quickly after that and from there the game was dead really."

Rooney was named man of the match despite not finding the net himself and added: "You always want to score but we scored five as a team and I'm delighted for Danny and Chicharito to get on the scoresheet.

"We knew it was an opportunity today to score goals and we came in at half-time and spoke about pushing on and scoring more goals and got an extra two in the second half.

"In the Premier League we are playing very well and getting the results we need, so I am sure if we can keep doing that it will be a good season for us."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was not about to get carried away with his side's performance, telling Sky Sports 1: "It was okay, I don't think it was anything special. I think we've taken our goals well.

"The finish from Valencia was fantastic. Antonio is back in the team and his form was fantastic today. He's made one for Danny Welbeck before half-time that killed the match.

"It's difficult for them with 10 men, they were honest and kept plugging away but the 3-0 advantage was too much for them."

Asked about the title race, Ferguson added: "Hopefully we achieve what we want to achieve. What's significant today is it's reduced the goal difference by five goals and that's down to three now and it may make a difference at the end of the season. I expect it to go to the wire."

Roberto Mancini's men now play twice before United are in action again, following up Wednesday's encounter with resurgent Chelsea before visiting Stoke next Saturday.

"They (City) have a big game on Wednesday of course," said Ferguson.

"Chelsea are back to form so it will be really interesting.

"The important thing was for us to do our job.

"There are nine games left and we have to keep whittling them down.

"Eventually the games run out and hopefully we will achieve what we want."

The United boss heaped praise on Valencia, who was somehow overlooked for the man-of-the-match prize in favour of Wayne Rooney.

Valencia had been in outstanding form before suffering a hamstring injury against Ajax last month. The Ecuador wide-man appears to have picked up where he left off.

"He could be very important," said Ferguson. "His form before he got the injury was outstanding.

"Now he is back we hope he stays back fit. He is such an honest, hard working player.

"You get two sides to Antonio. He is prepared to work really hard. He can tackle, he can run, but he can also beat a man.

"He has got everything really."

Ferguson could have a joke at Evans' expense after the Northern Ireland international finally broke his duck on his 118th senior appearance - although he did net for Sunderland during a loan spell with the Wearside club in 2007.

"He has waited 14 years for that goal," said the Scot. "I don't think he even scored in the academy.

"But at this point in the season you don't care who scores."

Ferguson said Wolves could have no complaints over Zubar's red card.

However, he wished the Black Country outfit well in their survival quest, hard as it is to see a way out.

"Credit to Wolves," he said. "They are an honest team and that gives them a chance.

"They are down at the bottom in a group of five teams. If they can pick up a couple of wins it could all change around for them.

"They have great support and they are a great football club.

"You just hope that the history they have got, they stay in the league. The Premier Division needs Wolves."

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

saf tends to play 4-4-2 : rooney is the undisputed 1st striker while it is always a battle for the 2nd forward slot between chicharito, wellbeck, berba and owen (when he's fit of cos. haha). that's why young players like macheda (and mame diouf) have hardly a sniff in as they are so far down the pecking order.

berba's 1st team opportunities were restricted by the form of chicarito last season and then wellbeck early this season. saf said last season when berba finished as joint top scorer in the bpl, that the form of chicharito makes it impossible to drop him and play berba. how many times have chicharito scored late opportunistic goals to snatch a draw or a win for united? sad to say, berba could never have that sort of impact.

so yes, i agree that berba is a very skilful player to have in the squad. but to choose 2 strikers to start a game, i will still choose rooney plus either chicharito or wellbeck. this choice is based on united's attacking game of using our fast wing play through nani, young and valencia crossing into the box for the strikers to create scoring chances. berba is thus always found lagging behind in these instances.

as a playmaker, saf has used giggs, cleverley, scholes and even rooney for that role. again berba is going to find it hard here.

he is a fine player. but he wants consistent first team football just like any other footballer (we are not like our noisy neighbours where the players get paid an obscene amount and yet are more than contented to just plant their backsides onto the bench and stay there ) especially at his age. saf understands that and therefore will not stand in his way to find another club in the summer.

united will not lose that much. we can always recall macheda as his loan spell with roma (if i recall correctly) ends also in the summer.

or perhaps saf will go for another big-name striker (but at a massive discount). fernando torres anybody?

Good analysis there, bro. Ya, you're right. Perhaps Berba is not much of a impact after all. I bet he can be a first team player in some other clubs like Wolves, west ham etc instead of a big club like Utd. Sad to see him go but it's for his career.

I seriously don't mind Torres cos' he's fast and with the killer instinct. Just that Chelsea's playing style and tactics might not suit him at all. Perhaps it was a wrong move for him to land in Chelsea, should be more effective in other aggressive-attacking teams like Barca, Utd or Arsenal.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[badboynani17]

Man City drew last night! Great! Time for Utd to go 3 points clear!

[machoman]

Man Utd go three clear on top with narrow win over Fulham

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Manchester United have gone three points clear at the Premier League table courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford tonight.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s made it seven wins in a row, and 11 matches unbeaten, by dominating proceedings for large periods of the contest but were thwarted by Cottagers keeper Mark Schwarzer who had a brilliant game with the gloves.

It was a scrappy first half for the most part but United finally edged ahead late in the term when Wayne Rooney slotted his 21st goal of the Premier League campaign. A floating ball from Ashley Young was directed to the back post from the left with Fulham’s Brede Hangeland missing his header before the ball deflected off John Arne Riise and into the path of Jonny Evans who screwed it back for Rooney to fire home.

Schwarzer held an early header from Ryan Giggs before Fulham’s first chance came in the 24th minute when Clint Dempsey’s curler forced an acrobatic save from David de Gea who had to dive full length to his left.

Just after the half-hour mark, Patrice Evra attempted a very agile overhead shot which had Schwarzer scrambling before the Australian came up with a brilliant save early in the second half when Antonio Valencia hammered a bouncing ball goalward from inside the area.

The 53rd minute saw Ashley Young force another top save from Schwarzer with a curling effort from range before the Fulham gloveman continued to keep his side in the match with a couple of brilliant blocks with 15 minutes remaining. First off he denied Young’s cracking volley before following up with a low block from the England winger’s second attempt prior to Hangeland denying Giggs’ effort from the third follow-up in a great escape for the visitors.

In the 89th minute, Fulham had a big call for a late penalty when Michael Carrick clattered into the back of Danny Murphy but referee Michael Oliver waved away the protests as the reigning champions rolled along to keep their noses in front of crosstown rivals Manchester City.

[shysaint]

Football: The ’Great Dane’ will be in Singapore next week

Peter Schmeichel (File pic)

SINGAPORE: He is Denmark’s most—capped player, a Manchester United legend whom some pundits regard as the best goalkeeper in the history of football.

Peter Schmeichel, nicknamed the "Great Dane", retired in 2003.

From April 1, he will be the brand ambassador of Courts, Singapore’s largest electronic, IT and furniture retailer.

In a media statement released on Monday, Courts revealed that Schmeichel will be a part of their marketing campaigns for both traditional and new media over the next 12 months.

The 48—year—old will be "on duty" when he makes appearances at Courts stores in Malaysia and Singapore from April 7 to 10 .

His community engagement activities in Singapore will include a "Shoot for Hope" charity fund—raiser on April 9 involving S—League side the Courts Young Lions and the Singapore Disability Sports Council, as well as meet—and—greet sessions with fans.

As part of Courts’ 38th anniversary celebrations, 40 lucky customers will also get the opportunity to meet Schmeichel at the retailer’s invitation—only birthday party.

For Courts chief executive officer Terry O’Connor, signing on a football name of such stature will only add excitement for their customers.

Said O’Connor: "He is a renowned football legend and he certainly lends the Courts brand added star power and the partnership is also in line with our commitment to promote football."

In January 2011, Courts signed a two—year deal worth S$1 million — one of the biggest in S—League history — to sponsor the Young Lions.

Soon after that, Courts collaborated with aspiring Major League Soccer franchise the New York Cosmos on their tour of Asia, which saw football legends Pele and Eric Cantona visiting Singapore, along with former American international Cobi Jones.

With the signing of Schmeichel and his programme here, Courts continue to generate a buzz in the local football scene.

Twice voted the World’s Best Goalkeeper (1992 & 1993), Schmeichel won five Premier League titles with United as well as three FA Cups, a League Cup and the Champions League.

He won the European Championship with Denmark in 1992 and was capped 129 times over a 15—year career. —

TODAY