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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Cantona Hails Reds Legend Best
Eric Cantona has paid tribute to the late George Best who passed away last Friday.The Frenchman contacted ManUtd.com in order to express his personal thoughts on the United legend.Cantona said: "After his first training session in heaven, George Best, from his favourite right wing, turned the head of God who was filling in at left-back."I would love him to save me a place in his team, George Best that is, not God."

Fergie Sets Sights On Transfer Targets
Sir Alex Ferguson has a big-name signing in mind for next summer, and also hopes to add to his squad in the January transfer window.
The Scot has spoken openly of late about the need to bolster his ranks, particularly in midfield, and is eyeing at least one new face for the New Year.
Fergie told the Observer: "We will probably just add a couple of players to bulk up the numbers in January. The one we really want to sign will only be available in the summer."
Although he wouldn't name names, Ferguson did reveal that his target has been in Champions League action this season.
"He's cup-tied in the Champions League and his club wouldn't sell him before summer in any case," he revealed.
"But I'm confident the club will back me in the summer. Manchester United always have to buy the player they need."

Roo: I Want To Be The New Best
Wayne Rooney yesterday told how he wanted to be remembered like George Best after inspiring Manchester United to a fitting tribute to their greatest player. "I was inspired by him and it's a sad loss for everyone," said Rooney. "George was one of the best players in the world, if not the best. I'm sure I've a long way to go before I get to those heights, but hopefully one day people will talk about me like that."

Real So Keane
Roy Keane. has been added to Real Madrid’s hitlist of potential signings. Real are on the rocks after arch-rivals Barcelona inflicted a fifth La Liga defeat of the campaign on underfire boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo. And, if an immediate turnaround in results is not forthcoming, Real chiefs are considering offering midfielder Keane a short-term deal until the end of the season to shake up the squad.

Weekend report:
Goal of the week: Robin van Persie(arsenal) vs Blackburn
Team of the week: Fulham
Flop of the week: Mikael Silvestre(ManU)
Comback of the week: Manchester United 1-2 (1-0 down after 1 min till half time)
Goalkeeper of the week: Roy Carroll(WHU), Shay Given(NEWU)
Defender of the week: Gary Neville(ManU)
Midfielder of the week: Frank Lampard(Che)
Striker of the week: Wayne Rooney(ManU)
Super sub of the week: Gary Neville(ManU)

EPL results:
Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool
Middlesbrough 2-2 W.B.A.
Fulham 2-1 Bolton
Portsmouth 0-2 Chelsea
Everton 1-0 Newcastle United
Sunderland 0-1 Birmingham City
Wigan 1-2 Tottenham
Aston Villa 1-0 Charlton

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 1:03 PM

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Rooney Could Rule For A Decade At OT
Wayne Rooney wants to win trophies with United for the next decade - and the striker is determined that his first winners' medal will arrive this season.The 20-year-old has a deal with the Reds until 2010, but he can picture himself playing at Old Trafford for another ten years."I don't see any reason why I won't be," he said. "It's a massive club with a huge fan base and we've got a lot of good young players in the squad now. Hopefully we're going to keep getting better."I joined Manchester United to win trophies and medals so hopefully I can start this season," he added.Although the 0-0 draw with Villarreal on Tuesday was a frustrating setback, United can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with the right result against Benfica next month. Now the Reds must focus on continuing their form in the Premiership. After beating Chelsea 1-0 and Charlton 3-1, Rooney says United must build a winning momentum to put pressure on Jose Mourinho's side."Hopefully we can kick on from the Charlton game now and keep winning games," he said. "We're hoping Chelsea will drop a few points so that we can get close to them or even catch them. With a bit of luck we could end up overtaking them."If we win our game in hand it's a seven-point gap and there's still a lot of games left. So it's certainly not over."And if Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy can continue their growing strike partnership, United will be a more potent threat to Chelsea's crown. The England front man is relishing playing alongside the prolific Dutch forward."Ruud is a proven goalscorer and I think if you look at his goalscoring record it's up with the best," Rooney said. "The main thing with Ruud is his instinct. It's his awareness. When the ball's around the box it always seems to find him somehow.The 20-year-old unselfishly added: "Obviously I'd like to score a few more goals but I'm delighted if we win 1-0 and the goalkeeper scores. I'm happy when we win a game and just as happy if one of the other players scores and we win."

Fergie Rules Out January Ballack Swoop
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his admiration for Michael Ballack, but insists that he will not move for the Germany captain because of the pressing need to strengthen other areas of his team.
The Scot told reporters at his pre-West Ham press conference that while he admires the 29-year-old playmaker, a defensive midfielder is his priority in the January transfer window.
Ferguson said: "We have considered it for a few weeks. He's a great player, a fantastic player. But he is similar in style Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney."
Rather than build up a surfeit of attacking talent, Ferguson recognises that he has to bolster his ranks with a defensive midfielder
"I think we want to target players we badly need," he conceded. "The biggest problem is numbers. The numbers game is working against us."The last few weeks we've had young players in the team. We need a stronger squad."While Ferguson was understandably cagey over details, he did reveal that he and his staff are monitoring other transfer targets."We're targeting other areas. We're looking at one or two situations without going into specifics," he said.

Sir Alex Laughs Off Rangers Link
Sir Alex Ferguson has laughed off speculation that he is set to take over the managerial hotseat at former club Rangers.The Sun ran a story on Thursday suggesting that the Scottish club were hoping to lure Fergie back to Ibrox to take over the reigns from current boss Alex McLeish. However, the United manager was quick to scotch rumours of a return to the club where he spent two years as a player.“[I've] not a thing to say about that - no need to even comment," he said on BBC Sport. "I’m finished when I leave Manchester United. I’ve said that for a long time."When asked further whether he was interested in the job, Fergie said simply: “Not a bit.”

Clean Sheet Will Aid Our Euro Cause - Edwin
Edwin van der Sar believes a clean sheet against Benfica will go a long way to helping United secure the victory they need to take them through to the next stages of the Champions League.The Reds travel to Lisbon on 7 December knowing a win is crucial to their chances of retaining their status in the knock-out phase of the competition."My position is important because if we are going to win a game then it helps massively if me and the defence can keep a clean sheet," insists the United keeper."It helps to give the players confidence if they know we are not going to concede."While van der Sar is aiming to keep things tight at his end of the pitch, he hopes United will finally be able to make their mark in front in goal after failing to score in seven of their last eight Champions League matches."I don’t know why we are not scoring," admits the 35-year-old. "We would like to have scored more - especially in the home games - but we have not managed it and that’s disappointing."If we had taken one of the two or three chances that we had we would have beaten Villarreal easily."I think we played okay against Chelsea and we started brightly against Villarreal for 20 minutes. We created a couple of chances but the longer the game went on we lost the initiative - I don’t know why. "It’s not because of the young players because they are good players," he continues. "Maybe it is the injuries and things like that."With the players we have up front and in midfield then I hope we will be able to score more goals."

Ballacks To You Fergie
Manchester United finally received some good news yesterday after their week from hell. Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer admitted for the first time that midfield star Michael Ballack could be heading to Old Trafford.Ben Kinsella, The Sun

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 4:36 PM

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Weekend report:
Player of the week: Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy
Team of the week: West Bromwich Albion
match of the week: Wigan 2-3 Arsenal
Goals of the week: Thierry Henry(2nd goal), Ruud van Nistelrooy(1st goal), Darren Ambrose
Flop of the week: Peter Crouch
Blunder of the week: John Filan vs Arsenal
Best goalkeeper of the week(saves): Paul Robinson
Best Defence of the week: Chelsea
Best midfield of the week: Manchester United
Best strikers of the week: Manchester United
Comeback of the week: West Ham United vs Tottenham (1-1)
Youngster of the week: Anton Ferdinand, Darren Ambrose

Results:
Wigan 2-3 Arsenal
Man City 0-0 Blackburn
Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa
West Brom 4-0 Everton
Charlton 1 v 3 Man Utd
Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle
Liverpool 3-0 Portsmouth
Tottenham 1-1 West Ham
Middlesbrough3-2 Fulham
Birmingham vs Bolton called off due to fog

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:49 AM

Friday, November 18, 2005

From the tabloids:
I Don't Need £20m
Michael Ballack blew away Manchester United’s hopes of signing him by insisting: I don’t need your £20million. Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson was prepared to break the bank with a four-year, £100,000-a-week deal to land the German midfielder. But national skipper Ballack, 29, now looks set to join Real Madrid and claims it is glory NOT money which will sway his decision. He said: “It’s absolutely shameless to say it’s about money."Neil Custis, The Sun
United Kicked In The BallacksManchester United are set to lose Michael Ballack to Real Madrid. Big spenders Madrid have told Bayern Munich they want midfield star Ballack and plan to start talks in January.Neil Custis, The Sun

Nev Is Back
Gary Neville is line for a shock return to the Manchester United squad tomorrow. The England defender has been sidelined for three months after picking up a groin injury in the Champions League qualifier with Debrecen. But the right-back, 30, played 65 minutes for United’s reserves without any problems in a 4-1 win over West Brom at Hyde last night. Neville’s return is a boost for Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson and the England star could make the bench for the trip to Charlton.Max Short, The Sun
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I'm completely shocked at the midfield crisis of Manchester United. Michael Ballack is the latest player to turn down Manchester United for spain. In the pass, Ronaldinho snubbed Manchester United for Barcalona and now Ballack is nearly on his way to Real Madrid. It's not easy to stamp a position at Real. At Manchester United, the position at central midfield is 100% yours, Ballack. Keane is already on his way out. Since Keane is leaving, all the midfielders around the world should consider twice before turning down Manchester United. Yes, united may not be as successful, but it is because the lack the midfield power and strength at full-back. Even so, they won the FA cup 2 seasons ago and were finalist in last seasons FA cup which, no offence to Arsenal fans, united fully deserved to win. Take a look at Real Madrid, 2 seasons and no silverware, not one. Manchester United are not going to fall, they will rise again... Beginning with Charlton at the valley this week.
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Predictions:
Wigan 1 v 1 Arsenal

Man City 2 v 2 Blackburn

Stadium of Light

Sunderland 0 v 2 Aston Villa

The Hawthorns

West Brom 0 v 2 Everton

The Valley

Charlton 1 v 3 Man Utd

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 3 v 2 Newcastle

Anfield

Liverpool 2 v 1 Portsmouth

Tottenham 2 v 1 West Ham

The Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough 2 v 1 Fulham

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:30 PM

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

From the England tabloids:

Fergie's On Ball
Sir Alex Ferguson's bid to land Michael Ballack got a big boost last night when Bayern Munich ripped up their contract offer for the Germany skipper. The Manchester United boss is desperate to find a world-class replacement for Roy Keane but faces competition from Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Now Bayern are ready to spark a transfer scramble by cashing in on the 29-year-old midfielder, who becomes a free agent next summer. Staff reporter, The Sun

Vieira: I Could Be The Keane
Mischief-maker Patrick Vieira has told Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he would be the ideal choice to replace midfield veteran Roy Keane. Vieira, 29, who left Arsenal for Juventus in a £13million summer move, hinted that he would be interested in joining United as Roy Keane's long-term successor. "You never know what's going to happen in the next few years," said Vieira. "I have signed a contract with Juventus but anything can happen and then the door will be open to anybody."David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

Fergie In Ronaldo Row
Sir Alex Ferguson was heading for a confrontation over the use of players for internationals last night after being victim of a thinly-veiled attack by Portuguese coach Phil Scolari, who was preparing to hand Cristiano Ronaldo his second start in three days. Scolari ignored Fergie's protest about Ronaldo taking part in Portugal's double-header, making it clear that the United winger would follow up his 75 minutes against Croatia by playing at least the first half against Northern Ireland.Ian McGarry, Daily Mail

Best Chance in 36 Years
Geoff Hurst reckons Wayne Rooney will give England their best chance of lifting the World Cup since 1970. Sir Geoff is certain the Scouse powerhouse can become a World Cup legend just like him.Dave Kidd, The Sun

Roo Has Lawless Life
Mike Tyson has urged Wayne Rooney to keep living life on the edge. England livewire Rooney, 20, has had his disciplinary problems. But hellraiser Tyson said: “He can’t be a mature adult, a scholar and all dignified at this stage of his life. He’s young and he’s successful and it’s almost like he is living everybody’s dream. A lawless life, living on the edge. I like the way he acts."Andrew Dillon, The Sun

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 3:20 PM

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Manchester United 1 Chelsea 0
Darren Fletcher 31st minute

Where Arsenal, Liverpool, Charlton, Tottenham and Wigan have failed, Manchester United succeeds. The red devils have beaten Jose Mourinho's Chelsea for the first time under his reign. Darren Fletcher's looping header had an element of luck but it all counts. United dominated the first half but Chelsea came back strong in the second. Sir Alex ferguson fooled Jose Mourinho with the 4-3-3. Jose countered with his own 4-3-3 when actually, united were playing their favourite 4-4-1-1 formation. It was tremendous fighting sprit from the united players, it took 3 men to close down a trademark Frank Lampard free kick and it took great defensive tracking by John O'Shea to stop Joe Cole and later Shaun wright-phillips. Rio performed well with Silvestre and so did Edwin van der sar, stopping a close range blast from Frank Lampard. But the man that was crowned Man of the match, Alan Smith, performed brilliantly to cover his defence and to step in and save united time and time again. United could have had more. Stand in skipper Ruud van Nistelrooy blazed a 10 yard shot over the bar, Rooney's shot defected out by Del Horno and Park's shot in the dying moments was ruled offside. The defeat of the unbeatables have become common place at the theatre of dreams. When last year, Arsenal's 49 unbeaten run was ended by a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty and a Wayne Rooney birthday goal. This time, Fletcher's 50th manchester United apperance was crowned with the match winner against the reigning champs. With United 3rd with a game in hand, can they close the 10 point gap and give Chelsea a race to the end? It starts in 2 week with Unites's tricky trip to 8th place charlton and Chelsea's home game against rejuvanated Newcastle United.

Weekend report:
Team of the week: Manchester United
Flop of the week: Middlesbrough
Player of the week: Alan Smith
Blunder of the week: none
Comeback of the week: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa( 0-0 till 80th min)
Manager of the week: Sir Alex Ferguson
Goal of the week: brett Emerton(BBurn)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 1:03 PM