LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mempertahankan pemain sayapnya, Ashley Young yang didakwa menipu ketika The Red Devils melakar kemenangan 4-0 ke atas Aston Villa dalam saingan Liga Perdana England di Old Trafford kelmarin.

Young dikatakan sengaja 'berlakon' dengan menjatuhkan badan bagi meraih simpati pengadil perlawanan, Mark Halsey untuk mendapatkan sepakan penalti.

Halsey tidak teragak-agak untuk menghadiahkan sepakan penalti kepada United yang disempurnakan oleh Wayne Rooney seawal minit keenam.

Sebelum itu, ulang tayang televisyen menunjukkan ada sentuhan berlaku dan beberapa penganalisis bola sepak menyatakan Young seolah-olah sengaja melanggar pemain pertahanan Villa, Ciaran Clark sebelum terjatuh. 

Keputusan yang berpihak kepada Young itu sama seperti apa yang berlaku sebelum ini ketika United menentang Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

Ferguson mengakui Young sengaja mencari sepakan penalti tetapi beliau tetap menegaskan bahawa penalti yang diberikan itu tetap sah.

"Saya rasa dia (Young) jatuh dengan tidak sengaja tetapi ia tetap penalti, kita tidak boleh menafikannya.

"Mereka (pemain pertahanan Villa) tahu Young beraksi dengan pantas dan akan masuk ke kawasan petak penalti. Young jatuh dengan sangat mudah tetapi ia tetap penalti kerana dia dijatuhkan," jelas Ferguson. 

Memandangkan tindakan Young mendapat kritikan daripada pelbagai pihak, Ferguson percaya pemain berusia 26 tahun itu akan dikenali sebagai pemain yang gemar 'berlakon'.

"Ya, saya fikir dalam situasi ini dan pada minggu-minggu sebelum ini mungkin dia (Young) akan mendapat gelaran tersebut.

"Saya tidak pernah saksikan dia beraksi sedemikian, ia bukannya satu kelaziman untuknya (sengaja menjatuhkan diri)," jelas Ferguson. - AFP

WOLVERHAMPTON - Perbezaan gol bakal menjadi penentu dalam perebutan gelaran juara Liga Perdana England musim ini.

Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson berkata, situasi tersebut akan diambil kira selepas pasukan itu membelasah Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0 di gelanggang lawan semalam.

Kemenangan tersebut memberi peluang kepada skuad The Red Devils untuk melebarkan jurang mata di kedudukan teratas liga iaitu empat mata di depan Manchester City.

Bagaimanapun, kemenangan itu lebih bermakna buat Ferguson apabila berjaya 'menutup mulut' pengkritik yang mempersoalkan kemampuan pasukan itu selepas tersingkir daripada saingan Liga Europa dan Liga Juara-Juara musim ini.

Javier Hernandez meledakkan dua gol, manakala Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia dan Danny Welbeck masing-masing menyumbat satu gol untuk memberi tekanan kepada skuad bimbingan Terry Connor.

Ketika ini, Wolves menghuni tangga tercorot liga selepas hanya mengutip 22 mata daripada 29 perlawanan musim ini. 

Ferguson yang berpuas hati dengan persembahan para pemain United berkata: "Jumlah gol sangat penting dan ia mungkin menjadi sesuatu yang penting pada akhir musim ini.

"Kami berjaya mengecilkan jurang gol dengan City. Kami berharap untuk melebarkan jurang tersebut.

"Masih ada baki 10 perlawanan untuk diharungi dan kami akan menghadapi perlawanan itu satu demi satu. Saya berharap, kami akan mencapai sasaran yang ditetapkan.

"Kami akan terus memberikan saingan. Kami sentiasa berharap untuk melakukan yang terbaik dan mengelak daripada beraksi dengan buruk.

Ferguson berkata, persembahan para pemainnya sangat baik dan beliau tidak mengharapkan sesuatu yang istimewa.

"Ia adalah sesuatu yang hebat dan jumlah jaringan kelihatan seperti kami sangat komprehensif tetapi penamat kami sangat baik.

"Seperti selalu, Wolves sering kali menyukarkan kami tetapi persembahan kami sangat baik."

LONDON - Pemain sayap Manchester United, Ashley Young melaungkan amaran kepada Manchester City.

Penyerang England itu berkata, skuad The Red Devils akan bangkit untuk mempertahankan gelaran Liga Perdana England musim ini.

Selepas menewaskan Tottenham Hotspur 3-1, skuad kendalian Alex Ferguson itu semakin menghampiri kedudukan pendahulu liga tersebut setelah hanya dipisahkan dengan dua mata.

Young yang menjaringkan dua gol di White Hart Lane mengakui, United kini berada dalam situasi yang sangat baik menjelang pertemuan menentang City pada 30 April depan.

"Apabila mereka (City) tergelincir (dari kedudukan liga), kami akan mengambil kesempatan itu. Kami pasti melakukannya," kata Young.

"Kami sentiasa memberikan tentangan yang sengit kepada mereka. Seperti mana yang dikatakan Paul Scholes, kami harus memenangi setiap perlawanan.

"Jika kami berjaya berbuat demikian, sudah tentu ia tidak menimbulkan masalah buat kami. Kami hanya perlu fokus kepada diri sendiri dalam setiap perlawanan akan datang.

"Kami baru sahaja mengharungi dua perlawanan yang sukar iaitu menentang Spurs dan Norwich City. Perlawanan akan datang pasti sengit dan dijangka sukar."

Selain Young, Scholes turut menuntut United memenangi baki 11 perlawanan liga.

Sementara itu, pengurus City, Roberto Mancini yakin United akan mengutip 33 mata maksimum pada perlawanan akan datang.

Namun, pada masa yang sama Mancini menuntut agar barisan pemain City fokus dalam usaha meraih kemenangan sekiranya berhasrat untuk menjulang gela- ran liga buat pertama kalinya pada musim ini. - Agensi

MANCHESTER - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mengakui, skuad kendaliannya bernasib baik ketika membenam Fulham 1-0 di Old Trafford awal pagi semalam.

Kemenangan itu menyaksikan United kembali menerajui carta Liga Perdana England.

Gol tunggal ledakan Wayne Rooney pada minit ke-41 sudah cukup untuk menjamin tiga mata berharga buat United yang kini mengutip 73 mata, tiga mata di depan musuh setempat, Manchester City.

Pada perlawanan itu, Fulham berpeluang menyamakan kedudukan beberapa minit sebelum perlawanan tamat setelah Danny Murphy dikasari Michael Car- rick dalam kotak penalti dan ia juga diakui oleh Ferguson.

"Ya, Fulham berhak menda- patkan penalti kerana memang jelas Carrick mengasari pemain lawan.

"Cuma, kami juga berhak mendapatkan sepakan penalti pada babak pertama setelah bola terkena tangan pemain Fulham. Mungkin, nasib lebih menyebelahi kami," katanya.

Menurut Ferguson, Fulham beraksi dengan cukup baik, terutamanya ketika melancarkan serangan balas.

"Agak mengecewakan apabila kami gagal memanfaatkan peluang meskipun menguasai perlawanan.

"Saya rasa, keputusan ini adil walaupun hanya menang tipis dengan satu gol," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, pengurus Fulham, Martin Jol berkata: "Hanya pengadil yang benar-benar berani sahaja akan memberikan penalti kepada pasukan lawan di Old Trafford.

"Semua orang di stadium nampak apa yang berlaku dan Carrick sepatutnya dibuang padang.

"Ini bukan kali pertama berlaku, bukan sahaja kepada saya tetapi juga kepada mana-mana pasukan.

LONDON - Penyerang Manchester United, Wayne Rooney percaya semangat juang tinggi yang dipamerkan barisan pemain skuad The Reds Devils ketika mengikat keputusan seri 3-3 dengan Chelsea dalam saingan Liga Perdana England awal pagi semalam bakal menjadi nadi utama untuk bergelar juara musim ini.

Kenyataan Rooney itu sekaligus melaungkan amaran buat pendahulu liga, Manchester City bahawa mereka tidak boleh merangkul kejuaraan liga lebih awal sebaliknya bakal ditentukan sehingga saingan musim ini tamat.

Terdahulu, United yang di bawah kendalian Alex Ferguson kembali bangkit selepas ketinggalan 0-3 untuk mencatatkan keputusan seri di Stamford Bridge.

Pada awalnya, Chelsea dilihat berpeluang cerah mengutip tiga mata penuh apabila mendahului perlawanan hasil jaringan sendiri tonggak pertahanan United, Jonny Evans pada minit ke-36, Juan Mata (46), David Luiz (50).

Bagaimanapun, anak-anak buah Ferguson tidak mudah menyerah kalah apabila berjaya menyamakan kedudukan hasil dua sepakan penalti yang disempurnakan Rooney pada minit ke-58 dan 69.

Bintang muda Mexico, Javier Hernandez muncul penyelamat apabila meledak gol ketiga Red Devils pada minit ke-84 sekaligus memberikan satu mata berharga.

Berdasarkan aksi yang dipamerkan rakan-rakan sepasukan, Rooney percaya City pasti tidak senang duduk melihat situasi tersebut.

"Memang kami (United) terlepas dua mata tetapi selepas ketinggalan 3-0, kesemua barisan pemain City yang menonton perlawanan itu pasti tidak menyukainya apabila kami tampil dengan semangat juang tinggi untuk menyamakan kedudukan.

"City tahu, ia akan menjadi satu persaingan yang panjang iaitu sehingga tamat saingan musim ini," kata Rooney.

Sementara itu, pengurus Chelsea, Andre Villas-Boas mempertikaikan keputusan pengadil, Howard Webb yang menghadiahkan sepakan penalti pertama kepada United.

"Sepakan penalti yang pertama memang wajar diberikan kepada United. Namun, sepakan kedua meragukan.

"Saya tidak pasti sama ada Webb berada pada kedudukan yang tepat untuk membuat keputusan tetapi memang suatu yang malang apabila dia memberikan sepakan penalti kepada United," jelas Villas-Boas. - AFP

LONDON - Pemain pertahanan Manchester United, Patrice Evra menegaskan Manchester City boleh melupakan hasrat untuk meraih gelaran juara Liga Perdana England musim ini.

Kapten skuad The Red Devils itu berkata, trofi tersebut akan terus kekal di Old Trafford.

Evra yakin United sudah kembali pada prestasi sebenar dan pasukan itu akan diperkuatkan semula dengan kehadiran Phil Jones, Ashley Young dan Tom Cleverley yang terpaksa diketepikan sebelum ini kerana masalah kecederaan.

Skuad kendalian Alex Ferguson itu terus mengekalkan rentak kecemerlangan dengan menewaskan City 3-2 pada aksi pusingan ketiga Piala FA minggu lalu dan menang 3-0 ke atas Bolton Wanderers dalam aksi liga Sabtu lalu.

Kemenangan itu turut menyaksikan anak-anak buah Ferguson berkongsi 48 mata dengan City yang kekal selaku pendahulu carta liga apabila hanya dibezakan dengan jumlah jaringan.

"Perlawanan dengan Bolton sangat penting buat kami (United) selepas kemenangan ke atas City bagi membuktikan yang kami kini sudah kembali pada tahap prestasi sebenar.

"Beberapa pemain yang mengalami kecederaan sebelum ini sudah pulih dan ia pasti akan melonjakkan keyakinan kami.

"Ada juga pemain yang masih cedera namun apabila semuanya sudah pulih sepenuhnya, ia akan memberikan kekuatan kepada kami.

"Kami perlu fokus dalam menghadapi aksi seterusnya kerana kami mahu meraih gelaran juara liga," kata Evra.

Pada aksi menentang Bolton itu, pemain veteran United yang membuat penampilan semula selepas bersara, Paul Scholes ternyata mencuri tumpuan apabila meledak satu gol bagi membantu kemenangan skuad The Red Devils.

Selain Scholes, Michael Carrick dan Danny Welbeck masing-masing turut menjaringkan satu gol. - Agensi

Valencia happy with return to wing duty

Antonio Valencia is relieved Manchester United's defensive injury problems have finally started to ease.

Such has been the strife Sir Alex Ferguson has been forced to endure this season, the Ecuador wide man has alternated between his usual right wing role and that of full-back.

It is a responsibility Valencia has accepted without complaint. However, his performance in Saturday's Barclays Premier League triumph over Bolton emphasised why Valencia is not the only one who is glad more accustomed options to fill the right-back role are at hand.

"It is really pleasing thinking that we are getting everyone back to full fitness," he told MUTV. "It is nice to be back in my favoured position, that I have always played in throughout my career.

"At full-back, going forward is not a problem. Defending is slightly more difficult. There is more pressure because you are playing closer to your own goal. You have to be really focused and concentrated to make sure you don't commit an error that can lead to a goal.

"It is the same for any defender so I have to work hard to stay really sharp because that is area of the field where you get punished."

Premier League - Scholes rolls back the years for United

Paul Scholes scored in his first Premier League game since coming out of retirement as Manchester United beat Bolton 3-0 at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old netted his first league goal since August 2010 - his 151st in all - after starting for Sir Alex Ferguson's side who went level on points with leaders Manchester City.

United's success in luring Scholes out of retirement has been depicted in some quarters as an indictment of the options previously at Ferguson's disposal, but the midfielder demonstrated class is permanent with an influential performance, capped by the opening goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Wayne Rooney had already seen a penalty expertly saved by Adam Bogdan before Scholes emulated Thierry Henry's goalscoring return to Arsenal, and Rooney was left frustrated again in the second half when being guilty of a glaring miss from close range.

However, it was the striker who had teed up Scholes and he collected a second assist on 74 minutes when playing in Danny Welbeck, who sustained an injury when claiming his fifth league goal of the season.

There was still time for Michael Carrick to claim a sumptuous third, passing the pass home with his left foot from 20 yards, as United moved alongside City at the top of the table having played a game more than their rivals. Tottenham failed to do likewise when drawing at home to Wolves.

Having made an unlikely return to professional football as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Manchester City last weekend, Scholes was deployed alongside Carrick in midfield from the start against Bolton as Ferguson sent out his team in a conventional yet rather rare 4-4-2 formation.

Rooney, scorer of two goals against City, played off Welbeck in attack and instigated a good move that produced United's first chance of the game when dropping deep, holding onto the ball and then feeding Nani on the left. With Gretar Steinsson inexplicably standing off, Nani steadied himself before curling an effort wide of the far post.

Perhaps inspired by the presence of Scholes alongside him, Carrick created United's next opening with a pass worthy of the old master himself, prising the Bolton defence apart with a great ball to find Welbeck, who saw his firm effort palmed away by Bogdan.

Scholes was seeing plenty of the ball but also demonstrated he has not lost the rather less admirable recklessness that pock-marked his previous career when swinging his boot into the midriff of Bolton midfielder Mark Davies, though he avoided a booking.

Against a Bolton defence shorn of Gary Cahill, who was in London watching his new club Chelsea, Rooney and Welbeck enjoyed plenty of chances and the former saw a header cleared off the line by Davies as he rose highest to meet a corner from the right.

However, Rooney was guilty of spurning the best chance of the half when seeing his penalty saved after 22 minutes. Zat Knight tripped Welbeck from behind and was fortunate to see a yellow card instead of a red, before Bolton were let off the hook when Bogdan produced a fantastic diving save to tip Rooney's penalty wide.

The Hungarian has not always looked very accomplished when stepping in for the absent Jussi Jaaskelainen but enjoyed the first half at Old Trafford as he made a succession of saves to deny both Rooney and Welbeck.

However, his resistance was broken as injury-time approached. Nani saw a cross blocked by the sliding David Wheater and the ball rolled kindly into the path of Rooney. Welbeck tried and failed to flick his square pass across the face of goal but Scholes was waiting at the back post to turn the ball home.

The midfielder did not look like his 37 years when continuing to be a tenacious and confident presence in the second half, but for Rooney the frustration continued when he was guilty of a quite glaring miss on 62 minutes.

Antonio Valencia did superbly to dart into space in the box and produced the perfect cross for Rooney at the back post. With Bogdan stationed on the opposite side of the goal, the striker had only to tap home but somehow contrived to send his shot into the side netting.

United could have done with the safety net of a second as on 69 minutes they almost conceded, firmly against the run of play. Steinsson came to the near post to meet a corner from Petrov with a header that looped into the air and forced the attentive Rafael to clear off the line.

After 74 minutes they did have a measure of comfort to enjoy as Welbeck added a second. Rooney managed to squeeze a pass to his strike partner when being knocked to ground and Welbeck did well to extend his leg and turn the ball past Bogdan. However, he was clattered by Sam Ricketts in the process and the injury forced him off to be replaced by Javier Hernandez.

Chicharito looked lively when turning the ball wide on the volley on 90 minutes, but not before Carrick had widened the margin of victory. Substitute Giggs squared for the midfielder and Carrick shifted the ball to his left 25 yards from goal before curling a fantastic shot in with his left instep.

With Scholes on the scoresheet and United back at the top of the table it was an afternoon with a distinctly nostalgic flavour to it.

LONDON - Liverpool diundi bertemu Manchester United pada aksi pusingan keempat kempen Piala FA.

Pertemuan tersebut pasti mengimbas kembali insiden yang berlaku selepas penyerang Liverpool, Luis Suarez menghamburkan kata-kata berunsur perkauman kepada tonggak pertahanan United, Patrice Evra dalam saingan Liga Perdana England pada Oktober lalu.

Bagaimanapun, Suarez sudah didapati bersalah dan dikenakan hukuman penggantungan sebanyak lapan perlawanan serta dijangka terlepas aksi yang bakal berlangsung di Anfield itu.

Sebagai rekod, pertemuan antara Liverpool dengan United adalah yang pertama buat kedua-dua pasukan selepas insiden yang mencetuskan kontroversi tersebut.

Bagi skuad The Reds, ia merupakan peluang terbaik buat mereka untuk membalas dendam di atas kekalahan kepada United yang menyingkirkan mereka pada kempen musim lalu.

"Berdepan Liverpool... pasti ia merupakan suatu perlawanan yang menarik untuk kempen Piala FA kali ini.

"Buat peminat-peminat United, mari kita sama-sama saksikan dan berilah sokongan kepada kami," kata tonggak pertahanan United, Rio Ferdinand di laman sosial Twitternya.

Sementara itu, perancang Liverpool, Charlie Adam dalam catatannya di laman Twitter berkata: "Ia merupakan satu undian yang menarik apabila berdepan United di laman sendiri." 

Liverpool mara ke pusingan keempat selepas membelasah Oldham Athletic 5-1 (Jumaat lalu), manakala United menewaskan musuh sejiran, Manchester City 3-2 pada aksi pusingan ketiga kelmarin.

Dalam pada itu, satu lagi perlawanan yang dijangka menjadi tumpuan sekiranya Queens Park Rangers (QPR) berjaya menewaskan Milton Keynes Dons kerana mereka akan berdepan Chelsea yang terlebih dahulu menyingkirkan Portsmouth 4-0 pada aksi pusingan ketiga kelmarin.

Ketika ini, kapten skuad The Blues, John Terry masih lagi disiasat selepas didakwa mengeluarkan kata-kata penghinaan terhadap tonggak pertahanan QPR, Anton Ferdinand. - AFP

NEWCASTLE - Alex Ferguson menegaskan, belum masa untuk berasa panik meskipun Manchester United dibelasah 0-3 oleh Newcastle United dalam kempen Liga Perdana England awal pagi semalam.

Kekalahan tersebut turut menyaksikan skuad The Red Devils ketinggalan tiga mata di belakang pendahulu liga, Manchester City, manakala Tottenham Hotspur mengekori rapat di tangga ketiga.

Lebih malang, kekalahan itu adalah yang kedua berturut-turut selepas tewas 2-3 kepada Blackburn Rovers pada 31 Disember lalu.

United akan bertemu City pada aksi Piala FA penghujung minggu ini tetapi Ferguson tetap yakin pasukan itu mampu meleburkan impian skuad bimbingan Roberto Mancini untuk merangkul gelaran liga buat kali pertama dalam tempoh 44 tahun.

"Sudah tentu kelebihan memihak kepada City. Kami memperoleh peluang, mereka (City) bermain kelmarin dan menang. Jadi, kelebihan memihak kepada mereka," kata Ferguson.

"Satu-satunya kelebihan saya adalah dua atau tiga pemain sudah boleh beraksi dan mungkin mereka mampu melakukan perubahan. Ia belum masa untuk panik, kami memiliki kesabaran dan pengalaman untuk menghadapinya.

Sementara itu, Ferguson menegaskan, gelaran juara bertahan yang disandang pasukan itu bakal membantu mereka untuk mengharungi baki saingan musim ini.

"Tewas satu perlawanan dalam tempoh beberapa tahun, kamu tidak mahu ia berlaku tetapi ia sudah terjadi dan kamu boleh lihat daripada beberapa keputusan sejak akhir-akhir ini.

"Begitupun, kami akan menampilkan aksi sebenar sepanjang musim ini, terutamanya pada Mac dan April.

Jaringan sendiri Phil Jones pada masa kecederaan melengkapkan malam malang buat United selepas memboloskan dua gol masing-masing menerusi Demba Ba dan Yohan Cabaye.

Bagi Newcastle, kemenangan itu adalah yang pertama di gelanggang sendiri dalam tempoh dua bulan, sekali gus kekal di tangga ketujuh liga.

Penyerang United, Wayne Rooney pula gagal beraksi dengan cemerlang pada penampilan pertama selepas digantung satu perlawanan kerana masalah disiplin pada Hari Krismas lalu. 

Dalam pada itu, Tim Howard tetap berasa kecewa meskipun dia menjadi penjaga gol keempat yang berjaya menjaringkan gol dalam sejarah Liga Perdana England.

Penjaga gol Amerika Syarikat itu meletakkan Everton di depan pada minit ke-63 tetapi jaringan tersebut tidak mampu menghalang mereka daripada tewas 1-2 kepada Bolton Wanderers di Goodison Park awal pagi semalam.

Pada awalnya, Howard hanya mahu mengeluarkan bola dari kotak penalti selepas menerima hantaran ke belakang daripada rakan sepasukan.

Begitupun, bola yang disepak Howard melambung tinggi sebelum jatuh di dalam kotak penalti pasukan pelawat dan melantun melepasi jangkauan penjaga gol Bolton, Adam Bogdan.

Howard yang membuat penampilan ke- 250 bersama Everton tidak memberi sebarang reaksi selepas menjaringkan gol tersebut.

"Ia bukan satu tempat yang baik untuk saya berada. Saya pernah melalui detik itu sebelum ini dan ia sudah lama berlalu. Sebab itu, saya tidak meraikannya," kata Howard.

Penjaga gol lain yang berjaya menjaringkan gol dalam tempoh 20 tahun pada kempen Liga Perdana England adalah Peter Schmeichel (2001), rakan senegara Howard dari Amerika Syarikat, Brad Friedel (2004) dan Paul Robinson (2011). - AFP

LONDON - Atas kertas, Manchester United dilihat bakal menjadi ‘lauk’ Manchester City pada saingan pusingan ketiga Piala FA England di Eastland malam ini.

Berdasarkan rekod sebelum ini, United pernah menjadi mangsa belasahan City pada saingan Liga Perdana England yang menyaksikan kelab kendalian Roberto Mancini itu menang besar 6-1 di Old Trafford.

Jika setengah dozen mampu diledak di kandang lawan, ada kemungkinan City bakal berpesta gol lagi malam ini memandangkan perlawanan tersebut berlangsung di gelanggang keramat mereka.

Apa pun, macam-macam boleh terjadi dan yang pasti pasukan yang banyak melakukan kesilapan bakal menerima padah.

Bagi pengurus City, Roberto Mancini, dia tetap menghormati United.

Menyedari ancaman yang bakal dilontarkan oleh skuad kendalian Alex Ferguson itu, Mancini memberi amaran kepada barisan pemainnya supaya berhati-hati dengan kebangkitan musuh ketat mereka itu.

United yang mengalami dua kekalahan berturut-turut pada aksi Liga Perdana England telah membuka laluan kepada City untuk menerajui carta liga dengan kelebihan tiga mata.

Kemenangan lalu tidak memberikan sebarang makna kepada pengendali yang berasal dari Itali itu dan berharap pasukannya bersedia menghadapi amukan United pada satu lagi pertembungan klasik, malam ini.

“Perlawanan membabitkan dua jiran terdekat ini sentiasa dinanti-nantikan dan saya menjangkakan pertemuan kali ini lebih sukar kerana United pasti mahu bangkit selepas mengalami dua kekalahan berturut-turut dalam saingan liga," kata Mancini.

“Satu perkara yang pasti, mereka memiliki mentaliti yang kuat serta sentiasa bertindak positif selepas mengalami kekalahan.

“Selepas mereka tewas 1-6 dengan kami, United kembali bangkit mempamerkan aksi yang sebenar apabila berjaya mencatatkan tujuh kemenangan dan satu seri.

“Mereka dilanda krisis kecederaan pemain namun United masih merupakan salah satu pasukan kuat di England. Itulah sebabnya United sentiasa menjadi satu pasukan yang berbahaya,” katanya.

Pengurus United, Alex Ferguson pula berkata: “Saya tidak mahu menyebut hal (kekalahan 1-6) itu. 

“Saya selalu berkata kepada pemain saya supaya memberi fokus untuk mencapai kemenangan.

“Namun pada pertembungan dua seteru utama ini, apa sahaja boleh berlaku.

“Ia sungguh mengagumkan (bahawa United tidak memenangi Piala FA sejak 2004). Ia boleh menjadi satu rangsangan motivasi kepada pemain-pemain yang masih belum memenangi trofi seperti Rio Ferdinand untuk beraksi dengan lebih baik.”

Premier League - United thrash Fulham at Cottage
A rampant Manchester United thrashed Fulham 5-0 in the Premier League, with wonderful goals from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov highlights of the night at Craven Cottage.

First-half goals from Daniel Welbeck, Nani and Ryan Giggs put the visitors 3-0 up at the break.

Fulham rallied in the second half but failed to find a breakthrough, with Rooney adding a wonderful fourth and Berbatov a typically impudent fifth to add a late gloss to the result.

United stayed two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City going into Christmas, while Fulham stay in the bottom half after their worst home defeat in recent memory.

Fulham played better in the second half but were undone by their terrible opening 45 minutes, although they had some great chances late on with Andy Johnson missing three good opportunities before Rooney and Berbatov completed the rout.

United played as well as they have in recent months but Fulham were abject in a first half that saw the visitors put the game out of sight.

The hosts seemed to suffer from a hangover after their 2-0 win over Bolton and were sluggish in attack – Anders Lindegaard, preferred to David De Gea barely touched the ball in the first period – and sleepy in defence.

Clint Dempsey was fortunate to escape a first-minute sending off when he elbowed Phil Jones in the face, the England defender’s night ending 20 minutes in. He will have an x-ray on his jaw on Thursday.

Before going off, Jones managed to put in a superb saving tackle on Bryan Ruiz, but that was Fulham’s only genuine foray of the half as United ran rampant.

On five minutes the visitors took the lead thanks to a super run and cross by Nani that Welbeck converted with a low strike, but the United forward was afforded a free finish by some woeful defending from Philippe Senderos.

There were half-chances for Rooney, Giggs and Antonio Valencia before Nani doubled the lead on 28 minutes with a glancing header from a wicked Giggs cross after a short corner, a move United employed with regularity.

Fulham were not completely at fault for that but they had allowed themselves to be fooled by the give-and-go routine between Giggs and Valencia, something that the visitors had threatened several times previously.

The Whites were then fortunate to escape a couple of strong penalty appeals from Welbeck and Ashley Young, tackled clumsily by Senderos and Ruiz respectively, with the Swiss doing well for once as he put in a vital block on a Valencia cross that was headed towards Rooney.

The hapless Senderos’s next intervention was not so useful, however, as – from a quick counter-attack – Giggs sent a shot against the former Arsenal stopper’s lunging block, the deflection looping over a stranded David Stockdale and into the net for 3-0 before half-time.

Fulham started the second half promisingly though as Johnson and Ruiz made interesting runs, while Dempsey’s header was kept out by Lindegaard and Dembele fired just wide soon after.

After Giggs fouled Dembele 20 yards out, John Arne Riise fired a free-kick inches wide with Lindegaard well beaten as Fulham looked the more likely in the second half.

Young’s night ended early as, despite coming on as a sub himself, a tackle from Chris Baird sent him flying into the sturdy frame of Dickson Etuhu, a knock he was unable to run off.

Despite Fulham’s resurgence one could sense United were just looking for the break, and they almost nabbed a fourth but for an excellent point-blank Stockdale save as Nani met Valencia’s low cross.

Rooney then had an effort deflected wide off Senderos with Stockdale again stranded, with Welbeck doing likewise via Baird as United clicked back into gear.

They were exchanging attacks now: Fulham had a penalty appeal of their own rejected when Dempsey went down under pressure from Valencia, while the American had a finish blocked after he and Dembele ran rings round the United defence; down the other end, Welbeck was guilty of a bad miss after Nani sent him clean through, lofting his finish over Stockdale and the bar.

Johnson made a boo-boo of his own when he blasted over soon afterwards, having been played in by a delightful Dempsey pass. With 12 minutes remaining it would likely have been consolation, but Fulham have put in some good late comebacks against United in the past and Martin Jol’s frustration was tangible.

The former Everton striker continued to show his lack of confidence in front of goal when he fired straight at Lindegaard after again being played in by Dempsey, who may have been better off shooting from range.

Bobby Zamora, benched after missing the last game through injury, came on for a late cameo and he almost created one for Johnson, who again blasted wide from a good position.

Johnson also saw a late effort spilled by Lindegaard, but United survived that and went on to add two more goals of the highest quality.

First Rooney swerved home a magical effort from long range, sending it inside and out before nestling past the flying Stockdale and inside the right-hand post.

And, on the stroke of 90 minutes and in the immediate aftermath of Johnson’s final miss, Berbatov cheekily backheeled the ball into the bottom right after Valencia’s driven cross found him six yards out.

The big win closes some of the goal difference on league leaders City, who themselves won 3-0 at home to Stoke, while Fulham lie four points above the drop zone.

Champions League - Rooney at the double for United

Wayne Rooney marked his return to the starting XI with a brace of penalty kicks as 10-man Manchester United overcame a doughty Otelul Galati 2-0 in their Champions League Group C clash in Bucharest.

Rooney coolly converted a 64th minute penalty to ease the growing tension at the Stadionul National before Nemanja Vidic was shown a rather harsh red card in what was a nervy and unconvincing display from the English champions.

The match was levelled up numerically as Milan Perendija was shown a second yellow card late on, and there was still time for Rooney to double his tally from the penalty spot as the forward gave his side a crucial victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson made nine changes from the side which drew with Liverpool at the weekend as Rooney was handed a starting berth in attack and Vidic returned for his first start since August 14.

Under normal circumstances, a trip to face the ailing Romanian champions, sandwiched in between key Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City would be the cue for Ferguson to rest many of his senior players but, after squandering a two-goal lead against Basle at Old Trafford three weeks ago, this was a match United desperately needed to win.

It was a subdued start from United, and the first chance of the match fell to Galati forward Ionut Neagu in the 15th minute, who almost capitalised on a sloppy piece of play from Fabio to drive a low shot on target from the edge of the area, but Anders Lindegaard dived to his right to save.

There was a real scare for United four minutes later as Lindegaard hammered an attempted clearance straight into the back of Vidic, who stood flat-footed in front of him, but fortunately for the visitors the ball fell to safety.

United's best chance of the first half fell to Michael Carrick, who produced a shoddy effort to side-foot the ball over the crossbar from inside the Galati box following fine work from Nani down the left.

Ferguson no doubt handed out a resplendent rollicking at the break after a sluggish first half, and the tempo of United's play was noticeably quicker from the restart with greater urgency in the visitors' advances.

A flurry of bookings awarded in rather haphazard fashion by referee Dr Felix Brych caused the play to be fragmented, and United grew increasingly frustrated with the onus on the visitors to dictate affairs.

Rooney went close to breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute as he swivelled sharply to turn Cornel Rapa after latching on to Evra's cut back, but his shot fizzed narrowly wide of the far post with Grahovac at full stretch.

But just seconds later, United were presented with their breakthrough opportunity as Galati captain Sergiu Costin inexplicably handled in his own box to give the visitors a penalty.

Rooney duly lashed home the spot kick to give United the lead, and in so doing racked up his 10th goal in his last 15 Champions League ties as he looked to alleviate some of the tension from his side's ranks.

But just two minutes later, there was further drama as referee Brych brandished what appeared to be an extremely harsh red card to give Vidic a straight red card for a lunging, but fairly innocuous clearance.

Before United could send on Jonny Evans to replace Antonio Valencia, Liviu Antal really should have levelled the scores as the Galati winger blasted a wild volley over the crossbar from inside the United box after Carrick failed to clear.

United suddenly looked to be in disarray as Galati unleashed wave after wave of pressure, and substitute Marius Pena was afforded a free header inside the visitors' box after no one managed to deal with Sorin Frunza's cross, but he could not hit the target.

A late onslaught of pressure from the hosts did not yield an equaliser, but Bratislav Punosevac went very close with a volley from the edge of the United box after collecting Filip's cross in his stride, only to see his effort zip agonisingly wide of the near post.

The ever-combative Perendija was shown a second yellow card for a cynical tug on Hernandez three minutes from time, and the German referee seized the opportunity to level the match up numerically before Nani struck the post with a speculative drive in the dying moments.

But there was still time for Rooney to win another penalty as he was too fleet of foot for Antal - who tripped him crudely inside the box - and the forward again beat Grahovac with a clinical finish to double his personal tally and seal the result.

It was an extremely testing victory for United and, considering the English champions' squad cost £241m compared to the £500,000 required to assemble the group of Galati players, the result will have come as a surprising relief to Ferguson ahead of the crunch Manchester derby at the weekend.

LONDON – Penyerang sensasi Manchester United, Wayne Rooney meletakkan harapan untuk menjadi ketua pasukan United dan England.

Sebelum ini dia pernah memegang peranan sebagai kapten skuad England pada perlawanan persahabatan menentang Brazil di Doha, Qatar ketika ramai pemain senior diketepikan pada perlawanan tersebut.

Namun Rooney, 25, berkata: “Jika hasrat itu (menjadi kapten United dan England) tercapai, sudah tentu ia merupakan suatu penghor- matan yang besar bagi saya.

“Saya pernah menjadi kapten untuk pasukan kelab dan negara, dan sekiranya jawatan (kapten) itu dikekalkan, sudah tentu saya amat berbesar hati dengan penghormatan itu.”

Dalam perkembangan lain, Rooney turut mendedahkan bahawa United kini mula mempelajari teknik-teknik bertahan seperti yang dipraktikkan oleh juara Eropah musim lalu, Barcelona.

“Kami mula mempelajari beberapa teknik bertahan dalam setiap sesi latihan dan berharap ia akan memantapkan lagi gaya permainan United,” katanya.

Rooney masih tidak dapat melupakan kekalahan 3-1 kepada Barcelona pada final Liga Juara-Juara di Wembley musim lalu dan dia kini berharap dapat menggunakan taktik itu untuk mengalahkan Barce- lona pada musim ini.

Katanya: “Jika kamu tidak dapat mengalahkan mereka, kamu perlu memahami gaya permainan Barce- lona.

“Jika kamu melihat gaya permai- nan Barcelona, mereka lebih banyak memegang bola dengan lebih lama dan membuat hantaran pendek.

“Namun, jika mereka kehilangan bola, mereka akan bergegas untuk bertahan dan cuba merampas bola dengan secepat mungkin. Itulah aset mereka yang terbesar di dalam satu perlawanan.”

Rooney percaya, dengan kehadiran pemain muda United yang mempamerkan aksi pantas, pasukan tersebut mampu bersaing dengan Barcelona jika juara Liga Perdana England itu bertemu kembali dengan skuad bimbingan Pep Guardiola itu.

Rooney berkata: “Saya rasa, dengan kehadiran pemain muda (Uni- ted), kami mempunyai satu tenaga yang cukup kuat di dalam pasukan ini.

“Jika kami berjaya mengawal bola dan membuat hantaran pendek di dalam kawasan kotak penalti dan apabila kami kehilangan bola, kami perlu segera. Corak seperti itu memang menampakkan hasil yang positif,” ujarnya. – Agensi

MANCHESTER - Awas Norwich City, Manchester United akan kembali bangkit.

Itu amaran daripada tonggak berpengalaman United, Michael Carrick menjelang pertemuan menentang Norwich pada saingan Liga Perdana England di Old Trafford malam ini.

Selepas hanya mencatat keputusan seri 1-1 ketika menentang Stoke City dan diikat 3-3 oleh FC Basel pada aksi Liga Juara-Juara (Rabu lalu), United pastinya mahu bangkit melakar kemenangan.

Bagi Carrick, dia yakin rakan-rakan sepasukannya akan kembali mempamerkan rentak sebenar ketika menentang The Canaries di hadapan penyokong sendiri.

"Keputusan seri sememangnya menyakitkan hati, terutamanya ketika kami selesa mendahului pihak lawan.

"Bagaimanapun, ia bukan alasan untuk sentiasa meng- ingati kejadian itu. Ia telah berlalu dan apa yang penting ialah perlawanan selepas ini.

"Bagi saya, ia hanyalah satu peringatan untuk kami kembali sedar apa yang patut dilakukan," kata Carrick.

Penyerang muda United, Danny Welbeck pula memberitahu, dia bersedia untuk diturunkan selepas membalas kepercayaan pengurus, Alex Ferguson dengan dua gol jaringannya ketika menentang Basel.

"Peluang datang dan pergi, justeru apabila diturunkan, saya sebagai pemain perlu membuat perkara yang sepatutnya.

"Saya harap saya akan beraksi selain berazam untuk menjaringkan gol," katanya.

Begitupun, Welbeck tidak perlu begitu risau apabila dijangka menyertai kesebelasan utama The Red Devils lantaran Wayne Rooney dan Javier Hernandez terpaksa diketepikan akibat kecederaan.

Benteng pertahanan United juga dilihat agak goyah apabila tiga pemain, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans dan Chris Smalling juga dikhabarkan belum cergas sepenuhnya. - AFP

Champions League - Young rescues draw for poor United

Ashley Young rescued a 3-3 draw for Manchester United against Basel after the English champions blew a 2-0 lead in a breathless Champions League Group C match at Old Trafford.

With four minutes of injury time signalled and United trailing 3-2 to the Swiss visitors, Young popped up unmarked at the back post to head home substitute Nani's cross and prevent United falling to only a third defeat at home in their 54 matches in the tournament.

Despite carving out a 2-0 lead at the break courtesy of Danny Welbeck's goals on 16 and 17 minutes, United were fortunate to escape with a point as Basel cut through Sir Alex Ferguson's side several times throughout the evening without putting the finishing touches to their good work.

Fabian Frei gave Basel fresh hope in the match when he drilled the ball beyond home keeper David De Gea via a post on 58 minutes before crossing for his namesake Alexander to head home a superb equaliser a couple of minutes later.

The Swiss champions moved ahead on the night when Alexander Frei sent De Gea the wrong way from the penalty spot after Antonio Valencia had clumsily clipped the imposing Marco Streller in the home box.

Basel seemed likely to hold out for a famous three points until Young converted his first goal in the Champions League to prevent the home side from falling to an embarrassing defeat.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described the match as a "wake-up call" for his side having avoided falling to a first defeat in any competition since Chelsea left Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory in the Premier League 17 months ago.

Basel made their intentions clear from the opening moments with both of their full-backs encouraged to bomb on whenever possible. Fabian Frei should have netted on five minutes when he was sent clear in the box only to miss the target - a theme that was to haunt Basel's night.

United began warming to their task and grabbed the lead when Fabio - who was injured before hobbling off to be replaced by Nani in the second half - picked out Ryan Giggs, who supplied Welbeck to score with a shot that seemed to take forever to trundle into the net via a post.

United made it two a minute later when Giggs's ball into the heart of the Basel box enabled Welbeck to convert with a goal of some simplicity.

Despite the 2-0 lead, Ferguson's men never looked comfortable as Alexander Frei knocked wide of goal when he should have scored from Streller's pass before Jacques Zoua walloped the ball into the side of the United goal from another inventive Streller ball.

Play continued to rage from end to end with Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand looking as if they had just met each other for the first time at the heart of the United defence. Ferdinand was fortunate to avoid a red card when he seemed to foul Alexander Frei on the edge of his box as the Swiss forward looked set to speed in on goal moments after Basel had made it 2-1.

Alexander Frei headed over the bar on 35 minutes before Valencia forced the visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer to make a timely stop before half-time sounded with United leading.

Somehow United's goal remained intact on 50 minutes as Streller accepted a pass from Zoua. He looked certain to score only for De Gea to make an astonishing stop from close range.

Giggs had the opportunity to give United a 3-0 lead when he shot straight at Sommer with Welbeck waiting for a tap-in on 52 minutes.

Basel struck their first of the night courtesy of Fabian Frei after De Gea had blocked Streller's powerful header from Alexander Frei's corner. It prompted a final 30 minutes of some mayhem that left Ferguson smiling with a sense relief at full-time.

In keeping with the almost farcical nature of a frantic closing few minutes, De Gea was relieved to see a clearance from Aleksandar Dragovic from inside the Basel half miss his right-hand post by inches as he struggled to get back after Welbeck saw a header fly narrowly wide at the other end.

Basel and Benfica - who won 1-0 at Otelul Galati - lead Group C on four points after two games with United back in third spot on two points. Galati are bottom after two defeats.

Premier League - United prevail in classic encounter

Manchester United assumed control of the Premier League when maintaining their 100 per cent record with a 3-1 win over Chelsea in a game for which the phrase 'action-packed' would do a huge disservice.

Throughout a thrilling, and often quite crazy 90 minutes at Old Trafford, both Chelsea and United were utterly committed to attack and the millions watching around the globe were rewarded with a quite brilliant denouement to a beguiling weekend in the Premier League.

Chris Smalling and Nani put United 2-0 in front after 37 minutes, though both had been offside, and Wayne Rooney continued his prolific form with a third just before half-time as United raced into a comprehensive lead that was ill-deserved given the weight of chances enjoyed by Andre Villas-Boas's side.

Fernando Torres replied within 30 seconds of the restart for only his second goal in 24 games for Chelsea but his recent issues resurfaced as he was then guilty of producing arguably one of the worst misses in the long history of the Premier League after rounding David De Gea.

Rooney could have had his third hat-trick in three games as he missed a penalty and then struck the post, with Ashley Cole collecting a yellow card but not conceding a penalty when thumping into Javier Hernandez as he drilled the rebound into the side netting. Referee Phil Dowd apparently felt the ball was out of play before the offence occurred.

As Chelsea created chance after chance to no avail, United still had time to pass up another golden opportunity as, with Petr Cech taken out by Rooney's square pass, substitute Dimitar Berbatov somehow failed to make it four when allowing Cole to clear off the line.

United were denied a fourth, but Manchester City's draw with Fulham means the Reds are now are the out-and-out leaders of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men did not enjoy the complete dominance that has accompanied their previous victories in the league this season but still proved ruthless in a first half in which they scored three times without reply.

It was Smalling who put them in front after only eight minutes. Jose Bosingwa conceded a free-kick on the United right and Ashley Young's delivery was met at the back post by Smalling, who had eluded his marker to plant a firm header past Cech. Replays confirmed the suspicion that he was in an offside position when the ball was delivered though.

Incredibly, in a half during which United ran rampant, it was Chelsea who created the better chances. Ramires had called De Gea into a smart stop with his right boot after only four minutes and the Brazilian then passed up an almost certain goal when placing the ball into the chest of the Spanish keeper after Torres had unselfishly squared to present him with what was to all intents and purposes an open goal.

The Spaniard approached the game with a record of one goal in 23 for Chelsea and in that context his decision to square for Ramires was a surprising one. When presented with his own chance after an awful pass from Anderson gifted him possession, the striker scuffed a shot just wide of the far post.

Raul Meireles also played in Frank Lampard with a delightful pass, only for the midfielder to smash a shot wide, and Branislav Ivanovic also forced De Gea into a save with a header for a corner. But while Chelsea looked a threat in the final third, they remained vulnerable at the back.

Nani was so often the catalyst and created excellent chances for both Javier Hernandez and Rooney before scoring United's second himself with a strike of real beauty. He appeared offside when collecting a brilliant cross-field pass from Jonny Evans, but meandered infield and unleashed a brutal shot into the top corner from 20 yards.

On the stroke of half-time Chelsea somehow found themselves 3-0 down when Rooney claimed his ninth Premier League goal in five games. Phil Jones played an important role as he exchanged passes with the striker before then sticking in his leg as the ball bounced around the Chelsea box. After deflecting off Nani and rolling into the path of Rooney, it was dispatched in inevitable fashion by a striker at the very top of his game.

Villas-Boas responded by replacing Lampard with Nicolas Anelka at the break and the Frenchman made an immediate impact. Just 30 after the restart he released Torres with a lovely reverse pass and the Spaniard claimed only his second goal for Chelsea with a delightful lofted finish over De Gea in a moment that recalled some of his better moments for Liverpool, rather than the mediocrity that has enveloped him since January.

But United did not look ready to capitulate and on 55 minutes Nani again wreaked havoc. The Portugal winger slammed a shot off the underside of the bar and when attempting to score from the rebound was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Bosingwa.

United had the penalty, and Rooney had the chance to move onto 10 Premier League games well before the end of September. However, with Terry looking on, he emulated the Chelsea captain's spot-kick in Moscow in the Champions League final of 2008 when slipping and sending the ball wide.

The Blues had improved after Villas-Boas removed Lampard and instructed Mata to play in behind Torres, with another substitute in Romelu Lukaku seeing an effort blocked by Patrice Evra following a short corner after 70 minutes.

Soon after, Torres forced De Gea into a sprawling save with a low effort before latching onto the rebound and firing a volley high into the stands. Chelsea and United's commitment to attack made for a fantastic encounter and on 77 minutes the home side went close once more.

Rooney saw a scuffed effort from an Evra cross bounce of the base of the post and when Hernandez rifled the rebound into the side netting he was caught by a shocking challenge from Cole. The left-back was booked, and was perhaps lucky to escape a red card, but no penalty was given as the ball was already out of play when the offence occurred.

Still the drama continued. On 84 minutes, Torres ensured that despite scoring his second goal for the club he will remember this match for the wrong reasons when producing one of the most glaring misses surely seen in the top flight. After a superb off-the-ball run, the striker rounded De Gea and had an empty net to tap into, but on his left foot somehow skewed the ball wide. It was painful to watch, especially for a player who has struggled so badly to live up to expectations following his £50 million move.

In injury time United could have added a fourth when Rooney raced clear and cut out Cech with a square pass to Dimitar Berbatov, but the sliding substitute produced a weak effort that allowed Cole to scramble across and clear off the line as the game concluded in frantic fashion. It was that type of match.

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mula membandingkan penyerang sensasinya, Wayne Rooney dengan legenda Brazil, Pele.

Kenyataan Ferguson itu hadir selepas dia melihat prestasi cemerlang Rooney yang meledak hatrik ketika menentang Arsenal dan Bolton Wanderers pada aksi Liga Perdana England.

"Jika melihat Pele (beraksi), dia merupakan penyerang agresif, Wayne juga begitu. Persamaan mereka adalah kekuatan, pantas dan semangat. Bezanya, dia (Rooney) berkulit putih sahaja," kata Ferguson.

Sebelum ini, ada peminat yang menggelar Rooney sebagai Pele Putih disebabkan karakter yang ditampilkannya ketika berada di tengah padang.

Ferguson menambah, Rooney sentiasa bersemangat, sentiasa mahukan kemenangan dan tidak mustahil ayam tambatannya itu mampu menjadi legenda United suatu hari nanti.

"Wayne seorang pemain yang tipikal, tetapi terdapat ramai pemain Britain yang mempunyai kualiti itu seperti Paul Gascoigne, George Best, Bobby Charlton dan Denis Law.

"Dia mempunyai keberanian seperti mereka. Dia sentiasa mahu beraksi, malah dia mempunyai stamina yang menakjubkan sesuai dengan bakatnya," jelasnya.

Ferguson juga meramalkan Rooney dan seorang lagi penyerang United, Javier Hernandez masing-masing mampu meledak 25 gol musim ini.

Kedua-dua penggempur berbisa itu telah menyumbang 10 gol buat United pada awal kempen musim ini di mana Rooney kini mendahului penjaring terbanyak liga dengan lapan gol.

"Dua tahun yang lalu, sasaran Wayne adalah untuk menjaringkan lebih 30 gol dan dia telah mencapai sasaran tersebut dengan begitu cepat.

"Jika dia dapat mencapai sasaran itu sekali lagi, saya akan cukup berbangga kerana dengan keupayaan Javier, mereka mampu menjaringkan lebih 25 gol musim ini," tambah Ferguson. - Agensi

Champions League - Giggs rescues point for United

Ryan Giggs salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw with Benfica as Manchester United kicked off their Champions League Group C campaign at the Estadio da Luz.

Oscar Cardozo's brilliant first-half effort had given the Portuguese side a deserved lead in Lisbon but Giggs hit back with an equally impressive strike just before half-time.

Giggs's goal - which extended his own record as the oldest scorer in the Champions League - was the undoubted highlight of an otherwise lacklustre performance from the Premier League champions, although points dropped at Benfica in a group also containing FC Basel and Otelul Galati should not give Alex Ferguson too many sleepless nights.

Ferguson made eight changes to the team that thumped Bolton 5-0 in the Premier League at the weekend as the United manager opted against sending out the new-look team that has so impressed this season and instead reverted back to an XI far more resembling the one which reached last year's final.

Seven players who started that game at Wembley took to the field in Lisbon, as Antonio Valencia and Darren Fletcher returned from injury and illness to make their first starts of the season. Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was also brought in, with summer signing David De Gea taking his place on strong bench alongside Michael Owen, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez, Nani.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both out injured, Chris Smalling partnered Jonny Evans in the middle of defence with Fabio returning to the right-back berth.

Yet the changes in personnel did little for the Premier League champions and they started the game without the fluency to their play that has so far this season been their calling card.

Michael Carrick and Fletcher struggled to get a grip in midfield and with Wayne Rooney an isolated figure up front, Benfica enjoyed the better of the opening stages.

Nicolas Gaitan flashed a shot across Lindegaard's goal and the Dane was brought into action by Cardozo before the Paraguayan striker opened the scoring with a sumptuous piece of individual skill in the 24th minute.

Cardozo took down a long ball forward on his chest before turning the leaden-footed Evans in one swift movement and firing low past Lindegaard. It was the first time United had conceded on their travels in the competition since a quarter-final against Bayern Munuch two seasons ago, but it was nothing less than the home side deserved.

Evans continued to look shaky on occasion as Benfica threatened to add to their lead as the half progressed but United clawed their way back onto level terms, totally out of blue, thanks to Giggs just before the break.

The veteran midfielder, otherwise rather ineffectual in the hole behind Rooney, seared in from the right before lashing a left-footed drive into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. At the age of 37 years and 289 days he is the oldest player to have scored in the competition and the goal also saw him overtake Raul as the player to have scored in the most Champions League seasons - 16 in all.

He could have added to his tally on 63 minutes following some neat footwork to fashion a shooting chance but his clipped effort was diverted around the post by Artur.

At the other end, Lindegaard was also in action after the break, the Dane producing crucial stops to deny Nolito and then the impressive Nicolas Gaitin.

In between those chances, Emerson nearly capped a fine one-two with Nolito with a shot on target - he could only fire into the side netting - and with three minutes remaining on the clock, Nolito prodded into the side netting when perhaps he should have done better.

United, meanwhile, failed to produce much of note at the other end and will perhaps feel fortunate to escape with a point after what was an under-par performance, given the sky-high standards they have set for themselves so far this season.

Scholes cannot be replaced - Giggs
Ryan Giggs wishes his old mate Paul Scholes had not quit in the summer - because he knows Manchester United will never find another like him.

In the aftermath of last season's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, Scholes decided he was no longer contributing to the United cause in a manner he felt was appropriate.

Most of his team-mates disagreed, Giggs among them, and Sir Alex Ferguson embarked on a fruitless search for a replacement playmaker who could take on the responsibility Scholes carried for so long.

Giggs felt it was almost a pointless search. He knows someone of Scholes' ability simply cannot be replaced.

Speaking exclusively to MUTV, Giggs said: "Will you get another Paul Scholes? No. Never. Not in a million years.

"Getting someone in like for like is impossible. But the club has to go on. We have to evolve. That is the Manchester United way."

Resipi terbaik MU
BOLTON: Alex Ferguson percaya Manchester United memiliki resipi terbaik untuk terus mengungguli puncak Liga Perdana Inggeris berdasarkan kecemerlangan mereka mengharungi kempen awal musim yang cukup mencabar.

Juara bertahan itu sudah menumpaskan Tottenham dan Arsenal sebelum menang besar 5-0 ke atas Bolton untuk mendahului pencabar utama Manchester City yang berdepan Swansea, Bolton, Tottenham dan Wigan setakat ini.

United sehingga kini mengumpul 18 gol dalam empat perlawanan awal liga dan Wayne Rooney meledak hatrik kedua berturut-turut selain Javier Hernandez menyumbat dua gol untuk meletakkan kelab itu mendahului liga menerusi kelebihan jaringan.

Ini bermakna anak buah Ferguson berada pada tahap terbaik untuk bertemu Chelsea di gelanggang lawan dan pengurus di Old Trafford itu sedar kemenangan ke atas pasukan kendalian Andre Villas-Boas akan menyuntik semangat United bagi mengharungi saingan musim luruh di peringkat domestik dan Eropah.

“Anda hanya perlu memberikan tumpuan terhadap diri sendiri,” kata Ferguson.

“Permulaan musim ini amat sukar kerana kami terpaksa berdepan pasukan-pasukan hebat. Kami akan menentang Chelsea Ahad ini. Ia permulaan yang sukar dan jika berjaya mengharunginya, pastinya kami bermain dengan baik.” Kombinasi pemain berpengalaman dan baru di samping bintang Rooney serta Hernandez dan pemain baru Phil Jones nyata terus menjadi. Ferguson membariskan pemain terkuat berbanding ketika membelasah Arsenal di Old Trafford pada perlawanan terakhir sebelum saingan liga berehat bagi memberi laluan kepada perlawanan antarabangsa.

Pemain Mexico, Hernandez kembali bergandingan bersama Rooney mengambil alih tempat Danny Welbeck manakala Rio Ferdinand menggantikan Chris Smalling di bahagian pertahanan tengah.

Perancang kepada kemenangan kali ini selain Rooney sudah pastinya Nani. Dia mencipta tiga peluang manakala dua lagi menerusi Jones buat Rooney dan Hernandez menjaringkan gol. - AFP

BOLTON - Alex Ferguson yakin Manchester United berhak memegang status selaku pendahulu Liga Perdana England kerana skuad kendaliannya telah melalui perlawanan yang sukar pada awal kempen musim ini.

Juara bertahan itu berjaya menewaskan Tottenham Hotspur dan Arsenal sebelum menang 5-0 ke atas Bolton Wanderers kelmarin.

Kemenangan itu turut membolehkan skuad The Red Devils mendahului jiran setempat, Manchester City yang menewaskan Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham dan Wigan Athletic.

Selepas empat perlawanan, United dan City berkongsi 12 mata, tetapi kedua-dua pasukan itu dibezakan dengan kelebihan jaringan.

United juga telah mengumpul 18 gol daripada empat perlawanan pertama dan jaringan hatrik kedua berturut-turut dari Wayne Rooney serta dua gol daripada Javier Hernandez menyaksikan mereka mengungguli kedudukan teratas.

Ini bermakna skuad kendalian Ferguson itu akan turun menentang Chelsea di Old Trafford dengan kelebihan psikologi pada 18 September ini.

Pengurus The Red Devils itu sedar kemenangan ke atas anak buah Andre Villas-Boas tersebut mampu mengukuhkan reputasi mereka dalam saingan liga domestik dan di pentas Eropah.

"Kamu hanya perlu memberi tumpuan kepada pasukan kamu sendiri," kata Ferguson.

"Ia adalah satu permulaan yang sukar pada awal musim, kami terpaksa berdepan semua pasukan yang hebat. Ahad ini kami bertemu Chelsea pula.

"Ia satu jadual yang padat dan kalau kami berjaya mengharunginya, kami telah melakukannya dengan baik." - AFP

Premier League - Cleverley ruled out for four weeks

 

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is out for four weeks after suffering ligament damage in his foot against Bolton.

United had feared that the England U21 star would be out for months with a broken bone following a challenge from Kevin Davies in the 5-0 drubbing of Bolton.

The 22-year-old will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro next month but should be available for November's matches, when national team manager Capello has pencilled him in to make his debut.

Providing England have collected the point against Montenegro they need to book a place at the finals, Capello has said he plans to blood Cleverley and Phil Jones in a November friendly which is expected to be against Spain.

Meanwhile Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who condemned Davies's tackle, confirmed that Jonny Evans and Patrice Evans are doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Benfica in Lisbon.