Sunday, November 25, 2007
Premier League - Anelka strike stuns United
Sir Alex Ferguson was sent to the stands after a blood-and-thunder opening 45 minutes as Bolton managed to preserve the lead Anelka had given them after just 11 minutes.
The win - Gary Megson's first since taking charge - was enough to lift his side out of the relegation zone.
The stormy weather on a cold and dark day in the north-west was more than reflected on the pitch as Bolton reverted back to the rough and ready tactics that served them so well during the Sam Allardyce era.
This was not a game for the faint hearted, as United's Patrice Evra found out early on after being singled out by Kevin Davies, who ably played the role of chief antagoniser until his withdrawal with 20 minutes remaining.
The striker, deployed wide on the right, had clearly been given orders prior to kick-off to test United's mettle and he was lucky to still be on the pitch by the time the opening period came to a close.
The hosts' treatment of United's players, and referee Mark Clattenburg's apparent refusal to adequately reprimand those involved, so incensed Ferguson that the United boss received his marching orders during the half-time break and had to take a seat in the stands for the second period.
But whatever Ferguson's thoughts on the matter were, Megson's tactics certainly paid off, as United looked rattled by the physicality on the contest in the early stages.
United were still struggling to acclimatise to the Reebok when the breakthrough came, Anelka capitalising on a missed header from Gerard Pique after Ivan Campo had launched a free-kick into the heart of the United penalty area. The Frenchman made it look easy as he controlled, turned and fired fire home to put the Trotters ahead.
Bolton went on to enjoy the better of possession for much of the game, but the hosts failed to convert that superiority into real goal scoring chances.
And they were nearly made to pay as United finally began to impose themselves on the game after the hour mark - Owen Hargreaves brought the best out of Jussi Jaaskelainen with a free-kick before Nani fired wide of the mark in quick succession.
But United's best chance of the game fell to Carlos Tevez, who somehow conspired to slice his effort from close range wide of the post after Evra's cross had laid the chance on a plate for him.
It was to be United's last attempt at goal and Tevez will surely rue his profligacy as United's bid to hold on to the title took a major blow.
Despite the result, United remain in second place, but coupled with wins for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, it was hardly an ideal return to domestic action for the champions.
manchesterunited
11/25/2007 04:03:00 PM
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Friday, November 9, 2007
Premier League - United sign 14-year-old sensation
Manchester United have agreed terms with Burnley to sign 14-year-old striker John Cofie.
The struggling Lancashire team, who parted company with manager Steve Cotterill on Thursday, reported the transfer on their website
No fee was given for the English youth international, who local media reported had signed a six-year deal, but newspaper reports said earlier this week that Burnley hoped to receive one million pounds in compensation.
The second division side said they had negotiated a 25 percent sell-on clause for Cofie and have first option on loaning back the player at a later date.
United have also agreed to play a friendly within 12 months of Cofie signing professional terms at Old Trafford.
"The player was unwilling to come back to Burnley, so we didn't have a choice in keeping him here," said the club's operational director Brendan Flood. "This just shows how hard it is to keep someone who is exceptional."
Tim Bailey of sports lawyers Beswicks, legal representative and spokesman for the Cofie family, told the Lancashire Telegraph Web: "John is highly delighted to be joining one of the world's leading clubs. He is looking forward to this next step in his football career.
British media reported this week that Premier League champions United faced competition from Liverpool and Chelsea for Cofie, one of the most prized young talents in the country.
"The interest shown in John from a number of Premiership clubs underlines his recognised ability and potential," added Bailey.
manchesterunited
11/09/2007 02:40:00 PM
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Saturday, November 3, 2007
Arsenal sudah jaring 22 gol manakala United hanya bolos 4
LONDON: Kekentalan benteng pertahanan mungkin menjadi penentu kepada keputusan pertemuan dua pasukan paling agresif dalam melancarkan serangan di Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL), Manchester United dan Arsenal, hari ini.
Arsenal menjaringkan 22 gol sepanjang kempen belum kalah musim ini, lebih tiga gol daripada juara bertahan, United, tetapi skuad Gunners berhadapan ujian besar apabila berhadapan kubu United yang hanya bolos empat kali dalam 11 perlawanan EPL.
United mempunyai peluang mengatasi rekod Chelsea yang hanya bolos 15 gol dalam saingan EPL 2005 andai gawang mereka tidak dibocori pada pertemuan dengan Arsenal hari ini.
Jika dapat menahan Arsenal daripada menjaringkan gol, ia kali kelapan United tidak dibolosi musim ini manakala kehadiran Carlos Tevez dan Wayne Rooney di barisan hadapan memberikan peluang yang lebih cerah untuk mereka mencatatkan sembilan kemenangan berturut-turut dalam saingan liga.
"Di bahagian pertahanan, kami amat mementingkan misi mempertahankan gawang daripada dibolosi, sama seperti keazaman penyerang kami yang mahu menjaringkan gol," kata pertahanan United, Nemanja Vidic.
"Arsenal akan menjadi ujian besar, tetapi saya percaya kami mampu menghalang mereka."
Tetapi, tiada pasukan yang mampu menghalang Arsenal setakat musim ini.
Skuad Gunners menjaringkan gol dalam semua 17 perlawanan mereka di semua peringkat kejuaraan dan tidak pernah tewas sejak April lalu.
Pemain tengah, Cesc Fabregas menjaringkan 10 gol setakat ini dan pasukan muda Arsenal sudahpun melepasi satu ujian sukar apabila seri 1-1 di Liverpool, hujung minggu lalu.
"Saya tahu mereka akan bekerja keras," kata pengurus United, Alex Ferguson.
United akan kekal menurunkan pilihan utama mereka di posisi pertahanan tengah, Vidic dan Rio Ferdinand, selain tampak pasti mengekalkan Wes Brown di pertahanan kanan meskipun kapten pasukan, Gary Neville, kembali beraksi mewakili pasukan simpanan, Khamis lalu, selepas pulih daripada dibelenggu kecederaan buku lali.
Paul Scholes sah tidak diturunkan, tetapi pemain tengah, Michael Carrick, penyerang Louis Saha dan pertahanan Patrice Evra mungkin beraksi selepas pulih daripada kecederaan ketika Ferguson mencongak strategi menyenaraikan barisan terkuatnya musim ini.
Arsenal mempunyai kubu ketiga terkuat liga di belakang United dan pasukan di tangga keenam, Liverpool, yang beraksi di Blackburn dalam salah satu daripada lapan perlawanan hari ini.
Dengan Philippe Senderos tidak beraksi kerana kecederaan belakang badan, pengurusnya, Arsene Wenger tampak sedia menggandingkan Kolo Toure dan William Gallas di posisi pertahanan tengah selepas kedua-duanya tidak diturunkan ketika menang 3-0 ke atas Sheffield United pada perlawanan Piala Liga Inggeris, pertengahan minggu ini.
Sesatunya pemain yang cedera adalah penyerang Robin van Persie, justeru Wenger perlu membuat keputusan sama ada menurunkan Theo Walcott atau membiarkan Emmanuel Adebayor bermain berseorangan di bahagian hadapan.
"Senderos dan Van Persie berkongsi nasib sama," kata Wenger. "Pemain lain boleh diturunkan."
United menjaringkan empat gol dalam setiap empat perlawanan terakhir mereka - kali pertama mereka melakukannya dalam tempoh 100 tahun - bersedia menebus kekalahan 1-2 mereka di Stadium Emirates, musim lalu. - AP
manchesterunited
11/03/2007 08:33:00 AM
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Status : married with two daughter