Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ferguson perlekeh City
LONDON - "Manchester City bukan satu ancaman."
Demikian tegas pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson (gambar) yang menganggap jiran setempatnya itu tidak mampu menyekat penguasaan skuad Red Devils dalam kancah bola sepak England.
City kini menjadi kelab terkaya di dunia selepas diambil alih oleh jutawan Arab Saudi, Sheikh Abu Dhabi Mansour.
Bagaimanapun City masih belum menampakkan bahawa mereka benar-benar menjadi pencabar utama pada kempen Liga Perdana England.
Skuad kendalian Mark Hughes itu kini menduduki tangga ke-11 dan sekadar merekodkan dua kemenangan daripada sembilan perlawanan terakhir.
"Maafkan saya di mana kedudukan mereka (City) sekarang. Buat masa ini Chelsea dan Liverpool yang berada di hadapan kami.
"Apa yang boleh dilakukan Hughes dengan wang yang dimiliki pemiliknya?" soal Ferguson.
Bagi menguatkan kenyataannya, Ferguson turut memberi contoh Chelsea, kelab yang pernah mencipta kejayaan di bawah kendalian Jose Mounrinho.
"Apabila (pemilik Chelsea) Roman Abramovich memberi dana yang cukup lumayan, mereka (Chelsea) memberikan impak yang cukup pantas.
"Mereka mendapatkan pemain terbaik dunia dan berjaya muncul juara Liga Perdana England dalam tempoh dua musim berturut-turut.
"Namun mereka juga menjadi contoh apabila kekayaan yang dimiliki tidak akan mampu bertahan lama
Dalam pada itu United masih menaruh harapan agar penyerang Dimitar Berbatov pulih daripada kecederaan hamstring menjelang pertemuan dengan City esok.
"Saya berharap akan cergas sepenuhnya pada perlawanan menentang City Ahad ini," kata Berbatov.
Berbatov mengalami kecederaan ketika beraksi dengan skuad kebangsaan Bulgaria pada perlawanan persahabatan minggu lalu.
"Disebabkan kecederaan hamstring, kamu perlu berhati-hati. Saya akan menilai kecergasannya sama ada dia akan diturunkan atau diletakkan di bangku simpanan nanti," kata Ferguson. - AP
manchesterunited
11/29/2008 09:02:00 AM
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Siapa raja Manchester?
MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United sedia menghadapi tentangan jirannya yang sedang meningkat naik, Manchester City apabila kedua-dua pasukan bertemu dalam saingan Liga Perdana England, esok.
Perlawanan itu menjadi tumpuan minggu ini berikutan kebangkitan menarik yang ditunjukkan City sejak kebelakangan ini manakala United pula berada pada prestasi tidak menentu.
Namun, pengurus United, Alex Ferguson pantas menepis tanggapan pasukannya bakal menjadi mangsa kebangkitan City sejak diambil alih oleh ahli perniagaan daripada Abu Dhabi.
"Kami berpengalaman menghadapi situasi ini ketika Chelsea diambil-alih (Roman) Abramovich dulu dan mereka hanya mampu muncul juara liga dua tahun selepas itu.
"Dalam kes City ini, ia hanya impak segera dan apa yang boleh kami lakukan ialah terima apa sahaja tentangan yang bakal mereka berikan.
"City bagaimanapun saya akui memiliki barisan lebih baik kali ini dan kami perlu melakukan sesuatu yang lebih baik untuk menang," kata Ferguson.
City yang mendapat khidmat Robinho kini masih di tangga ke-11 liga tetapi pasukan bimbingan bekas penyerang United, Mark Hughes tampak semakin hebat sejak kebelakangan ini.
Namun, Ferguson tidak menghiraukan itu semua sebaliknya tumpuan beliau lebih kepada untuk mengejar kedudukan Chelsea dan Liverpool dalam memburu kejuaraan hatrik liga musim ini.
"Mark Hughes baru dapat banyak wang untuk beli pemain Januari nanti tetapi ancaman kami ketika ini lebih kepada Chelsea dan Liverpool," tegasnya.
Chelsea dan Liverpool kini mengumpul 33 mata sama untuk menguasai dua tangga teratas liga manakala United ketiga dengan ketinggalan lapan mata.
- Reuters
manchesterunited
11/29/2008 08:57:00 AM
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Fergie Hails Robinho Class
One moment of genius from Robinho against Arsenal last Saturday was enough to convince Sir Alex Ferguson the Brazilian is worth the £32.5million Manchester City paid for him on transfer deadline day.
Like most of the footballing fraternity, Ferguson was staggered at Robinho's move to City from Real Madrid.
Having been linked with Chelsea for most of the summer, City moved in with an 11th-hour deal after Real had insisted they would not sell to the London club.
Many felt the 24-year-old was only using City as a stepping stone to get to Stamford Bridge. However, those doubts have been erased by a series of sparkling performances that have brought him nine goals this season and earned hero status among the Blues faithful.
And, with his sublime chip over Manuel Almunia, Robinho ensured even Ferguson is a convert.
"You think £32million, is he worth it?" said Ferguson.
"When he scores goals like that you have to say yes.
"The audacity and composure were absolutely brilliant. Maybe he is not in the game a lot but he produces these moments that others cannot do."
Yet, for all Robinho's success, Ferguson is also aware City boss Mark Hughes will have had to devote plenty of attention to the Brazilian in an effort to ensure his transition to life in England has been as smooth as possible.
"It is always the same, whether a player costs £32million or £2million," said Ferguson.
"When they come from another country you have a job to do in terms of how they interact with other players, adapt to a different culture and learn the language.
"There are a lot of things you have to do with these players, not just from Brazil and Argentina but all countries.
"That is what I find is fantastic about today's game. I have 17 different nationalities at this club. It is a fantastic challenge to deal with the situation and make sure there is harmony in the place."
Harmony is something Ferguson rarely has a problem developing at Old Trafford. Even during Andy Cole's lengthy periods of silence with Teddy Sheringham, the pair remained totally committed as team-mates - a situation January's arrival of Serbian international Zoran Tosic is unlikely to affect.
United were granted a work permit for the highly-rated Tosic on Friday; although it is another Eastern European, record signing Dimitar Berbatov, who will occupy Ferguson's mind as he assesses his selection options ahead of the derby-day confrontation.
The Red Devils chief must decide whether to risk the hamstring injury with which Bulgarian Berbatov returned from international duty from the start against City or keep the 27-year-old on the bench in case of emergency as United seek a win that would keep them in touch with pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool.
For, as intrigued as Ferguson is by City's anticipated transformation, he remains, above anything else, a man driven by a desire to finish first.
"My challenge is to make sure we are at the top," he said.
"Would I prefer Liverpool or Manchester City to be above me? Neither. My job is to make sure it doesn't happen."
Nevertheless, Ferguson finds it easy to recall that he was given £2,000 to sign five players when he started out in the management game at East Stirling.
Plenty has happened since then, including two defeats by the Blues last season, allowing City to record their first domestic double over United for almost 40 years.
"Last year? Some managers are lucky," stated Ferguson, with a typical put-down of former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who spent last season at Eastlands before becoming Mexico coach.
While Ferguson's relationship with Eriksson could be viewed as frosty bordering on the outright hostile, on the surface, that with Mark Hughes, a former United stalwart, should be better.
But Hughes, a quiet presence on the field, has never shown an inclination to seek advice from the Scot as some of his other proteges, including former team-mates Roy Keane and Paul Ince, have done.
"When I see Mark we always have a glass of wine after the game and I don't expect anything to be different this time," said Ferguson.
"It is not as if you phone up all your old players to ask how they are getting on.
"Some give me a call for advice at times but we all have our own job to do."
manchesterunited
11/28/2008 10:56:00 PM
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Premier League - United signing gets work permit
Manchester United have been granted a work permit for young Serbian winger Zoran Tosic.
Sir Alex Ferguson attended a hearing for the 21-year-old and emerged with positive news, meaning Tosic will sign from Partizan Belgrade in January.
United have not confirmed the fee they have agreed for Tosic.
Tosic has appeared 12 times for his country and can play on either flank, having also starred for Serbia's Under-21 side.
He will join fellow countryman Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford, with the prospect of more to come as another Partizan player Adam Ljajic - a 19-year-old dubbed the 'Serbian Kaka' - is also thought to be in talks with United.
Old Trafford officials are staying silent on talks with Ljajic though, insisting there have been no developments.
manchesterunited
11/28/2008 11:54:00 AM
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Sunday, November 23, 2008
Premier League - Vibrant Villa deny United
Aston Villa and Manchester United shared an entertaining goalless draw at Villa Park, as United failed to score in the Premier League for the first time since November last year.
The result kept Sir Alex Ferguson's team in third, eight points adrift of pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill saw his side climb above Arsenal and into the coveted top four, just a point behind United.
The first half was an open affair, with both sides at ease in possession and space all over the pitch. But clear-cut chances were conspicuous by their absence and the teams were reduced primarily to long-range efforts.
On 13 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo drove in from the left and unleashed a fierce drive from 30 yards. But Brad Friedel was alert to the danger and produced a fine diving stop to deny the Portuguese midfielder.
Ronaldo was up against Nigel Reo-Coker on the left flank, and the makeshift Villa full-back put in an energetic display to somewhat stifle the FIFPro World Player of the Year.
Reo-Coker even found time to get forward himself, letting fly with a speculative effort from 35 yards. Edwin van der Sar gathered comfortably.
On the half-hour mark James Milner burst down the right and almost found Gabriel Agbonlahor with a curling cross, but Rio Ferdinand nipped in front of the striker to clear the danger.
United's best chance of the half fell to Park Ji-Sung five minutes before the interval, but the South Korean international was denied by a superb saving tackle from Ashley Young after being played in by Wayne Rooney.
Seconds later Rooney whipped over a dangerous cross from the right, and Park came agonisingly close to providing a decisive touch at the far post.
The first chance of the second half fell to Villa, when Young's cross-cum-shot forced Van der Sar to tip over the bar.
Just short of the hour mark Villa had appeals for penalty turned down when Agbonlahor burned past Nemanja Vidic on the left and cut inside the box. Agbonlahor went to ground, although replays showed the initial contact occurred outside the area. The referee awarded nothing.
Five minutes later United wasted a glorious chance to go ahead. Michael Carrick lofted a ball in to Rooney, who had time to compose himself before blasting a shot over the bar with just Friedel to beat.
With time running out Ferguson introduced Nani and Anderson at the expense of Carlos Tevez and a limping Ronaldo, but United could not find the breakthrough.
The last meaningful opportunity of the evening fell to Villa, when James Milner burst down the left flank and reached the by-line. The England Under-21 midfielder made his way towards goal, but his cut-back failed to find an onrushing Villa player and United cleared.
manchesterunited
11/23/2008 10:00:00 AM
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Vidic perlekeh kehebatan The Reds
LONDON - Pertahanan Manchester United, Nemanja Vidic percaya Liverpool akan tersungkur dalam usaha mereka memburu kejuaraan Liga Perdana England. United kini berada di tangga ketiga Liga Perdana England dan ketinggalan lapan mata di belakang dua pencabar utama, Liverpool dan Chelsea.
Biarpun jauh ketinggalan, Vidic percaya pengalaman musim lalu akan berpihak kepada United.
"Saya hanya boleh bercakap melalui pengalaman, tetapi selepas tiga tahun di sini, saya tahu kami selalunya lebih baik selepas pertengahan musim.
"Kami mula mendapat rentak dan persembahan kami akan semakin meningkat. Saya harap ia akan berulang sekali lagi.
"Selalunya pusingan kedua yang menjadi penentuan. Itulah yang akan menjadi penentu. Ketika itulah semuanya menjadi sukar," jelas Vidic.
Vidic menambah: "Agak sukar untuk menentukan sama ada Liverpool dapat menghadapinya sekali lagi atau tidak. Apa yang kami semua mampu lakukan ialah terus mengejar serapat mungkin dan kemudian memberi tekanan kepada mereka.
"Saya pastinya tidak bimbang mengenai kedudukan kami sekarang kerana kami telah lakukan dengan baik dalam beberapa perlawanan lepas."
- Agensi
manchesterunited
11/19/2008 08:47:00 AM
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Monday, November 17, 2008
Kebangkitan Ronaldo
RONALDO (tengah) meraikan jaringannya bersama rakan sepasukan di Old Trafford semalam.
MANCHESTER - Alex Ferguson yakin Cristiano Ronaldo telah kembali pada prestasi terbaik selepas pemain sayap Portugal itu membantu Manchester United mencatat kemenangan 5-0 ke atas Stoke City di Old Trafford kelmarin.
Ronaldo menjaringkan gol pertama United pada minit ketiga untuk juara bertahan Liga Perdana England itu mendahului, sebelum dia menambah gol kedua pada minit ke-89.
Selain Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov dan pemain muda Danny Welbeck turut meletakkan nama mereka sebagai penjaring pada perlawanan kelmarin.
Namun, Ferguson menganggap perlawanan itu sebagai petanda kebangkitan semula Ronaldo yang telah menjaringkan sembilan gol musim ini selepas bermula hambar pada awal musim berikutan pembedahan pergelangan kaki.
"Menakjubkan, dia sudah kembali dan berlaku pada tepat masanya," kata Ferguson.
"Kepantasannya sudah kembali. Dia mengambil masa tetapi setiap perlawanan dia semakin baik.
"Kepantasannya sungguh menakjubkan dan dia menjaringkan gol pertama menerusi sepakan percuma. Kami telah lama menunggu perkara itu berlaku. Kami menyaksikan kekuatan sebenarnya.
Sementara itu Welbeck yang akan mencapai usia 18 tahun dua minggu lagi, dianggap sebagai wira baru dalam perlawanan itu.
"Menjaringkan gol pada penampilan pertama, dia akan mengingati sepanjang hayatnya," kata Ferguson.
"Saya fikir dia sudah mencapai tahap dan bijak, jadi kami tidak tidak ada masalah untuk terus memberinya peluang beraksi." - AFP
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Ronaldo gegar gol 'abad' untuk MU
TONGGAK Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo meletakkan bola sebelum meledak ke jaring Stoke City dalam perlawanan Liga Perdana Inggeris di Old Trafford, kelmarin. United menang 5-0 dan Ronaldo menyumbat dua gol.
MANCHESTER (England): Dengan reputasi selaku pakar sepakan percuma, Cristiano Ronaldo kini menjadi pemain terbaru Manchester United menjaringkan 100 gol, kelmarin.
Dengan kelibat garang ketika membantu pasukan membelasah Stoke City 5-0 dalam saingan Liga Perdana Inggeris, dia kini sudah menjaringkan gol ke-101 dengan satu lagi jaringan menerusi sepakan percuma.
"Ia adalah pencapaian hebat, ia adalah hebat untuk menjaringkan 101 gol buat kelab ini. Saya berasa bangga, sangat hebat dan gembira.
"Ini adalah musim keenam saya bersama kelab dan saya berasa amat bangga untuk mendapat 101 gol, " kata Ronaldo.
Pemain sayap itu mengambil masa tiga minit untuk mengejutkan Stoke, menerusi sepakan percuma dari sebelah kiri yang menewaskan penjaga gol, Thomas Sorensen dan ia mirip jaringan pertamanya selepas menyertai United dari Sporting Lisbon pada 2003 ketika menewaskan Portsmouth.
Kelmarin, Ronaldo menjaringkan gol keduanya pada minit ke-89, untuk melencongkan bola menewaskan Sorensen. Selama baki 86 minit, Ronaldo gagal menemui sasaran dan kerap diejek penyokong pelawat.
Namun, Ronaldo enggan ditenggelamkan dengan kemunculan pertama pemain berusia 17 tahun, Danny Welbeck yang melakukan rembatan dari jarak 25 meter pada minit ke-84 untuk jaringan keempat United.
"Saya berasa sangat gembira buatnya, dia seorang budak muda, bakat baru dan dia menjaringkan gol menakjubkan tetapi tidak sebaik saya, " kata Ronaldo.
Ronaldo terlepas aksi bulan pertama musim ini ketika sedang dalam pemulihan daripada kecederaan buku lali, tetapi pergelutan lebih besar ialah hubungan dengan penyokong United selepas pindahan ke Real Madrid dihalang pengurus, Alex Ferguson.
"Dia sudah pulih daripada pembedahannya dan kini lebih pantas setiap permainan. Tahap kecergasannya menakjubkan, " kata Ferguson. � AP
manchesterunited
11/17/2008 08:23:00 AM
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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Premier League - United thump Stoke
Two Cristiano Ronaldo free-kicks set Manchester United on the way to a 5-0 Premier League win at home to Stoke City.
The winger rifled the ball home from long range three minutes in, and set up Michael Carrick for the second just before half-time.
Dimitar Berbatov volleyed home from close range before Danny Welbeck netted a stunning 30-yarder on his top-flight debut.
Ronaldo then ended the game as he began it, scoring another free-kick, this time a low, curling effort from the edge of the box.
United leapfrogged Arsenal to go third in the table following the Gunners' 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Sir Alex Ferguson went into the game without three of his main men.
Wayne Rooney, battling a chest infection, the injured Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville did not feature in the squad, meaning starts for Jonny Evans and John O'Shea at the back, and Carlos Tevez up front.
Fears that United might be caught out were eased after just three minutes, when Ronaldo scored his first free-kick of the season from more than 30 yards.
When Amdy Faye fouled Tevez on the left side, it appeared to be out of even Ronaldo's range, but he struck a fizzing, dipping drive that deceived Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
However powerful the shot, the Dane will be very disappointed not to have got a touch on the ball as it slammed into the middle of the net.
Then came Stoke's best, in fact their only, chance of the first half, courtesy - of course - of a Rory Delap long throw.
The Irishman's throw from the left flicked off John O'Shea's head and Edwin van der Sar clawed it away with a brilliant, instinctive save.
The Dutchman was subsequently less secure, coming on a risky sortie out of his box, then missing his punch entirely from an Andy Griffin free-kick.
But, with United enjoying over two-thirds possession, the scares were few and far between.
Ronaldo buzzed with endeavour, focussing his intentions on the left wing, while Tevez appeared determined to capitalise on his opportunity, providing the industry and invention normally supplied by Rooney.
Park Ji-Sung went close twice more in the first half, bringing a particularly good save from Sorensen when he was played through one-on-one and the Dane made a superb block at the edge of the box.
Carrick made it two in first-half stoppage time. Stoke backed off Ronaldo as he ran down the left, expecting another shot.
But the Portuguese played a simple ball inside to his midfield colleague, who took a touch and smashed his left-foot shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
If Stoke harboured any hopes of staging a remarkable comeback, they were quickly extinguished four minutes into the second half.
Tevez found Berbatov with a deft low cross from the left, the Bulgarian took an touch and volleyed past Sorensen from close range.
Tevez was clearly desperate for a goal of his own but his finishing was uncharacteristically poor. He failed to locate the far corner with a right-foot chance and shot wide on several other occasions.
Ferguson took a rare opportunity to fringe players Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Manucho.
Welbeck made it a dream debut, crashing a long-range shot into the top-right corner with six minutes remaining.
There was still time for Ronaldo to give the rout a neat symmetry, sidefooting his second into the bottom-right corner.
manchesterunited
11/16/2008 07:54:00 AM
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
'United mesti tewaskan Stoke'
FLETCHER sudah kembali cergas selepas
tersisih seketika akibat kecederaan lutut.
MANCHESTER: Manchester United memberi amaran kepada Stoke City bahawa mereka akan berdepan kesukaran ketika kelab juara bertahan itu mahu meletakkan pemburuan gelaran Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) kembali ke landasan tepat, hari ini.
United, ditumbangkan Arsenal di Stadium Emirates dalam aksi terakhir liga, kini ketinggalan lapan mata kepada pendahulu bersama, Chelsea dan Liverpool.
Dan Stoke tiba di Old Trafford selepas mencuri satu mata daripada Liverpool di Anfield dan menewaskan Arsenal di Stadium Britannia awal bulan ini.
Skuad bimbingan Tony Pulis sudah mencipta reputasi sebagai barisan bertunjangkan kekuatan fizikal musim ini, dengan pengurus Arsenal, Arsene Wenger terutamanya begitu kritikal terhadap pendekatan itu ketika kalah 1-2 di tangan mereka.
Tetapi pemain tengah United, Darren Fletcher, kembali cergas selepas tersisih seketika akibat kecederaan lutut, bertegas pemain-pemain Sir Alex Ferguson tidak akan gelisah terhadap kemungkinan bersaing dengan Stoke.
"Kami tahu ia mampu jadi begitu fizikal esok (hari ini) tetapi kami mampu menanganinya. Ada yang berpendapat, selepas aksi menentang Everton awal musim ini, bahawa kami tidak mampu bersaing apabila lawan mengamal corak keras.
"Ketika itu, mereka berjaya menyamakan kedudukan dan meraih satu mata, sekali gus ada yang berpendapat ianya kerana pendekatan fizikal mereka. Tetapi kami berjaya bersaing pada hari ini, sama seperti setiap detik dalam saingan penuh fizikal.
"Pendekatan kami ialah sentiasa mendapatkan bola dan beraksi dengan cara terbaik, tetapi ia bukan sesuatu yang senang kami perolehi dengan ada kalanya kami perlu terlebih dahulu memenangi beberapa saingan dalam situasi getir dan keras.
"Ada pasukan yang dijejaskan Stoke, tetapi saya rasa ia hanya kerana mereka kalah kepada lawan itu. Tiada siapa suka kekalahan, jadi anda dapat lihat mengapa mereka merungut sebegitu," katanya. - AFP
manchesterunited
11/15/2008 10:05:00 AM
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Friday, November 14, 2008
United waspada balingan Delap
|
| BALINGAN Delap menjadi senjata utama kepada
Stoke untuk mencipta gol.
|
LONDON - Manchester United menjadi pasukan terbaru yang perlu berdepan pakar balingan dari kelab Stoke City, Rory Delap pada aksi Liga Perdana England esok. United kini bertekad untuk kembali ke landasan yang betul bagi mempertahankan gelaran liga selepas tewas 1-2 di Arsenal minggu lalu.
Begitupun, ancaman berbeza bakal dilalui United ketika berdepan Stoke, terutamanya menerusi kehadiran Delap.
Setakat ini, Delap telah melakukan beberapa balingan ke dalam yang berjaya menyumbang gol dan membantu kemenangan pasukannya termasuk ke atas Arsenal bulan lalu.
Stoke telah mengutip 10 daripada keseluruhan 15 mata termasuk kemenangan ke atas Arsenal dan Tottenham Hotspur untuk menghuni tempat ke-12.
Kapten Stoke, Andy Griffin telah meletakkan harapan kepada kepakaran pemain tengah Ireland itu untuk menewaskan pasukan lawan.
"Sebagai sebuah kelab, kami perlu mementingkan diri sendiri, kami perlu selamat dalam kempen Liga Perdana, tidak peduli apa yang orang lain kata," kata bekas pemain Derby County ini.
"Cara permainan bola sepak kami telah memberikan kami keputusan positif, kami tidak berada dalam liga ini untuk cuba dan memuji orang lain tetapi mahu mengekalkan Stoke dalam liga ini.
"Kami rasa jika kami boleh menewaskan Arsenal, suatu hari nanti kami juga boleh menewaskan United."
United menduduki tempat keempat selepas ketinggalan dua mata di belakang Arsenal dan enam mata masing-masing di belakang Chelsea serta Liverpool.
Begitupun United masih memiliki kelebihan satu perlawanan berbanding ketiga-tiga pencabarnya itu. - Reuters
manchesterunited
11/14/2008 11:20:00 AM
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Witsel hampiri Old Trafford
LONDON - Pemain muda Belgium, Axel Witsel (gambar) mula membayangkan untuk menerima tawaran dari kelab Manchester United dengan bayaran perpindahan bernilai 15 juta pound (RM81.05 juta). Pengurus United, Alex Ferguson sebelum ini menyuarakan keinginannya untuk bersaing dengan dua kelab gergasi Sepanyol, Real Madrid dan Valencia untuk mendapatkan khidmat pemain tengah kelab Standard Liege itu.
"Saya baru sahaja mendapat tahu mengenai minat United ini, namun saya tidak tahu banyak perkara," jelas pemain berusia 19 tahun itu. "Untuk masa depan saya, kami akan mengatur perbincangan dengan lembaga pengarah pada penghujung musim ini. Saya akan membuat keputusan selepas mendapat nasihat daripada bapa dan ejen saya.
"Arsenal, Feyenoord dan Real Madrid mahu mengikat kontrak saya apabila saya menyertai Kejuaraan Bawah 17 tahun Eropah pada tahun 2006. Bagaimanapun, ketika itu saya tidak mahu berada jauh daripada keluarga saya."
Sementara itu, nasib berbeza dialami penyerang United, Carlos Tevez mengakui berasa bimbang mengenai masa depannya di Old Trafford.
Penyerang sensasi itu meluahkan perasaannya kepada Diego Maradona minggu lalu serta berasa kecewa apabila gagal mendapat tempat dalam kesebelasan utama.
Jurulatih pasukan kebangsaan Argentina, Maradona berkata, "Tevez berasa bimbang, dia bukan menjadi pilihan utama dalam pasukan United. Dia terpaksa bersaing dengan pemain utama termasuk Wayne Rooney dan Dimitar Berbatov," jelas Maradona. - Agensi
manchesterunited
11/14/2008 09:36:00 AM
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Carling Cup - Tevez spot-kick gives United win
Manchester United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup after a second-half Carlos Tevez penalty gave them an unconvincing 1-0 win over Championship side Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford.
Tevez was one of the few United first-team regulars on show at a wet and windy Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson made wholesale changes from the side defeated by Arsenal at the weekend.
Although United dominated possession throughout the first-half, chances were few and far between, and the home side only had a series of poorly-delivered corners to show for their dominance.
For most of the evening the hosts were lacking in quality, and despite some promising build-up play United's finishing was not to their usual standard, with Nani and Anderson particularly wayward in the first half.
The visitors, who are currently without a full-time manager after the recent departure of Iain Dowie, struggled to provide any kind of service to lone striker Dexter Blackstock and failed to trouble Tomas Kuszczak with a single shot in the opening 45 minutes.
Rangers were forced into an early change when Akos Buzsaky was replaced by Patrick Agyemang on 33 minutes as the Hungarian was forced off by a knee injury.
Caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth made further changes at half-time as Emanuel Ledesma replaced the disappointing Daniel Pareja.
The second half was a livelier affair as Nani beat several men before lashing a shot at goal and South Korea international Ji-Sung Park struck the post after some fine work on the right by young Brazilian Rafael Da Silva.
United's players were clearly growing increasingly frustrated by their inability to create an opening and, no doubt frustrated himself, Ferguson withdrew Rodrigo Possebon for young striker Danny Welbeck.
It did not take long for Welbeck to make his mark and within two minutes he was hauled down by Peter Ramage and United had a penalty, which Tevez coolly converted.
It seemed that there was no way back for QPR, but they had saved their best for last: Samuel Di Carmine had a goal ruled out for offside and Blackstock could have stolen an equaliser right at the death, but it was not to be for the Championship side.
manchesterunited
11/12/2008 08:37:00 AM
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tevez Decision On Hold
West Ham face a nervous wait before discovering whether their legal fight against Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair is finally over.
High Court Judge Nigel Teare will reserve judgment for several weeks before deciding whether to grant the Blades a permanent injunction preventing West Ham taking an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
The judge has told the clubs he will make a decision before Christmas.
Until that ruling there will be no attempt by either side to take the matter further with CAS.
Meanwhile, the independent arbitration panel under Lord Griffiths that found against West Ham in September has told the clubs that a decision on the level of damages will not be made before the middle of March next year.
Sheffield United are claiming up to £50million in compensation after the arbitration panel ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, when the Argentina striker helped West Ham avoid relegation.
West Ham had argued that they had already been punished by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - and were merely following league instructions.
The arbitration panel decided however that the Hammers had not abided by their pledge to end all third-party agreements in relation to Tevez.
manchesterunited
11/11/2008 05:31:00 PM
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Anderson permata baru United
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| ANDERSON bakal ketuai jentera tengah United pada pertemuan menentang QPR awal pagi ini.
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MANCHESTER, England - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson yakin Anderson mampu menjadi pemain tengah berstatus legenda di Old Trafford. Awal pagi ini, Ferguson akan mempertaruhkan pemain muda Brazil itu pada aksi pusingan keempat Piala Liga menentang Queen's Park Rangers (QPR).
Ketika Ferguson lebih cenderung merehatkan beberapa bintang utamanya, Anderson dijangka memainkan peranan utama mengemudi jentera tengah United.
Selain Anderson, Ferguson juga dijangka menurunkan pemain muda sedang meningkat naik iaitu Jonny Evans, Rodrigo Possebon, Darron Gibson dan Danny Welbeck.
Begitupun Ferguson mengakui, Anderson adalah pemain yang mendapat lebih kepercayaan berbanding pemain muda lain yang dimilikinya.
"Anderson adalah seorang pemain yang mempunyai perwatakan yang berbeza berbanding Roy Keane, tetapi apabila kamu lihat posisi tengah, kami hanya memiliki Paul Scholes yang akan menamatkan kariernya.
"Roy Keane telah meninggalkan kami untuk mencuba nasib menjadi pengurus. Jadi siapa seterusnya yang akan berfungsi untuk Manchester United?
"Kemudiannya pemain berusia 19 tahun itu datang (Anderson) dan kamu dapat lihat tahap persembahannya," jelas Ferguson.
Ferguson menambah, Anderson, 20, yang dibeli dengan harga 19 juta pound (RM106 juta) dari Porto 18 bulan lalu mampu menjadi bintang baru United suatu hari nanti.
"Corak permainan kami telah bertukar sejak beberapa tahun yang lalu. Kami memiliki pemain yang mempunyai perwatakan yang berbeza berbanding 10 tahun lalu.
"Pada hari pertama saya di kelab ini, mereka mengatakan bahawa Bryan Robson adalah terbaik. Saya mula mempercayainya kerana kami tidak boleh menang tanpanya.
"Kami perlu menukar mentaliti itu. Kini Anderson hadir bagi mengisi kekosongan di bahagian tengah," kata Ferguson.
- AFP
manchesterunited
11/11/2008 08:28:00 AM
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Monday, November 10, 2008
Ferguson dihimpit rasa kebimbangan
LONDON - Kebimbangan kini mula menghantui pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson (gambar) selepas anak buahnya tewas kepada musuh tradisi, Arsenal 1-2 pada aksi Liga Perdana England kelmarin. Kekalahan itu adalah kekalahan kedua buat United kepada pasukan pencabar selepas mereka turut dikejutkan dengan kekalahan 1-2 kepada Liverpool di Anfield awal musim ini.
Selain itu, Ferguson juga keciciran dua mata ketika anak buah seri 1-1 dengan Chelsea di Stamford Bridge bulan lalu, sekali gus menyukar peluang mereka untuk meraih gelaran liga ketiga berturut-turut musim ini.
Begitupun, pengendali dari Scotlans itu mengakui, kekalahan kepada Arsenal kelmarin adalah disebabkan ketumpulan pada bahagian jentera serangan pasukannya.
Pada aksi di Stadium Emirates kelmarin, trio United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney dan Dimitar Berbatov masing-masing gagal menggunakan peluang untuk mencipta sebarang gol buat pasukan pelawat.
Gol saguhati yang diperoleh United kelmarin hanya hadir menerusi pemain pertahanan, Rafael Da Silva selepas Samir Nasri meledak dua gol untuk membolehkan Arsenal mengutip tiga mata penuh.
"Jumlah peluang yang kami peroleh sangat luar biasa," jelas Ferguson.
"Tetapi ini adalah bola sepak kerana apabila pasukan lawan menyerang, kami juga menyerang.
"Begitupun, mereka berjaya memperoleh gol dan saya rasa, kami juga seharusnya mendapat sepakan penalti apabila bola terkena tangan Gael Clichy pada babak pertama.
"Saya rasa, kami beraksi dengan baik, tetapi telah melepaskan dua gol awal yang jelas memberi kesukaran kepada kami."
Dengan kekalahan itu, United kini hanya mengumpul 21 mata daripada 11 perlawanan dan ketinggalan lima mata di belakang Liverpool selaku pendahulu. - Agensi
manchesterunited
11/10/2008 08:52:00 AM
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Saturday, November 8, 2008
Penentuan juara EPL?
LONDON - Arsene Wenger menyatakan pertembungan Arsenal dan Manchester United adalah salah satu daripada kemuncak persaingan bagi empat pasukan gergasi England serta menjadi penentu kepada pemenang Liga Perdana England (EPL) musim ini.
Kenyataan tersebut merupakan sokongan kepada statistik yang menyaksikan United sekadar mengumpul 13 mata daripada jumlah 18 mata yang seharusnya dikumpul oleh pasukan itu daripada pertemuan dengan Liverpool, Chelsea dan Gunners musim lalu.
Persaingan efektif musim lalu telah menyaksikan trofi Liga Perdana England terus berada di Old Trafford.
Ketika mana pasukan bimbingan Wenger telah mengalami kekalahan sebanyak tiga kali musim ini dan ketinggalan enam mata di belakang pendahulu liga Chelsea, Arsenal dilihat bersemangat untuk mempamerkan aksi terbaik hari ini.
Di sebalik prestasi yang kurang meyakinkan oleh Arsenal musim ini, pemain paling berpengalaman United, Ryan Giggs yakin Gunners akan terus menjadi ancaman, meskipun United tiba di Emirates dengan kelebihan tiga mata atau sebaliknya.
"Apabila kamu melihat kepada kualiti yang dimiliki oleh Arsenal, saya tidak fikir kami boleh menamatkan harapan mereka untuk merangkul kejuaraan liga menerusi perlawanan hari ini," kata pemain Wales itu.
Giggs secara hakikatnya telah menempah tempat untuk United beraksi dalam 16 pasukan terbaik di persaingan Liga Juara-Juara menerusi gol penyamaan minit-minit akhir menentang Celtic, Rabu lalu.
Pemain sayap United itu menyedari bahawa Arsenal kini dihimpit dengan masalah kecederaan dan pemain menjalani penggantungan perlawanan, yang mana penyerang Gunners, Emmanuel Adebayor serta Robin van Persie diketepikan daripada pertemuan hari ini.
Selain itu, kehadiran Theo Walcott pada perlawanan tersebut juga masih menjadi tanda tanya.
"Arsenal tidak dapat menggunakan khidmat beberapa orang pemain utamanya ketika ini. Jika keempat-empat pasukan teratas liga dapat menggunakan pemain utamanya, mereka berupaya untuk menjadi juara liga.
"Dua perkara tersebut sering menjadi penghalang kepada usaha setiap pasukan mencipta kemenangan. Saya menjangka semua pasukan mengalami perkara tersebut pada penghujung musim. Kami juga akan kehilangan prestasi meyakinkan dan tidak mampu untuk memperoleh keputusan yang diinginkan," tegas Giggs.
Tidak ada pasukan daripada empat kedudukan terbaik Liga Perdana England yang masih mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah.
Rekod tanpa kalah Liverpool di peringkat liga pada awal musim telah dimusnahkan oleh Tottenham minggu lalu, manakala Chelsea ditumbangkan oleh Roma, baru-baru ini dalam pertemuan Liga Juara-Juara.
Sementara itu, anak didik Luiz Felipe Scolari akan berusaha mencipta kemenangan ke atas Blackburn esok, yang mana kritikan masih dilemparkan terhadap pemain pertahanannya, John Terry.
Terry berharap kekalahan Chelsea kepada Roma akan meningkatkan lagi prestasi pasukan itu.
Ketua pasukan Blues itu mendakwa pemain-pemain Chelsea kekurangan asakan melawan dan keinginan untuk menumpaskan kelab Itali tersebut.
"Kami tidak tenang tapi kami lebih bagus daripada mereka. Secara jelasnya, kami tidak seperti itu. Kami juga terlupa dengan permainan pantas yang mereka miliki," kata Terry.
- AFP
manchesterunited
11/08/2008 09:30:00 AM
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Ronaldo tekad tambah sengsara skuad The Gunners
LONDON - Bintang Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo berjanji menambah derita Arsenal, sekali gus menafikan hajat skuad The Gunners itu muncul juara Liga Perdana England musim ini.
Jelas Ronaldo, United harus memanfaatkan segala kelebihan yang ada ekoran prestasi merudum yang melanda Arsenal ketika ini.
Arsenal gagal meraih kemenangan dalam tiga perlawanan terakhir dan kekalahan kepada United menyaksikan peluang mereka menjuarai liga musim ini amat tipis.
Kini Ronaldo berharap United dapat meraih kemenangan sulung mereka di Stadium Emirates hari ini.
"Kami mahu memenangi gelaran liga, sudah pasti kami mahu mendapatkan tiga mata dalam perlawanan ini.
"Saya tidak tahu jika ia sukar untuk mereka (Arsenal) buat masa ini tetapi mereka masih mempunyai 11 pemain seperti mana kami dan saya tahu ia akan menjadi perlawanan yang lebih sukar.
"Bagaimanapun kami memiliki semangat yang tinggi dan sebuah pasukan yang hebat," kata perancang Portugal itu.
Arsenal kini dibelenggu dengan masalah kecederaan yang membabitkan beberapa pemain selepas pertemuan Liga Juara-Juara menentang Fenerbahce Rabu lalu.
Lebih perit, The Gunners akan beraksi hari ini tanpa kelibat Emmanuel Adebayor dan Robin van Persie yang digantung perlawanan manakala Theo Walcott masih dalam keraguan kerana mengalami kecederaan bahu.
"Ia adalah sebuah stadium baru dan ia mungkin disebabkan rekod kita tidak berapa baik berbanding di Highbury.
"Tetapi jangan lupa Arsenal mempunyai pemain yang berbakat.
"Kami menghormati mereka dan perlu diakui memang agak sukar untuk memenangi perlawanan ini.
"Mungkin musim ini agak berbeza. Mereka gagal meraih mata pada awal musim dan kemudian memenangi perlawanan pada penghujung musim. Hakikat ini perlu diterima namun, kami tetap mahu menang," tambah Ronaldo. - Agensi
manchesterunited
11/08/2008 09:27:00 AM
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Friday, November 7, 2008
Fergie gets tin hat ready for Gunners test
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson said Friday he might have to resort to wearing a tin helmet at Arsenal after voicing concerns about the security provided for the Manchester United dug-out at the Emirates Stadium.
The manager and United's substitutes and staff were abused during last season's meeting between the two sides in north London, when William Gallas' last minute header secured a 2-2 draw for the home side.
Ahead of Saturday's return to the Emirates, Ferguson repeated his criticism of the arrangements at the stadium, despite Arsenal's plans to provide additional stewards around the United bench this weekend.
"It was nasty last year," said the manager. "It was pretty unsavoury.
"You build a modern stadium like Arsenal have done and it's a weakness when you don't provide safety for the visiting team's substitutes and staff.
"But it's too open for my liking. You need tin helmets."
Ferguson criticism of the Arsenal fans' conduct has triggered accusations of double standards since the abuse Arsene Wenger has had to endure over the years at Old Trafford is undeniably more intense and more unpleasant, and United have done little to prevent it.
Wenger on Friday urged Arsenal's supporters to show respect to Ferguson and his staff. "We always want to respect our opponent and to respect the dug-out," the Frenchman said. "The way we want to behave at Arsenal is to respect everybody."
United face an Arsenal side who will be severely depleted following last weekend's controversial 2-1 defeat against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
Wenger complained bitterly Stoke's approach to the game, insisting Tony Pulis' side had been over-physical after losing Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott to ankle and shoulder injuries respectively.
And with Robin van Persie starting a three-match ban after being sent off in the same game, United will face Wenger's side as clear favourites to win the game.
Ferguson, though, has dismissed the suggestion his side face an easy trip because of Arsenal's big name absentees.
"If anybody thinks we are going to the Emirates Stadium thinking we are going to have an easy game because they are missing a couple of key players then they are mistaken," he said.
"This will be a tough game. If you look at Arsenal and Manchester United games over the years you know they are always highly competitive and highly emotional.
"And the fans are sure to be wound up after everything that has been said this week. And we are are going to have to handle that.
"We've thrown games away there in the last two years to crazy goals."
Ferguson defended Stoke in the face of Wenger's angry outburst although he rejected claims the Arsenal's manager's words may have been designed to ensure greater protection from this weekend's match officials.
The Scot said: "Against Stoke City you know you are going to be up against a team playing a certain way. They are not dirty. They are honest and committed and Tony Pulis has them playing to their strengths.
"You know that when corners are coming in you are in for a test and you have to win the headers inside the area.
"But I don't think Arsene Wenger was trying to influence the referee ahead of our game with them.
"I think his main concern was that he had got a couple of bad injuries to two of his important players."
Arsenal's recent bad run has prompted suggestions this game is a must win game if they are to maintain a title challenge.
But Ferguson insisted: "We have to keep winning games and we need to be consistent. But it is November, not March or April, so the result won't be decisive one way or the other for either team."
manchesterunited
11/07/2008 03:14:00 PM
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Hargreaves career in danger
Owen Hargreaves has flown to the United States in a bid to find a solution to his mystery long-term knee injury and salvage his Manchester United career.
The England midfielder recently visited specialists in Sweden and London who failed to find an answer to the persistent tendonitis problem that has restricted Hargreaves to just three appearances this season.
And he has now been sent to world renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman amid growing fears that the player could require major surgery, or even that his career could come to a premature end.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We have been trying to manage the situation and the way we have been trying to manage it has not given us an answer.
"Over the past ten days he has been to see a specialist in Sweden and sent him to a specialist in London and he is now in Colorado at the moment seeing Mr Steadman who is a very well regarded and respected doctor in these particular types of injuries.
"What we are trying to do now is get to the root of it because the lad has been frustrated and patient and we have never really got to the bottom of his problem.
"But we really need to speed that up now and that is why we have sent him to the best people available to try and get an opinion on where we go from here.
"He is now in Colorado and we are waiting for information to come back. He has been carrying it for too long for us to hope that injections are just going to do the trick."
Hargreaves, 27, has so far made just 17 league starts for United since joining from Bayern Munich before the start of last season and Ferguson admitted the situation is causing concern.
He added: "Owen has come back for different games and then been out again and it is frustrating for the lad and we are trying to help him."
Ferguson has been handed better news after Paul Scholes stepped up his recovery from a knee problem, enabling him to target a December return.
The manager said: "Paul Scholes has started training. It's only straight running and nothing serious but it's good to see him overcome the injury itself and move onto the next part of his rehabilitation.
"I think he will be available to go to the World Club Championship in Japan. That's what we have pencilled in."
manchesterunited
11/07/2008 02:19:00 PM
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Maradona gift makes Ferdinand's 30th day to remember
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Rio Ferdinand enjoyed a 30th birthday to remember on Friday after Diego Maradona turned up with a surprise present at Manchester United's training ground.
New Argentina coach Maradona stopped off in Manchester to check on Ferdinand's United team-mate Carlos Tevez, and he demonstrated his diplomatic touch by making sure he had a signed shirt to hand over to birthday boy Ferdinand.
"We were like schoolkids around a star coming to school," Ferdinand admitted afterwards.
"In my eyes he is the best footballer ever. He is one of my heroes, if not the shining beacon when I was a kid. I had all his videos. He was the player everyone wanted to be.
"He was the best. He was my idol and part of the reason why I started to play football.
"I can't hold him in higher esteem than that. To be able to shake his hand, get a cuddle of him and a picture, it made my birthday."
Maradona's presence also ensured United's players were unusually anxious to impress during Friday's training session.
"I think the gaffer would probably like him to come every day the way he raised standards in training," he added.
"Everyone was trying to impress him. I hope he will go back to Argentina and say he's seen a great player - Rio Ferdinand!"
Ferguson added: "It was good. The players were all delighted to see him. It is arguable who is the best player in the world but without a doubt, he is in the best two or three."
manchesterunited
11/07/2008 10:10:00 AM
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Thursday, November 6, 2008
Champions League - Giggs rescues point for United
Ryan Giggs netted late on to give Manchester United a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Celtic in their Champions League Group E clash at Parkhead.
The reigning champions trailed to Scott McDonald's wonderful 13th minute chip before Giggs swooped to head an equaliser with six minutes remaining after Celtic keeper Artur Boruc had found Cristiano Ronaldo's rasping drive too hot to handle.
The night had promised much for Celtic, for whom a win would have revived hopes of qualifying from the group, but their decision to sit back and allow United to stage a siege in the final quarter of the match became their undoing.
United's late pressure was relentless and despite some at-times heroic defending from the hosts, holding on to all three points ultimately proved too much for Gordon Strachan's side.
Indeed, they could easily - and perhaps should - have ended the evening with none, substitute Dimitar Berbatov missing a guilt-edged chance in injury time that would have seen United steal victory at the death.
The result sees the holders retain top spot in Group E after Villarreal were held to a 2-2 draw in Aalborg - both sides have eight points - while Celtic hold on to third place with two points, ahead of the Danes on goal difference.
Despite having started the game with both Wayne Rooney and Berbatov on the bench, the opening stages of the match mirrored recent form with United starting far the brighter of the two sides.
The visitors enjoyed more possession than their hosts during the opening exchanges, although Boruc in the Celtic goal was barely called into action for the entire first half.
For that, the Pole was grateful to the defence in front of him who made sure United were kept at bay.
Soon after kick-off Boruc was particularly indebted to Andreas Hinkel who - playing out of position at right-back - did well to put Ronaldo off his shot after the ball had fallen kindly to him on the penalty spot.
Ronaldo then went close with a typically well-hit free-kick on 10 minutes, although Boruc appeared to have his angles well covered.
McDonald's goal came against the run of play, but his clever and perfectly executed chip over Ben Foster - who was a spectator for much of the remainder of the game - was worthy of breaking the deadlock.
United responded well to going a goal down and continued to pass the ball around with confidence, yet from open play they still struggled to create any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
In fact, for the majority of the match, the visitors looked their most dangerous at corner kicks, from which Celtic's defending left a great deal to be desired.
United could have found the back of the net from corners on at least two occasions before the half-time whistle sounded - and once after the break - as the Celtic back line neglected their marking duties.
The first chance fell to Rio Ferdinand at the far post on 19 minutes, but the England stopper was always leaning back and the ball did not sit for him quickly enough; his eventual effort on goal flew over the bar.
And then Ferdinand's defensive partner Nemanja Vidic headed over just before the break as Celtic's marking from a corner was again non-existent.
Berbatov was brought on as a half-time substitute in a bid to use the Bulgarian's guile to unlock what proved to be an increasingly dogged Celtic rearguard.
On 57 minutes, the decision to bring him on nearly paid off when his flick - reminiscent of the one that found the back of the net a fortnight ago - was cleared off the line.
Celtic's defending became more and more desperate as the second half wore on, with a goalmouth scramble nearly resulting in a goal on 68 minutes before Ronaldo and then Rooney - on as a substitute by that point - forced Boruc into making saves.
As United increased the pressure and Celtic opted to sit on their lead, a goal was never far away.
Giggs did not disappoint the travelling fans, although Berbatov should have sealed all three points with the last kick of the game; one which dragged the ball wide of the post following a bad slip by Darren O'Dea in the Celtic six-yard box.
AaB Aalborg 2-2 Villarreal
A late free-kick from Anders Due gave Aalborg a 2-2 draw with Villarreal to keep alive the Danish champions' slim hopes of advancing from Group E.
With new manager Allan Kuhn at the helm, Aalborg searched feverishly for their first group victory but Villarreal struck first.
Robert Pires released Giuseppe Rossi on the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute and the Italian international, who had hit the crossbar five minutes before, moved to his left to avoid two Aalborg defenders and finished with a precise low shot.
Jeppe Curth levelled the score after a nifty back heel pass from Caca in the 54th minute, only for substitute Guille Franco to put Villarreal ahead again in the 75th minute after the hosts failed to clear a free kick.
Franco collected Joseba Llorente's chip over the Danish defence and slipped the ball past goalkeeper Karim Zaza.
Villarreal's second lead lasted only six minutes before Due blasted a free kick over the wall and in the top corner from 25 yards, giving Aalborg their second point in the group.
manchesterunited
11/06/2008 08:39:00 AM
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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
United perlu cipta sejarah - Giggs
LONDON - Ryan Giggs menegaskan Manchester United perlu mencipta sejarah menjadi pasukan pertama yang menjuarai Liga Juara-Juara dalam tempoh dua musim berturut-turut. Skuad kendalian Alex Ferguson itu berpeluang untuk melayakkan diri dalam kelompok 16 pasukan terbaik jika berjaya menewaskan Celtic awal pagi ini.
Giggs yang membantu United meraih gelaran kedua Piala Eropah di Moscow Mei lalu berkata, skuad Red Devils mempunyai kemampuan serta memiliki pemain berstatus bintang yang berkualiti untuk mencipta sejarah.
"Belum ada pasukan yang berjaya memenangi gelaran berganda Liga Juara-Juara tetapi ini adalah cabaran kami.
"Kami perlu menggunakan pengalaman yang diperoleh musim lalu, teruskan keinginan dan teruja untuk melakukannya.
"Ia bukan tugas mudah tetapi kami merasakan bahawa kami mempunyai peluang yang baik," kata Giggs. - Agensi
manchesterunited
11/05/2008 10:25:00 AM
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Celtic perit
GLASGOW: Manchester United mampu menempah tiket ke pusingan kalah mati Liga Juara-Juara selain menutup mulut pengkritik dengan kemenangan ke atas Celtic, awal pagi esok.
Anak buah Alex Ferguson itu berada dalam keadaan selesa apabila menewaskan pasukan juara Scotland itu 3-0 di Old Trafford bulan lalu.
Namun, pasukan Celtic yang hadir pada perlawanan yang mereka perlu menang bagi menghidupkan peluang dalam pertandingan mendapat lonjakan daripada memori perlawanan kompetitif terakhir United di Parkhead.
Dalam perlawanan itu, sepakan percuma yang menjadi identiti Shunsuke Nakamura cukup untuk memberikan Celtic kemenangan 1-0, begitupun bintang Jepun itu perlu berkongsi pujian itu bersama dengan penjaga gawang, Artur Boruc, yang berjaya menyelamatkan sepakan penalti pada minit terakhir daripada Louis Saha.
Jurulatih Celtic, Gordon Strachan sedar akan peluang pasukannya menentang lawan yang secara jelasnya bertambah kuat sejak Nakamura mempamerkan kehebatannya dengan menjaringkan gol kemenangan dua tahun lalu.
Namun bekas pemain tengah United mengambil iktibar daripada kejadian sebelum ini bahawa bilangan pemain yang ramai di bawah kendalian bekas pengurusnya Sir Alex Ferguson, menyebabkan mereka berasa selesa hingga menjejaskan permainan mereka.
Kes itu jelas kelihatan pada perlawanan Sabtu lalu apabila jurang gol terhadap Hull 4-1 merosot hingga hanya mempunyai kelebihan satu gol, menyebabkan United terpinga-pinga pada akhir perlawanan itu.
“Kami mendapat amaran Sabtu lalu,” jelas penjaga gol Edwin van der Sar. “Kami perlu memastikan kami mampu meranapkan impian pasukan lawan.
“Kami tidak harus berhenti separuh jalan iaitu pada separuh masa kedua dan mula berfikir mengenai perlawanan seterusnya.
“Anda perlu memikirkan satu perlawanan pada satu masa, menang dengan penuh keyakinan dan kemudian melangkah ke perlawanan seterusnya.”
Pemain Belanda itu berkata: “Untuk penjaga gol dan pemain, anda tidak boleh mensia-siakan tiga gol.
“Sudah pasti anda mahukan kemenangan tapi 1-0, 2-0, 3-0. Apabila anda berada di kedudukan 4-1, kami tidak boleh menjangkakan pasukan lawan mampu menjaringkan dua lagi gol.”
Ferguson sudah membayangkan bahawa van der Sar akan direhatkan dalam kunjungan ke Glasgow dengan pemain England, Ben Foster dipilih membuat penampilan pertama dalam pertandingan selepas pulih daripada kecederaan yang dialami sejak 18 bulan lalu. - AFP
manchesterunited
11/05/2008 10:16:00 AM
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Heinze bidas Ferguson
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| HEINZE tidak pernah buat keputusan tinggalkan United.
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LONDON – Pemain pertahanan Real Madrid, Gabriel Heinze menyelar kenyataan pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson yang mengatakan bahawa kelab gergasi Sepanyol itu menjualnya ke Madrid hanya sebagai umpan untuk mendapatkan bintang Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo. Pemain kebangsaan Argentina itu meninggalkan Old Trafford pada Ogos 2007 dan kelmarin dia meluahkan perasaannya itu selepas Ferguson mengkritik hasrat Real yang mahu memancing Ronaldo baru-baru ini.
“Saya sedih apabila mendengar dia (Ferguson) berkata begitu,” kata Heinze.
“Saya tidak tahu sama ada ia benar atau tidak, tetapi pastinya ia sesuatu yang memalukan apabila seseorang yang berpengalaman seperti Ferguson boleh mengatakan perkara bodoh seperti itu.
“Jika ia keluar daripada mulut pemain atau peminat, mungkin saya boleh menerimanya, tetapi bagi seseorang yang mempunyai pengalaman sepertinya yang membuat kenyataan tersebut, ia bukan satu perkara normal.”
Heinze juga menegaskan bahawa bukan dia yang membuat keputusan untuk meninggalkan Old Trafford.
“Ferguson amat dihormati diluar dan dalam padang. Jadi kenyataannya itu amat mengecewakan.
“Tapi hakikatnya sudah terbukti. Dia mahu saya pergi dan kini dia mahu saya semula?
“Saya tidak peduli tentang apa orang lain katakan. Saya lebih hargai apa yang rakan sepasukan saya di sini katakan.”
Baru-baru ini Ferguson memberi kenyataan kepada sebuah majalah dengan mengatakan: “Saya tahu apa niat mereka. Apabila kami menjual Heinze kepada Real, kami tahu ia berkaitan dengan Ronaldo kerana dia rapat dengan Heinze.
“Saya tidak percaya mereka memang mahukan Heinze biarpun dia seorang pemain yang bagus. Sasaran mereka adalah untuk mendapatkan Ronaldo.” – Agensi
manchesterunited
11/05/2008 09:30:00 AM
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Man Utd's Brown set to miss Celtic clash
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United defender Wes Brown is likely to be ruled out of Wednesday's all-British Champions League clash away to Scottish giants Celtic after missing training here Tuesday.
Brown has been sidelined from the reigning European and English champions' last two games because of an ankle injury and his failure to train suggests he has yet to regain full fitness.
In his absence, the experienced Gary Neville and Rafael de Silva are set to compete for the right-back position in a squad also lacking the injured midfield duo of Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves.
United beat Celtic, who need to win on Wednesday to keep their hopes of qualifying from the group stage alive, 3-0 at Old Trafford last month.
However, United's last competitive match at Parkhead two years ago ended in a 1-0 defeat after Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura scored with a trademark free-kick and goalkeper Artur Boruc saved a last-minute penalty taken by striker Louis Saha, now with Everton.
manchesterunited
11/04/2008 01:20:00 PM
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Premier League - Lineker: Ronaldo better than Sir Stan
Gary Lineker has put Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Sir Stanley Matthews in his all-time Footballer of the Year XI.
Matthews was the first winner of the Football Writers' Association award - and he was edged out of Lineker's selection by Ronaldo, who was given the accolade in the last two years.
Former England striker Lineker chose his XI to launch Forgive Us Our Press Passes, a book written by FWA members, with profits going to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Sick Children's Charity.
Roy Keane, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer were the others players picked from the modern era, joining the likes of George Best and Bobby Moore.
"I found it incredibly difficult to make the choices which just goes to show that management, even if you have some of the best players in the game's history at your disposal, can be an impossible job," said Lineker who is a patron of GOSH.
"Picking a goalkeeper was relatively easy. Even Neville Southall, with whom I played at Everton, could not keep out Gordon Banks.
"Bobby Moore would be in any all-time British side and one of his predecessors as England captain, Billy Wright, who, although I never saw him, must have been special to win a century of caps.
"Dave Mackay and Roy Keane will make sure no one messes with our midfield but they are in for their footballing ability as well. Keane is arguably the best player to have appeared in the Premier League.
"Bobby Charlton, who will operate in front of him, is probably England's greatest.
"Ronaldo, who cannot be left out of the side, will drive down the left allowing Thierry Henry to cut inside on his favoured right foot. I so enjoyed watching Henry in the Premier League but in my time as a player the pick of them all was Kenny Dalglish.
"In a previous era George Best had the lot. He, too, must start.
"According to my granddad the greatest player ever was Tom Finney yet I have decided to leave him on the bench along with Matthews because they were so long before my time.
"Which leaves one place - at the front. Alan Shearer gets the last spot because I have to work with him on Match Of The Day and if I left him out life wouldn't be worth living. Seriously, he wasn't a bad striker - after all he learned from the master!"
Lineker's XI: Banks, Moore, Wright, Keane, Mackay, Best, Dalglish, Charlton, Henry, Ronaldo, Shearer.
manchesterunited
11/04/2008 12:46:00 PM
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Defence Drives On Players - Carrick
Michael Carrick believes the prospect of becoming history-makers will ensure Manchester United do not ease up in their quest for Champions League glory this term.
United head to Celtic on Wednesday night for the second part of their Battle of Britain duel knowing victory at Parkhead will effectively seal a place in the knockout stages with two games to spare.
Even for the holders it would be an impressive feat, offering Sir Alex Ferguson an opportunity to rest some of his key men for the last-day visit of Aalborg if the final standings in Group E have been decided after the Red Devils' trip to Villarreal on November 25.
But a few changes in personnel should not be mistaken for a half-hearted attitude. United are desperate to become the first side to retain Europe's most prestigious club prize and Carrick knows the target will ensure his team-mates remain fully motivated throughout their European campaign.
"No-one has won the Champions League twice in a row before but that is the goal," said Carrick.
"We set ourselves high standards and we have done it once. Why not again?
"There is no doubt the possibility of winning it again will drive us on this season.
"I have been at United for a couple of years now and know that winning things just makes you want to win more.
"It is not a case of thinking we have won the Champions League or I have done the Premier League, I will settle for that at the end of my career. I want to do it again and again.
"Moscow seems to pop up wherever you go now but in some ways you want to put it at the back of your mind because it doesn't really count for much now.
"It is nice to reflect on because it was such a special night but all that matters is being there in Rome at the end of May."
England 'keeper Ben Foster is expected to be handed his Champions League debut by Ferguson, who has decided to rotate United's keepers to give the younger ones some experience while helping first-choice Edwin van der Sar retain some freshness.
Three men are also fighting for one place at right-back, with Wes Brown expected to get the nod against Gordon Strachan's men providing he overcomes an ankle injury and the presence of Foster and Brown in the United side would bolster the English contingent in visiting ranks.
Although the atmosphere at Celtic is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe United had succeeded in quietening the home fans on their last visit two years ago until Shunsuke Nakamura curled home the hosts' winner near the end.
"There will be an extra little bit of something to the game, there always is in matches like this," said Carrick.
"It will be a phenomenal atmosphere but as players you can't really get caught up in it.
"The noise was incredible last time but we played very well for an hour and it went pretty quiet.
"If we play like that again, I am sure the same thing will happen, although we have to take a couple of chances this time.
"We are in a good position in the group. It would be good if we could tie it up and relax a bit more knowing we were safely through."
manchesterunited
11/04/2008 09:56:00 AM
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Monday, November 3, 2008
Carrick looks to Celtic
MICHAEL Carrick was just happy to emerge from Saturday's clash against Hull with three points after a "crazy" finish to the game.
The Reds won 4-3 after conceding two late goals, but Carrick, back from injury and on the scoresheet, was keen to look ahead to the clash with Celtic on Wednesday.
"It was a strange game," said Carrick.
"Being so close at the end did not really fit with how the game went. We created so many chances and played some extremely good football but we shot ourselves in the foot with a few errors.
"In the end it was a bit crazy really."
Carrick added: "It was nice to score and get off the mark," he said."
"It was the longest I have played in three months so hopefully that is going to get my fitness up ready for the coming weeks."
Carrick may find himself back on the bench this Wednesday, with Scotland international Darren Fletcher pencilled in for a return on 'home' soil against Celtic at Parkhead.
A more notable inclusion could be England international Ben Foster who is expected to finally make his Champions League bow after a catalogue of injuries over the past 18 months.
With seven points from three games, victory would see the defending champions into the knock-out phase with two games to spare, although, as United discovered to their cost two years ago, Celtic can never be discounted on home soil.
"When you step away from it, we have won the game and got three points," said Carrick.
"Now we can move on to Celtic."
manchesterunited
11/03/2008 08:12:00 PM
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Vidic: We must erase mistakes
NEMANJA Vidic has warned his United team-mates there must be no repeat of the defensive shambles that almost caused total humiliation at Old Trafford on Saturday.
When Vidic side-footed home Wayne Rooney's corner an hour into the Premier League encounter to stretch their lead to three goals, no-one imagined United would end up clinging on for a 4-3 win.
Yet that is exactly what transpired as Bernard Mendy hauled the Tigers back into it with a well-taken effort before earning the penalty Geovanni rammed home to test the Reds' nerves.
In the end, the damage was no greater than a failure to give their goal difference a shove in the right direction. But Vidic knows United were perilously close to a draw that would have been disastrous for their title aspirations.
"That must not happen again," he said.
"Nobody could believe it. I wouldn't say the last few minutes were hard, but we were under pressure.
"We should not be losing goals like that. There is no need to worry but we have to think about it because we must erase the mistakes."
Vidic denied United had allowed an element of complacency to creep into their play, even though, for the third time in a week, Sir Alex Ferguson was critical of the number of chances that went begging.
"We knew Hull were a good team," said Vidic.
"They have surprised Arsenal already this season and they have 20 points, which says something about them."
manchesterunited
11/03/2008 08:01:00 PM
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Van Der Sar: We Must Learn From Hull
Veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar wants Manchester United to regain their focus on Wednesday when they face Celtic at Parkhead in the Champions League.
The Holland international was angry and disappointed at the way the Premier League and European champions almost let newly-promoted Hull off the hook at home.
United were 4-1 up and cruising but then conceded two late goals before clinching a narrow nail-biting victory.
Van der Sar believes there must be no repeat in Glasgow or they could suffer the consequences.
"We got a warning on Saturday," he told MUTV. "We have to make sure we finish teams off.
"We must not stop halfway through the second half and start thinking about the next game.
"You have to take it one game at a time, win it with confidence and then move on."
United are looking to complete the double over Celtic after beating them 3-0 at Old Trafford last month.
Van der Sar is keen to chalk up another clean sheet following his experience against Hull.
He said: "For a goalkeeper and the players you do not like to concede three goals.
"Of course you want to win games but by 1-0, 2-0, 3-0. When you are 4-1 up, you do not expect the other side to score another two goals. But Hull are a team that never give up."
A victory for United against Gordon Strachan's side would give them 10 points and almost certainly a place in the first knockout stage.
That was manager Sir Alex Ferguson's initial target when the draw was made in Monaco. However he faces a midweek selection dilemma as United also face Arsenal in a crucial league match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
With the clock ticking down on his career, Van der Sar remains keen to retain his place between the posts.
He knows talented duo Tomasz Kuszczak and Ben Foster are waiting in the wings and anxious to become number one.
Van der Sar added: "I want to play in as many games as possible, although it is nice to get a little rest once in a blue moon. I realise you cannot win things with 11 or 12 players."
manchesterunited
11/03/2008 07:56:00 PM
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Hargreaves to see specialist
OWEN Hargreaves is set to visit a specialist this week to see how his knee tendonitis problem is progressing and to decide the next stage of his treatment.
Despite a Sunday newspaper report claiming that Hargreaves was to undergo surgery, he has not yet been told he will definitely need an op.
The club says the 27-year-old has a date with the specialist and nothing has been decided so far.
The knee tendonitis problem has dogged £18m England player's Old Trafford career. It set in almost as soon as he joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in 2007.
Sir Alex Ferguson has maintained all along that an operation was unlikely and that time would be the healer. But this week's visit to the specialist will determine the way ahead.
He has only appeared in three matches this season.
manchesterunited
11/03/2008 07:50:00 PM
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Neville set for new deal
GARY Neville is heading for a new United contract.
The Reds are set to reward the 33-year-old Old Trafford captain for his fightback from injury that kept him out for 18 months.
He managed just nine minutes of last season as he shrugged off the niggling injury aftermath following his ankle ligament problem in 2007.
This term he has been punching his weight in a three-way fight for the right back role with Wes Brown and Brazilian teenager Rafael Da Silva.
Neville last signed a deal with United in the summer of 2004.
The five-year contract expires at the end of the season but he is expected to agree a one-year extension soon.
Neville's battling comeback from his long lay-off should be an encouragement to mid-fielder Owen Hargreaves.
manchesterunited
11/03/2008 07:47:00 PM
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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Manchester United manager embarrassed despite victory
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson insisted he was embarrassed by Manchester United's failings in front of goal despite his side's 4-3 victory over Hull City.
The United manager had been highly critical of the number of chances his strikers missed during a routine victory over West Ham and, after seeing his side almost throw away a 4-1 lead against Hull on Saturday, Ferguson was again angry at United's failure to kill off the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo took his United tally to 99 goals after adding to his West Ham double with two more strikes while Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic completed the home side's haul.
But what should have been a second half stroll turned into an anxious wait for the final whistle for the reigning champions after Bernard Mendy and Geovanni added to Daniel Cousin's first half header as the visitors fought back bravely.
"It was incredible. We should have won by ten and we ended up scrambling a victory," Ferguson said.
"The annoying thing is that we've not taken our chances, we should have scored ten or eleven there. We had clear chances. But you don't put them away and then you are left embarrassed.
"The general feeling is a bit low because we should have won the game by more."
Ferguson had claimed last week that Ronaldo can match his 42-goal return of last season despite missing the start of the season with an ankle injury and the Portugese winger's brace took his total to seven, including six in six league appearances.
"His goals were fantastic. He could have scored four or five. And I don't know how many chances Dimitar Berbatov made," Ferguson said.
"Credit to Ronaldo, he's got two more goals and there was some fantastic football. On the plus side the thing that we can take out of today is that we are creating some good chances and playing some great stuff at times, but we just got ourselves in an embarrassing situation."
Hull have made a habit of upsetting bigger names away from home in their first season in the top-flight with wins at Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle already under their belts.
Their early-season run has already accumulated 20 points and Phil Brown's side came into this game two points ahead of United.
United's win reversed that position but Brown drew pride from the fact Hull became the first team since Chelsea three years ago to score three at Old Trafford and believes this display should increase his players belief they can compete at the higher level.
"We haven't got anything from the game which is the disappointment of it all, but what we did get from the game is pride," he said. "I think we restored it in the second half.
"I was disappointed with the players in the first half because I think we are capable of playing better.
"I've got more belief in them than they have and if they started believing in themselves the way I do, that they are good players and can compete at this level, then hopefully we'll start showing it on a more regular basis."
"If the players keep believing what I am telling them then who knows how far we can take this thing. And that's a collective thing, not an individual thing.
"As far as I'm concerned I believe these players are capable of competing at this level and hopefully come the end of the season I'll have been proved right."
manchesterunited
11/02/2008 10:02:00 AM
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Status : married with two daughter