CELEBRATE THE DAY

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Foster mahu buang episod malang

FOSTER sedia beraksi pada final Piala Liga menentang Tottenham Hotspur di Stadium Wembley malam esok.

MANCHESTER - Selama 18 bulan, penjaga gol Manchester United, Ben Foster mengalami pelbagai episod malang.

Namun pengalaman pahit itu akan lenyap jika dia beraksi pada aksi final Piala Liga menentang Tottenham Hotspur di Stadium Wembley malam esok.

"Jika saya diturunkan, ia sesuatu yang hebat. Beraksi Ahad ini (esok) akan menjadi bonus yang tidak disangka dan memberi semangat buat saya.

"Sesuatu yang mengecewakan untuk hanya melihat United menang kejuaraan tetapi saya tidak berada dalam pasukan," kata Foster.

Sejak kembali daripada dipinjamkan ke Wat- ford, bilik rawatan di pusat latihan United seperti menjadi rumah kedua Foster selepas dia mengalami kecederaan serius di bahagian ligamen pada penghujung musim 2006/ 07.

"Saya tak mahu dilabelkan sebagai pemain yang mudah cedera. Tiada siapa mahu dilabel sedemikian dan saya juga sebenarnya hanya tidak bernasib baik.

"Saya patah ibu jari hanya ketika sesi latihan pada penghujung musim lalu, sehari sebelum kami ke Jepun. Jadi saya tidak dapat ke sana," jelas- nya.

Penjaga gol berusia 25 tahun itu mengakui, dia hampir tersisih dari- pada bola sepak selepas mengalami kecederaan berpanjangan biarpun sebelum ini diramal bakal menjadi penjaga gol utama United dan skuad kebangsaan England pada masa hadapan.

"Perlawanan ini merupakan peluang terbaik untuk menaikkan semula nama saya dan semua orang akan lihat saya masih ada dan masih seorang penjaga gol yang baik," kata- nya. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/28/2009 11:15:00 AM

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United, Spurs pasang strategi tersendiri

LONDON: Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson dijangka tidak menurunkan barisan terkuat tetapi adalah satu tanggapan salah jika ada pengkritik beranggapan congakan itu mungkin boleh menjerat The Red Devils itu apabila menentang Tottenham Hotspur dalam final Piala Liga, esok.

Pemain seperti Nani dan Rafael Da Silva yang dijangka akan berada dalam kesebelasan pasukan boleh mendukung peranan sama dengan pemain tonggak lain dan United tetap akan menjelmakan wajah cabaran yang sama.

“Setiap pemain muda yang diserap ke skuad senior memiliki kualiti dan kemampuan. Ini memberi perbezaan besar dalam kesediaan mereka menghadapi perlawanan besar dan mereka ada keupayaan untuk membentuk pasukan utama. Inilah kelebihan kami,” kata Ferguson, semalam.

Apapun, bagi Spurs - barisan yang menewaskan Chelsea dalam final Piala Liga tahun lalu - tekad mereka tetap sama iaitu mempertahankan mahkota kejuaraan mereka sekali lagi.

Pengurus Spurs, Harry Redknapp yang mengemudi Portsmouth menjulang trofi Piala FA di Wembley, Mei tahun lalu tiada pilihan kecuali membariskan kesebelasan terbaik untuk menyekat juara Piala Eropah itu.

“Saya tidak bimbangkan Piala UEFA kerana cita-cita saya adalah untuk menang Ahad ini (esok) menentang United. Saya terpaksa bertindak untuk menyimpan tenaga dan pemain terbaik untuk Piala Liga,” katanya. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/28/2009 11:13:00 AM

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Misi tamatkan 'riwayat' Mourinho

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mahu menamatkan 'riwayat' jurulatih Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho di Old Trafford.

Pada pertemuan pertama, pusingan kalah mati Liga Juara-Juara di San Siro kelmarin, United terlepas banyak peluang menjaringkan gol sehingga menyaksikan kedua-dua pasukan terikat dengan keputusan seri tanpa jaringan.

Bintang United, Cristiano Ronaldo sekurang-kurangnya memiliki empat peluang terbaik termasuk sepakan percumanya pada lewat perlawanan yang berjaya diselamatkan penjaga gol Inter, Julio Cesar.

Disebabkan gol yang dicari-cari tidak kunjung tiba, Ferguson berharap anak buahnya mampu membenam Inter dan Mourinho di Old Trafford pada aksi kedua yang dijadualkan 11 Mac depan.

"Saya sangat kecewa kami tidak memenangi pertemuan ini," akui Ferguson.

"Tetapi ini baru aksi pertama. Kami masih ada satu lagi pertemuan di Old Trafford di mana kami memiliki rekod yang cemerlang.

"Saya sedar pertembungan ini masih belum selesai, tetapi kini kami mempunyai satu peluang yang terbaik."

Situasi ini adalah sama seperti senario ketika United berdepan Barcelona pada peringkat separuh akhir musim lepas.

Ketika itu, jaringan Paul Scholes di Old Trafford sudah cukup untuk membantu United melangkah ke pentas final sebelum mereka berjaya mengalahkan Chelsea.

"Kamu boleh lihat kematangan pasukan kami sekarang," kata Ferguson.

"Memang terdapat risiko kamu boleh dikalahkan dengan satu gol tetapi Barcelona adalah pasukan yang hebat dan kami berjaya juga menewaskan mereka.

"Pada hari itu nanti, kami hanya perlu memberi tumpuan dan konsentrasi. Semuanya boleh berulang sekali lagi."

Keputusan seri kelmarin menyaksikan United masih belum tewas dalam 20 perlawanan Liga Juara-Juara meskipun Ferguson membuat kejutan memulakan aksi tanpa penyerang utamanya, Wayne Rooney. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/26/2009 10:06:00 AM

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Solskjaer mahu kekal di MU, tolak tawaran Norway

OSLO - Penyerang Manchester United yang menjadi jurulatih, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer menolak untuk menjadi jurulatih pasukan Norway, sebaliknya mahu menumpukan perhatian dan bersama pasukannya memburu gelaran Liga Perdana England dan Liga Juara-Juara Eropah.

"Ia sangat sukar untuk mengatakan tidak. Perkara paling besar yang perlu anda teroka sebagai pemain bola sepak Norway ialah menjadi ketua jurulatih pasukan kebangsaan," kata bekas penyerang Norway itu ketika ditemuramah TV-2. kelmarin.

Solskjaer yang berusia 38 tahun telah dipelawa oleh Persekutuan Bolasepak Norway yang sedang mencari jurulatih baru apabila Aage Hareide meletak jawatan Disember lalu selepas gagal untuk memenangi sebarang perlawanan pada 2008.

"Saya tidak rasa masanya sudah tiba untuk tugasan ini.

Namun ia sangat bagus apabila ia dipelawa," ujar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer berkata, dia sangat menghormati pengurus United, Alex Ferguson, ini bermakna dia tidak boleh meninggalkan tugasnya sekarang sebagai jurulatih pasukan simpanan.

"Ia memang sesuatu yang memberangsangkan memperoleh jawatan besar berbanding yang saya jawat sekarang tetapi saya masih mahu kekal di United.

"Saya menghormati ketua saya (Ferguson) jadi saya tidak akan meninggalkannya," katanya.

Norway telah memanggil Egil Olsen, jurulatih tempatan paling berjaya dalam sejarah untuk memegang jawatan tersebut buat sementara waktu. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/25/2009 04:38:00 PM

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Champions League - Inter hold United in goalless stalemate

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Internazionale-Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by Internazionale in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in Milan.

United, who set a record in the competition by going 20 consecutive games without defeat, enjoyed the better of the first half and had chances to break the deadlock before Inter came back into the game in the second period.

But despite some late chances at both ends, there was nothing to separate the two teams over 90 minutes, meaning there is still all to play for in a fortnight's time when the two teams reconvene at Old Trafford.

However it was Alex Ferguson, and not his opposite number Jose Mourinho, who must feel his team passed up an opportunity to take an advantage in the tie after seeing United waste a number of chances to grab a precious away goal in the first half.

Few teams go to the Giuseppe Meazza and dominate proceedings as United did during the opening period.

Ferguson's team selection - with Wayne Rooney left on the bench and just Dimitar Berbatov playing up front on his own - might have suggested a defence-minded performance was on the cards, but it soon became apparent that the United boss had had no such intentions.

United flew out of the blocks and took the game to their hosts from the opening whistle with a performance full of adventure and panache. The only thing missing from the opening period was a goal.

But it was not for the want of trying as United first silenced and then frustrated the home crowd by dominating possession and carving out a host of chances to take the lead.

Ryan Giggs went closest to breaking the deadlock, the United skipper neatly turning Nelson Rivas before zeroing in on goal only to see his effort well saved by Julio Cesar.

Cristiano Ronaldo was also in the mood, and posed a constant threat to the Inter backline - missing the experienced Marco Materazzi and Walter Samuel through injury - with his direct running, ability in the air and potent free-kicks.

The Ballon d'Or winner forced a save from Julio Cesar with a bullet header on five minutes before a brace of devilish free-kicks gave the Inter keeper food for thought. But his best chance came on 29 minutes, when he rose virtually unchallenged to thump a trademark header just wide of the mark. Such are his high standards, he should have done better.

Mourinho opted to haul off the shaky Nelson Rivas and replace him with the more experienced Ivan Cordoba at the break and Inter emerged for the second half in far more determined mood.

Adriano - barely noticeable during the opening period came more into the game and was involved in two incidents early in the second half that nearly resulted in a breakthrough for the hosts.

First, he scuffed a shot from close range that Edwin Van der Sar gratefully watched bounce wide before the Brazilian claimed a penalty following an alleged tug on his shirt by Rio Ferdinand.

Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo, not for the first time during the evening, decided not to give in to the pressure exerted by the home crowd.

And neither was it the last time the official infuriated Inter's fans - on 81 minutes he waved away another penalty appeal after Patrice Evra had clearly handled in the box.

In between Giggs carved out a chance for United on the break, teasing his marker before cutting inside and letting fly with a shot that would have hit the target had it not been for Cordoba.

As time ran out, Inter pressed for a late winner, Ibrahimovic planting a header across the face of goal and Esteban Cambiasso somehow failing to prod the ball over the line from close in following a flicked-on corner, but the final chance of the game fell Ronaldo's way, with a free-kick from 25 yards out.

But the United forward's swerving effort was parried away to safety by Julio Cesar; it proved to be the final kick of the game which, despite the absence of a goal, did much to whet the appetite for the return leg in two weeks.

manchesterunited 2/25/2009 10:38:00 AM

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Fergie resah

MILAN (Itali): Menjelang pertemuan kelompok 16 pasukan terakhir Liga Juara-Juara menentang Inter Milan, Manchester United dilaporkan berdepan masalah kecederaan yang agak serius di bahagian pertahanan.

Sir Alex Ferguson sudah kehilangan pemain pertahanan tengah dari Serbia, Nemanja Vidic akibat penggantungan manakala pemain veteran, Gary Neville dan Wes Brown pasti tidak dapat beraksi.

Pemain pertahanan Ireland Utara, Jonny Evans mengalami kecederaan pergelangan kaki ketika pasukannya menang ke atas Blackburn, Sabtu lalu manakala seorang lagi pemain pertahanan, John O’Shea cedera di tumit.

Itu bermakna, Ferguson hanya boleh menggunakan khidmat pemain senior, Rio Ferdinand manakala seorang lagi pemain pertahanan yang pernah beraksi dalam skuad utama musim ini ialah Patrice Evra.

Itu semua membuatkan Ferguson bimbang apatah lagi pertemuan di Milan adalah salah satu perlawanan yang penting baginya.

“Kami berdepan beberapa masalah kecederaan dan saya amat berharap kami akan kembali mendapat khidmat beberapa pemain pertahanan tengah untuk pertemuan dengan Milan,” katanya.

“Ketika ini, ia sukar untuk diperkatakan. Jonny Evans tidak pasti boleh bermain dan saya berharap dapat menggunakan khidmat John O’Shea kerana kami ketiadaan Gary Neville dan Wes Brown.

“Kami pincang di bahagian pertahanan musim ini. Harap-harap kami boleh melengkapkan pasukan kami untuk pertemuan itu dan ia membuatkan saya cukup bimbang.”

Itu bermakna sekurang-kurangnya seorang pemain remaja, Rafael dan Fabio Da Silva mungkin diturunkan.

Jika tidak, Ferguson perlu mencari pilihan lain iaitu menurunkan pemain tengah di bahagian bawah kerana beliau masih boleh berbuat demikian.

Ryan Giggs dan Paul Scholes diturunkan selaku pemain penyerang manakala Darren Fletcher sering beraksi di pertahanan kanan tetapi tidak di tengah. Seorang lagi ialah Michael Carrick tetapi prestasinya di tengah padang adalah antara punca mengapa United cukup mantap musim ini dan dia tidak mungkin diturunkan di bahagian bawah. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/24/2009 09:47:00 AM

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Ronaldo julang Red Devils

LONDON - Pemain Terbaik Dunia, Cristiano Ronaldo sekali lagi mempamerkan keajaiban untuk membantu Manchester United mengukuhkan kedudukan selaku pendahulu Liga Perdana England.

Pemain sayap Portugal itu menjaringkan gol menarik menerusi sepakan percuma pada minit ke-60, sekali gus membolehkan United menewaskan Blackburn 2-1 di Old Trafford.

Penyerang England, Wayne Rooney terlebih dahulu meletakkan tuan rumah di hadapan pada minit ke-23.

Namun, kekebalan benteng pertahanan Red Devils selama tiga bulan akhirnya berkecai menerusi jaringan penyamaan penyerang Paraguay, Roque Santa Cruz pada minit ke-32.

RONALDO terus mempamerkan kehebatan untuk menjulang reputasi Manchester United.

Pada perlawanan itu, pengurus United, Alex Ferguson merehatkan Edwin van der Sar dan menurunkan penjaga gol kedua, Tomasz Kuszczakkelmarin sebagai persediaan menjelang pertemuan pusingan kedua Liga Juara-Juara menentang Inter Milan esok.

"Kami memang layak memenanginya, tidak lebih daripada itu. Apabila kamu ambil kira bagaimana kamu bertahan sejak beberapa minggu lalu, jaringan yang dilepaskan kelmarin sebenarnya amat mudah," kata Ferguson selepas menyaksikan anak buahnya mengumpul 62 mata daripada 26 perlawanan.

"Ini satu pengajaran yang bagus buat mereka. Ia memberi- tahu kami secara tepat menge- nai kualiti liga ini.

"Sudah lama saya katakan bahawa kami tidak sepatutnya anggap yang kami sudah memenangi gelaran liga terutama apabila berdepan lawan yang sukar sebegini."

Pengurus Blackburn, Sam Allardyce pula berang dengan keputusan pengadil, Howard Webb yang enggan menghadiahkan penalti di atas kekasa- ran Rafael da Silva ke atas Martin Gamst Pedersen.

"Alex tidak fikir ia satu penalti tapi tidak bagi saya. Nampaknya ia memerlukan satu kekasaran yang jelas untuk mendapatkan penalti di Old Traf- ford," jelasnya. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/23/2009 09:10:00 AM

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Premier League - United edge Blackburn

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Manchester United Old Trafford Wayne Rooney scores against Blackburn - 0

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after a 2-1 win over a gutsy Blackburn side at Old Trafford.

United started the match in top form, and when Wayne Rooney got on the end of Nani's cross on 23 minutes it looked as if they would cruise to an easy victory.

United started the match in top form, and when Wayne Rooney got on the end of Nani's cross on 23 minutes it looked as if they would cruise to an easy victory.

But Roque Santa Cruz's well-taken equaliser on 32 minutes got the visitors back in to the match, as they belied their lowly league position and took the game to the champions.

A second-half free kick by Cristiano Ronaldo gave the lead back to United on 59 minutes, however, as United attacked hard.

Blackburn's best efforts looked as if they would bear fruit as they hit the post and should have had a penalty, but the hosts held on to earn the three points after a thrilliing end-to-end final 15 minutes.

United started the match showing phenomenal quality in their passing and dribbling, with Ronaldo and Nani switching effectively between the two flanks and creating several early chances.

Ronaldo put in an excellent service for Rooney and Berbatov, while Paul Scholes tried his luck with shots from long range on three and 12 minutes.

It was Nani's brilliant play on the right that set up the opening goal, however, the Brazilian linking well with Rafael Da Silva before hitting an inch-perfect cross to Rooney in the centre on 23 minutes.

The England striker almost saw the ball cut out by Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen, but the defender's foot only clipped the ball, serving to make the chance even simpler, and Rooney buried the ball in the net.

At 1-0 it looked as if the hosts might run away with it, an impression that was confirmed when Morten Gamst Pedersen squandered a free-kick on the half-hour mark by smashing a supposed cross a clear 20 yards past its intended targets.

But just two minutes later all negative thoughts were forgotten as Santa Cruz showed why he attracted so much interest during the transfer window: getting on to the end of a ball from Andre Ooijer, the Paraguayan rounded United's second string keeper Tomasz Kuszczak and found the net from an acute angle.

The goal was so much against the run of play that it seemed to jar the hosts, who took several minutes to settle down while Blackburn seemed astonished to have equalised.

They recovered towards the end of the first half, with a headed goal by Jonny Evans that was disallowed for Ronaldo having pushed a defender elsewhere in the box.

The second half began in thrilling fashion, with Ronaldo going close with a long-range effort before Blackburn ran up the other end for Andre Ooijer to put in a cross that none of the waiting players could quite connect with.

Ronaldo showed his best and worst, being at the centre of most attacks as well as committing a cynical dive, for which he was booked.

And it was the winger who scored again on the hour mark when United won a free-kick after Nani was floored on the left of the box. The kick itself was a fantastic strike from a tight angle, flying with plenty of power into the roof of the net and past the outstretched hands of Robinson.

Blackburn gave plenty in reply, hitting the post on 64 minutes before Pedersen was denied what seemed to be a clear penalty two minutes later when he was pulled down by Evra.

The penalty - as well as the possible red card for Evra - seemed clear to all except the referee, but Blackburn never came closer for all their tireless efforts over the final 25 minutes.

Yet United kept attacking too, and it was the hosts who had the lion's share of chances, with Berbatov and Rooney going close on 87 and 90 minutes.

The result saw Blackburn stay in the bottom three for now - a bitter end to what must have been a frustrating game for Sam Allardyce's side - while Alex Ferguson's United continue to set the standard at the top of the Premier League.

manchesterunited 2/22/2009 09:55:00 AM

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Ferguson merendah diri

MANCHESTER, England: Pengurus Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson memberi amaran kepada pemainnya supaya tidak terlalu terbawa-bawa dengan ramalan yang mengatakan skuad juara bertahan itu mampu mengekalkan kejuaraan Liga Perdana musim ini.

Dengan pasukan di tangga kedua, Liverpool tidak akan beraksi menentang Manchester City hingga malam esok, United berpeluang menjarakkan diri kepada lapan mata di persada liga jika mereka menewaskan Blackburn di gelanggang sendiri, malam ini.

Penyerang England, Wayne Rooney akan membantu keyakinan United apabila kembali disenaraikan ke dalam kesebelasan utama sejak Januari lalu dan dia bangkit daripada kecederaan hamstring dengan jaringan yang membantu United menang 3-0 ke atas Fulham, Rabu lalu.

Tapi Ferguson, yang merencana 10 kemenangan Liga Perdana sejak memegang jawatan di kelab itu, tegas mengatakan beliau belum bersedia untuk merayakan kejayaan mereka walaupun United mencatat 14 perlawanan tanpa kalah - rekod yang menyaksikan sembilan kemenangan berturut-turut dan 14 perlawanan tanpa bolos.

“Kami tidak pernah terbawa-bawa. Jika anda terbawa-bawa dengan perasaan, anda mungkin menerima padahnya,” kata Ferguson.

“Kami perlu menumpukan perhatian kepada apa yang kami lakukan dan memastikan kami dapat menjarakkan diri.”

Ferguson yakin penyenaraian semula Rooney akan meningkatkan semangat pasukannya.

“Dia sudah sembuh dan akan beraksi,” kata pengurus United itu. “Memang bagus rasanya apabila dapat menerimanya kembali.

“Ia akan menjadi perlawanan yang sukar kerana Blackburn sudah menunjukkan peningkatan.”

Pertahanan jitu United menjadi nadi utama dalam siri kemenangan mereka dan penjaga gol, Edwin van der Sar gagal dibolosi sebarang gol dalam penampilan selama 1,302 minit Liga Perdana Inggeris ketika kebangkitan pasukan itu ke puncak liga.

Jika pemain Belanda itu masih berjaya mengawal gawang hingga ke minit ke-89 ketika menentang Blackburn, dia akan memecahkan rekod Danny Verlinden yang dicapai menerusi liga Eropah.

Penjaga gol Club Bruges itu berjaya menyekat gol lawan selama 1,390 minit dari tempoh 3 Mac hingga 26 September 1990 dalam liga Belgium.

Menurut Persekutuan Antarabangsa Sejarah dan Statistik Bola Sepak yang diiktiraf Fifa, pencapaian Van der Sar ketika ini meletakkannya di tangga keenam dalam senarai tempoh paling lama mempertahankan gol dalam liga bola sepak dunia.

Rekod dunia dicatatkan selama 1,816 minit dilakukan Mazaropi dari pasukan Vasco da Gama dari 18 Mei 1977 hingga 7 September 1978. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/21/2009 10:56:00 AM

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Neville sambung kontrak setahun

MANCHESTER: Pemain pertahanan Manchester United, Gary Neville bersetuju menandatangani kontrak barunya selama setahun bagi membolehkannya kekal bersama pasukan pendahulu Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) itu hingga akhir musim depan.

Pemain pertahanan berusia 34 tahun yang bermain dalam 565 perlawanan sejak mula beraksi pada 1992, bermain hanya dalam satu perlawanan dalam tempoh 17 bulan kerana kecederaan, tetapi menunjukkan dia masih mempunyai ruang untuk menandatangani kontrak barunya dengan 22 penampilan musim ini.

“Gary adalah pemain profesional sejati dan saya kagum dengan kemampuannya menangani kecederaan yang menyebabkan dia tidak dapat beraksi selama lebih setahun. Bagaimanapun aksinya masih sebaik dulu,” kata pengurus United, Sir Alex Ferguson, semalam.

“Dia berhak melanjutkan kontrak barunya dan kami gembira dengan kehadirannya di sini.”

Neville, tonggak kejayaan United sejak 16 tahun lalu tidak dapat beraksi dalam Liga Perdana Inggeris dan Liga Juara-Juara musim lalu kerana alami kecederaan berpanjangan.

“Manchester United adalah satu-satunya kelab yang saya ingin sertai jadi saya gembira untuk menandatanganinya selama setahun lagi,” kata Neville. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/21/2009 08:49:00 AM

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Fergie Learns From History

The memories of spring 1998 will ensure Manchester United are not allowed to start thinking the Premier League title is in the bag.

Most pundits believe the championship will be heading back to Old Trafford this season, with bookmakers Paddy Power so certain they have already paid out on a United domestic treble.

The move has been dismissed as 'a gimmick' by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side entertain Blackburn on Saturday knowing victory will take them eight points clear of second-placed Liverpool.

And he recalls exactly the same plaudits being showered on his team 11 years ago, when they opened up a 12-point lead on Arsenal only to suffer a dismal slump in March when they managed only one draw in a three-game run that included a home defeat by their chief rivals.

That sequence put United on the back foot and they never recovered the initiative as the Gunners strode to their first title triumph under Arsene Wenger.

"People were saying it was a foregone conclusion in 1998," recalled Ferguson.

"But when we got to the beginning of March, Ryan Giggs and Gary Pallister got injured, Peter Schmeichel was carrying one and Paul Scholes had to play with a broken toe.

"In attack, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham had to play all the time during a certain period because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was injured.

"It told on the run-in because we couldn't freshen the team up."

The killer blow came when the Gunners came to Old Trafford and Ferguson had to rely on John Curtis and Ben Thornley in a game United eventually lost to a late Marc Overmars goal.

Along with the last-day heartbreak in 1995 when United laid siege to the West Ham goal at Upton Park but failed to get a winner to prevent Blackburn clinching the title, it is a day etched in Ferguson's psyche.

However, he does concede the whole make-up of the Premier League has changed markedly in the intervening decade, making such comebacks - the like of which Chelsea need this term - substantially more difficult.

"It is a tough league now," said Ferguson.

"There are so many teams fighting for survival for a start, which makes it a challenge all the time.

"It is a far better league now. There are far better players and the standard of football is much higher."

manchesterunited 2/20/2009 09:48:00 PM

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Saingan kini hanya MU dan Liverpool

ROONEY meraikan jaringannya untuk Manchester United ketika menentang Fulham di Old Trafford, kelmarin.

LONDON: Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson menepis peluang Chelsea untuk menjulang mahkota kejuaraan bola sepak Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL), musim ini.

“Saingan kejuaraan kini adalah di antara kami dan Liverpool,” tegas Ferguson selepas menyaksikan anak buahnya menewaskan Fulham 3-0, awal pagi semalam untuk menjarakkan kedudukan selaku pendahulu kepada lima mata dan 10 mengatasi Chelsea.

“Bagaimanapun, saya tetap berwaspada dengan kemajuan ditonjolkan Aston Villa yang tampak sudah mengambil alih kedudukan daripada Arsenal,” kata pengurus berusia 67 tahun itu.

Villa kini menghuni tempat ketiga - lapan mata di belakang United manakala Arsenal kelima dan ketinggalan 15 mata.

Jurulatih berbangsa Scotland itu terkejut dengan keputusan Chelsea untuk memecat pengurusnya dari Brazil, Luiz Felipe Scolari selepas hanya tujuh bulan membimbing kelab itu tetapi menambah bahawa langkah itu sebenarnya ‘memberikan kelebihan kepada kami.”

“Keputusan tergesa-gesa mereka menggambarkan corak menyedihkan yang dilalui permainan ini, dengan semua orang bermula dari pemilik, lembaga pengarah, penyokong dan media menuntut kejayaan segera dan menunjukkan tidak langsung ada rasa sabar dalam mengejar matlamat mereka,” kata Ferguson yang berada di Old Trafford sejak 1986.

“Saya pasti berpendapat ia begitu jelas bahawa memenangi trofi hadir bersama-sama dengan kestabilan dan perancangan jangka panjang,” kata pengurus paling lama berkhidmat dalam liga.

“Namun sering kali, apabila kelab berdepan dengan beberapa masalah, kematangan fikirkan sudah dilemparkan dengan harapan bahawa orang baru boleh memperbaiki keadaan dengan cepat.”

Ferguson menjangkakan pengurus dari Belanda, Guus Hiddink, jurulatih kebangsaan Russia yang mengambil alih di Chelsea sehingga akhir musim, akan melakukan kesan yang besar.

“Pada masa yang sama, dia perlu memulakan dari asas, mungkin meletakkan kakitangannya sendiri dan menghimpunkan pemain di sekelilingnya mengikut pilihan yang mungkin memakan sedikit masa,” katanya. - Reuters

manchesterunited 2/20/2009 09:27:00 AM

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Ferguson pening kepala

FERGUSON mengakui sukar untuk memilih pemain kesebelasan utama.

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mula pening kepala.

Bukan kerana skuad kendaliannya gagal menampilkan aksi yang diharapkan tetapi Ferguson pening untuk menurunkan skuad terbaiknya.

Ferguson berkata, semua anak buahnya ketika ini beraksi dengan baik, sekali gus mengundang kesukaran kepadanya untuk memberitahu kepada bintangnya bahawa mereka akan direhatkan.

Begitupun, Ferguson berkata, masalah tersebut adalah satu berita bagus buat skuad Red Devils itu.

"Setiap pemain telah beraksi dengan baik sehingga mula memeningkan kepala saya," kata Ferguson.

"Saya rasa bersalah apabila tidak menyenaraikan seorang pemain yang bukan saja tidak melakukan banyak kesilapan, malah beraksi dengan cemerlang.

"Sudah tentu ia membuatkan kelab ini berada dalam keadaan terbaik dan kuat. Tapi ia membuatkan tugas pengurus menjadi sukar."

Selepas berdepan Fulham pada aksi Liga Perdana England pagi tadi, United akan bertemu Blackburn Rovers di Old Trafford Sabtu ini.

Selasa depan, United bakal membuat perhitungan dengan Inter Milan pada aksi pertama pusingan kalah mati Liga Juara-Juara di San Siro.

Ferguson pastinya akan menurunkan barisan terkuatnya pada pertemuan dengan kelab Itali itu, namun ketika ini. dia mengakui tidak mempunyai idea mengenai siapa yang akan diturunkan nanti. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/19/2009 07:44:00 AM

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Premier League - United coast past Fulham to go five clear

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Premier League - Manchester United's Paul Scholes (second from left) celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game against Fulham at Old Trafford - 0

Manchester United went five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a straightforward 3-0 home victory over Fulham.

The Red Devils opened the scoring with a stunning Paul Scholes volley from a corner after only 12 minutes while Dimitar Berbatov finished from close range to double their lead on the half-hour mark.

The returning Wayne Rooney - out for the previous seven matches with a hamstring strain - took only two minutes to bang in a third after replacing Berbatov in the second half.

United were sumptuous all evening, their players angling runs at the visiting defence to pull it apart.

While Rooney returned to the bench, Carlos Tevez started in attack with Berbatov. Cristiano Ronaldo was a constant threat from the right, but the advances of John O'Shea, Park Ji-Sung and Michael Carrick also carried menace.

The Cottagers looked to keep the ball in the early stages, but United were like a tiger crouched in wait ready to spring into action.

Soon enough they made good on that threat, although it was not through one of their flowing attacking moves but rather a set-piece from the training ground.

Carrick floated a corner to where Scholes lurked alone 30 yards out; the veteran met the ball with beautiful technique to send it flying towards the bottom corner.

Visiting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, whose performance was below par, got across in time but spilled the ball back where he had come from and into the goal, giving Scholes his first league strike for 18 months.

On 17 minutes Fulham came close to ending Edwin van der Sar's long run of clean sheets, which now stands at 14 matches. John Pantsil, an occasional lone attacking force from right-back, delivered a cross to the penalty spot where Bobby Zamora arrived to head just past the post.

It was their only chance of the opening half and United should have scored again immediately following it. Ronaldo sent a cross towards the six-yard box and Schwarzer collided with one of his defenders as he sought to deal with it; the ball fell to Berbatov, who took his time and saw his shot blocked on the line.

Tevez had the ball in the net from a Berbatov through-ball but was offside. Six minutes later the Bulgarian adjusted his feet to slide the ball home as Schwarzer dived across futilely.

It was Scholes who provided the chance, chipping over the Fulham defence for O'Shea to slide and knock across goal where Berbatov awaited.

The languid Berbatov should have finished another chance provided by Tevez, tapping just past the post, before heading a Ronaldo free-kick into the goal unmarked on the stroke of the half - only to be denied by the offside flag.

With the game more or less in the bag United came out to enjoy the second half, and as a result some of their urgency tailed away. However there were further chances to score, Scholes passing sideways for Berbatov to drive a shot towards the top corner where Schwarzer tipped over.

A frustrated Pantsil was booked for a late tackle on a speeding Ronaldo before Ferguson injected some fresh blood into the game in the form of Rooney and Jonny Evans, on for O'Shea, who had a slight injury.

And the England striker's impact was almost instantaneous. When a cross ran long to the right side of the penalty area, Park controlled and centred - and there was Rooney to finish from six yards.

Zamora flashed a shot across goal to threaten Van der Sar's record and Fulham saw a penalty shout turned down for handball against Nemanja Vidic, but they were isolated incidents as the English and European champions continued to control the play.

The scoreline perhaps flattered Fulham, who were simply second-best on the night to the country's in-form team - and who will take some stopping if they are to lose their Premier League crown this summer.

manchesterunited 2/19/2009 07:10:00 AM

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

United kian membara

LONDON: Manchester United berpeluang mendominasi sepenuhnya perebutan gelaran Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) apabila juara bertahan itu menerima kunjungan Fulham, awal pagi esok.

Kemenangan di Old Trafford bakal melebarkan penguasaan kepada lima mata ke atas pencabar terdekat, Liverpool. Malah, dengan baki 13 perlawanan, kemenangan sudah pasti menguatkan ramalan merangkul trofi EPL buat kali ke-18, menyamai rekod cemerlang milik Liverpool.

Red Devils tercicir beberapa perlawanan kerana menyertai Piala Super Uefa dan Piala Kelab Dunia yang dimenangi United, Disember lalu.

Tetapi kejayaan ke atas Fulham yang belum pernah menang di tempat lawan musim ini tidak semestinya membuatkan United menganggap mudah dan mengalih tumpuan kepada Liga Juara-Juara Eropah, Piala FA dan Piala Liga, dengan buruan baki empat piala.

Mencapai tahun ke-22 selaku pengurus, Alex Ferguson berjaya mengukuhkan reputasi selaku pakar taktikal, dengan peminat lumba kuda itu menyamakan situasi ketika ini seperti Perlumbaan Grand Kebangsaan Britain 1956.

Devon Loch hanya berbaki 40 meter dari garisan penamat sebelum terjatuh untuk muncul salah seorang penunggang kuda tewas paling ternama dalam sejarah lumba kuda Britain.

Bagi bintang muda United, mereka pasti mengambil berat nasihat kapten veteran, Gary Neville, penjaga gol, Edwin van der Sar dan Ryan Giggs, yang jika dicampurkan usia mencapai 106 tahun dan memiliki koleksi pelbagai kejuaraan hebat.

“Ia bergantung kepada pemain seperti Gaz (Neville), Edwin dan saya sendiri untuk menurunkan pengalaman kepada pemain muda. Ia tugas kami sebagai senior untuk membantu pemain seperti Darron Gibson dan Danny Welbeck, yang kedua-duanya meledak gol menakjubkan Ahad lalu (kemenangan Piala FA di Derby).

“Saya perlu menggunakan pengalaman saya, mendapatkan bola, cuba dan mencipta peluang buat pemain lain kerana pergerakan di persekitaran saya amat baik.

“Kadangkala ia amat baik. Anda akan tahu di mana rakan sepasukan pergi tanpa melihatnya sekalipun bukan semua skil tolakan ke belakang saya menjadi,” kata Giggs. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/18/2009 10:06:00 AM

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Giggs sanjung sentuhan pemain muda

DERBY: Kapten Manchester United, Ryan Giggs menegaskan bintang muda kelab itu boleh memainkan peranan penting dalam percubaan kelab elit mereka memenangi lima trofi dalam satu musim.

Giggs, 35, begitu berpengaruh kelibatnya ketika United membelasah Derby 4-1 dalam saingan pusingan kelima Piala FA, kelmarin tetapi pemain muda berbakat, Darron Gibson dan Danny Welbeck yang menarik pandangan pemain tengah Wales ini.

Pemain tengah Ireland, Gibson mendapat anugerah pemain terbaik perlawanan selepas melengkapkan persembahan terbaiknya setakat ini buat United dengan menjaringkan gol kedua, manakala Welbeck masuk selaku pemain gantian untuk meledakkan rembatan cantik pada minit-minit akhir perlawanan.

Ditambah pula dengan persembahan mantap pemain pertahanan muda Jonny Evans dan Rafael Da Silva dan tidak mengejutkan bahawa Giggs begitu yakin bukan hanya pemain senior yang akan memainkan peranan dalam babak kedua musim ini.

“Jelas sekali kami memiliki skuad yang baik. Kami memerlukan kesemua pemain sekarang memandangkan kini kami bersaing dalam kesemua pertandingan piala dan juga liga,” kata Giggs.

“Kami memerlukan mereka semua dan kami mempunyai pemain yang berbakat seperti Gibbo dan Danny Welbeck dan apabila mereka diturunkan mereka menggunakan sepenuhnya kesempatan yang diberikan,”

Jaringan Gibson pada minit ke-44 hadir beberapa minit selepas Cristiano Ronaldo menyaksikan gol jaringannya dibatalkan atas keputusan kontroversi ofsaid.

Tatkala keputusan itu tepat, sambutan jaringan sudah pun berlangsung sebelum penjaga garisan mengangkat bendera, selepas dia terlebih dahulu merujuk dengan pegawai keempat bahawa Giggs menyentuh bola sebelum melorongkan kepada Ronaldo. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/17/2009 11:25:00 AM

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Ferguson semakin optimis

RONALDO meraikan
jaringannya ketika membantu United membelasah Derby 4-1 di Pride Park kelmarin.

DERBY - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mengakui peluang anak buahnya untuk menggondol lima trofi musim ini bukanlah sesuatu yang mustahil selepas mereka menewaskan Derby 4-1 pada aksi pusingan kelima Piala FA kelmarin.

Selepas menjuarai Piala Kelab Dunia dan layak ke final Piala Liga untuk bertemu Tottenham bulan depan, United bakal mengukuhkan kedudukan selaku pendahulu Liga Perdana England kepada lima mata andai berjaya menewaskan Fulham esok.

Skuad Red Devils itu juga masih berada dalam persaingan Liga Juara-Juara dan Ferguson percaya, pasukannya mempunyai barisan terbaik untuk menyapu bersih semua kejuaraan musim ini.

"Pasukan ini sungguh menarik. Mereka mampu beraksi baik biarpun dalam perlawanan yang sukar. Memandangkan kami ada perlawanan pada Rabu (esok), saya telah rehatkan beberapa pemain, namun pasukan ini telah melakukan yang terbaik sekali lagi," katanya.

"Saya harap pasukan ini dapat meneruskan tahap permainan seperti kebelakangan ini."

Pada aksi kelmarin, Cristiano Ronaldo menyumbat satu gol ketika beraksi sebagai penyerang dibantu tiga lagi jaringan menerusi Darren Gibson, Nani dan pemain gantian, Danny Welbeck. Derby pula mendapat gol saguhati menerusi Miles Addison.

Meskipun Ronaldo dan Ryan Giggs bergandingan baik sebagai penyerang pada perlawanan itu, Ferguson berkata, dia tiada niat untuk terus menggunakan khidmat kedua-dua pemain itu di posisi tersebut.

"Kita tdiak boleh letakkan dia (Ronaldo) di posisi penyerang kerana kami mempunyai beberapa lagi penyerang. Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez dan Wayne Rooney akan kembali di posisi tersebut selepas ini," jelas Ferguson. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/17/2009 10:38:00 AM

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Monday, February 16, 2009

FA Cup - United sweep into last eight of Cup

Danny Welbeck v Derby, FOOTBALL - 0

Manchester United's bid for an unprecedented quadruple gained momentum after a 4-1 win over Derby County at Pride Park booked a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

United went two goals up before half-time thanks to strikes from Nani and Darron Gibson with Cristiano Ronaldo adding a third soon after the break.

Derby defender Miles Addison pulled one back on 56 minutes to give the hosts some brief hope only for substitute Danny Welbeck to seal victory for the Premier League side with a fourth in the 82nd minute.

The result saw United reach the last eight, where they were drawn to play Swansea or Fulham.

Chelsea were handed an away trip to Blackburn or Coventry while Cardiff City or Arsenal or Burnley will play Sheffield United or Hull City.

Completing the draw were the day's other winners, Everton, who were paired with either West Ham or Middlesbrough.

Derby may be the only team to have beaten United this year but a repeat of their 1-0 victory in the first leg of January's Carling Cup semi-final was never on the cards, despite an experimental United side.

Alex Ferguson opted to make seven changes to the starting XI that beat West Ham last weekend, with Ben Foster and Gibson among those drafted in to win rare starts.

But United's strength in depth is second to none and even a side missing the likes of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic were capable of bossing the opening stages.

Stephen Bywater was Derby's busiest player early on and the keeper was called into action on two occasions as United sprayed the ball around confidently and carved out a number of chances.

The first fell to Darren Fletcher, the Scotsman nearly rounding off a fluid passing move involving Rafael Da Silva, Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo with a crisp drive which Bywater was forced to deal with.

The keeper again denied United soon after, this time pulling off a brilliant reaction save to deny Ji-Sung Park from close range.

There were brief moments of encouragement for the hosts however, Paul Green seeing an instinctive first-time volley on 21 minutes whistle over the bar before Rob Hulse charged into the box, only to blot his copybook with a hopeful dive.

But the Premier League side looked comfortable and when the opener arrived, it came as no surprise.

The manner of the strike was equally unsurprising, given that Nani cut in from the left wing to fire an unstoppable drive past the keeper - a thrilling sight already witnessed on numerous occasions since the Portuguese arrived in Manchester and one likely to be repeated again.

The visitors thought they had doubled their lead on 37 minutes through Ronaldo, only to be denied by a late linesman's flag. The Ballon d'Or winner had nearly finished his celebrations by the time the referee's whistle blew to indicate he had been offside as Giggs flicked through.

Ferguson raged at the decision on the touchline but his mood was softened just before the half-time break when Gibson pounced on a blocked Ronaldo free-kick to fire home first-time from the edge of the box.

Ronaldo found the back of the net again three minutes into the second half and this time there was no disputing its validity; the forward reached a corner ahead of Addison to direct a typically powerful header past Bywater.

A fourth very nearly followed, but Bywater was again on hand to deny first Ronaldo and then Fletcher with an impressive double save.

Against the run of play, Addison then headed past Foster in the 57th minute to give the home crowd hope of witnessing an improbable comeback.

The goal sparked Derby into life and at 1-3 down, the next goal was always going to be crucial.

Gary Teale in particular did his best to ensure it went Derby's way, and he became the focal point for most of the hosts' attacking play. Only a super save by Foster denied the Scot with a well-struck effort from distance, a goal that would have made for an interesting final 13 minutes.

But it was United who were to have the final say on proceedings, Welbeck opening up his body to sidefoot home with a crisp first time effort on 81 minutes and maintain United hopes of a clean sweep of this season's trophies.

manchesterunited 2/16/2009 08:01:00 AM

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Azam Vidic

DERBY (England): Nemanja Vidic tidak bercadang bersikap sambil lewa ketika Manchester United meneruskan usaha mereka untuk merangkul semua kejuaraan yang disertai apabila beraksi pada perlawanan pusingan kelima Piala FA Inggeris menentang Derby County, awal pagi esok.

Pasukan bimbingan Alex Ferguson itu sudahpun memenangi Piala Dunia Kelab musim ini dan dalam proses memburu empat lagi kejuaraan yang mereka sertai.

United dua mata mendahului Liga Perdana Inggeris, berhadapan Tottenham pada final Piala Liga, 1 Mac depan, dan mereka juga melayakkan diri dalam kelompok 16 pasukan terakhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah di mana mereka akan berdepan Inter Milan hujung bulan ini.

Kemenangan ke atas skuad Liga Kejuaraan dibimbing Nigel Clough akan meletakkan mereka dalam kelompok lapan pasukan terakhir Piala FA.

Bermain dalam peringkat penting pelbagai kejohanan mungkin memberikan mereka banyak tekanan meskipun Piala FA bukan berada di senarai teratas keutamaan United.

Namun, pemain pertahanan tengah Serbia, Vidic, yang beraksi dalam 13 perlawanan berturut-turut yang menyaksikan United tidak bolos, berazam untuk tidak menyerah kalah dalam sebarang pertandingan.

“Saya amat bangga kerana menjadi sebahagian daripada pasukan yang mencipta sejarah,” katanya. “Kami berbesar hati untuk mencipta rekod baru dan melakukan apa yang dicapai sebelum ini kerana amat penting untuk memenangi perlawanan itu.”

Wayne Rooney belum pasti diturunkan kerana masih dibelenggu kecederaan tapi pertahanan Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra dan Jonny Evans dilaporkan cergas.

Ferdinand tidak bermain ketika England tewas kepada Sepanyol kerana tidak sihat, tapi dia dijangka sempat pulih untuk menyertai pasukan ke Pride Park.

“Ferdinand berasa keadaannya semakin baik ketika datang Khamis lalu. Dia tidak berlatih, tapi sepatutnya sudah sihat,” kata penolong pengurus United, Mike Phelan.

Meskipun berada 35 anak tangga di belakang United dalam kedudukan liga, Derby mendapati diri mereka dalam posisi unik kerana menjadi sesatunya pasukan yang menundukkan United pada 2009.

Kemenangan Derby itu yang dicatatkan pada separuh akhir pertama Piala Liga menjadi sesatunya kekalahan United dalam 23 perlawanan terakhir mereka sejak tewas 1-2 di Arsenal pada 8 November lalu.

Clough mempunyai sejarah mengecewakan United dalam kejuaraan ini selepas menjadi perancang kepada keputusan seri tanpa jaringan di Old Trafford ketika membimbing pasukan bukan liga, Burton Albion pada pusingan ketiga, tiga tahun lalu. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/15/2009 12:33:00 PM

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Rooney tidak ke Derby

MANCHESTER: Wayne Rooney tidak dijangka beraksi pada pertemuan Piala FA di Derby County, esok tatkala Manchester United mengharapkan penyerang berbisa itu bersedia untuk perlawanan penting Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) dan Liga Juara-Juara Eropah dalam tempoh beberapa minggu lagi.

Rooney terpaksa direhatkan ekoran kecederaan hamstring untuk tempoh hampir dua bulan dan dijangka kembali beraksi di West Ham, Ahad lalu.

Bagaimanapun, penyerang kebangsaan England itu terpaksa digugurkan ketika United mencatat kemenangan di Upton Park dan dilihat tidak dapat diturunkan esok sekalipun barisan Red Devils sedang memburu tiket peringkat suku akhir.

Dengan aksi pertama pusingan kalah mati Liga Juara-Juara menentang Inter Milan dijadual di San Siro, 24 Februari ini, United tidak rela mengambil risiko membabitkan Rooney ketika ini.

Dia berpeluang membuat penampilan semula menentang Fulham dalam EPL di Old Trafford, Rabu ini.

“Kami sedang memantau perkembangan Wayne. Dia mula mengikuti sesi latihan tapi, kami tidak mahu tergesa-gesa menangani perkara ini kerana akan melalui perlawanan penting.

“Kami akan mendorongnya kembali beraksi secepat mungkin. Jika dia berjaya, ia menakjubkan, tapi jika tidak, kami akan menunggunya untuk aksi berikutnya menentang Fulham kerana kami tidak rugi apa-apa.

“Kami memiliki ramai pemain yang dapat diturunkan jika insiden seperti ini berlaku dan kami akan berjaya melaluinya. Kami akan membuat keputusan bilakah dia akan cergas dan lawan akan dihadapinya.

“Inter Milan sentiasa berada dalam fikiran. Ia pertemuan penting, ia aksi peringkat Eropah tapi tarikhnya masih jauh dan banyak perlawanan yang perlu kami tempuhi dalam tempoh itu.

“Kami akan menyediakan pasukan kami bergantung kepada setiap perlawanan,” kata penolong pengurus United, Mike Phelan.

Sekalipun Rooney tidak boleh bersama ke Derby, Ferguson pastinya gembira dengan kehadiran semula trio bahagian pertahanan, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra dan Jonny Evans untuk aksi di Pride Park. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/14/2009 11:50:00 AM

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

United tetap waspada

GIGGS (kiri) menerima ucapan tahniah daripada Cristiano Ronaldo selepas menjaringkan gol kemenangan United di Upton Park kelmarin.

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson memberi amaran kepada anak buahnya agar tidak hilang fokus pada baki perlawanan musim ini.

Amaran terbaru Ferguson itu disuarakan selepas United kembali merampas takhta pendahulu menerusi kemenangan 1-0 ke atas West Ham dalam aksi Liga Perdana England kelmarin.

Jaringan babak kedua menerusi pemain veteran, Ryan Giggs memberi kelebihan kepada United untuk mengatasi Liverpool dengan kelebihan dua mata.

Andai berjaya menumpaskan Fulham pada baki perlawanan 18 Februari depan, United berpeluang menjarakkan kedudukan kepada lima mata.

Namun, Ferguson sedar berdasarkan pengalaman lalu, kelebihan yang dimiliki pasukannya boleh berubah pada bila-bila masa.

"Kesilapan boleh berlaku. Pada tahun 1998, United mendahului Arsenal dengan 11 mata, tetapi akhirnya kami gagal menjulang kejuaraan liga," kata Ferguson.

Kemenangan ke atas West Ham itu merupakan kali ke-12 United menang dengan jaringan 1-0 pada semua kejohanan disertai mereka musim ini.

United juga berjaya menambah rekod tanpa bolos kepada 1,212 minit selepas Edwin van der Sar terus kebal di benteng terakhir.

"Bagi United, 20 jam tanpa dibolosi sesuatu yang luar biasa kerana kami biasanya mencatat kemenangan 4-3. Sekalung tahniah buat para pemain, saya sangat bangga dengan mereka," ujar Ferguson.

Ferguson turut teruja menyaksikan Giggs dapat berkongsi kehebatan bersama van Der Sar selepas pemain sayap Wales itu menjaringkan gol pertamanya dalam saingan liga musim ini.

"Giggs layak dipuji pada perlawanan ini. Jika sesiapa mahu contoh tentang bagaimana dedikasinya seseorang itu terhadap bola sepak, tiada contoh lain kecuali Ryan Giggs," kata Ferguson. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/10/2009 09:31:00 AM

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Monday, February 9, 2009

Van der Sar: It's a team game

Edwin van der Sar hailed his Manchester United team-mates after claiming the British league record for not conceding a goal at West Ham.Ryan Giggs netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Upton Park on Sunday as United recorded their 13th successive Premier League clean sheet to take the veteran Dutchman's record to 1,212 minutes without conceding a goal.

"It's down to hard work from everybody," van der Sar said on Sky Sports 1. "Of course you make a couple of saves but the defenders are incredible. Everybody tracks back and it's a team effort.

"It's fantastic and I'm very happy with it, but the main thing is we're back on top - let's hope we can stay there."

Man-of-the-match Giggs struck his first league goal of the campaign but was quick to praise his defenders.

He said: "We're not giving much away at the back and we know we've got players to create chances - Edwin and the lads at the back have been brilliant - but I'm glad to score the winning goal."

manchesterunited 2/09/2009 07:32:00 PM

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Giggs magic sends United top(Man U beat West Ham 1-0)

Ryan Giggs shoots past West Ham's Robert Green to put Manchester United 1-0 up at Upton Park. - 0

Ryan Giggs rolled back the years to send Manchester United top of the Premier League, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at West Ham.

The 35-year-old struck just after the hour mark with a piece of brilliance, cutting inside from the left flank, beating two men and finishing low past Robert Green.

The champions increased their consecutive clean sheet record to 13, but were made to work hard by an impressive, industrious West Ham side.

Gianfranco Zola picked the same team for the fourth consecutive match, while Alex Ferguson made three changes - bringing in Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rafael da Silva for Ji-Sung Park, Darren Fletcher and the unwell Gary Neville.

Carlos Tevez received warm applause on his return to Upton Park, but produced a quiet performance and will surely return to his familiar position on the bench when Wayne Rooney returns against Derby County in the FA Cup next weekend.

West Ham showed all of the organisation and resilience that their coaching team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke has given them, denying the champions time on the ball and limiting their goalscoring opportunities.

Carlton Cole might have celebrated his call-up to the England squad with a goal on 13 minutes, when he was released down the right channel and sprinted away from Rio Ferdinand.

But instead of shooting with power, Cole attempted a cute chip and Van der Sar made a comfortable catch.

A minute earlier, Lucas Neill also came close to ending United's run of defensive perfection when he volleyed goalwards but, after a brief fumble, the goalkeeper held on to the ball.

Then Jack Collison had a chance, as the young Welshman collected the ball and turned into shooting position, but took one touch too many and Ferdinand eventually scrambled it away.

At the other end, the visitors dominated the statistics but only once genuinely threatened Green's goal before the break.

Giggs played a free-kick on the right low to Scholes 25 yards out, and he dragged his first-time shot off-target. However, an instinctive sidefoot from Cristiano Ronaldo redirected the ball towards the top corner and Green made a superb reflex save to palm it away.

The goal came when Giggs received a perfect crossfield pass from Scholes on the left, then turned inside beyond two flailing challenges and sent a right-foot shot into the bottom corner through a sea of legs.

It was Giggs's first goal of the season, and ensured he has now scored in all 19 of his league campaigns.

Thereafter United were comfortable, passing the ball around with Dimitar Berbatov proving an unusually effective defensive influence.

Scholes and Giggs have had to put up with reduced playing time in the twilight of their careers, but they still possess match-winning quality and between them turned one point into three.

Those extra two points are the margin by which Ferguson's side lead Liverpool with a game still in hand, to be played against Fulham in 10 days' time.

manchesterunited 2/09/2009 07:10:00 AM

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Perpindahan Januari 2008

manchesterunited 2/04/2009 08:53:00 AM

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Lupakan niat julang trofi - Berbatov

BERBATOV (kanan) optimis United mampu pertahan gelaran liga musim ini.

LONDON - Dimitar Berbatov melontarkan amaran kepada Liverpool supaya melupakan hasrat untuk menjulang trofi Liga Perdana England musim ini.

Alasan yang diberikan Berbatov hanya satu - Manchester United ketika ini sukar dikalahkan.

Berbatov menegaskan bahawa kejayaan muncul juara Kelab Dunia dan Eropah membuatkan United berasa yakin untuk menyingkirkan mana-mana pasukan yang cuba menghalang mereka daripada mempertahan kejuaraan liga.

Liverpool akan berkunjung ke Old Trafford pada 14 Mac pada pertemuan yang dianggap sebagai penentu kepada gelaran juara Liga Perdana England musim ini.

"Apabila kamu memasuki padang dan terdengar pengumuman 'Inilah dia pasukan juara di England, juara di Eropah dan juga juara di dunia', kamu pastinya percaya bahawa kamu akan menyingkirkan sesiapa sahaja yang menjadi penghalang.

"Saya dapat rasakan suntikan semangat setiap kali saya berjalan masuk ke padang di Old Trafford. Ia satu perasaan yang hebat," kata Berbatov.

Liverpool kembali mengekori rapat di belakang United dengan perbezaan dua mata hasil kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Chelsea, Ahad lalu.

Namun Berbatov memberitahu, United tidak akan melepaskan takhta sebagai pendahulu liga sehinggalah musim ini berakhir.

"Kami semua adalah pemain yang berbeza, bukan hanya penyerang sahaja. Terdapat pelbagai kualiti dalam pasukan ini tetapi jika digandingkan bersama, kami adalah sebuah pasukan yang hebat," kata Berbatov.

"Itulah kejayaan pengurus (Alex Ferguson). Dia membina sebuah pasukan yang kuat dengan ramai pemain berbakat, itulah antara kekuatan kami.

"Kamu boleh memiliki pemain yang hebat tetapi bukan sebuah pasukan yang hebat.

"Di sini kami memiliki kesemuanya," kata Berbatov yang meledakkan lima gol dalam lapan penampilan terakhir. - Agensi

manchesterunited 2/04/2009 08:40:00 AM

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Monday, February 2, 2009

United sedia rebut kejuaraan

PEMAIN Manchester United, Park Ji-Sung (atas) diasak pemain Everton, Leighton Baines pada pertemuan Liga Perdana England di Old Trafford, Manchester, kelmarin. United menang 1-0. - REUTERS

MANCHESTER, England - Pengurus Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson menjangkakan akan berlaku satu detik rumit bermula saat ini sehingga ke penghujung musim, selepas menyaksikan pasukan bimbingannya berjaya melanjutkan kedudukan pendahulu Liga Perdana England.

United mencatat kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Everton di Old Trafford kelmarin, sekali gus memiliki kelebihan lima mata di puncak liga.

Masih terdapat 15 perlawanan liga yang akan diteruskan dan berbekalkan kedudukan ideal tersebut, Red Devils berpeluang cerah merangkul gelaran juara Liga Perdana England buat kali ketiga berturut-turut.

Namun begitu, Ferguson menyangkal untuk terbawa-bawa dengan impian tersebut, selepas jaringan penalti Cristiano Ronaldo pada separuh masa pertama membolehkan United mencatat kemenangan kali ketujuh berturut-turut bagi persaingan liga tempatan.

"Perkara penting ialah kami perlu meneruskan aksi bertenaga secara berterusan. Kami mempunyai perlawanan sukar di tempat lawan iaitu bertemu West Ham minggu depan.

"Semua pasukan kehilangan mata ketika ini. Kami hanya berharap agar tidak mengalami keciciran mata sebanyak mana yang dialami oleh pasukan lain.

"Ia merupakan satu kelebihan untuk berada di puncak liga. Namun begitu, ia bukanlah satu kelebihan hebat kerana persaingan liga masih berbaki 15 perlawanan.

"Biarpun begitu, ia selalunya lebih baik untuk berada di tangga teratas liga berbanding kedudukan lain," kata pengurus United dari Scotland itu.

Berkedudukan tempat ketiga ketika memulakan persaingan tahun baru, United mengakhiri aksi bulan lepas dengan kelebihan besar ke atas pesaing terdekatnya, Liverpool dan Chelsea dengan berbaki satu perlawanan.

Jaringan tunggal United diperoleh setelah Michael Carrick dijatuhkan dalam kotak oleh Mikel Arteta minit ke-44.

Tindakan keras Arteta itu telah membolehkan Ronaldo menyumbat gol ke-13 dirinya musim ini.

"Siapa tahu bagaimana kelebihan lima mata ini akan berakhir? Kami telah melaksanakan tugas kami minggu ini.

"Kami gembira dengan kemenangan 1-0 ini dan pasukan ini memperoleh satu lagi keputusan bersih. Kami mempunyai beberapa peluang baik untuk menghasilkan lebih banyak gol," kata Carrick.

Pemain tengah England itu berpendapat bahawa United masih belum mencapai tahap prestasi tertinggi mereka.

"Kami boleh berpuas hati dengan tiga mata yang diperoleh. Namun begitu, masih ada banyak perkara yang akan dihadapi oleh pasukan ini di masa depan," katanya.

Perlawanan kelmarin turut menyaksikan penjaga gol United dari Belanda, Edwin van der Sar melakar rekod baru Liga Perdana England iaitu tidak melepaskan sebarang gol untuk tempoh 18 jam 42 minit.

Pemain Arsenal dari Perancis, Samir Nasri ialah pemain terakhir yang berjaya menumpaskan penjaga gol berusia 38 tahun itu di peringkat liga, ketika Arsenal mencatat kemenangan 2-1 di gelanggang sendiri pada 8 November lalu. - AFP

manchesterunited 2/02/2009 07:30:00 AM

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

WORLD CLUB CUP HELPED US - FERDINAND

Ferdinand - 'going in the right direction'.
Rio Ferdinand believes taking part in the FIFA World Club Cup has helped kick-start Manchester United's Barclays Premier League title challenge rather than hinder it.

United missed out one week of league action to take part in the competition in Japan last month, which they won 1-0 against over Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito.

The Red Devils left for Japan in third position but can move five points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool at the top if they beat Everton this evening.

Many thought United's trip to Japan would hinder their title challenge but Ferdinand believes it has had the opposite effect.

"Going to Japan has helped our focus," Ferdinand told the BBC's Football Focus.

"I think everyone said the World Club Cup would be a hindrance but it has kick-started our season.

"Our performances weren't that good before but you could see that after we won it with the way we played and the results we got we are flying.

"As soon as we got back we started thinking about how we could get back to business and getting nearer to the leaders.

"Everyone's got their heads down and got cracking with it. We are going in the right direction. We are doing a little better than expected."

Liverpool have picked up three points out of a possible nine in their last three games and they could fall further behind United in the title race if they fail to beat Chelsea on Sunday.

Despite their recent dip in form, Ferdinand still believes Rafael Benitez's side cannot be counted out of the title race.

He does admit, however, that United still have a long way to go to win the championship and equal Liverpool's record of 18 titles.

"It is way too early to say that," said the England defender.

"People said that we had blown it before we went to Japan and look how we have turned it around.

"Saying that, we have been in this situation before and we have some very hungry and experienced players so we know we have to continue as we are at the moment.

"We are just starting to get into the groove now and we have to maintain momentum to even think about getting any silverware.

"Everyone would tell you they would rather win it by 10 or 20 points, but it doesn't work like that," he added.

"You never get anything easy in life. You have to work hard, and we know that."

manchesterunited 2/01/2009 09:50:00 AM

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Manchester United 1 Everton 0

Pienaar tracks Tevez.
Manchester United moved five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty gave them victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

The Portugal winger fired home in the 44th minute after the excellent Michael Carrick had been tripped by Mikel Arteta.

With nearest rivals Liverpool and Chelsea playing each other at Anfield on Sunday, United sent out a clear message that their grip on the title is as strong as ever.

Ferguson's side have amassed 32 points from a possible 36, which is much better than the chasing pack and most definitely championship form.

The hosts dominated the match and racked up a 12th successive clean sheet, allowing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to break the English league football record for most minutes without conceding a goal.

His tally now stands at 1,122 minutes having not conceded since Samir Nasri scored in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 8.

In truth he will have busier afternoons with striker-less Everton having to employ midfielder Tim Cahill up front.

The pattern of play was established as early as the fourth minute when Marouane Fellaini's foul on Carrick gave Ronaldo a chance to go for goal from 30 yards but he drilled his effort straight into the wall.

Everton's Belgian midfielder committed his second foul at the other end when he pushed over Nemanja Vidic in trying to reach Leighton Baines' cross into the six-yard area.

In the seventh minute, goalkeeper Tim Howard had to get down quickly to his right to tip the ball wide of the goal after Park Ji-Sung's low inswinging cross was left by the Everton defence.

Howard then denied his former club a certain goal when he somehow diverted Carlos Tevez's close-range shot over the crossbar as United increased the pressure.

When Everton did get a chance to threaten, from Leon Osman's 17th-minute right-wing corner, Van der Sar claimed easily.

Cahill, usually so good in the air, was winning little of the ball against Rio Ferdinand despite Everton's attempts to reach him at every opportunity.

United, however, were having no problems creating chances and almost scored in the 25th minute when Ronaldo's toe-poke from just outside the area rebounded back off a post but as Tevez tried to convert the rebound he was flagged for offside.

The Portugal winger came close again two minutes later when Howard tipped over a long-range shot.

Carrick was next to try his luck but his volley from the left of the penalty area was just wide of the target.

But United finally made the breakthrough in the 44th minute.

Carrick had gone past Arteta but the Spaniard hung out a trailing leg behind him and it caught the midfielder, who fell in the area.

After a moment's hesitation referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Ronaldo despatched his shot straight down the middle.

Just after the interval Steven Pienaar won a free-kick off Vidic but Arteta sliced the 35-yard effort horribly wide.

Moments later Carrick should have been awarded another penalty when he nicked John O'Shea's incisive through-ball past Joleon Lescott but despite the defender catching him Halsey waved away United's justifiable claims.

Tevez then blazed well wide from Park's right-wing cross as United looked to turn their dominance into a second goal.

The Argentina striker tried his luck with a low curling shot from the edge of the area but Howard saved comfortably.

United still had to be wary of Everton's set-piece prowess but Van der Sar was more than up to the challenge of dealing with Arteta's low 35-yard free-kick.

The visitors' problem was that they had not really tested the United goalkeeper and Moyes, who is currently without three strikers, had very little available on the bench to change that.

The 68th-minute introduction of Victor Anichebe for Fellaini was at least an attempt to freshen things up as Cahill dropped into an attacking midfield role to allow the youngster a run as centre-forward.

And Tevez's deflected free-kick almost put paid to those plans with Howard having to tip over the looping shot from under his own crossbar.

But there was still the odd scare for the hosts and Everton were screaming for a penalty when Lescott went down in a wrestling match with Ferdinand but Halsey was not convinced.

With those claims went the Toffees' hopes of snatching a draw - however undeserved - from the match.

Teams

Man Utd Van der Sar, Neville (Brown 56), Ferdinand, Vidic,O'Shea, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Giggs 75), Park, Berbatov,Tevez.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, Gibson,

Eckersley.

Goals: Ronaldo 44 pen.

Everton Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman,Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini (Anichebe 68), Cahill.

Subs Not Used: Nash, Yobo, Castillo, Jacobsen, Rodwell, Gosling.

Att: 75,399

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

manchesterunited 2/01/2009 08:45:00 AM

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