CELEBRATE THE DAY

Sunday, August 30, 2009

United ranapkan Arsenal

GAYA tersendiri Rooney selepas menjaringkan gol pertama United menerusi sepakan penalti pada aksi menentang Arsenal di Old Trafford semalam. United menang 2-1.

REKOD cemerlang Arsenal dalam kempen Liga Perdana England tercalar.

Selepas gah dengan kemenangan besar 6-1 ke atas Everton sebelum menang 4-1 ke atas Portsmouth, kelab dari London, Arsenal terpaksa akur dengan kehebatan Manchester United semalam.

Sekalipun berjaya mendahului hasil jaringan Andrei Arshavin pada minit ke-40, skuad The Gunners itu tewas 1-2 selepas gagal menggunakan kelebihan yang ada bagi membawa pulang tiga mata penuh.

Sebaliknya, United yang beraksi di hadapan penyokong sendiri di Old Trafford bangkit menampilkan aksi lebih bertenaga pada babak kedua.

Ayam tambatannya, Wayne Rooney menjaringkan gol pertama United menerusi sepakan penalti pada minit ke-59.

Lima minit kemudian, United memperoleh gol kemenangan apabila pertahanan Arsenal, Abou Diaby tertanduk bola ke gawang sendiri hasil sepakan percuma Ryan Giggs.

Sementara itu, Chelsea merampas takhta Liga Perdana England selepas menang 3-0 ke atas Burnley di Stamford Bridge.

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Premier League - United end Arsenal run

Wayne Rooney penalty, FOOTBALL - 0

Manchester United ended Arsenal's perfect start to the season as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney earned and converted a penalty after 59 minutes before Abou Diaby headed through his own net four minutes later.

Andrei Arshavin had given the Gunners a 40th minute lead with a thunderbolt shot but Arsenal have only themselves to blame after gifting the defending champions both goals.

Arshavin, who had not scored in the Premier League since his four goals at Liverpool last season, broke the deadlock with a 25-yard screamer.

Only moments earlier the Russian was claiming a penalty after Darren Fletcher had made a sliding tackle on him but he took out his frustration in the best way possible with a rasping shot than Ben Foster got a hand to but could not prevent from nestling in the roof of the net.

Goal attempts had been limited up to that point with Arshavin coming the closest after Foster flapped at a corner. The former Zenit St Petersburg man opened his body but curled his shot just inches over the top corner.

United had their moments with Fletcher putting an early effort over the top from 12 yards and Rooney, playing on his own up front, curling a free-kick narrowly wide of the post.

Nemanja Vidic had a great chance to level on the stroke of half-time but he scuffed his shot from no more than eight yards.

Arsenal started the second period brightly and Arshavin's cross from the left was met by Robin van Persie but Foster made a superb save with his outstretched left foot to deny the Dutchman.

If Foster was partly culpable for the goal, he certainly made amends with that save and 10 minutes later his side were on level terms.

A long pass down the left channel from Giggs was collected by Rooney who went down under a challenge from the outrushing Almunia. It was a clear penalty and the United striker picked himself up to send the Spanish custodian the wrong way with his spot kick.

Van Persie struck the middle of the crossbar with a swinging free-kick from the right before Diaby gifted the hosts the lead.

Giggs swung in a free-kick from the right and inexplicably the French midfielder headed past Almunia under no real pressure.

Diaby almost made instant amends but after creating an opening with a superb mazy run, he dragged his shot wide of the far post from 14 yards.

The game then became scrappy with nine yellow cards dished out by referee Mike Dean.

Almunia denied Evra before both Nani and substitute Dimitar Berbatov spurned golden chances in added time to seal the victory.

There was still time for van Persie to have a goal disallowed after William Gallas strayed offside.

A frustrated Arsene Wenger was sent to the stands for comments made to the fourth official in the aftermath and he was surrounded by United fans as the final whistle went moments later.

manchesterunited 8/30/2009 06:37:00 AM

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Vidic lafaz kesetiaan

VIDIC (kiri) bersaing dengan penyerang Wigan, Hugo Rodallega pada aksi Liga Perdana England di Stadium DW, Sabtu lalu.

LONDON - Nemanja Vidic berjanji akan membuktikan komitmennya bersama Manchester United dengan menampilkan persembahan terbaik musim ini.

Minggu lalu, penasihat kepada pemain Serbia itu, Paolo Fabbri mengesahkan bahawa Vidic bersedia untuk menyertai kelab gergasi Sepanyol, Barcelona.

Berita itu menghadirkan desas-desus hangat di Old Trafford berdasarkan status Vidic sebagai salah seorang pertahanan terbaik di Eropah sejak dia menyertai United tiga tahun lalu.

Spekulasi bertambah hangat apabila isteri Vidic juga dilaporkan kurang gembira berada di England.

Namun Vidic menegaskan, fokusnya kini hanya untuk memastikan United berjaya mempertahan- kan kejuaraan musim lalu.

"Saya tidak pernah mengatakan apa-apa mengenai Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan atau mana-mana kelab.

"Saya tidak pernah bercakap mengenai masa depan saya. Jadi saya tidak tahu kenapa seseorang berbuat demikian.

"Saya telah menunjukkan komitmen saya pada aksi bertemu Wigan dan saya gembira berada bersama kelab ini," kata Vidic.

Kemenangan besar 5-0 ke atas Wigan pada kempen Liga Perdana England, Sabtu lalu merupakan aksi pertama Vidic selepas dia pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali.

"Saya tidak mahu ia memberi kesan. Saya akan terus memberikan komitmen saya di sini. Adalah tidak benar isteri saya tidak gembira di England.

"Saya tidak tahu bagaimana khabar angin itu timbul," jelasnya. - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/26/2009 07:37:00 AM

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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Owen resigned to question marks

Michael Owen accepts that his scoring record will remain under intense scrutiny until the day he retires.

The 29-year-old striker got off the mark for Manchester United in the 5-0 victory against Wigan at the DW Stadium - the perfect answer to the critics who claimed he had little to offer the champions.

Owen said: "I've missed a couple since the season started and, as ever, everyone is quick to write you off. It was as if I hadn't scored for a couple of years."

He continued to tell MUTV: "That's something I've had to deal with for 10-odd years now and I don't think that will change until I hang up my boots.

"It was certainly a great feeling to score. I'd got a few in pre-season but there's nothing quite like doing it in a competitive game.

"I probably scored the hardest chance I've had. I had two chances at Burnley and one against Birmingham, but this was the fourth real opportunity I've had."

manchesterunited 8/23/2009 07:51:00 AM

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Premier League - Deadly United blitz Wigan

ROONEY (kiri) menewaskan pertahanan Wigan, Titus Bramble untuk menggegar jaring dalam aksi EPL di Stadium DW, malam tadi. United menang 5-0.

A second-half goal blitz saw Manchester United put their Premier League campaign back on track with a 5-0 win at Wigan Athletic.

Three goals in seven minutes; two from Wayne Rooney (pictured, right), either side of a strike from the excellent Dimitar Berbatov, helped the champions eased to victory at the DW Stadium.

Substitute Michael Owen added some gloss late on, converting his first goal for the club with a typically measured finish, and Nani (pictured, left) curled in a stoppage-time free-kick.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson's side coasted to victory, nerves were starting to build after 56 goalless minutes, coming hot on the heels of a 1-0 defeat at Burnley in midweek.

The perpetrators of Wednesday's worst misses, Owen and Michael Carrick, were dropped from the first team - Carrick did not even appear on the bench.

Berbatov replaced Owen and displayed energy and imagination in an encouraging performance. He backheeled to Paul Scholes in the seventh minute, but the normally deadly midfielder blazed a glorious chance over from the edge of the box.

Wigan had already had one lucky escape by that stage, with Nani's fifth-minute cross finding Darren Fletcher, whose low show was blocked superbly by Titus Bramble.

The visitors continued to make all the running, with Rooney turning his man before shooting at Chris Kirkland, and Berbatov also heading straight to the Wigan goalkeeper.

Jason Koumas responded by bursting past Nemanja Vidic and curling a right-foot shot that Ben Foster did well to claw away for a corner, but United remained on top.

However, they could not get over their impotence in front of goal, which was characterised when Rooney ran on to a sumptuous long through ball, but shot low at Kirkland's legs when clean through.

No sooner had the second half started than another chance went begging as Valencia headed down for Rooney, who miscued his volley.

Just as the familiar arguments were being rehearsed about the impossibility of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo's goals, Rooney struck.

On 56 minutes, Antonio Valencia clipped in a right-sided cross against his former club, and Rooney rose to direct a firm header into the top-left corner and score his 100th goal for the Reds.

A minute later Wigan nearly levelled when Hugo Rodallega's looping header was saved well by Foster following a fine diagonal cross by Koumas.

Undeterred, United marched down the other end and made it two in breathtaking fashion.

Rooney found Scholes with a first-time ball and Scholes clipped a lob over the top for Berbatov. The Bulgarian lifted the ball over the onrushing Kirkland, met it on its way down and finished from a few yards.

By 65 minutes, it was game over, as Berbatov found Rooney on the left, and the England striker found the left corner via Mario Melchiot's shin.

There was still time for substitute Owen to net his first goal for United, running on to a Nani through-ball and clipping a deft left-foot shot in off the far post.

Nani himself scored the fifth, curling a 25-yard free-kick past the statuesque Kirkland.

manchesterunited 8/23/2009 07:34:00 AM

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Premier League - Blake screamer stuns United

Burnley scored their first points of the new Premier League season with a famous 1-0 victory over champions Manchester United at Turf Moor.

Robbie Blake's stunning first-half volley was enough to hand Burnley their first win in the top flight for 33 years.

United, missing a number of first-choice defenders including Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, were out of sorts but can have only themselves to blame for defeat after Michael Carrick squandered the chance to equalise with a missed penalty just before the break.

But for all United's shortcomings - nervy at the back, far from commanding in midfield and largely toothless up front - the result proved Burnley will be a force to be reckoned with on home turf.

That said, United enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges - although that was hardly a surprise given the different footballing worlds the two sides have occupied in recent times.

Michael Owen was handed his first start in a United shirt, Alex Ferguson asking the striker to play up front alongside Wayne Rooney in a traditional 4-4-2 with Dimitar Berbatov left on the bench.

And it was Owen who nearly broke the deadlock after just two minutes. But his stab at Patrice Evra's near post cross did little to add weight to the clammer for him to return to the England set-up.

Owen did have the ball in the back of the net two minutes later, but his effort at the second time of asking, was disallowed for off-side.

After weathering the early storm, Owen Coyle's side began to come into the game and Blake stunned the champions with a barn-storming 19th minute volley which arrowed into the top right hand corner, leaving Ben Foster no chance at all, after Evra had failed to get enough distance on a clearing header.

It could easily have been their second of the night, as Martin Paterson had gone close just moments earlier, rounding Foster only to see his effort blocked by Edwin van der Sar's stand-in.

United did fashion chances to draw level before the break.

Owen was again guilty of a bad miss, this time with a totally mistimed header from Wes Brown's well-delivered cross, before Carrick was given a great opportunity to draw level with a penalty kick after Evra was upended by Blake in the box.

But Brian Jensen saved Carrick's spot kick, a big hand reaching out to frustrate United, not for the last time on the night.

The Danish keeper, announced as man of the match by the stadium announcer as time ran out, came to Burnley's rescue on several more occasions after the break.

Park Ji-Sung saw a shot pawed away on 67 minutes before Ryan Giggs was denied by the big Dane three minutes later, following a neat one-two with Rooney.

Substitute Antonio Valencia had earlier made a mess of a far post header and the pressure on Burnley's goal increased as the full-time whistle approached, but United never really looked like getting a later leveller.

Instead, celebrations were left to the home faithful, who were able to enjoy a famous night.

manchesterunited 8/20/2009 08:39:00 AM

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Fergie cabar Rooney gegar lebih 20 gol

'Dia ada keupayaan untuk lakukan tugas itu musim ini'

MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson mencabar Wayne Rooney untuk mengatasi jumlah jaringan musim lalu iaitu 20 gol selepas penyudahan penyerang United itu sudah mencukupi untuk memberikan Manchester United kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Birmingham City di Old Trafford, kelmarin.

Jaringan Rooney pada minit ke-34 menjadi perbezaannya tatkala United melupakan ketiadaan tonggak pertahanannya, Rio Ferdinand dan Nemanja Vidic akibat kecederaan, untuk merekodkan kemenangan pada hari pembukaan musim baru.

“Dia mengambil peluangnya dengan baik,” kata Ferguson. “Tandukannya bagus dan tindakan susulan yang dilakukan untuk bola muntah itu adalah pantas dan dia bertindak melalui cara yang betul.

“Harap-harap gol itu akan meletakkan dirinya untuk menjaringkan lebih banyak gol, selepas jaringannya minggu lalu. Adalah baik jika anda mendapat dua atau tiga penyerang yang boleh memberikan anda lebih 20 gol.

“Dia ada keupayaan untuk melaksanakan tugasan itu tetapi kami tidak mahu membebankan budak ini.

United, yang mencari kejuaraan keempatnya berturut-turut musim ini, bermula dengan nada positif tatkala mereka tampak berhasrat untuk membuktikan kelab itu masih mempunyai jentera serangan berbisa tanpa Cristiano Ronaldo berikutan perpindahannya ke Real Madrid, Jun lalu.

Dimitar Berbatov gagal menyempurnakan peluang terbaik awal permainan dalam petak tatkala penjaga gol, Joe Hart meluru keluar dan Rooney turut berpeluang daripada bola muntah itu tetapi digagalkan oleh pertahanan Birmingham.

Hart sekali lagi bertindak cemerlang apabila rembatan melencong Rooney dari jarak 25 meter tampak menuju ke penjuru kiri gawang sehingga penjaga gol itu melayangkan badan untuk menepis bola keluar.

Birmingham, cuba mengatur serangan beberapa kali tatkala James McFadden meluru di sayap kiri tetapi dia kekurangan sokongan daripada rakan sepasukan dalam petak penalti United yang berjaya menghalang gerakan lawan. - AFP

manchesterunited 8/18/2009 07:36:00 AM

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Fergie rela menang 1-0

ROONEY (kanan) meraikan jaringannya dengan rakan sepasukannya pada aksi menentang Birmingham kelmarin.

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mengakui, beliau akan tetap gembira jika The Red Devils mencatat lapan kemenangan tipis 1-0 musim ini.

Bagi Ferguson, ia sudah memadai jika keputusan itu dapat membantu United mempertahankan kejuaraan Liga Perdana England musim ini.

United tidak mempamerkan kemampuan sebenar ketika menewaskan pasu- kan yang baru dinaikkan pangkat, Birmingham City 1-0 di Old Trafford kelmarin.

Wayne Rooney meledak gol tunggal United pada minit ke-34 bagi memasti- kan The Red Devils mengutip tiga mata penting di gelanggang sendiri.

United juga terpaksa mengharapkan kecemerlangan penjaga golnya, Ben Foster yang banyak menafikan percubaan Birmingham.

Begitupun, Ferguson tetap gembira apabila pasukannya berjaya menghalang kubu mereka daripada dibolosi.

"Apabila kamu dapat kekalkan rekod bersih di bahagian pertahanan, ia adalah petunjuk bahawa pasukan kamu ada kesungguhan.

"Saya tetap terima sekiranya kami menang 1-0 sebanyak lapan kali setiap musim. Ia mungkin satu kemenangan tipis tetapi itulah apa yang membuatkan kelab ini terkenal seperti sekarang.

"Tiada seorang pun yang akan bersenang-lenang di sini, tidak kira sama ada mereka adalah peminat, pegawai, pemain mahu pun saya sendiri.

"Kami sentiasa mampu menuju ke landasan yang betul," kata Ferguson.

- Agensi

manchesterunited 8/17/2009 07:41:00 AM

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Premier League - Rooney gives United win

2009-2010 Manchester United-Birmingham Wayne Rooney - 0

A first-half goal from Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over promoted Birmingham in their opening Premier League fixture of the season at Old Trafford.

The England striker finished from close range after his header rebounded off the post on 34 minutes.

United dominated possession but were unable to take their chances while, in the same passage of play with 19 minutes remaining, Dimitar Berbatov had a header cleared off the line by Lee Carsley and a cast-iron penalty turned down after Steven Carr trod on his foot.

But it was not all plain sailing for the hosts, as their makeshift defence looked shaky in the absence of injured duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - the latter ruled out minutes before kick-off with a calf injury picked up in training.

After falling behind Birmingham had their chances to level, with Patrice Evra clearing Franck Queudrue's header off the line and Ben Foster saving well from substitute Cristian Benitez when the Ecuador striker raced clear of the United defence.

United could and should have extended their lead though as, in addition to a poor miss from Darren Fletcher and Berbatov's bad luck, Rooney flicked a header inches wide and had two long-range shots well-saved by Joe Hart while substitute Michael Owen should have marked his Premier League debut for United with an injury-time goal but he was denied by Hart.

Despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, United's teamwork and attacking intent was exceptional with Ronaldo's replacement Antonio Valencia a willing runner and ready to play the early ball when his pace freed him out wide.

Nani also impressed before coming off after suffering a reaction to the dislocated shoulder he picked up in the Community Shield defeat to Chelsea.

United had chance after chance as they bombarded Birmingham with free-flowing attacks from both flanks. Fletcher and Paul Scholes worked to contain a packed Blues midfield and slipped the ball wide as often as possible.

Carr was fortunate not to be dismissed on nine minutes when he brought Berbatov down on the edge of the box after Joe Hart's poor clearance was quickly threaded to the Bulgarian by Valencia.

From the subsequent counter-attack James McFadden put a curling effort wide after he cut inside from the left to leave the otherwise impressive Fabio stranded.

The young Brazilian covered admirably at right-back for his injured twin Rafael, bombing down the win in identical fashion to his brother and working well with Valencia.

Rooney, meanwhile, was relishing his central attacking role and forced an excellent save from Hart with a dipping, 25-yard shot on 12 minutes.

Fabio showed his Cafu-esque attacking ability just after the half hour with a bounding run down the right that culminated in a low drive that Hart did well to parry.

United took the lead soon afterwards with a clinical counter attack started by John O'Shea's long ball.

Rooney flicked it on to Berbatov, who casually nodded the ball down to Nani on the left whose cross was flicked off the far post by Rooney, who had continued his run and was perfectly placed to knock the loose ball past the helpless Hart.

Birmingham were on the rack but they were organised and bright on the counter. They could have levelled four minutes after United went ahead but Queudrue, unmarked, met Sebastian Larsson's excellent corner with a powerful header that Evra was well-positioned to clear.

Fletcher had his injury-time horror miss and United went into the break a goal to the good.

Nani was replaced by Ryan Giggs at half-time but United's stride was not broken in the slightest as they came out hungry for a second.

Rooney forced another good stop by on-loan Manchester City keeper Hart with a chest down and half-volley, while Berbatov was denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity when Queudrue flew across to nick Rooney's perfectly-weighted centre away as the Bulgarian striker waited to complete a simple headed finish.

And so it continued. Camerone Jerome deflected a Giggs free-kick just over the bar, Berbatov thought he had scored when he headed Fabio's deep cross to the top right but Carsley was on hand to clear off the line, Paul Scholes had a low drive deflected just wide after good interplay between Rooney, Owen and Valencia while Rooney looked on in agony as his flicked header from Giggs's precision cross bounced just the wrong side of the far post.

Birmingham had two key chances to level, though, with their attacks rare but relatively incisive, showing boss Alex McLeish that they could have some impact this season.

Midfielder Keith Fahey drilled a low shot inches wide with Foster beaten while, with 12 minutes remaining, the pace of Benitez took him away from United's defence before Foster made a smart stop to deny him a dream start in England.

Owen, signed on a free from Newcastle, looked bright after he came on for the last quarter hour and showed a superb turn of pace to race clear of the Birmingham defence in the 92nd minute.

Unfortunately for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star, his finish was too straight and Hart made himself big to block for a corner.

It was not to be a fairytale start for Owen but United sealed the win to start their title defence in solid fashion while Birmingham, despite defeat, will take heart after looking competitive against the champions.

manchesterunited 8/17/2009 07:37:00 AM

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Ferguson tidak gentar ancaman

Alex Ferguson (kanan) dan Pengurus Chelsea, Carlo Anceloti ketika saingan Perisai Komuniti yang menyaksikan Manchester United tewas. - REUTERS

LONDON - Jika pasukan kaya, Manchester City mahu menggertak Manchester United ketika musim baru belum bermula, mereka bukan sahaja berjaya melakukannya tetapi juga telah mengatasi United apabila berbelanja 100 juta pound (RM579 juta) untuk mendapatkan pemain baru.

Kehadiran Carlos Tevez dari United, Emmanuel Adebayor dan Kolo Toure dari Arsenal, Roque Santa Cruz dari Blackburn dan Gareth Barry dari Aston Villa sudah pasti akan mempertingkatkan tahap keupayaan City dalam musim baru Liga Perdana England (EPL) yang bermula hujung minggu ini.

Bagaimanapun, ia tidak sedikit pun memberi ancaman buat pengurus United, Alex Ferguson, yang akan cuba mempertahankan kejuaraan tanpa pemain terbaik dunia, Cristiano Ronaldo, mahupun Tevez.

Apa yang membuatkan dia sakit hati di Old Trafford ialah City melaungkan amaran untuk mencabar kedudukan empat pasukan gergasi dan kedudukan United sebagai pasukan terbesar di England.

City seperti menyindir United apabila menggantung kain rentang di bandar tersebut dengan menunjukkan Tevez menyarung jersi City berserta slogan 'Selamat Datang Ke Manchester'.

"Itu adalah sebuah kelab yang kecil dengan pemikiran yang kolot, apa yang mereka boleh cakap ialah mengenai Manchester United.

"Ia bukan sesuatu yang mudah buat City bagi musim ini dan bagi saya mereka masih belum layak untuk berada sebaris dengan empat pasukan terbaik.

"Apa yang mereka belanjakan telah selesai, Mark Hughes masih perlu mencari keseimbangan dan apa yang dia ada 10 penyerang," kata Ferguson.

Sejak Sheikh Mansour Zayed Al Nahyan mengambil alih City tahun lepas, Hughes telah berbelanja sebanyak 220 juta pound (RM1.2 bilion) untuk mendapatkan pemain baru, termasuk rekod Britain 32.5 juta pound yang dibayar untuk mendapatkan pemain Brazil, Robinho pada permulaan musim lepas.

Jika tidak berjaya menamatkan saingan liga di empat tempat terbaik dianggap sebagai kegagalan buat City, yang kali terakhir membuat sasaran realistik pada 1976-77 apabila mereka muncul naib juara di belakang Liverpool.

Mereka tidak pernah menang kejuaraan utama sejak Piala Liga 1976 dan apabila kembali ke saingan EPL pada 2002, kedudukan terbaik mereka di dalam liga ialah di tangga kelapan pada 2005.

Hughes yang merupakan bekas wira United di bawah Ferguson pada era 80-an dan 90-an, tidak berada di awangan.

"Saya masih ingat tekanan di bawah Alex Ferguson ketika saya menjadi pemain United dan kami mengharungi empat tahun untuk memenangi Piala FA.

"Bagi mendapatkan piala pertama ia amat sukar sekali. Selepas itu kejayaan menjadi perkara biasa kerana anda mempunyai pengalaman untuk mencapainya

"Saya tahu tekanan yang sedang saya hadapi. Pemilik kelab mahu membawa kelab ini di antara kelab empat terbaik dan beraksi dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara Eropah dengan segera," katanya.

Bagi merealisasikan impian itu City perlu mengetepikan salah satu pasukan sama ada United, Chelsea, Liverpool atau Arsenal dan hanya Everton sahaja yang mampu melakukannya pada enam musim kebelakangan ini iaitu pada 2004-05.

Selain kehilangan Tevez kepada City dan Ronaldo ke Real, United pasti yakin dengan kerana mereka masih mempunyai pemain muda yang hebat.

Jika pembelian pemain secara percuma, Michael Owen dapat menemui semula sentuhan jaringan bersama Wayne Rooney dan Dimitar Berbatov, sekali gus menghilangkan kesan ketiadaan Ronaldo yang menjadi penyumbang jaringan.

United sedang berusaha untuk meraih kejuaraan keempat berturut-turut, kejayaan yang tidak pernah dilakukan oleh bola sepak England dan mensasarkan ke perlawanan akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah buat kali ketiga berturut-turut. - Reuters

manchesterunited 8/13/2009 09:06:00 AM

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Rooney makin 'panas'

ROONEY mahu meledakkan 25 gol musim ini.

LONDON - Wayne Rooney sudah bersedia mengetuai cabaran Manchester United musim ini.

Dia turut berazam untuk merealisasikan sasaran menjaringkan 25 gol yang tetapkan oleh pengurusnya, Alex Ferguson.

Sebelum ini, Ferguson telah berjanji memberi peluang kepada penyerang England itu bermain di posisi kegemarannya iaitu di bahagian tengah serangan berikutan pemergian Cristiano Ronaldo.

Begitupun, Ferguson mahu Rooney membayar kepercayaannya dengan meledakkan seberapa banyak gol musim ini.

Rooney meledakkan 20 gol dalam semua kempen buat United musim lepas dan sedar dia perlu menambah koleksi jaringannya musim ini.

Bagaimanapun, bekas penyerang Everton itu percaya tanggungjawab besar yang dipikulnya setelah ketiadaan Ronaldo tidak sesekali merisaukannya.

"Sudah tentu 25 gol adalah sasaran yang saya harap dapat dicapai.

"Saya sentiasa kata yang saya sepatutnya menjaringkan lebih banyak gol dan harapnya saya akan dapat melakukannya musim ini," kata Rooney.

"Saya telah dapat apa yang saya mahu. Saya mahu bermain di bahagian tengah serangan.

"Pengurus telah beritahu yang saya akan bermain di posisi tersebut musim ini, jadi saya gembira mendengarnya."

Ronaldo telah menyumbang 67 gol sepanjang dua musimnya di Old Trafford dan kini United perlu mencari pengganti kepada ketiadaannya.

"Dia (Ronaldo) adalah pemain terbaik di dunia dan banyak persoalan timbul apabila kami kehilangan dia," kata Rooney.

"Saya juga ada jangkaan tersendiri ke atas diri saya sejak tujuh tahun lalu.

"Sama ada Cristiano ada atau tidak, saya masih tetap mempunyai jangkaan saya sendiri." - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/12/2009 09:22:00 AM

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Players primed for action

After weeks of intensive training and eight increasingly difficult matches in six different cities, United are ready to defend the Barclays Premier League title.

That's the clear and positive message emerging from the Reds' backroom staff, despite the Community Shield bringing a few more bumps and bruises and perhaps highlighting a need to brush up on penalty technique after the 4-1 shoot-out loss to Chelsea.

Assistant manager Mike Phelan said, "It’s disappointing when you lose on penalties but that’s the nature of shoot-outs - it’s just a matter of who stands up and scores the goals.

"But overall, we played very well and we were in control, particularly in the first half when we probably should have scored another goal. In the second half Chelsea clawed their way back into it and 2-2 was a good result in terms of how the game flowed to and fro."

The tempo and style of the Wembley contest, by contrast with some pedestrian Shield games in the past, bears out what Sir Alex had to say on MUTV - that United are ready for the serious action and had reached that point even before kick-off on Sunday.

"I’ve got the players’ fitness up to a good level," said the boss. "It’s been a good pre-season for us and I think we’re going into the season in the right way. We just kick on now."

The first period was particularly encouraging, not least with Nani laying down a marker for life after Ronaldo by scoring a terrific first goal and stretching Chelsea on United's left flank.

On the right wing, Ji-sung Park picked up promisingly from where he left off last season before switching sides to allow new signing Antonio Valencia to make his debut on his favoured side.

"What Cristiano (Ronaldo) did for us was terrific but he wanted to go to pastures new, he’s done that, and it’s up to us now to find the next players," said Phelan.

"You look at players like Nani and Valencia, I think they’re hungry enough to play at this club. I think they want success and I’m sure they’ll show that on the field."

manchesterunited 8/10/2009 09:05:00 PM

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Friday, August 7, 2009

Chelsea vs Man.United (Community Shield)

The Community Shield was prised from United’s grasp in an enthralling clash at Wembley, a game that required a penalty shoot-out to separate two evenly-matched sides. Despite this defeat, 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time, the Reds' performance provides plenty of promise for the season ahead.

Nani had given United the lead with a long-range effort after just ten minutes, then Ricardo Carvalho equalised shortly after half-time. But in a competition that used to be called the Charity Shield, there was little charity in Chelsea’s second. As Patrice Evra lay prostrate on the ground after a bad Michael Ballack challenge, referee Chris Foy neglected to stop play and Frank Lampard scored what everyone thought was the winner. That was until substitute Ryan Giggs picked out Wayne Rooney’s run, and the Reds forward expertly finished to send the tie to the lottery of spot-kicks.

New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti experienced his first match at Wembley and in English football, but he has plenty of recent practice in facing Sir Alex Ferguson. In four Champions League games with AC Milan - Ancelotti’s last club - the Italian won three, twice knocking United out of the competition.

However, in 2004/05 the Reds were mid-transition, while 2006/07 was perhaps the final phase in the Reds’ European education. In many ways this was a different United to the one Ancelotti faced back then. With significant differences even from last year, this would undoubtedly be the first major test of how the champions can cope without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. The signs are promising.

As expected, Rooney played further forward and right down the middle, with Dimitar Berbatov starting just behind his strike partner. Elsewhere, Jonny Evans deputised for the injured Nemanja Vidic while Ben Foster was favoured over Tomasz Kuszczak in place of the also sidelined Edwin van der Sar.

Foster is a bright, young hope (young in goalkeeper terms, at least) and he was immediately called to showcase his talents after two minutes, as Didier Drogba’s long-range effort was well-held by the England shot-stopper. Chelsea went even closer when, from a corner after six minutes, Branislav Ivanovic’s poked shot forced Evra to head the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger.

But it was United who broke the deadlock after ten minutes of this high-tempo contest. Nani received Fletcher’s raking pass out on the left wing, and Evra’s overlapping run created space for the Portuguese winger, who cut inside and let fly with a fierce low drive that nestled into the far corner of the net. Cristiano who? Not quite. But it was certainly a fine start in the season curtain-raiser for Nani, and for United.

The Reds were clearly in the ascendancy and Park almost made it two on 16 minutes when Berbatov’s deep cross was headed back across goal by Rooney, but unfortunately the Korean couldn’t get enough on his hooked volley. Two minutes later, Berbatov’s one-two with Park unlocked Chelsea's defence, but the Bulgarian striker's dinked finish was well stopped by Petr Cech. United continued to threaten – as did Chelsea, although more intermittently so – and the nearest either side came to the game’s second goal in the rest of a highly-entertaining first half was Fletcher’s turn and curling shot, acrobatically tipped over by Cech two minutes before the break.

The second half didn’t start at the same breakneck speed as the first, and it was Chelsea who looked sharpest. Indeed, they got an equaliser seven minutes after the restart. Play pin-balled around in the area and United couldn’t clear it,and when Foster’s attempted punch lost its power due to a collision with Drogba, Carvalho dived in and headed home. And the Reds were dealt another blow when the impressive Nani was forced off, arm in a makeshift sling made from his shirt, after a tumble following a tackle from John Terry. He was replaced by Antonio Valencia, making his first competitive appearance for the Reds.

Things got worse when Chelsea took the lead in the 70th minute in controversial circumstances. Ballack clearly blocked Evra’s run, putting his arm to the Frenchman’s face. Referee Chris Foy played advantage, but when United lost the ball he failed to stop play for a head injury. Chelsea, perhaps unsportingly, carried on with three forwards against two Reds defenders, the move ending with Lampard’s shot going in via Foster’s hand and a post. Ballack wasn't even booked after the event. Sir Alex responded with four substitutions. Park, Berbatov, Fletcher and O’Shea were replaced by Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes and Fabio.

United still rightfully felt aggrieved, particularly Evra, who earned a yellow card for a strong challenge on Ballack, one in which he got the ball, but that reeked of revenge. There looked as though there'd be no revenge in play as the match entered a third minute of added time, but then came Rooney’s intervention to take the tie to the lottery of penalties.

Lampard, Ballack, Drogba and Kalou all scored a spot-kick for Chelsea, while only Carrick did so for United with Giggs and Evra both unable to beat Petr Cech with tame efforts. And so the Blues won 4-1 from 12 yards, avenging their 2007 defeat in this competition, although not their loss in Moscow just over a year ago.

Defeat, as always, brings disappointment, but the Reds can certainly be heartened by the overall display.

manchesterunited 8/07/2009 09:46:00 AM

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

United vs Valencia

Second half goals from Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley gave United victory in an entertaining friendly against Valencia.

Debutant Antonio Valencia played a major role in both goals as United's wingplay overpowered the visitors, who enjoyed their own opportunities in an open game littered with chances.

Michael Owen, also making his Old Trafford bow as a United player, was desperately unfortunate not to find himself on the scoresheet, as he passed up a pair of chances in each half.

While the finishing was off-key, there was much to admire in Owen's movement and, crucially, his link-up with England team-mate Rooney.

Fielded together for the first time at club level, it took under 20 minutes for the duo to click in devastating fashion. Rooney's superb slide-rule pass released Owen, who stabbed his effort neatly over Cesar Sanchez, but also just past the upright.

Rooney dragged perhaps an easier chance wide when he reached a cross from Ritchie De Laet, before Michel thundered a shot against Ben Foster's crossbar for the visitors.

Valencia used the interval to make 10 substitutions, and were quickly cursing that decision as Thiago Carleto limped off within minutes of his introduction. Substitute goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya eventually replaced him, but by that point United had moved ahead.

Valencia, who had caught the eye more for his ceaseless hassling down the right flank before the break, sped past two defenders and curled in a superb cross which Rooney powered past Sanchez.

Two minutes later, the Ecuadorian seized on a woeful backpass but was challenged by Carlos Marchena. As the ball ran loose, Owen latched onto it and hammered a left-footed shot goalwards, but watched it sped past the upright. Following on from another spurned opportunity, which he curled wide moments before Rooney's opener, it made for a frustrating evening for the former Newcastle striker.

Owen was among a glut of substiutions midway through the second half, making way for Kiko Macheda. The Italian was involved from the off, and almost poked in another cross from the impressive Valencia on 72 minutes. The ball ran free, however, and it was another substitute - Cleverley - who shifted it away from the crowd and tucked home a neat finish.

Game over, but United continued to forge openings. Darron Gibson came closest with a pair of stunning efforts. Firstly, his 20-yard effort from Macheda's pull-back cracked against the angle of post and crossbar, then Sanchez was forced into an excellent one-handed save from the Irishman's fizzing 25-yarder.

All in all, a highly satisfying night's work for Sir Alex's squad. A sterner test of their progress will be provided by Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield, but the pre-season signs augur well so far.

manchesterunited 8/05/2009 08:39:00 AM

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