CELEBRATE THE DAY

Monday, April 26, 2010

Premier League - Rooney named PFA Player of the Year
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) with his trophy for PFA Players Player of the Year, and Aston Villa's James Milner with his trophy for PFA Young Player of the Year, at the PFA Player of the Year Awards 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. - 0

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) with his trophy for PFA Players Player of the Year, and Aston Villa's James Milner with his trophy for PFA Young Player of the Year, at the PFA Player of the Year Awards 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. - 0

Wayne Rooney has been named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.

Rooney's selection ahead of fellow nominees Cesc Fabregas, Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba means Manchester United have supplied the winner of the prestigious award for a fourth successive year.

The 24-year-old has been in sensational form this season, scoring 34 goals for United and eight for England, and is key to the nation's World Cup hopes.

"It's a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it's voted for by the players," said Rooney.

"It's something I'm really proud of and it's a great honour.

"I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year.

"I saw the players winning the main one and it's something I've aimed for since."

Rooney, who has only just returned from an ankle problem, missed the weekend's 3-1 victory over Tottenham with a groin injury sustained in training.

The Premier League's top scorer with 26 strikes hopes to return for United's campaign finale against Stoke next month and promised he will be fit for the World Cup.

"The groin will be fine for the World Cup, there are no worries about that,2 he said.

"I'm hoping to play for United in the last game of the season."

Rooney, the first Englishman to win the award since Steven Gerrard in 2006, paid tribute to the influence United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had on his career.

"Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United," he said.

"His hunger passes through to the players. It's great to see that he's pushing 70 and hasn't changed a bit.

"I'm sure he'll be here for a long time yet."

Rooney was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, but that award went to James Milner of Aston Villa.

Milner appears to have played himself into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad with a string of stellar performances and the 24-year-old midfielder credited a change in position for his success this season.

"I've been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more," said Milner.

"Maybe sometimes wide right you want to influence the game but you just can't get yourself into it."

Leeds legend and former South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, 41, won the PFA Merit award.

"I'm very proud to get such a great award. Sport can change the world - football has played such a big part in lifting my community," said Radebe.

The PFA divisional team of the year contains four United players, spearheaded by Rooney.

Arsenal, whose title challenge fell away in the final rounds, supply Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen and there are also two from Chelsea in Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic.

The inclusion of Milner and Richard Dunne means Aston Villa are represented twice as well.

Premier League team of the year: Hart, Ivanovic, Vermaelen, Dunne, Evra, Fabregas, Milner, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney, Drogba.
PA Sport

manchesterunited 4/26/2010 10:47:00 AM

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MU resah tanpa Rooney

Wayne Rooney

MANCHESTER - Walaupun terus memberi tekanan kepada Chelsea selepas mengalahkan Tottenham 3-1 kelmarin, namun Manchester United resah kerana terpaksa meneruskan pemburuan kejuaraan Liga Perdana England tanpa penyerang utama, Wayne Rooney.

Selepas disisihkan daripada pertemuan menentang Spurs, pengurus United, Alex Ferguson mengakui, penyerang England itu mungkin direhatkan dua atau tiga minggu lagi kerana kecederaan pangkal paha yang dihadapi pada sesi latihan, Khamis lalu.

Ia bakal menyebabkan Rooney, penjaring terbanyak United dengan 26 gol liga musim ini terlepas dua perlawanan terakhir menentang Sunderland, 2 Mei dan Stoke City pada 9 Mei.

"Pada masa ini sukar untuk dijelaskan (berapa lama Rooney tidak dapat beraksi).

"Kecederaan pangkal paha yang dihadapinya mungkin menyebabkan dia terlepas saingan tiga minggu,'' kata Ferguson.

Kehilangan Rooney pada peringkat genting adalah sesuatu yang membimbangkan, namun United membuktikan masih mampu melakar kemenangan tanpa sumber gol utama mereka.

Menentang Tottenham kelmarin, Ryan Giggs menyempurnakan dua penalti selepas Benoit Assou-Ekotto mengkasari Patrice Evra dan Wilson Palacios menjatuhkan Nani, yang turut menjaringkan satu gol buat United.

"Kami bermain dengan amat baik hari ini (semalam). Kami berhak menang ke atas antara pasukan terbaik liga.

"Wayne mengalami kecederaan pangkal paha dan kami akan melakukan ujian kecil ke atasnya, namun tanpa Wayne, kami tetap mencipta beberapa peluang berdepan Tottenham. Dimitar (Berbatov) tidak bernasib baik kerana percubaannya dihalang pemain lawan pada babak pertama dan beberapa rembatannya sedikit tersasar.

"Kami perlu melajukan permainan pada babak kedua dan kami melakukannya dengan baik. Saya serahkan kepada Giggs dan Nani siapa yang mahu ambil penalti selepas ketiadaan Wayne, dan saya fikir pengalaman membantu Ryan.

"Dia mengambil dua penalti yang baik, saya percaya pengalaman menjadi penentu perlawanan ini,'' ujar Ferguson lagi.

Selepas ketinggalan menerusi penalti Giggs, Spurs menyamakan kedudukan 1-1 pada minit ke-70 menerusi tandukan Ledley King, namun ia tidak mampu membantu pasukan London itu untuk membawa pulang tiga mata. - AFP

manchesterunited 4/26/2010 09:07:00 AM

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Sunday, April 25, 2010

Premier League - Rooney facing rest of season out

2009-10 Premier League Manchester United Wayne Rooney watches from the stands - 0

Wayne Rooney could miss the final two games of Manchester United's challenge for a fourth successive Premier League title after suffering a groin injury, according to manager Alex Ferguson.

The England striker watched from a box at Old Trafford as United beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 to go two points clear of Chelsea with two games remaining.

Ferguson said Rooney, a talismanic figure for England as they prepare for the World Cup starting in South Africa in June, had picked up the injury on Thursday, adding he could not say when he might return.

"It's difficult to say, groin injuries are groin injuries and I think it probably will maybe take two to three weeks to be honest," he told Sky Sports.

Asked whether he would play again this season, the Scot added: "We'll try. Obviously we'll give him every chance and Wayne will be desperate to play himself. But we'll just have to wait and see."

manchesterunited 4/25/2010 03:55:00 PM

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Premier League - United fight their way to top

2009-10 Premier League Manchester United's Portugese midfielder Nani celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur - 0

Manchester United went top of the Premier League table with 3-1 win against a spirited Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Ryan Giggs opened the scoring from the penalty spot, only for Spurs skipper Ledley King to level. Nani then regained the lead for United with less than 10 minutes remaining before Giggs converted a second spot-kick to see United go two points above Chelsea at the top of the table with two games left.

Chelsea, whose goal difference is now just one superior to United's, play their game in hand at home to Stoke on Sunday.

Spurs remain on fourth place one point above Manchester City, who failed to take full advantage of the result as they could only manage a goalless draw at Arsenal.

Alex Ferguson said before kick-off that this current Spurs side had the most substance of any he had faced during his tenure as United boss, and the visitors certainly exhibited that in abundance.

The fact that they were optimistic of grabbing their first league win at Old Trafford in 20 years, and become the first side to beat all of the 'big four' clubs in one season since Leeds in 1994-5, was a mark of the progress they have made under Harry Redknapp.

A groin strain ruled England striker Wayne Rooney out of the match, so it was left to former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov to lead the line for United.

After a measured opening half-hour from both sides, it was the Bulgarian who had the game's first real chance when a loose ball ran to him on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot on the turn was blocked heroically by King.

That chance heralded a brief but threatening spell for United, in which Antonio Valencia's low shot was saved by Heurelho Gomes and Patrice Evra fired over the bar after latching on to a delightful chipped reverse pass from Nani.

The Portuguese winger's line of supply was at times incisive, but his defensive contribution yielded a booking for a foul on David Bentley. Tottenham's man of the moment Gareth Bale struck the dead ball, but his effort was high of the target.

Berbatov had another opportunity as half-time approached, bringing Rafael's cross down and turning away from Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but could only fire his strike into the crowd.

For all their defensive solidity and midfield craft, the Spurs strike duo of Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe struggled to get into the match. Pavlyuchenko had a speculative effort in the first half, but he could have opened the scoring right after the break when Bentley's hooked cross bounced off Defoe and down to the Russian striker, but Evra did enough to put him off his stride.

Darren Fletcher should have put United ahead 10 minutes into the half when Berbatov nodded Evra's cross into his path, but the Scotsman could not get a telling touch from close range at full stretch.

Soon afterwards Wilson Palacios and Nani had decent chances saved and hit the sidenetting respectively, before United won the penalty that saw them take the lead.

Berbatov showed great drive to surge into the Spurs box before playing a backheel into the path of Evra. Stand-in right-back Assou-Ekotto slid in rashly on the Frenchman and referee Andre Marriner did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Gomes got a hand to Giggs's penalty, but he could not stop the United skipper firing his side into the lead.

Redknapp shuffled his pack by bringing on winger Aaron Lennon for his first appearance since December and moving Bale up to the left wing. The move produced the equaliser with 20 minutes remaining after a corner that Bale won was headed in by King. The Spurs captain was fortunate not to be penalised for pushing on the shoulders of Jonny Evans as he rose for the header, and Rafael was caught off balance at the post and was unable to stop the ball hitting the back of the net.

Ferguson responded by bringing on teenage striker Federico Macheda with 10 minutes left, and the Italian gave a contribution that could prove as instrumental as his famous goal against Aston Villa last season when he set up Nani's goal soon afterwards. Macheda rolled the ball into the path of Nani, who lifted a sumptuous chip over Gomes that dropped into the net.

The game was over as a contest five minutes later when Palacios clumsily bundled over Nani inside the area, and Giggs fired an emphatic spot-kick past Gomes to send United top.
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United kembali ke takhta

LONDON - Manchester United kembali menerajui takhta Liga Perdana England selepas mene- waskan Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 di Old Trafford semalam.

Kemenangan tersebut menyaksikan United mengumpul 79 mata, dua mata meninggalkan Chelsea yang jatuh ke tangga kedua.

Begitupun, Chelsea diramal kembali menerajui carta liga sekiranya berjaya menewaskan Stoke City di Stamford Bridge malam ini.

Pada aksi semalam, Ryan Giggs terlebih dahulu membuka tirai jaringan buat United apabila berjaya menyempurnakan sepakan penalti yang diperoleh setelah Patrice Evra dijatuhkan dalam kotak penalti pada minit ke-58.

Namun, Spurs berjaya menyamakan kedudukan menerusi jaringan Ledley King minit ke- 70 sebelum Nani meletakkan United kembali di depan mene- rusi jaringan yang cukup mena- rik pada minit ke-81.

NANI meraikan jaringannya ketika United menentang Spurs pada aksi Liga Perdana England di Old Trafford semalam. United menang 3-1.

Giggs melengkapkan hari gemilang United apabila menyumbat gol ketiga juga menerusi sepakan penalti selepas Nani dikasari dalam kotak penalti pada minit ke-86.

Pengurus United, Alex Fergu- son ternyata kagum dengan persembahan yang dipamerkan Nani dan menganggap jaringan yang dilakukan pemain antara- bangsa Portugal itu bertaraf dunia.

"Jaringan yang dilakukan Nani sememangnya memiliki kelas yang tersendiri dan itu sudah cukup bagi membuktikan kehe- batannya selaku pemain bola sepak," jelas Ferguson.

Beliau turut mengesahkan Wayne Rooney tidak dapat diturunkan dalam baki dua perla- wanan liga selepas mengalami kecederaan pangkal paha ketika menjalani latihan Khamis lalu.

"Sukar bagi saya untuk menjelaskan mengenai kecederaan yang dialami Rooney itu kerana ia pasti mengambil masa dalam dua hingga tiga minggu untuk kembali pulih.

"Kami akan cuba sedaya upaya untuk memberinya peluang kembali beraksi sebelum perlawanan terakhir liga, namun hanya masa yang akan menentukan," katanya.

Terdahulu, Rooney terpaksa diketepikan dalam masa beberapa minggu berikutan kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya ketika beraksi dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara. - AFP

manchesterunited 4/25/2010 07:25:00 AM

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Friday, April 23, 2010

M.U Cannot Rely On Just Wayne Rooney To Score - Midfielder Nani

Nani believes that in order for Manchester United to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title other players have to help Wayne Rooney shoulder the goal scoring duties.

Rooney’s 34 goals this season in all competitions are 22 more than the next highest scorer Dimitar Berbatov, who has scored 12 times.

Despite only scoring twice this season, Nani has been playing wonderfully for United this season and the Portuguese international wants to help take some pressure off of Rooney as the season comes to an close.

“I want to score more goals. We need more players to score because, if you’ve got just one player scoring, then that is bad for the team,” Nani told the Daily Star.

Nani was not happy with the amount of first-team action he had received before Christmas, but the winger has become a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting XI and insists that improved performances in practice are the reason why.

“I’m playing well on the training ground and that’s why I play every week in the games.

“I’m so happy at this club. Of course, when you play and everything is going right it makes you want to stay for many years. I want to become part of a history of this club."

manchesterunited 4/23/2010 12:02:00 PM

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Fletcher: Pressure is on Chelsea

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea are beginning to feel the strain as the race for the Barclays Premier League title reaches a climax.

With only three games remaining United are point adrift following the late, late derby victory against Manchester City. United will go back to the top on Saturday should they beat a Spurs side aiming to claim a Champions League slot. Chelsea are not in action until the following day against Stoke.

"They are the team leading the league and all the pressure is on them. We are just taking care of ourselves," said Fletcher.

"They were in a situation where they might have felt they could have pulled away and be in a real strong position but they are not.

"We never thought it had gone but is was a disappointing time after the Blackburn game. It was an uphill struggle but it just shows you in one weekend things can change."

Paul Scholes' stoppage-time winner in the derby not only gave United bragging rights but more importantly revived their bid for a record fourth successive crown.

Fletcher said: "Winning that game gave Tottenham something to play for and they did us a favour.

"We are a point behind now. All we can do is win our games. That's all we can do. Whatever happens happens.

"There have been some strange results all season. No one has really put a run together and that is credit to the league. The teams are getting stronger."

manchesterunited 4/23/2010 11:03:00 AM

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Brazil ace eyes Man Utd move

Brazil international Luis Fabiano has hinted he could be interested in a move to Manchester United.

The 29-year-old Sevilla striker, who will spearhead Brazil's World Cup campaign this summer, has one year left on his contract with the Primera Division club.

"If you are asking me what team I most admire it is Manchester United," he is quoted as saying in Friday morning's Daily Express. "If you play under Sir Alex Ferguson then you are probably going to win a title or another major trophy."

Luis Fabiano has won two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla, for whom he has scored 90 goals in 187 games.

manchesterunited 4/22/2010 11:10:00 PM

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Premier League - Fergie encouraged by youngsters

2009-10 Premier League Manchester United Oliver Norwood - 0

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United may have discovered some stars of the future thanks to their title-winning reserve side.

Coached by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Warren Joyce they have won the trophy for the first time in four years after Liverpool lost to Everton on Tuesday.

United manager Ferguson is thrilled with their achievement and praised the mentality of Northern Ireland U21 midfielders Oliver Norwood (pictured) and Corry Evans.

"Some of the players have done very well," he told his club's official website. "For example, in the 1-0 win against Liverpool, the back four were absolutely brilliant, they really did well.

"One or two younger players are developing quite well. Gabriel Obertan scored an unbelievable goal.

"Oliver Norwood and Corry Evans do really well and have a good attitude towards the game. That's an important thing and Ole and Warren have maintained that attitude right through the team."

manchesterunited 4/21/2010 08:53:00 AM

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Premier League - Relief over Rooney's 'three-week return'

2009-2010 rooney manchester united - 0

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney's minor ankle ligament damage will keep him out for up to just three weeks the club said.

Rooney, who has scored 34 goals for the league leaders this season, sustained the injury in his side's 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Bayern Munich.

There were initial fears that the striker's season may have been ended as he limped off at the Allianz Arena, but both Rooney's club and country can now breathe a sigh of relief.

He went over on his right ankle after slight contact with Bayern striker Mario Gomez ankle and leapt up in pain before collapsing to the turf in obvious discomfort.

Seconds later, Ivica Olic scored Bayern's winner with virtually the final kick of the game.

Rooney had a protective plastic boot placed on his foot on Tuesday evening, and has been walking with crutches since.

manchesterunited 4/20/2010 09:59:00 AM

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Premier League - Paper round: Milan woo Berbatov

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov stands dejected - 0

Dimitar Berbatov has emerged as a target for Milan, with Manchester United open to a £20 million offer for the Bulgaria striker.

Berbatov, 29, has impressed in fits and starts for United but has not really turned up for the big games and is oft-criticised for his languid style.

Milan want a replacement for the ageing Filippo Inzaghi, and an unnamed Rossoneri source told The Sun: "No contact has been made yet but we admire Berbatov.

"He is a stong player who would do well in Italy. Whether something can be arranged remains to be seen. It has been difficult for Berbatov in Manchester, but he is a good player who has a lot to offer."

Ben Foster may now join Birmingham City, with his Manchester United career all but over.

Foster was hyped by Sir Alex Ferguson as being the next big thing at Old Trafford but it just hasn’t happened for the England keeper, who has slipped to third choice behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak after a series of unsteady displays.

His non-season has seen his World Cup chances disappear but Blues boss Alex McLeish is set to offer him a lifeline next season, as Manchester City stall over the future of Joe Hart, currently on loan at St Andrews.

Birmingham are also looking at West Ham keeper Robert Green, although they may be put off by a high transfer fee and the understanding that Green wants to try his luck in Spain or Italy.

Another player set to leave United for good is Serbia winger Zoran Tosic, who failed to break into the first team at Old Trafford but has impressed on loan at Cologne, where he has hit three goals in his last four games and wants to join permanently.

One man who could be joining Manchester City is Aston Villa midfielder James Milner (Guardian).

The versatile England international was on Manchester United's radar recently, but City would be more prepared to splash out the £24m needed to turn Villa's heads.

Craig Bellamy’s future is still up in the air, according to the Daily Mail.

The Wales striker 'enjoys' a fractious relationship with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and is on borrowed time after allegedly supporting Everton boss David Moyes during their recent touchline bust-up.

Bellamy is not a fan of Mancini’s training-ground methods and may join Tottenham Hotspur or wherever former boss Mark Hughes is at next season.

More worryingly, the Mail claim that a furious Bellamy was spotted asking City official Brian Marwood for a cash advance on his £90k a week wages. The pair are said to be friendly, and the Mail claims the demand had nothing to do with any lifestyle or debt issues but that Bellamy had been hit with a one-off, unexpected bill he wanted to settle without having to use credit.

The Sun and the Express claim that Michael Dawson will be given a last-minute World Cup lifeline by England boss Fabio Capello after impressing in recent games.

They say John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott’s dodgy fitness and form - plus the inability of Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Wes Brown to stay fit, ever - have left the door open but, really, given how Matthew Upson has been playing this season it’s a shock he hasn’t been called earlier.

Roman Pavlyuchenko now wants to stay at Tottenham, after his remarkable rebirth saw him fire Spurs to the FA Cup semi-finals and a possible top-four Premier League finish.

He had failed to adapt in England, was accused of laziness by boss Harry Redknapp, who he later accused of laughing at him.

"Now I feel the manager’s trust and I do my best not to let him down,” the Russia striker said. “I have dropped all my previous ideas about leaving."

Keith Andrews is set to leave Blackburn after a bizarre incident in which the Ireland midfielder squirted a fan in the face with his water bottle.

While not quite at the levels of Hamburg striker Paulo Guerrero’s sensational bottle-hurling incident, Rovers officials are reportedly furious that the Irishman reacted to jibes from a fan as he came off during the 3-2 defeat to Everton.

Steve Bruce will offer Ipswich boss Roy Keane three players in return for teenage striking sensation Conor Wickham (Daily Star).

The 6’3” 17-year-old has hit five goals in eight starts for the Tractor Boys, so Bruce will let Keano have Sunderland trio David Healy, Daryl Murphy and Jack Colback.

Martin O’Neill could quit Aston Villa if owner Randy Lerner makes sweeping cutbacks (Daily Mirror). The American tycoon has pumped £180 million into the club since 2006 but has not seen any silverware, despite Villa’s impressive progress under O’Neill.

They are already looking into a shirt sponsorship deal - current logo Acorns is a local children’s charity freebie – and several fringe players could be on their way out, such as Nicky Shorey, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell and Marlon Harewood.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to raid Real Madrid this summer after seeing last season’s cast-offs dominate in the Champions League.

"It was surprising they got rid of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, who have both done well in the Champions League," he said.

"Maybe it’s worth waiting outside their stadium to see who they let go in the summer!"

Bolton are preparing a £5m swoop for Poland striker Robert Lewandowski (Daily Mirror).

The Lech Poznan hit-man, 21, is courting interest from German and Italian clubs after scoring 16 goals in 28 games this season.

No relation to midfielder Mariusz, he has hit six international goals in 20 games for Poland and always scores on his debut (Polish second division, Polish first division, for Lech Poznan, in European competition, Polish Cup, Polish Supercup and for the national team).

manchesterunited 4/20/2010 09:13:00 AM

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Premier League - United still alive after late win

Paul Scholes headed a dramatic late winner to settle the Manchester derby and keep Manchester United's title hopes alive with a 1-0 win at Eastlands.

The veteran, who signed a one-year extension to his contract on Friday, celebrated his new deal with a precise header in the third minute of injury time to break the deadlock in a game that seemed destined to finish goalless.

The result saw United close the gap at the top of the table to a single point, after leaders Chelsea slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the late kick-off.

For City, the late goal threatens to derail their bid for a first top-four finish for 32 years. Roberto Mancini's side are now two points behind Spurs after their win over Chelsea.

For 90 minutes, the game at a sunny Eastlands was a far cry from the 4-3 thriller in the corresponding fixture earlier this season, yet as with the Old Trafford clash, there was incredible late drama.

Back in September Michael Owen had settled the game with a late, late winner, and this time it was Scholes, picked alongside fellow veterans Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, who provided the decisive moment.

Alongside that experienced trio, Sir Alex Ferguson gave youth a chance as well with Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson picked to start.

Wayne Rooney also got the nod from the start, yet clearly he was still not 100 per cent fit and, ploughing a lone furrow up front against the excellent central defensive pairing of Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany, he largely cut a frustrated figure before he was eventually replaced by Dimitar Berbatov with 15 minutes remaining.

It took the England striker 41 minutes to cause any kind of major concern in the City backline, and when he finally did, he fluffed his lines. Antonio Valencia, United's most dangerous player during the first half, headed to Rooney, whose change of direction opened up a shooting opportunity.

It was the kind of chance he has been scoring for fun recently, but his 35th goal of the season would have to wait as he dragged his effort wide.

Four minutes later a second golden opportunity fell United's way, with Valencia again the architect on the right flank. This time the Ecuadorian winger teased Wayne Bridge - back in the City side from injury - before finding the late-arriving Giggs in the middle, but the veteran's flick with the outside of his left boot was tame and Shay Given was able to collect.

It was an encouraging end to the first half for United, who had just about edged the opening 45 minutes having enjoyed more possession and managed to keep the attacking threat of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Adam Johnson largely at bay.

United had also started the half brightly, with Darren Fletcher sending an early volley just wide after just four minutes, and the visitors may have won a penalty 20 minutes later when Bridge leaned into Scholes's cross and the ball pinged off the upper part of his arm. It was a similar incident to the John Terry one in midweek but, as at Stamford Bridge, the referee chose to ignore it.

At the other end, Tevez registered the hosts best effort on target after nine minutes - an excellent free-kick that drew an equally impressive save from Edwin van der Sar - but otherwise United's keeper remained untroubled during the first half.

After the break, City signalled their intention not to finish the game without all three points when Bellamy broke down the left wing and cut inside to shoot, but the Welshman's effort hit the side netting, when a cross to Tevez seemed the wiser option.

Gareth Barry then burst into the United box on 74 minutes but his final touch was poor and when United broke to the other end seconds later and Giggs wasted the chance, the deadlock seemed unlikely to be broken.

That view was reinforced when Berbatov headed wide on 82 minutes before United somehow survived a goalmouth scramble four minutes later.

City staged a late rally in a bid to find a winner, but it was Scholes who provided one at the other end to send United fans wild and heap the pressure on Chelsea.
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Scholes hidupkan peluang United

MANCHESTER - Paul Scholes muncul wira apabila membantu Manchester United mencipta kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Manchester City pada aksi Liga Perdana England malam tadi.

Scholes menanduk masuk gol kemenangan United pada masa kecederaan babak kedua selepas menyempurnakan hantaran lintang pemain pertahanan, Patrice Evra.

Kemenangan tersebut telah menghidupkan kembali peluang United dalam usaha memburu kejuaraan liga musim ini biarpun jika pendahulu, Chelsea mencatatkan kemenangan ke atas Tottenham Hotspur.

Pengurus United, Alex Ferguson berkata, jika skuad kendaliannya tewas pada aksi di Stadium City of Manchester, ia sekali gus memadam terus impian The Red Devils bagi merangkul trofi liga buat empat musim berturut-turut.

"Jika kami tewas perlawanan sebentar tadi (semalam), ia akan menutup pintu buat kami untuk bergelar juara liga.

"Kami sememangnya berhak untuk memenangi perlawanan ini tetapi saya tidak menjangkakan yang kami akan memperoleh gol ketika perlawanan hampir tamat.

"Percaturan saya yang mahukan Scholes lebih banyak membantu jentera serangan ternyata berbaloi dan saya berasakan dia adalah pemain terbaik dalam perlawanan ini," jelas Ferguson.

United dijadualkan berdepan dengan Tottenham Hotspur di Old Trafford Sabtu depan.

SCHOLES (dua dari kanan) meraikan jaringannya bersama tonggak pertahanan United, Gary Neville ketika menentang City malam tadi. United menang 1-0.

Sementara itu, kekalahan yang dialami City menyaksikan mereka terlepas peluang terbaik bagi menjarakkan kedudukan dengan Spurs yang turut bersaing mengakhiri saingan di tangga keempat, sekali gus menempah slot ke kempen Liga Juara-Juara musim depan.

"Sudah pasti kami berasa sangat kecewa dengan kekalahan ini. Kami tidak patut tewas pada perlawanan ini.

"Kami akan menghadapi satu perlawanan penting (menentang Spurs di sini (Eastlands) pada 5 Mei depan dan kami perlu memenangi kesemua baki empat perlawanan," kata pengurus City, Roberto Mancini. - AFP

manchesterunited 4/17/2010 01:59:00 PM

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Friday, April 16, 2010

Real want Rooney, Capello

FOOTBALL England manager Fabio Capello (left) and striker Wayne Rooney (right) - 0

The Sun claims Real Madrid will spend a whopping £150 million to poach Wayne Rooney off Manchester United - and will take back England boss Fabio Capello in the process.

Real chief Florentino Perez has made no secret of his admiration for the England striker and - while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hardly Los Merengues’ biggest fan - a £90m cash offer would be too much for the Glazers to refuse.

Madrid would also pay Roo a staggering £250,000-a-week at the special 25 per cent tax rate afforded foreign professionals in Spain, making it more like an 'English' £400k-a-week.

The Liverpudlian would link-up with former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo - and national team coach Capello, although Paper Round finds this one a little far-fetched given that Madrid have already sacked the Italian twice despite winning the league in both seasons there.

The Sun’s report insists that Florentino has learnt his lesson and wants a disciplinarian to mould a team of winners - but PR is sure Fabio has learnt his and will not countenance such a move.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to finally bow to pressure and add experience to his youthful squad, with Fulham’s Brede Hangeland top of his list.

The Star claims the Norway centre-back is prime target in what could amount to a £30m outlay this summer.

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh and Hamburg stopper Jerome Boateng are also listed as potential buys.

They may have a touch more to spend though as the Daily Mirror reports that skipper Cesc Fabregas is “furious” with Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood for his gag that the Spain midfielder “would not even get in the Barcelona team”.

Arsenal said they had received Barca’s word that they would not bid for the Catalan, but reports in Spain insist no such promise was made. The North London club now face an uphill battle to keep their star man, and full-back Gael Clichy, who the Daily Mail add could be on his way to the Camp Nou.

The Daily Star claims Manchester United are preparing a £22m bid for Aston Villa’s England midfielder James Milner.

With Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs close to calling it quits and the likes of Anderson and Michael Carrick failing to do it in the big games, the former Leeds United trainee - who can play anywhere across the midfield and has scored 10 goals this season - fits the bill for Sir Alex.

They are also reportedly monitoring Panathinaikos winger Sotiris Ninis, with the Greece international valued at £9m. Benfica defender David Luiz, however, is unlikely to move to Old Trafford as he is valued at £22m.

A Syrian businessman is the latest man from the Middle East to be linked with a Liverpool takeover. Yayhya Kirdi is understood to be in advanced talks with Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

He is fronting yet another UAE consortium, although Rafael Benitez’s agent Manual Garcia Quillon claims a Chinese group will buy the Reds - so long as his client gets to keep the manager’s job.

If not, the Juventus rumours rumble on with the Daily Mail saying they will offer him £4m a year and £70m to spend on players.

Branislav Ivanovic could be used as bait by Chelsea for Internazionale right-back Maicon, while Everton and Spurs both sent scouts to check out PSG striker Melvut Erdinc (both Mail).

manchesterunited 4/16/2010 11:38:00 AM

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Federico Macheda Is Happy At Manchester United - Agent

Federico Macheda is unlikely to leave Manchester United during the summer as his agent excludes a move to Palermo.

Reports in Italy on Thursday claimed the Rosanero were keen on the Italian under-21 international, and were ready to approach the Old Trafford outfit with an offer.

But Giovanni Bia, the player's agent, has offered a contrasting view. For now Macheda's future is in Manchester.

"I don't know anything. Palermo have not contacted me. Federico is at Manchester and he is happy there. It's too early still because the league has not finished," he told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

Macheda has a four-year deal with United, but press rumours have linked him with a loan move so he can play regular first team football. Bia is highly sceptical though.

"I don't think Manchester United would deprive themselves of a player with his calibre. In any case, it's too early to speak because I have not heard from Manchester United or Palermo," he concluded.

manchesterunited 4/15/2010 01:06:00 PM

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Obertan eyes title run-in return

Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan is intent on taking part in the run-in after scoring twice in successive games for the reserves.

Obertan, who arrived from Bordeaux in the summer, has been out of the first team picture following the defeat by Everton in February.

However the 21-year-old believes his game is improving and he found the target for the reserves against Liverpool last night with manager Sir Alex Ferguson looking on.

Obertan told MUTV: "It is good for the confidence to score some goals and good when the manager is watching the game.

"There are four matches left in the Premier League so it would be nice to be able to have a few minutes on the pitch.

"It's been a bit difficult the last couple of months but I've worked hard with the reserves and in training, and it is paying off."

manchesterunited 4/14/2010 04:18:00 PM

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Premier League - United slip up as title hope fades

2009-2010 Blackburn-Manchester United Ryan Nelsen Federico Macheda - 0

Manchester United's ailing Premier League title challenge sustained another damaging blow as they were held 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers.

With star man Wayne Rooney missing through injury, United lacked the sparkle and guile required to break down an organised but unambitious Rovers side at Ewood Park.

Antonio Valencia missed a good opportunity late in the first half, and Dimitar Berbatov a decent opening with 10 minutes left, but otherwise the visitors were restricted to long shots and half-chances.

United were dominant statistically - enjoying over 60 per cent possession and depriving Blackburn a corner until the 77th minute, but their performance was anaemic and lacked genuine threat.

There was further misery - and concern for England fans - as Rio Ferdinand first suffered a gruesome-looking broken or dislocated finger, then appeared to sustain a groin injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson sprung some major surprises with his team selection, as Patrice Evra was left out of the starting line-up for the first time in the league this season.

Up top, teenage striker Federico Macheda got the nod to play alongside Berbatov in front of a very attacking midfield. Wingers Nani and Valencia flanked veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in a quartet lacking any ball-winning pedigree.

How would they fare against a notoriously physical and hard-working Blackburn engine room? Fairly well, as it turned out. United quickly asserted themselves by dominating possession, with Giggs and Scholes displaying a sprightliness that belied their combined 71 years.

However, the problems were further forward where there was precious little end product, with Nani seeing plenty of the ball and wasting most of it. The frustrating Portuguese, who scored twice against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, showed plenty of individual ability but had little to show for it as he misplaced his crosses and repeatedly shot wildly off target.

Berbatov and Macheda dovetailed relatively well, but found space in the home box hard to come by. The Bulgarian wanted a penalty when challenged by Ryan Nelsen as he attempted to jink into shooting position, but might have been better advised to get his shot away instead of crumpling to the floor.

Nelsen was a first-half substitute for skipper Christopher Samba, who went off injured after registering the home side's only shot on target of the opening period; a diving header that forced Edwin van der Sar into a diving save away to his right.

Valencia should have broken the deadlock three minutes before the break when found by a perceptive Berbatov through-ball. The Ecuadorean spun past his marker to go clean through, but Paul Robinson stopped his shot with an outstretched leg.

Rovers came into the game having won 16 points out of a possible 18 in their last six home games and showed exactly why they are so hard to break down, even when playing some way below their best.

They defended in numbers and challenged United to produce the quality required to cut them open. One such moment came in the 80th minutes when Scholes played a superb diagonal ball to Gary Neville who headed down to Berbatov, but the first-time shot flew straight at Robinson.

At the other end, Steven N'Zonzi might have put United out of their misery but saw his goalbound shot superbly blocked by Neville.

United poured forward as time ran down, but still failed to test Robinson properly. Perhaps tellingly, Neville came closer than anyone as he hit a left-foot half-volley that bounced agonisingly wide.

Ferguson's side are still only one point off the top, but have played a game more than both Chelsea and Arsenal, and need the leaders to slip up twice in the last five games to have any chance of winning a fourth consecutive championship.

manchesterunited 4/11/2010 08:50:00 AM

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Rafael da Silva Will Learn From Champions League Dismissal

Former Manchester United full-back Viv Anderson has backed Rafael da Silva to learn from his sending off nightmare as the Red Devils crashed out of the Champions League quarter-finals to FC Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Rafael received two yellow cards each side of half-time, a dismissal that turned into a pivotal moment in an eventual 3-2 win for United which condemned them to an away-goals exit.

However, former England international Anderson believes Rafael will learn from the bad experience and go on to become a big United star.

"I see enough in Rafael to believe he will be successful," said Anderson.

"He is a tough little lad and is very good going forward. He has to learn positional sense, but that comes with playing.

"The more times he plays alongside the likes of Rio and Vidic, or in front of Van der Sar, the more he will listen and learn. He is 19.

"Last night was the impetuosity of youth. We all go through it."

Anderson believes all young players go through the struggles Rafael is currently experiencing, but few do it on such a high-profile stage.

"I cost my team on many occasions at his age. But I was doing it at Nottingham Forest. I could get away with it. Manchester United is a big stage," he said.

"But in another two years' time he will be the finished article and he will be a top player."

manchesterunited 4/08/2010 12:45:00 PM

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Champions League - Robben sends United out

A wonder-goal by Arjen Robben ended 10-man Manchester United's involvement in the Champions League as Bayern Munich lost 3-2 at Old Trafford but went through on the away goals rule.

Wayne Rooney made a dramatic, yet curtailed, return to action and he could not prevent United exiting the competition after Robben's stunning volley on 74 minutes pulled the Bundesliga side level at 4-4 on aggregate - and sent them into the semi-finals thanks to their extra away goal.

Darron Gibson had given United the perfect start after just three minutes and when Nani struck twice more to put United into a 3-0 lead with 41 minutes on the clock, the Premier League champions appeared well set to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

But Ivica Olic got Bayern back into the tie just before the break and the German side were able to take full advantage of Rafael Da Silva's dismissal for a second booking on 50 minutes, with former Chelsea player Robben, who like Rooney had been a pre-match doubt, delivering the telling blow with 16 minutes remaining.

It is the first time an English club has not made the final four of the competition for seven years and the result leaves United with just the Premier League title left to play for this season.

United were handed a massive boost prior to kick-off with the news that Rooney had made a miraculous recovery from the ankle injury that only seven days previously had ruled him out for "two to three weeks".

Even Alex Ferguson had gone on record to say the striker had "no chance" of playing earlier in the week, but such are the England international's apparently remarkable powers of recovery that he took to the field at an electric Old Trafford.

He was only to last 55 minutes, with a knock to his troublesome ankle on 20 minutes eventually ending his evening, but his dramatic appearance did at least lift United from the malaise which had characterised their weekend league defeat to Chelsea.

Rooney's inclusion was one of four changes made to the team which lost the first leg with Rafael and Michael Carrick returning to the side having sat out the game in Germany.

Ferguson handed a rare start to Gibson and his bold selection policy was rewarded immediately as the young Irishman opened the scoring after just three minutes with one of his now trademark long-range efforts. Almost inevitably, it was Rooney who set him on his way towards goal with a neat lay-off.

United had taken a similarly early lead at the Allianz Arena last week, but then they failed to capitalise on their advantage and allowed Bayern back into the game.

With that disappointment fresh in the hosts' minds, they refused to take their foot off the accelerator and instead went for Bayern's jugular. They found it just four minutes later as Nani scored with a sublime flick - not dissimilar to Joe Cole's goal for Chelsea at the other end of the ground on Saturday - after Antonio Valencia had teased Holger Badstuber on the right wing.

Rooney sent a header over the bar as United - unrecognisable to the team which succumbed to Chelsea at the weekend - continued to apply the pressure on Bayern.

Rafael should have made that pressure count further on 34 minutes when he ran through on goal virtually unchallenged. But the Brazilian appeared to suffer a bout of nerves and he sent the ball wide of the post with Rooney screaming for it in the middle.

Fortunately for home side, Nani was not so profligate on 41 minutes as United extended their lead on the night to three goals, the Portuguese blasting into the roof of the net after yet more good work by Valencia to this time beat Martin Demichelis.

Nani's second made it 4-2 on aggregate and United appeared to be cruising towards the semi-finals - until a defensive lapse led to Olic pulling one back on 41 minutes - and got Bayern right back into the game.

The Croat, who had earlier been denied by a diving Edwin van der Sar at his feet, did get on the scoresheet when he finished from tight angle after having shrugged off Carrick's weak challenge as he ran onto Thomas Mueller's head on.

The goal breathed new life into Bayern and Robben signalled their intent with a shot that had van der Sar at full stretch just before half-time.

If the pattern of the game had not already turned, it certainly did five minutes after the restart when Rafael received his marching orders for a tug on the breaking Franck Ribery - his second bookable offence.

From being in a comfortable position, United suddenly found themselves with their backs to the wall, down to 10 men and without their departed talisman Rooney.

Yet United still managed to fashion a number of goalscoring opportunities and Nani would have struck a hat-trick had his 55th-minute volley not gone over the bar or had Hans-Joerg Butt not got a big hand to his effort when he was played through on goal eight minutes later.

Gibson also brought a save out of Butt with a side-footer from the edge of the box but with Bayern enjoying more possession, they posed a real threat when going forward.

Ribery fired a volley on target before Robben delivered a hammer blow with 16 minutes remaining, his stunning volley from a corner nestling in the corner of van der Sar's goal.

Ferguson sent on Dimitar Berbatov in a bid to grab a late goal that would have seen his side through, but with a man less and Bayern keeping possession expertly, United failed to seriously threaten the visitors' goal again.

Ribery could even have rubbed salt into United's wounds as time ran out, but his shot wide of the post mattered not as Bayern booked a semi-final date with Lyon, and in doing so ensured that English teams' dominance of the latter stages of the competition came to an end.

manchesterunited 4/07/2010 12:03:00 PM

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Real Madrid Target Nemanja Vidic Reiterates Loyalty To Manchester United

Nemanja Vidic has again dismissed speculation that he wants to leave Manchester United in the summer.

Media reports had suggested the 28-year-old was considering a move abroad to join Real Madrid or AC Milan in the summer, amid speculation that he is unhappy with life in Manchester.
However, the defender has swatted away such rumours and has claimed he has not spoken to other clubs about leaving the Premier League champions.

"I have never said anything about wanting to leave," he told United Review.

"The speculation has all been generated by other people.

"I think one reason it went on for so long was because I was injured and didn't have many chances to speak out about the issue.

"But I haven't spoken to any other clubs.

"United is a great club. I have had a lot of success and made a name for myself here. I appreciate all of that."

manchesterunited 4/06/2010 01:12:00 PM

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Premier League - Chelsea beat United to go top

Joe Cole and Didier Drogba were on target as Chelsea took the lead in the race for the Premier League title after a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cole gave the visitors the lead with a sensational 20th minute flick from close range during a first half entirely dominated by Chelsea before Drogba, who started the match on the bench, swooped to net a contentious second with 11 minutes remaining.

A scrambled Federico Macheda goal two minutes later gave United hope of nicking a point after a much improved second half performance, but it proved too little too late as Chelsea completed the league double over the champions - and went top of the table.

Carlo Ancelotti's side now hold a two-point advantage over second-placed United with five games remaining this season. Third-placed Arsenal closed the gap on United to a single point with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Wolves.

Chelsea's last outing came seven days ago in their 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa, while United were in Champions League action in Germany on Tuesday - and those extra three days of rest were initially evident as Chelsea, by far the fresher side, dominated proceedings while United chased their tails for much of the first half.

The Blues, without Drogba who was not risked from the start, deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes through Cole's wonderful flick after Florent Malouda had outmuscled Darren Fletcher to get to the by-line and deliver a cross to the near post.

The goal rocked United, whose passing was uncharacteristically wayward and who, without the injured Wayne Rooney, lacked the energy to unsettle their opponents. Chelsea meanwhile were comfortable in possession, enjoying plenty of it as the sting was taken out of the Old Trafford crowd.

But United could, possibly should, have been given a lifeline back into the game on 26 minutes when Park Ji-sung was tripped in the box by Yuri Zhirkov's outstretched leg. Even though there was contact, the Korean's tumble to the floor was inelegant and failed to convince referee Mike Dean who waved play on.

The official from the Wirral, who had previously given 16 spot kicks in 24 Premier League matches this season, was again at the centre of attention four minutes later when he turned away more appeals for a penalty, this time from Chelsea. Gary Neville's barge into Nicolas Anelka at the other end was clumsy at best but Dean's refusal to award a foul was at least consistent with his earlier decision.

United slowly came back into the game as the first half wore on, culminating with a decent chance for Dimitar Berbatov to level the scores on 44 minutes, but the Bulgarian striker checked back inside as the ball fell kindly for him in the Chelsea box, allowing Frank Lampard to make a crucial challenge.

United built on that slight encouragement after the break, no doubt further inspired by an Alex Ferguson rollicking in the dressing room, giving Chelsea far less time on the ball and finally indicating that they were up for the fight.

That said, it was Chelsea who spurned a glorious opportunity to double their advantage soon after the restart, Paulo Ferreira finding himself in unfamiliar territory and one-on-one with Edwin van der Sar after a neat through pass by Cole. But the Portuguese full-back's stabbed effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post and inches beyond the outstretched boot of the late-arriving Anelka.

At the other end, Patrice Evra let fly with an ambitious volley, Park caused havoc in the Chelsea box after a surging run by Ryan Giggs and Berbatov headed wide as United applied some pressure on Petr Cech's goal for the first time in the match.

But Cech remained untested and United were made to pay as Chelsea doubled their advantage through Drogba on the break. The Ivorian striker had only been on the bench for nine minutes, but his finish was as clinical as ever as he latched onto Cole's through pass. Replays clearly showed the Ivorian to have been a yard offside as the initial pass was played, but the linesman's flag stayed down and the goal stood.

Macheda, whose impact from the substitutes' bench on the same pitch against Aston Villa last season had turned the title race in United's favour, again got his name on the scoresheet, although his goal did not have the class of his effort against Villa. This time, fellow substitute Nani teased Ferreira before delivering a dangerous ball into the box which pinged around before going in off a part of the Italian's body, possibly his hand.

But United failed to grab a point despite a frantic final few minutes during which Berbatov saw a volley saved by Cech, and must now hope Chelsea slip up in their remaining five games if they are to win an unprecedented fourth straight title.

manchesterunited 4/03/2010 10:45:00 AM

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Friday, April 2, 2010

Milan Looking To Make £20m Move For Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic - Report

AC Milan are interested in bringing Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic to Italy for £20 million this summer.

The Serbian centre-back has climbed to the top of Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani’s list of transfer targets after a disappointing season for the Rossoneri.

“Milan have made a top centre-half their overriding priority,” a source told The Daily Star.

“Vidic is the one they want – but whether United are willing to do business is another matter."

After bowing out to United in the Champions League 7-2 on aggregate, Milan club officials are looking to strengthen their defence in the summer.

Thiago Silva has been in good form for the Rossoneri, but the club are looking for a quality acquisition with whom to pair him to form a strong central defensive unit.

Milan have apparently also looked at Palermo starlet Simon Kjaer, who is reportedly being monitored by Manchester pair City and United as well.

manchesterunited 4/02/2010 01:16:00 PM

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