lundi 26 mars 2012

Scholes can call the tune

Sir Alex could ask Paul Scholes to orchestrate another vital Barclays Premier League win when Fulham come to Old Trafford on Monday night.

The veteran campaigner gave one of his best-ever performances against the Cottagers back in 2009 and also scored his only goal of last season at their West London ground. With Martin Jol's side likely to try and keep things tight, Scholes may be asked to unlock the defence and provide the inspiration in midfield.

"He can dictate the tempo of games very well and the rhythm of our game," said the boss. "He has the experience which helps him do that. He has a terrific football brain. The reason he wanted to retire was because he wanted to play 50 games, not 25, he didn’t think that was enough.

"I said to him at the time he would play 25 games for me no problem, but he didn’t want that. Maybe he felt that was maybe me not giving him enough appreciation. What I was trying to do was look at it in a sensible way and think what do you get out of a 37-year-old? How many games can you get out of him?

"The way we control Ryan Giggs [in terms of games he plays] – he’s different from the rest and we’re treating Paul Scholes exactly the same now. There will be games where we maybe leave him out, but we also know the games he can play in."

Boss steeled for City threat

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Manchester City to be competing with United for trophies for at least the next decade.

The team from across town have spent fortunes to get themselves into a position of strength and the title race looks to be going down to the wire, with Roberto Mancini's men returning to pole position on Saturday evening - albeit after dropping two points at Stoke. The United boss accepts the challenge being laid down is a very serious one and appreciates that is almost certain to continue being the case for years to come.

"I think what we've got to get used to, and every United and City fan too, is that there's going to be big games involving the two teams - semi-finals, finals, whatever - for the next decade anyway," Sir Alex affirmed. "The two of us will be at the forefront. But I also think Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham can stabilise themselves and can have great teams in the future."

The manager has praised City for their sustained challenge this season but hopes United's superior knowhow could still prove decisive in the run-in.

"I think experience is important," he stressed. "It doesn't matter who you are, if you've been there before, it helps. It's not absolutely conclusive that it will apply this season though. You've got to admire City, they've done exceptionally well and have been top of the table for a long time. In many ways, they're in the driving seat in the sense that they've got us to come at the Etihad Stadium where they've not lost a game there."

Evans keeping focused

Evans keeping focused

Jonny Evans says it's vital the Reds do not let any complacency creep into the bid to secure a 20th league title.
Manchester City's point at Stoke on Saturday put the Blues back on top of the table, but the 1-1 draw at the Britannia ultimately meant it was two points dropped for Mancini's men. The Reds can take full advantage of the slip-up on Monday night with a home game against Fulham - a team with one of the poorest records on the road this season (indeed, they're the league's lowest scorers on the raod). Nevertheless, Evans insists United can take nothing for granted at this stage of the campaign.
"Every game is tough and we have to keep our concentration levels high to see out the next nine games," he told United Review. "We all feel in great shape fitness-wise and we know we have the ability in the team – it’s all about motivating yourself every time you step onto the pitch and being fully focused to get the three points."
Sir Alex's men hammered this evening’s visitors 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December, but Evans insists that result will count for nothing this evening.
"Fulham is usually one of our hardest away games, but we managed to raise our game when we went there and have done that a few times in tough away matches this season," he added. "That’s been a massive help for us with our points total up to now. It’ll be a completely different game tonight although we always feel confident at home. We need to make sure we put on a good performance and get the win."

dimanche 26 février 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson hails pivotal win at Norwich

Boss: Win could be pivotal

Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's last-gasp victory at Norwich, courtesy of milestone man Ryan Giggs, could prove crucial in the title race.

The Reds looked set to drop two vital points after Paul Scholes' early opener was cancelled out by Grant Holt's 83rd-minute equaliser.

But Giggs, playing his 900th game for the club, popped up with the winner two minutes into injury-time to secure what could turn out to be a huge victory.

"It's a great result and it will have an impact," the boss told MUTV afterwards. "Everyone knows we never give in and no matter who plays us they know they're going to have to play right until the very death.

"I have to say though we were lucky. Norwich were the better team and they had more purpose about them. They kept crossing the ball into our box and but for Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and David De Gea we'd have been behind. The three of them were brilliant.

"I thought we were lethargic and too casual on the ball," added Sir Alex. "But when we lost the goal we played brilliantly. That tells you something about the temperament of the players. They didn't get nervous, they kept playing and started to up their game, and that augurs well for us.

"Norwich deserved a point really today, but we scored a great winning goal and that was when you saw [the real] Manchester United."

As for the Reds' matchwinner, Sir Alex felt it was fitting that Giggs stole the headlines on his landmark appearance.

Norwich 1 - 2 Manchester United

Grant Holt levelled for the Canaries late on when he held off Rio Ferdinand to turn and fire into the top corner.

But there was still time for Giggs to steal the points when he converted Ashley Young's cross at the far post.

Giggs, who made his league debut 21 years ago next month, was impressive throughout and had already hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley in the second half before his stunning late intervention.

But the result was harsh on a Norwich side who caused United no end of problems and were only denied further goals by the excellence of goalkeeper David de Gea.

The Spaniard pulled off fine saves to deny Holt, Anthony Pilkington and Aaron Wilbraham before he was finally beaten by Holt with just seven minutes left.

That goal kicked United into gear and, when Young whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, Giggs arrived unmarked to clip the ball through John Ruddy's legs.

Ferguson's side had seen City move five points clear with their 3-0 defeat of Blackburn on Saturday and started in the manner of a side eager to close the gap.

lundi 6 février 2012

Munich Air Crash news footage

Munich Air Crash news footage

In memory of all those who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster on 6th February 1958...

#G.Neville on Twitter : Image that's in the Dressing room at carrington that the lads look at everyday!They inspired us always #loveourbabes

#Wayne Rooney On Twitter:"RIP to everyone who lost there lives in munich air disaster. Lost but never forgotten.

dimanche 5 février 2012

:Chelsea [3-3] Manchester United - All Goals

Chelsea [3-3] Manchester United - All Goals

mercredi 11 janvier 2012

Dimitar Berbatov Player of the Month video

Player of the Month winners, 2011/12

December - Dimitar Berbatov

November - David De Gea

October - Javier Hernandez

September - Nani

August - Wayne Rooney

Our free video shows December's top three - Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia (2nd) and Michael Carrick (3rd) - in action.

Video: Berba tops monthly poll

Dimitar Berbatov's goalscoring return to action in December has earned him United's Player of the Month award.

When the polls closed on our seven official websites at the weekend, the Bulgarian striker was placed marginally ahead of runner-up Antonio Valencia while Michael Carrick finished in third place.

Berbatov averaged a goal every half an hour (32 minutes to be precise) during the festive month after firing in six of the Reds' tally of 20. His hat-trick haul against Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day and brace in the New Year's Eve defeat to Blackburn followed his 50th strike for the club, a cheeky backheel in the 5-0 win at Fulham.

The other players nominated in our December poll were Patrice Evra, Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney.