Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

Drats, the blue (I always say the wrong) side of Manchester has got Silva bloke

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ty/8775740.stm

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Drats, the blue (I always say the wrong) side of Manchester has got Silva bloke

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ty/8775740.stm

YY, the Blues' side has got hard cash (and lots of it).... our Red's side is Bankrupt and only has IOUs and Promissory Notes to offer. sighhhhhhhhhh

Cheerz
AC

[slyer]

seems like the biggest signing for man utd is javier hernandez i am hoping snejder can come to united. he looks good enough to replace scholes. we also need a good gk and a striker

if united can get muller, ozil, snejder we got some hope to compete for champions league trophy

[Elliot]

I actually do not mind if Man Utd do not sign any big name players. They should try to pay off as much debt as possible to lighten the load. If they don't sign, they will try harder to develop their own which is win win.

On the other hand, I am hoping Javier turns out to be another Cris but with more loyalty.

[Cavalier]

Man Utd do need a new keeper. vdS I think last season ? And the rest a bit lacking confidence. Now madrid very interested in Vidic, and ferdinand getting prone to injuries, don't know if smalling can make it or not.

[machoman]

Man Utd beat Celtic 3-1 in North America soccer tour
Saturday, July 17, 2010, 10:33:57 HRS

Dimitar Berbatov (L) of Manchester United gets away from Andreas Hinkel of Celtic during a friendly match at the Rogers Centre July 16, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. United won 3-1 as they launched their North American tour

Dimitar Berbatov scored one goal and contributed to two more as English powerhouse Manchester United launched their North American Tour with a 3-1 friendly victory over Celtic.

Substitutes Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley also scored for Manchester United, while Georgios Samaras converted a penalty for Scottish Premier League club Celtic.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a strong lineup that included Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs - who received an especially warm welcome from Canadian fans.

The match was played at the 50,000-seat Rogers Centre, where a temporary grass pitch was installed where the Toronto Argonauts normally play their Canadian Football League gridiron games on a synthetic surface.

Berbatov opened the scoring in the 34th minute, deftly controlling a cross from Mame Biram Diouf with his right foot before using his left to bury it in the net.

Celtic equalized in the 61st after Chris Smalling, making his Manchester United debut after a transfer from Fulham in January, was penalized for pulling Joe Ledley to the ground in the area.

Samaras, who came on in the second half, converted to level the score.

United responded, and in the 79th minute Berbatov found some room ont he right and crossed for Welbeck, who scored from close range.

Bulgaria's Berbatov then combined with Cleverley, whose shot in the 86th deflected off a Celtic defender to get past stranded Celtic keeper Lukasz Zaluska.

Manchester United are making their third pre-season trip to North America since Sir Alex Ferguson became manager in 1986.

World Cup players Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-sung and Nemanja Vidic were left at home to recover after playing in the World Cup.

Ferguson was also without the services of several injured players, including captain Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves.

United's next stop is Philadelphia, they will take on the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. They play the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium on July 25, and they face the MLS All-Stars in Houston on July 28 before travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico, to play Chivas.

Celtic, who opened their North American tour on Wednesday with a 1-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union, play the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

- AFP

[machoman]

New Jersey with New Sponsor "AON" for New Season 2010/11

[machoman]

Manchester United 3-1 Celtic - Friendly Match -
Saturday, July 17, 2010

Manchester United defeated Celtic 3-1 in a friendly match on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Full Highlights and All Goals

FT Manchester U. [3 - 1] Celtic
34' [1 - 0] D. Berbatov
61' [1 - 1] G. Samaras (pen.)
79' [2 - 1] D. Welbeck
86' [3 - 1] T. Cleverley

[machoman]

Man Utd deliver early blow to title rivals Chelsea

Monday, August 09, 2010, 00:07:32 HRS

Manchester United's Michael Owen (2nd left) holds off a challenge from Chelsea's Ashley Cole (2nd right) during the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in London. Manchester United won 3-1.

Manchester United delivered an early blow to title rivals Chelsea with a 3-1 victory over the Premier League champions in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team have spent the close-season licking their wounds after being pipped to the title by the Blues, but they underlined their determination to regain the crown with a ruthless display in the annual curtain-raiser to the English top-flight season.

A first half goal from Antonio Valencia put United in front and new signing Javier Hernandez added the second after the break.

Salomon Kalou got one back for Chelsea, but Dimitar Berbatov's late strike ensured United have the early momentum heading into the new campaign.

This may have been no more than a glamourous friendly, but there was definite edge to the match as these two old rivals tried to land a psychological blow ahead of the Premier League kick-off on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney responded to jeers from Chelsea fans with a superb cross-field pass towards Valencia, who out-paced the stumbling Ashley Cole but couldn't quite lift his chip over Henrique Hilario.

Valencia turned provider moments later as the Ecuador winger picked out Paul Scholes 10 yards from goal, only for the veteran midfielder to volley well over.

Ancelotti's double winners, who beat United in the Shield last season, threatened when Nicolas Anelka's powerful long-range effort tested Edwin van der Sar.

Branislav Ivanovic forced van der Sar into a much more difficult save when the Serbian defender towered above Nemanja Vidic to meet Malouda's free-kick with a bullet header.

Rooney had been one of England's most disappointing performers in South Africa, where he looked completely devoid of his usual enthusiasm.

Back in a United shirt he was once again the effervescent figure who terrorised defences last season.

He covered large parts of the pitch in the first half, shooting just wide from a tight angle before chasing back tenaciously to break up a Chelsea attack.

Inevitably, Rooney played a key role when United took the lead in the 41st minute.

Scholes, in sublime form, spotted Rooney's run to the right edge of the Chelsea penalty area and found him with a long pass that dropped in behind Cole.

John Terry had tracked Rooney and the striker took advantage by whipping a low cross into the area vacated by the Chelsea captain.

Valencia, having sprinted clear of Cole, found himself in yards of space and met Rooney's superb delivery with a cool finish past Hilario.

That was Rooney's last contribution as Ferguson sent on Hernandez, Berbatov and Nani at half-time.

Chelsea have been below their best during a pre-season marred by three successive defeats and Carlo Ancelotti's team were missing Didier Drogba's imposing presence, so it was no surprise when the Ivorian came off the bench after an hour.

Drogba's arrival gave extra impetus to the Blues and Michael Essien went close for Chelsea with a curling strike from outside the penalty area.

Another chance went when Cole shot straight at van der Sar after the United goalkeeper spilled Paulo Ferreira's cross.

Ancelotti brought on Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun, a close-season signing from Liverpool, for the last 18 minutes, but it was United who scored again in the 76th minute.

Valencia escaped Cole on the wing and drilled over a low cross that Hernandez converted at the far post in comical fashion, the Mexican slipping as he shot and seeing the ball bounce off his foot and onto his head before flying into the net.

Ivory Coast striker Kalou reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute when he tapped-in after van der Sar palmed Daniel Sturridge's shot into his path.

But United had the last word as Berbatov took Nani's pass in stoppage time and floated a perfect chip over Hilario to seal the win.

- AFP

[Cum_Luver]

congratulation on Red Devils winning the first trophy of the new season - Charity Shield.

[machoman]

Fergie's young players ready to rule the roost

Thursday, August 12, 2010, 11:24:41 HRS

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The fiery-tempered Scotsman is placing great faith in his squad's younger players amid accusations that the team's warchest is empty.

The former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen once famously castigated Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in his young players by declaring that 'you win nothing with kids'.

Hansen was proved spectacularly wrong during the season that followed as Manchester United won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1996 with the likes of the Neville brothers Gary and Phil, Paul Scholes and David Beckham.

And it is remarkable how history repeats itself as once again Ferguson puts his faith in his young players - and once again he is under increasing pressure to do the opposite.

After finishing second in the Premier League to Chelsea last season, Ferguson was expected to make at least one major signing to try and raise morale at Old Trafford and also debunk the myth that his coffers are empty.

However, he has spent just 10 million pounds on Fulham's Chris Smalling and a further seven million pounds on Javier Hernandez, who are hardly yet household names. Nor are the sums big enough to convince many that all is well behind the scenes.

The increasingly hostile reception received by the Glazer family, who own United, is based largely on the premise that they have denied Ferguson the funds to strengthen his squad over recent years.

The United manager has been quick to deny that is the case and has always supported his employers but the fans' suspicions regarding the size of Ferguson's war chest continues to grow, and mainly because he is once again backing his club's starlets to shine.

"They've done the job well," Ferguson said in support of the Glazers. "I've never been refused when I've asked for money for a player.

"What can I do other than carry on the way we're doing it and the way I'm allowed to - I've no complaints."

So if Ferguson has no money concerns and can simply ask for financial support whenever he needs it, why has he not bought more players'

There is a simple answer to that: he trusts those he already has.

During his time at United, Ferguson has developed and cultivated one of the most impressive youth training set-ups in world football.

Players such as Ryan Giggs, Beckham, Nicky Butt, Wes Brown, Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Darren Fletcher have all been given the time and space to grow into United regulars both past and present.

And because he has done it before, Ferguson is now willing to do it again.

Chris Smalling, seen here during his spell at Fulham, was bought by Manchester United for just 10 million pounds. After finishing second in the Premier League to Chelsea last season, United manager Alex Ferguson was expected to make at least one major signing to try and raise morale at Old Trafford and also debunk the myth that his coffers are empty.

He said: "We have a collection of young players who have been growing up at the club, players such as Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and Federico Macheda.

"If you don't give them a chance they're going to stagnate and move to other clubs who'll get the benefit of the work we've done.

"I'm sure these young players will get better and better. I see their determination. They want to do well, they want to learn, they want to play for United, get in the team and stay in the team.

"That's what we were like when we were younger and I see the same desire in these young players.

"Hopefully their determination and hunger will see them kick on and do even better, because we're going to need them."

There is little denying that Ferguson will certainly need them as Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes enter the twilight of their careers and the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick are not far behind in terms of age.

But, if past history is anything to go by, the current concerns about how much faith Ferguson is putting in his youngsters is simply unnecessary. Just ask Alan Hansen.

- AFP

[alex18122003]

Reds agree deal for striker

Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes for the purchase of 20-year-old striker Tiago Manuel Dias Correia (better known as "Bebe") for an undisclosed fee, subject to a successful medical in Manchester later this week.

[richie_rich]

£7M BEBE COMES FROM NOWHERE TO SIGN FOR MANYOO

An announcement on United's website last night revealed that the club had 'reached agreement with Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes for the purchase of 20-year-old striker Tiago Manuel Dias Correia (better known as "Bebe") for an undisclosed fee, subject to a successful medical in Manchester later this week.'

Undisclosed the fee may officially be, but The Guardian says Bebe has cost £7m, The Sun says £7.6m and The Times goes for £7.4.

Still think they couldn't afford Ozil?

Bebe is something of an unknown and was performing in the third division of Portugal football last season.

The Guardian reports that:

'Bébé, 20, moved from Estrela da Amadora to Vitória de Guimãraes for an undisclosed fee five weeks ago, but, after only 45 minutes in his new club's colours, he was flown to Manchester yesterday to undergo a medical examination and finalise his transfer.

'Sir Alex Ferguson urged his board to buy out the player's contract after a glowing recommendation from Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach and former United assistant manager, and learning of interest from Real Madrid.'

[slyer]

no signing of star player this season. hopefully the youngsters javier hernandez, smalling etc can help man utd to win more trophies this season

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by slyer

no signing of star player this season. hopefully the youngsters javier hernandez, smalling etc can help man utd to win more trophies this season

I too was hoping Sir Alex would make a marquee signing like David Villa to take the pressure off Rooney, and an attacking midfielder/playmaker Mesut Ozil and winger David Silva to replace loyal Scholes and Giggs.

But alas, Villa had gone to Barca, Ozil is staying put at Bremen and Silva has gone to the blue half of Manchester.

Yes, I do hope that new signings Hernandez, Smalling and Bebe will be able to light up the EPL this season with up and coming starlets Evans, Gibson, Macheda, Obertan, Cleverly and the Rafael twins.

And of course, Berbatov, Owen and Ferdinand to stay injury-free.

We'll give Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and maybe even Tottenham a fight to claim our 19th Crown!

Glory glory Man United!