Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by lacoruna69

Just when everyone writes him off....another hat-trick.
The problem is he is not consistent. The next match he could be a wandering soul again.
But Old Fergie will be happy with 3 pts n double joy since Man C, Chelski, Pool fails to win.
Will the Gunners falter tonight against Wolves.....highly possible.
Spurs is away to Canaries......draw??

berba only played agst wigan as saf rested rooney. the rotation paid off with the moody bulgarian bagging a hat-trick. seems like he is continuing from last season the knack of scoring hat-tricks agst the "smaller" clubs.

i think saf will bring rooney back into the team to play blackburn on new year's eve. a win will put united on top of the premiership for at least 24 hrs with city playing a day later.

a very good boxing day for united with city, ars, chelski all dropping points.

spurs won their game agst norwich and they are now 3rd in the table, 7 pts behind united and city, but with a game in hand.

they could be a real threat.

[mr_missile]

Fit-again Ferdinand raring to go

Rio Ferdinand hopes to be fit for Manchester United's clash with Blackburn on Saturday and says he has not felt this good for two years.

The 33-year-old England defender came in for criticism for his performances earlier in the season, but he returned to top form prior to Christmas and is now raring to go again after a niggling foot injury.

Ferdinand - who has featured 17 times in all competitions for United this campaign - was forced to sit out the recent 5-0 wins over Fulham and Wigan, but should be ready to make his return against Rovers at Old Trafford.

"I haven't felt this good for 18 months to two years," said the United centre-half in The Sun. "Playing regular games breeds confidence in your own body and your performances and, as I said, I feel great.

"A lot has been said about individuals in our squad, which is something you come to expect at Manchester United, and I think the criticism has been harsh in some cases.

"I've always said that when I'm playing consistently you will see the best of me."

Ferdinand, who signed for United from Leeds in 2002, added: "The problems I've had the last couple of seasons with injuries have meant I've been getting through games and maybe not able to train, then missing a few games and coming back in.

"That makes it difficult to get a level of consistency, but this season I've played consistently and you can see the rewards of that."

[mr_missile]

Vidic set for up to 12 months on the sidelines

Agent dismisses Vidic doubts.

Nemanj Vidic's agent has dismissed speculation that the Manchester United defender's latest knee injury could threaten his career.

The 30-year-old is expected to be sidelined for up to 12 months after he ruptured three ligaments in his right knee playing against Basel.

Vidic is to undergo surgery later this week, but Silvana Martina has been quick to deny any fears over his long-term future.

"The first forecasts say it can last for a year, but it is meaningless to talk about the end of his career," he is quoted by the Daily Mail.

"It's a serious injury but club doctors assure us that the recovery will run smoothly and he will be back on the field.

"It will take time to get back into the old rhythm, but there is no doubt that Vidic will be his old self again.

"Nemanja is feeling good. He will be back next year stronger and better."

[mr_missile]

Red Devils stick to Rooney story

Manchester United have insisted Wayne Rooney missed Saturday's defeat by Blackburn through injury rather than for disciplinary reasons.

Rooney was not even selected as a substitute for the shock 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, despite Sir Alex Ferguson being forced to name five untested youngsters on the bench.

Instead, the 26-year-old watched the match from an executive box, along with Darron Gibson, who has been mentioned along with Rooney, and currently injured defender Jonny Evans, in relation to a night out that took place on Boxing Day, after the 5-0 win over Wigan.

It has been reported by the Mail on Sunday that Sir Alex Ferguson got wind of the night out, ordered the players to do extra training on Wednesday, which was supposed to be their day off, then told them they would not be involved against Rovers on Saturday.

Rooney and Gibson are reported to have trained in the morning before heading to Old Trafford to see their team-mates fail to assume top spot in the Premier League, as had been anticipated.

The implications of what has been reported could be major for United, and in particular Rooney's relationship with Ferguson.

However, whilst Red Devils officials were aware of the story circulating, there was no official response.

Instead, the club's website continued to report the statement Ferguson made about Rooney's surprise absence to ESPN prior to kick-off.

"Wayne hasn't trained well this week, he's missed a few days and we're hoping that he trains today, tomorrow and, by Wednesday, he should be okay. It's little strains here and there."

Those words suggest the initial fall-out would be limited to a single game, with Rooney - and possibly Gibson, who made his first start of the season against Wigan as United faced a chronic injury list - set to be included at Newcastle in midweek, and the FA Cup tie at Manchester City next weekend.

However, it has not been forgotten Rooney requested a transfer last season amid fears about United's long-term future, only to be eventually talked round and then end the season as a Premier League winner and a goalscorer in the Champions League final.

[mr_missile]

Suarez evidence was 'unreliable'

Liverpool's Luis Suarez gave "unreliable" and "inconsistent" evidence to the commission investigating claims he racially abused Patrice Evra.

The Football Association released the independent regulatory commission's full written reasons on its website on Saturday evening.

The 115-page document goes into detail of the case and the conversation the two players had during the match at Anfield on October 15.

On December 20, following a lengthy investigation by an Independent Regulatory Commission, the FA announced that Suarez would be banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Evra.

The ban was suspended pending an appeal by the Merseyside club.

The report stated in its summary: "Mr Evra was a credible witness. He gave his evidence in a calm, composed and clear way. It was, for the most part, consistent, although both he and Mr Suarez were understandably unable to remember every detail of the exchanges between them.

"Mr Suarez's evidence was unreliable in relation to matters of critical importance. It was, in part, inconsistent with the contemporaneous evidence, especially the video footage. For example, Mr Suarez said that he pinched Mr Evra's skin in an attempt to defuse the situation. He also said that his use of the word 'negro' to address Mr Evra was conciliatory and friendly. We rejected that evidence.

"To describe his own behaviour in that way was unsustainable and simply incredible given that the players were engaged in an acrimonious argument. That this was put forward by Mr Suarez was surprising and seriously undermined the reliability of his evidence on other matters.

"There were also inconsistencies between his accounts given at different times as to what happened."

The incident was triggered in the 58th minute of the match when Suarez fouled Evra. Five minutes later the Manchester United defender was marking Suarez at a Liverpool corner, the first time the two players had come together since the foul.

The two players were then involved in a row, and they were spoken to by the referee Andre Marriner.

Evra made a complaint to the referee at the time and after the game, which triggered an FA investigation.

On November 16 Suarez was charged with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Evra, including a reference to Evra's ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.

Between December 14 and December 20 the commission heard evidence about the incident from the match officials and staff from the two clubs including Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish.

The FA's case, according to the report, was that Evra asked Suarez why he had kicked him, to which the forward replied: "Because you are black."

When Evra challenged him to repeat the answer and said he would "punch him", Suarez said: "I don't speak to blacks."

According to the report, Evra then told Suarez he was going to hit him, to which the Uruguay international replied in Spanish: "Dale, negro, negro, negro." That translates to "okay, blackie, blackie, blackie".

Suarez denied the charge. The report stated that Suarez said he "used the word 'negro' in a way with which he was familiar from his upbringing in Uruguay".

The report said: "In this sense, Mr Suarez claimed, it is used as a noun and as a friendly form of address to people seen as black or brown-skinned (or even just black-haired)."

Suarez maintained that when he said "Por que, negro?" to Evra, it was intended in a conciliatory and friendly way. Suarez said this was the only time that he used the word "negro" in his exchanges with Mr Evra during the match.

As part of its investigation, the FA instructed two experts to prepare a written report on the linguistic and cultural interpretations of the words "negro'' and "negros" in Rioplatense Spanish.

Evra also said in his evidence to the commission that Suarez went to touch him and was gesturing at his skin. The report said it looked like Suarez pinched Evra, which the Liverpool player admitted to in his original witness statement to "diffuse the situation".

The language experts concluded that, after analysing Evra's account of the incident, Suarez's use of the words "negro" and "negros" would be understood as offensive in racial terms in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America. The physical gesture of touching Mr Evra's arm would also, in the context of the phrases used, be interpreted as racist, said the report.

However when the experts looked at Suarez's version of events, they concluded that the terms he used would not be interpreted as racist in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America.

The commission said in the report that in order to come to a conclusion, it was important to look closely at the credibility and reliability of the witnesses.

Evra, said the commission, was "an impressive witness'' who "demonstrated a measure of balance in his evidence''.

The commission admitted that Suarez was undergoing a stressful time, but said he was "not as impressive a witness as Mr Evra".

In evidence to the commission, Suarez eventually admitted that the pinching of Evra was not an attempt to diffuse the situation.

"This was one example of where Mr Suarez's witness statement was demonstrated to be inconsistent with the facts as shown in the video footage. No satisfactory explanation was given for this inconsistency," said the report.

Another area focussed on in the findings was Suarez's claim that the term he used was "meant in a conciliatory and friendly way".

The commission's members did not agree and stated: "The suggestion that he behaved towards Mr Evra at this time in a conciliatory and friendly way, or intended to do so in using the word "negro", is, in our judgment, simply not credible.''

The commission found that because the conversation took place during "heated exchanges'' which were "confrontational and argumentative" then the interpretation of Suarez's comments to Evra were offensive.

Describing the reason for the severity of the sentence, the commission said: "If professional footballers use racially insulting language on a football pitch, this is likely to have a corrosive effect on young football fans, some of whom are the professional footballers of the future. It also has a potentially damaging effect on the wider football community and society generally. Every professional footballer should be able to play competitive football in the knowledge that references to the colour of his skin will not be tolerated. The same goes for all levels of football.

"Those who are victims of misconduct of this nature should know that, if they complain and their complaint is upheld, the FA will impose an appropriate penalty which reflects the gravity of this type of misconduct."

The commission concluded: "The charge against Mr Suarez was that he used insulting words which included a reference to Mr Evra's colour. We have found that charge proved on the evidence and arguments put before us. The FA made clear that it did not contend that Mr Suarez acted as he did because he is a racist. Mr Evra said in his evidence that he did not think Mr Suarez is a racist.

"Mr Suarez said in evidence that he will not use the word "negro" on a football pitch in England in the future, and we believe that is his genuine and firm intention."

In a statement Liverpool said: "The club can confirm that they received the written reasons from the Regulatory Commission at short notice last night on the evening of the game against Newcastle United.

"The player, the club and our legal advisors will now take the necessary amount of time to read, digest and properly consider the contents of the 115 page judgment and will make no further comment at present."

Liverpool have previously suggested they will appeal and have remained steadfastly behind their player, his team-mates controversially wearing T-shirts with Suarez's face on them prior to the draw at Wigan 11 days ago.

Liverpool have been given until January 13 to respond, meaning Suarez will be free to play in their next three games, including their Carling Cup semi-final, first leg trip to Manchester City on January 11.

[mr_missile]

my thoughts on the suarez case :

the charge against suarez is "racial abuse" against an opponent. he was not charged for being "racist".

in the findings, it was reported that the word "negro" was uttered by Suarez at least 7 times. and this was not denied by the Suarez. to all who think that the word "negro" has no racial connotations to it, i think they are just lying to themselves.

suarez is thus guilty of racially abusing evra. yes, it's true that evra was also fucking suarez on the pitch. but not on "racial" terms. just like you are fucked "knn" by someone, is it acceptable to you that your mother is abused? i think you'd rather that person utter "fuck you" straight in the face than a "knn".

[mr_missile]

Magpies blow United off course

Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye scored spectacular goals to help Newcastle beat Manchester United 3-0 in their Premier League game at St James' Park.

Ba signed off in style as United's hopes of retaining their Premier League title were dealt a fresh blow as they suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season.

Free signing Ba plundered his 15th goal of the campaign in what seems certain to be his final appearance for the Magpies before heading off on African Nations Cup duty with Senegal.

Frenchman Cabaye sealed a first victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men in more than 10 years with a stunning 47th-minute free-kick with Phil Jones' late own goal simply cementing their seventh place in the table.

Even Wayne Rooney's return from his exile could not spark United into life as Newcastle added to the pain inflicted on his side by lowly Blackburn at the weekend in front of a delighted crowd of 52,299.

Keeper Anders Lindegaard, who has repeatedly warned he had not joined United simply to "pick his nose", was handed a start in place of David de Gea, unlike Magpies midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who was named only among the substitutes despite declaring roughly the same sentiment in the run-up to the game.

Pardew sent out his side having seen them win just one of their last eight league games and knowing the challenge of improving on that run could hardly be much more difficult against a wounded United.

However, his players set about their task with a real relish and while they were forced to defend in determined fashion throughout, they did so more than competently with skipper Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson in particularly miserly form.

In addition, they produced enough of an attacking threat not only to keep the champions on their toes, but to take a lead they rarely looked like relinquishing.

Indeed, Pardew's men, having survived an early scare when Coloccini just managed to cut out Ryan Giggs' attempted through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov in the opening minute, took the game to the visitors in the early stages.

Ba was uncharacteristically wasteful when he failed to make a meaningful connection with Danny Simpson's teasing fourth-minute cross, and Cabaye tested Lindegaard's mettle with a shot from distance two minutes later.

The Dane also had to deal with Cheick Tiote's skidding long-range drive, although as United worked their way into the game, it was they who started to threaten.

Tim Krul had to make a smart reaction save from Nani's 12th-minute snapshot, and the keeper managed to claim the rebound before the predatory Rooney was able to pounce.

Berbatov clipped the outside of the post with a deflected header three minutes later, but Newcastle were not content to sit back and defend.

They had been awarded and converted a contentious penalty in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in November, and they were appealing for another with 25 minutes gone, this time in vain, after Ba went down in a tangle of legs with Rio Ferdinand, the man whose challenge on Ben Arfa had been ruled illegal on home turf.

But the former West Ham frontman got his chance 12 minutes before the break, and as so often this season, took it in spectacular fashion.

Shola Ameobi climbed high above Phil Jones to flick on Krul's long free-kick and Ba swivelled instantly to smash a right-foot volley high past the stranded Lindegaard.

Ryan Taylor curled a 44th-minute free-kick just over after Tiote had left Rooney for dead with a neat trick and Ba prompted Giggs to foul him 30 yards out.

Lindegaard also had to deal with a nastily dipping Ba effort from distance in injury-time with the Magpies sensing an opportunity.

Jones' first season at Old Trafford has been largely exemplary, but the youngster's difficult evening on Tyneside took a further turn for the worse within seconds of the restart.

He barged Ba to the ground 30 yards out as the striker threatened to run away from him, and Cabaye curled the resulting free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar with Lindegaard once again helpless.

Central defender Williamson headed a 55th-minute Ryan Taylor corner just over with the Magpies pinning the visitors back to thwart their efforts to launch a recovery.

United would have been back in it within four minutes had it not been for old boy Danny Simpson, who somehow managed to block Rooney's point-blank volley from a Nani cross.

The visitors were enjoying their best spell of the game as Newcastle's defending became increasingly desperate.

But with no sign of a breakthrough, Rooney made way for midfielder Anderson with 15 minutes remaining, although United's efforts became increasingly toothless with the home side simply needing to maintain concentration.

That they did, and Jones' miserable evening was complete in the final minute of normal time when he headed Krul's deep free-kick into his own net.

[asiancigar]

I think our boys are still trying to clear off their X'mas pudding and NY champaign.....

We looked like some 2nd Division team who were without ideas and conviction.....

Take nothing away from Newcastle.... they out played us and seem to want winning more.

6 points lost and SAF is still not buying but instead extending contracts for Giggs and Ferdinand.

Cheerz
AC

[mr_missile]

Man City v Man Utd preview

Team news for Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are set to be without Mario Balotelli, Gareth Barry and the Toure brothers for Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash against Manchester United.

Striker Balotelli (ankle) and midfielder Barry (suspension) are definitely forced out while defender Kolo and midfielder Yaya Toure have to report for African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast.

Manager Roberto Mancini hopes striker Edin Dzeko (knee) and forward Samir Nasri (illness) will be fit to bolster a stretched squad but former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is not expected to come into contention.

Manchester United will be selecting from the same squad for the game.

Chris Smalling (tonsillitis) is still out, which is likely to mean Phil Jones partnering Rio Ferdinand in defence.

Anders Lindegaard is likely to continue in goal, although Dimitar Berbatov's place is at risk as United look to avoid suffering a third consecutive competitive defeat against their local rivals.

Man City (from): Hart, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Savic, Kolarov, Clichy, Johnson, Milner, De Jong, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko, Onuoha, Pantilimon.

Man United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, Fryers, Cole, Carrick, Valencia, Park, Gibson, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck, Berbatov, Hernandez, Diouf, Keane.

[mr_missile]

Sir: We should have battered them

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is saddled with the curse of Paul Gascoigne and that Manchester United nearly threw away their win over Manchester City

At the end of a tumultuous weekend, which began with reports of a split with his manager so great United were contemplating selling him during the present transfer window, Rooney was the two-goal hero in United's 3-2 FA Cup triumph over 10-man Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After the final whistle, Rooney reiterated his desire to remain with United "for a long time".

However, Ferguson admitted his star man will have to deal with more negative headlines given his status in the game.

"Wayne Rooney is a headline-maker, good or bad," said Ferguson.

"It is the situation that existed many years ago with Paul Gascoigne.

"We have seen the good stuff today but any flaws will be absolutely annihilated by the press. That is what they are like. That is what we are dealing with.

"Today was a magnificent performance."

Yet it is a fact that in October 2010, Rooney requested a transfer amid concerns about United's ambition.

And also, the striker was disciplined over his performance in training immediately after a Boxing Day night out.

"There is no problem with the boy's temperament at all," Ferguson said.

"It is just off-the-field he is going to be spotlighted all the time."

Despite the result, which condemned City to their first home defeat in over 12 months, Ferguson was not happy.

Having watched his side charge into a 3-0 lead, against opponents reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of skipper Vincent Kompany in the early stages of the contest, Ferguson could not believe what he was seeing as City pulled two goals back and then had a handball claim against Phil Jones turned down by referee Chris Foy.

"It was ridiculous," said Ferguson. "We got careless and made City better than they were.

"They went defensive in the second half and waited for us to make mistakes - and we made them.

"Fortunately we scrambled away with a victory. From a position where we should have battered them."

Indeed, his anger at Kompany's red card apart, Blues boss Roberto Mancini was the happier man at the end, believing the outcome should provide confidence from which his side can go on to win the Premier League title.

"This evening is important for the league," he said.

"Now I think we can win the league because of the character we showed.

"United is a top squad in England. At Old Trafford, with 10 men for 40 minutes, they lost 6-1. Today we played for 80 minutes with 10 players, scored two goals and didn't concede any chances.

"It was a fantastic performance.

"If we have the same attitude and same strength every game, we will win the league."

Although he was partly responsible for Sergio Aguero's goal for City, which really made United sweat after Aleksandar Kolarov had reduced the deficit straight after the restart, Paul Scholes helped to bring a measure of composure to United's game near the end.

The Red Devils confirmed their veteran midfielder had come out of retirement just before the teams were announced, with Ferguson confirming the 37-year-old had approached him about resuming his career a few weeks ago.

"The last few weeks, Paul has been training very hard with the reserves and doing a lot of work in the gym," said Ferguson.

"He came to see me and said 'I regret retiring'.

"There are no negatives for me. The players have been delighted. I am delighted. The fans are delighted.

"The last few weeks he has been stepping up his training and been taking part in our training sessions during the week.

"It is a terrific addition to our squad at a very important part of our season."

[mr_missile]

good win to keep the noisy neighbours quiet for a while and to stop the 2 game losing streak. city lost at home for the first time in 31 games!

great to see rooney scoring and kissing the united badge on his jersey and scholes coming out of retirement to help united.

next round vs pool at anfield. let's see if their fans' reaction there when evra comes out. one fan has already been hauled out by the police for racially abusing an oldham player. this guy's gonna be charged. wonder when is the police going to charge suarez too.

[mr_missile]

Utd fine rattled 'tense' Rooney

Wayne Rooney has admitted he complained about his recent fine and feels the disciplinary issue affected his performance for Manchester United.

The Red Devils striker was punished due to a lacklustre showing in training following a night out after the club's Boxing Day victory over Wigan.

Rooney missed United's next match against Blackburn on New Year's Eve and produced a subdued display on his return in last week's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle.

However, the England international returned to his best with a brace in the FA Cup win at local rivals Manchester City after acknowledging he was 'tense' after being punished by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

When asked if he had grumbled about the fine, Rooney told La Repubblica: "Yes, but for reasons that I can't say. I accepted it. But I was tense when I got back on the pitch and I think it showed."

Rooney added: "You can't always agree. Football is made up of all kinds of conflict.

"In a dressing room, between players, between us and the manager, between us and loads of people who don't seem to matter. It's constant and harsh sometimes."

[mr_missile]

Fergie hails scoring Scholes

Alex Ferguson hailed Paul Scholes after the veteran scored on his return to the Manchester United starting line-up against Bolton.

Scholes made a shock comeback from retirement as a substitute in the FA Cup victory over Manchester City last Sunday and followed it up with the opener against the Trotters at Old Trafford.

The strike - the 151st United goal of his career - came when he turned home a Wayne Rooney cross-shot on the stroke of half time.

United then pushed on and won the game with second half goals from Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick to move level on points with City at the top of the table, having played a game more.

Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "It's a good scoreline. I think we could have scored more in the first half in particular, we had a lot of great chances, some terrific football we played at times.

"But we had to wait until right on the half time to score the goal and it put us in a great position."

He agreed it was a surprise that Scholes had popped up at the far post for his opener "because at his age and the fact that he has just come back."

He added: "We were looking for him to control centre midfield which he did.

"But he's got the instinct, he's always had the instinct for a goal and he's probably said 'well half time, I'll gamble' and he's opened the scoring for us and that could have been an important goal (in the course of the season)."

Title rivals Tottenham drew against Wolves and Ferguson is relishing the challenge ahead as United go for a 20th title.

He added: "We are in there that's all we can say. We will keep going and you never know where it takes us."

[mr_missile]

Ferdy: Scholes is still gold

RIO FERDINAND says Paul Scholes is still up with the world's greats even after six months in retirement.
Manchester United hero Scholes, 37, returned to action over a week ago.

And Ferdinand believes only Scholes and some of the top Barcelona stars could be away from the game for so long and return without any trouble He said: "Only a handful of players could do it.

"Iniesta, Xavi, Messi — they're the type of players who look as though they could play football at the drop of a hat at the top level. It's natural to them."

SunSport revealed on January 7 Scholes wanted to come out of retirement.

But the player kept his team-mates in the dark until the FA Cup third round against Manchester City 24 hours later.

Ferdinand said: "He met up with the squad the day before the City game and I asked if he was in the squad. He said he was coming to watch as part of the staff. That's typical Scholesy."

Meanwhile, Scholes could play for GB in the Olympics despite not being on the 191-player 'long-list'.

The out-of-retirement Manchester United ace, 37, would have to contact the FA to be considered for one of three over-age spots or be approached by coach Stuart Pearce.

Fellow 'oldies' David Beckham and Ryan Giggs want to be considered and, as Pearce will not pick any player who has been at Euro 2012, all three have a good chance of featuring.

[mr_missile]

The Daily Mail claims Danny Welbeck has 'angered' Manchester United by asking for a deal worth around £60,000 a week.

Apparently Welbeck currently earns £15,000 a week, and has been offered a contract that will pay him around £45-50,000, but that isn't enough for his advisors, it says here.

The Mail claims: 'United want to put Welbeck on a similar wage package to the club's other young talents. Defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling both earn £50,000 per week, while Tom Cleverley is on £40,000 per week. United feel Welbeck's £60,000-a-week demands are unrealistic as he has not proved himself on a consistent basis yet.'