Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[RAMS75]

i am a Manchester United Fan too..Hope the beat Everton later..

Glory glory MU!!

[machoman]

Hernandez strike gives Man Utd the spoils at Everton

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Manchester United finally ended four years of failing to win at Goodison Park with a 1-0 success over Everton courtesy of a first half effort by Javier Hernandez.

After last week’s 6-1 humiliation at home to Manchester City this result may not totally erase the memory but at least United have kept in touch with City at the top of the Premier League.

Everton started the game brightly but gradually the visitor’s gained control and took the lead on 19 minutes as Patrice Evra crossed from the left giving Hernandez the simplest of chances from close range.

United really should have made their superiority count but as half-time approached it was Everton who finished the stronger, culminating in a Leighton Baines free kick hitting the crossbar with David de Gea a spectator.

The hosts took the game to United after the break but only in the closing stages did they look like finding an equaliser. In fact the Reds should have increased their lead but failed to make the most of some promising breakaways.

In a frantic last few minutes Everton had a couple of strong appeals for penalties turned down by the officials, particularly when Evra barged over substitute Magaye Gueye .

In the end United were grateful to their defence for this result with Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans outstanding.

Referee: Mark Halsey

Venue: Goodison Park

Attendance: 35,494

Everton scorers: Man Utd scorers: Hernandez 19

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by RAMS75

i am a Manchester United Fan too..Hope the beat Everton later..

Glory glory MU!!

welcome to the thread bro. a hard fought win over everton.

with vidic back, the defence did seem more solid. he's the sort of uncompromising defender and leader that united needs. de gea, jones and smalling no doubt will benefit with his leadership on the pitch.

was truly surprised to see sir alex name evans as vidic's partner despite last week's sending off. seems ferdinand is really taking the most blame for last week.

really hope cleverley's injury is not too serious. he was the one who put a little creative spark into the midfield. united missed him when he was out.

[mr_missile]

Alex Ferguson demands victory over Otelul Galati

ALEX FERGUSON is demanding victory over Otelul Galati tomorrow to set up what he believes will be a Group C decider with Benfica.

A 2-0 win in Romania over Galati got Manchester United's Champions League campaign back on track, putting them second behind the Portuguese side.

Fergie said: "We have to win. We're at home and I expect us to win. If we do that, it's in our hands when we play Benfica at home.

"I expect Benfica to beat Basel as they're in a bit of disarray with Thorsten Fink going to Hamburg.

"We'll hopefully win our game and, when we play Benfica at home, it'll be the decider."

While Galati are bottom of the group without any points from their opening three games, they still tested United in Bucharest before two Wayne Rooney penalties sealed victory.

So Fergie does not expect his side to have it all their own way at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

He said: "Nobody turns them over. Their games against Basel and Benfica had been tight and they were exactly that way against us.

"Galati set out their stall to make sure they weren't going to be embarrassed. They were well organised."

[mr_missile]

A man for all seasons - Interview by Gary Pallister on Sir Alex Ferguson

On November 6, Sir Alex Ferguson will celebrate 25 years in charge of Manchester United. He has some way to go to match the tenures of the likes of Fred Everiss, Guy Roux, Willie Maley and Bill Struth but, in the modern era and at so famous a club, it is an achievement that cannot be overstated.

"I don't think anybody would expect a manager of a football club to last 25 years, especially one the size of Manchester United, but I think this guy showed from a very early age in his managerial career that he was a bit different from everybody else," Gary Pallister tells ESPNsoccernet. "To do what he did with a club the size of Aberdeen and break the stronghold of the Old Firm up in Scotland marked him out as somebody a little bit special. Fortunately it was Manchester United that thought so and managed to secure his services."

Pallister was there to witness Ferguson's transition from his early years at Old Trafford, as he toiled against persistent setbacks to wake a sleeping giant, to an era of dominance that was to see Manchester United established as the Premier League's foremost club. It could all have been different.

Ferguson had led Aberdeen to a Cup Winners' Cup triumph over Real Madrid and won the Scottish league title on three occasions, achievements that owed much to their manager's excellence in the fields of fitness and psychology. When he arrived in Manchester following the dismissal of Ron Atkinson, though, he inherited a squad whose fondness for the party lifestyle was undermining progress. It was not a culture shock, as such - Ferguson had been well aware before taking charge - but his task, it became clear, was renewal from top to bottom, and many outside the club thought he would be denied the chance to achieve it.

The story often told is that, had Mark Robins not rescued the team in their FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest in January 1990, chairman Martin Edwards would have ended Ferguson's reign after little more than three years. Those connected with the club have always denied that was the case.

"Everybody said if we got beat he was going to lose his job but I think they'd seen what he was doing with the structure of the club," Pallister says. "Not just what he was doing with the first-team but how he was building up the scouting network, how he was working with the youth system in the club and clearing out a lot of deadwood from the place - revitalising the whole club.

"I think the work ethic is one of the great things you see in the manager. He's one of the first into work and one of the last to leave - well, he is the first into work and probably the last to leave. You don't see him trying to take any kind of shortcuts. He's hands-on with everything from the youth system to the canteen to the bloody kit man. He's wanting to know what's going on all the time. Everybody sees that work ethic that he's got when they're around him and understands why he is so successful."

Ferguson has benefitted from fostering a sense of continuity at the club - the likes of Brian McClair, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan are among the former players to have been given backroom jobs - but that approach predated his arrival. Bobby Charlton was appointed to the board of directors in 1984 to add a club man after the stepping down of Sir Matt Busby, and the former England star was instrumental in Ferguson's appointment; he may also have been instrumental in ensuring the chairman did not lose faith. "I'm sure people like Martin Edwards would have spoken to Bobby in private moments and asked him what he thought," Pallister says. "He'd been under Sir Matt and played under Sir Alf Ramsey and he'd seen how great managers had worked. I think he maybe saw similarities in that."

Patience paid off. Having invested heavily in the summer of 1989 in Pallister, Paul Ince, Danny Wallace, Neil Webb and Mike Phelan, and with Robins' famous assistance, United went on to lift the FA Cup in 1990 and end the trophy drought that would otherwise have stretched into a fifth year.

"You'd look back now and think it was pennies but at the time all those signings represented a lot of money and that brings a pressure all of its own, I think," Pallister says. "Because of the amount of cash that was spent you would expect some kind of instant success. Fortunately we did win the FA Cup and that gave the chairman a bit of relief, and gradually we reached the holy grail of winning the title."

That first league title under Ferguson, finally delivered in 1992-93 after a near miss in the previous campaign, was as much a triumph of man-management as anything else. He had taken the brilliant but volatile Eric Cantona from Leeds, the 1992 champions, and the Frenchman had provided the orchestra with its conductor. For that, Ferguson was prepared to make some concessions.

"His man-management is second to none," Pallister says. "That's absolutely top-class, and it's a prerequisite for any manager who's going to be successful in the game to get the best out of the players. Certainly in my time maybe Eric got a little bit more... well, I don't think he ever suffered the hairdryer. I think he was the only player that never did.

"You're managing temperaments and egos - different characters. We're all different. Eric, after the Crystal Palace episode, decided he was walking away from football and the gaffer went out to France, found him, spoke to him and managed to change his mind. To be honest, if he hadn't done that, I've no doubt Eric would've walked away from football. I think he's that kind - once he'd made up his mind on that, he wasn't for changing, but the manager did change his mind. I don't think he'd have done that for every player, but Eric was a bit special and I think at that exact period of time somebody needed to put an arm around his shoulder and say, 'Let's get through this'."

This yielding to the needs of the occasion has been central to Ferguson's continued success. Though a manager of strong principles, his approach has not been encumbered by a clinging to the past.

"He's got old fashioned values. He takes from old-fashioned managerial styles - he picked up the best pieces from people he worked under as a player and brought them into his management - but he moves with the times. He was one of the first with the diets, fitness coaches, working on peripheral vision - brought people in to help with that. I think he takes everything on its merits and if he can improve the team then he'll do that. He's into all them kind of things. He's not blinkered in the respect that there's a kind of managerial style that's going to work forever. I think he's flexible with what he learns and what he's picked up over the years and he puts that all together in the package that is Sir Alex Ferguson."

Even now, two months shy of his 70th birthday, Ferguson refuses to lean too heavily on the familiar, and his appetite for more shows no sign of abating. Recent signings have placed the emphasis on youth, and Pallister expects the manager to see them through to maturity.

"He's putting together another terrific team and he's enjoying the challenge that's coming across from his neighbours in Manchester, even though he'll be stung by the 6-1 defeat," he says. "He's tried to walk away before and I think he'd have missed it too much. I certainly believe that, as long as he's fit and healthy and he's got that burning desire to carry on winning things, he's going to stay in the job. You're waiting for that candle to burn out that is his desire. When you see it now, you don't see it fading."

Gary Pallister was speaking on behalf of ESPN Classic (Sky 429/Virgin533) to promote their new 5-part documentary series '25 Years United: Sir Alex Ferguson'

[mr_missile]

Fergie: Slower Rio must adapt

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Rio Ferdinand still has a major role to play at Manchester United even if he is no longer an automatic choice.

Thirty-three on Monday, Ferdinand was unusually singled out by Ferguson for criticism in the wake of what the United manager felt was kamikaze defending against Manchester City nine days ago.

Given much-publicised injury problems that date back almost three years and the fact Ferdinand has been omitted from starting line-ups against Arsenal, Norwich and on Saturday at Everton this season, in addition to losing his place in Fabio Capello's England squad, it is understandable why so many people are writing the £29.1million star off.

It seems Ferguson is not one of them.

As with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, Ferdinand will have to accept he will not play every game. Indeed, he only returns for tomorrow night's Champions League encounter with Otelul Galati because Nemanja Vidic is suspended.

However, providing Ferdinand can adapt his game to take into account the fact he can no longer rely on pace to get himself out of trouble, Ferguson feels the player, who will celebrate 10 years at United next summer, still has plenty to offer.

"Rio is almost 33 and has obviously lost the yard of pace he had five years ago," said Ferguson.

"But that doesn't mean he cannot tailor his game a different way.

"He cannot rely on his pace now. That is obvious.

"But he is still one of the best footballers in the country in terms of his use of the ball. He still has great presence. He can still tackle and can still head the ball."

Ferdinand is such a competitive individual, he may bristle at suggestions he is no longer capable of previous feats.

Indeed, with another England squad due to be announced on Sunday for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden, Ferdinand may be about to receive another reminder his status has slipped.

But, it is not so long ago he was a commanding presence alongside Jonny Evans at Liverpool and with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also on the Old Trafford payroll, Ferdinand's experience could be crucial in the development of players who have vast potential but so far have little to match his tally of five Premier League titles.

"We have all faced that decisive moment in your career when you have to realise that you have to change your game," said Ferguson.

"Rio is maybe realising now that he has lost that electric yard.

"He is still one of the best footballers in the country in terms of the use of the ball.

"I explained to Rio the other day it is simply that we have young centre-halves coming through and I am very happy to have the defenders we have and I hope I can keep them together for a long time."

Ferguson certainly seemed happier discussing Ferdinand than his own longevity, which reaches 25 years at United this weekend.

It is a quite incredible milestone and surely one that will not be surpassed at such a high level of the game.

Otelul's Dorinel Munteanu will struggle to emulate it given the rapid turnaround in coaches at his present club.

"A good president," was Ferguson's wryly-delivered advice when asked what Munteanu required to achieve even half his level of success.

"I have not really reflected on it. All I can say is I am looking forward to the next 25 years."

Rival managers and journalists alike may shudder at that prospect.

However, with his side currently occupying second spot in Group C behind Benfica, Ferguson cannot afford to be distracted from the immediate task of steering his side into a more advantageous position from which to clinch their customary position in the knock-out phase.

Indeed, it appears not even the presence of only two United players - the single English representative Wayne Rooney and Nani - amongst the 23 contenders for this year's prestigious Ballon D'Or prize, compared to eight from the Barcelona side that defeated them in last season's Champions League final, has merited too much attention.

"I have not seen the list but the fact there are seven Spanish players tells you everything," he said.

[machoman]

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Unconvincing Man Utd do enough to get past Otelul Galati

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Manchester United have gone top in Group C of the Champions League thanks to a 2-0 win over Otelul Galati tonight.

United dominated the first half following an early goal from Antonio Valencia but had to wait until late in the match to again breach the Galati defence who were solid for most of the night.

The home side got off to a solid start when they took the lead inside 10 minutes through Valencia. The Ecuador international was the recipient of a neat pass from Phil Jones from the right and finished with ease into an open goal after a clever run from Michael Owen.

Three minutes later, Owen had to be replaced by Javier Hernandez after over-extending his left thigh at the near post when the goal was scored and had to come off but it seemed to be more precautionary than anything.

After struggling for most of the second half, United added a second in the 88th minute when their best player on the night, Wayne Rooney, struck from distance with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Cristian Sarghi and bouncing past a hapless Grahovac.

United had a few chances to extend their lead when it was 1-0, in particular when Dimitar Berbatov’s angled attempt after a brilliant through ball from Hernandez early in the second half was cut off by Galati keeper Branko Grahovac, and when Anderson and Berbatov played a one-two with the Brazilian clear on goal but his flicked attempt was slightly blocked by Grahovac and defender Cornel Rapa who had converged with Sergiu Costin required to keep out the crumbs.

Just prior to half-time, Galati had their best chances when Ionut Neagu tested David De Gea from long range before the Spaniard came up with a vital save when Neagu’s next attempt from inside the area took a deflection off Rio Ferdinand.

For the most part, however, the Red Devils were mediocre with a fairly lacklustre performance which consisted of strewn passes and poor decisions although they got the result they were after to move to eight points from four group stage games, equal with Benfica but with a better goal difference after their 1-1 draw with FC Basel, whilst Galati remain rooted to the bottom without a point.

Champions League Group C

Manchester United (ENG): 2 (Antonio Valencia 8’, Wayne Rooney 87’) Otelul Galati (ROM): 0 Old Trafford, Manchester

Yellow cards: MANU - Jonny Evans 36’ OTEL - Sergiu Costin 16’

[mr_missile]

United struggle past Galati

Wayne Rooney turned into a midfield star as Manchester United saw off Otelul Galati 2-0 in the Champions League at Old Trafford.

On their first appearance at Old Trafford since being thrashed 6-1 by Manchester City, Antonio Valencia's eighth-minute tap-in and a late deflected effort from Rooney ensured United grabbed maximum points from their clash with the Romanian outfit.

It was hardly a command performance, but in rampaging right-back Phil Jones and Rooney - who netted his 27th Champions League goal from a starting position in central midfield - the home fans at least had a couple of happy memories to take away from a stadium where the ghosts in blue will linger for so long.

As the inclusion of Rio Ferdinand in place of suspended skipper Nemanja Vidic had been confirmed in advance by Ferguson, it was Rooney's starting position in midfield that attracted most attention.

It is an area of the field Ferguson has been urged to strengthen for two years and, in the wake of that "embarrassing" City "debacle" as Ferguson described it in his programme notes, those calls have reached a crescendo.

Whether there is a concrete idea formulating in Ferguson's mind remains to be seen.

However, there was clearly an intention to give Rooney a full opportunity to express his talents given Javier Hernandez was introduced when Michael Owen limped sadly down the tunnel after 11 minutes, the victim of yet another muscular injury.

By that stage United had already got their noses in front, with Rooney playing a significant role with the pass that released Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian released Jones on his outside, the full-back eventually cutting a cross back that bounced past Owen's near-post lunge and left Valencia with a tap-in.

It should have been the start of a goal avalanche against limited Romanian opponents, but United lost their way somewhat.

On a couple of occasions Berbatov was left frustrated as Hernandez stormed into the box but nudged the ball slightly too far in front.

Fabio embarked on an eye-catching burst from halfway, only to run out of room as another opportunity petered out meekly.

Without a point in Group C, Otelul showed limited ambition.

However, when a stray Nani pass rolled to Ionut Neagu, the young midfielder went for goal before Ferdinand could close in and brought an excellent one-handed save out of a previously underemployed David de Gea.

With Rooney operating as a virtual quarterback, sitting just in front of the back four and directing operations with a decent variation of passes, Hernandez and Berbatov attempted to gel.

Berbatov showed a nifty turn of pace to latch onto Hernandez's eye-of-the-needle through ball, but was unable to beat Branko Grahovac from an acute angle.

Hernandez could not beat the goalkeeper either with a shot on the turn after collecting Rooney's forward pass.

Soon afterwards, Berbatov blazed a shot over from Anderson's lay-off before the pair exchanged short passes, only for the Brazilian's goalbound effort to be booted clear by Sergiu Costin.

Rooney was next to try his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the box that failed to trouble Grahovac.

Yet that failure, in addition to the growing nerves at a succession of Otelul attacks that brought no reward, merely highlighted the problem of Rooney's use in midfield.

Sure he can adapt, as most top-class players would. His pass completion rate was of the level the watching Paul Scholes would be proud. One pass to Berbatov with the outside of his right foot was simply sensational.

But his absence from the forward line costs United plenty in terms of an attacking threat, even allowing for the abilities of those asked to do the job instead.

Jones's claim on the man-of-the-match prize strengthened with another probing right-wing raid that ended with Hernandez glancing a header over, then Berbatov turned away in anger as Nani ignored him and tried to beat Grahovac with an ambitious curling effort.

Not that Berbatov had anyone to blame but himself as he strode beyond the visitors' defence but blazed his shot into the side netting.

Adrian Salageanu's dangerous free-kick that bounced past half a dozen advancing team-mates and through to De Gea was further proof of United's perilous position.

Rooney ended the anxiety with a long-range effort that took a massive deflection off Sarghi three minutes from time.

[mr_missile]

SAF: Rooney was midfield machine

Sir Alex Ferguson praised Wayne Rooney's display in an unaccustomed central midfield role in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Otelul Galati.

The England international played in a withdrawn position in the weekend win over Everton and found himself alongside Anderson for Wednesday night's Champions League Group C match at Old Trafford because of injuries to Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley while Darren Fletcher is working his way back to fitness.

Rooney responded by dictating from deep as it was his long diagonal pass which started the build-up to Antonio Valencia's eighth-minute goal and he rounded off a laboured team performance with a hugely-deflected goal late one.

"I think he was our best player. He showed great awareness of that role," said Ferguson.

"His selection of passes at times was very good and showed great energy and determination - we got a really good performance out of him tonight.

"We had injuries and that is one of the reasons we played him there.

"Cleverley is injured, Carrick is injured, Darren Fletcher played on Saturday but it was better he played next Saturday.

"It was an option for us and a good option because he has all the qualities you need to be a central midfield player.

"The first thing you have to say about him is that he receives the ball very well.

"He is aided by the fact he plays in a forward role, when receiving the ball is more of an issue but that was an advantage for him tonight.

"I am not surprised the team we were playing against were aggressive in defending so he has to take credit in being able to handle that part."

Victory put United top of Group C from Benfica, who visit Old Trafford next later this month.

It puts the Red Devils in pole position to qualify for the knockout stage.

"We've won the game and it has put us in the position where if we win that we've won the group so that is the incentive for us," added Ferguson.

"Given the history between both clubs (us and Benfica) it should be a good night, a good atmosphere, a really big game and we can look forward to that one.

The only downside was an injury to Michael Owen, who lasted just 10 minutes before limping off.

"It's a blow for the lad. He's done a thigh muscle and it's a complete freak," said the United boss.

"I feel for him. It's difficult to say how long-term it is."

Otelul coach Dorinel Munteanu was disappointed with the final result as he felt his side did well at Old Trafford.

"The way the game went we were hoping for more," he said.

"The players showed courage and even controlled the game at some point.

"They (United) got easy goals and we were punished for small mistakes.

"In the first half United controlled the game but we put up a good effort and in the second half the game changed, we became more confident.

"We had a very good game in the second half but even in defeat I feel positive."

[mr_missile]

Wayne Rooney: Alex Ferguson is the master motivator

WAYNE ROONEY has had plenty of moments to remember on the pitch during Alex Ferguson's Manchester United reign.

But it is what the boss says before his stars even step over that white line that stands out for him.

As a motivator of men, Rooney believes the Scot cannot be equalled and will never be surpassed.

Roo revealed: "Some of his team talks... you walk out on the pitch and you say to each other 'How good was that?'

"For the British players who understand him, it is incredible. It's more difficult for the foreign lads to understand.

"But it gets you right up for the game and I don't really think that is something that can ever be replaced."

Ferguson signed Rooney from Everton in August 2004 and then, just over a year ago, made sure he stayed at United when the England striker claimed he wanted out.

Rooney, 26, added: "For me, he's a great manager and a great man. He is the reason I signed and a big reason why I'm still here."

The England star shakes his head at the thought he was still in nappies when Ferguson took charge of United 25 years ago.

Roo said: "He has been in charge of United since I was one year old.

"All my childhood and growing up, you watched him on TV, doing interviews before and after games. Then to come and play for him is a great honour."

Ferguson will be 70 on New Year's Eve, yet Rooney can still see the boss being in charge when his own playing days are coming to an end.

He insisted: "No, it wouldn't surprise me if he was here another 10 years. His hunger and desire are still the same.

"I've never seen anyone with his desire and passion. It rubs off, certainly on me and I'm sure on all the other players.

"What he has done, not just for Manchester United but the game of football, is amazing. In my estimation, he's the best of the lot."

Ferguson has managed to sustain success by constantly building new teams to keep United at the top.

Rooney stated: "He has had maybe three or four teams which have been successful.

"To lose players, then build the team up again and be successful three or four times over, is incredible."

Ferguson has had to use all his managerial skills this season.

Recently he has got the side back on course with three wins and no goals conceded following their 6-1 derby drubbing at Old Trafford.

Rooney said: "We have done well since the derby. We beat Aldershot, had a difficult game at Everton and now have won in Europe. After that disappointment we have bounced back well.

"The derby was hard to take, to lose by that scoreline and in the manner we did. But we know it is a long season."

Ferguson played Rooney in a central midfield role on Wednesday night as United beat Otelul Galati 2-0.

The player revelled in it, won praise from his boss and believes that position could be an option towards the end of his career.

Rooney admitted: "It is probably a role I could enjoy in the future when I lose a bit of pace.

"It's a role the manager needs me to do at the minute and I enjoy it. I played there as a young lad. Having watched my team-mates, I understand the role."

Next up it is Sunderland at Old Trafford tomorrow, when 76,000 will cheer Ferguson's every step from tunnel to dugout.

Rooney said: "It's incredible, 25 years in charge of the same club and the success he's had. It'll never happen again, I'm sure."

[mr_missile]

Fergie reflects on 'fairytale'

Sir Alex Ferguson has described his 25 years at Manchester United as "a fairytale" as he moves to within days of his landmark anniversary.

Ferguson will celebrate a quarter of a century in the Old Trafford hotseat on Sunday. It is a quite incredible achievement at that level of the game, testament to the astonishing success he has brought to United.

Although there have been a number of presentations over the past few months, Ferguson has never given the impression of being entirely comfortable discussing past glories.

Even on Thursday, when quizzed about his milestone, he started with his oft-repeated phrase: "I am not getting into that."

However, the 69-year-old did allow himself the briefest of reflections on a career that has brought him glory way beyond what anyone could have imagined when he succeeded Ron Atkinson on November 6, 1986.

"It is a bit of a fairytale to last so long," he said. "It has been a fantastic spell for me. It is something you don't think is going to happen and I appreciate that."

Over the past couple of weeks, huge numbers of scribes have attempted to select Ferguson's Greatest XI.

The task is virtually impossible given the huge number of star players who have been through United's doors since Ferguson began the quest to "knock Liverpool off their perch", something he finally achieved last May.

Even on Thursday as he reeled off, just seven, those missing came instantly to mind.

"When I look back I say to myself how fortunate I am to have had these players," he said.

"The list is incredible, going back to the very start with Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Brian McClair, (Mark) Hughes, (Paul) Ince, (Roy) Keane, (Eric) Cantona. What a collection of players. They were fantastic players.

"It is hard to think I controlled all these players for so long. Now to the present era of players we see today, different personalities and different cultures."

Inevitably followed the question no-one knows the answer to, least of all Ferguson.

How long can he go on?

"I will continue as long as I feel healthy enough to do it."

There is no single secret to Ferguson's success.

He is fortunate to have been at United just at the time when commercial aspects of football were starting to flourish.

He also benefited from a patient board of directors, who could easily have dismissed him after three seasons without a trophy right at the start of his tenure.

Other aspects of his management are entirely of his own making though.

He was responsible for bringing through so many star players.

Ferguson nurtured a succession of title-winning teams just when it seemed the search for glory was about to reach a dead end.

And the relentless hunger and desire that keeps him going even now came from his own upbringing on the working class streets of Govan, and by nature the willingness to embrace vast change.

"It is difficult to put everything in a box," he said.

"I don't think you can do that. It is such a varied time in management. Things change as the years go on. There is a different way of managing today there was even seven or eight years ago."

[mr_missile]

UNITED TO SIGN PEREIRA

Manchester United look set to complete the signing of PSV kid Andreas Pereira, a 15-year-old Brazilian-born midfielder.

And how do we know this? Well, he said so.

"I knew that PSV had given me my chance, but Manchester United is obviously a great club," he told VoetbalPrimeur.

"Other British clubs were interested. I thought about it, but Manchester United is a dream club for me.

"I have been a few times to Manchester United to have a look.

"I got a tour and spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson. Being a 15-year-old and being able to talk with him is great!"

[mr_missile]

Tomasz Kuszczak: My Man United hell

TOMASZ KUSZCZAK has launched a stunning attack on Manchester United for making him "a slave".

The Polish keeper spent four years as Edwin van der Sar's understudy but is now third choice after Alex Ferguson signed David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard.

Kuszczak, 29, has begged manager Fergie to let him go now after claiming the Red Devils blocked a possible loan move to old rivals Leeds recently.

But he says the legendary boss, who celebrated 25 years in charge of United at the weekend, does not care about the Pole's Euro 2012 dream.

Kuszczak said: "I've become a slave to Manchester.

"I'm frustrated but I don't want to slander or criticise Ferguson. It's not my style.

"I've talked to Ferguson recently.

"I asked him to let me leave the club now, before the January transfer window.

"I told him I want to play and get back into the national team, because Euro 2012 is just around the corner — but it seems he doesn't care.

"The possibility of a two-month loan to Leeds United came up two weeks later. The club blocked it.

"It was a glimmer of hope for me.

"It would have reminded the Poland manager about me — but I didn't get the club's approval.

"Do they do it maliciously?

"I'm sad they behave like that.

"I have respect for Ferguson because, for me, he's a great manager, but I hope he will let me go in January."

[shark89]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

The Polish keeper spent four years as Edwin van der Sar's understudy but is now third choice after Alex Ferguson signed David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard.

Not sure why United didn't want to let him go to Leeds on loan when he is not even 3rd choice goalie. I think Ben Amos is 3rd choice now.

But I guess Sir Alex must have his reasons. Just sad to see him blast the club like this.

[mr_missile]

MANCHESTER UNITED CAN NAB WESLEY SNEIJDER FOR £40M

INTER have told Manchester United they are free to sign Wesley Sneijder – but only if they break the bank.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been told he can sign Sneijder in January if he can stump up a club record £40m.

Ferguson tried to sign the Dutch star in the summer ­­but failed to strike a deal with the Italian giants.

However, Starsport understands that Inter bosses have softened their stance and are willing to cash in on their prize asset.

Ferguson has kept close tabs on Sneijder and is keen to make another move for the midfield ace when the transfer window opens in the New Year.

He is desperate to bolster his midfield as United try to keep pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Sneijder, 27, remains Ferguson’s No.1 target and the United boss reckons the Dutchman can fill the boots of Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of last season.

United look short on midfield quality, with Michael Carrick and Anderson struggling for form, while Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley have had lengthy spells out injured.

Sneijder has become disillusioned following Inter’s woeful start to the season, which has seen them win just twice in Serie A to lie one place above the relegation zone.

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri took over from Gian Piero Gasperini in September but results have failed to improve.

San Siro chiefs will demand £40m so Ranieri can have significant funds to strengthen his squad.

It would make Sneijder United’s most expensive signing.

Ferguson’s record signing is Dimitar Berbatov, who cost United £30.7m when he joined them from ­Tottenham in 2008.

It remains to be seen if Ferguson is willing to spend so much on a player who is at his peak but would have no sell-on value at the end of his contract.

An Italian source told Starsport: “Inter will sell Sneijder but it will have to be on their terms. They believe he is worth £40m in the current market.

“He is one of the leading players in the world in his position, so he won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap. Now we wait and see what happens in the near future.”

United face a battle to keep hold of Paul Pogba, with Arsenal ready to make a move.

Manager Arsene Wenger wanted the French midfielder before he moved to United in 2009.

But the Gunners have been given fresh hope that they could land Pogba at the second attempt.

Pogba, 18, has snubbed United’s attempts to tie him to a new deal and will be free to talk to clubs in January as his current deal expires next summer.