Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

SAF: Arsenal game will be tight

Sir Alex Ferguson claims there's "no chance" Manchester United will repeat their 8-2 hammering of Arsenal on Sunday.

United emerged triumphant on that stunning afternoon in August, romping to an 8-2 win that condemned Arsenal to their biggest defeat in 114 years.

It was part of a blistering start to the campaign that also saw the Premier League champions score three times against both Tottenham and Chelsea and put five past Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Performances have become rather more restrained since as injuries and setbacks made their mark, which is why Ferguson is anticipating a return to the tense battles of the past when United square up to Arsene Wenger's side this weekend.

"It won't be as open as the last time. There is no chance of that," said Ferguson.

"There won't be a lot between the two teams. They have only lost six goals at home this season so we are well aware it is going to be a hard game.

"I just hope we can get the result we want and need."

United may well need an away win because by kick-off they will be six points adrift of Manchester City if the Blues emerge triumphant from their top-of-the-table encounter with Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.

It is the reverse of fixtures that ended with a combined Manchester victory of 13-3 over north London, although Ferguson has not entertained the idea that Arsenal will be motivated by thoughts of getting even.

"I have never used revenge as part of my motivation," he said.

"It rankles but you have to forget it. I am sure Arsene did that. That is what I would have done anyway."

Instead, Wenger can point to a place on the fringes of the top four as evidence that his side has improved.

Arsenal also have the Champions League knockout phase to look forward to, unlike United, who find themselves in the Europa League.

And, just like Sunday's opponents, they have an old favourite back in their squad, with Ferguson believing Thierry Henry's short stint for his old club is in the same 'no-brainer' category as that which saw Paul Scholes perform a retirement U-turn at Old Trafford.

"There was talk about Thierry Henry coming back last January and it didn't happen," he said.

"To me there are no negatives, similar to what I said about Paul Scholes.

"When I saw them erecting the statue I thought it was a nice lead-in to bringing him back for a short spell.

"You saw how the fans reacted when he scored the goal against Leeds. They were fantastic.

"He is still a great player and most of the current ones weren't there when he was.

"They are going to be motivated and admiring a player who was one of Arsenal's greats."

Ferguson's defensive options have been bolstered by the return of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

England striker Danny Welbeck should shrug off the blow he suffered in scoring against Bolton last week to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

As Ferguson noted, it is the start of a tough run that also includes trips to Chelsea and Tottenham, plus those two encounters with Liverpool, which would increase to three if next weekend's FA Cup fourth-round tie requires a replay.

Ferguson believes it is how United come through these fixtures that will determine the extent of their trophy challenge this term.

"Normally there are quite a few of these big matches at the end of the season," he said.

"But we have had situations in the past where you have a clutch of games against teams who are challenging in the league with you.

"We know it could decide a lot of the season but you just have to cope with it because it is the same for everyone else."

[mr_missile]

SAF: Cleverley comeback close

Tom Cleverley is in line to make his Manchester United comeback in next month's Premier League encounter with Liverpool on February 11.

The midfielder was one of the major influences behind United's flying start to the season, which earned him England call-ups for the postponed August friendly against Holland and the Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales.

Yet, almost immediately, injury intervened.

First the 22-year-old suffered a foot problem during the September win at Bolton, then, on his Premier League reappearance at Everton, Cleverley sustained a blow to his ankle and has been sidelined ever since.

However, Ferguson confirmed he is back on the comeback trail and should be able to play a part in football training within 10 days.

And, if all goes to plan, Cleverley could be fit for match action within a week, which would put him on target to face Liverpool.

"I am hopeful in 10 days' time he will be playing football on the training side of it anyway. That is the plan unless there is any recurrence of the injury," Ferguson said.

"Then we can kick on.

"When he plays properly depends how he does in the training.

"His fitness levels should be fine, so he could cope right away.

"If he can, you are talking about a week."

And that, coming in the middle of a crucial period when United face a succession of top six contenders, could provide the Red Devils with a significant lift.

"It would be a great boost to us," said Ferguson.

"The way that Tom started the season was absolutely phenomenal.

"I have not seen a young player have that impact at our club for a long time.

"He has been a loss because he has something different from everyone else."

[joew2005]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/220120...0m-modric.html

Premier League - Paper Round: United to bid £50m for Modric
Sun, 22 Jan 08:04:00 2012

The Croatian star has also been a transfer target 4 Chelsea 4 some time, but Spurs hv so far rejected all offers 4 him.

The Mail on Sunday reports tat United know tat title contenders Tottenham will not allow 1 of their star players 2 leave @ tis stage of a crucial season 4 them, but they will throw the vast sum @ the London club in the summer 2 try & find the midfield lynchpin they're sorely lacking.

Modric could double his current £60,000-a-week earnings @ United without a ruckus, whereas the paper claims the Red Devils' other target Wesley Sneijder needs £250,000 a week 2 match his current salary @ Internazionale - which could cause problems within the dressing room.

Spurs hv slapped a world-record £150m pricetag on Gareth Bale, according 2 the Sunday Mirror.

ManC hv been linked with a move 4 the Wales star aft rumours surfaced of a £50m escape clause in his contract.

However the Stellar Group, who represent Bale, hv confirmed tat no such clause exists - & with the record 4 any transfer being the £80m Real Madrid paid ManU 4 Cristiano Ronaldo, it is unlikely City or any1 else would cough up such a huge fee.

Carlos Tevez is still in negotiations with PSG abt a transfer fr the Manchester club, the Mail reports, but the paper quotes agent Kia Joorabchian saying tat there is "still some way 2 go" b4 any deal is agreed.

The Mirror claims tat he will not play in France & has his heart set on a move 2 1 of the Milan clubs. City had refused 2 entertain the notion of a loan deal 2 Milan, but the paper reckons tat stance has softened with 9 days left in the transfer window: they could allow him 2 join until the end of the season if Milan agree 2 make the deal permanent in the summer.

Tottenham defender Verdan Corluka is the subject of interest fr Serie A side Roma.

Spurs will not allow Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar 2 join QPR.

Man Utd r in talks 2 sign Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne for £3m, according 2 the Manchester Evening News.

Liverpool r trying 2 sign Juventus winger Milos Krasic on a loan deal.

Lazio r set 2 fight United & Liverpool 4 Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Newcastle r desperate 2 sign duo Danny Guthrie - who scored a screamer in the defeat @ Fulham yesterday - & Fabricio Coloccini 2 new contracts.

Stoke hv told striker Kenwyne Jones he will not be allowed 2 make a big-$ move 2 Saudi side Al-Hilal.

[Rickey]

They're have just been dumped out of the FA Cup by their arch rivals LIV...goalkeeper DDG making silly errors & cost them quite a no of goals & they dun seem to hav consistently good strikers...Whenever they meet Pool, majority of the time they will lose..wat jinx..even minnows like Bolton can beat Pool, why can't the red devils...haiz...Their only hope now is the EPL title, o/w this season they will be trophyless for once...tink SAF oso giv up...sigh

[mr_missile]

Agent: Veseli wasn't progressing

Frederic Veseli crossed the Manchester divide from City to United because he felt the Blues' priorities have moved from nurturing youngsters.

The 19-year-old was United's only deadline-day signing and will initially link up with Warren Joyce's reserve-team squad before pushing for a chance at senior level.

Skipper of the Swiss Under-17 side crowned world champions in 2009, Veseli hoped to get his chance at City this term after being part of Roberto Mancini's squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

However, the opportunity never came and as Veseli grew disillusioned, in stepped United, whose manager Sir Alex Ferguson has never been afraid to give youngsters a go.

"These days, Manchester City are chasing titles and major trophies," explained Veseli's agent Adam Bouskouchi said.

"It is difficult for them to have faith in youth because they obviously feel experience is the best way for them to get where they want to go.

"But that attitude didn't help Freddie, who just felt like he wasn't progressing.

"On that pre-season tour, both Roberto Mancini and - director of football - Brian Marwood said how well he had done. But since then, nothing."

In fairness to Mancini, he does not have 12 league titles to fall back on if he gets it wrong.

It cannot be underestimated how much strength that gives to Ferguson, who handed Ben Amos and Paul Pogba their Premier League debuts in Tuesday night's win over Stoke.

"Freddie spoke with several clubs, here and abroad," said Bouskouchi.

"But he wants to be a top player in England and when Sir Alex spoke to him, it made such an impression.

"He is a difficult man to say no to and his track record was enough for Freddie to feel he was making the right choice to join United."

As City are not part of the Premier Reserve League, Veseli is lacking match fitness at present.

However, his aims are clear, both in the short-term and then later in the year, when Switzerland will be amongst the countries competiting at the London Olympics.

"First his challenge is to establish himself at reserve level, then push on for the first team," said Bouskouchi.

"But the Swiss Federation have also been in touch and they are keeping track of him.

"However, they have said Freddie must at least be involved at reserve team level before they could consider him for the Olympics."

[S.B.Y.1]

Man U still having Bakkwas on the Eve of The End of The Lunar New Year

60th minit - Chelsea 3 Man United One

Ferguson's CHEWING his gum much faster than Pak's Heartbest

His face is much more REDDER than Rudolf The RED nose Reindeer

[S.B.Y.1]

Guess it's Bakkwa sharing for Chealsea n Man U

Lucky penalties

It's Chealsea's lost

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Man U still having Bakkwas on the Eve of The End of The Lunar New Year

60th minit - Chelsea 3 Man United One

Ferguson's CHEWING his gum much faster than Pak's Heartbest

His face is much more REDDER than Rudolf The RED nose Reindeer

haha bro... looks like you posted too early. the game is still not over till the final whistle. See how Utd came back from 3 goals to draw. Whether the penalties were justified or not it's inmaterial. the final scoreline matters.

Well, now have to beat City to remain in the title challenge, if not City may just get their first EPL title and make history. But I hope it will not happen! lol

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Guess it's Bakkwa sharing for Chealsea n Man U

Lucky penalties

It's Chealsea's lost

hahaha pak, lucky penalties? the ref should have given man united one in the 1st half but didn't. guess he was just trying to "make up" for that mistake.


United fight back to hold Blues

Wayne Rooney scored two penalties as Manchester United came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

Despite dominating for long periods, United's Stamford Bridge curse looked to have struck again when Jonny Evans put Daniel Sturridge's cross into his own net, Juan Mata scored a superb goal and a David Luiz header flew in off the shoulder of Rio Ferdinand.

But the champions were awarded two penalties, both convered by Rooney, before substitute Javier Hernandez headed home a Ryan Giggs cross to earn the champions a share of the spoils.

It was more dropped points for Chelsea from a winning position as they almost lost at home in the league to United for the first time in 10 years.

Even though he was not playing, John Terry cast a long shadow over proceedings, with the visiting supporters taunting him over his highly-publicised problems.

Chelsea fans predictably showed their backing with chants of "There's only one England captain", while jeering Rio Ferdinand's every touch.

They also had plenty of fun at the expense of David De Gea, who was making his first league appearance of 2012 and whose edginess was betrayed in the eighth minute when he flapped at a cross.

But it was Chelsea who were soon breathing a sigh of relief as two United penalty cries were ignored.

The first saw Ashley Young go down rather easily under pressure from Jose Bosingwa, who got the nod at left-back with Ashley Cole suspended.

Moments later, Danny Welbeck went down after being caught by the trailing leg of Chelsea debutant Gary Cahill, an outraged Sir Alex Ferguson racing onto the pitch as Howard Webb ignored the United appeals.

Replays appeared to show Cahill had won the ball before catching Welbeck, but the decision only fuelled a poisonous atmosphere that included more abusive chants about Terry and Ferdinand.

The football did little to lift the mood until just before the half-hour when Branislav Ivanovic just beat Welbeck to Rooney's cross after a wonderful ball from Antonio Valencia.

Webb brandished his yellow card when Fernando Torres ran into the back of Evans, for whom insult was added to injury nine minutes before half-time when he inadvertently gave Chelsea the lead.

United failed to clear their lines and the ball broke to Sturridge, who got past Evra to the byline and fired in a cross that hit De Gea and then went in off Evans' arm.

Sturridge's vicious drive was repelled by De Gea before Petr Cech was finally called into meaningful action when he got fingertips on Young's curler.

The Chelsea goalkeeper then produced an even better stop on Welbeck's snapshot and Ivanovic was booked for running into Young as United finished the first half on top.

Ferguson had complained in his pre-match interview that the away dressing room was frigid enough to "hang meat in" and the visitors were certainly caught cold at the restart as the home side trebled their advantage inside five minutes.

The second goal took less than 30 seconds, Torres getting clear down the right and whipping in the perfect cross for Mata to lash home a wonderful volley before De Gea could even move.

If that was sublime, the third was unlucky again for United, with Luiz heading Mata's free-kick against the shoulder of Ferdinand and into the net.

However, United, who threw on Hernandez for Young, enjoyed a spectacular reversal of fortune when they were awarded two penalties inside 10 minutes.

The first saw Sturridge adjudged to have knocked over Evra, with Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas launching a bottle into the advertising hoarding in disgust before Rooney stepped up to blast the penalty into the top left-hand corner.

Juan Mata and Rooney tested the goalkeeper at either end and Paul Scholes came on for Rafael before Webb pointed to the spot again when Welbeck tripped over the leg of Ivanovic.

This time Rooney went to Cech's left to put United within one goal of another astonishing comeback.

And although Oriol Romeu came on to shore things up and De Gea produced another uncomfortable punch on Michael Essien's drive, Ferguson's men deservedly equalised six minutes from time.

Cech could only parry Rooney's shot out to Ryan Giggs on the left and the veteran crossed for the unmarked Hernandez to head straight through Cech.

Raul Meireles almost snatched it for Chelsea when he nodded Florent Malouda's cross over the top and De Gea produced two stunning stoppage-time saves to keep out Mata's free-kick and Cahill's drive.

[S.B.Y.1]

[QUOTE=mr_missile;6853775]hahaha pak, lucky penalties? the ref should have given man united one in the 1st half but didn't. guess he was just trying to "make up" for that mistake.

Referee fear Ferguson might Chew his gums instead .

[S.B.Y.1]

[QUOTE=mr_missile;6853775]hahaha pak, lucky penalties? the ref should have given man united one in the 1st half but didn't. guess he was just trying to "make up" for that mistake.

Referee fear Ferguson might Chew his gums instead .

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Referee fear Ferguson might Chew his gums instead .

hahaha....maybe pak, maybe!

oh ya, caught the 2nd half of this morning's game between your pool and spurs. quite a boring draw eh? seems like pool is dropping a lot of points with all these draws at home.

This sat, Feb 11, is the BIG one pak! Pool comes to Old Trafford!

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

hahaha....maybe pak, maybe!

oh ya, caught the 2nd half of this morning's game between your pool and spurs. quite a boring draw eh? seems like pool is dropping a lot of points with all these draws at home.

This sat, Feb 11, is the BIG one pak! Pool comes to Old Trafford!

Super boring game last night! Aiyo, my eyes couldn't stay opened towards the end of the match and buay tahan liao then went to bed.

Yes bro, can't wait for Liverpool to visit Old Trafford this weekend. I'm sure the Red Devils will take revenge! Glory Glory Man Utd!!!

[shark89]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

Yes bro, can't wait for Liverpool to visit Old Trafford this weekend. I'm sure the Red Devils will take revenge! Glory Glory Man Utd!!!

Bro, let's not talk about revenge. Just let the football do the talking.

Am sure Pool will rather be in our shoes now (even though we are out of Champ League, Carling Cup and FA Cup this season already) as we should be in the Champs League next season barring an unthinkable collapse.

So what if you go on to win the Carling Cup and maybe even go to Wembley again for the FA Cup if you fail to qualify for the Champs League next season?

There is a very distinct possibility that the top 4 will be out of their reach. The top 2 is between City and United. 3rd place seems to be Spurs to lose, leaving the 4th and final spot to be battled out by Chelsea, Arsenal and Pool. I don't see Newcastle lasting the pace.

[S.B.Y.1]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

hahaha....maybe pak, maybe!

oh ya, caught the 2nd half of this morning's game between your pool and spurs. quite a boring draw eh? seems like pool is dropping a lot of points with all these draws at home.

This sat, Feb 11, is the BIG one pak! Pool comes to Old Trafford!

Read in the internet that Wrigley's chewing gum factory working 24/7 this week

Btw Chewing gumGerson team tel0r - Liverpool 1