Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

FERGIE EXPECTING FOUR-WAY BATTLE

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting a four-way battle for this season's Premier League title.

The Red Devils reclaimed their crown last time around in spectacular fashion from previous holders Chelsea.

However, with the likes of Liverpool spending big and Arsenal making astute captures, Ferguson is expecting a fierce battle for this year's title.

The experienced Scottish tactician is urging his troops not to be complacent this season as they will need to be as strong as ever to retain their crown.

"There is no gap between the top four teams," stated Ferguson.

"We are happy with the signings we have made and we have a great chance but there is no complacency in terms of the challenge we will face from other clubs.

"Liverpool have bought five players, Arsenal have two or three and while Chelsea have only actually bought one, they have added a few others.

"It just tells you what a great desire there is amongst us all to win the Premier League."


Scholes: I stopped enjoying it

Paul Scholes has revealed he retired from international football because he 'stopped enjoying it'.

The Manchester United midfielder quit the England fold in 2004 and he has now admitted the reasons behind hanging up his international boots.

"I'd stopped enjoying it," Scholes told the News of the World.

"Maybe it was just because I wasn't playing very well.

"I like being at home and there was an awful lot of time away from my family."

Scholes, who has 66 England caps to his name, produced rejuvenated form last season as he helped guide United to the Premier League title.

However, the 32-year-old has ruled out an England comeback, despite rumours pushing for his return.

"Quitting international football has helped me quite a bit," Scholes added.

"It's always nice to have a 10-day break in international week after so many games.

"I feel better for deciding. I'd like to think I can play longer than if I was playing for England.

"I have been lucky to not have too many serious injuries so I hope I can carry on like that."


Heinze seeks reassurances over future

Gabriel Heinze insists his future is still at Manchester United, provided he receives assurances from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Heinze, who is currently on an extended holiday following Copa America campaign with Argentina, has been strongly linked with a move to United's rivals Liverpool over recent weeks.

However the former Paris Saint Germain star claims he remains loyal to United and would now like Ferguson to assure him that he still remains an integral part of the first team.

"I will only leave if Alex Ferguson says to my face I do not enter in his plans," Heinze told the News of the World.

"I don't consider myself inferior to anyone."

Heinze admits the Liverpool speculation has been controversial.

"This is a delicate subject, especially for the fans.

"I believe that to leave United for Liverpool would not be understood by them."

Ferguson is expecting the player back at United in two weeks' time and does not expect the need for any reconciliation.

"Gaby is away on holiday after the Copa America because he needs to rest," Ferguson told the Sunday People.

"I haven't spoken to him because he's been away with Argentina but we won't need to discuss too many things

"And that's because I think he knows that we are fully aware his agent is the mechanism of what is happening at the moment."


United winning generation game, claims Queiroz

Manchester United assistant-boss Carlos Queiroz is confident the Old Trafford outfit have signed two world stars of the future in Nani and Anderson.

Fittingly, Portugal winger Nani is set to make his United debut in the former Portuguese colony of Macau tomorrow in the third game of his club's Far East tour.

Nani's arrival from Sporting Lisbon was part of a £30million double swoop, which saw Anderson confirmed as a Red Devil on the same day.

Queiroz played a pivotal role in securing both players, heading out to Portugal with United chief executive David Gill to assist with negotiations.

Although both players have been bought with the future in mind, they are expected to be heavily involved in the Old Trafford outfit's pursuit of silverware this term.

And Queiroz is confident the United supporters will be as thrilled when they see the pair play as they were when Cristiano Ronaldo announced his arrival on English shores with an astounding debut against Bolton four years ago.

"I have known about Nani and Anderson for a long time," he said.

"They are special players, with great gifts and fantastic talent. Of their generation, we believe they are two of the best.

"Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, they are just the type of players we should be looking to bring to Manchester United."

While Anderson is yet to report for training after helping Brazil in their triumphant Copa America campaign, Nani has already made a positive impression, even though his involvement has been restricted by an ankle sustained at the European Under-21 Championships.

Yet it seems clear both will bring different talents to the Red Devils party, the willowy Nani speed and balance, Anderson strength and power.

"They are both skilful players and their technique is excellent," said Queiroz.

"Nani in particular is very quick; truly outstanding speed. Anderson has power and a fantastic left foot.

"In a way, they are both artists before they are footballers, which is fantastic."

Should either player make anything like the impact Ronaldo has during his spell at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson will view his huge outlay as money well spent.

The 22-year-old winger won virtually every player of the year award available, including becoming the first individual to win both the PFA senior and young player awards in the same season since 1977.

Ronaldo has vowed to improve, a staggering thought given the consistency of his performances last term.

But Queiroz, who helped guide his fellow countryman through his post-World Cup trauma 12 months ago, is adamant Ronaldo can get better.

"If he doesn't believe it, and we don't believe it, he might as well retire," he said.

"There is always room for improvement and there are a lot of things he can improve on."

Given their nationality, Ronaldo and Nani are bound to be involved against Chinese league outfit Shenzhen at the 15,000-capacity Macau Stadium tomorrow.

Although the crowd will be small in comparison to the attendances on their first two tour stops in +++yo and Seoul, United are sure to have been handsomely rewarded for visiting Macau.

In a city which resembles Las Vegas given the massive number of casinos, the Red Devils' team hotel is the ultimate in opulence.

First visitors to the Venetian Hotel which, when finished will contain 3,000 rooms, boast 12,000 staff and casino the size of a small housing estate.

The Carlos Tevez affair must feel like a long-winded game of roulette for United just now too.

Much to the irritation of senior figures within the United party, Tevez's will-he, won't-he move to Old Trafford has tended to dominate press conferences, obscuring, the club feel, the major purpose of their visit to the Far East.

A key meeting between officials from FIFA, the FA, Premier League and United, in the form of legal expert Maurice Watkins, are due to meet tomorrow in an effort to move the thorny issue of Tevez's ownership a bit closer to resolution.

United are confident the 23-year-old will eventually join them, with Queiroz a firm backer of Tevez's talent.

"We believe Carlos can make a great contribution to our club," he said.

"He is a special talent in the striking area, where we need one more player.

"He has experience in the Premiership with West Ham but he has also played at the highest level in Brazil and for his country. That puts him one step ahead of the other young players we have signed."

[qbdp]

Evra thanks God for a United shirt

The France full back will not forget his humble background

ON HIS FIRST DAY AS A Manchester United player, Patrice Evra asked Gary Neville for directions to the nearest church. His captain was racking his brain, trying to recall whether he had seen one near the club’s training ground in Carrington, when the new signing smiled and said that he simply needed somewhere where he could “thank God for letting me join the biggest club in the world”.

Evra has thanked God every day since arriving in Manchester in January 2006 and, while that does not make him unique among footballers, the 26-year-old France international has no doubt that he has been blessed, even if, as one of 26 siblings in his native Senegal, his rags-to-riches tale, taking him from Dakar to the deprived suburbs of Paris and finally via Sicily and Monaco to Old Trafford, appears to be one of battling against overwhelming odds.

“Every day in my life is a dream,” the full back said last week. “Manchester United is not just a big club. It’s a big family. I’m so happy to travel the world with this club. Last year in South Africa was the same. Now we’re in Asia, it’s just a dream every day.” On this particular day, he was surrounded by children at an orphanage in Seoul. All of United’s players have undertaken such community visits during their preseason tour of Asia, as indeed they do at home to little fanfare, but few can have done so with quite as much zest as Evra, who, in addition to having approached Park Ji Sung to teach him a few friendly phrases in Korean, could be found wrestling with four or five laughing children while Michael Carrick and Darron Gibson politely signed autographs.

“Children are the most important thing in life,” he said. “The most important thing you can do is bring joy to children. I was one of 26 brothers and sisters when I was growing up. Sadly, two of them died and so now we’re 24. When you play for Manchester United, you have the possibility to meet children in other countries. Last year it was South Africa. This time it’s Asia. This is another reason why I’m so happy to to play for United.

“Things were not easy when I was growing up. It is not easy for a mother to find education for 24 children. I think about this when I have difficult moments in life. If I’m having problems or I’m not enjoying life, I say to myself: ‘Pat, remember how things were when you were growing up’. That makes it easier.”

There were such moments of adversity in his early days at United. Having indicated that he did not see how he could fail at such a club, he endured a disastrous debut away to Manchester City, when he was substituted after only 45 minutes with his new team trailing 2-0, but things improved considerably last season, when there was a place in the PFA’s select XI to go alongside his Premier League winner’s medal.

“The first six months were difficult for me because I needed time to adapt,” he said. “It was a big challenge for me, but everybody helped me — the boss, the teammates, everyone around me. This is why I have a lot of confidence to work at this club.”

After that difficult start, he has become a fixture in the United team, supplanting Gabriel Heinze at left back, even if Evra’s perceived lack of fitness, after an injury, meant that the Argentina defender was preferred against Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Some players in such circumstances would spend their entire summer stewing on such an injustice, but that is not exactly Evra’s style. Instead he has been counting his blessings, thanking his luck and no doubt telling each of his 23 siblings that he is the happiest man in the world.

[shuaige84]

hope man utd can buy carlo trevez. he is the next top striker in epl after henry. with new signings nani, anderson, owern hargreaves n possibly carlo trevez, man utd have high chances of getting the champ league trophy this coming season

i'm also red devils fan

[SamuraiXXX]

I am also a Red Devils fan too *Red Red Devils*

[我是零零七]

Devils fans fall in liao

[mr_missile]

RAFA WON`T GIVE UP ON HEINZE


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed the club's lawyers are working on forcing through a deal for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze after his initial bid for the player was rejected.

Recent speculation has linked the Reds with an offer in the region of ?million for the Argentina full-back, but any move appeared to have been ruled out by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Benitez has refused to back down in his pursuit of the 29-year-old and has revealed: "We made an offer which they rejected.

"The lawyers are now working on it and so we have to wait. He's a good player."

Ferguson last week poured scorn on any suggestion he might allow the former Paris St Germain player to leave for his club's bitterest rivals.

He said: "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze.

"We can put that to bed right now and we have done so. We have had a couple offers for him and we have turned them down."

It later emerged that Heinze had a letter signed by chief executive David Gill promising he could leave if United received a big in excess of ?million - a figure Benitez is thought to have topped.

His representatives were reported to be considering legal action to push through the controversial deal - the first between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall moved to Anfield in 1964 - and it appears the Reds are also now willing to go to court to get their man.

[Maximo07]

Another Man United fan reporting strength.

Originally Posted by mr_missile

RAFA WON`T GIVE UP ON HEINZE


Alex said: "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze.

IMHO... Man United should keep Heinza. In comparison with Evra, Heinza is my preferred leftback.

[Formex]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

He said: "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze.

He is one tough man.

Originally Posted by Maximo07

Another Man United fan reporting strength.

And me!

[qbdp]

Fergie reiterates Heinze stance

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is standing firm over Liverpool's move for Gabriel Heinze, categorically denying that the Argentinian will be heading to Anfield.

The left-back has made it clear that he would like to leave United so he can play more regularly but Ferguson is adamant that he will not be sold to their fierce rivals.

Ferguson has also revealed how the club are looking into the relationship between when Heinze's agent first declared Liverpool had made contact and when United received an enquiry.

The United manager's comments follow Rafa Benitez's confirmation that Liverpool's lawyers are trying to force a deal for Heinze.

Ferguson said: "Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool. We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when contact was first made by Liverpool.

"We are not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter and we are examining that as well, but it will take a couple of days before we have anything more to say."

(I find it very strange that Gabby has a letter from Utd that allows him to speak to any club and leave if his valuation is matched. If this is true then Utd havent learnt from Bosnich's case. He joined Chelsea on a free transfer instead of moving overseas as assumed by Utd. But it is a bigger surprise that Liverpool is interested in a Utd player! Afterall their fans deem there never was and never will be a Utd player good enough to play for them. Rafa is fucking them up big time by making them eat their spewed crap !!!)

[qbdp]

FIFA yet to decide if it will weigh in on Tevez transfer saga

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -FIFA failed to rule on the proposed transfer of Carlos Tevez from West Ham to Manchester United after meeting Monday with England's Football Association and the Premier League.

A decision will be made later this week on whether world soccer's governing body will intervene on the matter, FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said Monday.

Both Man United and West Ham want FIFA to sort the issue out before the transfer window closes on Aug. 31.

Kia Joorabchian, who owns the Argentina striker's economic rights, has organized the mooted move. But West Ham, which holds Tevez's registration, has refused to sanction the player's transfer to United.

Joorabchian previously engineered the controversial transfer of Tevez and his Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano to West Ham in August 2006 from Brazilian club Corinthians. The Premier League investigated the contracts in April and found them to break the rules on third-party ownership, with an independent tribunal fining West Ham 5.5 million pounds (US$10.9 million).

Mascherano moved to Liverpool in January on a Premier League-approved contract.

West Ham said it rewrote Tevez's contract after the fine and now has a four-year deal with the player. Joorabchian believes Tevez has a one-year contract with escape clauses.

The Premier League wants West Ham to be entitled to any transfer fee, not Joorabchian. FIFA, which normally deals only with international transfers, is to decide if it has the authority to deal with the issue.

[qbdp]

Injured Scholes to miss start of the new season

MACAU, July 23 (Reuters) - Manchester United playmaker Paul Scholes is to have an exploratory knee operation that will rule him out of the start of next season, the club said on Monday. The influential midfielder has been sent home from their Asian tour after missing the English champions' 6-0 win over Shenzhen Xiangxue in Macau on Monday.

"Paul felt his knee in the last game (against FC Seoul) and we've sent him home for scope to see what kind of damage there is," United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters.

"We've had some scans done and there is a bit of discolourment about the cartilage.

"We don't think it is serious, but we will keep him out for about three weeks to a month."

The 32-year-old will miss the season-opening Community Shield curtain-raiser against Chelsea at Wembley on Aug. 5 and the start of United's title defence against Reading at Old Trafford a week later.

[Theme1]

NANI. . . UNITED'S NEW STAR TURN; IAN LADYMAN REPORTS FROM MACAU; SHENZHEN 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 6
Daily Mail

MANCHESTER UNITED supporters' assertion that 'there's only one Ronaldo' may have to be revised in years to come after Portuguese winger Nani provided an intriguing glimpse into the Old Trafford future in China yesterday. In a city built around gambling, Nani was given his first run-out in a United shirt and -- admittedly against dreadful opposition -- immediately provided evidence to suggest that his £17million signing from Sporting Lisbon may prove to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's safer bets.

Nothing is certain when paying good money for young players from overseas, of course, and Ferguson has been stung before.

But though 20-year-old Nani may look disturbingly like Brazilian disaster Kleberson -- a failure at United three years ago -- his football in the Macau Stadium yesterday was more reminiscent of his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nani may have none of Ronaldo's imposing physical attributes and it would appear he may need a little time in the gym before he is ready for the roughhouse that is the Premiership. But he does have some of Ronaldo's pace and dexterity, he certainly shares his self-confidence and -- as odd as it sounds -- he even runs the same as the player who first blazed the trail from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford four summers ago.

Yesterday Nani featured for an hour of United's demolition of Shenzhen that provided them with some fitness training and nothing more.

His contribution was among the more notable aspects of a low-key evening here and his first-half goal and celebration will certainly live long in the memory of 15,000 supporters fed a regular diet of distinctly average football by what would appear to be a distinctly average Chinese league. Receiving a lay-off from Wayne Rooney in the 23rd minute, Nani struck a low first-time shot with his right foot that beat the goalkeeper low to his right. It was a super strike and one that was followed by a back-flip celebration. Ferguson and United's insurers may wish to have a word with their latest asset about that particular habit.

Ferguson said: 'It was his first game and he needed it. Between the Under 21 tournament he played in for his country in Holland last month and coming out here he has been recovering from injury so he hasn't been able to do very much. He hasn't done a great deal of training so we're very satisfied with what he managed in this game. He scored and that was a very good start for him. 'We've been watching Nani since we signed Cristiano from the same club and we have high hopes for him. Hopefully he'll develop into an excellent player for our club. Certainly we will be giving him the chance to do that.' In all likelihood Nani will spend much of his first season at Old Trafford on the sidelines, being used as an impact substitute. Nevertheless, yesterday he began the game on the right of midfield and was one of United's better players as Ferguson's team scored other first half goals through Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney before adding three more through John O'Shea, Chris Eagles and Ronaldo himself after the interval.

Rooney, with a delicate chip, and Eagles, with a crashing volley, scored the pick of the goals as United at least provided some entertainment on a suffocatingly hot night. Second-half substituite Alan Smith -- destined to leave Old Trafford -- played like a man who knows his days are numbered. He was a picture of misery as he spurned two clear chances. Another substitute, China striker Dong Fangzhuo, also looked some way short of Premiership standard but at least he had his recent participation in the Asian Cup to blame for his weariness.

United complete their tour with a game in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday. Recently cited as the source of bird flu and just this week struck by an invasion of mice, it is perhaps no surprise that United will not travel there until Thursday.

[Theme1]

Soccer-Ferguson re-states opposition to Heinze move to Liverpool
By James Pomfret

MACAU, July 23 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed his opposition to defender Gabriel Heinze's move to Liverpool on Monday.

He also said he was unhappy with the conduct of Heinze's agent in a seeming escalation of the dispute between the two Premier League rivals over the 29-year-old Argentine.

Ferguson was speaking at a news conference after United beat Shenzhen Xiangxue 6-0 on the third leg of their Asian tour.

"There's certainly not been any change in our stance on it, he won't be going to Liverpool as far as I'm concerned, and I think matters should rest there," said Ferguson.

He was responding to comments made earlier in the day by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who said he was confident the deal with Heinze would go through.

Ferguson said United would now examine statements to try and determine when first contact was made between Heinze's agent and Liverpool and whether there had been any impropriety.

"We're not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter," Ferguson added.

No player has been transferred directly between the two northwest clubs since Phil Chisnall left Old Trafford for Anfield in 1964.

Benitez confirmed Liverpool had made a bid to the English champions for Heinze for a reported 7.0 million pounds ($14.40 million).

"We made the offer and they rejected the offer. And ok, now the lawyers are working, we need to wait," Benitez told reporters in Hong Kong, where Liverpool are taking part in a week-long tournament.

"It's clear he's a player that we like and he's a good player," Benitez added.

While Liverpool were in Hong Kong, United were not all that far away in Macau, where they strolled to an easy win over their Chinese opponents.

New Portugese signing Nani got on the scoresheet on his debut, which drew plaudits from his manager.

"He's got a goal so it's a good start for him," said Ferguson, who also praised his team's overall performance.

Skipper Ryan Giggs also scored, as did crowd favourites Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who deftly chipped the keeper from the edge of the area with a superbly-taken effort.

Chris Eagles struck home a sweet volley from over 30 metres while John O'Shea also found the net.

The only setback so far for United on their Asian tour has been a knee injury for Paul Scholes which will rule the midfielder out of the start of next season.

United will complete their tour on Friday with their fourth and final match against Guangzhou.

[slyer]

man utd shd hold on to henize imo henize is very gd left back. evra is not bad but i stil prefer heinze...


man utd confirm sell rossi and smith? i tink rossi is gd striker n has potential. manutd shd nt sell him. saha shd go instead esp when he is very soon beyond his prime

[qbdp]

Ferguson said: "Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool. We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when contact was first made by Liverpool.

"We are not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter and we are examining that as well, but it will take a couple of days before we have anything more to say."

Is there an illegal approach on Liverpool's part? Let's wait to hear from our club.

Heinze can leave if he isnt prepared to fight for his place in the team. There's no point keeping such players.

Meanwhile...