Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[imom]

Originally Posted by dom01

....SAF might sign ronaldo of r. marid. Cheap cheap 5 m

In his contract, there must be a clause stipulating that he must lose min 10kg....

[yankim3]

Originally Posted by imom

In his contract, there must be a clause stipulating that he must lose min 10kg....

hahaha this is a gd one. hes too overweight to run with the attacking of man u. they are too fast for him. he will only drag the offense down.

[qbdp]

TERRY VENABLES: SCHOLES IS TOP PLAYER

MOST people seem to make the Footballer of the Year Award a two-horse race between Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. May I add a third name: Paul Scholes.

It's good to have an English contender. Sadly, he no longer plays for his country — and don't think Steve McClaren has not tried to remedy that — but I would say he has been the outstanding English footballer in the Premier League this season.

Scholes is an Englishman who plays football like a Brazilian.

Everyone thinks Brazilian football is all about ball-juggling and clever little tricks. It isn't. It is about speed of thought and fantastic, accurate, one-touch passing.

Brazilian players are always looking to give the ball as early as possible.

Think about the Carlos Alberto goal in the 1970 World Cup Final and the way the ball moved through the team as quickly as possible, the players doing everything first time.

If the way is blocked, that is when a Brazilian tries his tricks — but his initial thought is always the killer pass.

That is what Scholes brings to Manchester United.

He does not always choose to take people on or attempt anything too complicated — and that's why players like to play alongside him.

He just plays his football fast and intelligent.

When a coach takes a training session and plays a two-touch game, everybody is usually comfortable with one touch to get the ball under control, the next to lay it off.

Ask them to play one-touch and you find out who can really play.

It is about doing things off the back foot, to give you that split-second of extra time. If the ball is coming slowly, no matter, but if it comes in fast, that step back can make all the difference. Either way, it is the hardest technique to master — which is what sets Scholes apart.

Some argue that for a midfielder his tackling is a point of weakness — but how many players do you know with his talents who are even half-interested in making a tackle?

Change

Some think Paul's reason for retiring from international football was that he was asked to play out of position. I hope that's not the case.

He has been adamant about his choice since then, when clearly his role in the team would now change under a different manager.

It has been a great disappointment to me that Paul will not reconsider his decision but we must respect that.

I do worry sometimes what would happen if all 11 players adopted the same stance but I have been told that Paul's devotion to family life made international football tough for him.

Today, United are up against Arsenal, though, and this will be a huge test for Scholes because of the way Arsene Wenger's team love to attack down the middle.

United use the flanks a lot with Scholes quick-witted one-touch football often setting up breaks through Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs.

Arsenal come through the centre and it will be interesting to see how Ferguson counters this, and whether he makes Giggs play in a narrower formation to crowd that space.

It will certainly make life difficult for Scholes and Michael Carrick because, while both do their share of work, neither are defensive midfielders like Claude Makelele. It will be fascinating to see whether Scholes can sustain his level of performance today.

If he can do it at the Emirates he might just give his team-mate Cristiano a run for his money as the Footballer of the Year.

[qbdp]

United track PSG youngster

Manchester United are tracking young Paris St Germain midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, according to reports in the French media.

The Premiership leaders sent scouts to watch the defensive midfielder in a match against Troyes last December in one of his four first team starts for the capital club.

But since then, the coach who launched Mulumbu's career, Guy Lacombe, has been sacked and replaced by Paul Le Guen, who seems less willing to play the 19-year-old.

Eduoard Cisse and Clement Chantome are currently above the Congolese youngster in Le Guen's pecking order, and the former Rangers' boss may yet bring in further cover in that position.

Jeremy Clement, Emerse Fae and Florent Balmont have all been linked with PSG, and should one of them go to the Parc des Princes, Mulumbu would be relegated to the reserve team.

United are yet to find a true replacement for Roy Keane, and despite the arrival of Michael Carrick at Old Trafford in the summer, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring in another defensive midfielder.

It is not the first time Mulumbu has been linked to a big European club, with Ajax and Valencia also thought to have shown an interest in securing his services.

[qbdp]

Agent reveals Rossi interest

Giuseppe Rossi’s agent has warned interested Italian clubs that they would have to dig deep in order to convince Manchester United to sell.

The Parma striker made an immediate impact on his Serie A debut on Sunday just days after his loan switch from United, a performance which has already sparked speculation over his future.

His representative has admitted that a number of the peninsula’s top clubs are keen, but that United have already turned down a sizeable offer for the Under-21 international.

“Sides like Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma are following him,” Andrea Pastorello stated on Monday evening.

“United turned down a £4.2m bid before the season started basically because they have great faith in the youngster.

“This winter there was a chance for Parma to get him on loan, without an option to buy, and Giuseppe now has a chance to shine.”

Although Pastorello has nothing but praise for the Premiership leaders, he has admitted that Rossi may be more suited to Serie A.

“I’m grateful to United and we will never clash,” he added. “But in terms of his characteristics, I think Rossi is more suited to the Italian game.

“That’s why we rejected a loan to another English club [after his brief spell at Newcastle], also ruling out Second Divisions sides.

“We have also had contact with Barcelona, but I repeat that it will not be easy to take him away from Manchester United.

“His price? They’ve already said no to £4m which is no small fee by today’s standards…”

[qbdp]

Queiroz dismisses Ronaldo rumours

UNITED assistant coach Carlos Queiroz has shrugged off reported interest from Real Madrid about star winger Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the player is going nowhere.

Reports in the Spanish press on Wednesday suggest Ronaldo will be the big summer target for Madrid, who were also heavily linked to the Portuguese international last year.

However, Queiroz, who was manager at Madrid in 2003, is adamant the 21-year-old is not for sale.

"No (to a possible transfer). In addition to that, we are speaking with him about renewing his contract," Queiroz said in Marca.

Ronaldo's current contract ties him to Old Trafford until 2010.

"The club have a clear policy. It is not necessary that a player has to finish his contract before we think about renewing it," Queiroz added.

"(Ryan) Giggs has been with us for 14 years and he has renewed his contract many times.

"This club do not need the agents to recognise the work of the players.

Anticipation

"We anticipate things ourselves and that is what we are going to do with Cristiano."

Speculation about a possible Madrid swoop for Ronaldo hit fever pitch during last summer's World Cup.

Ronaldo twice declared he wanted to quit Old Trafford for Spain, the second time coming in the wake of his antics in the World Cup quarter-final against England, where he appeared to be involved in getting United club-mate Wayne Rooney sent off.

However, Ronaldo ended up staying in Manchester and has been a revelation this season, scoring 13 goals already to help United go clear at the top of the Premiership.

And Queiroz believes it is the way of the sport that rival teams such as Madrid will be linked to the player, who was a £12.24million signing from Sporting Lisbon in August 2003.

"It is natural that the media talk about Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid. He is a great player and Madrid are a great club, but it is just speculation. They are fantasises," said Queiroz.

"The football that he is playing in Manchester is an example that he is happy here and he has his head at United. He has talent and is the best in the world.

"He is always the first to arrive at training and the last to go.

"Many times when the session has finished, we shower, eat and then we look at the pitch and he is still training," said Queiroz about his fellow Portuguese.

"He is a player who has a divine gift. He was born to be the best in the world."

[qbdp]

Fergie in check on Welsh whiz-kid

SIR Alex Ferguson will make one final check on Gareth Bale this weekend before considering an 11th hour improved bid for the teenage defender.

United and Spurs are locked in a battle for the 17-year-old Welsh international left-back who will be in action for Southampton against City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Tottenham made a £6m December bid for Bale and the Reds are believed to have made an offer that would amount eventually to £8m.

United could also be prepared to loan back Ryan Giggs's international colleague to the Saints for their promotion challenge.

Bale has been reported to have been at White Hart Lane for talks but United remain in the hunt.

Mission

With the Reds playing Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday teatime, it leaves Fergie able to take in a personal spying mission on Bale at City on Sunday afternoon.

It would then leave United three days to do business before the transfer window closes next Wednesday.

Ex-Old Trafford defender Clayton Blackmore, who played left-back for the Reds and for Wales like Bale, believes the youngster is on a fast track to stardom.

"Gareth has got the world at his feet," said the Welshman.

"Wales have put their faith in youngsters at the moment because they are looking to the future so playing international football for us at present might not be as big as people think.

"But if Manchester United are willing to pay £8m for a 17-year-old then that is different. That really is a recommendation.

"Also the fact he is a regular in Southampton's side and is supposed to be their key figure says everything about his talent.

Influential

"If a left-back can be so influential in any side then he has to have something about him. You don't normally rely on someone in that position to be your most inspirational player.

"He is obviously got it physically and has been able to stand his corner in the championship all campaign.

"United are well blessed with left backs at the moment with Patrice Evra, Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre. So Gareth is obviously one more for the future.

"Players have to be careful because they can move to a bigger club and then get lost in the system.

"There is talk of him being loaned back to Southampton until the end of this season and maybe even for 18 months when his current contract is due to end anyway.

"That would be ideal for him, his education, Southampton and United."

Bale, however, is being encouraged to stick on the south coast by Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.

"I would advise Gareth to stay for the benefit of his career because he will be playing week in and week out," said Le Tissier.

[qbdp]

Man Utd secret training sessions filmed by a hi-tech spy plane.

MANCHESTER United’s secret training sessions have been filmed by a hi-tech spy plane.

The light aircraft packed with specialist camera gear made sorties 1,500ft overhead as stars such as Wayne Rooney worked on team tactics below.

After the covert mission the footage - that could be vital to rival clubs - was whisked from an airfield in Derbyshire to a service station near Heathrow airport and handed to a mystery client.

Four spy missions are thought to have been made this season. An aviation expert said: “The plane was equipped for the best in surveillance operations.”

[qbdp]

25 January 2007

OOH-AH IT'S OV-AH
CANTONA: Chelsea must now forget the title, Ferguson has built a stronger squad at United

AS THE MAN who was the catalyst for Manchester United's re-emergence as the dominant force in English football, Eric Cantona knows what it takes to create a team capable of long-term success.

And in the current United squad, Cantona believes Sir Alex Ferguson has a collection of players who can dominate the Premiership for years to come - just as they did in the 1990s when the enigmatic Frenchman was in their ranks.

Despite the late collapse at Arsenal last weekend, which allowed Chelsea to cut United's lead at the top to six points, Cantona believes his old club remain on their way to their first title since 2003.

He is confident they have the talent and mental strength this season to emulate their feat of 1999 by completing the Treble of the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup.

As Fergie looks to reap the rewards of a fourth great dynasty from a glittering 20 years at Old Trafford, Cantona is convinced the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will be trailing in United's wake for a long time yet.

"United can beat Chelsea in the league," said Cantona. "There is no doubt about that. They are stronger than Chelsea at the moment and will be for a long time.

"They brought in young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that.

"United are strong, but have to prove they are a great team. They can win the Treble and they need to do it."

Although Cantona was the figurehead for United's revival in the 1990s, their sustained success beyond his departure was down to the emergence of young players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.

The 40-year-old influenced younger team-mates back then, and now Giggs, Scholes and Neville are mentors to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Giving young talent a chance has been one of Fergie's greatest strengths, and it is this faith in emerging prospects that Cantona believes still gives the Scot a vital edge over his rivals.

While Chelsea have struggled to adapt to the arrival of ageing Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, United flourished with their dynamic young duo of Rooney and Ronaldo. Proof, Cantona claimed, that Fergie still knows best.

"Last year United had a new team, a new generation," he said. "But I was sure they would become the best because you are always stronger when you start with a new generation as you can work with them together for a long time.

"Sometimes you need to buy players who have experience, but I think United have the balance at the moment which makes them the best team in England."

Cantona wore United's iconic No.7 shirt during his five years at Old Trafford. And he believes the current No.7, Ronaldo, is already well on his way to becoming a United legend.

Ronaldo's 13 goals have provided the inspiration for United's title charge and Cantona claimed the 21-year-old had proved his quality by the way he handled abuse from opposition fans this season.

"Ronaldo needed to gain experience and needed to score goals, and now he is a worldclass player," said Cantona. "He's one of the family. It's exactly the same with Rooney."

[no_faith]

Originally Posted by qbdp

"They brought in young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that.

bro, i tink cantona is wrong in this paragraph.
how abt Wenger? the young guns?

[imom]

Originally Posted by no_faith

bro, i tink cantona is wrong in this paragraph.
how abt Wenger? the young guns?

He didn't say only SAF can do it - he just said 'not all managers can do it'. Meaning there can be a few who can do it.

Yes, Wenger is one of them. Much more respect for him than Mourinho, cos Wenger has done so much with much less resources than the so-called 'special one'.

[HuiGe3387]

Originally Posted by imom

Yes, Wenger is one of them. Much more respect for him than Mourinho, cos Wenger has done so much with much less resources than the so-called 'special one'.

I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.

[no_faith]

Originally Posted by HuiGe3387

I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.

althought im chelsea fan but as a soccer fan, he do earns respect. look at d depth of his squad, building for the future, smiliar to ajax in the past. also must give credits to his talened scouts to spot these gems.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by HuiGe3387

I respect Wenger becos he is a very shrewd coach who can draw the best out of his players. I don't think anyone in the Arsenal squad cost > 10 million pounds.

Got...Henry costs more than 10m in 1999. Wenger bought Wiltord for maybe 13m in 2000 and Reyes for more than 9m with add-ons to 17m in 2003. There's also Walcott in a deal worth about 12m in 2006.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by no_faith

althought im chelsea fan but as a soccer fan, he do earns respect. look at d depth of his squad, building for the future, smiliar to ajax in the past. also must give credits to his talened scouts to spot these gems.

No doubt that he is a good manager but his team looks like a foreign team playing in the ENGLISH Premier League.

Shame that he hardly fields more than 2 English players in a match.