Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

Fergie: About time we won cup

Sir Alex Ferguson was satisfied after Manchester United cruised into the last 16 of the FA Cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

Javier Hernandez netted twice for the hosts, along with goals from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, while Aaron Hughes grabbed a late consolation for the Cottagers.

And Ferguson said: "It was a good performance. I think we respected Fulham because we played a very strong team today.

"The FA Cup's an important trophy for us this season. We haven't won it for almost 10 years, so we really need to have a big performance this year.

"Rio Ferdinand's never won an FA Cup medal - so we really need to do something about that."

Giggs got the ball rolling with a third-minute penalty. Twenty years and three days after his first FA Cup goal, Giggs' strike was his 12th in the competition, and the Welshman echoed his manager's view that victory in the cup is long overdue.

"It means a lot," said Giggs. "We've not done as well as we should have done in the last eight, nine years.

"There's a lot of players desperate to win it. With the history we've got in the competition, we should be there, we should be getting to finals, so hopefully this will be the year."

Ferguson also confirmed that Giggs taking United's penalties would not be a long-term thing, just that he had been given a break from his normal duties.

He added: "With Wayne missing the penalties he has, it was time to give him a break. But he will come back it.

"The one thing about Wayne is that it doesn't faze him if he misses one. He has a fantastic temperament."

[Rickey]

Originally Posted by dc7176

Man Utd boss Ferguson considers shock bid for Liverpool keeper Reina

Manchester United are eyeing a shock move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

El Mundo Deportivo says United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a controversial raid on Anfield for Reina, who would arrive as a direct replacement for David De Gea.

De Gea would be sold to Barcelona in the summer, with Reina arriving as United's new No1.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also a big fan of Reina.

Oh NO !...not him !...its a no, no...is SAF in his right mind ??...how many goals hv he let in for Pool...tink De Gea is still better than him...but getting Victor Valdes, the Barcelona Keeper may be the best choice...my 4 cents worth...

Hope tis year they can do a double of winning the League Title as well as the FA Cup which hv eluded them for a few yrs now...tink they shd be able to wif their new talisman, none other than RVP !! ....22 goals alrdy !!...Keep it up, Red Devils !

[shysaint]

Man Utd become first $3bn club

January 28, 2013

By ESPN staff

Manchester United have become the first sports team in the world to be valued at more than US$3 billion (£1.9bn).

According to American business magazine Forbes, United are comfortably ahead of the world's second-most-valuable sports team, the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, worth US$2.1bn (£1.4bn).

The magazine states: "Despite a drop in first quarter earnings because of a reduction in television revenue, the appetite for shares of the 19-time English champion has increased due to better earnings, new sponsorship deals with Japan's Kansai, and China Construction Bank, and the potential of much more lucrative English Premier League (Manchester United currently is in first place) and Champions League payouts this year."

Indeed, a surge in the club's shares - standing now at $17 each - has seen the overall value of United rise and a huge increase in the overall wealth of the Glazer family, who have a controlling interest in United, and billionaire investor George Soros - the 22nd richest person in the world - who bought a 7.5% stake in the club.

United sold 10% of shares in the club in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in August when the Glazers - their owners - hoped to achieve a price of $20 each, which could have valued the club at $3.3 billion (£2.06 billion).

But after underwriters initially propped the share price up, it fell as low as $12, which valued the club at just under $2 billion (£1.3bn).

However, United's commercial growth appears to be driving the share price up, with the club announcing several new sponsorship deals since August, qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages, and with the prospect of the new bumper Premier League television deals that are coming on stream from August.


Information from the Press Association was used in this report

[VoltaRedonda]

Hopefully some of Man Utd's debt can slowly decrease if profit increases. Hmm anyways I think Nani has a place in our squad, somehow I find Valencia's form has been pretty bad lately, and Young is out with injury again

[mr_missile]

United win to go seven clear

A Wayne Rooney brace saw Manchester United come from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 and move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Jay Rodriguez gave the Saints a shock third-minute lead when he latched onto a poor back pass from Michael Carrick to tuck home around the advancing David De Gea.

But Rooney levelled just five minutes later, slotting into the bottom corner following an excellent through ball from Shinji Kagawa.

Kagawa then hit a post on United's next attack and it took some excellent goalkeeping from Artur Boruc to keep the hosts at bay as returning Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck both threatened danger.

United finally doubled their advantage on 27 minutes when Patrice Evra climbed highest at the far post to meet Van Persie's free-kick, the France defender leaving Rooney with the easiest of tap-ins from barely a yard.

But the hosts were then forced to survive a second-half Southampton bombardment, with the visitors spending almost the entire second period camped in the United half.

Mauricio Pochettino's team pushed forward in search of a leveller, with substitute Adam Lallana having a significant influence as Rickie Lambert twice went close.

Briefly, United relieved the pressure, with Van Persie's goalbound header brilliantly saved by Boruc before the Dutchman had an effort ruled out from a Rooney cross for offside.

Southampton were soon back on the offensive, though, with De Gea producing an excellent flying save to turn away Lambert's free-kick.

Nemanja Vidic flung himself in the way of another Lambert piledriver before Rooney, who finished playing on the left as defensive cover for an overrun Evra, ensured the Saints' final assault got nowhere and his side kept the valuable three points.

[VoltaRedonda]

From now its the points that matters, looking at the remaining fixtures of City and Utd, we should not be dropping as many points as them. Hmm Kagawa was brilliant today especially Nani, Valencia is on a poor vein of form and deserves to be dropped, Smalling was poor and De Gea was suspect. I am still thinking whether the first goal conceded was the fault of Carrick or De Gea.

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by VoltaRedonda

first goal conceded was the fault of Carrick or De Gea.

Both, Carrick bad back pass and De Gea just 'jumped' with ball going in Still, 1s half we swarmed saints, with 4-2-4 (Welback, Persie and Roon in front)

[VoltaRedonda]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Both, Carrick bad back pass and De Gea just 'jumped' with ball going in Still, 1s half we swarmed saints, with 4-2-4 (Welback, Persie and Roon in front)

Well had De Gea fouled Rodriguez there it would have been a red card, maybe he was considering that. Hmm good to see some players rested for the game against Fulham this saturday.

[dc7176]

[mr_missile]

Ferguson delighted by victory

Sir Alex Ferguson felt Manchester United deserved all three points following a narrow 1-0 victory at Fulham.

Wayne Rooney scored another late winner to put the Premier League leaders 10 points clear for 24 hours at least and Ferguson paid tribute to the defence, who have conceded just 16 goals in 12 away games this season.

"We had so many chances. It was a terrific football match and it was an excellent result, and I'm very pleased for us," said the Scot.

"They had some great chances. Our keeper (David De Gea), Jonny (Evans), Rio (Ferdinand) were terrific and we had a few chances ourselves, the second half in particular.

"In the first half we hit the woodwork three times but we deserved to win. They have had a great home record over the years and it is a very important result for us.

"It's a good position (we are in) we are pleased. Tonight you can look at the performance of the players. They put their bodies on the line, blocking shots, great headers out of defence, really determined effort by the players.

"It was similar to when we played here a few years ago when Cristiano scored near the end and we went on to have an undefeated run after that. It was around the same time too.

"It was a well-taken goal and Rooney was unlucky before that, hitting the post and having a couple of shots saved by the goalkeeper."

De Gea has come under fire after some uncertain performances this season, but Ferguson was quick to single him out for praise.

"It's not fazed him, for sure," Ferguson said of the recent criticism. "He enjoyed this game. It's a challenge and it's not easy for a young goalkeeper, but he's enjoyed tonight."

[machoman]

Manchester United 2 Everton 0



RYAN MIGHTY ... Ryan Giggs shoots past former team-mate Phil Neville to fire Manchester United ahead

By NEIL CUSTIS

THE FIRST part of the Treble is all but in the bag.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini said last week nobody wins the title in February.

Well, this season they do. A 12- point gap with 12 games to go is one that this Manchester United will NOT let slip. In all likelihood they will probably stretch it.

Their 12th win in 14 league games is the sign of a relentless force with huge momentum.

One they will take into the Bernabeu on Wednesday night when we can really judge where this team can be put in the pantheon of Manchester United sides.

Manager Alex Ferguson had said he would play two different teams for yesterday’s game with Everton and the Clash of the Titans against Real Madrid.

But unless he leaves out Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for that meeting with the Spanish giants, that will not be the case.

Despite City’s dramatic capitulation at the hands of Southampton the night before, Ferguson wanted to make sure that United’s healthy advantage was extended.

Last season hurt too much for him to run any risk of a repeat. So none were taken.

Van Persie scored yet again, his 23rd in 30 games for United. So did Ryan Giggs, 39, who got the opener. He has now scored in the league in each of his 23 seasons.

The star, however, was Rafael. The Brazilian, 22, who has been tipped by Ferguson to become the best full-back in Europe one day.

He is already well on his way. He is so much more than a defender too. Just witness how Wayne Rooney deferred to him to play the brilliantly-weighted through ball for Van Persie’s goal.

That strike right on half-time made up for an uncharacteristic miss from the Dutchman in the very first action of this game after just 10 minutes.

Rafael brilliantly brought a high ball down and flicked it off to Rooney in one movement. Rooney slid a pass through for Van Persie to round Tim Howard only to then hit a post from an angle.

He made amends on 13 minutes by teeing up Giggs for the opener.
Rafael served up a ball downfield for Antonio Valencia to nod on.

Van Persie was on to it and pulled the ball back for the Welsh wizard to touch the ball with his left foot on to his right and slide a shot in off an upright.

Everton rallied, though, and Leon Osman’s volley was kept out only by a fine save from De Gea.

The visitors fired balls into the box to rattle the Spanish goalkeeper, whose punches had varying degrees of success.

Then just as the board was being raised to show a minute of injury time, Van Persie pounced.

Rooney laid the ball off to Rafael, who had moved into a central position and his pass with the outside of his boot split the Everton defence.

Ferguson had just vented his fury at the linesman for flagging the Dutchman offside a moment earlier.

This time the flag stayed down and this time after rounding Howard, Van Persie found the net.

United were closest to adding to the scoreline in the second-half and would have done so but for former United goalkeeper Howard’s reactions.

First he made a terrific double stop from Jonny Evans, blocking his header and follow-up shot.

Then he took to the air to produce a fingertip save to deny Tom Cleverley’s scorching volley.

The two-goal lead still was not enough for Ferguson.

After all it was not enough last season when they were coasting at 4-2 with eight minutes to go only to draw a game that the boss claimed cost them the title.

So this time he was down in his technical area, shouting and pointing and looking agitated.

And even more so when Nikica Jelavic broke through and forced a full-length save out of De Gea. But this time United’s lead remained intact.

The watching Real boss Jose Mourinho had seen a solid United who had opened up Everton with deadly efficiency.

The mouth now waters at the prospect of Wednesday’s match.

Towards the end of this game the Stretford End cried ‘Fergie give us a wave’ and he responded to great cheers.

Acclaim for the man now steering them to a 20th league title and his 13th with the Red Devils.

Fergie only ever loans the Premier League trophy out, because he always gets it back.

In his programme notes, the United boss referred to ‘a two- horse race’ for the title.

But already the other one has gone lame while the one in Red colours breaks into a gallop.

Unless United are planning the sort of collapse that would take Devon Loch out of the record books, this race is as good as over.

DREAM TEAM

STAR MAN - RAFAEL (Man Utd)

MAN UTD: De Gea 6, Rafael 9, Vidic 7, Evans 7 (Smalling 5), Evra 6, Valencia 6, Cleverley 7, Jones 6 (Carrick 6), Giggs 6, Rooney 7, Van Persie 8. Subs not used: Amos, Anderson, Hernandez, Nani, Welbeck.

EVERTON: Howard 7, Neville 5, Jagielka 6, Heitinga 5, Baines 6, Mirallas 6 (Naismith 5), Osman 6, Gibson 5, Pienaar 5, Fellaini 6, Anichebe 5 (Jelavic 5). Subs not used: Mucha, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Stones, Duffy. Booked: Mirallas, Fellaini.

REF: M Halsey 6

[mr_missile]

United earn draw in Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo scored but Manchester United will be the happier after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring and, although Ronaldo netted a first-half equaliser, that is how it stayed to set up a fascinating second leg.

Real began the brighter and there was a warning for Sir Alex Ferguson's side when David De Gea tipped a Fabio Coentrao effort onto the far post early on.

But it was United who opened the scoring on 20 minutes after Shinji Kagawa was a little fortunate to be awarded a corner following a challenge with Sergio Ramos.

Wayne Rooney swung the subsequent set-piece in from the left and Welbeck did well to pull back from the goal-line before nodding expertly past Diego Lopez.

That left the Bernabeu stunned but, just as the visitors were growing in confidence, there was a riposte from a familiar figure on the half-hour mark.

Angel Di Maria's delivery from the left was met by Ronaldo, who seemed to hang in the air before expertly heading past De Gea.

Real twice went close after the interval through Di Maria before Raphael Varane got the benefit of the doubt for a challenge on Patrice Evra when the United skipper looked to be clean through on goal.

Jose Mourinho's side continued to dominate the ball and De Gea saved well with his feet from Coentrao on the hour mark.

But United remained a threat on the break and Van Persie had a double chance to put his team in front only to see his first shot hit the woodwork and the second cleared off the line by Xabi Alonso.

Despite heavy pressure from the home side, it was Van Persie who forced the final chance of the game as his left-footed effort was saved well by Lopez in injury time.

But a series of conservative substitutions from both managers helped ensure there would be no winner on the night and it sets up an intriguing second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.

[machoman]

OH baby, just look at David De Gea now.

By SHAUN CUSTIS

BECK IN THE GOALS ... Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring for Manchester United in the Bernabeu

The United keeper was described by Alex Ferguson on the eve of this classic encounter as like a little kid who kept wobbling and falling over before learning to walk.

It was an honest assessment of the difficulties the Spanish keeper has had since arriving at Old Trafford for £17.8million in June 2But last night in the Bernabeu, De Gea, 22, took a giant stride forward in his United career.

Back in his home city where he made his name at Atletico Madrid, De Gea was immense as he made a series of superb saves.

In doing so, he helped give United a slender advantage in this last-16 Champions League tie.

They have a vital away goal in the bag courtesy of Danny Welbeck’s 20th-minute header.

But it would be a brave man who would bet against Real scoring at Old Trafford in just under three weeks’ time.

Their equaliser came on the half-hour from, who else, but old-boy Cristiano Ronaldo with a header of his own.

Robin van Persie, who did not have the best of nights, will be cursing that he did not get a second for the visitors on 72 minutes.

First, he smashed in a shot which was turned on to the bar by keeper Diego Lopez.

When the ball came back into the box, the Dutchman found himself all alone 12 yards out. But as his scuffed effort bobbled towards the line, Xabi Alonso whacked it away.

That said, United were relieved to see Ronaldo’s unbelievable, dipping free-kick from 35 yards land on the top of the net rather than under the bar four minutes from the end.

Ferguson omitted Nemanja Vidic from the squad because he has struggled to play two games in succession since returning from a knee operation in December.

But the vastly-improved Jonny Evans did not let United down in his absence.

For Brazilian defender Rafael, however, it was anything but a comfortable evening. He was detailed to mark Ronaldo for what Fergie said would be “the test of his life” and never got to grips with the task.

He was turned inside out by both the Portuguese superstar and German ace Mesut Ozil and Fergie might need a re-think when the teams meet again on March 5 — how lucky we are that we get second helpings of this titanic battle.

The first half was fantastic and United did well not to concede in the early stages.

Impressive Argie wideman Angel Di Maria shot just wide from 20 yards. Then Rio Ferdinand only cleared a cross as far as left-back Fabio Coentrao, whose shot looked to be on the way in until De Gea got the faintest touch to deflect it on to the inside of the post.

Despite all the pressure, United sensationally took the lead.

They won a corner on the left and Wayne Rooney curled in the kick. Welbeck got free of Sergio Ramos, leaned backwards and flicked a header beyond the stranded Lopez.

De Gea was there again to prevent a Real equaliser, getting down to his left to turn away an Ozil shot.

Criticism of De Gea comes largely from the problems he has with high balls and he twice flapped at corners, failing to punch clear.

It was a minor gripe considering how good he was at shot-stopping. But he could not do anything about the Real equaliser.

A cross to the far post by Di Maria was a beauty and Ronaldo got above Patrice Evra, hanging in the air before heading in.

While Ronaldo has supreme skills on the ground, he was always good in aerial combat at United and he has not lost the art.

It was a really open game and Welbeck almost turned in a Van Persie cross.
But then De Gea saved well at his near post from Ozil’s volley after a glorious 60-yard pass from former Liverpool man Alonso.

Ronaldo, as expected, was always a real threat and just after half-time he turned well on the edge of the area only to shoot straight at De Gea.

Di Maria was then inches wide with a 20-yard volley before De Gea carried on his rescue act.

Sami Khedira’s cross picked out the sliding Coentrao and the keeper managed to save with his feet. Unorthodox maybe but highly effective.

Van Persie then missed his double chance to get the second and it probably haunted him all the way back to Manchester.

Ronaldo’s late dipping free-kick was mighty close. And, even then, Van Persie almost had the final word but his angled shot was turned behind by Lopez.

Bring on the return.

[Rickey]

Originally Posted by machoman

OH baby, just look at David De Gea now.

By SHAUN CUSTIS

BECK IN THE GOALS ... Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring for Manchester United in the Bernabeu

The United keeper was described by Alex Ferguson on the eve of this classic encounter as like a little kid who kept wobbling and falling over before learning to walk.

It was an honest assessment of the difficulties the Spanish keeper has had since arriving at Old Trafford for £17.8million in June 2But last night in the Bernabeu, De Gea, 22, took a giant stride forward in his United career.

Back in his home city where he made his name at Atletico Madrid, De Gea was immense as he made a series of superb saves.

In doing so, he helped give United a slender advantage in this last-16 Champions League tie.

They have a vital away goal in the bag courtesy of Danny Welbeck’s 20th-minute header.

Despite all the pressure, United sensationally took the lead.

De Gea was there again to prevent a Real equaliser, getting down to his left to turn away an Ozil shot.

Criticism of De Gea comes largely from the problems he has with high balls and he twice flapped at corners, failing to punch clear.

It was a minor gripe considering how good he was at shot-stopping. But he could not do anything about the Real equaliser.

It was a really open game and Welbeck almost turned in a Van Persie cross.
But then De Gea saved well at his near post from Ozil’s volley after a glorious 60-yard pass from former Liverpool man Alonso.

Glad David de Gea has proven himself in tis game...still tink he is beta than the Reina, the Pool keeper whom SAF is seeking as replacement for him...looks like the EPL title is going the way of the Red Devils ...Glory, glory Hallelujah !...Man United...Keep it up !...for the 20th League Title....

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by Rickey

Glad David de Gea has proven himself in tis game...still tink he is beta than the Reina, the Pool keeper whom SAF is seeking as replacement for him...looks like the EPL title is going the way of the Red Devils ...Glory, glory Hallelujah !...Man United...Keep it up !...for the 20th League Title....

yes, de gea performed heroics against real madrid. really glad saf showed faith and stuck with him. although he is still quite suspect when handling crosses, he is a fantastic shot stopper. and it seems that he has learnt to parry the shots out rather than back into the field where opposing strikers lurch.

we are 12 points ahead but there are still 12 games left to play. let's not celebrate too early but pray that united will continue their march towards the 20th title.