Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by CibLover

I remembered Keano leading the players (under SAf's instructions) to form a line to applaud the Chelsea players when they trot onto the field. Brilliant touch by the gaffer.

IF we had won the title by then, I am not sure if Mourinho will allow his players to applaud our team into the stadium.

He once said this about Man Utd a couple of years ago.

"I saw their players and manager go for a lap of honour after losing to us in their last home game. In Portugal if you do this, they throw bottles at you!"

If cannot acknowledge fans' season long support, how to acknowledge another club as Champions?

[qbdp]

Smith ready for Manchester United's title push

LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Manchester United will look to shore up their shrinking lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend in a northwest derby against Bolton Wanderers.

Nine points clear at the start of the week but only six after Chelsea's 1-0 midweek win at Manchester City, United can ill-afford to slip up at Old Trafford. Prowling Chelsea have a far easier game on paper at home to lowly Sheffield United.

United, who like Chelsea are expected to re-shuffle their side ahead of Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replays, can draw on their recent form and an excellent record against Sam Allardyce's men. United trounced Bolton 4-0 at the Reebok in October, did the double over them last season with a 6-2 aggregate win and have not lost to them since a 1-0 reverse at Old Trafford in 2002.

However, they will be without Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who has been told to rest a calf strain sustained in the warm-up before last weekend's FA Cup draw at Middlesbrough.

Polish keeper Tomas Kuszczak should again deputise, while striker Alan Smith is hoping to get a rare chance up front.

Smith, who played in the charity match against a Europe XI on Tuesday, is set to get the nod as Frenchman Louis Saha and Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are both unavailable and Henrik Larsson has returned to Sweden after his loan spell.

Chelsea were hardly impressive at Eastlands on Wednesday, but there was no doubting their ability to ground out a result and there is likely to be more of the same against Neil Warnock's combative side.

The other good news in midweek was the return of captain John Terry for his first game since being knocked unconscious in their League Cup final win over Arsenal on Feb 25.

Terry played down an ankle injury picked up in the game at Eastlands, but may yet be spared league duty this weekend.


Chelsea, who face Tottenham Hotspur again on Monday after last weekend's pulsating FA Cup 3-3 draw, will probably rest what players Jose Mourinho can afford.

Arsenal, who moved above Liverpool and into third place with their 1-0 win at Aston Villa in midweek, travel up to Everton.

Liverpool will try to match Arsenal's victory at Villa Park, secured with a side hit hard by injuries and suspensions, when they visit Martin O'Neill's men on Saturday.

Charlton Athletic's bid to avoid the drop continues at home to Newcastle United.

Charlton, 18th in the table, are four points better off than West Ham United and Watford and will be hoping that Stuart Pearce's struggling Manchester City side keep losing.

City, who suffered their fifth consecutive league defeat against Chelsea, are six points better off in 17th place.

They travel to Middlesbrough after newspaper reports that Pearce faced the sack if they lost both this week's games.

[qbdp]

Ronaldo will be Real's new Galactico: Spanish newspaper

MADRID : Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in talks to extend his contract at Manchester United, will quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid at the end of the season, Spanish sports daily Marca predicted on Thursday.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will sign for Real Madrid once the season is over," the paper claimed on its front page, a report that will hardly be welcomed by Sir Alex Ferguson.

"That's the bombshell that the president (of Real Madrid, Ramon Calderon) is going to announce this summer. A galactic transfer, if he's one," the paper continued.

This latest bout of speculation over the Portuguese international comes on the back of last week's assertion from Ferguson that his prize winger was going nowhere.

"Cristiano is at the right club. He wants to stay. Why would he want to go anywhere else?" the Scot said, adding that negotiations were up and running for Ronaldo to sign an extension to his existing contract which finishes in 2010.

The player himself spoke about his future intentions to Portuguese radio also last week, saying: "Everyone knows I really like Spain, that I would like to play in Spain one day but I am happy here at Manchester.

"If I don't leave now, if I leave in two, three, four, five years, I would be happy, I am at a great club."

He joined Manchester United from Lisbon-based Sporting for 12 million pounds (17.6 million euros or 23.2 million US dollars) in August 2003 on a five-year contract which he extended for another two years in November 2005.

[Kefka]

Ronaldo himself said he would never achieve Gigg's recent record of 700th match appearances for man utd, but i would hope he would stay for at least 3-5 years hehe

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Smith ready for Manchester United's title push

LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Manchester United will look to shore up their shrinking lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend in a northwest derby against Bolton Wanderers....

Smith,... is set to get the nod as Frenchman Louis Saha and Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are both unavailable and Henrik Larsson has returned to Sweden after his loan spell.

i have always like Alan Smith and deep down i'm convinced that he will shine and hopefully sooner rather than later coz we do need him.... remember him scoring so freely during his days with Leeds.... i guess if ever there is such a thing as an Alan Smith time... it would be now!!!

Cheerz
AC

[imom]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

i have always like Alan Smith and deep down i'm convinced that he will shine....

Yeah bro, I think the Red Devils faithful took to Alan Smith almost immediately after his arrival... largely due to his crunching tackles and 200% commitment!

I do remember him combining quite well with Rooney in the early days, when he didn't have to play out-of-position and fill in for the sudden departure of Keane. Very intelligent player with great awareness of his striking partner's position.

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

..always like Alan Smith and deep down i'm convinced that he will shine ... remember him scoring so freely during his days with Leeds....

You into blondies too, hehehe?? Hope Smithie days ex Leeds can be re-enacted. Bring your bookie mobile booth tomorrow at MU tcss ok? And.. dun let pom pom gals aeroplane us

[imom]

Originally Posted by yinyang

You into blondies too, hehehe??....

Whoa! Thought I was the only one into blondes.... and brunettes.... and redheads.... keke

[qbdp]

BEN'S GOING BACK TO BE UNITED NO.1

BEN FOSTER will be given a new contract at Old Trafford this summer wit h Sir Alex Ferguson ready to groom him to become Manchester United's number one.

England keeper Foster, 23, is on a season-long loan at Watford but has been assured of his future with United by Ferguson who has told him he will be challenging Edwin van der Sar next summer.

Former chef Foster, who has two years left on his deal, will sign a new contract with United and is determined to become first choice for England and at Old Trafford.

Foster, who will today be named in Steve McClaren's England squad for the Euro 2008 double header with Israel and Andorra, won his first full cap against Spain last month.

And Foster will get a chance to impress tomorrow when Watford visit Tottenham and England's top two keepers will go head-to-head.

He said: "I've bought a house on the outskirts of Manchester and want to settle down with the club.

"I have been told by United they are so pleased with my progress they are ready to improve my contract.

"I want to be at Old Trafford. That's my club and I'm ready to stake my claim. I want to renegotiate and settle down to focus solely on my United career."

Foster was working as a chef in Leamington Spa before turning professional with S+++e where he was loaned out to Bristol City, Wrexham and Kidderminster before United signed him.

But Foster's performances for Watford have caught the eye despite Aidy Boothroyd's men being stuck in a relegation struggle all season although they have reached the FA Cup semi-final.

Foster said: "My girlfriend tells me I'm the team's lucky talisman but for me it's just all been a bit unbelievable. From working as a chef for two years and not starting in professional football until I was 18 to being where I am today ...well, you have to pinch yourself.

"I'm not getting carried away by all the hype - I just want to carry on improving and if the opportunity comes along, great.

"I just want to become the best I can and the only way I can do that is to carry on my own routine. That means staying grounded. I have very good people around me who will never allow me to get carried away.

TALE OF TWO KEEPERS

PAUL ROBINSON BEN FOSTER

29 Appearances 20

2610 Minutes On Pitch 1755

43 Goals Conceded 28

61 Minutes per Goal Conceded 63

4 Clean Sheets 5

42 Saves from Inside Box 45

29 Saves from Outside Box 23

62% Saves to Shots ratio 71%

[qbdp]

Crocked Rio has cracked rib

RIO FERDINAND will miss crucial games in Manchester United’s run-in and is a worry for England’s Euro 2008 double header with a cracked rib.

The defender is set to be sidelined for United’s next two games — Bolton at home tomorrow and Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

England coach Steve McClaren will also be sweating on his fitness for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Andorra the following week.

United are unlikely to release Ferdinand for international duty if he misses both their matches.

It is the latest blow in an injury crisis that threatens to derail United’s Treble bid.

Ferdinand, 28, suffered the rib problem in United’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Boro on Saturday.

And he missed their charity game against a European XI at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Boss Alex Ferguson will draft in Wes Brown as cover for Ferdinand.

As SunSport revealed on Wednesday, United will be without Mikael Silvestre for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

Keeper Edwin van der Sar is out for a fortnight with a calf injury, while strikers Ole Solskjaer and Louis Saha will not be fit until at least the end of this month.

Hitman Henrik Larsson has returned to Sweden after a three-month loan spell and midfielder Paul Scholes is banned for the next two games.

Fergie is already under immense pressure after Chelsea closed the gap at the top to just six points with victory at Manchester City on Wednesday.


As United lose key players, the Blues were boosted by the return of skipper John Terry.

Meanwhile, former United striker Diego Forlan has urged winger Cristiano Ronaldo to quit Old Trafford for Barcelona.

United want to tie the Portuguese maestro, 22, to a new long-term deal.

But Uruguay ace Forlan, who plays in Spain with Villarreal, said: “If Barca make him a good offer he will have no doubts about accepting it. He knows this league is one of the best in the world.”

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by qbdp

But Uruguay ace Forlan, who plays in Spain with Villarreal, said: “If Barca make him a good offer he will have no doubts about accepting it. He knows this league is one of the best in the world.”

alamak... barca should let saviola play more, he's a world cup star!

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by Castrol

alamak... barca should let saviola play more, he's a world cup star!

maybe next season? rumours are deco and ronaldinho are available this summer.

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by qbdp

maybe next season? rumours are deco and ronaldinho are available this summer.

come to think of it, deco and scholes are both the same kind of central midfield dynamo, creative and combative. but still scholes is no.1 and i still hope to see him in the england shirt again.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by Castrol

come to think of it, deco and scholes are both the same kind of central midfield dynamo, creative and combative. but still scholes is no.1 and i still hope to see him in the england shirt again.

Bro...come to think of it, you are the only non-Utd fan in SBF who likes and is fond of a Utd player. A rarity, indeed. You deserve a toast.

[qbdp]

Scholes on title trail

PAUL Scholes admits Manchester United are 'desperate' to recapture the Premiership title.

United tackle north-west neighbours Bolton on Saturday eager to consolidate a lead which was whittled down to six points by Chelsea's win at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Although Scholes will miss out as he serves the second game of the three-match ban he picked up for his recent red card at Liverpool, the former England star will have his fingers crossed the Red Devils can extend their present winning streak.

For, as a member of a squad which has endured three long years without a title after eight previous championships, Scholes knows exactly how hungry Sir Alex Ferguson's men are to end their drought.

"After not doing so well in the Premiership over the last couple of years, we are more determined than ever to lift the trophy this year," Scholes told Inside United.

"The league is the major trophy, your bread and butter.

"We have not had that trophy for four years now - that's too long. It is a trophy we desperately want to win back."

Advantage

With nine games remaining, and a better goal difference, the advantage is clearly with United, especially having come through the stern test at Liverpool a fortnight ago.

Yet difficulties remain, particularly as Ferguson's squad is now beset by injuries.

Scholes, who will also sit out Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay with Middlesbrough, could be one of half a dozen absentees this weekend. Darren Fletcher, Mikael Silvestre, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have already been ruled out, with Patrice Evra a major doubt as well.

With Henrik Larsson now back in Sweden, Ryan Giggs seems set to be pressed into service as an emergency striker alongside Wayne Rooney, with Park Ji-Sung occupying a wide role with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Having led from the front for virtually the whole campaign, Scholes knows this is not a time to slip up, as United look to secure a domestic championship that is becoming more difficult to win by the year.

"In the last three seasons, Arsenal and Chelsea have performed so well you need to be more consistent than ever," he said.

"You would have to say the league has become more difficult to win.

"It would be a fantastic achievement if we could do it because it would be a recognition for our performances over the course of an entire season."