Only one United... Manchester United

Boss relieved after Reading test

2008-01-19T21:56:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson was as relieved as anyone to hear the final whistle at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, having watched his side make hard work of a 2-0 win over Reading.

Wayne Rooney scored 13 minutes from time, with Cristiano Ronaldo adding a second in injury time. But it was by no means comfortable, Reading caused United problems all afternoon and never gave in.

“By the end we were quite happy to get through it,” admitted Sir Alex afterwards.

“Considering the number of opportunities we had, maybe our decision-making in the final third of the field wasn’t at its best. We kept making chances, but you do start to worry when the game goes on and you haven’t scored.

“You worry whether you’re going to get the goal, and it took a lovely flick from Wayne to get us in front. Credit to Reading they kept going at us. They really do make you work.”

Both sides set out with an attacking agenda, which made for an end-to-end encounter.

“It was a really open match,” added Sir Alex. “It really needed an early goal, which could have led to a lot of goals in that game. We got the goal at the right time and managed to hold on to get through.

“I wasn’t sure how Reading were going to approach it. When I saw their line-up I knew they were going gung-ho. The opportunities they had, they had a go for it.

“Kitson gave us a lot of problems, but in the main it was down to our own attacking play, which wasn’t at its best today. With a bit more care in the last third we would maybe have scored more.”

Rooney: Royals made it tough

2008-01-19T21:52:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney admitted the hard-fought 2-0 win over Reading was the hardest game he has been involved in this term.

The striker scored the game-breaking goal in the 77th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo finally killed off a resilient Royals outfit with United’s second at the death.

“It was a difficult game,” Rooney told MUTV. “You have to give Reading a lot of credit. They attacked us and it was an end-to-end game – probably the most difficult I’ve played in this season.

“But we got there in the end and we’re delighted with the three points.”

Rooney flicked home the opener well from Carlos Tevez’s astute pass, but only after the England man had spurned several earlier chances at the Madejski Stadium.

“I had a few opportunities before the goal and maybe should have done better with them,” he said. “It was a great ball by Carlos and I’m just delighted that I finished it.”

Rooney revealed his frustration at the Dubious Goals Committee’s recent decision not to credit him with the opener in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal in November.

“I don’t know who gives and doesn’t give these goals,” he said. “Over the last three years, (Chelsea midfielder) Frank Lampard has had about 50 deflected goals and never had one took off him.

“I’ve had one deflected goal and had it took off me, so maybe they need to look at the game a bit closer.”

Rio never in doubt

2008-01-19T21:45:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand says the talent in United’s squad means he was always confident the Reds would strike the killer blow against Reading.

United missed a glut of chances at the Madejski Stadium, and it took until the 77th minute for Wayne Rooney to put the Reds in front.

Rio and his defensive team-mates managed to pick up an 18th clean sheet of the season, but he insists his faith in United’s forwards never wavered.

“You start wondering [whether you’ll score], but in the last fifteen minutes we always knew we’d get three or four more chances,” he told MUTV.

“With the talent we’ve got, you keep thinking ‘we’ll score the next one’. Rooney and Ronaldo, who have been doing so well for us lately, managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Getting a clean sheet is important, because if we do that then we know we’re going to have the chance to win the game. That was one of the main things for us today, keeping a clean sheet.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half, but we didn’t put them away. In the second half it followed a similar pattern, but we managed to get two goals later in the game.

“We were lucky that we got that today, but I think we created enough to chances [to deserve it].”

Reading certainly made United work for the victory, and it took a moment of class to undo Steve Coppell’s side.

“That was probably the hardest game we’ve had all season,” Rio added. Reading worked us very hard. They pushed us all over the pitch and we had to battle for our three points today.

“For Wayne’s goal, the ball in from Carlos was exquisite. He picked out Wazza, and he stretched his leg out and managed to guide it past the keeper. I think he took the keeper by surprise with how early he hit it, it was a great goal.”

United’s title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal also earned hard-fought away wins on Saturday. Chelsea beat Birmingham 1-0, while Arsenal defeated Fulham 3-0.

“All three of us could have dropped points,” said Rio, “but we’ve all won. We’re just pleased with our result. We’ve not conceded a goal and we’ve won the game.”

Report: Reading (0) - United (2)

2008-01-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

United remain top of the Premier League but the Reds made things difficult for themselves at the Madejski Stadium, leaving it late for Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to seal a 2-0 victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson will not have been thankful for his side’s profligacy in front of goal for much of the match, especially against a side of Reading’s energy, enthusiasm and unwillingness to give in.

It took 77 minutes for Rooney to put United in front with an expert flicked finish, but it should have been far more straightforward. Ronaldo’s goal deep in injury time confirmed victory, although this was a win that tested the nerves.

The game was wide open in the first ten minutes, with United picking up where they left off in the second half against Newcastle creating chance after chance.

Inside the first minute Carlos Tevez and Rooney linked up to play in Ronaldo on the right, and the Portuguese winger’s low shot was only narrowly wide.

The Reds still had to be sharp at the opposite end when Leroy Lita got in behind Rio Ferdinand after ten minutes. Edwin van der Sar saved the Royals striker’s shot, and Nemanja Vidic's brilliantly-timed sliding tackle stopped Dave Kitson passing the rebound into an empty net.

Seconds later Ronaldo sent another shot fizzing past the post, before Rooney and Tevez again combined with the Argentina international firing narrowly wide.

Sir Alex’s men rarely face teams that play an open game; it’s far more common to come up against rigidly stubborn resistance than Reading’s have-a-go outlook. Some could say it was a brave decision by Steve Coppell, simply because it can play into United’s hands.

Owen Hargreaves, making only his 11th league start, was the latest to have a go, this time from a set-piece. Ronaldo was hacked down, central to the goal, 25 yards out. Hargreaves arced in his shot, which Marcus Hahnemann brilliantly turned behind for a corner.

Reading weren’t without their moments. A weak van der Sar clearance was very nearly punished by Kitson, whose 40-yard shot had to be headed clear by Ferdinand, with Edwin stranded out of his goal.

However, as against Newcastle, United could find a way through before the interval and faced a second-half searching for a way to break their opponents down.

Two minutes after the restart, United almost got a similar response to the one against Newcastle. From a corner taken by Ryan Giggs, on for Ji-sung Park at half-time, Kitson almost headed into his own goal, but Hahnemann saved the Reading striker’s blushes.

After an hour Ronaldo had a chance to score his 23rd goal of the season. Rio burst into the box and squared the ball across goal, but it bobbled just as Ronaldo went to shoot and his shot was sent skyward. United’s frustrations continued.

Sir Alex’s side played some good, penetrative football early in the second half, but the final, crucial touch was proving elusive.

The longer the game went on the greater the feeling that Reading would deny United three points. But with little more than ten minutes left, that changed with a moment of sheer brilliance.

Tevez received the ball 35 yards from goal and picked out Rooney’s run into the box. The striker allowed the ball to drop over his left shoulder before expertly guiding the ball past Hahnemann. It was as much relief as joy for the Reds.

Carrick and Ronaldo both had chances to wrap up all three points. Carrick failed to latch onto Nani’s neat pull-back from the byline, while Ronaldo was denied one-on-one by Hahnemann.

Reading kept pushing for an equaliser and there were some desperate moments during the four minutes of added time, which ended with a United breakaway and Ronaldo running the full length of the pitch to dispatch his 23rd goal of the season.

Three points and a goal each for Rooney and Ronaldo: sounds like business as usual. But it certainly wasn’t done the easy way.

Team Line-ups

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c), Cisse, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Doyle, Harper, Hunt, Convey (Matejovsky 79); Lita (Long 83), Kitson.
Sub not used: Federici, De la Cruz, Rosenior.
Booked: Convey

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (c), Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 70), Carrick, Park (Giggs 46); Tevez (Fletcher 79), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, O’Shea.
Booked: Ferdinand

Scholes nearing comeback

2008-01-18T23:37:00.000-08:00

United have been given a welcome boost with the news that Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are all close to full fitness.

Owen Hargreaves has also recovered from a knock and is available for the Barclays Premier League trip to Reading on Saturday.

Scholes has been out of action since October after injuring knee ligaments before United's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv. He returned to training over Christmas and will be checked out by United's medical team next Thursday.

If given the go-ahead, he will start full training and could be available for the FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week.

“We are waiting for clearance from the medical staff next Thursday," assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.

“We think the medical staff will give Scholes clearance to start full training. If he does get the all-clear he can play immediately. It’s a possibility [he could be involved against Tottenham], or at least he will probably be on the bench.”

The influential midfielder has been training for a number of weeks now and is said to be in excellent shape. “His fitness is fantastic," added Carlos. "He’s training like an 18-year-old. He’s very excited, he can sense that he’ll be back soon."

Neville, meanwhile, could fly out with the squad to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening for their four-day training camp.

The Reds' defender made his second comeback in the Reserves last week after ten months on the sidelines with ankle ligament trouble. He felt his hamstring in the match against Everton and was forced off at half time.

But Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff will make a decision about the skipper after training on Friday. If he's left behind, he will play for the Reserves against Bolton next Wednesday.

Saha is also ahead of schedule in his race to overcome a knee complaint. The striker missed United's 6-0 demolition of Newcastle last weekend with the knock and the club confirmed he would be out for around three weeks.

But Queiroz says is a step ahead in his rehabilitation and is likely to be back "earlier than expected".

Vidic: Ronaldo still improving

2008-01-18T23:34:00.001-08:00

Nemanja Vidic reckons Cristiano Ronaldo is producing his best form ever this season, but says the in-form Reds winger is still improving.

If Premier League defenders think they’ve got it tough having to face Ronaldo talents, spare a thought for United’s Serbian centre-back who comes up against the Portuguese wing wonder every day in training.

But it is on the training ground against the likes of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand that Ronaldo has been able to hone his talents.

The 22-year-old winger is a notoriously hard worker in training, the fruits of which can be seen on the pitch, with 22 goals already this season, just one short of his tally last term.

Vidic believes Ronaldo's performances have lived up to, and once again surpassed, all expectations.

"We are very strong with him in our side," Vida told MUTV. "Last season was great for him, he scored so many goals and played so well.

"But he was under big pressure to improve again this season and, up to now, he has been great in the games and also in training.

"You always need to improve at this club. Everybody has sides to their game that they can improve and he has tried to fix his in training."

The question is, still a number of years short of reaching his peak, how much better can Ronaldo get?

Giggs has a case for defence

2008-01-18T23:30:00.000-08:00

The spotlight may seem permanently fixed on Cristiano Ronaldo and the Reds’ attacking exploits lately, but Welsh winger Ryan Giggs is calling for recognition for United’s defenders.

Six second-half goals against Newcastle last weekend showed how quickly and easily United can turn on the style going forward, but it stole the limelight from yet another water-tight defensive performance.

The Reds are yet to concede a goal in 2008, making it 17 clean sheets in all competitions this season, and Giggs is in no doubt the solid defensive underpinning is fundamental to United's position as league leaders.

"The way our defence is playing at the moment is really helping us,” Giggs told MUTV.

“We have had so many clean sheets this season and you need that foundation to go out and play with flair."

But the 34-year Welshman says United’s defence will have to be on top form to keep Reading out at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Steve Coppell’s side have managed to pick up three draws in five meetings with United in the last two seasons in the league and FA Cup. Giggs says the Reds defence will be just as important in keeping Reading out as United’s forwards will be to breaking the home side down.

“Reading are a team that won't just sit back and defend,” he added. “They will go out and try to score goals so hopefully it will be an open game.”

Carlos: Reading never rest

2008-01-18T23:28:00.001-08:00

Assistant manager Carlos Queiroz says United’s players must remain switched on for the full 90 minutes against Reading, as Steve Coppell’s men will not give the Reds a moment’s peace.

United travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday looking for a fourth straight win in 2008, but the Reds are unlikely to be allowed to steamroller their opponents like against Newcastle last weekend.

Having said that, Queiroz says there is no shortage of confidence in the United camp after hitting six second-half goals against the Magpies.

“Reading will make it a difficult game for us,” he told reporters on Friday. “We saw them against Tottenham and it is a team that never rests.

“But we are very confident. If we can repeat the same kind of performance as we did against Newcastle, we will have a good chance to win the game.

“Reading were very good at home last season. They have not achieved the same level of results this season, but most of the points they have picked up have come at home.

“They are very difficult to play at home. We experienced that last season. Steve Coppell is doing a fantastic job there, the team is very well organised with a great attitude.”

Reading have already admitted they fear the devastation the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney can cause. But Queiroz says the Royals have some goalscoring threats of their own.

“They have good build-up play and they know how to score,” he added. “Their two forwards, Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle, have both been doing well and scoring goals. It will be really tough.”

Stoke swoop for Shawcross

2008-01-18T23:21:00.000-08:00

Stoke City claim to have completed the permanent transfer of United defender Ryan Shawcross in a deal initially worth £1million.

The 20-year-old defender has been in superb form on loan at the Britannia Stadium this season, scoring an amazing seven goals, and the Potters moved swiftly to secure his signature amid interest from other clubs in the Premier League and Championship.

As well as the initial £1million fee, United are reportedly set to reap up to the same amount again dependent on appearances and the possibility of Stoke winning promotion.

Potters manager Tony Pulis told the Sentinel: "Four clubs from the Premiership and Championship were chasing him, so to win the race is a tremendous result for us.

"I think a big factor in our favour was how happy Ryan is here, so the dressing room deserves a big pat on the back. If the spirit in there hadn't been so good, he might have been tempted to go elsewhere.

"He's a big, likeable lad who everyone seems to have taken to since he has been here. Despite coming from Manchester United, there has been no 'big-time Charlie's airs' about him. He's simply got his head down and worked hard with the rest of the lads. He' been a credit to himself and to Manchester United.

"He's still only a lad of 20 who's going to be a bit naive and will make mistakes. But what we have bought is potential because over the next two years he will develop into a top, top defender."

Saha's goals mission

2008-01-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

Louis Saha is determined to fire United to glory this season and finally overcome his injury nightmare.

The Reds' striker has started just eight games this season after being dogged by setbacks throughout the campaign. He did, however, make a successful return to goalscoring form during United's Boxing Day victory over Sunderland.

And despite missing out the Reds' 6-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend, the 29-year-old says he is now ready to put his injury problems behind him and make an important contribution to the Reds' cause.

"It's great to score goals. I'm a striker and that's my job and now I want to concentrate on scoring more goals for the team," he told United Review.

"I'm very hard on myself and always want to do better, so I'm not very satisfied with how the season has gone so far on a personal level.

"I know I can do better, and hopefully I showed that against Sunderland. The manager's always shown a lot of faith in me and that gives me a lot of confidence.

"I'm definitely getting there [with overcoming injuries]. I played two full games in a row over Christmas and that was the first time I'd done that for a while.

"So things are improving and I'm looking to play even more. My target now is to stay fit and keep finding the back of the net."

With United well placed in the league, through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League and into the fourth round of the FA Cup, Saha believes 2008 could be another successful year for the Reds.

"We think it'll be and we hope it'll be, but we have to make sure we finish the season well," he insisted. "From this point, we have to be very clinical in terms of results."

Interview with Legend : Peter Schmeichel

2008-01-17T04:36:00.000-08:00

United's former goal keeper Peter Schmeichel enjoyed eight glory-laden years with the Reds. We caught up with the Great Dane at a feelfootball.com coaching event in Manchester to discuss if the current crop has what it takes...

What have you made of United’s performances so far this season?

It’s starting to smell of big times again. I know we lost against Bolton but defeats give you a reality check and United know they need to keep working hard. Traditionally United are a stronger team come the latter part of the season and I think things look good. My main concern is when the big players are absent. I don’t believe we can play without Wayne Rooney or Nemanja Vidic. They are too important for us. Carlos Tevez is a great signing and one year down the line he and Wayne will be perfect together. But I still believe we need another striker. For me, Vidic has been the key to the defence. And he’s made Rio [Ferdinand] into a top class player. I thought Rio was a very good player before, but since Vidic has arrived they’ve got a settled partnership and Rio has developed brilliantly, just like Vidic.

Sir Alex recently commented that this is the strongest squad he’s ever had. You’ve been part of great United squads – how does this one compare?

The history of the club is something that is constantly breathing down your neck when you’re a United player. That history and the expectation level makes you go that one step further than any other player at any other club in the world. When I first joined, the history we had to deal with was the Busby Babes, 1968 and the fact that we hadn’t won the title for over 20 years. The desperation to win it was incredible and we all felt that. The current squad did brilliantly to win it last season and they have a great chance to go on to big things, but they have history on their shoulders as well because they have ’99 to contend with which is a hell of a year to compete with. So, of course, the manager has got to go out there and say they’re the best squad he’s had. He has to make the players believe that and that’s a good way of doing it. He said it in the past when I was there and after I left. What he’s saying is I’m extremely happy with what I’ve got and I love to work with these players. If Sir Alex is happy United will win matches which is the most important thing.

Is winning a second European Cup something that niggles away at Sir Alex?

Yes definitely. There's no reason why he couldn’t have won a second one, but once you get down to the last four like United did last season it becomes a lottery. And things just haven’t gone their way at the important times in the important games. They have a great chance to win the Champions League every season and I'd love to see them do it this time round.

Ferdinand and Vidic have been compared to Bruce and Pallister…

I definitely see similarities. I loved playing behind those two and for me Rio and Vidic are on a par with them. Brucey had a great heart and Pallister was superb on the ball and you see similar aspects in Rio and Vidic. The game has changed so much since I played – it’s a lot quicker nowadays and there are even more skilful players around these days. That’s why Rio and Vidic are so impressive.

What have you made of the progress Ronaldo has made since he joined United?

He’s been outstanding. He is up there as one of the five best players in the world. He’s learnt that the game is not all about doing fancy tricks, you need to do them at the right time. He’s found the perfect balance now of proving hugely effective by scoring and making goals, whilst still being able to throw in the odd trick and entertain the crowd. I believe Sir Alex is probably one of the few managers in the world who could manage a player like Ronaldo. Had Ronaldo been anywhere else I think he would be a different player – I’ve no doubt about that. Sir Alex is hard enough to put him in his place, but he’s also soft enough to encourage him as well.

There’s an interesting battle developing between United and City at the top of the table…

It’s fantastic for Manchester to see the two teams so close to each other. Obviously with my son Kasper being at City I want them to do well, but United are my team and I always want them to win. City have done brilliantly to stay up there for so long, but I can’t see them being there for the duration. The problem they have is despite doing so well this season, they still went to Chelsea and lost 6-0. It’s something that Sven [Goran-Eriksson] still needs to work on and it can take years to do that. In terms of the title race itself, it looks like it’ll be strongly contested by United and Arsenal, but I wouldn’t discount Chelsea either – they may still have a shot at it. Liverpool have an outside chance, but I don’t believe they’re as strong as United and Arsenal.

Kuszczak aiming for the top

2008-01-17T04:33:00.000-08:00

Tomasz Kuszczak says he’s pleased with how he fared over the festive break when he stepped in for first-choice stopper Edwin van der Sar.

Van der Sar returned from injury in the Reds’ recent FA Cup win at Villa Park but Kuszczak remains braced for a recall.

“It’s a difficult position I’m in because I know Edwin is number one,” the Polish goalkeeper told Manchester United Radio.

“But every day I’m ready for training and I approach every game ready to play. It’s important to me to play as many games as I can.

“It was a good exam for me over Christmas and I think I did quite okay. I certainly did my best and I tried to help the team win our games.”

Although Kuszczak is acutely aware of his understudy status, he insists being at Old Trafford is beneficial to his career.

“Every single game I play for United is a step forward,” he said. “I feel more comfortable and confident each time I play and that’s what a goalkeeper needs. The Champions League experience has been very good too, so I think I’m on the way up.”

Van der Sar may be Sir Alex’s current first choice but Kuszczak says he hopes to one day dislodge the Dutchman from the number one spot.

“I’ll do everything I can to push Edwin for the jersey and I think that helps both of us. We have a good relationship and there’s healthy competition on the training field.”

Brazilian twins set for switch to United

2008-01-17T04:19:00.000-08:00

Manchester United are preparing to announce the signing of Fabio and Rafael Silva, Brazil’s answer to the Neville brothers. The 17-year-old twins, who are identical, are scheduled to arrive in Manchester on Monday to join United in a joint £5.2 million transfer from Fluminense, a deal that has been two and a half years in the planning. Like Gary and Phil Neville, the Silva brothers are full backs, with Rafael operating on the right flank and Fabio on the left, even though both are right-footed. They caught Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye in a youth tournament in Hong Kong in 2005, during United’s preseason tour to Asia, and signed precontract agreements with the Barclays Premier League club when they turned 16 in July 2006. Initially the plan was for them to move to Manchester this summer, but the deal has been brought forward now that they have received the necessary paperwork. The twins excelled for Brazil in the Under-17 World Cup finals in South Korea last August, with Fabio, the captain, finishing as his country’s leading scorer.

Oliver Kay, The Times.

The Sun and The Telegraph say that Real Madrid will not give up their interest in Cristiano Ronaldo as they plan to shatter the world transfer record to bring the winger to Spain this summer.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reports that some United fans are "furious" with the proposed move to search fans for drugs at this weekend's clash with Reading at the Madjeski Stadium.

Brown's England ambition

2008-01-15T18:08:00.001-08:00

Wes Brown is determined to feature in Fabio Capello’s plans when the new England boss picks his first squad on 31 January.

The 28-year-old defender has been almost ever-present in the Reds’ defence this season, making 20 league appearances in the absence of regular right back Gary Neville. Now he wants to be involved when England play Switzerland in a friendly at Wembley on 6 February.

Brown played just five of England’s 18 matches under Steve McClaren and was an unused substitute on a further six occasions.

But his form for United this term has been top-drawer and he may well have done enough to catch Capello’s eye.

“Hopefully that’s the case,” Brown told Manchester United Radio. “If I can stay in the United team and continue to play well then hopefully I can get an England call up.”

Carrick eyes front-runner role

2008-01-15T18:05:00.001-08:00

Michael Carrick says United’s challenge now is to remain top of the league until the end of the season.

The Reds midfielder had arguably his finest game of the season in the 6-0 hammering of Newcastle on Saturday evening. The win moved United above Arsenal on goal difference at the Premier League's summit, and Carrick says the Reds are determined not to let the advantage go.

"Before we played Newcastle we knew Arsenal had drawn and that if we won we would go top," Carrick told MUTV.

"It is nice now to be sitting on top of the pile. Hopefully we can stay there, but that’s up to us. That’s the hard part. We managed to do it last season and hopefully we can do it again.

"I am sure we will if we keep playing like that. We want to get the momentum again and hopefully stay there for the rest of the season."

United currently have 51 points from 22 games, three less than last season’s total at the same stage. The Reds took 35 points from a possible 48 in the final 16 matches of last term’s title run-in, and may have to go close to that total again this time around. That means the Reds may have to pass the 85-point mark to retain the title.

Carrick is certain the Reds can deliver successive titles if United take all the good elements of the second-half performance against Newcastle into the crucial forthcoming months.

"We just have to do the right things in games," he added. "As long as we try to do that we’ll win a lot of games. When it does click, teams struggle to cope with us. When we play to that standard we will beat anyone and cause anyone problems. Hopefully that continues."

Gilberto Reds link

2008-01-15T17:58:00.000-08:00

Man Utd deal on cards says Hertha's Gilberto

Hertha Berlin's Gilberto has emerged as a candidate to give United extra cover at left back. The 31-year-old's agent Alexandra Martins claimed agreement with United was close after talks on a new deal at his German club broke down over his demand for £1.75million a year. Gilberto's contract runs out at the end of the season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to snap up the tough-tackling left-sided defender or midfielder. Gilberto said: "I have received offers from England, Portugal and Brazil. I have become accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil and would like to do the same at club level." Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness said: "Trying to extend his contract is a priority for us."
Daily Mail

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is assuring Sir Alex Ferguson that he does not need a rest. This time last year, Ronaldo set off to Dubai for a five-day break but he has no plans to do so this year as he wants to play every game.

Transfer Rumours: Jan 08

2008-01-15T17:50:00.000-08:00

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is being touted by various UK newspapers as the most likely United signing should Sir Alex Ferguson dip into the market during the January transfer window.

The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to United on numerous occasions but speculation is heating up that Huntelaar will sign for the Reds.

Rumours still abound that Berbatov may come to OT while Hertha Berlin’s Gilberto and Lyon’s Benzema have expressed an interest in joining United.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have both insisted Ronaldo is going nowhere despite Real Madrid’s interest but debate still remains over Wes Brown’s future.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is being touted by various UK newspapers as the most likely United signing should Sir Alex Ferguson dip into the market during the January transfer window.

The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to United on numerous occasions but speculation is heating up that Huntelaar will sign for the Reds.

Rumours still abound that Berbatov may come to OT while Hertha Berlin’s Gilberto and Lyon’s Benzema have expressed an interest in joining United.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have both insisted Ronaldo is going nowhere despite Real Madrid’s interest but debate still remains over Wes Brown’s future.

Boss applauds "incredible" Ronny

2008-01-12T18:55:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson described Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring this season as “fantastic” and “incredible” after the Portuguese winger shifted his tally for the campaign up to 22.

That figure puts him one behind last season’s total of 23, and a remarkable ten more goals than he had scored at the same stage last season.

“It’s fantastic, incredible in fact,” Sir Alex said after the game.

“We wondered at the start of last season whether he could match last season’s tally of 23. You had to say ‘why not?’

“I expected him to score more this season because he works so hard. That’s why there were no bets this season, all bets are off with Ronaldo,” he joked.

“[His first hat-trick] was always coming. He’s been close on a number of occasions but today he capped a really fine display with the hat-trick. We’re all delighted for him.”

But this was more than just the Ronaldo show. Carlos Tevez grabbed two goals, while Rio Ferdinand chipped in with another.

Likewise, it wasn’t just about the goals, it was another sterling defensive display, which Sir Alex feels could be the foundation for retaining United’s title crown.

“Our performance last week at Aston Villa in the cup was carved out of a magnificent defensive display,” he said. “It gave us the energy to go and win the game in the last 20 minutes. It was the same against Newcastle.

“You have to have good home form,” he added, alluding to United’s 11 wins from 12 at Old Trafford. “We’ve lost three games away from home, but the reason we’re top of the league is because our home form has been so good.

“It’s a hard league. You saw the results with Arsenal and Liverpool drawing, teams are taking points off one another.

"We expected it to be tough. Teams well below the top four are spending a lot of money on their squads. There is a drive for teams to improve themselves and stay in the Premier League. The points total could be lower this year.”

Ronny revels in 'special day'

2008-01-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo was predictably elated to finally score his first United hat-trick in Saturday’s destruction of Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Having struck braces on 13 separate occasions for the Reds, the Portuguese winger finally bagged a match ball with a second half treble against the Magpies, taking United back to the top of the Barclays Premier League in style.

“I’ve said before, if I score two in every game then I’m very happy,” he told Setanta Sports. “But I’ve looked for a few years to score three goals for this massive club and I’m very proud.

“It’s a special day. I’m happy of course to win the game and to go top of the league, I think this is most important. It is also important to score, to help my team and today I’m very proud and happy.”

With United rampant in retaking top spot, Ronaldo is keen for the champions to kick on and stay in top form as the title race unfolds over the coming months.

“It’s important to stay at the top of the table,” he said. “If the team plays like that, in the second half, I’m sure we are the best team. But you need to keep going like that. It’s a good moment for the team and for the players.”

Simmo: A lesson learned

2008-01-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

Danny Simpson was a picture of delight after his superb cameo role in United's thrashing of Newcastle.

The 21-year-old defender's last outing saw him substituted at half-time against Everton after a below-par display, but he bounced back in style with a fine showing in the final half hour.

"[After the Everton game] I spoke with the players and the manager said: 'Well, you've got to learn from things like that,' Simpson told MUTV.

"It didn't go too well and it's a test of character. Some people fold. You can hide or get on with it and prove next time that you're a United player and you can do well for the team."

Simpson twice came close to opening his goalscoring account with decent shots, only to be foiled by Shay Given and a deflection respectively.

"I feel on top of the world at the moment, I'm just a bit gutted I didn't score," he admitted. "I was a bit disappointed with the first one, I thought it had gone in but I turned round and he'd got a touch.

"The second one, I just tried to get a clean strike on it but it was just a bit unlucky. How many chances do I need? Wayne said that every time I play he seems to be setting me up, but if I keep making the runs when I'm playing, surely it'll come soon."

United's devastating second half display took them back to the top of the Premier League after Arsenal's shock draw with Birmingham, and Simpson admits that no team could cope with United on such form.

"Newcastle came here and it's not an easy game, even though they're not doing too well at the minute," he said. "Whereas Arsenal, at home to Birmingham, everyone expected them to win.

"They lost points there, then we just had to go out and do our job and the second half was magnificent. Playing like that, we'd beat any team in Europe."

Danny also found time to express his sympathy for former colleague Alan Smith, who was sent off by referee Rob Styles in injury time for dissent.

"It's the end of the game," Simpson reasoned. "He used to play for the club, he's getting beaten 6-0, it's the last minute. You've got to understand he's not going to be happy, but Alan was just a bit frustrated."

United (6) - Newcastle Utd (0)

2008-01-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

United produced an utterly imperious performance against a beleaguered Newcastle to move top of the Premier League on Saturday night, Cristiano Ronaldo heading up the 6-0 victory with his first hat-trick for the Reds.

Astonishingly, all of United's goals came in a second-half blitz. Carlos Tevez (2) and Rio Ferdinand also got in on the act in a game the Reds dominated from start to finish. Remarkably, it could have been even more convincing. Clear-cut opportunities ran comfortably into double figures, and so too could the scoreline.

Newcastle arrived in Manchester in the midst of uncertainty. The departure of Sam Allardyce after a five-match run without a win was hardly the best preparation three days before a trip to Old Trafford. And it showed.

United, buoyed by the news of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham earlier in the day, were in mood to take mercy on the visitors. And with a place atop the Premier League up for grabs, the Reds started at a tempo Newcastle struggled to cope with.

Wayne Rooney had two 25-yard shots saved by Shay Given inside the first ten minutes. The first arrived after Michael Carrick’s cutting through-ball, but Rooney’s shot was high over the bar. Given was proving to be the nemesis of the United striker as twice either side of the 15-minute mark the Newcastle goalkeeper denied him. First Rooney cut inside from the left to hit a low, skidding drive that forced Given to turn the ball behind for a corner, then he proved equal to a fizzing Rooney volley from Carrick’s wonderful, arced pass.

After 27 minutes Ronaldo set a course through the heart of Newcastle’s defence. He skipped past two players and took on Steven Taylor, but the Magpies defender left a leg out to bring Ronaldo down – as clear a penalty as you are likely to see. But Rob Styles was unmoved, as he was a minute later when Alan Smith bundled Ryan Giggs over inside the area. The Welshman would have been fortunate to earn a spot-kick, but Ronaldo had every right to feel aggrieved.

Newcastle offered very little threat. But a team’s manager-less state does not necessarily preclude the ability to turn their fortunes around. In fact, it often encourages it. And Michael Owen, always capable of snatching a goal, did have the ball in the back of the net. Edwin van der Sar had already stopped as the linesman’s flag was raised, but television replays showed the decision was incorrect.

United continued to pepper Given’s goal, but to no avail. Ronaldo had one shot saved and watched his downward header from a corner go narrowly wide. The long and the short of the first-half tale was that United should have been ahead, regardless of Styles’ inability to see a clear foul on Ronaldo.

Undeterred, the Reds began the second half with the same dominance and purpose. Inside 30 seconds of the restart Taylor cleared a Tevez shot off the line and somehow turned Rooney’s follow-up over the bar.

But United would not be denied for much longer. Four minutes into the half Ronaldo gave the Reds the lead. Smith clipped the Portuguese winger’s heels as he went to shoot, and Styles awarded a rare decision in United’s favour.

Ronaldo geared up to take the 20-yard shot. Old Trafford anticipated his usual, occasionally hit-and-miss, policy of power. But he elected to strike his shot underneath the wall, to great effect. Given, who saw it late, was fooled more than anyone, unable to keep the ball out.

It took just seven minutes for the Reds to make it 2-0. A poor Given clearance struck Claudio Cacapa, freeing Giggs to square a pass across goal for Tevez to slot home at the far post.

United were utterly dominant. Steeled by a rock-solid defence, steered by Carrick and Anderson’s passing in midfield, and always with the threat of Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo on swift counter attacks. Just as importantly, there was no danger of Old Trafford’s atmosphere falling flat. A rapturous Stretford End even cheekily requested: “Fergie, give us a song!”

On the pitch there was still plenty to shout about. The Reds’ forward play was sumptuous, and soon garnered a devastating third goal. Carrick, Rooney and Tevez all interchanged passes, before the Argentinian found Ronaldo’s run into the box. His finish was as sharp as the most clinical poacher, and his 21st goal of the season ensured beyond any doubt that three points and top spot would be United’s.

Simpson, Rooney (again!) and Carrick were denied goals in the final 20 minutes, but there was still more to come. Rio Ferdinand popped up at the far post five minutes from time to make it four, before Ronaldo completed his hat-trick and Tevez grabbed a second in off the bar. Alan Smith was sent off late on to compound Newcastle's woes. But on a day when both Arsenal and Liverpool dropped points, this was an emphatic message to send out to the rest of the Premier League: the Champions will take some shifting.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Simpson 68); Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson (Fletcher 73), Giggs (Nani 73); Tevez, Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Park.
Booked: Rooney

Newcastle United: Given; Carr, Taylor, Cacapa, Enrique; Milner (Viduka 65), Butt, Smith, N’Zogbia; Duff, Owen (Rozehnal 83).
Subs not used: Harper, Emre, LuaLua.
Booked: Duff
Sent off: Smith

Attendance: 75,965

Runaway Ronaldo tops poll

2008-01-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

There was only ever going to be one winner of ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month award for December 2007.

Hot favourite Cristiano Ronaldo ran away with a staggering 59 per cent of the vote after netting seven goals in six appearances.

More than 17,000 ManUtd.com users had their say, with Wayne Rooney a distant runner-up on 16 per cent. Ronaldo's win gave the Reds' no.7 his second Player of the Month award this term after he also topped the November poll.

The 22-year-old began December with a brace against Fulham before striking again five days later when Derby County came to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo scored another two against Everton on 23 December before curling in a spectacular free-kick against Sunderland on Boxing Day at the Stadium of Light.

There was still time for the Portuguese midfielder to score once more before the year’s end, this time with a pinpoint header at Upton Park.

Top of the tree

2008-01-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

United cash in on 330million fans.

It's official, folks - Manchester United will prove this week they are still the top earners in English football, thanks to the world’s biggest fan base. Arsenal claimed to have taken their crown back in September, when they announced a turnover of £201million. But they cannot compete with United’s mega 330m global fan base (and no, they don’t all live in Surrey!)
United will announce their own increase in turnover on Thursday to £245m.
Neil Custis, The Sun

The Sun also claims that United want David Beckham to become their global ambassador when he retires from playing. The Reds reportedly want him to take over the role now held by 70-year-old Sir Bobby Charlton. And the move will be given its blessing by Sir Alex Ferguson, who long ago patched up his differences with the player.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick claims Champions League glory is a bigger pull for United than domestic dominance.

Chelsea have had a £12m bid turned down by Bolton Wanderers for rumoured United transfer target Nicolas Anelka.

Crerand happy with cup draw

2008-01-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

MUTV pundit Paddy Crerand says the Reds have been handed a “great” FA Cup draw.

Crerand, who lifted the cup with United in 1963, says facing Tottenham Hotspur or Reading at Old Trafford in the fourth round should ensure the Reds don’t go into the match complacent.

“When you get daft little teams from lower divisions you don’t know what to expect,” Crerand told MUTV. “But this is a game in which United have to field a strong side, no matter who gets through.”

Spurs and Reading drew 2-2 at White Hart Lane on Saturday and will settle the tie at the Madejski Stadium with a third round replay on Tuesday 15 January.

“I’d love for Tottenham to get through,” Crerand said. “We played Reading last season. Tottenham have a great FA Cup history and I think it would be fantastic if we could play them in the fourth round.”

Although United’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the third round didn’t excite too many neutrals, the former Scotland international said he thoroughly enjoyed his day at Villa Park.

“When the manager brought Owen Hargreaves on I thought he was settling for a draw and I was quite happy with that because I thought we could finish the job at Old Trafford in a replay.

“But then he brought Wayne Rooney on and it was as if the place had been struck by lightning! He was absolutely everywhere.

“What I enjoyed most on Saturday, however, was the Manchester United support. It was incredibly and the fans were very witty. No wonder the United players and the manager love to play at Villa Park – it’s because the fans love to go there and they make so much noise. They never stopped on Saturday and sung from start to finish.”

United will play Tottenham or Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday 26 January or Sunday 27 January.

Sir Alex sets 2008 blueprint

2008-01-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

United have kicked off 2008 with two victories in two competitions, which fits in with Sir Alex Ferguson’s blueprint for the year as he looks to challenge on all fronts.

The Reds are currently two points behind league leaders Arsenal, face an FA Cup fourth round tie with either Tottenham or Reading and have a Champions League last 16 clash with Lyon looming in February.

After narrowly missing out on FA Cup glory last season and just running out of steam in the Champions League semi final against AC Milan, Sir Alex thinks the current squad has the quality in depth and experience to go a step further.

“I am looking for success in Europe as well as at home,” he says. “We have the players and the back-up to do it. We are a more mature team this season in terms of European football and we have played some successful and entertaining stuff.

“We’ve lost a couple of games in the league but our consistency overall has been very good. We are with the leaders in the league and we are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and ready for the exciting games ahead.”

Sir Alex's optimism is fuelled by the cohesion of United's squad, especially with Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson adapting quickly to life at Old Trafford. He said: "The main reason fpr my optimism is the way we have knitted together as a team, with the new players settling to make the kind of impact we were not entitled to expect so soon."

Edwin happy to stay

2008-01-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

Edwin van der Sar has spoken of his delight at extending his contract with the Reds for a further year.

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last month that a new deal had been agreed with the Dutch stopper until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

And 37-year-old van der Sar, who joined United in June 2005, says he couldn't be happier with life at Old Trafford.

"I'm delighted to have agreed a new deal," he told MUTV.

"As we did last year, we said we'd evaluate things in December and both parties were very happy with things so there was no reason for me to quit.

"I'm still feeling very good [in terms of fitness] and with the way the team plays and everything about the club it's a delight to be here."

Sir Alex was equally pleased to have secured van der Sar's services for a further year.

The Reds boss added: "Edwin's consistency and experience have been a great help to this club and I'm delighted he's staying on."

Reds duo extend loans

2008-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

United youngsters Darron Gibson and Frazier Campbell have extended their loan deals in the Championship.

Republic of Ireland international Gibson will stay at Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old midfielder has excelled at Molineux, making 13 appearances for Mick McCarthy's side this season.

Campbell, too, has impressed in his loan spell with Hull City.

The 20-year-old striker has helped the Tigers rise to ninth in the Championship with six goals in 13 starts at The KC Stadium.

FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

2008-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

United have been drawn at home against either Tottenham Hotspur or Reading in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Reds beat Aston Villa 2-0 in the third round with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Spurs and Reading drew 2-2 at White Hart Lane on Saturday, setting up a replay at the Madesjski on Tuesday 15 January.

The date for the fourth round tie has now been confirmed as Sunday 27 January, KO 14:00 GMT at Old Trafford. The game will be shown live on the BBC.

FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

Arsenal v Stoke City/Newcastle
Coventry v Walsall/Millwall
Oldham v Huddersfield Town
Wigan v Chelsea
Luton/Liverpool v Swansea/Havant & Waterlooville
Southend v Barnsley
Southampton v Norwich/Bury
Man Utd v Tottenham/Reading
Portsmouth v Plymouth
Derby/Sheff Wed v Preston
Watford v Wolves
Peterborough v Charlton/West Brom
Sheff Utd v West Ham/Man City
Mansfield v Middlesbrough
Tranmere/Hereford v Cardiff

Fourth round ties will be played on 26 and 27 January.

Wayne Rooney

2008-01-06T01:43:00.001-08:00

Wayne Rooney Wallpaper part. I

Rio hails Wazza impact

2008-01-06T01:36:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand says the introduction of Wayne Rooney swung the FA Cup third round tie at Aston Villa in United's favour.

Up until Rooney's arrival as a substitute in the 70th minute, the Reds had struggled to create any real openings during a somewhat dull match.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the killer blow, however, nine minutes from time, bundling home Ryan Giggs' cross, before Rooney sealed a 2-0 victory with a low drive past Scott Carson.

"Wayne is a fantastic footballer with bundles of energy. He may have missed the last couple of games [with a virus], but he looked very fresh when he came on and I think he was the difference," Ferdinand told BBC Sport.

"We always knew it was going to be a tough game, but I thought we were grinding them down gradually in the second half and we had a lot of possession.

"When Wayne came on, the openings started to come and thankfully we managed to stick the ball in the back of the net."

Some in the football world have questioned the importance of the FA Cup in the build-up to this season's third round fixtures, but Ferdinand insists it's a special tournament and remains one of United's major priorities.

"The FA Cup is up there with the top trophies to win," he declared. "We don't go into any competition thinking that we don't care about the tournament - I think that's very disrespectful.

"No matter what team goes out there to play for Manchester United, we want to win. We never go anywhere and try and settle for a draw. It's not in our nature to do that and the manager wouldn't settle for that either.

"We came here to win and thankfully we did that. Hopefully we can go on a run in the Cup because to win it would be fantastic."

Rooney salutes away fans

2008-01-06T01:34:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney praised United's away supporters after more than 7,000 of them helped the Reds to win a tight FA Cup tie at Aston Villa.

Like his manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the goalscoring substitute feels the noise generated by the fans is a key factor in the club’s excellent record of 11 straight wins at Villa Park.

Rooney told MUTV: “It (the support) is brilliant. Some teams struggle to fill the away end in a Premier League match. Obviously we get more tickets in the Cup but we’ve filled it again.

"It’s a fantastic effort from the fans. The atmosphere’s always good. I enjoy playing at Villa Park and we’ve certainly deserved our wins here.”

United deserved their latest victory at Villa Park by virtue of being more clinical in front of goal. But Rooney believes the game could have gone either way until Cristiano Ronaldo finally drew first blood in the 81st minute.

"It was an even game and towards the end, it looked like going to a replay," said Wayne.

"We did well to keep going and Ronaldo did well to get in the box and put us in a winning position. We were so thankful to get the first goal because we knew then the game would open up a bit more for a few more chances."

When Rooney converted one of those chances, it took his tally for the season to 11 goals for club and country - not bad in a campaign blighted by breaks for injury and illness.

"It’s been a stop-start season for me. But I’m looking forward to getting in a full week of training before the Newcastle game.

"Hopefully I’ll be playing regularly again now and helping us to win trophies."

Rooney would certainly love the FA Cup to be on his list of trophies won, having lost his two finals so far in 2005 and 2007.

"To lose an FA Cup final is horrible, it’s disappointing," said Wayne, recalling the agonisingly unlucky defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Hopefully we can go all the way this time, it’s a boyhood dream of mine to win the FA Cup."

Boss praises dogged defence

2008-01-06T01:32:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson took time to praise his back four after the Reds' defence stood firm at Villa Park to help United book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

Edwin van der Sar had little to do during a lacklustre 90 minutes, thanks in the main to the dogged displays in front of him from Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.

Sir Alex was delighted with the 2-0 victory over Martin O'Neill's side - earned through late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Wayne Rooney - and saluted a resolute performance from his defenders.

"It was an absolutely magnificent performance from all of them," he told MUTV. "We never looked like losing a goal which is crucial in a tight cup tie. And especially when you look at the good form Aston Villa have been in.

"So it was important that we didn't give them any encouragement and the defence can take great credit for that.

"There was nothing in it in the first half and to be honest as the game went on I couldn't see a goal coming," added Sir Alex. "We didn't have any really great chances up until the first goal from Ronaldo.

"Villa had doubled-up on him all day and never made it easy for the boy. But he's always likely to do what he did and that goal opened things up for us because it forced them to try and get back into it. It's a great result and we're very pleased."

Wayne Rooney's introduction in the 70th minute made the difference and Sir Alex was delighted with the striker's contribution.

"He changed the game," declared the boss. "He brought a sudden thrust of enthusiasm and direct play through the way he attacked their defenders.

"We've been looking for a new Solskjaer to come off the bench for a few years now," joked the boss. "No really though, he made a heck of a difference when he came on."

The manager was also keen to heap praise on United's travelling faithful, around seven thousand of whom made the journey to the Midlands.

"They were absolutely fantastic," he said. "Every time we come to Villa Park whether it be for an FA semi-final or a league match they're always really up for it and that makes a difference to the team.

"I made that point last week [after the Birmingham game]. And when our fans are like they were today we don't let them down."

Villa (0) - United (2)

2008-01-06T01:28:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both scored in the last ten minutes as United bucked up to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Portuguese star stole in front of Aston Villa full-back Wilfred Bouma to prod home the first goal from Ryan Giggs's low cross in the 81st minute, just when a dour tie seemed destined for a replay at Old Trafford. And when Ronaldo's 89th minute shot was initially blocked, substitute Rooney drilled the rebound past Scott Carson - this just moments after the Villa keeper had made a double save from Michael Carrick.

With only stoppage time remaining, there was really no time for Martin O'Neill's side to recover - especially when it was a side so devoid of any real attacking threat. United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had even less to do than he did in his previous appearance, when he kept a clean sheet at Liverpool in mid-December.

Van der Sar's return was one of four changes to the team which narrowly defeated Villa’s arch-rivals Birmingham on New Year’s Day. Ryan Giggs replaced Nani, Louis Saha deputised for the injured Carlos Tevez and Wes Brown - the subject of a rejected bid from Newcastle - returned at right-back at the expense of John O’Shea.

Anderson fired the first shot across Villa's bows when he burst forward from midfield in the fifth minute. The Brazilian travelled a similar distance to Giggs in his epic ’99 goal on the same ground but unlike Arsenal, Aston Villa didn’t present a string of defenders for the United attacker to slalom around. The exposed Carson blocked Anderson's shot, although it was too strong for the Villa keeper to clutch it at the first time of asking.

With Giggs operating through the middle to support Saha, it made room for Ji-sung Park to catch the eye on the left flank in the first half. Moments after delivering one menacing cross which Carson did well to claim, the Korean laid a neat pass into the path of his pal Patrice Evra. The French left-back fizzed the ball into the box and Giggs met it with a header that packed a punch but lacked precision.

Giggs had a more clear-cut opportunity on the brink of half-time when Ronaldo drove in a fierce shot from the left. England goalkeeper Carson could only parry the ball into his opponent's path but unlike the Croatians in November, the United captain couldn’t capitalise and his clumsy half-volley crawled wide of the far post.

At the other end, any hopes that Gabriel Agbonlahor had of impressing new England coach Fabio Capello were crushed by the experience and strength of Nemanja Vidic. The Italian will have scribbled down Rio Ferdinand's name, however, after the England defender restricted Villa's John Carew to one shot into the side netting.

The first 45 minutes were surely the poorest half seen in the four recent meetings between United and Villa at this stage of the competition. And the cagey tie barely improved after the break, at least not until Sir Alex Ferguson gave the noisy away fans the personnel change they were chanting for.

Rooney came on for Park in the 70th minute and was soon involved in United's best move of the match, a long one-two with Ronaldo which ended with the sub striking a great shot just over the crossbar.

Another of Villa's young England hopefuls Ashley Young may have fired a shot just inches wide but United looked much the better - and fitter - side as the game entered its decisive final phase. The introduction of Rooney - scorer of two league goals at Villa Park in October - made all the difference. It even seemed to perk up his sidekick Ronaldo who scored the first goal and then assisted the second.

In the brief spell between United's goals, Villa sub Craig Gardner went close with a header from Gareth Barry's superb left-wing cross but van der Sar and the visitors were not to be beaten. Certainly not at Villa Park, where the Reds remain undefeated since 1995 in all but one League Cup tie. With the firepower of Ronaldo and Rooney and a water-tight defence in which Ferdinand and Vidic excel, few would bet against the Reds returning to their favourite away ground next April for yet another FA Cup semi-final.

Aston Villa: Carson; Mellberg, Laursen, Davies, Bouma (Gardner, 83); Petrov (Maloney, 75), Reo-Coker, Barry, Young; Agbonlahor, Carew (Moore, 64).
Subs not used: Taylor, Knight.
Bookings: None.

United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Park (Rooney, 70); Giggs (O'Shea, 90), Saha (Hargreaves, 79).
Subs: Heaton, Nani.
Bookings: None.

Evans joins Black Cats

2008-01-05T06:05:00.001-08:00

Sunderland have signed United defender Jonny Evans on loan until the end of the season.

The centre-back, who turned 20 this week, enjoyed a successful spell on loan at the Stadium of Light last season as Roy Keane's men earned promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland attempted to re-sign Evans again at the start of the 2007/08 campaign, but Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to keep the Northern Ireland international as defensive cover.

Evans has made three appearances for the Reds this season - once in the Carling Cup and twice in the Champions League. He is yet to make a Premier League appearance for United and his first top-flight experience will now come for the Mackems.

The Sunderland official website reports that Evans will go straight into Keane's squad for Saturday's FA Cup third round clash with Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light.

Evans becomes the third United youngster this week to go out on loan. Kieran Lee has joined QPR and Michael Barnes has signed for Chesterfield. Both loan deals are until the end of the season.

Reds' recovery on track

2008-01-05T06:02:00.001-08:00

United have received further good news on the injury front, as Mikael Silvestre and Ben Foster continue to make steady progress with their recoveries from long-term knocks.

The revelation comes just 24 hours after Gary Neville declared he now felt fit enough to play in a first-team match and Paul Scholes confirmed he was on track to return in late January or early February.

Sir Alex has been without French defender Silvestre since he damaged his knee against Everton in August, while goalkeeper Foster has been sidelined since May 2007, also with a knee problem, and is still to make his Reds debut.

But the manager told Manchester United Radio the duo are yet to suffer any setbacks in their recoveries.

“Mikael’s actually doing some of his recovery in France,” the Reds boss said. “That’s not a problem as far as we’re concerned because he’s such a dedicated professional and he’ll get the work done.

“Ben’s also coming along fine and he’s doing some goalkeeping work now. But we have to be careful with him. The specialist’s assessment is that because it was a graft into the knee – he’d injured his cruciate before – we have to stick rigidly to the plan of almost a year out of action.”

Scholes itching to return

2008-01-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson can be certain he will be linked with a number of top transfer targets this month, but he can at least look forward to having one more world class player at his disposal in January.

Paul Scholes says he is on course to return at the end of the month to aid United’s Premier League title ambitions.

The influential 33-year-old midfielder has started running again after spending over two months on the sidelines following knee ligament surgery.

“I’ve started running now,” said Scholesy. “I’ve got these next few weeks to get as fit as I can, so hopefully I’ll be fresh when I come back. It’s a couple of months since the operation now and everything seems to be OK. I’m on track to return at the end of January or the start of February.”

Scholes sustained the injury during training before the Champions League Group F clash with Dynamo Kyiv in October. “I felt something during the training session but I managed to carry on,” he explained. “It was only really the next day that I thought there might be a problem and a scan showed that I had ruptured my lateral ligament in my knee, which is an injury that doesn’t often occur.”

It's not been an easy few months for Scholes, who admits he isn’t the best spectator. “It’s been frustrating for me,” he concedes. “I still see all the games, but it does get a bit boring just watching because all you want is to be out there playing. But I know that I have to be patient and hopefully I'll be back playing soon.”

The Salford-born midfielder will be looking at a possible return in the league matches against Portsmouth (30 Jan) and Tottenham (2 Feb) depending on how this next stage of his recovery goes.

Rooney eyes happy return

2008-01-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney will be aiming for a repeat performance on Saturday if he's fit to return at Villa Park, the ground where he scored twice in October.

The United forward has netted 10 goals since changing his shirt number to 10 and he regards his second in the 4-1 win against Aston Villa as one of his best to date.

Rooney told Inside United (The 10s issue): "My goal against Arsenal was probably my favourite so far, but other than that I'd say it was my second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

"It was a good move, a nice ball from Tevez and I managed to slot it home. I always remember my goals. As soon as someone mentions a game in which you scored, you can see the goal immediately in your mind."

Mention the FA Cup to Wayne and he could be seeing five strikes from last year, including another double at Villa Park - in the semi-final against Watford. This term could yield more goals for Rooney, in all competitions, following his change of role.

“I’ve played further up front rather than in behind a main striker,” Wayne explains. “I’d probably say I’ve enjoyed that role more as I seem to get more chances. Hopefully that means I’ll end up with more goals.”

Read the full exclusive interview with Wayne in Inside United, out now.

Reds laugh off Ronny rumours

2008-01-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled the latest bout of claims that Real Madrid are set to snatch Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford as "nonsense".

The 22-year-old winger has once again proved he is among the world's elite players with some scintillating performances and 19 goals this term.

Speculation in Spain's press has suggested the La Liga giants are ready to move for Ronaldo, a rumour Sir Alex has become accustomed to.

"I anticipated this," Sir Alex said somewhat wearily. "In the New Year you almost expect it.

"The thing about this story is that it has been claimed that David Gill has been speaking to Real Madrid. That is a complete lie. We have never spoken to them. The story depends on agents and their imaginations.

"At best it's mischievous, but I just dismiss it because it's nonsense. But who wouldn’t be interested in Ronaldo? That’s why we bought him."

Sir Alex again all but ruled out any moves in the January transfer market. Other than potential loan deals for some of the Reds' younger players, it should be a quiet month on the transfer front. "It's unlikely we will be making any moves," he added.

Duo set for Cup return

2008-01-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Wayne Roooney and Edwin van der Sar are both likely to be back in action on Saturday for United's FA Cup third round trip to Aston Villa, but Carlos Tevez remains a doubt.

Rooney has missed United's last two matches with a virus, while van der Sar has not featured since the 1-0 win over Liverpool on 16 December because of a groin problem.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the Dutch keeper will start in goal at his pre-match press conference and is hopeful Rooney will also play some part in the game.

Tevez, meanwhile, injured his ankle in the Reds' 1-0 win over Birmingham on New Year's Day and is still struggling with the knock.

"We'll give him every chance because he's been in such good form, but he remains a doubt," revealed Sir Alex.

The return of Rooney and van der Sar is a big boost for the Reds, and there was more good news on the injury front as United skipper Gary Neville finally appears to be close to a first-team return.

"Gary is doing great," added Sir Alex. "He will play in the Reserves against Everton on Wednesday. I was thinking about taking him down with the rest of the squad to Villa Park, but I think he is best off doing his training and taking part in the Reserves next week."

Reds reject bid for Wes

2008-01-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the Reds have turned down an offer from Newcastle United for defender Wes Brown.

The 28-year-old, whose current contract runs until the summer, is free to speak to other clubs having stalled on signing a new deal with the Reds.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing between Brown and United for most of the season. The Reds made a final offer just before Christmas but the England international is yet to put pen to paper.

Sir Alex now insists the matter is completely in Brown's hands.

"There was an enquiry from Newcastle about Wes and we turned it down," the United boss confirmed on Friday.

"The matter rests with Wes and his agent. We'll just wait and see what happens. Our offer is still there - it's now up to Wes."

Cristiano Ronaldo IV Wallpaper

2008-01-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo III Wallpaper

2008-01-03T01:03:00.001-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo III Wallpaper

Cristiano Ronaldo II Wallpaper

2008-01-03T01:01:00.001-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo I Wallpaper

2008-01-03T00:58:00.000-08:00

Park elated to return

2008-01-03T00:45:00.000-08:00

Ji-sung Park says he is delighted to be back in action for the Reds after making his first start and first appearance at Old Trafford for nine months.

The Korean midfielder came on as a substitute against Sunderland on Boxing Day, but he was handed a starting berth in the 1-0 win over Birmingham City.

The 26-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury against Blackburn Rovers in March 2007, but he admitted it was a satisfying feeling to run out at Old Trafford again.

“It is nice to be back,” he told MUTV. “I played for 75 minutes so that will give me confidence.

“My knee feels 100 per cent and after the game I felt no reaction, so I am not afraid of getting injured again.

“I am very impressed with the reception I got from the fans. I have been away from the pitch for nine months so for them to remember me is fantastic.”

Park missed United’s title run-in last season but he says that now he is back he hopes to influence the Reds’ defence of the Premier League crown.

“It was difficult being out for so long. But our players have done a great job in the league during that time so I am pleased with that. For me, it’s good to recover because I want to help this team continue to do well.

“This squad is even better than last season. We have a lot of very good players at this club. That will definitely help us for the rest of the campaign.”

Tevez fears allayed

2008-01-03T00:43:00.001-08:00

Carlos Tevez has sustained a badly bruised ankle after being carried off during United's narrow New Year's Day win over Birmingham.

The Argentine striker, scorer of the game's only goal, was substituted after 71 minutes, having suffered a heavy challenge late in the first half.

Despite fears that the injury could be serious, a club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Nothing is broken, Carlos Tevez has just got a badly bruised right ankle."

Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed Tevez is a major doubt for Saturday's FA Cup trip to Aston Villa, but the likely return of Wayne Rooney from a virus should provide timely compensation for the Argentine's absence.

Ramos: Berba Stays

2008-01-03T00:39:00.000-08:00

Spurs boss Juande Ramos last night insisted Dimitar Berbatov will see out the season at White Hart Lane. The 11-goal Bulgarian striker gave a subdued display in yesterday's defeat at Aston Villa and his negative body language backed up claims by agent Emil Danthchev that he wants to quit for Manchester United after stalling on a new Spurs deal. But Ramos is determined to retain the £44,000-a-week marksman and claims he will honour his original contract which ties him to the club until 2010. Ramos said: "Berbatov's agent is looking to do his business and he is making these comments but we are happy because we have the player on a contract and we plan to keep him."
James Nursey, The Sun

In The Telegraph, United are linked with a second shock move to sign Henrik Larsson on loan, following the Swede's successful 10-week cameo at Old Trafford last season.

Following United's narrow win over Birmingham, all the tabloids focus on the game's major talking points - the muted Old Trafford crowd and Carlos Tevez's unorthodox celebration with his daughter's dummy. 'Dummies 1 Brummies 0' says The Star; 'You Suck' exclaims The Mirror and 'Dumb and Dummy' quips The Express.

Choccy backs on-song Dong

2008-01-03T00:37:00.001-08:00

Reserves caretaker manager Brian McClair feels the improvement in Dong Fangzhuo's game is down to the striker finally breaking his goalscoring duck.

The Chinese international failed to find the net at all for the Reserves in his first 15 appearances but has looked a different player since bagging a brace against Stockport County in November.

"You have to look at the circumstances with Dong," McClair told ManUtd.com. "It took him a little while to settle in Belgium with Royal Antwerp, it’s been a big change for him again coming here and it’s taken him a while to adjust.

"One of the major problems for Dong was that he hadn’t scored a goal, so he was very keen to do that and much of his decision-making was based on his desperation to score. That’s not the be-all and end-all when you’re looking at footballers."

With the Reserves well in the hunt for silverware going into the New Year, Choccy is hopeful that Dong can be central to a successful second half of the season.

"Since scoring he’s come into form and we’re looking for him to improve and impress over the next few months and see where he ends up," said McClair.

Reds defender joins Valiants

2008-01-03T00:31:00.000-08:00

Reserves defender Adam Eckersley has joined League One side Port Vale on a permanent transfer.

The 22-year-old left-sided defender came through the ranks at Old Trafford during a 13-year affiliation with the club but, with limited senior opportunities on the horizon, he has moved permanently to the west midlands.

Eckersley, whose brother Richard has also been a regular in the Reserves this season, spent a month on loan at Vale Park late last year.

Despite being sent off in only his second appearance and subsequently suffering a knee injury, Eckersley made a sufficient impression for Vale manager Lee Sinnott to move as soon as the January transfer window opened.

"I'm happy to be back," Adam told the official Port Vale website. "It's a good club with good people here and I believe we have a good chance of staying up in League One."

Tevez FA cup doubt

2008-01-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Carlos Tevez is a doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Aston Villa after suffering an ankle injury against Birmingham City, but Wayne Rooney is expected to recover from a virus in time for the trip to the West Midlands.

Tevez got the goal that handed United victory over Villa’s city neighbours at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day, but a heavy challenge on his ankle means he is now a major doubt for the game.

“Carlos got a bad tackle on his ankle in the first half and the longer he played the worse it got,” Sir Alex told MUTV.

“We had to bring him off and we will assess him on Wednesday morning to see what damage there is. Obviously, he is doubtful for Saturday now.”

Tevez was carried off at the end of the game after being replaced by Louis Saha. Although the injury isn’t thought to be serious, he will have it checked by United’s medical staff.

But as the Reds embark on the business end of the season, Sir Alex will be keen to have the Argentina international back in action quickly. His strike against Birmingham, after a sublime one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo, was his 10th goal of the season.

Sir Alex bemoans quiet OT

2008-01-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson said the combination of United’s profligacy in front of goal and a quiet Old Trafford crowd prevented the Reds from making the 1-0 victory over Birmingham City more convincing.

Carlos Tevez grabbed the game’s only goal but was twice denied by the post, while Cristiano Ronaldo had an excellent header saved and another shot cleared off the line. But it wasn’t exactly a raucous start to the new year, as Sir Alex explained.

“I don’t think it was a suitable game for us in many ways,” he told MUTV. “The crowd was dead. That was the quietest I’ve heard our crowd. We need the supporters to create a good atmosphere here because the players respond to that.

“It’s all very well saying the players need to play to get the crowd going, for them to respond. But in situations like today we need the fans to get behind us. At times it was like a funeral. It was so quiet. I don’t think that helped us.”

Sir Alex did, however, concede that United were nowhere near as ruthless as they needed to be. “We were careless with some of our chances and we only really had brief moments in the game,” he added. “It was a workmanlike performance which got us the win.

“It was a fantastic goal, a great bit of vision from Ronaldo and a great finish from Carlos. We could have scored four, but it was one of those days.”

The final fifteen minutes of the game were far from plain sailing. The precariousness of a 1-0 lead was not lost on Sir Alex, who like the rest of the 75,000 supporters, endured a nail-biting end to the match.

“It only takes a second to lose a goal,” he said. “They had a lot of possession in the final third of the field, albeit abetted by the referee and linesman’s decisions. There were some bad decisions. But we held out. Vida was absolutely outstanding at centre-half, it was a marvellous performance.”

Rio happy with dogged display

2008-01-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand admitted the Reds were forced to grind out a victory on the opening day of 2008 as they overcame Birmingham City at Old Trafford.

United failed to hit top gear against Alex McLeish's side and had to rely on a well-worked goal from Carlos Tevez in the first half to pick up all three points.

Ferdinand was pleased with the win, insisting it's not always possible to win in style.

"At home in particular you always like to try and get a cushion of two or three goals, but it's not always meant to be and you can't win every game in style," he told MUTV.

"You therefore have to grind out results and thankfully we managed to do that."

The Reds went into the game on the back of their shock 2-1 defeat at West Ham. Ferdinand's younger brother Anton was on the scoresheet which added insult to injury for the United defender.

"Losing at West Ham ruined the Christmas period for me, especially as my brother scored as well!" he admitted.

"But you've got to take results on the chin sometimes and make sure you don't drop any more points in the next match.

"We didn't get the exact esponse we needed against Birmingham, but most importantly we got the result we needed.

"If we'd have dropped points against them we'd have been in a bad position. But we're still there or thereabouts in the title race and we'd have taken this position at the start of the season."

United (1) - Birmingham (0)

2008-01-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

As hangover cures go, this match wasn’t the best remedy, but a 1-0 win over Birmingham City and three more valuable points toward the defence of United’s title was exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson had prescribed.

Carlos Tevez got the game’s only goal – producing a dummy in his celebration – but ended up being carried off with an injury after Louis Saha replaced him late on, although he didn't look in too much pain.

After the disappointment of defeat to West Ham three days previously, this was a game United could not afford to lose, but although the Reds got off to a good start, the lack of a second goal made it a nervous finish.

Sir Alex once again sat in the stands, completing his two-game touchline ban, and watched as his side made a far more positive start than the sluggish opening at Upton Park.

United were again without Wayne Rooney, who is still suffering from a virus, leaving Carlos Tevez paired with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack. And it was the Portuguese attacker, in such excellence goalscoring form this season, who registered United’s opening shot on goal after just three minutes. Cutting into the box from the left flank he fizzed in a low shot which Maik Taylor saved low at his feet.

The Reds continued the bright opening when Tevez went even closer after six minutes. Following neat work between Anderson and Patrice Evra down the left, the Frenchman, under pressure from Blues defender Stephen Kelly, crossed for Tevez, whose glancing header beat Taylor but rebounded off the post.

Ronaldo is such an omnipresent threat that it makes little difference where his starting position is. Although not the sort to relish having his back to goal, when facing Birmingham’s defence the visitors looked petrified. He went close with a volley from the edge of the area after excellent chest control, but his shot dipped over the bar.

Birmingham were forced deeper and deeper as the Reds surged forward in search of an opening goal. But the threat wasn’t just from Tevez and Ronaldo. On 20 minutes Nani, having temporarily swapped flanks with Ji-sung Park, turned in-field from the left wing and blasted a shot millimetres wide of the upright.

United’s relentless pressure finally reaped its reward. After 25 minutes Tevez played a one-two with Ronaldo, whose return pass was a sublime backheel that put his team-mate clean through on goal, before applying a tidy finish past Taylor. Bizarrely, the Argentina international celebrated with a dummy in his mouth.

Some supporters in the stands may have been nursing hangovers from the New Year celebrations, but the game also had a similarly sluggish feel to it. Birmingham appeared incapable of penetrating United’s defence, while the Reds seemed prepared to do all that was required, without overexertion. The second half began in much the same vein. And, likewise, Ronaldo was the main protagonist in United’s attacks. He went close to his 19th goal of the season when Park crossed from the right and Ronaldo forced a save out of Taylor with a powerful downward header.

Ronaldo and Tevez both had opportunities to double United’s lead with in a 20-second spell that should have garnered a Reds goal on the hour mark. First Tevez did exceptionally well to hold of two Blues defenders before blasting his shot off the post. Receiving the rebound eight yards out, Ronaldo danced his way across goal but saw his shot blocked.

Although a 1-0 victory over Birmingham at this stage of the season is a perfectly good result, the only concern was that it is by no means a secure scoreline – the threat of a scuffed finish or a set-piece strike is always present in the Premier League. Sir Alex attempted to counter that threat by replacing Tevez with Louis Saha and Park with Owen Hargreaves.

Mikael Forssell came off the bench for Alex McLeish’s men and caused the Reds defence a few problems, but United managed to stave off the visitors threat to hang on for the win. Nine points from a possible 12 over the Christmas period. Most importantly, the Reds are off to a winning start in 2008.

Team Line-ups

United: Kuszczak; O’Shea, Ferdinand (c), Vidic, Evra (Brown 85); Park (Hargreaves 76), Carrick, Anderson, Nani; Ronaldo, Tevez (Saha 72).
Subs not used: Heaton (GK), Pique.
Booked: Brown

Birmingham: Taylor; Kelly, Ridgewell (c), Jaidi, Queudrue; Muamba, McSheffrey (De Ridder 67), Larsson, Nafti (Palacios 82); O’Connor, Jerome (Forssell 67).
Subs not used: Doyle, Parnaby.
Booked: Ridgewell, Nafti, Palacios

Attendance: 75,459

Injured duo on the road back

2008-01-01T05:41:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that injured veterans Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are both recovering well from their long-term injuries.

Neville has been out of action with a damaged ankle since March, while Scholes needed knee surgery in October but the pair, who have made 1,088 United appearances between them, are on schedule to return.
"Gary Neville's training with the team," Sir Alex revealed. "What we need to do with Gary is get him a game. The Reserves league is closed down of course during the Christmas period, but once that starts up that's one avenue.

"We have to look about, maybe even practice matches and that sort of thing to get some more intensity into his training. Game situations will bring him on a good bit. We're happy with his progress, we're assured he's ok now and it's just a matter of getting him games."

While the return of club captain Neville would add further steel and experience to United's miserly backline, the Reds' forwards will be eagerly awaiting the comeback of midfield schemer Scholes.

"Paul's doing nice, easy running now," said Sir Alex. "That was the plan. He's out of the pot he was in and the time we set for him was roundabout February, and I don't think we'll be far off.

"Probably the middle of February to be on the safe side, but he's certainly doing very well."

Strength in numbers

2008-01-01T05:37:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced that he has built a squad strong enough to withstand the rigours of challenging on all fronts in the second half of the season.

Although United regained the Premier League title last term, the Reds' lengthy injury list saw them narrowly miss out on further silverware in the Champions League and FA Cup.

"We felt the draft a bit towards the end of last season," said Sir Alex. "What we tried to do in the summer was make sure we had a squad that was capable of withstanding everything. I think our squad's strong, I like it.

"You could say we don't have a natural left-back, but John O'Shea proved again (against Sunderland) that he's a fantastic stand-in if we have to play him there. He's got the experience of playing there before, he's got the composure and balance that it's not a problem to play him at left-back."

Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani and Carlos Tevez were all recruited over a busy summer, and Sir Alex has been delighted with the way they have adapted to life at Old Trafford.

"They've settled in quicker than we thought, especially with four coming in - with one you're worried enough anyway," he said. "It's much easier for them nowadays, especially at our club because of the level of success we've had.

"Going back 15 years before we'd won the league it was always difficult for players coming here because they were always looked on as the final piece of the jigsaw. That doesn't apply itself now, so they don't need to worry about that."

Wes: We let ourselves down

2007-12-30T22:30:00.000-08:00

Wes Brown admitted "we let ourselves down" by conceding two late goals from set-pieces as the Reds slumped to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham.

The Reds had taken a first-half lead through Cristiano Ronaldo's header, while the Portuguese winger could have doubled the advantage after the break but missed from the penalty spot.

However, Brown refused to blame Ronaldo and simply insisted the Reds should have defended better.

"We got the lead and we've conceded from two set-pieces that we should have dealt with," Wes told MUTV. "We've let ourselves down.

"It was a tough game for us, but when we went in front we thought we would settle down and start passing. But we didn't get into our usual game. They kept going and caught us out with two set-pieces.

"If we had scored from the penalty then we would have been 2-0 up. Unfortunately Ronny missed it, but we were still winning 1-0 and we were still in control. We possibly dropped too deep after that, which put pressure on us."

It was a bad way to end the season, but Wes says there is no option but to look forward to the next game against Birmingham City on New Year's Day.

"We need to lift our heads for the match against Birmingham and hopefully go on a run of results. We need to get over this defeat. We'll all be thinking about it tonight, but the next game comes around quickly and we have to forget about it and make sure we do the job in the next match."

Rooney back for Birmingham

2007-12-30T22:25:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson will hope to have Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick back for Birmingham City's visit to Old Trafford on New Year's Day.

Both players missed the trip to east London for the 2-1 defeat to West Ham after suffering with a virus.

"Wayne and Michael should be ok, they were both suffering from a virus," Sir Alex told MUTV.

Rooney, who was ruled out on Friday with illness, and Carrick, who fell ill overnight, are both expected to be available for United's first game in 2008.

Sir Alex added: "Michael was taken ill during the night, the doctor attended to him on Saturday morning and he just couldn't perform, there was no way he could have taken part.

"Wayne was ruled out on Friday, he went down with a virus. There's little bits going down at this time of year, quite a few clubs have got it I suppose. But hopefully they'll all be ready for Tuesday."

Ronny not to blame

2007-12-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

Darren Fletcher insists Cristiano Ronaldo was not to blame for United's dramatic defeat at West Ham on Saturday.

The Portuguese winger's penalty miss - after his earlier opening goal - squandered the chance to put United 2-0 up, but Fletcher insists that defensive lapses were culpable for the shock loss.

"To lose like that, late on in the game after battling so hard for most of the match, is disappointing," Fletcher told MUTV. "Ronaldo missed his penalty but that can happen, we're still in a comfortable position 1-0 up and then it comes down to set-pieces.

"It's not him to blame, he's been fantastic for us and won us many games and many points. We were still in a winning position, so it's nothing to do with the penalty that lost us the game today. It was individual errors at set-pieces that have cost us."

The defeat saw United drop points for the first time in a hectic Christmas period, and Fletcher is already looking ahead to Birmingham's visit to Old Trafford on New Year's Day.

"Every time you drop points or lose, you have to pick yourself up and go on another winning run," he said. "We wanted to get through the Christmas period with maximum points and put pressure on the teams below us, but unfortunately that's not happened.

"We've got to pick ourselves up for Birmingham now and get three points and go on another winning run. We can't wait for that game to come now."

Boss: The better team won

2007-12-30T22:17:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson was magnanimous in defeat as United slipped to a dramatic 2-1 reverse at West Ham, conceding that the Hammers had been clearly the better side.

After only a third league defeat of the season, however, the United manager admits his side need to embark on a long winning run as the season enters a nitty-gritty stage.

"We didn't play well, particularly in the first half," Sir Alex told MUTV. "They were very aggressive, tackled everywhere and we never got our game going.

"I don't think we deserved to be in front to be honest with you. They were the better team, they had two or three attempts, hit the bar, had a few efforts scrambled away from our penalty area and really we just didn't perform.

"I still couldn't see us losing, but losing two goals from set pieces tells you everything. If you're losing goals at set-pieces then there's something wrong, your performance isn't at the top level. You can't afford to do that."

While at a loss to explain United's below-par display at Upton Park, Sir Alex - who served the first of a two-match touchline ban - is all too aware of the need to avoid such slips going into the second half of the season.

"Sometimes you have to say that, from time to time, human beings are going to have a bad performance," he said. "I can't pick out a player who played well for us today, and that tells the story.

West Ham (2) - United (1)

2007-12-30T22:09:00.000-08:00

United’s attempts to end 2007 on a high were scuppered by West Ham as Alan Curbishley’s side earned a third win in a row against the Reds.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo in a scrappy and hard-fought game, and could have gone 2-0 had the Portuguese star converted a second-half penalty. With West Ham buoyed by Ronaldo’s miss, Curbishley’s side managed to snatch two goals and all three points. In truth, United were far from at their best and the Hammers were steeled to contain and frustrate. Unfortunately, their plan worked. But it could have been so different.

Carlos Tevez was given a rapturous reception from the Upton Park faithful before kick-off, a touching moment for a player who was instrumental in keeping the club up last season. Sir Alex observed the standing ovation at close quarters as he began the first of a two-game ban up in the stands.

United arrived in east London seeking a sixth league win in December, but had to go about business without Wayne Rooney, who was suffering from a virus. West Ham, too, were without their main striker. Dean Ashton was left on the bench by Curbishley, who preferred to pack his midfield with five players and let Carlton Cole lead the line on his own.

The tactics worked from the off as West Ham took control of the game. And with United not yet settled the Hammers very nearly scored inside the first ten minutes. A neat move on the edge of the area created space inside the box for Hayden Mullins, whose shot beat Tomasz Kuszczak but rebounded off the bar. Luckily for the Reds, Mark Noble - the goal at his mercy - tried to place his finish but sent the ball high over the bar. A real let off for the Reds.

The Hammers' may have made the more positive opening, but in United’s ranks there is a player capable of scoring in any situation, at any time, and from anywhere on the pitch. Ronaldo’s 18th strike of the campaign, and 13th in the league, arrived after 14 minutes – this time a simple header. However, while the Portuguese winger should be lauded for his goalscoring capabilities, so too should Ryan Giggs, Louis Saha and Tevez for their part in the build-up play. Tevez held the ball up well before finding Saha, who arced a pass out to Giggs on the left, leaving the Welshman to chip a precision cross for Ronaldo to nod home. It was exquisite stuff and flipped the advantage in United’s favour.

The Reds had landed the first meaningful blow, but West Ham were far from out of the fight and United had to weather a storm before half time. Nolberto Solano went close with a 25-yard shot that Tomasz Kuszczak did well to tip over the bar. Then Evra had to clear Cole's effort off the line, before the West Ham forward powered a close-range header over the bar. United were clinging on.

West Ham started the second half as they had finished the first, putting United under pressure and refusing the Reds time and space to play. The match descended into a scrappy affair and United were being made to work to stay in front. Sir Alex responded by replacing Tevez with Anderson to boost numbers in midfield and try and wrest from West Ham control of the middle of the park.

Shortly afterwards, in the 66th minute, United were gifted the chance to shore up the lead when former Reds defender Jonathan Spector handled the ball. It was debatable whether the misdemeanour took place in or out of the penalty area, but referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Up stepped Ronaldo, but suprisingly and frustratingly he fired his spot-kick a yard wide.

It proved costly. The Reds were made to pay for not taking the chance as West Ham’s persistence paid off. After a flurry of corners, substitute Anton Ferdinand rose highest to power his header past Kuszczak and level the scores with just over ten minutes remaining. Five minutes later the Hammers struck again. Noble whipped in a cross for Matthew Upson to loop a header into the top corner.

West Ham proved able to resist all of United’s late bombardment to come away as unfancied victors. But United must not be too disheartened. Despite the disappointment of defeat, the Reds can reflect on a year that has given Old Trafford one Premier League title and leaves the door well and truly door open to claim another in 2008.

United: Kuszczak; Brown (O’Shea 88), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 81), Fletcher, Giggs (c); Saha, Tevez (Anderson 65).
Subs not used: Heaton, Pique.

West Ham: Green; Neill (c), Spector, Upson, McCartney; Solano (Pantsil 49), Parker (A.Ferdinand 55), Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg (Ashton 70); Cole.
Subs not used: Wright, Camara.

Attendance: 34,966

2007-12-28T06:03:00.000-08:00

Full Name	Steven Roger Bruce
Date of Birth	31st Dec 1960
Place of Birth	Hexham, Northumberland
Position	Central Defender
Height	6ft 2
United debut	19/12/1987 vs Portsmouth (A)

.....

Bruce's United Record 1987-1996

	Appearances	Goals
League	312	36
FA Cup	41	3
League Cup	31 (2)	6
Europe	23 (1)	6
Other games	4	0
Total	411 (3)	51

Honours with United

1996 F.A. Cup
1996 F.A. Premier League
1994 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Premier League
1993 F.A. Premier League
1992 League Cup
1991 European Cup Winners Cup
1990 F.A. Cup

Steve Bruce was a bedrock of Manchester United's success in the 1990's. Commanding the United back four with a reassuring presence, control and great tactical awareness, Bruce was the steady foundation upon which to build a great team. Most importantly of all, he had an unquenchable spirit and motivation often playing with injuries that would put lesser men in hospital. His bravery and courage was unrivalled, a totally committed player ready to give his all for his team, and this inspired the team-mates around him.

In his first game for United he broke his nose, not for the last time either. The big Geordie seemed to be indestructible. Alex Ferguson once joked "When he passes on I want his body for medical research, its hard to know what this man's made of". Bruce had great ball control, passing and composure and while he could be tested by cleverly deployed pace, his experience ensured that he was rarely ever caught out.

He also boasted a very high scoring rate for a centre half with his 19 goals (including 11 penalties) in 1990/91 making him top scorer that season. Bruce scored a total of 51 goals in 411 United starting appearances, roughly a goal every eight games. His most famous goal-scoring moment will always be the 2 goals he scored against Sheffield Wednesday in the dying minutes of the game at the end of the 1993 season.

With United 1-0 down, Bruce saved United's title hopes with two amazing headed goals, sending Old Trafford into delirium and setting United on course for their first title in twenty six long years. Not only that, the legendary footballing adage of the 1990's was born - "Man Utd always score in the last minute". There can be no doubt it was because of the determination and drive of players like Steve Bruce, that headlines from then on would often read "United in last gasp victory".

He started his career at Norwich City and was bought by United in December 1987 for £800,000 saying "I'd crawl all the way from Norwich to Manchester for the chance to play for United". Alex Ferguson wisely decided to build his team from the bottom up and Bruce was to be a key component in United's rebuilding. While his club career was a string of successes the only blot on his record is his lack of international recognition.

The United Captain only won U21 caps when he obviously should have won full caps. Bruce is probably England's best ever uncapped player, and Bobby Robson has since admitted this glaring mistake. He could have played for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland had he not been disqualified by an England youth appearance.After leaving United, he played with Birmingham City for a spell before moving into management with Sheffield United. He was unsuccessful with The Blades and moved for a brief period in charge of Huddersfield Town. Bruce then moved to Crystal Palace and after some controversy, he left them to return to Birmingham City in 2001, this time as manager. He was an immediate sucess at St Andrews, in his first season he took the club up into the Premiership. Few would doubt that Brucey would love to return to Old Trafford as manager one day and repeat the success he had as a player.

Steve Bruce is Manchester United's second most successful captain, having led the club to three Premier League titles, the 1992 League cup and the 1994 FA Cup. A true leader that any great team would be proud to have, there can be no doubting the significance of his role in Manchester United's success over the last decade.

Saha praises strike partner

2007-12-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

United's number nine was delighted to be back in the starting eleven at Sunderland, especially in the presence of an in-form number ten.

Louis Saha was full of praise for the man who set up his first goal since September. The Frenchman told MUTV: "Wayne (Rooney) was unbelievable, for his movement and the way he controlled the game for us. It was a winning performance."

Saha's near-post volley from Rooney's left-wing cross doubled the Reds' early advantage at the Stadium of Light. Rooney himself had scored the first goal, while the third was fired home by Cristiano Ronaldo - and all this before half-time.

Saha said: "Going into an atmosphere like the one you can have at Sunderland's stadium, it was very important to make a good start. That's what we did and I think we scored at good moments. I think we were very professional."

United barely eased off after the break, although they added just one more goal to their tally when Nani was fouled in the area. With Ronaldo substituted, Saha stepped up to score the penalty and claim a confidence-boosting double.

"I needed to get back to the basics as a striker which is obviously scoring goals," admitted Saha. "I had a couple of chances today and it's good to be on the scoresheet."

Sir Alex Ferguson said of Saha's two goals: "They will do his confidence the world of good, as will completing the full 90 minutes. I thought he and Wayne linked well. Our front players were a real threat today."

United's number nine was delighted to be back in the starting eleven at Sunderland, especially in the presence of an in-form number ten.

Louis Saha was full of praise for the man who set up his first goal since September. The Frenchman told MUTV: "Wayne (Rooney) was unbelievable, for his movement and the way he controlled the game for us. It was a winning performance."

Saha's near-post volley from Rooney's left-wing cross doubled the Reds' early advantage at the Stadium of Light. Rooney himself had scored the first goal, while the third was fired home by Cristiano Ronaldo - and all this before half-time.

Saha said: "Going into an atmosphere like the one you can have at Sunderland's stadium, it was very important to make a good start. That's what we did and I think we scored at good moments. I think we were very professional."

United barely eased off after the break, although they added just one more goal to their tally when Nani was fouled in the area. With Ronaldo substituted, Saha stepped up to score the penalty and claim a confidence-boosting double.

"I needed to get back to the basics as a striker which is obviously scoring goals," admitted Saha. "I had a couple of chances today and it's good to be on the scoresheet."

Sir Alex Ferguson said of Saha's two goals: "They will do his confidence the world of good, as will completing the full 90 minutes. I thought he and Wayne linked well. Our front players were a real threat today."

Park makes a positive return

2007-12-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

Ji-sung Park gave United another Boxing Day boost when he made his first appearance since injuring his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March.

The South Korean put the misery of almost nine months on the sidelines behind him when he came on for Cristiano Ronaldo in the Reds' 4-0 win at Sunderland.

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to see Ji back on the pitch, especially in this busy period.

"I was delighted with Ji-sung Park's performance," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"It was an important day for him. He came on and got more than half an hour under his belt so we are all pleased with him."

Park looked his usual busy self on the right side of midfield and showed no signs of his extended absence.

"He's a natural mover," Sir Alex added. "When his team passes the ball he moves - he's always had a great talent for that and today was another great example of that.

"He kept moving, he kept passing, he kept running behind the Sunderland defence. He gave us a lot of energy today and it was good to see."

Reds top as Gunners flop

2007-12-26T17:59:00.000-08:00

United's brilliant Boxing Day was wrapped up in the evening when Arsenal dropped two points.

Arsene Wenger's side drew 0-0 at Portsmouth and so failed to reclaim pole position in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea also slipped up, drawing 4-4 in an amazing game against Aston Villa. The Blues came back from 0-2 down to go 4-3 up in the 88th minute through Ballack, only for Ashley Cole to concede an injury-time penalty converted by Gareth Barry. Cole was one of three players to be sent off, the others being team-mate Carvalho and Villa's Zat Knight. Villa's other goals were scored by Maloney (2) and Laursen, while Shevchenko (2, 1 pen) and Alex also netted for Chelsea.

There was also late drama at Derby where Liverpool were heading for a draw until Steven Gerrard snatched the winning goal in the 90th minute. Torres had put the visitors 1-0 up after just 12 minutes, only for James McEveley to equalise midway through the 2nd half.

Liverpool's winner not only dashed Derby's hopes of a point, it also denied Everton the chance to gain some ground with their 2-0 win over Bolton.

United's brilliant Boxing Day was wrapped up in the evening when Arsenal dropped two points.

Arsene Wenger's side drew 0-0 at Portsmouth and so failed to reclaim pole position in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea also slipped up, drawing 4-4 in an amazing game against Aston Villa. The Blues came back from 0-2 down to go 4-3 up in the 88th minute through Ballack, only for Ashley Cole to concede an injury-time penalty converted by Gareth Barry. Cole was one of three players to be sent off, the others being team-mate Carvalho and Villa's Zat Knight. Villa's other goals were scored by Maloney (2) and Laursen, while Shevchenko (2, 1 pen) and Alex also netted for Chelsea.

There was also late drama at Derby where Liverpool were heading for a draw until Steven Gerrard snatched the winning goal in the 90th minute. Torres had put the visitors 1-0 up after just 12 minutes, only for James McEveley to equalise midway through the 2nd half.

Liverpool's winner not only dashed Derby's hopes of a point, it also denied Everton the chance to gain some ground with their 2-0 win over Bolton.

Boss hails super squad

2007-12-26T17:53:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex reiterated his belief that the current squad is among the best he's ever assembled after United trounced Sunderland 4-0 at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day.

The Reds boss made five changes to the team that beat Everton at Old Trafford last weekend but the squad's strength ensured United's winning form was never threatened.

"I said earlier in the season that I think this is one of my strongest squads and I think the players are proving that at the moment," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"We have some big games coming up and the players are all playing their part – Gerard Pique came on for Nemanja Vidic today, Ji-sung Park got his first match since March and other players got some valuable minutes, which is very important in terms of having everyone ready for what lies ahead."

Despite the manager's tinkering, United remained fluent going forward and solid at the back. In fact, Tomasz Kuszczak was only stretched on one occasion, tipping over athletically from Ross Wallace before the break.

"I thought we were very sharp and our passing was excellent today," the United boss said. "The first goal put us in the driving seat because Sunderland have been going through a sticky patch lately and I felt if we could go in front we would make it difficult for them. It was a marvellous move for the first goal and it was well taken by Wayne [Rooney]."

Sunderland (0) - United (4)

2007-12-26T17:41:00.000-08:00

United barely broke sweat at the Stadium of Light as goals from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and a Louis Saha brace sealed an important three points and a fifth away win of the season.

For a Boxing Day encounter, Sunderland showed surprisingly little fight and Roy Keane wouldn't have taken many positives out of such a one-sided affair. The Reds were 3-0 up by half-time and coasted through the second period, adding a fourth in the closing stages when Louis Saha slotted home from the penalty spot.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side that beat Everton on the weekend, with Darren Fletcher handed his first league start of the season and Louis Saha starting up front alongside Wayne Rooney. Perhaps the manager's most notable selection was the inclusion of Ji-sung Park on the bench. Park, who came on in the 57th minute, hadn't played for the Reds since injuring his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March.

At the back, Sir Alex recalled Rio Ferdinand to the starting XI but rested Patrice Evra on the left. John O'Shea came in for the Frenchman, with Wes Brown operating on the right.

Neither side's back four was troubled in the game's opening stages until Danny Higginbotham caught Cristiano Ronaldo late 25 yards from goal in a central position. The Reds' no.7 lined up the free-kick and stung Craig Gordon's palms with a vicious strike that dipped and swerved in the air. The Scottish goalkeeper was called into action again moments later when Nani's left-foot shot looked to be sneaking inside the near post.

Sunderland then fashioned half chances of their own through Kenwyne Jones and Dickson Etuhu before Louis Saha fluffed an opportunity to put United into the lead. The Frenchman did well to peel off his marker but miscued a volley after John O'Shea, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo had linked well on the left flank.

After a frustratingly scrappy opening period, the match had begun to open up and the Reds took the lead on 20 minutes when Rooney exploited some lax Sunderland defending to beat the offside trap and roll the ball past Gordon.

From Wes Brown's pass to Rooney's ice-cool finish, it all looked so simple and would no doubt have frustrated Sunderland boss Roy Keane. Of course, Keane's concerns were the last of Rooney's worries as the United ace banged in his first league goal since October.

The Sunderland boss was made to suffer further on the half-hour when the Reds turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Darren Fletcher was booked for hauling down Michael Chopra near the United goal but the home side failed to make the Reds pay with the resulting free-kick.

Moments later, Cristiano Ronaldo fed Wayne Rooney down the inside left channel. The England international outpaced his marker, reached the corner of the 18-yard box and picked out Louis Saha in the middle with a curling cross.

From there, Saha was left with the relatively simple task of side-footing the ball past Gordon to send the Reds 2-0 up and confirm the gulf in class between the two sides.

Sunderland certainly couldn't argue with the scoreline, although Ross Wallace almost pulled a goal back five minutes before the interval when he drew a finger-tip save from Tomasz Kuszczak in the United goal. It was the first significant save the Polish stopper had needed to make and underlined the visitors' dominance.

There was still time before the break for United's third, this time from the boot of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star had already tested Gordon with two long-range free kicks but in injury time at the end of the first half a third free-kick – this one slightly to the left of centre and 25 yards from goal – sailed over the wall and into the top corner.

It was as good a goal as Ronaldo has scored this season, the perfect blend of power and precision, and took his tally to an astonishing 17 from 20 starts.

Roy Keane withdrew Ross Wallace at the break and introduced Danny Leadbitter but the change did little to stem the Red tide. Indeed, the home side were lucky not to concede a penalty in the 48th minute when former United striker Dwight Yorke appeared to handle Ronaldo's cross inside his own penalty area.

Paul McShane then showed tremendous bravery to block a Rooney shot before Sunderland fans were left cursing Kuszczak's reflexes when the Reds goalkeeper saved well from Kenwyne Jones low to his left.

The Black Cats' fans did have something to cheer on 57 minutes when Ronaldo left the pitch, but his replacement, Ji-sung Park, proved just as menacing. Within minutes of stepping onto the pitch the South Korea international teed up Nani for a shot that fizzed just wide of Gordon's left-hand post. Park continued to chase every ball and showed little sign of his nine-month absence from the game.

With the game won, the Reds took their foot off the pedal somewhat and contented themselves with keeping the ball. That said, Wayne Rooney should have made it 4-0 in the 76th minute when he blazed over from close range.

The Reds did score a fourth in the 86th minute, Louis Saha converting coolly from the spot after Nani had been tugged back inside the area by Danny Collins. It was academic by that stage but nonetheless a welcome sight to see the Frenchman net so comfortably.

United: Kuszczak; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Pique 74), O'Shea; Ronaldo (Park 57), Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Rooney, Saha

Subs not used: Heaton, Evra, Tevez

Booked: Fletcher

Sunderland: Gordon; Whitehead, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins; Chopra (O'Donovan 87), Yorke (Richardson 61), Etuhu, Wallace (Leadbitter 46); Jones, Waghorn

Subs not used: Ward, Cole

Booked: Whitehead, McShane

United barely broke sweat at the Stadium of Light as goals from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and a Louis Saha brace sealed an important three points and a fifth away win of the season.

For a Boxing Day encounter, Sunderland showed surprisingly little fight and Roy Keane wouldn't have taken many positives out of such a one-sided affair. The Reds were 3-0 up by half-time and coasted through the second period, adding a fourth in the closing stages when Louis Saha slotted home from the penalty spot.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side that beat Everton on the weekend, with Darren Fletcher handed his first league start of the season and Louis Saha starting up front alongside Wayne Rooney. Perhaps the manager's most notable selection was the inclusion of Ji-sung Park on the bench. Park, who came on in the 57th minute, hadn't played for the Reds since injuring his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March.

At the back, Sir Alex recalled Rio Ferdinand to the starting XI but rested Patrice Evra on the left. John O'Shea came in for the Frenchman, with Wes Brown operating on the right.

Neither side's back four was troubled in the game's opening stages until Danny Higginbotham caught Cristiano Ronaldo late 25 yards from goal in a central position. The Reds' no.7 lined up the free-kick and stung Craig Gordon's palms with a vicious strike that dipped and swerved in the air. The Scottish goalkeeper was called into action again moments later when Nani's left-foot shot looked to be sneaking inside the near post.

Sunderland then fashioned half chances of their own through Kenwyne Jones and Dickson Etuhu before Louis Saha fluffed an opportunity to put United into the lead. The Frenchman did well to peel off his marker but miscued a volley after John O'Shea, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo had linked well on the left flank.

After a frustratingly scrappy opening period, the match had begun to open up and the Reds took the lead on 20 minutes when Rooney exploited some lax Sunderland defending to beat the offside trap and roll the ball past Gordon.

From Wes Brown's pass to Rooney's ice-cool finish, it all looked so simple and would no doubt have frustrated Sunderland boss Roy Keane. Of course, Keane's concerns were the last of Rooney's worries as the United ace banged in his first league goal since October.

The Sunderland boss was made to suffer further on the half-hour when the Reds turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Darren Fletcher was booked for hauling down Michael Chopra near the United goal but the home side failed to make the Reds pay with the resulting free-kick.

Moments later, Cristiano Ronaldo fed Wayne Rooney down the inside left channel. The England international outpaced his marker, reached the corner of the 18-yard box and picked out Louis Saha in the middle with a curling cross.

From there, Saha was left with the relatively simple task of side-footing the ball past Gordon to send the Reds 2-0 up and confirm the gulf in class between the two sides.

Sunderland certainly couldn't argue with the scoreline, although Ross Wallace almost pulled a goal back five minutes before the interval when he drew a finger-tip save from Tomasz Kuszczak in the United goal. It was the first significant save the Polish stopper had needed to make and underlined the visitors' dominance.

There was still time before the break for United's third, this time from the boot of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star had already tested Gordon with two long-range free kicks but in injury time at the end of the first half a third free-kick – this one slightly to the left of centre and 25 yards from goal – sailed over the wall and into the top corner.

It was as good a goal as Ronaldo has scored this season, the perfect blend of power and precision, and took his tally to an astonishing 17 from 20 starts.

Roy Keane withdrew Ross Wallace at the break and introduced Danny Leadbitter but the change did little to stem the Red tide. Indeed, the home side were lucky not to concede a penalty in the 48th minute when former United striker Dwight Yorke appeared to handle Ronaldo's cross inside his own penalty area.

Paul McShane then showed tremendous bravery to block a Rooney shot before Sunderland fans were left cursing Kuszczak's reflexes when the Reds goalkeeper saved well from Kenwyne Jones low to his left.

The Black Cats' fans did have something to cheer on 57 minutes when Ronaldo left the pitch, but his replacement, Ji-sung Park, proved just as menacing. Within minutes of stepping onto the pitch the South Korea international teed up Nani for a shot that fizzed just wide of Gordon's left-hand post. Park continued to chase every ball and showed little sign of his nine-month absence from the game.

With the game won, the Reds took their foot off the pedal somewhat and contented themselves with keeping the ball. That said, Wayne Rooney should have made it 4-0 in the 76th minute when he blazed over from close range.

The Reds did score a fourth in the 86th minute, Louis Saha converting coolly from the spot after Nani had been tugged back inside the area by Danny Collins. It was academic by that stage but nonetheless a welcome sight to see the Frenchman net so comfortably.

United: Kuszczak; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Pique 74), O'Shea; Ronaldo (Park 57), Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Rooney, Saha

Subs not used: Heaton, Evra, Tevez

Booked: Fletcher

Sunderland: Gordon; Whitehead, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins; Chopra (O'Donovan 87), Yorke (Richardson 61), Etuhu, Wallace (Leadbitter 46); Jones, Waghorn

Subs not used: Ward, Cole

Booked: Whitehead, McShane

United (2) - Everton (1)

2007-12-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo's cool penalty late on ended Everton's unbeaten run as Manchester United kept up their pursuit of Arsenal with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

Everton appeared to be holding on for a point until Steven Pienaar's clumsy challenge on Ryan Giggs two minutes from time allowed Ronaldo to send Tim Howard the wrong way from 12 yards.

Ronaldo had earlier put United ahead on 22 minutes, with a fine curling shot from outside the box.

But the visitors drew level five minutes later when Tim Cahill rose powerfully to meet Pienaar's cross from the left wing.

The Premier League champions were labouring in their efforts to break down their opponents until Ronaldo struck to put the skids under Everton's 13-game unbeaten run.

Nemanja Vidic caught Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the ribs with one early challenge and four names were in referee Howard Webb's notebook before the contest was 15 minutes old.

Wayne Rooney was first on the list, for a wicked tackle on Tim Cahill and given the way the former Everton hero responded to a perceived stamp by Lee Carsley later in the half, it is a good job Webb did not take Ferguson's pre-match call for more red cards too literally.

Muted force

Other than one effort, saved at close range by United old-boy Tim Howard, Rooney was a muted force and, not for the first time, it took a moment of brilliance from Ronaldo to break the deadlock.

There appeared little on for the Portugal winger when he collected Carlos Tevez's square pass but, having stepped inside Carsley's poor challenge, he let fly with a superb shot which dipped and swerved beyond Howard.

It was tough luck on Everton, who had been at least United's equals. However, it took them only five minutes to level as Pienaar exposed some hesitancy on the part of rookie defender Danny Simpson and picked out Cahill with an excellent far-post cross which invited the headed finish.

Joleon Lescott nodded Rooney's disguised far-post chip off the line, then Ronaldo skimmed the bar with an acrobatic volley as an unmarked Tevez waited behind.

Determined mood

The half-time introduction of John O'Shea for Simpson had little effect on the contest as Everton's central defensive pair Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka continued to patrol their penalty area in excellent fashion, knowing Howard was in determined mood behind them.

Howard's powers of concentration were questioned by Ferguson during his time at Old Trafford but the American's agility has never been in doubt, and after one low stop to deny Tevez, he stood firm to beat away an Anderson piledriver.

It was the sum total of United's threat until Rooney strode onto Ronaldo's short free-kick and blasted a shot which flicked off the crossbar.

The introduction of Louis Saha at least gave the hosts an aerial threat but a draw looked certain until Pienaar stuck out his back leg for Giggs to trip over, giving Ronaldo the opportunity to claim the win.

Manchester United	Team Statistics	Everton
2	Goals	1
1	1st Half Goals	1
8	Shots on Target	2
9	Shots off Target	3
4	Blocked Shots	0
8	Corners	2
11	Fouls	16
2	Offsides	2
3	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
78.7	Passing Success	62.3
17	Tackles	21
70.6	Tackles Success	61.9
64.8	Possession	35.2
55.1	Territorial Advantage	44.9

Fans can help Reds progress

2007-12-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson feels United have a good chance of winning their Champions League tie, despite being drawn against the toughest of five possible teams.

Previewing the last-16 round meetings with Lyon, the Reds' manager said: "It's maybe the hardest of the five (draws) we could have got. Lyon have won their league for the last six seasons in a row, that's an incredible record.

"They've lost some players in recent years but they're always capable of producing new ones.

"It will not be an easy game but hopefully, by the time we get there we will have all our squad available. That is a pre-requisite for the challenge anyway. If I can pick the team I want I think we will have a good chance.

"It's not an easy tie but we have a good chance. It's important to come back from France with a good result. Then our fans, with Old Trafford at its loudest, give you that advantage in the home match.

"It is an interesting tie and it will not be easy. But you never expect easy games at this stage of the European Cup. Hopefully we can navigate that and move on to bigger things."

United will travel to France on Wednesday 20 February before entertaining Lyon at Old Trafford on Tuesday 4 March. See the Ticket News section of ManUtd.com for information.

Trio should face Toffees

2007-12-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Carlos Tevez should all be fit to face Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday despite picking up slight knocks during the Reds' win at Anfield last weekend.

Ferdinand (knee) and Brown (ankle) both suffered gashes which needed stitches, while Tevez tweaked an ankle in the 1-0 victory. The trio all trained on Friday morning and Sir Alex Ferguson remains hopeful they will be ready for the first of four matches over Christmas.

"They came through training and will all hopefully be okay for Sunday," he confirmed at his pre-match press conference. "It's a big game for us and we need to make sure we're at our best.

"Everton have been in great form of late since they lost the derby game to Liverpool [in October]. They recovered very well from that and have shown great consistency. They're a young team, but one that's full of confidence and I expect it to be a really good game."

The Reds' boss also revealed that Ji-sung Park is likely to make his return to action over the festive period. The Korean international has spent the last nine months on the sidelines after damaging cruciate knee ligaments back in March. He has trained with the first team for the past couple of weeks and, according to Sir Alex, has made excellent progress with his recovery.

"Ji has done some excellent training over the last few weeks, absolutely first class and well beyond what we expected," explained the boss. "When a player has been out for nine months you always wonder how quick or slow their recovery will be. But Ji has been terrific.

"He'll definitely take part in the Christmas games, there's no doubt about that."

Sir Alex: I admire Moyes

2007-12-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex has spoken of his admiration for Everton boss David Moyes ahead of the Toffees' visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Moyes, a fellow Scot, arrived at Goodison Park in 2002 after four years in charge of Preston North End.

"David has put a good young squad together and put them on long-term contracts to keep them all together," the Reds manager told Manchester United Radio. "That shows good planning and good vision.

"I admire his work ethic. He's serious about the game and he's committed and I like that in young people. And he has a lot of that Scottish ethic about him. Even as a young kid he was always a down-to-earth footballer.

"I know his family well – his father was in charge of one of the teams I used to play for as a kid. He's been brought up the right way and he's never changed in his attitude to life, which is great to see."

The United boss will undoubtedly share a drink with Moyes at the final whistle, and he's also looking forward to catching up with former Reds Phil Neville and Tim Howard.

"Phil got a fantastic ovation when he first came back here and Tim was well liked and well respected here," Sir Alex said. They'll get a good welcome but let's hope that's all they get on Sunday!

"They're a team in form and they'll be a handful for us. On the other hand, our own form has been excellent and hopefully we'll get the result we want."

Edwin agrees new deal

2007-12-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

Edwin van der Sar has agreed terms for a year's contract extension which will keep at the club until the summer of 2009.

The 37-year-old goalkeeper has excelled in his position as United's top stopper since joining in June 2005. And Sir Alex is delighted to have secured van der Sar's services for a further 12 months.

"Edwin has agreed a new contract for another year," Sir Alex revealed on Friday. "It'll be totally as a player [rather than as a coach]. We're delighted at that because his consistency and experience has been a great help to this club.

"There is great competition for places amongst our goalkeepers. I'm sure Edwin will want to stay as our number one, but Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will give him a good challenge."

There had been suggestions in the media that van der Sar could take over as goalkeeping coach following Tony Coton's knee operation. But Sir Alex confirmed that Coton will be staying on at Old Trafford, contrary to those reports.

"Tony hasn't left," he declared. "He had a bad knee injury as a player and has recently had another big operation.

"We've told him to just wait and see how he is when he's fully recovered. It's far too early to be making decisions about his situation, because you can make good recoveries from operations like this. The important thing for Tony to know is that he'll have a place at the club whatever happens."

Nemanja Vidic

2007-12-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

United were paired with the French champions in the first knockout phase on Friday, a draw Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned "won't be easy".

It's a sentiment shared by central defender Vidic, who says United must keep things tight at the back when they travel to Stade Gerland for the first leg on Wednesday 20 February.

"The away match will be very important," Vidic told Manchester United Radio. "We have to be strong and try to keep a clean sheet. If possible we also want to score.

"Lyon have shown in the last couple of years they are a great team in Europe. They tend to do well at home and have good players like Juninho and Sidney Govou. Juniho is especially dangerous – he can score from anywhere. We can't give him too many chances.

"Lyon will be a tough team but I think we can deal with them and do enough over these two games."

If the Reds can get any kind of result in France, Vidic is confident United's home form can see them through to the quarter final stage.

"I think it's good we're playing away first. It means that when we come to play at Old Trafford we'll know exactly what we need to do. We look strong at Old Trafford this season so it's the away tie that's really important. Here at Old Trafford we'll have the home crowd behind us and it's a big pitch, which we know how to play on."

Boss unveils new signing

2007-12-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

United has reached agreement with Petro Athletico of Luanda to sign Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves – "Manucho."

The 24-year-old Angolan international striker, who has scored twice in 10 appearances for his country, has agreed personal terms and will join the Club in January on a 3-year agreement. An application for a work permit will be made in due course.He was top goalscorer in the last two seasons of the GiraBola, finishing with 16 goals for Petro Luanda in 2006 and 15 goals this year. Manucho will be part of the Angolan squad for the African Nations Cup in January.

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted by the new arrival, saying: “We have had Manucho here for a 3-week trial and have been impressed enough to offer him a 3-year contract.

"He is a tall, agile and quick forward and through contacts that Carlos [Queiroz] has was brought to our attention around six months ago.”

Tevez is Christmas No.1

2007-12-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

United's Anfield match-winner Carlos Tevez is the Premier League's top performer this season, according to Actim Index, the official player ratings system of the English top flight.

The 23-year-old struck his close-range winner two minutes before the break to hand United a valuable three points against the Reds' local rivals and fellow title contenders.

Tevez has scored nine goals this season in 21 games since joining the Reds in the summer.

Seven of them have come in the league. And of 46 shots in league matches this season, the Argentina international has hit 28 on target.

But, more than his goals, his tenacity, determination and excellent link-up play with strike partner Wayne Rooney have all proved a prominent feature of United's attacking play.

Tevez is one of three United players ranked in the top 10 of the Actim Index ratings.

Defender Rio Ferdinand has made it to eighth position with his solid and commanding displays at the heart of United's defence, while Cristiano Ronaldo is currently ranked ninth.

Tevez takes top spot

Actim Index gives players points for goals, shots, fouls, offsides, passes, tackles, blocks and clearances.

1. Carlos Tevez 316
2. Cesc Fabregas 310
3. Benjani Mwaruwari 297
4. Martin Petrov 286
5. Frank Lampard 282
6. Gabriel Agbonlahor 279
7. Emmanuel Adebayor 276
8. Rio Ferdinand 275
9. Cristiano Ronaldo 271
10. Gael Clichy 267

Park return on hold

2007-12-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

A frozen pitch has waylaid plans for Ji-sung Park to line up for United's Reserves against Oldham Athletic on Wednesday afternoon.

The Korean international had been named in the Reds' starting line-up for the Lancashire Senior Cup clash, only for freezing weather at the Victoria Stadium to prompt the fixture's abandonment.

Park has been out of action since damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Blackburn Rovers in March, and Sir Alex Ferguson had suggested that he could be involved in the first team's festive fixture programme.

Unfortunately, the livewire midfielder will have to suffice with honing his game in training after the late postponement in Northwich.

Museum's Sir Alex exhibit

2007-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Visitors to United's award-winning Museum can now enjoy An Audience With Sir Alex Ferguson.

The latest exhibit uses advanced hologram technology to project a 3-D version of the manager into a replica of his office. The Reds boss then answers fans' questions about his 21 years in charge and reflects on his favourite United moments.

"The effect we create is based on an old Victorian theatre illusion called Pepper's Ghost, invented by Henry Dircks and popularised by John Pepper," Alan Trafford of creators Mather & Co. explained.

It may be a trick of the light but the effect is so good it seems like Sir Alex is standing right in front of you.

"I was absolutely delighted when I saw the finished product," the United manager said. "It's fantastic and it goes in line with what Manchester United is all about. We like to try new things all the time, whether that's on or off the pitch.

"We've been the first to do many things and this helps us go beyond what people would ever expect from a museum. I hope the public enjoy this exhibition – I'm sure they will!"

It's only the second time the Pepper's Ghost technology has been utilised in a major museum in the United Kingdom. The other example features John McEnroe at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.

Back for Berbatov?

2007-12-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

Fergie back for Berbatov

Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped up his efforts to sign Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov by offering Wes Brown and Louis Saha - plus £6million in exchange. Fergie wants to push through a January move for Berbatov after failing with his initial bid for the Bulgaria striker in the summer. The Manchester United manager refuses to be put off, and is now hoping Berbatov's recent unrest at White Hart Lane will smooth the path to a move. While Fergie is willing to negotiate, Spurs want United's Portuguese winger Nani to be part of any deal involving their star striker. But United are adamant that Nani, who joined for £17million from Sporting Lisbon, is staying at Old Trafford and Fergie has no interest in making the 20-year-old part of the deal.
John Cross, Daily Mirror

In other transfer news, The Sun claims Avram Grant has won the race to sign Nicolas Anelka. Chelsea boss Grant is convinced a £10million January deal for the Bolton hitman, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, is in the bag.

The Daily Mail says Wes Brown will end his 11-year association with United by moving to Newcastle as a free agent next summer. The defender is stalling on a new contract from the champions and has told friends that he will not sign.

Rio best in the world - Rooney

2007-12-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney says United’s title hopes are enhanced because the Reds possess the best defender in the world: Rio Ferdinand.

Rio was outstanding at Anfield on Sunday as United took all three points from the clash with title rivals Liverpool. The hallmark of the victory was the Reds' defensive solidarity, with Ferdinand its central pillar.

"There's great rivalry between United and Liverpool, so it was a big result for us, especially with how tight the league is,” Rooney said in an interview with MUTV.

"We knew that if we got three points then it would put a bit of space between us and Liverpool. A draw would perhaps have been a fair result, but we defended really well and managed to get the goal.

"Vida and Rio were brilliant for us,” he added. “I think Rio is probably the best defender in the world at the moment. He's been doing really well for us. The whole defence and the whole team is defending well.”

Rooney was instrumental in United’s goal two minutes before the break, having spotted a weakness in Liverpool's armour. Ryan Giggs played a corner to the edge of the box for Rooney, whose shot was turned in by Carlos Tevez. However, Wayne says it was more quick-thinking than a training ground ploy.

"It's not something we worked on,” he admitted. “We saw how they set up on an earlier corner, with everyone in the box. So I spoke with Giggsy and we decided to play the next corner short. I had a shot and luckily Carlos was in the right place to finish it off.”

On the same wavelength

2007-12-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney believes his blossoming partnership with Carlos Tevez is down to telepathy.

Doubts were cast over whether the duo could play together when Tevez first joined the club with pundits believing them to be too similar. But 15 goals between them in the 11 games they have started together has put paid to that theory.

Rooney admits the pair are not regular communicators because of the fact Tevez speaks little English, leaving them to rely simply on instinct and eye contact.

"We don't talk to each other very much because we don't speak the same language, but that doesn't matter when you are playing with a great talent like Carlos," explained Rooney. "We do a lot of hard work together on the training pitch, but the understanding between us seems to be very natural anyway.

"It's all about eye contact. It's just a glance here or a nod there and we instinctively know what the other one is going to do and when and where we want the ball to be played. It's a case of playing the game as you see it and when it comes off it looks very good. The goal Carlos scored against Middlesbrough recently was typical of that."

Tevez netted the Reds' crucial winner at Anfield on Sunday thanks to Rooney's set-up. And the England striker is convinced their partnership will continue to go from strength to strength.

"We've both still got a lot to learn, but the partnership will only get better with the more work we put in on the training ground and the more we play together," he added.

Ronaldo misses out again

2007-12-18T06:54:00.000-08:00

AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday night, again beating Cristiano Ronaldo to one of football's most prestigious individual awards.

Two weeks ago the Rossoneri playmaker pipped Ronaldo to the Ballon d'Or, where the Portuguese winger finished second.

At FIFA's Gala dinner in Zurich on Monday, Kaka won the award ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi in second place and Ronaldo in third.
Voted for by national coaches and captains, Kaka polled 1,047 votes, Messi 504 and Ronaldo 426.

But the 22-year-old United winger was humble in defeat.

"I was so pleased when I got nominated," he said. "The first thing I did was tell the people closest to me. I called my mother and told her and then my brother and my sister.

"It's a real honour for me to be considered one of the three best players in the world."

Kaka said upon receiving the award: "Tonight is a really special night for me - it was a dream for me just to play for Sao Paulo and one game for Brazil. But God can give you more than you even ask for."

Evra: No contract talks yet

2007-12-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

Patrice Evra has revealed that he is yet to begin negotiations over a new contract, despite press rumours to the contrary.

The Frenchman's superb form this season has prompted newspaper talk of a new deal but, while Evra is keen to prolong his time in Manchester, there is no rush to begin negotiations.

"I have one year left after this one," he is quoted as telling The Daily Express. "People think I have extended my contract. But it is not true. We have not even started to discuss it. It is said the club want to prolong (the deal), but there is nothing for the moment."

The 26-year-old full back has become a mainstay in the miserly United backline this season, juggling his defensive duties with a bombarding support to the Reds' attack, and he is revelling in life at Old Trafford.

"I think I have found the right balance, the one I have always sought between my attacking and defending," he said. "These days I have kept my attacking desire, but I have learnt to love the combat.

"I have the feeling I started my job when signing here. It is another planet. I do not know how long I will stay, but having this experience is a privilege. United have this identity. I have a growing love for this club. I feel Mancunian deep down."

Reds set for Ji-sung spark

2007-12-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

Ji-sung Park is ready to play a part in United’s title charge when his injury nightmare finally ends in the coming weeks.

The Korean star is poised to return to action during the busy festive period after almost nine months out with a knee injury, and he has set his sights on adding to his tally of seven goals for the Reds.

"My knee is fine,” he told ManUtd.kr. “It feels good and I don’t have any fear of pain. I have joined first-team training again and suffered no reaction.

“I am aiming to score when I return. If I score in my first two or three games back, I will gain confidence.

“Hopefully I can help the team as much as I can until the end of the season and we can win the title."

The 26-year-old winger suffered cruciate ligament damage against Blackburn in March and was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Reds reclaimed the Premier League crown in style.

Despite his excellent progress in recent weeks, Park knows he must not rush his comeback from such a serious injury.

“It will be up to the coaching staff and medical team when I return,” he said. “I’ve been out for eight months so I don’t want to rush back – I need time to get used to playing again.

“It has been frustrating to be injured for so long, but I’m looking forward to playing again and producing good performances.”

Reds' bond delights Rio

2007-12-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand feels Sunday's disciplined victory over Liverpool at Anfield demonstrated the team ethic and unity which has made United such a formidable side.

The result keeps the champions just a point behind table-topping Arsenal and full of self-belief ahead of a hectic Christmas period.

"Nothing tastes much better than going to Anfield and winning as a Manchester United player," Rio is quoted as telling The Sun. "It was huge for our confidence and a fantastic feeling.

"They thought they had a good chance of beating us. They've been playing well and have the players to beat us.

"But we were resolute all over the park. Our wide men, forwards and midfielders all defended together.

"That's a sign of a team that's strong and well bonded. That is exactly what we are. The morale in the squad is unbelievable."

Rio salutes Reds' team effort

2007-12-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Rio Ferdinand turned in yet another outstanding display at Anfield, but was full of praise for United’s collective defending in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Liverpool.

The England international defender invariably enjoys sterling performances at Anfield – indeed, he has never sampled a league defeat against the Merseysiders since joining United – but he was in modest mood after the Reds’ latest success.

“I was happy with the team and I was happy we won the game, my performance comes a long way second to us winning the game,” Rio told MUTV after the match.

“Our fans come here and make themselves heard for the whole 90 minutes, and the satisfaction you get from winning the game is unbelievable. It’s one of the best places to come and win.”

Sunday’s fixture was a typical war of attrition between the two local rivals, with United keeping Liverpool at arm’s length for the vast majority of the game.

“Games like this, you don’t care who scores, who gets man of the match,” admitted Ferdinand. “Today we had to come here and defend. When you come to Anfield you know you’re going to be under immense pressure at times and it’s the way you deal with it.

“We had to clear one off the line in the first half and I think Edwin had just the one save in the second half. They put us under pressure with a few crosses in the first half but we settled down after that and I think we defended very well.

“We knew that if we defended right as a team then they wouldn’t cause us too many problems, and I think we did that. These games are normally settled by a bit of brilliance or a bit of fortune, and we got a deflection which Carlos was able to put in.”

Having registered a fifth league win in six visits to Anfield, United have clearly started revelling in the 32 mile trip down the East Lancs Road, and Ferdinand admits the Reds do relish the enormous fixtures.

“They’re the best games,” he conceded. “You enjoy playing football no matter what, but playing against Liverpool at Anfield and getting a good result is something you dream about as a kid.

“United against Liverpool at Anfield is a fixture you look for on the calendar, and we’ve been successful here the last couple of years and long may it continue.”

Anderson and Owen praised

2007-12-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted the players making their first appearance against Liverpool after they helped to win his 50th game against the old enemy.

Anderson and Owen Hargreaves worked tirelessly in United's engine room to subdue Steven Gerrard and give the men in black the platform to claim their fifth win in six league visits to Anfield.

"Anderson was terrific, he wasn’t intimidated by Steven Gerrard," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"I thought he handled that particular part of the game really well. Steven was actually quite quiet today. Hargreaves has got more experience obviously. Both of them did a great job."

The Anderson-Hargreaves axis underpinned an effective team display in which grit outweighted the guile. That said, the goal which separated the great rivals was fashioned by a clever piece of setpiece play. Instead of delivering an inswinger from the right, Ryan Giggs arrowed a pass to Wayne Rooney from the corner and his shot was turned in by Carlos Tevez.

"Ryan had the opportunity to do that with the corner kick prior to that one," said Sir Alex. "He could have used Owen Hargreaves because the corner of the box was free.

"But we took that opportunity the second time around and of course from Wayne Rooney's deflected shot, Carlos scored."

One goal was enough to win it for United, just as it was last season when O'Shea scored and in 2005 when Rooney was the match winner. Chances were at a premium with neither goalkeeper called upon too frequently.

"It was a typical Liverpool-United game," assessed Sir Alex

"The fans create such a fervour and it’s difficult for the referee. Flowing football isn’t the issue, it’s about winning the game. But in the moments when we did play football in the first half, we looked the better team.

"It’s a marvellous day for us - a good team performance and a great result. I said before the game that I feel the games between the top sides are going to be important this season. That’s an important win for us.

"At the moment we’re top (prior to Arsenal playing Chelsea) and I hope we stay there at the end of the day.

"It’s going to be a long struggle and a fight until the end of the season. But I’ve always said around December, if we can be top or thereabouts on New Year’s Day then we have an outstanding chance of retaining the title."

Liverpool (0) - United (1)

2007-12-16T11:02:00.000-08:00

United executed the perfect contain-and-counter performance to notch a fifth win in six years at Liverpool, with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal at Anfield.

The Argentine striker clipped home Wayne Rooney's shot after 43 minutes, while the stars of the show were undoubtedly United's backline and defensive midfielders.

Liverpool forged no clear-cut opportunities of their own, although two quickfire rare lapses from Edwin van der Sar in the first half twice saw United defenders forced into clearing the ball from their own goal line.

United's first half display was all about sitting back and inviting Liverpool onto them. As hosts, and with a six point deficit to make up, the pressure was on Rafa Benitez's side to make the early running.

Aside from a couple of early efforts from Sami Hyypia, there was little to concern United. Liverpool did force a couple of openings, but largely through uncharacteristic lapses from van der Sar.

The veteran Dutchman twice collided with his own defenders and failed to make contact with the ball, and each misjudgement ended with the ball being cleared off the line.

First Anderson had to parry away Kewell's shot - from which Fernando Torres headed the rebound woefully wide - then two minutes later Patrice Evra slid in to clear the ball to safety as it rolled goalwards off the back of Rio Ferdinand.

The England international defender was visibly irate at his goalkeeper's misjudgements, mindful of the need for calm heads in the Anfield cauldron.

That brief slip aside, such a clinical attitude was the story of much of United's display. And, having soaked up the hosts' pressure for much of the half, they struck two minutes before the interval. Just as last season, it was a set-piece which did the damage.

The Reds committed several players into the area, all of whom were duly marked. Rooney remained outside the box, allowing him room to run onto Giggs' clever corner and drill a shot goalwards. Although the low effort was heading wide, Tevez was on hand to divert the ball into the roof of the Kop net.

Just as they did at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal last month, United had taken the lead at the perfect time. The key was to remain firm and in control for the entire second half.

Aside from an early effort from Torres, the Reds managed to keep their hosts at arm's length throughout. While it made for nervy watching, the gameplan of absorbing pressure and duly counter-attacking, Sir Alex Ferguson's side largely executed it to perfection.

Van der Sar had no meaningful shots to save, comfortably fielding long-distance efforts from John Arne Riise and Dirk Kuyt. The big Dutchman was well beaten, however, by compatriot Ryan Babel, who arrowed a 20-yard effort just wide of the post with 15 minutes remaining.

Liverpool's inability to break down the United defence saw them resort to pumping deep crosses into the area, with van der Sar, Ferdinand or Vidic always equal to their efforts.

The hosts' need to bombard forward saw gaps begin to open up, and Rooney could easily have doubled the Reds' lead with 12 minutes remaining, but he could only divert the ball wide from Ronaldo's left-wing cross.

While he may well have done better, Rooney continued to give an outstanding display of hold-up play as United ran down the clock. The game's dying embers passed without major incident, allowing Sir Alex to savour a relatively comfortable victory in his 50th match against Liverpool.

Crucially too, in this season's title race, the result saw United move nine points clear of their hosts. From three games against their predicted titles rivals so far this season, only an injury time equaliser from Arsenal's William Gallas have prevented United taking nine points.

Liverpool: Reina; Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise (Aurelio, 80); Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell (Babel, 66); Kuyt (Crouch, 73), Torres.
Subs not used: Itandje, Lucas.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson (O'Shea, 90), Giggs; Rooney, Tevez (Carrick, 83).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Saha.

Big match has no equal

2007-12-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson cannot wait for Sunday's clash with Liverpool, insisting fixtures between the pair are unrivalled in English football.

Liverpool's improvement this season looks set to make them genuine contenders for the Barclays Premier League title, adding even more of an edge to an invariably spicy fixture.

"This is a game separate from everything, it has different tendencies to any other game," said Sir Alex.

"I think we look upon each other as our main rivals in English football.

"You have the geography, the history of the clubs, the ability of the players, the competition, the passion and fervour of the fans. Liverpool's support is a big component of that club, particularly against United. You have to be a man to handle that atmosphere. If you are a lamb, you are dead."

Despite slipping to a shock defeat at Reading last weekend, Liverpool's midweek win over Marseille takes them into Sunday's fixture on a high, although Sir Alex hinted that he would not have relished the fixture if the Merseysiders had crashed out of Europe.

"There are two different ways of looking at it," he said. "You could have Liverpool as a wounded animal going into the game, or as they are. Sometimes a wounded animal is more dangerous."

United go into the match six points ahead of their local rivals, but having played a game more. Sir Alex admits Liverpool are well in the title picture alongside Arsenal and Chelsea, who also lock horns on Sunday.

"Liverpool have got a game in hand, haven't they," he said. "Three points is nothing in this league, it's so competitive now. Arsenal were six points ahead of us two weeks ago, now it's one.

"With Chelsea going to Arsenal as well, if it was March or April then it would without doubt be a significant weekend, but it's halfway through the season.

"Two draws will be the favourite scorelines, they're two difficult games to call. Certainly I'm looking at Arsenal and Chelsea and hoping it's a draw. Whenever your rivals play each other, you hope they'll drop points."

Hargreaves fit for Anfield test

2007-12-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

Owen Hargreaves is fit and ready to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday after overcoming a slight calf strain.

The 26-year-old midfielder was withdrawn from last weekend's 4-1 win over Derby County at Old Trafford after pulling up in the warm-up.

He didn't travel to Italy in midweek for the 1-1 draw with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, but he will be available for the crunch clash with Rafael Benitez's men.

Hargreaves' energy, defensive qualities and passing ability could be crucial on Sunday, and one of his main tasks could be to stifle Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Sir Alex Ferguson will also have John O'Shea fit for the match after injuring his groin against Roma in midweek.

"Everyone is fit," said Sir Alex. "John O'Shea is ok after a couple of days' rest."

Touchline ban for Sir Alex

2007-12-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

The FA have handed Sir Alex Ferguson a two-match touchline ban and a £5,000 fine for his outburst towards referee Mark Clattenburg.

The United manager will have to watch the Reds' matches against West Ham and Birmingham City from the stands as a result of the ruling.

Sir Alex had earlier admitted the charge for comments he made to Clattenburg at half-time during United's defeat at Bolton last month.

A statement from the FA read: "At a Regulatory Commission hearing yesterday, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a two-match touchline ban, starting on Friday 28 December. He was also fined £5,000.

"As he did not request a personal hearing, the case was dealt with on the basis of written statements and video footage."

Scholesy on schedule

2007-12-15T06:37:00.000-08:00

Paul Scholes' recovery from a knee operation is on schedule and, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, the midfielder will be able to resume full training in six weeks.

The veteran star has been out of action since suffering cartilage damage ahead of United's Champions League trip to face Dynamo Kyiv.

"He went to see the specialist last week," revealed Sir Alex. "He's going to start straightforward running next week.

"All being well, he'll be back in full training with us in six weeks' time."

If Sir Alex's timeline proves accurate, Scholes could be available for selection when Portsmouth visit Old Trafford on Wednesday, 30 January.

AS Roma (1) Vs United (1)

2007-12-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

LOUIS Saha and Darren Fletcher were the surprise members of the Manchester United party that travelled to Italy for Wednesday's Champion League quarter-final first leg against Roma.

The duo, who have been missing for five weeks with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, were expected to play for the reserves at Blackburn on Thursday. Instead, Sir Alex Ferguson called them into a 19-man party as the Red Devils looked to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2002.

South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung was the only unexpected absentee and he is out with a knee injury. Gary Neville (ankle), Mikael Silvestre (shoulder), and Nemanja Vidic (collarbone) were all ruled out.

Roma are missing Max Tonnetto (injured) and David Pizarro (suspended).

They will probably employ a 4-2-3-1 formation and are strong through the middle, with Phillipe Mexes and Christian Chivu solid in defence.

All eyes will be on Francesco Totti, but Amantino Mancini is a lively customer and Daniele De Rossi an efffective midfielder.

AS Roma (from): Doni, Cassetti, Mexes, Chivu, Panucci, De Rossi, Perrotta, Wilhelmsson, Taddei, Mancini, Totti, Curci, Faty, Defendi, Ferrari, Vucinic, Rosi

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Heinze, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Eagles, Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer, Smith, Dong.

Calf strain ruled Owen out

2007-12-09T02:39:00.000-08:00

Owen Hargreaves suffered a slight calf strain in the warm-up before the 4-1 win over Derby.

The Reds midfielder was named in the starting line-up but was replaced by Michael Carrick shortly before kick-off.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed after the match that he didn't want to take any chances with the 26-year-old's fitness.

"Owen had a slight strain in his calf in the warm-up," said the boss.

"We can't take chances at this time of year with the number of games we have in December, so we withdrew him and brought Michael Carrick in."

Fortunately, the injury does not seem serious and Sir Alex will be hopeful the combative midfielder will be available for selection against Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday.

Ton up for Giggsy

2007-12-09T02:10:00.000-08:00

Ryan Giggs became only the eleventh player in United's history to score 100 league goals when he struck the Reds' first-half opener against Derby County.

The Welshman's neat finish five minutes before half time allowed him to join an elite band of Reds legends who have reached a century of strikes.

"Obviously I'm really pleased to have scored 100 league goals," said Ryan.

"It's a great achievement and I'm pleased that I eventually got there."

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted Ryan's feat in his post-match interview on MUTV.

"I'm amazed that there hasn't been more made of it," said the boss.

"I think we should be making a big deal of it because it’s a fantastic achievement. Not many players have scored 100 league goals for this club."

Giggs joins past goalscoring greats such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Rowley, Denis Law and Dennis Viollet in United's 100 club. And his outing against Derby means he's just 23 games away from equalling Sir Bobby's all-time appearances record.

Sir Alex added: "Of course, the service Ryan has given us, aside from the goals, has been outstanding."

United (4) - Derby (1)

2007-12-09T01:58:00.000-08:00

Once United had broken Derby County’s spirit with two goals at the end of the first half, this was a simple three points. But battling against the elements – wind and persistent heavy rain – the Reds had to earn it.

Ryan Giggs got United started, followed by a brace for Carlos Tevez – one either side of half time. The victory could have been by a greater margin, but this was a steady and efficient display.

Owen Hargreaves was withdrawn from the starting eleven shortly before kick-off due to injury. Michael Carrick took his place in midfield alongside Anderson, while Nani was promoted to the bench.

Conditions were hardly ideal. Near-constant rain in Manchester for two days prior to kick-off had formed surface water on the Old Trafford pitch, making it difficult for United to play the usual passing game.

Derby boss Paul Jewell perhaps welcomed the stifling conditions as the rain continued to lash down at the start of the game. With Derby rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and his personal record against United suggesting he needed all the help he could get. In seven games against the Reds as a manger – twice for Bradford City, five times for Wigan Athletic – his teams have never won and have conceded 24 goals.

United probed right from the start to add to that figure. In the first five minutes Tevez performed a neat one-two with Patrice Evra, who crossed for Rooney. The Reds front man flicked his shot goalwards, but failed to direct it under close attention from Darren Moore. Moments later Ronaldo, who isn’t short of confidence with 11 goals in his last eight starts, went close with a surging run and a low shot that skidded wide.

The Portuguese winger then combined with Giggs to create space down the left side. Ronaldo squared his cross to Rooney, but Derby defender James McEveley somehow wrapped his foot round to clear the ball four yards from the line.

United were gradually edging closer to a breakthrough. But, although Derby didn’t really pose an attacking threat that suggested they would take the lead, their physical back four and five-man midfield – added to the tricky conditions – made for a frustrating first 40 minutes for the Reds.

Anderson proved pivotal in breaking Derby’s resistance. The Brazilian midfielder not only proved a point that he can play in most compromising of wintry conditions, his energy and passing kept the visitors under pressure and pinned back in their own area. It soon paid off. On 41 minutes, Ronaldo’s parried shot fell kindly to Ryan Giggs, who had the simple task of tapping in his first goal since the middle of October, his 100th league goal for the club.

Rooney then struck a post as United lifted the tempo. Giggs’ diagonal pass put the striker through, but although his chipped finish beat Stephen Bywater, his shot rebounded off the upright. A second goal did arrived with seconds of the half to spare, Tevez finishing well after a frantic scramble in the box.

Derby’s spirit was clearly broken and it became harder in the second half to resist United’s advances. Giggs struck a post on 58 minutes and it was merely a matter of time before a third goal arrived. In fact, it took just two minutes. Tevez unleashed a skidding, low drive from just inside the area for his second of the match.

Anderson departed shortly after, replaced by Darren Fletcher, to a fully deserved standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd. Sir Alex had the chance to rest Ferdinand and Giggs ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Derby did manage to snatch a fortunate consolation strike with just under fifteen minutes remaining. From Tyrone Mears’ cross on the right, Wes Brown and Steve Howard challenged for the ball, which ended up trickling over the line, despite the best efforts of Nemanja Vidic to clear it off the line. It’s only the second league goal United have conceded at Old Trafford this season. But Sir Alex is unlikely to be too concerned given that, at this stage of the campaign, three points are the main priority.

United capped off the day with a fourth goal in injury time. Ronaldo was fouled by Mears in the area and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot. It may be the Christmas season, but Ronaldo wasn't about to be charitable and give Tevez a shot at his hat-trick. Instead, the Portuguese stepped up to fire home his 14th goal of the season.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (O’Shea 71), Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson (Fletcher 63), Giggs (Saha 65); Tevez, Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Nani.

Derby County: Bywater; Griffin, Davis, Moore, McEveley (Mears 46), Leacock, Oakley, Pearson, Barnes (Teale 61), Fagan (Howard 46), Miller. Subs not used: Price (GK), Earnshaw.

Attendance: 75,725

Mark Hughes

2007-12-08T01:35:00.000-08:00

Mark Hughes must go down as one of the most exciting and talented forwards in the modern era of English football. A scorer of some truly spectacular goals, especially with his glorious bicycle kick, "Sparky" Hughes was the sort of player that ensured a game was never dull. One of his great talents was holding the ball up while waiting for his team mates to arrive as the oncoming reinforcements. In fact such was his strength and power it seemed he could hold onto that ball forever and his opponents still wouldn't get it off him.

This enabled United to create the fast-flowing counter attack that characterised the team in the early to mid 1990s. Chuck the ball at him and it would stick to his chest, head, thigh or arse. He loved the way that opponents would just bounce off him and if they got in to close he could turn quickly, leaving them for dead to fire in a lethal shot. He was also a great passer with an ability to drop off deep and act as a playmaker. And who could forget that fiery Welsh temper that would sometimes emerge in the heat of battle.

Born in Wrexham, he joined United as a Youth team player and quickly rose to the first team as a prolific goal-scorer in United's infamous 1984 season. The club roared off to a ten point lead at the start of the season but form deserted the team and Hughes with United finishing a disappointing 4th. Hughes' talents now made him one of the hottest talents in England. After winning an FA Cup medal in 1985 and PFA Young Player of the Year award he attracted the attention of Europe's big clubs.

He was sold to Barcelona in 1986 for £2 million, however the intense pressure of the giant Nou-Camp crowds and huge expectations made for unhappy times - Hughes would get his revenge on Barca's fans in 1991. He even went out on loan to Bayern Munich for a time but it was clear his future lay back in England.

Alex Ferguson was first in the queue when Barca put Hughes up for sale and brought him back to United in 1988 for £1.6 million. It was business as usual as Hughes returned to his best form again. His excellent form meant he won PFA Player of the Year in both 1989 and 1991. Hughes soon became an established International for Wales playing over 65 times. (After a year as their team captain, in 1999 he took over from Bobby Gould as Welsh Manager)

However, it was his wondrous goals that fans loved the most. They are too many to list, but his best include the amazing bicycle kick for Wales against Spain, a superb narrow-angled winner in the Cup Winners' Cup Final against Barcelona, the looping volley lashed home against Manchester City in 1989, a belter at home to Sheffield Wednesday in 1994 and the volley to equalise against Oldham in the desperate last seconds of the 1994 FA Cup semi-final, the goal that saved United's 1994 season during the peak of his career. Hughes also scored twice in the 1990 FA Cup Final and the 3rd goal against Chelsea in the 1994 Final.

In the mid and late 1980s when Manchester United were at a low ebb, Sparky was something to be proud of, a class act that any great team would love to have. When the glory years of Cantona arrived, Hughes deservedly got his starring role in the limelight and was an integral part of the two League title wins and Double of 1994. It was claimed on Cantona's arrival that the two would never work together, yet the Hughes-Cantona partnership worked brilliantly from the start.

Then, aged 32 Alex Ferguson unexpectedly sold him in the summer of 1995 to Chelsea, where he went on to win the FA Cup and become the only player to ever win four FA Cup winner's medals. At the time United fans were as angry with the manager as perhaps they have ever been, for selling the man who had been an Old Trafford icon for over a decade.

Bryan Robson

2007-12-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

Bryan Robson was the leading midfield player in British football during the 1980s. A player of unrivalled commitment and determination, he was the driving force behind the entire United team. It was often said Manchester United were a "one man team", being totally reliant on Robson for success. Whenever he was on the pitch United were serious championship challengers, without him they always struggled. In short, Robbo was the difference between class and mediocrity.

A superb ball-winner and tackler, who could shrug off opponents and make surging runs to drive United forward, Robson was the ultimate leader and Captain. Sometimes the rest of the team would say "C'mon Robbo, win it for us" and there are not many players you can ask of that. Unfortunately this total unflinching commitment led to him being injured, often out for crucial games, which, in the end undoubtedly denied United the chance of title glory in the 80's.

Born in Chester-le-Street he began his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1974 and transferred to Manchester United in 1981 for a then record transfer fee of £1.7 million. A fee that in hindsight was worth every penny - if only Ron Atkinson's other signings had have been so shrewd.

Robson's 12 years as skipper makes him the clubs longest serving Captain of all time. Robbo is still the only British Captain to lead a side to three FA Cup wins: 1983, 1985 and 1990. He inspired United with two goals in the FA Cup Final replay against Brighton in 1983 and also scored in the 1990 final against Crystal Palace.

Robbo also won the Cup-Winners Cup in 1991 and finally won the League Championship in 1993 and 94. He also appeared in the 1982, 1986, and 1990 World Cup finals. Dogged by those cursed injuries for much of his career, he nevertheless won 90 international caps (65 as Captain) and scored 26 international goals. One of these goals, against France in 1982 after only 27 seconds, is the second quickest ever scored at the World Cup Finals.

A real leader of men, he personified the iron-willed "Three Lions" attitude of England players in that era such as Gary Lineker, Terry Butcher, Tony Adams and Stuart Pearce. Many rival fans would have loved to have had him in their team, but despite all the offers from Italy and elsewhere he remained loyal to United, the only club he ever wanted to play for.

A great example of his leadership was in a Cup-winners cup game against Barcelona in 1984 when United, 2-0 down from the first leg came back to win 3-0 at Old Trafford, Robson getting 2 goals. Robson had a habit of scoring vital goals and he could certainly shoot as well as any of the top strikers of his day. Robbo scored a stunning long-range effort against Liverpool in the 1985 FA Cup Semi-final replay and his goal against Brighton in the 1983 final was a scorcher from outside the box.

When it became clear he could no longer hold a place in the United title winning sides of 93 and 94, perhaps reluctantly he bid farewell to United. After leaving in 1994 he took over as Player-Manager of Middlesbrough and won promotion to the Premiership in 1995. Signing big name foreigners Juninho and Ravenelli they reached both the FA and League Cup Finals in 1997 but were amazingly relegated as well. Robbo led them straight back to the Premiership the following season and today they are currently one of the Premier League's mid-table sides.

Many United fans had hoped that one day he could return as United manager when he proved himself to be as great a manger as he was a player. Unfortunately, this has not been the case so far and after a relegation struggle, although successful, Robson quit Middlesbrough in May 2001. His replacement, ironically, was United's former assistant manager Steve McClaren. In 2004 he brought his career full circle and took charge of West Bromwich Albion, but after failing to keep the Baggies in the Premiership for more than one season he left the Hawthorn's in September 2006.

However, it is what he did on the pitch that United fan's will always treasure Robson for. And after twelve long years of toiling and battling in 1993 Robson finally was a champion. United had won the League Championship - the holy grail that had eluded them and him so long. The next year they won it again, by which time his influence was on the wane. Robson left United and Old Trafford in May 1994, holding the Premier League Trophy aloft. It was a fitting end to the United career of "Captain Marvel", the man who was Manchester United during the 1980s and forever will be a United legend.

Reds to enjoy winter break

2007-12-08T01:20:00.000-08:00

Manchester United is to run a short training camp, hosted by HRH Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Sa’ud in Saudi Arabia in mid-January, it was announced today.

The trip – which will see the full first team squad, plus an extended backroom staff of physios and masseuses – will include an exhibition match against Al Hilal Al Saudi FC in Riyadh on 21 January 2008 as part of Sami Al Jabber’s testimonial.

Announcing the break, Sir Alex Ferguson said: “This is a great chance for the players to escape the harsh realities of winter for a few days, while keeping up their fitness levels and taking in the exhibition match.

“I hope we will come back from this refreshed and ready to continue the challenge for honours.”

Boss wants more goals

2007-12-08T01:13:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson is urging his players to be more ruthless in front of goal, insisting goal difference could be key to the outcome of the title race.

The Reds struggled to find the net in the opening two months of the campaign, but enjoyed a series of 1-0 victories during September.
The floodgates opened against Wigan at the start of October with the Reds firing four goals in four consecutive games.
Sir Alex is pleased with United's goals' return to date, but wants the squad to be more clinical in the finishing stakes.
"I always look at goal difference as an extra point," insists the Reds' manager. "Over the years we've always had that and hopefully that'll be the case again this season.
"We've got to start taking more of our chances and be less wasteful in front of goal as we were earlier in the season. We had that good spell of scoring four goals in four consecutive matches and we are capable of scoring goals against anyone.
"But rather than looking at particular games as being ones we can score a lot of goals in, we need to look at the bigger picture," he adds.
"The name of the game is to win matches and keep ourselves at the top and use December as a launching pad to ensure we're going to be in a challenging position come 1 January."
Sir Alex also believes the outcome of the remaining matches between the 'big four' could ultimately decide where the Premier League trophy ends up.
"It may be that the games against each other could be more crucial than ever," he says. "All four teams are in form at the moment. Chelsea and Liverpool had that little rough spell, but they've been in great form recently. The one who hasn't had a tough spell yet is Arsenal. So it's going to be interesting."
While the boss believes it would be a great spectacle if the title race were to end up being a four-horse race, he wouldn't relish a last day decider.
"Think of us poor managers - can you imagine if the four of us went into the last game of the season with the potential of winning it?" he joked.
"It would be fantastic for the league itself and all the neutrals, but it would be tense for us. It's bad enough worrying about one result, let alone if there were three on the one day to look at!"

Final offer for Wes

2007-12-08T01:06:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson insists the club have made their final offer to Wes Brown over a new contract.

The defender's current deal runs out next summer and come 1 January he is free to speak to other clubs.
Sir Alex would like the 28-year-old to stay at Old Trafford, but admits the decision is now down to Brown himself.
"Nothing has been agreed and that's entirely up to Wes," explained the boss on Friday.
"We've had several meetings with his agent and that is difficult as you can imagine - some agents are difficult [to deal with].
"He's rejected one offer and we feel we've made him a good final offer and it really is up to him now. We won't be going back [with another one].
"It's a possibility [we could lose him] and that would be a disappointment."
Brown signed for the club as a trainee in July 1996 and has made over 270 appearances for the Reds. The centre-back has been a reliable squad member throughout that time and is currently enjoying his most prolonged run in the side, ably filling in for the injured Gary Neville at right-back.

Neville suffers fresh setback

2007-12-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson will have no further injury worries ahead of Derby County's but he has been hit with a major blow after it was confirmed Gary Neville has suffered another injury setback.

The United skipper has not played in the first team since March after damaging ankle ligaments against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

It had been thought he was close to making his first-team return against AS Roma on Wednesday. But that will not now be the case as United wait anxiously for results from a specialist.

"Unfortunately, Gary has had another setback," the manager confirmed at his Friday press conference. "It's very disappointing.

"He went to see a specialist about his ankle injury on Thursday but we have not had the results back yet."
Sir Alex maintains that Neville's injury problems are not career threatening.
"It is not getting serious," he said. "He just keeps getting niggling injuries. It is a concern that he gets small setbacks every time he gets ready to play. We need to sort it out and get him back as soon as possible."