Manchester United Blog

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Roma want revenge
tribalfooball.com - September 30, 2007

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Roma will be looking for revenge this week at Old Trafford.

Roma are back at Old Trafford in the Champions League - the scene of their 7-1 humiliation against Ferguson’s goal-greedy troops in last season’s quarter-finals.

And the United manager has warned that Roma will be out for revenge.

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Ferguson said: “Rather than not relishing coming back to Old Trafford, I think they will be looking forward to the game.

“They will want to win this one more than ever. “It will be a big, big motivation for them. We will have to keep cool and just play our game. If we win we will be on six points and will be in a marvellous position.

“Roma won’t want a repeat of what happened last season. It was very difficult for them to get over it.

“They had to endure all sorts of taunts. They had a derby match against Lazio two weeks later and there was a lot of stick flying in their direction. I would settle now for a 1-0 win.”

Ferguson admits the performance against the Italians, who lead Serie A this time around, was the most complete exhibition of controlled football in his Old Trafford tenure.

“It was the most emphatic in Europe in my time at the club,” he said. “I have always been searching for perfection and we’ve got near to that a few times. Roma last season was one of those games.

“In terms of our movement and penetration, even if it had been 3-1 or 4-1 it would still have been almost perfection.”

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United dismissed speculation that the Glazer family may be looking to sell the club.

“They don’t need to sell, and don’t intend to sell,” United’s Chief Executive David Gill said Sunday.

A Chinese consortium had reportedly expressed interest in the Red Devils, while a rival group with connections to the United Arab Emirates’ royal family was also said to be considering a bid.

Malcolm Glazer, who also owns Tampa Bay’s NFL team, bought United for US$1.47 billion (C$1.471 billion) in 2005 and Gill insisted that profits are sufficient to “amply cover” the club’s long-term debt repayments.

“No, no one has been in,” Gill said. “These things surface every six weeks but the reality is the Glazers are long term holders of the club. If you look at their other investments, whether it be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or other business investments in the States, they have held them for many, many years.”

Since winning the Premier League title last season, Glazer has financed the purchase of more than US$100 million (C$100.09 million) worth of players, including Argentina striker Carlos Tevez.

Championship side Coventry sprung a major surprise by sending a re-shuffled Manchester United crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson changed his entire team from Sunday’s win against Chelsea and paid the price.

Coventry, backed by 11,000 fans, went ahead after 27 minutes when Michael Mifsud turned in Michael Doyle’s cross.

And Mifsud killed off United with 20 minutes left, firing high into the net after Jay Tabb fashioned an opening.

United may have rung the changes, but their side still contained six full internationals and the result is a major embarrassment for Ferguson.

Nani, United’s £17m summer buy from Sporting Lisbon, was a serious disappointment with his final ball and shot almost always poor.

Mifsud’s opener was no more than Coventry deserved as Old Trafford voiced its disapproval at United’s struggles, taking advantage of good work by Doyle to score.

Ferguson delivered his own damning verdict on his side’s performance by introducing Wes Brown and young striker Fraizer Campbell at the break.

A third - and final - change followed 10 minutes after the restart as Michael Carrick was introduced for Jonny Evans, but it was all to no avail.

The second period was halfway through before United carved out anything like an opportunity as David Marshall parried Dong Fangzhou’s shot into the path of Carrick, whose follow-up effort was blocked at close range.

Coventry keeper Andy Marshall then produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Dong after 69 minutes, whose header was floating into the top corner.

The value of that stop was proved within a minute as Mifsud doubled his tally.

He picked up possession on the left, then when Tabb overhit his first touch as he tried to collect the winger’s pass, Mifsud raced on and rocketed the ball home.

Mifsud will probably never know how he failed to walk off with the match ball as keeper Tomasz Kuszczak pushed into his path, but he somehow failed to find the target.

Manchester United will be without goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for the Champions League visit of Roma.

The Dutchman suffered a toe injury in the 1-0 Premier League win against Birmingham and was immediately ruled out of Tuesday’s Old Trafford tie.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Edwin has a problem with his foot. Our medical team are taking care of the situation.”

Van der Sar, who is set to undergo a series of precautionary scans, will be replaced by Poland’s Tomasz Kuszczak.

Van der Sar has not conceded a goal in seven hours and 44 minutes since he was beaten by Geovanni’s deflected effort off Nemanja Vidic in the derby against Manchester City.

But Kuszczak made a fine save from Gary McSheffrey’s deflected shot after coming on at half-time against Birmingham and the club have every confidence in the 25-year-old.

“Tomasz made one very good save and showed why he is a Manchester United player,” said Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz.

“It is very hard for him behind a player as good as Edwin and he has had to wait for his opportunity, but we are very confident in his ability and we have no worries.”

That was the former West Brom keeper’s 15th appearance for United, but this will be his first outing in the Champions League.

Tom Heaton, 21, who is yet to play for United, will cover Kuszczak on the bench.

by : bbc.co.uk

Wayne Rooney has pleaded with Sir Alex Ferguson to let him play in tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie with Coventry at Old Trafford.

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Under normal circumstances, Rooney would be excused involvement as Ferguson takes the opportunity to give him less experienced players some exposure at senior level.

However, two games into his comeback from a broken foot, Rooney is desperate to face Iain Dowie’s men - and has even laid claim to the captain’s armband.

‘Wayne Rooney’s been in my ear wanting to play,’ Ferguson told Manchester United Radio.

‘He wants to play, he wants to be the captain, he wants to take the penalties, the corners, the free-kicks, the goal-kicks, the lot.’

Rooney is likely to get his wish, even if it is just to get Ferguson a bit of peace.

The England striker will be joined by fellow first-team stars Anderson and Nani and, possibly, John O’Shea, who has missed three games after injuring his knee on Republic of Ireland duty in the Czech Republic a fortnight ago.

Tellingly though, Owen Hargreaves was not among a list of players Ferguson confirmed will be involved, a firm indication the England man is still to recover from a thigh injury suffered in training with the national team three weeks ago.

‘There is a real buzz about the place and we are really looking forward to it,’ said Ferguson.

‘It will be a fantastic atmosphere and I am sure Coventry will have a real go.

‘From what I am led to believe, Coventry are bringing over 10,000 fans with them.

‘They were one of the longest-serving top-flight clubs at one point but they have been out of the Premier League now, which probably explains the attraction. It should be a real cup tie.’

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United have a ‘big, big chance’ of glory this season if Louis Saha can stay fit.

Although he has added the varied attacking talents of Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani to a squad which already contains Wayne Rooney and was the most prolific in the Premier League last term, Ferguson knows Saha offers something different.

Quick, strong, excellent in the air and blessed with shooting power in both feet, Saha’s only major weakness is his appearance record.

Barely a month has gone by without the France international picking up one physical problem or another, hence the reason why Ferguson is showing such patience with the 29-year-old this season.

Saha has already scored an all-important winner against Sunderland and his introduction as a substitute at Goodison Park last weekend was a major factor in United sneaking a victory over Everton.

He then helped see the Red Devils home for a crucial Champions League triumph over Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

So, while the former Fulham man is likely to start on the bench tomorrow when United look to turn a difficult week into a disaster for Chelsea following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Ferguson confirmed Saha is a hugely influential figure at Old Trafford.

‘Louis is a different type of player to anyone else I have at the club,’ he said.

‘If you look at last season, he had already scored 12 goals up to the point where he got his injury in December. If he had stayed fit, he might have got us 30.

‘He has already come on against Sunderland and scored an important goal for us and changed it for us against Sporting on Wednesday at a point when Wayne was starting to tire.

‘If Louis stays fit, we have a big, big chance this year.’

With Gary Neville still over a week away from a return from calf and thigh trouble and Owen Hargreaves not quite close enough to be considered as he inches towards a recovery from a thigh injury picked up on England duty, Ferguson will rely on the squad which collected maximum points from their trip to Portugal.

The Scot’s major selection issue centres around a possible recall for Tevez, possibly in place of Nani.

Meanwhile, Avram Grant is confident of earning the respect of the dressing room and keeping Chelsea in the hunt for the Premier League title following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho had total authority over his squad at Stamford Bridge during a trophy-laden three years and there have been reports of player unrest during a turbulent week.

Grant, despite a successful spell as Israel coach, does not have the same Champions League credentials as the `Special One’ but feels he has the squad to add to Chelsea’s silverware haul since Roman Abramovich took over.

Grant and Abramovich are friends but the club have insisted his arrival as director of football in the summer has had nothing to do with Mourinho’s departure.

‘If I thought I cannot make it I would not take the job,’ said 52-year-old Grant.

‘I took it because I think I can handle the situation, including in the dressing room.

‘I can make things better, I must say they were good already, but I want to make things better.

‘I am very satisfied with the squad we have. It is a good squad that can play good football and win titles.’

Grant explained that his arrival and swift appointment following Mourinho’s departure does not mean he had a hand in the Portuguese coach leaving.

‘I was director of football, my relationship with Jose was good,’ he added. ‘I did my job, he did his job.’

Grant could not ask for a tougher start, taking his team up to Manchester United tomorrow, the third Chelsea boss in a row to start his reign against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

He did not take training the day before the match either as it was Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday.

Manchester United’s Owen Hargreaves is convinced Michael Ballack will be a success at Chelsea providing he is given the opportunity.

Ballack’s first season at Stamford Bridge was a disappointment and his second is not going too well either.

Currently out of action with an ankle injury that could require a third operation, Ballack does not appear to be the same player who spent four years alongside Hargreaves at Bayern Munich.

Yet Hargreaves is convinced if new Chelsea boss Avram Grant shows a bit more patience with the 30-year-old he will receive ample reward.

‘Michael Ballack was extremely successful in Munich,’ said Hargreaves. ‘He was Player of the Year every season he was there.

‘For someone of his size, he has fantastic technical ability and his finishing, with both his head and his feet, is among the best in the world.

‘But football is about balance and formations. Different players fit different environments.

‘When Michael went there, Chelsea started playing a bit of a different system. They were still trying to find the right balance and he was still trying to adapt.

‘But he is a top player and that does not change in one season. People have not seen the best of him by any means but, given an opportunity, I am sure they will.’

Although his Manchester United career has not exactly started smoothly given his own injury problems, Hargreaves is fully ensconced into Old Trafford life.

The 26-year-old headed a United deputation which visited Manchester’s Christie Hospital earlier this week, a trip he undertook with young team-mates Danny Simpson and Tom Heaton as part of the recently launched Manchester United Foundation, an organisation set up to raise money for six designated charities.

Hargreaves spent time with young cancer patients as part of the visit, before turning his mind to tomorrow’s encounter with Chelsea.

It is a game he might miss as he battles to recover from a thigh injury picked up on international duty with England.

But it is also one he fancies will feature the Premier League’s top two come the end of the season, even though Arsenal and Liverpool have been in the best form so far.

‘Nothing will be decided until the end of the season but when everything is done, I think you will see Manchester United and Chelsea in the top two, hopefully in that order,’ he said.

‘It means this is a big game for us. A win will put us in a good position after the results we had at the start of the season.

‘We don’t want to peak now. We need to be peaking later on. But as Manchester United, we are expected to win every game we play at home and tomorrow is no different just because it is Chelsea.’

However, Hargreaves is willing to concede that, unlike last season, when United and Chelsea surged clear early on and kept the battle to themselves, this year’s title race may be more open.

Arsenal have already sent out a significant statement of intent, both in their league form and an impressive Champions League win over Sevilla, while Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has mounted an important recruitment campaign.

‘Liverpool have improved dramatically and have signed some key players, who will help them improve,’ said Hargreaves.

‘They have taken the step they have needed to take because in the last few years they haven’t even been close to winning the title. Now they look a very difficult side to beat.

‘Other teams like Everton, Newcastle and Blackburn are going to make life hard for the top four and take points off them, so overall, it will make it a tighter race.’

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is at the centre of an official police probe after an Everton fan claimed he was stamped on during a match.

Merseyside Police today confirmed they are speaking to witnesses and studying CCTV to establish precisely what happened during Saturday’s match at Goodison Park when Everton faced Manchester United.

Carl Lloyd, 34, told the Daily Post newspaper that the Portuguese winger sank his studs into his right arm.

The joiner alleged the incident happened during the Premier League clash as he leaned over the advertising hoardings to retrieve the ball when it went out of play.

Mr Lloyd, of Wallasey, Merseyside, said he needed hospital treatment and said: ‘I’ve been in excruciating pain.

‘I don’t know if I’ll work again any time soon.

‘I couldn’t believe what happened.

‘All I was doing was trying to retrieve the ball.’

A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed Mr Lloyd had made an official complaint and the investigation is ongoing.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was left “flabbergasted” by his young side’s performance after their Carling Cup exit to Coventry.

The Sky Blues won through 2-0 and Ferguson said: “I did not expect that at all. I am not interested in giving reasons or mitigating circumstances.

“We have trumpeted these young lads a lot, so what has happened tonight was a big shock for us all.

“We didn’t cope with the battle at all - it was just a very bad performance.”

The Scot made 11 changes to the side that beat Chelsea at the weekend, with the likes of Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson handed their senior debuts.

But the reshuffle backfired as the hosts’ lacklustre display was punished by a fired-up Coventry side.

Ferguson added: “You want to give these boys a chance and we have not had the opportunity to do that until tonight.

“Some of those players have got good ability but that was very disappointing, believe me. All we can ask now is that they learn from this very quickly.”

And he refused to talk up the benefits of a reduced workload on his squad in what could be a long hard season.

“I’m never happy to lose, nor to go out of a cup,” he said. “That is absolutely not an issue at all.”

Coventry manager Iain Dowie, meanwhile, was understandably delighted, insisting his side’s win was anything but a “smash and grab” effort.

“Our display was full of heart and desire, but we didn’t come to shut up shop - we passed well, created chances and put pressure on United,” he said.

“They may have made changes but in Anderson, Nani, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Wes Brown and the rest they had tremendous players who cause you 100 problems in 100 different ways.

“But we kept our shape well, our ball retention was good, and we refused to show too much respect.”

And he urged his side to take their performance into Saturday’s league tie against Charlton.

“I knew I would get a response after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Ipswich, and the team deserve to be applauded. Now we want to take this into the league, starting with Saturday’s tie against Charlton, because that’s what our bread and butter is.”

by : bbc.co.uk

Ryan Giggs has revealed he is confident he will sign a new contract at Manchester United in the near future.

Giggs, 33, is in talks with chief executive David Gill to extend his Old Trafford career into a 17th year.

He said: “We have had a brief chat, so hopefully it will get sorted sooner rather than later.

“There have never really been any problems with my contracts. Maybe two or three years ago, but even then it wasn’t a massive one.”

Giggs, who has won nine league titles with United and is closing in on Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 754 club games, has a year left on his current deal.

He added: “We trust each other, which comes from 15 or 16 years in the first team. I don’t think I need to play well in specific games otherwise I won’t be offered a contract. Generally speaking, if I am doing well, everything else will take care of itself.

“It is not something I worry myself about. You could easily get caught up in ‘I have only got a year left so I need to play well’ and put that added extra pressure on yourself.

“But the pressure playing for United in itself is enough you don’t want to put added pressure on.

“I just try to enjoy it because I feel the more I enjoy my game the better I play.

“That has been the case over the last few years because I am coming to the end of my career.”

Chief executive Gill said the club would be looking to extend defender Wes Brown’s contract, which is also set to expire next summer.

“Wes in his final year and we will sit down with him to discuss an extension,” he added.

“We will be looking to extend his contract.”

By : bbc.co.uk