Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[richie_rich]

ROONEY BACKS OWEN FOR ENGLAND


Wayne Rooney is backing old pal Michael Owen to win his England place back.

Fabio Capello once again overlooked the Three Lions' fourth highest goalscorer when he announced his squad to tackle Holland on Wednesday.

Even though Owen scored four times on United's recent Far East tour, Capello still needs to be convinced the 29-year-old can operate at the highest level.

At least Owen has the opportunity following his surprise move to Manchester United.

And, knowing his former international colleague so well, Rooney is convinced Owen will get the goals required to win Capello round.

"I do see Michael getting back into the England side," said Rooney.

"Obviously it is the manager's decision but he has looked really sharp in pre-season and I am sure if he maintains that form, it won't be long before he is back in the squad."

Ironically, neither Owen nor Rooney took a penalty in Sunday's Community Shield shoot-out defeat to Chelsea at Wembley as misses by Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra meant the Blues' four successful kicks were enough to seal victory before the striking pair had a chance to go for goal themselves.

While disappointed to lose, Rooney was encouraged by some of United's attacking play, especially in the opening half-hour when they created enough chances to seal the contest.

"A draw was probably a fair result," he reflected.

"We played some good football at times, particularly in the first 25 minutes and should have scored another couple of goals.

"To concede two sloppy ones was not great, so we will have to work on that but overall we are reasonably satisfied."

Patrice Evra's personal distaste for Chelsea only increased as a result of being pole-axed by Michael Ballack's off-the-ball tackle.

While Sir Alex Ferguson has professed himself not to be interested in whether the FA take further action against Ballack given the moment where punishment for his challenge would benefit his own side has now passed, the Scot would presumably be irritated if the Germany captain did escape any sanction.

As Evra still nurses a sense of grievance at the four-match ban and £15,000 fine handed out to him by the FA for a post-match fracas at Stamford Bridge in May 2008, the Frenchman would also no doubt conclude a lack of fairness is in operation.

Not that such considerations will come into play next Sunday when United begin their quest for an unprecedented fourth successive league championship - and a record 19th - when they entertain newly-promoted Birmingham.

Ferguson has once again ruled out an incursion into the transfer market prior to the deadline at the end of the month, responding with a curt "Not at £50million" when asked whether Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero was on his hit-list.

It means he will go into the new campaign with Federico Macheda joining Rooney, Owen and Dimitar Berbatov in a strikeforce charged with the task of compensating for the goals United have lost in exchange for the world record fee of £80million received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Not that there will be much chance for United to get back to work on the training ground until Friday given the mass of players now heading away for international duty.

Nani should have been among them. Instead he is nursing a dislocated shoulder Ferguson fears could take a long time to heal judging by the initial failure to restore the bone back to its socket.

It means Antonio Valencia will almost certainly make his competitive debut against Alex McLeish's men, before which Rooney has the small matter of trying to help England record a first win in Holland since 1969 to attend to.

"It does feel a bit strange to have an international right before the league season has started, although to be honest I would prefer it to be now," he said.

"Holland will be a difficult game. They have been in great form and have already qualified for the World Cup.

"But we are looking to get the momentum back from last season so hopefully we can get a positive result."

[alex18122003]

Rooney plays down top dog status

Wayne Rooney insists he has never thought of Manchester United as being a one-man team.

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has led most observers to presume Rooney will now become Sir Alex Ferguson's main man this term.

"I am comfortable with the extra responsibility now Cristiano has gone," said Rooney. "But I have never looked at myself as being the main man. It is a team game. I won't win a trophy on my own."

He added: "There have been big expectations on me for the last seven years so whether he was here or not I would still have that."

Judging by Ferguson's team selection at Wembley for Sunday's Community Shield, Rooney will be spending most of his time partnering Dimitar Berbatov this season.

If Rooney has little to prove, the Bulgarian certainly has after a distinctly mixed debut campaign following his club record £30.75million move from Tottenham.

Although Ferguson frequently defended the Bulgarian, United's long-serving boss only used Berbatov as a substitute during the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May and there were even suggestions he might have been sold less than 12 months after his arrival.

Now though Rooney senses a fresh hunger, which can only bode well for a United side who begin their quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive championship when they host newly-promoted Birmingham on Sunday.

"You can see in training and games during pre-season Dimitar has looked sharper," he said. "He looks like he is more determined.

"He is tracking back with the full-backs in pre-season and is definitely working harder and trying to impress. He is a brilliant player. He has so much quality he has got and we all want him to show it."

[richie_rich]

FERGIE HOPING FOR HISTORIC SEASON

Sir Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United are ready to meet the challenge of winning a history-making fourth consecutive league title.

While United have twice won three on the trot, following the achievements of Liverpool and, before the Second World War, Huddersfield and Arsenal, no side has ever managed a fourth.

Yet that is the target Ferguson's team will have in their sights when they open their campaign against Birmingham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo is a major blow and Ferguson is not underestimating the huge hole that has been left by the Portugal superstar's exit for Real Madrid, even if United have pocketed a world record £80million in return.

However, United have brought in Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, both of whom have impressed in pre-season, while failure in last May's Champions League final means they will not be distracted by a mid-season trip to Abu Dhabi to defend their Club World Cup trophy.

"We would like to do it," said Ferguson.

"It would be a great achievement obviously, because we all know what a difficult league it is.

"Under the circumstances, it was a great achievement to win it last year. But we don't have to go for the Club World Cup this time and we don't have to play catch-up in terms of games."

Ferguson could have some good news on the injury front too as Wes Brown seems set to declare himself available to face Alex McLeish's newly-promoted Blues after sustaining a thigh injury in Munich during last month's Audi Cup.

Ben Foster may also be in contention, despite pulling out of England's friendly in Holland with a knee injury, although Tomasz Kuszczak's excellent recent form makes that less of a worry for the United boss.

Ferguson has already been given a pleasant surprise with Nani getting through a 17-minute substitute appearance for Portugal against Liechtenstein last night casting aside fears he dislocated his shoulder at Wembley on Sunday.

It will also be interesting to see whether Rooney will continue his partnership with Dimitar Berbatov this weekend given Owen is desperate for some involvement.

"Our approach to him has been to say 'enjoy being here, enjoy the training' and he has not missed a single session yet," said Ferguson.

"He has operated really well in all the games so far. He has shown some really clever stuff and I am very pleased with him."

[alex18122003]

Premier League - Match facts: Manchester United v Birmingham

Stats and facts as Manchester United host Birmingham on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Birmingham City are yet to score a goal in five Premier League trips to Old Trafford, losing all five matches.

Overall, City have failed to score in eight of their 10 Premier League matches against the champions, gaining just two points.

The last two top-flight games between these sides have ended 1-0 to United.

This will be Birmingham's sixth season in the Premier League and the fifth time they have started the campaign away from home.

Manchester United have won only two of their last five opening weekend Premier League games.

In the 2007-08 Premier League season, Birmingham lost their last five away games in succession, conceding 15 goals in the process.

United have kept only three clean sheets in their last seven league games at Old Trafford.

United picked up 50 points at home last season, more than any other team.

Michael Owen has scored three goals in his last five Premier League games against Birmingham.

Dimitar Berbatov led the Premier League in open play assists last season, with nine.

United's win record with Wayne Rooney (pictured) and Cristiano Ronaldo was 71 per cent. It rises to 74 per cent in games with Rooney but without Ronaldo.

Birmingham are two short of 200 Premier League goals.

[richie_rich]

ROONEY RECEIVES ROLE REMINDER

Wayne Rooney received a reminder to concentrate on what he is good at during Manchester United's Premier League victory over Birmingham on Sunday.

With Cristiano Ronaldo joining Real Madrid, Rooney has been promised a more central berth by Sir Alex Ferguson this season.

The immediate response has been positive. Rooney followed his goal in last weekend's Community Shield by scoring his 99th for United to clinch all three points against Alex McLeish's newly-promoted side.

Yet it seems old habits die hard. For even though Ferguson has told the 23-year-old to do his damage in central areas, he could not resist the temptation to saunter out to the wing at times in his quest to get on the ball.

"He wants to be everywhere all the time," said United assistant manager Mike Phelan.

"But we have 10 other good players on the field and sometimes he has to realise the place where he does his best work is the best place to be.

"Wayne sometimes drifts around and there were instances of that against Birmingham. His overall performance was good but he needs to remember when we create chances he scores goals."

It is just a gentle reminder that Rooney is not quite the finished article.

The problem is one Fabio Capello combats with England by allowing Rooney to swap positions with Steven Gerrard.

No such opportunity currently exists at United, where neither Nani nor new signing Antonio Valencia are sure enough of their own bearings to risk an experiment in which they end up being overshadowed.

Nevertheless, Rooney has started the campaign in decent goalscoring form, even if he might have got himself into three figures on Sunday.

"It could have been 100," he said.

"I had a couple of chances but their keeper made some good saves.

"Overall I am delighted with the goal and pleased we got the three points."

Having ended a two-year sequence of not winning their first match - although it did not stop them lifting the title on either occasion - United now make the short trip to Burnley, where they will become Turf Moor's first top-flight visitors for 33 years.

Ferguson does have a few worries, with Jonny Evans a doubt as he struggles to recover from an ankle injury.

In addition, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are sidelined, so John O'Shea will continue in central defence, probably alongside Wes Brown, who came on as a substitute once it became apparent that Evans could not continue.

Elsewhere, Ferguson does have options, with both Anderson and Michael Carrick, who along with Park Ji-sung did not even make the bench yesterday, eager for a start.

Michael Owen is chomping at the bit to get involved after nearly crowning his late substitute appearance with a goal, while Federico Macheda wants to continue the impressive form he showed in pre-season.

Ben Foster is set to continue in goal after producing a solid performance, one save in particular to deny Christian Benitez caught the eye.

After dropping below the standards he sets himself at Wembley last week, it was vital for Foster to regain top form quickly.

And, after confirming his fitness following a knee injury he picked up at Wembley, the 26-year-old was delighted to do just that.

"I was happy with my contribution, especially after last week," he said.

"I was disappointed with my personal performance at Wembley so it was good to bounce back and get a clean sheet.

"I just have got to give it all I have got now.

"Unfortunately, Edwin has suffered his injury and will be out for a period of time.

"I have to do what I can in the time he is out and when he is back and fit again I have to hope I have done enough to stay where I am."

[richie_rich]

Brown on standby to fill Evans gap

Wes Brown could replace Jonny Evans in Manchester United's side at Burnley as Turf Moor prepares to host its first ever Premier League game. With Nemanja Vidic (calf) and Rio Ferdinand (thigh) already ruled out and Evans now a major doubt, Brown looks set to partner John O'Shea in central defence on Tuesday in United's first league meeting with Burnley since 1976.

Michael Carrick and Anderson are set to make their first appearances of the season, while Michael Owen could be included after being introduced as a substitute in Sunday's win over Birmingham.

United (from): Foster, Kuszczak, Fabio, De Laet, O'Shea, Evans, Brown, Cathcart, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Park, Nani, Tosic, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Macheda, Welbeck.

[asiancigar]

SO DISAPPOINTED.....

What i witnessed just hours ago against newbies Burnley was shocking and very disappointing.....

- we were ineffective in attack
- we lacked creativity
- we lost the ball 70% of the time
- our defenders were clueless without Rio and Vidic
- our strikers were on holiday
- our attacking play was so schoolboyish
- i wonder how many shots were on target...... i think less than 6 !!!!!

And the biggest disappointment for me is our new mega million buy.... Valencia: he cannot run at defenders, cannot cross the ball, cannot control the ball, cannot shot at the goal, has no football skills or football sense.... and what was he doing trying to head the ball when he should have kicked it goal wards.

PAINFUL to watch our beloved Champions playing so badly against minnows.... i FEAR what will happen when playing the likes of the other Big 3 and title contenders especially Spurs and our neighbors from across the street.... MCity.

I am AFRAID based on what i saw in the last two games........ silverware will be difficult this year.

And if SAF does not pull a rabbit out of the hat....... then i'm afraid that he might not be around next season

Cheerz
AC

[CibLover]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

I am AFRAID based on what i saw in the last two games........

Sighhhh...truly disheartening. To Burnley?? Goodness... The boys really need some hairdryer treatment from SAF now.

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by CibLover

Sighhhh...truly disheartening. To Burnley?? Goodness... The boys really need some hairdryer treatment from SAF now.

Originally Posted by asiancigar

What i witnessed just hours ago against newbies Burnley was shocking and very disappointing.....
PAINFUL to watch our beloved Champions playing so badly against minnows.... I am AFRAID based on what i saw in the last two games........ silverware will be difficult this year.

Burnley deserved to win, with their spirited display and defence. Red devils played as if they were newly promoted side kns!

Lousy clearance within the box which gave Blake bloke to hit goal? Wtf was softie Carrick thinking (or doing rather) with penalty blunder? Shdn't Owen or Roon take it? Shd have sacrificed my beauty sleep for this poor showing.

No width, poor midfield, porous defence.. all reason to be concerned on our contest this season. One thing is to get used to life minus Ron, and plenty footy left to be played. But we better get our ass in gear this weekend to Wigan

[alex18122003]

Champions United suffer shock defeat at Burnley

Burnley celebrated their first home match in the top division for 33 years with a shock 1-0 victory over Premier League champions Manchester United at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Robbie Blake struck a superb volley from outside the box in the 19th minute and United wasted the chance to equalise when Michael Carrick saw his penalty well saved by Brian Jensen just before the break.

United piled on the pressure in the second half but an inspired Jensen and some wasteful finishing kept them at bay.

Liverpool put an opening defeat to Tottenham Hotspur behind them with a 4-0 victory over Stoke City with Fernando Torres opening the scoring.

Tottenham are the new league leaders after thrashing Hull City 5-1 with England striker Jermain Defoe grabbing a hat-trick.

They lead Chelsea on goal difference after Carlo Ancelotti's side made it two wins from two with victory over Sunderland on Tuesday. Arsenal are third on three points having played only one game.

HEROIC RETURN

Burnley, who won the second of their two league championships in 1960, are back in the top flight for the first time since 1976.

"The chances we've had we should have won the match," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports news. "Burnley got the victory in 10 minutes in the first half. They played very well."

Burnley took their surprise lead with Blake's beautifully taken volley and escaped an equaliser minutes before halftime when Blake tripped Patrice Evra in the box only for Carrick to miss the spot kick.

Michael Owen, substituted in front of England coach Fabio Capello on the hour after failing to make an impact, made way for Berbatov who improved United's attack but Burnley held on.

Liverpool went ahead at home to Stoke early on when Spanish striker Fernando Torres met Steven Gerrard's cross to score before Glen Johnson grabbed a second just before the break.

Great work from captain Gerrard allowed Dutchman Dirk Kuyt to add a third on 78 minutes and David Ngog added a fourth late in the game.

Birmingham City's 1-0 victory over Portsmouth, with a last-gasp penalty from James McFadden, meant there is yet to be a drawn match in the new Premier League season.

[dc7176]

sigh... i hav not much hope for my team this year... 4get abt the title, juz hope n pray they can stay among the big 4 come end of the season!! yawn... knn... go office so sleepy n keep on kena suan by my frens... sibei sianz...

[machoman]

Fergie keeps cool despite United's shock defeat

Thursday, August 20, 2009, 09:56:53 HRS

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson leaves the pitch after his side were beaten 1-0 by Burnley during the English Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley, north-west England.

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not concerned about Manchester United's goal-scoring problems despite managing just one goal in their first two Premier League matches.

The champions beat Birmingham 1-0 on Sunday but slipped to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at Burnley in their second match of the season on Wednesday.

Ferguson is still getting to grips with life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez as United have failed to convince at the start of the campaign.

The United manager felt his side still created plenty of chances against the Clarets and thinks they could run riot at Wigan on Saturday if they come up with a similar number of opportunities.

Ferguson, who saw Michael Carrick's penalty saved at Turf Moor, insists his team will quickly bounce back from losing their second match of the season.

He said: "I'm sure we'll get a response on Saturday. We're all disappointed it was a bad result.

"It was a terrific pitch so that's no excuse. We just should have done better with it.

"We usually take our time to get going. Sometimes it's October before we get into our best form. But we shouldn't be losing these games.

"You have to give credit to Burnley. It's a great night for them. Their fans were fantastic and the pitch was magnificent. Everyone was here for a great night of football.

"It's not a concern at this stage when you see the chances we've had. Two or three players had chances. Michael Owen missed one first half, Ryan Giggs in the second.

"Michael Carrick had the best chance, the ball was squared to him and he lost the opportunity. Hopefully we get as many chances on a Saturday."

Burnley's Martin Patterson (left) vies with Manchester United's Wes Brown during their English Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Burnley won 1-0.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle hopes the victory, which followed Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Stoke, will give his side, who are favourites for an immediate return to the Championship, the belief they belong in the top flight.

Robbie Blake scored the only goal before Brian Jensen came up with a fine penalty save from Carrick.

The Clarets manager believes his side can continue to pick up points despite their next three matches being against Everton, Chelsea and Liverpool.

And he insists that getting off the mark in such style will be just what his team need if they are to avoid relegation.

He said: "I've told them to have the belief and confidence and now we've got a massive game against Everton on Sunday.

"After we lost on Saturday people felt we would still be bottom of the league with no points after the United game so it was nice to prove them wrong, but we have to continue to do it over the course of the season.

"If you look at it financially then Burnley against United is a total mis-match but what we do have is belief and quality and we have an unbelievable work-ethic.

"We're going to have to produce that in each and every game in the campaign. It's a terrific boost and a timely boost because in whatever league you operate in, you want points on the board or the pressure builds on the team.

"It's great to have that under our belt and we'll have to try to get more to go with it.

"My group of players, financially again, will be nowhere near the earnings of some other players in the Premier League but they're an honest group of players prepared to do everything they can to get points."

- AFP

[asiancigar]

Actually i almost switched off the TV after our rubbish 1st Half performance...... it is painful to see our Champions playing like novices and missing chance after chance after chance...... just not used to it lor !!!

How we ended up winning by 5 goals is beyond me.......

- am delighted that Rooney finally got his 100th goal in such brilliant fashion
- simply ecstasy seeing Berbertov score with such sublime touches
- i jumped for joy when MO scored......
- was breathless when Nani executed one of the best free kicks ever

It was almost like a team possessed from the 55th minute onwards......

Simply incREDible !!!!!!

Lets hope that the boys can keep this up for the next game........ against Arsenal


Cheerz
AC

[slyer]

owen finally scored his first goal for man utd great thrashing of wigan...

great nani freekick. i believe he will final CR7 shoes

berbatov cheeky flick over the gk is nice...

congrats to rooney on his 101st goal

[machoman]

Owen plans to prove the critics wrong

Sunday, August 23, 2009, 21:06:37 HRS

Manchester United's Michael Owen (right) vies with Malaysian defender Shafiq Rahim during the first half of a friendly match against a Malaysia XI at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Owen insists his first goal for United will be a springboard to prove the critics wrong.

Michael Owen insists his first goal for Manchester United will be a springboard to prove the critics wrong.

Owen opened his account for the Premier League champions in Saturday's 5-0 victory against Wigan at the DW Stadium when he came off the bench to convert Nani's pass with a typically clinical finish.

The 29-year-old's goal was his first since January but he believes it offered a compelling response to the pundits who claimed he had little to offer Sir Alex Ferguson's team after missing several chances in pre-season.

Owen arrived at Old Trafford last month as a free agent after leaving relegated Newcastle. An ankle injury and a groin operation disrupted his final year on Tyneside but his overall contribution of 30 goals in 65 starts commands respect.

So too does his England tally - 40 in 89 international appearances - and Owen said: "I've missed a couple since the season started and, as ever, everyone is quick to write you off. It was as if I hadn't scored for a couple of years.

"That's something I've had to deal with for 10-odd years now and I don't think that will change until I hang up my boots.

"It was certainly a great feeling to score. I'd got a few in pre-season but there's nothing quite like doing it in a competitive game.

"I probably scored the hardest chance I've had. I had two chances at Burnley and one against Birmingham, but this was the fourth real opportunity I've had."

Owen is keen to kick on and in the process catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello, who has so far refused to bring the former Liverpool star back from his international exile.

"I'd be disappointed if people didn't think I could go on from here," he told MUTV.

"I obviously believe I can as I have done throughout my career and I certainly expect to score more goals in the red shirt."

- AFP