Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

Roon missing out for the BIG one tmrw

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Rooney could miss Liverpool clash

But maybe opposition camp got problems with their duo Torres, Gerrrard too

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Liverpool v Manchester United

Liverpool v Man Utd
Sunday, 25 October 2009


TEAM NEWS
Liverpool's dire injury situation looks to be easing, with Fernando Torres (thigh) hopeful of returning.
Glen Johnson (groin) is also close to a comeback, but Steven Gerrard is struggling with a similar problem.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney faces an "uphill fight" to be passed fit.

Rooney has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Darren Fletcher (groin) is a doubt, but Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra return.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Gerrard (groin), Torres (thigh)

Injured/unavailable: Aquilani (fitness), Dossena (groin), Kelly (ankle), Kyrgiakos (knee), Riera (hamstring)

Manchester United

Suspended: None Doubtful: Fletcher (groin), Rooney (calf)

Injured: Park (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
Beach balls are banned, but is it nearly time for Liverpool to throw in the towel that is sold as part of the set? Defeat against Manchester United would represent Liverpool's worst run of form for 56 years and leave a ten-point chasm between these sides.

We are not thinking about losing to United...we have beaten them before - twice last season - and we must do that again

Javier Mascherano, Liverpool
Liverpool pushed United until the penultimate game of last season's title race, but could end the day virtually out of this one barely two months into the campaign.

Liverpool's official club merchandise Beach Set sold out in the wake of the giant red ball that deflated them at Sunderland last weekend. Manchester United fans are suspected of being behind the sudden demand, but a vigorous search policy at the turnstiles is likely to deprive them of a tribute to Darren Bent's winning goal at the Stadium of Light.

Nonetheless, the visitors arrive in buoyant mood, having maintained their 100% winning record in Europe in midweek to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions.

By contrast, Liverpool have lost their last four games to leave their league and European prospects on a knife-edge. United, though, know not to write off their rivals; Liverpool won without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in the starting line-up when the clubs met at Anfield last season.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Liverpool beat Manchester United home and away in the league last season for the first time in seven years. The 4-1 scoreline at Old Trafford was United's heaviest home defeat since New Year's Day 1992.

• Manchester United have won five and drawn one of their last seven visits to Anfield in the league.

• United have the best Premier League record of any club against Liverpool, with 18 wins and 61 points.

• Liverpool have lost four successive matches in all competitions - their worst run for more than 22 years.

• It is 56 years since they last lost five consecutive matches. In August and September 1953 they were beaten by Bolton, Newcastle, Preston, Wolves and Tottenham in the top flight. They finished bottom of the division that season and were relegated.

• Defeat would mean they have lost half of their opening 10 league games for the first time since 1993.

• Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their four league matches at Anfield this season - only Arsenal have scored more home goals in the division prior to this weekend.

Manchester United

• Manchester United are on an 11-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. They have won 10 and drawn one.

• They are winless in their last four trips to Big Four opposition, losing three times, since a 1-0 victory at Liverpool in December 2007.

• United are the only team not to concede a goal from a set-piece in the Premier League this season.

• Ryan Giggs has scored 99 Premier League goals for United, and Paul Scholes has 98.

• Michael Carrick is set to make his 100th league appearance for the club, while Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov are poised for the 100th Premier League starts of their career.

LEADING GOALSCORERS
Liverpool
Torres: 8 goals (8 league); Kuyt: 4 goals (3 league)
Manchester United
Rooney: 7 goals (6 league); Berbatov: 3 goals (3 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Marriner

Assistant referees: Adam Watts & Patrick Keane

Fourth official: Peter Walton

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Liverpool (L0-1 v Sunderland, a): Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel (Voronin 72), Carragher, Babel (Ngog 81), Lucas, Aurelio, Spearing (Mascherano 72), Benayoun, Kuyt. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Riera, Insua, Kelly.

Manchester United (W2-1 v Bolton, h): Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra (O'Shea 83), Valencia, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 86), Giggs, Owen (Welbeck 83), Berbatov. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Brown, Nani, Macheda.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Man Utd 1-4 Liverpool (14 March 2009)

Manchester United scorer: Ronaldo 23 pen.

Liverpool scorers: Torres 28, Gerrard 44 pen, Aurelio 77, Dossena 90.

[asiancigar]

It was another sad nite to watch our beloved ManU play football without any soul or hunger.

1. First of all, the Referee seemed overawed handling his first big game and was bias against us...... Carrick was a clear cut penalty and Carriger should have been given a direct Red for his WWE type wrestle on MO

2. Berbatov was again in twilight zone...

3. Giggs looked tired and out of ideas...

4. Scholes was not even involved...

5. Rooney should not have played...

6. Valencia was an effortless workhorse...

7. Carrick was playing 'cha tek'...

8. O'Shea seem to be the 12th player for L'fool...

9. Rio looked like an old man...

10. Evra was shut down effectively...

11. Vidic was unlucky to be Red carded...

12. Poor Van Der Sar was made to look bad by his backline...

13. SAF almost blew the batteries in his pacemaker...

Overall, L'fool were hungrier and played like their careers depended on it while our boys were painful to watch and pathetic in play..... revealing that as of now..... our challenge for a record 19th Championship may be in doubt...

Cheerz
AC

[imom]

SAF's ploy to keep Rafa at Anfield? Hehe....

[dc7176]

Originally Posted by imom

SAF's ploy to keep Rafa at Anfield? Hehe....

wahaha... tat a goot one... let them win this match n keep rafa... so we can win the title!!

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by imom

SAF's ploy to keep Rafa at Anfield? Hehe....

Haha

Cheerz
AC

[richie_rich]

FERDINAND SET TO BE AXED - REPORTS

Rio Ferdinand is facing the axe for both club and country amid fears that his slump in form may be irreversible.

Both The Sun and Daily Mirror claim that Ferdinand is poised to be dropped following his feeble performance in Manchester United's defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.

According to The Sun, 'club management are concerned that Ferdinand has lost two yards of pace and that he might never recover his best form. The change could come as soon as Saturday's home game to Blackburn as boss Ferguson is ready to give Jonny Evans an extended run in the side alongside Nemanja Vidic.'

Nor are concerns about Ferdinand limited to doubts about his form either. The Mirror says that 'it is clear Ferdinand, who turns 31 on November 7, is now a hostage to his body, having enjoyed a relatively injury-free career until he hit 30' and adds that 'Questions must also be asked over whether Ferdinand's increasingly busy profile away from football has started to have a detrimental effect on his game.

'He has a huge commitment to his online magazine, which has seen him embark on a relentless promotion campaign and interview the likes of Gordon Brown, Usain Bolt and Roger Federer.

'Ferdinand was on the red carpet in London's Leicester Square last Thursday, at the premiere of the movie he and England team-mate Ashley Cole helped fund, having only arrived back from Moscow at 2.30am the same day.

'Had Ferdinand's form not slumped so dramatically, the issue of whether such extra-curricular activities were getting in the way of his football would be irrelevant.

'But with his form so wretched right now, any such distractions will inevitably - and rightly - come under scrutiny, just as they did with David Beckham.'

[richie_rich]

Transfer rumour : UNITED LOOKING AT LOPEZ

The Sun says that 'Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez is a £15million target for Manchester United.

'Boss Alex Ferguson is impressed with the 27 year old after twice sending spies to watch him recently.'
Apparently, 'Fergie has concerns over the form of back-up Ben Foster.'

Don't we all?

[richie_rich]

MANYOO GIVEN GREEN LIGHT BY VALENCIA

The papers are all a tizz this morning after Valencia admitted they may have to sell star assets David Villa and David Silva. Fleet Street's conclusion: it's a green light for Manchester United to make their move.

There were rumours of United interest throughout the summer and The Daily Mail reckons that 'United representatives met Valencia over the summer but were told that despite the La Liga club's financial woes, Silva and Villa would not be sold. Ferguson also hoped Nani could live up to his potential but the Portuguese has failed to deliver so far this season.

'Valencia remain in dire need of funds and, with a large chunk of Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million transfer fee yet to be spent, United are confident of landing one - if not both - of Valencia's prized assets.'

Valencia themselves have now publicly admitted that their financial woes could result in a sale.

"The club made a great effort to keep our players this summer but our economic situation remains very serious,' Valencia director Fernando Gomez said on Spanish TV.

"It was a success to keep them, but there comes a point when you can't stand it anymore. We may have to sell Villa."

And it's not as if United shouldn't have money to spend. Very little of the £80m recouped from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo has been spend and, as The Daily Mirror reminds, 'Fergie also has around £25m that was set aside by United to conclude a permanent deal to sign Carlos Tevez, which fell through when the striker decided to join Manchester City.'

[richie_rich]

FERGIE SYMPATHY WITH OBERTAN

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered some sympathy to Gabriel Obertan after the Frenchman squandered two gilt-edged chances in the 2-0 victory against Blackburn.

Obertan came off the bench in the second half for his Barclays Premier League debut after a good performance in the Cup win over Barnsley.

The former Bordeaux winger, now fully recovered from a nagging back injury, was one-on-one with Paul Robinson but saw his weak shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

Then Obertan found himself clear only yards from goal following a square ball from Antonio Valencia, only to find the wrong side of the post.

After Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney scored to seal the points in a 2-0 victory, Ferguson said: "Gabriel was a bit nervous when he came on.

"It was only his second game in seven months, so you have to put it in perspective. But then he settled down and did well. He is not happy with himself and that is a good thing."

Blackburn, who arrived on the back of nine straight defeats on the road, held out until the 55th minute.

Then Berbatov got the better of Ryan Nelsen after Patrice Evra played the ball in to turn and score.

However it was not until two minutes from the end that Rooney made the points safe, following a sweet finish.

Berbatov told ESPN: "As long as we keep on winning I think everyone will be happy. In the first half, I had a couple of chances - you need to be patient and when another one comes, you need to score it.

"It is always difficult to play against Blackburn but when you score you are relieved. You feel that you have done something special and that was the case."

It was Rooney's eighth goal of the season and Ferguson was pleased his side got back on track in the league following the defeat by Liverpool.

However he confirmed that Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs would miss the Champions League match against CSKA Moscow through injury.

Ferguson said: "The players worked very hard as Blackburn set out their stall. You always get a bit concerned when you haven't scored.

"But we don't panic. We have that experience. We can win games in the 93rd minute.

"You need that patience, though, and we improved our penetration in the second half. That is a strong virtue of this club."

Blackburn found the net on the stroke of full time through substitute Nikola Kalinic only for his effort to be disallowed, a decision manager Sam Allardyce found baffling.

He said: "We cannot have the opportunity taken away from us after we had worked so hard. It is a disappointing scenario to be left with.

"This is so far onside, it is not a close one. It should have been given. With four minutes to go who knows what might have happened."

Allardyce said: "They have got two goals through good finishes from Berbatov and Rooney. You cannot argue with their quality but we have stayed right to the end and that is pleasing."

[richie_rich]

Transfer Gossip

MANYOO EYEING £35M SUAREZ

It's not often that The Sunday Times ventures into the murky world of gossip but they're talking big business for Manchester United this weekend.

According to the newspaper, Sir Alex Ferguson is pursuing Ajax's 22-year-old striker Luis Suarez and there's talk of a £35m bid.

'Ajax are aware of Ferguson's interest and expect a bidding war to develop, with Manchester City, Internazionale and AC Milan also involved. Martin Jol, appointed Ajax coach last summer, considers Suarez essential to the club's attempts to recover the Dutch title for the first time in six years and is understood to have received an undertaking that his principal attacker will not be sold in the winter window. However, Ajax are a selling club and would struggle to resist an offer approaching their £35m valuation,' the newspaper states.

After a couple of paragraphs of waffle, it also adds that 'In addition to a new striker, there is also a need to find a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand. England Under-21 international Jack Rodwell is under consideration after an impressive start to his Premier League career at Everton' and that 'In the centre of his midfield, Ferguson is waiting to see if Owen Hargreaves successfully recovers from the knee ligament condition that has kept him out of football for more than a season.


PAY-AS-YOU-PLAY DEAL FOR HARGREAVES

Talking of Hargreaves, the Sunday Mirror reports that the midfielder 'will be offered only a pay-as-you-play contract if he wants to extend his stay at Manchester United. The England midfielder has just 20 months left on his current deal, but United will not enter into negotiations about extending the arrangement until the end of the season.'


NEUER TO REPLACE VDS AT UNITED

The Mail on Sunday is also gossiping about ManYoo and claims that 'German international Manuel Neuer looks increasingly likely to be the true successor to Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United, with a renewed bid for the Schalke goalkeeper expected next summer, but possibly as soon as January to head off interest from Bayern Munich.'

A bid of around £12m is predicted and 'Sources at Schalke say United have already made one bid, last summer, which was rebuffed.'

All in all, it's bad news for Ben Foster. 'What is clear is that Foster will not be trusted to step into Van der Sar's shoes next season,' the report concldues.

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by imom

SAF's ploy to keep Rafa at Anfield? Hehe....

Glorious weekend!

Normal service resumed in the North West of England!

[richie_rich]

BROWN CALLS FOR DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT

Wes Brown has conceded Manchester United will have to defend far better at Stamford Bridge on Sunday if they are to get anything out of their blockbuster confrontation with Chelsea.

Both sides will go into the game with their Champions League knock-out place secure following draws on Tuesday night.

But while Carlo Ancelotti's men were probably pleased with their efforts against Atletico Madrid, United looked far less secure.

It took another injury-time strike, this time a deflected Antonio Valencia effort, to earn a 3-3 draw against a spirited CSKA Moscow outfit at Old Trafford.

The ease with which the Russians scored their three goals provides huge cause for concern, especially as Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Rio Ferdinand is highly unlikely to return as he struggles to get over a calf injury.

It means either Brown or Jonny Evans will continue in central defence alongside Nemanja Vidic, who should be fit.

And Brown knows against the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, such defensive weakness will be punished.

"We cannot concede like that when we go to Stamford Bridge," he said.

"We have to be tighter at the back and give the strikers the chance to do a bit of damage at the other end."

It is another key game, coming just a fortnight after the defeat at Liverpool which cast fresh doubt over United's ability to sustain a title challenge this term.

If anything, Brown expects Sunday's encounter to be even tougher.

"It will be our toughest game of the season," he said.

"They have been doing very well.

"They are a well organised team and they will be very strong. They are scoring goals at the moment and we will have to be really on top form to think of getting any points."

[asiancigar]

I was with some kakis just the other day TCSS....... and we started talking about football. As it turned out most were MU die-hards accept this one guy who was a Liverpool fan.

He said that most L'pool fans have written off their EPL hopes and even that of Champions League and that it was no longer important (hahaha).... then he said the most startling thing...... that L'pool fans are concerned only to watch and relish their team beat teams like ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal......... wahaaaaaaaaaaaa

It goes to prove the old saying " a drowning man clutches at a straw "........ poor LiveAFool fan....... he was surely walking alone with his comment.

Cheerz
AC

[richie_rich]

FLETCHER SET TO SOLDIER ON

Darren Fletcher is hoping a pain-easing injection will delay the need for ankle surgery until next summer.

The Manchester United midfielder returned to action after a month on the sidelines in Tuesday's six-goal thriller with CSKA Moscow.

It should mean Fletcher will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, when United attempt to depose the current Premier League leaders.

However, the Scotland star knows he will still be experiencing an element of discomfort from a long-standing injury he aggravated against Sunderland last month, which he accepts will eventually consign him to surgery.

"A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and stuck out about an inch," he revealed.

"Every time I bend it is causing a bit of pain so I have had an injection to clear it up for a while.

"It should be okay to the end of the season but the plan is to get me through to the summer and then do something then."

Scotland's failure to qualify for next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa provides the perfect gap for Fletcher to have the operation.

"I have had it for a couple of years now and the build-up of fluid and other medical things the doctors know more about than me has been constantly aggravating it," he said.

"Striking a ball or bending the ankle in a flexed position or pushing off it hurts.

"It got to the point where it was too sore to train and play. Something had to be done and I had the injection."

It would seem certain Fletcher will be one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson's team-sheet on Sunday.

Certainly, United missed Fletcher's battling qualities against Liverpool a fortnight ago, with the hole his injury left proving just as troublesome to fill as it did in Rome last May, when Barcelona ran riot in the Champions League final.

Ferguson is unlikely to leave his team similarly exposed at the weekend now Fletcher is a proven top-class performer.

For a player whose early days in the Red Devils' first-team were dismissed rather crudely, the plaudits that have followed recently must sound nice.

But Fletcher insists he is not taking them too seriously.

"I take the compliments with a pinch of salt," he said.

"I enjoy these matches as much as anyone and I put pressure on myself to perform more than anyone does.

"The challenge of playing against the top-class players that Chelsea have is one I look forward to and I will be doing my best to win the match.

"But I am not going to make or break a game like this."

[richie_rich]

RIO `OUT FOR SIX WEEKS`

Rio Ferdinand will reportedly be out for six weeks after deciding to 'sort out' his back problem.

The Manchester United defender has missed the last three games with a calf complaint, but has been in and out of the Old Trafford treatment room with various problems that can be traced to a back injury suffered at the end of last year.

Ferdinand has struggled to string more than two games together since then, and concerns have been growing about his fitness and the knock-on effect that it is having on his form.

Wes Brown said of his defensive colleague: "Rio has been injured for a very long time and he's been getting a lot of pain in his back for a long time.

"I'm not sure how many months it's been going on, but he's come to the stage where he's sorting it out now.

"When he comes back I'm sure he'll be a lot stronger. If you are not fully fit and you try and play it's very hard - believe me, I know - especially because of how fast the Premier League is now. And if you carry on playing with that same injury week in, week out, it does make things even harder.

"That's what happens and Rio's decided to sort it out."

According to The Sun, that 'sorting out' means missing six weeks, and The Times suggests Ferdinand may have to undergo surgery to solve the problem.

This means he will be out of United's crucial clash with Chelsea on Sunday, and five other Premier League games as well as United's final two Champions League group games and their Carling Cup quarter-final against Spurs.

It will also mean Fabio Capello will be without Ferdinand for England's friendly against Brazil later this month.