Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

Neville poised for Man Utd return

Neville suffered the initial ankle injury against Bolton last season
Manchester United captain Gary Neville is set to make his comeback from a succession of injuries in Thursday's Senior Cup tie with Stockport.
The right-back, 32, suffered an ankle injury in March and muscle strains have delayed his return this season.

Neville told Manchester United Radio: "Missing the end of last season was bad enough but then for it to go into this season is doubly frustrating.

"But hopefully it's over now and I can get back into the team."

United have also confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will be fit for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal.

Reports suggested the 28-year-old defender had undergone a scan amid fears he had suffered a recurrence of a groin problem he sustained last season.

But a club statement said: "Rio Ferdinand is fit to face Arsenal.

"He trained with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, and is considered fully fit and ready to play against the Gunners."

Neville is unlikely to be risked at Arsenal even if he does come through Thursday's game at Northwich unscathed, but may make the bench for next week's Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev.

However, the England international is aware that he will not walk back into a United side that has won its last eight games, with Wes Brown performing admirably in his place.

"I'm seeing the lads playing well and they're getting good results and I want to be part of it," he said.

"I've made myself available but with the way Wes is playing it might be a case of easing me back in over the space of a couple of weeks."

[qbdp]

Ferguson remains wary of Liverpool and Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool and Chelsea may yet come back to challenge, along with Arsenal, for Manchester United's Premier League title. United are currently second in the table, albeit five points ahead of Chelsea, and six ahead of their old Merseyside rivals.

However, Ferguson accepts that with barely a quarter of the season gone, there is still a long way to go. "At the moment I think it's looking between Arsenal and ourselves at the top but you know football changes," he said ahead of Saturday's meeting between United and Arsenal. "When you come to January and it really does start, then you expect to see Liverpool and Chelsea."

Unsurprisingly, Ferguson insisted that his squad is capable of retaining its crown. "We have had some incredible injury situations, but over the last few years we've been like that at early season," said Ferguson.
"I hope and pray that by the time we come to December - because the second half of the season is where it really begins - we have got a good strong squad together. I feel that once we get that strong squad together we are capable of going and winning the league again."

Ferguson said the start of the season can put teams like Tottenham in a "false position" because of the disruption caused by international call-ups. "Once the internationals get out of the road, then I think you'll find that the Premier League will settle down, we'll get a true perspective of who is going to be really challenging and you will get some consistent results," he said. "At the moment there have been some surprise results."

Ferguson also paid tribute to Carlos Tevez, who despite struggling to learn English is letting "the football language talk". Tevez is being given private tuition at home to improve his English and Ferguson said he is working hard. "What I have noticed about the boy here, since he has come to us, is that when he loses the ball he wants it back which is a great attribute to have as a striker really, not every striker thinks that way. So he's got a lot of great things about him and most importantly that great enthusiasm to play."

Ferguson, who was speaking to the League Managers' Association, also revealed that he has been in touch with Jose Mourinho "a couple of times" since he left Stamford Bridge and said he doubts the Portuguese's next job will be in England. "I think Jose will end up at a top team in Spain or Italy, I'm almost certain of that," he said.

"There certainly is no one on the radar at the moment obviously, he's taking a break and I think he's aiming to come back fresh. I don't think there's any problem about him coming back into management, I think it's where he comes back in and I don't think anyone has any clues to that at this moment in time."

Ferguson warned that managers cannot be out of the game too long because they will become forgotten - although he conceded that will not happen to Mourinho.

"I was reading an article the other day where a club was talking to Brian Little and Brian has done great work in his management career at Darlington, Aston Villa, Leicester etc," said Ferguson. "He's been around quite a few clubs, Brian, but he's been out of the game for about three years now and you get forgotten about. It is ridiculous, but being out of the game that long is a handicap because with his qualities and his CV, Brian Little could quite easily manage 80% of the clubs in England."

[yinyang]

Arsenal v Man Utd

Emirates Stadium
Saturday, 3 November
Kick-off: 1245 GMT

BIG-MATCH FACTS
A top of the table showdown between the two most successful clubs in Premier League history. Manchester United have won 375 matches, gained 1,258 points and claimed nine titles; Arsenal have won 316 games, collected 1,107 points and lifted three titles.

It pits the north Londoners with the longest current unbeaten run in this league (17 games) with the Red Devils, who are on the longest current winning streak of eight.

It sets the strongest attack against the tightest defence in the highest league; Arsenal have scored 22 goals in 10, Manchester United have conceded four in 11.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrates 21 years in charge at Old Trafford on Tuesday, comes up against his Arsenal opposite number Arsene Wenger for the 34th time. Of the 33 previous encounters United have won 11, Arsenal 13. Seven of the nine other games finished level and two were decided on penalty shoot-outs; United won the 2003 Community Shield, and Arsenal the 2005 FA Cup final on penalties.

In the Premier League there's nothing to chose between Wenger and Ferguson at eight wins a piece, and six draws, but the Frenchman has the edge on home soil with five wins to three, and three draws.

Victory for the Gunners would be their seventh at home and equal the club record of successive league victories from the start of a season, set in 1934, and equalled two years ago.

Arsenal came from behind with two goals in the last seven minutes of the first ever meeting with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in January to complete the double over their fierce rivals.

CLUB FORM
ARSENAL

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

1. Undefeated in 24 in league and cup. Won 15 and drawn two of 17 this season, and won 18 and drawn six since suffering defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium nearly seven months ago.

2. Won 11 and drawn six of the last 17 Premier League matches since losing 0-1, home to the Hammers on 7 April.

3. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League. The other is Liverpool.

4. Dropped fewer Premier League points than any other club; just four.

5. The only club to have scored in every Premier League match so far this season; netted 22 goals in 10 outings, at one every 41 minutes on average.

6. One of three clubs to have gained as many as seven points from losing positions; won two and drawn one in which they were trailing.

7. Made their best ever start to a Premier League season. The previous best points total after the first 10 games was 25 in 2004-05. The best after 11 games is 27, in 2003-04 - their last title-winning campaign.

8. One of two clubs holding a 100% home Premier League record (won six of six). Manchester City have an identical record.

9. Three shy of 600 home goals in the Premier League all-time.

10. This match precedes Wednesday's Champions League Group H fixture in the Czech Republic, against Slavia Prague.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

1. Not dropped a point since their only loss of this league campaign; 1-0, away to local rivals Manchester City on 19 August.

2. On their longest winning league sequence since recording nine in a row on 9 April 2006; the last of the nine being a 2-0 home win over Arsenal.

3. Scored four goals in each of the last three league matches, and on course to replicate the longest run in the Premier League of four successive games in which four or more goals were scored; achieved by Manchester United themselves on 15 April 2000 (putting four past Bradford City, seven past West Ham, netting four against Middlesbrough and four against Sunderland).

4. Conceded two goals in claiming 24 points out of 24, and just four all season; shipping one every 248 minutes (four hours eight minutes) of Premier League football played, on average.

5. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 14 matches since conceding more than a single goal in a game; the most recent being the pair in the 2-4 away win over Everton on 28 April.

6. Also on the longest current run in the Premier League of 51 matches since a defeat by more than a single goal; 3-0, away to Chelsea on 29 April 2006.

7. Their 11 league games have yielded 23 goals (19 for, four against). Only Premier League matches involving West Ham have a poorer return; 21 (12 for, nine against).

8. Kept seven clean sheets - more than any other club in the division.

9. Aiming for a fourth consecutive league victory on the road.

10. This game precedes Wednesday's home Champions League Group F fixture, against Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
ARSENAL

Cesc FABREGAS is Arsenal's top scorer with 10 goals.

Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is the clubs top Premier League marksmen with six.

Arsenal have never lost when ADEBAYOR has scored; winning 16 and drawing two of the 18 matches in which he's netted. But he has not found the net since getting a double, home to Derby on 22 September.

Only Kolo TOURE has been on the field for every minute of every one of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne ROONEY and RONALDO are Manchester United's joint top scorers with six goals each.

ROONEY has scored five Premier League goals against Arsenal (two for Everton, three for United).

ROONEY and Carlos TEVEZ are the clubs top Premier League marksmen, with four each.

Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.

Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th English league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal achieved same season home and away victories over Manchester United for only the third time in the Premier League last season.

It was only the eighth time United had been "doubled" in their Premier League history.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 65 wins, Man United 71, Draws 40
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, Man United 12, Draws 9

at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): Arsenal 50 wins, Man United 22, Draws 16
Prem: Arsenal 6 wins, Man United 4, Draws 5

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
21 January 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Arsenal scorers: Van Persie 83, Henry 90
Man Utd scorer: Rooney 53

REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

[asiancigar]

Rio: Nobody Will Win The League

Rio Ferdinand admitted it would be a massive clash this weekend at the Emirates but it won't decide the title race.

The reigning champions take on the feigning pretenders... ok, I'll leave these phrases in the dustbin where they belong. So, United will play Arsenal: two sides playing enthralling football are expected to produce a real cracker. They might do that but it won't decide anything.

Rio Ferdinand told MUTV about these things and much more.

'A win at the Emirates would be a great marker to put down, although I don't think it will determine where the league is going to go.

'There's only a handful of games gone - but we need to make sure we give a good account of ourselves. We need to make sure we get the points and stay at the top of the league.

'It's a massive game but no matter who wins it will not be a case of 'They're going to win the league' or even 'They'll be the favourites'.'

I would add that if any team goes on and collapses spectacularly to lose 11-0 then that particular side might be safely considered being absolutely out of the title race. But of course that won't happen.

Massive game, yeah. Everyone tells us that despite all its importance it is only a game. Almunia, Rio... but you can bet that their pulse is quicker than usual and there will be gritted teeth and passionate fight on the pitch. (The gritted teeth won't be on the pitch of course, their owners will be but I think that's obvious).

So roll on Saturday!

[CibLover]

Something funny that I thought would be fun for RED DEVIL brothers to read :

Ahead of the 1990 League Cup tie between United and Arsenal at Highbury, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks both blessed the home side.

United romped to a 6 - 2 win prompting national press to declare GOD doesn't exist, to which Rabbi Sacks responded :

"What it proves is that GOD exists. It's just that HE supports Manchester United!!!"

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by CibLover

..Rabbi Jonathan Sacks both blessed the home side. United romped to a 6 - 2 win prompting national press to declare GOD doesn't exist, to which Rabbi Sacks responded :
"What it proves is that GOD exists. It's just that HE supports Manchester United!!!"

Good 1, maybe the devil too (ooops, no offence to bros here)

[asiancigar]

Let it be known.... Arsenal was very lucky to come away with a draw

Cheerz
AC

[asiancigar]

Sir Alex Ferguson furious at Arsenal escape

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson launched a remarkable attack on security arrangements at the Emirates Stadium, saying that he feared for his safety, as Arsenal produced another of their last-minute goals to save their season's unbeaten record with a 2-2 draw in the meeting between the Premier League's top two sides.

Ferguson, not usually renowned for his sensitivity, could even find himself in trouble with the Football Association after complaining that referee Howard Webb, generally accepted as one of the country's best officials, was biased towards Arsenal. Before the game, he had said: "He's the best of the lot and I am glad he is in charge." As the dust began to settle after yesterday's lunchtime affair, Fergie fumed: "Our bench were getting terrible abuse from people two or three feet away. There is a lack of security here. It is absolutely disgraceful the abuse you and your staff take. All sorts of things are shouted and screamed at you and there is an absolute danger here.

"It is very difficult for the referee. I think Howard Webb has a great chance to be the top referee but today was a big game for him and, at times, he favoured Arsenal. Their second goal came from him not giving a free-kick for a foul on Louis Saha on the far side. It should have been a foul for us."

Ferguson, of course, was recently assaulted at a London station. But it was his team who were mugged yesterday when Arsenal scored in the 92nd minute, thanks to linesman Darren Cann spotting that William Gallas's shot had crossed the line before goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar pushed it out.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "He did a fantastic job and as he was on the other side of the goal, I don't know how he saw it. He did his job as we would expect him to do and I congratulate him. Coming so late, it feels like a victory."

If Ferguson was upset about some of the rude things the Arsenal supporters were saying about him, he was red-faced with rage when his team conceded the goal that prevented them sweeping past Arsenal to the top of the table.

He said: " I thought we had done it but that's football. I can't believe it. We have thrown it away."

The game, watched by a global audience of one billion, did not live up to its billing as the match of the season. And, at the end, Arsenal maintained their lead at the top of the table only on goals scored, though they do have a game in hand.

Wenger praised the determination of his young side, who also came from behind to earn a point at Liverpool last week with another late goal. It reflected the never-say-die attitude of a team who Wenger says have "hidden depths of resilience and character".

Two years ago, United earned a home point against Tottenham when none of the officials spotted that goalkeeper Roy Carroll had saved a Pedro Mendes shot from way behind the line. After that, there were loud calls for goal-line technology but if every linesman was as keen-eyed as Cann, that would not be necessary.

[alex18122003]

Sir Alex Ferguson was fuming after United's failure to keep the lead cost them dear in a dramatic draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The boss believes his team threw away a great chance to beat their rivals, and pointed to the first of two Arsenal equalisers as the source of his irritation.

"We threw it away, we were in a winning position twice," Sir Alex told

"The goal that angered me most was the goal we gave away after half-time. To lose a goal from taking a throw-in at their corner flag was criminal."

The goal in question, scored by Cesc Fabregas, came only three minutes after Wayne Rooney had given United the lead - albeit with the half-time interval inbetween.

"It was a marvellous time for us to score, just before half-time. We should have been buoyed by that and we did start the second half well with good possession. Then we gave the goal away and for the next five to ten minutes after that they got at us."

United weathered that early second-half storm and the score remained at 1-1 for the next half-hour. Sir Alex was then as surprised as anyone when the Reds broke through again.

"I couldn’t see either team scoring a second goal. To then score our second when we did and give it away in injury time is hard to take, really hard to take. Arsenal got out of jail.

"The result doesn’t tell you anything as both teams are going to be challenging. But the draw's good for Chelsea and Liverpool and there are a lot of twists and turns to come."

[qbdp]

Fergie can go on and on

SIR Alex Ferguson celebrates 21 years in charge of Manchester United this week and shows no sign of slowing down.

At 65, most people settle into retirement and look forward to a quiet life but Ferguson remains at the top of his profession and has every intention of staying there.

In the last few days alone, the iron-willed Scot has shown his footballing fire and passion, so evident in two trophy-laden decades at Old Trafford, burn as brightly as ever.

In the aftermath of Saturday's heavyweight clash at Arsenal, he launched an immediate offensive at referee Howard Webb and was clearly angry his side had conceded a late equaliser.

Details of Ferguson's team-talks have seeped out over the years and it would certainly be no surprise if the infamous hairdryer came out in the Emirates Stadium's away dressing room.

United may be champions and again playing some outstanding football but still he is not satisfied.

There have been nine Premier League titles, five FA Cups and a Champions League win but no let-up.

Relentless

It is this single-minded focus and relentless determination to succeed, combined with an ability to command respect and cajole the best from players, that has made him such a formidable manager.

He has never shied from difficult decisions and seldom been afraid to remove players he has seen as disruptive, no matter how much controversy those decisions have caused.

Paul McGrath, Paul Ince, David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy are just a few of the huge stars who have fallen foul of Ferguson and they may not be the last.

Ferguson has let little get in his way in his pursuit of glory and, after turning around a hugely-underachieving side and maintaining a place at the top for so long, few can argue with his methods.

There have been times when his superiority has faced a challenge, but each time he has risen to it and, arguably, come back stronger.

Blackburn briefly deposed United in the mid-1990s, the Arsenal of Arsene Wenger have been recurring rivals and most recently Chelsea have taken charge.

Yet Ferguson never gives in and United's achievement in holding off the filthy-rich Blues to win the Premier League last season perhaps ranks as one of his greatest.

It is a remarkable tale of longevity and, with United challenging for more honours, there are more chapters to be written yet.

A relative lack of European silverware is perhaps the only imbalance on Ferguson's record.

One European Cup Winners' Cup and one fortuitous Champions League win compares unfavourably with some of the continent's other managerial greats.

It is something he is determined to put right, as evidenced by a number of near misses, and even if he does, he seems unlikely to stop there.

There's only ONE FERGIE !!!

[qbdp]

Owen: Reds simply beautiful

OWEN Hargreaves insists Manchester United are still the kings of the beautiful game.

The champions were within seconds of recording a ninth straight win in the Premier League at Arsenal yesterday before William Gallas struck deep into stoppage-time to earn the Gunners a 2-2 draw.

Despite Arsene Wenger's side earning most of the plaudits this season for their entertaining brand of football, Hargreaves believes it is United who have the edge.

With the likes of Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo, Rooney, Anderson, Nani and Ryan Giggs at the disposal of Sir Alex Ferguson, he is in no doubt of just what the Reds can do on the pitch.

"Arsenal kept the ball and had a lot of possession, but they were never really threatening," he said. "Football is about scoring goals and winning games.

"I do not think they had a clear-cut chance created in the first half, apart from the header by Gallas, and that was a set piece.

"Defensively, we did a good job and tried to control their so-called beautiful football.

"They keep the ball and try to play that way, but when a team is as good defensively as ours, you can keep them at bay because we played very tight together."

Hargreaves added: "Both of our goals were from really beautiful pieces of play and theirs were a bit more scrappy."


United line up King deal

Norwegian youngster set to move to Old Trafford

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Norwegian starlet Joshua King, according to the player's agent.

King is currently on the books of Valerenga, but is set to move to Old Trafford in the New Year when he turns 16.

The youth international's representative Jim Solbakken confirmed a deal is in place for King to link up with the Premier League champions.

"Joshua has decided what he wants," Solbakken told united.no.

"He will move to Manchester after the New Year and his mother will follow."


There's only ONE UNITED!!!

[asiancigar]

Owen Hargreaves expects 'easy' win

Owen Hargreaves is expecting his belated Champions League debut for Manchester United to be something of a stroll tomorrow.

United romped to a 4-2 win at Dynamo Kiev a fortnight ago, with Hargreaves watching as he recovered from injury. He is likely to feature in tomorrow's return fixture and expects United to seal their place in the knockout phase.

"Dynamo seemed a bit afraid of us in Kiev," the England midfielder said. "It is rare in the Champions League that you see someone pulled apart so easily and concede four goals at home. Normally, those types of game are difficult but Dynamo were really quite poor."

Kiev have since changed coach, with the former Arsenal defender Oleg Luzhny taking over from Jozef Sabo, who is ill. They have yet to register a point in Group F and it seems unlikely they will break their duck at Old Trafford.

United's eight-game Premier League winning streak ended at the weekend, but they are in form and the return of Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Gary Neville and Hargreaves since the game in Kiev only fuels the feeling that United will cruise home.

"I am sure Kiev will try to redeem themselves but we are expecting to win," said Hargreaves, who won the tournament with Bayern. "We should go through easily and ideally we will have two games to spare."

That would represent one of the easier qualifications of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, confirming the theory that, after reaching the semi-final last season, he is shaping another side capable of challenging at the very highest level. ago.

[yinyang]

Post gunner match news

Man Utd probing Arsenal 'abuse'

Ferguson said the home crowd had shouted insults. Manchester United are compiling a security dossier after claims that their manager Sir Alex Ferguson was verbally abused by Arsenal fans.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday during United's 2-2 draw with the Gunners.

"Our security people are compiling a report on it - the incident was behind us," said Ferguson.

"But I'm sure that Arsenal, with their CCTV cameras, will have picked it up."

Ferguson was unhappy with the refereeing performance of Howard Webb on Saturday, but he said the hostile atmosphere inside the stadium had been a contributing factor.

"It is very difficult for the referee," he said on Saturday.

"On our bench, we were getting terrible abuse from people two or three feet away from us.

"There is a lack of security. It is absolutely disgraceful the abuse you and your staff take. All sorts of things are being shouted and screamed at you and there is an absolute danger here."

But a spokesperson for the Gunners said: "Stadium security is of the highest importance and we feel there is ample stewarding around the dugout area.

"However, the club does recognise that some exchanges which take place can be of an aggressive nature, and there was an incident this afternoon where one supporter was ejected.

"There is also CCTV which monitors the area which our stadium management crew review in detail after games, and if necessary the club will take further action."

[yinyang]

Man Utd v Dynamo Kiev

Champions League, Group F match
Date: Wednesday, 7 November
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Venue: Old Trafford

Manchester United captain Gary Neville is out after suffering a setback in his recovery from a calf injury.

Right-back Neville made his long-awaited comeback from injury in a reserve game last week but is not fit enough to play against Kiev.

Neville aside, boss Sir Alex Ferguson has no new injuries to contend with.

Striker Louis Saha could come into contention, while midfielder Owen Hargreaves should make his European debut for United.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evans, Evra, Simpson, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Saha, Rooney and Tevez.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "Talk comes cheap but we have built a platform that, with a little bit of luck, will launch us on our way to this most elusive of trophies.

"We have had our disappointments on the Champions League trail.

"But, while you can never take anything for granted at this level I really believe we can go all the way."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIG MATCH STATS

Head-to-head
Manchester United and Dynamo Kiev have played each other three times in European matches.

On 23 October, their most recent encounter ended in a 2-4 away win for United. Their only previous meeting was at Old Trafford, on 8 November 2000, ended in a 1-0 victory for the home side.

European history
Manchester United, the 1968 Champions Cup winners and 1999 Champions League winners, were eliminated at the semi-final stage of the CL by AC Milan last season.

Dynamo Kiev's best result in the CL is reaching the semi-finals in 1998-99, in which they lost to Bayern Munich.

Current European form
Manchester United have won their last seven CL home matches, and are unbeaten in 10 home European games. They've not been beaten on home soil in this competition since 23 February 2005, when AC Milan won 0-1 at the Theatre of Dreams.

Dynamo Kiev have not won any of their last six CL away matches. Overall, the Ukraine club have not won in 10 CL matches, losing their last three.

Player and disciplinary info
If selected, United's Rio Ferdinand will be playing on his 29th birthday. Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are the only Manchester United players to have been on the field for every minute in the Champions League this season.

Other miscellaneous facts
On Saturday, the Red Devils drew 2-2 at Arsenal to remain second in the Premier League, just behind the Gunners at the top on goal difference , having played a game more.

Dynamo Kiev meantime lost 0-1 at home to Metalist Kharkiv. Kiev trail leaders Shakhtar Donetsk by 10 points after 15 matches.

Definitions of terms used:-
Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93.
Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches.
European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League).
Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.

[CibLover]

VID INKS NEW 5 YEARS DEAL

Nemanja Vidic will sign a new five-year contract with Manchester United within the next few days.

The Serbia international, who joined United from Red Star Belgrade for a fee of £7million in January 2006 with full-back Patrice Evra, will see his weekly wage more than double to around £50,000 a week.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Vidic, 26, and Rio Ferdinand has given him United's best defensive pairing since Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister in the mid-1990s.

================================================== ========

One of the bravest, no-nonsense best buy that we've had. Glad that he'll be guarding our backline for years to come. At least he remembers when to piss in a cup!!