Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[asiancigar]

Rooney heals quickly and could make bench against Everton


Daniel Taylor
Tuesday September 11, 2007

Wayne Rooney has provided encouraging news for Steve McClaren after a new x-ray of his broken foot showed that the healing process is ahead of schedule. He is still restricted to remedial work but is close to resuming full training to provide a major lift for both Manchester United and the England national team.

The forward suffered the hairline fracture in United's opening game of the Premier League season, at home to Reading on August 12, and was initially ruled out for what the club said would be "at least six weeks". That prognosis has now been tweaked to reflect the results of his latest scan and he has not ruled himself out of being on the bench for Saturday's Premier League game against his former club Everton or the first Champions League excursion of the season, against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal a week tomorrow. That may be considered too much of a risk by Sir Alex Ferguson, but a realistic target is the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford on September 23.

United's medical staff have updated their counterparts at the Football Association and, unless there are complications, McClaren has been informed there is no longer a serious risk that Rooney will be unavailable, or still short of match fitness, for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia at Wembley on October 13, followed by the trip to Russia four days later.

Ferguson and McClaren have also been encouraged by Ben Foster's latest prognosis as the United goalkeeper recovers from a serious knee injury. Foster, who needed an operation in the close season to deal with a persistent knee-ligament problem, was not expected to be available until March but the specialists who have been treating him believe he could return in January.

Foster was arguably the finest English goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, while on loan at Watford, and if he is available for the second half of the season it gives him an outstanding chance, qualification permitting, of being called up for the England squad for next summer's European Championship.

[asiancigar]

Neville Eyes Return

Manchester United right-back Gary Neville believes he is closing in on a return to action after his lengthy injury lay-off.

United's captain has not featured since March 17th due to first an ankle injury and then a thigh strain, but the 32-year-old insists he can see "the light at the end of the tunnel".

However, the England international, who may have lost his place in the national team to Micah Richards, believes this months exciting clash with Everton, which Wayne Rooney has ear-marked as his return game, will come too soon.

He told MUTV: "Hopefully in the next week or two I'll be back and I hope to be playing games in the next couple of weeks definitely.

"Because I've been out for such a long time I think the Everton game is going to be too soon, I think it will probably be after that."

He added: "When I originally did it (the ankle injury) I thought I'd be out for six to eight weeks, but I had a problem with a loose bit of bone and that's why I had to have the operation to get rid of it which was another three months.

"Then this thigh injury just made it a few extra weeks longer so it's the longest injury I've ever had.

"It is frustrating but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I just need to get fit."

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Tevez relishing Rooney link

CARLOS Tevez cannot wait to launch his Manchester United strike partnership with Wayne Rooney.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been frustrated in his quest to pair the big-money duo for United, first by the protracted nature of Tevez's move to Old Trafford, then because of the fractured foot Rooney sustained in the opening day draw with Reading.

Despite reports claiming Rooney could be on the bench on Saturday when the Red Devils look to record a third successive Premier League win by beating his old club Everton at Goodison Park, the following week's home encounter with title rivals Chelsea seems a more likely alternative.

Even Tevez's readiness to make the trip to Merseyside this weekend is in doubt after a gruelling round-the-world trek which saw him play a starring role in Argentina's win over Australia in Melbourne earlier today.

But the 23-year-old is confident when he does eventually get the opportunity to appear with Rooney, their partnership will be a fruitful enough to silence the doubters who claim they are too similar to be an effective combination.

"I don't think it is a question of us being too similar," he told Inside United.

"When you go out on to the pitch, one player might be slightly further forward than the other or visa-versa, but you can work that out together.

"It will be a great experience to play alongside Wayne Rooney - it is something I am very excited about."

Tevez has endured a relatively slow start to his United career compared to his amazing exploits with West Ham last term.

Rustiness

Perhaps the signs of rustiness were understandable given the uncertainty he found himself in once Argentina's Copa America campaign reached its conclusion.

It took another fortnight of haggling between West Ham, the Premier League and Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian before a deal to release the former Boca Juniors player was cleared to complete his switch to Old Trafford.

But despite the difficulties involved in the transfer - and United's disappointing start to their title defence, Tevez remains convinced he made the right move.

"I have joined the best club in the world with the best players in the world," he said.

"I am also delighted to be working with such a great manager - Sir Alex supports me all the time.

"I knew all about the team before I joined; it's not difficult to see the qualities every member of the squad has. We have some great players and you see that ability every day in training."

Ferguson will have Cristiano Ronaldo back at the weekend now the Portugal winger has completed his three-match ban.

Ronaldo's return is timely given United visit his former club Sporting Lisbon at the start of their latest Champions League mission next week.

Owen Hargreaves' fitness remains open to question after he was sent home from England duty with a thigh injury, although at least in Michael Carrick, Ferguson has a ready-made replacement.

However, Tevez knows he needs to start delivering too and is confident the performances will come once he gets a few more games under his belt.

"I need to become physically strong and from then on, I want to be part of this great team," he said.

"Once I have done that, hopefully I can begin to produce the kind of football I played last season to help the team become successful."

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United's fighting force!

UNITED'S ability to last the pace physically and mentally is in the hands of Old Trafford newcomer Tony Strudwick.

He has replaced Valter di Salvo as fitness coach following the Italian's move to Real Madrid this summer.

Di Salvo was on gardening leave from the Reds while the clubs agreed a compensation package.

After a three-year career running the rule over Sir Alex Ferguson's squad, Di Salvo has finally been allowed to officially become part of the Bernabeu set up.

Strudwick stepped in during the summer to take the reins and produce a fighting force capable of tackling United's usual marathon campaign at home and abroad.

He has recently completed a PhD in sports science at Liverpool John Moores University and was fitness coach at Blackburn Rovers for three seasons.

He previously worked at West Ham and Coventry and with the FA.

"A big part of my role involves preparing the players for training. Aside from the training element I also have responsibilities on match day during the pre-match warm-up," said Strudwick.

Support

"I work closely with Carlos (Queiroz) and the other coaches on a daily basis. Carlos drives the coaching process and as fitness coach it's up to me to support him and the manager from the point of view of preparing the players for training and matches. In the main, that's from a physical point of view but it also involves the mental side of the game.

"The physical preparation part isn't just about putting the squad through a warm-up. I prepare them for what's going to happen in each individual training session. It's all about looking at the bigger picture.

"There was already a very successful framework in place before I joined the club, but hopefully I can add some fresh ideas.

"I look at my role as being a long-term evolution process because year-on-year it's important that we keep raising the bar.

"The model we're starting to adopt in this country is like the one used in Southern Europe - the Italian model, the Spanish model and, to a lesser extent, the French model."

Strudwick added: "Historically, the fitness role at a football club was often left to the physiotherapist. Over time clubs would bring in a running coach now and again, but that wasn't ideal because a footballer's fitness is different to that of a runner.

"Over the last 15 to 20 years there has been an evolution within the game to adopt a more foreign approach and to have more specialist coaches in specialist areas of training .

"There is a much bigger emphasis on the physical preparation than ever before because of the number of games each season. For that reason virtually every Premier League club has a fitness coach. They don't just look at the training process, they look at the recovery process as well.

"At a club like United, nothing can be left to chance. It's part of the manager's vision to leave no stone unturned and he fully recognises the importance of having a fitness coach.

"Hopefully I can play some part in helping the club remain at the forefront of the game."

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Fergie attacked at London train station

Sir Alex Ferguson was allegedly attacked at a train station, it was confirmed tonight.

The Manchester United manager was allegedly attacked by a man at Euston station at about 4.30pm yesterday after travelling by train to London.

British Transport Police were called to the scene.

A BTP spokesman said: "We can confirm that one of the victims was Sir Alex Ferguson and he received injuries to his leg."

The Manchester United manager is not believed to have been badly hurt and attended a function in the capital as planned.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with one count of ABH, one count of assault and one public order offence.

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by qbdp

A 40-year-old man has been charged with one count of ABH, one count of assault and one public order offence.

40 year old, so cant be beckham right?

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by Castrol

40 year old, so cant be beckham right?

No, culprit not golden balls... but SAF got it *ouch* in the family jewels

Man guilty of assaulting Sir Alex

Sir Alex was in London for a function. A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson at a London railway station.
Kevin Reynolds, 43, admitted punching Sir Alex in the groin before butting a police community support officer at Euston station on Monday.

Reynolds was warned by City of Westminster magistrates that he faces a jail sentence when he appears at Southwark Crown Court at a later date.

Sir Alex, who was born in Glasgow, is not believed to have been badly hurt.

He had been in London for a function.

Reynolds, of no fixed address, was charged with actual bodily harm, assault and two public order offences.

Adeola Olowu, defending, said her client initially thought he had come across a Sir Alex look-alike.

She said her client was joking around and that he struck Sir Alex while shadow boxing.

Magistrate Daphne Wickham said: "I do not think Sir Alex Ferguson saw this as a joke."

She said Reynolds was "a fighting drunk", adding that her powers of sentence, which allow for six months' imprisonment, were insufficient.

Reynolds was remanded in custody.

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Cristiano Ronaldo: The Truth About Me, My Life and My Loves
Interview with Hello! Magazine (excerpt)

One of the world's greatest footballer's, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been loathed to give a glimpse into his personal life but for the first time the star has spoken out about his remarkable story.

Cristiano left his island home of Madeira aged 12 to follow his dream as a professional footballer. Last year he was voted Premiership Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year and he's now a global star said to be worth £40 million.

The winger has recently been at the centre of allegations that he invited five escort girls to his home to celebrate United's first victory of the season, along with several other men.

Speaking exclusively to Hello! Magazine he said: “Many people have images of footballers as people who like to go out all the time, spend their money lavishly and to date many women. It's hard to escape this idea but dealing with the pressures of being a famous footballer and the publicity it attracts can be very difficult.” He added: “Footballer's lifestyles are always under scrutiny but the image and publicity about wealth, glitz and good times often fail to tell the true story! Sometimes it is a very lonely world and we don't feel safe in any place. Yet our status, our salaries mean we rarely win the public's sympathy. But I do believe I am a good role model.”

The 22-year old, who recently split from former Hollyoaks actress and model Gemma Atkinson and has been linked to Bollywood star Bipasha Basu, is fiercely private about his personal life.

He explained: “I come under intense media scrutiny so I am very private about the girls I date. I am a gentleman, and I do not want them to experience the media pressure, which I have learned to ignore. For me, a girl does not need to be famous for me to like her. I do have my romantic moments but I am sensible. It is company that is important for me.” “I would like to marry, maybe in my thirties, but I have not met the right girl yet. For me, it is what is inside a beautiful woman that is important, although she must also be beautiful, like Angelina Jolie.”

He added: “I appreciate funny, kind, friendly women with good conversation and laughing is one of my favourite pastimes, although the time is not right for me to have a relationship. Football is my life. That is my focus.” Cristiano grew up with one brother and two sisters, and it is family whom he deems most important in his life, he has even promised his sister Caitia that he will sing on her next CD.

Despite currently enjoying the single life he says he'd love to be a father one day and wants to have a baby before he gets married. He told Hello! “When I am with the children in the family I get broody.”

“Every year I dress up as Santa Claus, in full costume – it is a family tradition – and bring the gifts to the children.” He became Manchester United's newest young player when he signed from Sporting Lisbon in August 2003 and was immediately given David Beckham's number seven shirt, the number also worn by his hero Figo. He told Hello!: “I was honoured to be given the shirt.” Despite quickly establishing himself as United's star player, Cristano came up against some negative publicity during the 2006 World Cup. Referring to the famous match in which he had a hand in having his Manchester United team mate Wayne Rooney sent off, Ronaldo said: “After the match, I was criticised and whistled at.

"It was not very pleasant but it did me some good. With this I grew wiser and it helped me to mature. I insist that Rooney is a good friend by whose side it is a pleasure and a honour to play, and he and I exchanged text messages just after that game with England, as well as the next day.” He added: “I feel privileged the British people have taken me to their hearts. The best thing about Britain is the people – they are fair. When you do well, they say so. When not so well, they say so.” Ronaldo is quick to point out that he much prefers staying in with his best friend and housemate Jose to living the glamorous Premiership footballer's lifestyle portrayed in the press.

He insists: “I'm a quiet person. I rarely go out.” He added: “I don't think alcohol; I'm not a big spender. I have one car, a Bentley GT convertible, and I like designer clothes, but I do not have wardrobes-full. I have a good watch, a diamond bracelet and some rings but a lot of my money is invested for the future, in property.” Some of Cristiano's reported £135,000 a week earnings have been invested in a house he's currently having built in Lisbon. He has had a hand in the design and made sure the number seven plays a prominent role.

“There will be seven bedrooms and a seven-shaped pool” he revealed. His long term ambition is to build a hotel and resort in Madeira, “where people could spend beautiful, pleasant and peaceful moments, the kind I enjoy. It would be called CR7, after all, this is the number of my life.” Like many sportsmen Ronaldo admits he is superstitious and before matches for the club and the national football team he always has the same routine.

“I must always step on to the pitch with my right foot first when playing a match”, he revealed.

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Bobby Charlton hopeful of paying own tribute to Ryan Giggs

Sir Bobby Charlton says he cannot wait for the opportunity to acclaim Ryan Giggs when he finally breaks his Manchester United appearance record.

Charlton played an incredible 759 times for United during an illustrious 20-year playing career, an astounding figure which many pundits, including the man himself, thought would never be broken.

It now appears just a matter of time before the record is surpassed as Giggs closes in, with the veteran Welshman hoping to make his 722nd appearance against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday if he has recovered from a hamstring injury.

With an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, expected to be agreed in the coming months, there appears no reason why the 33-year-old should not eclipse Charlton’s all-time mark and the former England international intends to ask the United board let him present Giggs with a memento of the occasion when he does eventually get there.

“I would love it if Ryan got the record,” Charlton said. “It would be so fitting and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to go onto the pitch and present him with something. In fact, if they [the board] didn’t ask me, I would pester them until they did.

“When I finished I could not believe anyone would play more games than that. I did so much running for so many years, I just didn’t think it would be possible

"But Ryan is almost there now. To physically put your body through what he has is very difficult and that is why I am so delighted for him.”

Giggs has always had a special place in Charlton’s affections because he was one of the first senior figures associated with United to see the Welshman in action. The England World Cup winner has never forgotten the day he ventured up to the club's Lyttleton Road training ground to watch a group of triallists.

On wandering over to one of the furthest pitches away from the car park to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, he spotted a lithe young winger cutting a swathe through the opposition defence in a manner he had rarely seen before.

“I set off for Pitch 11, where Alex was, and got about halfway there when I saw this little lad pick up the ball, beat about four men and then shoot," Charlton said.

“The goalkeeper made a great save but I could not get up to see Alex quick enough. I asked him who it was and it turned out to be Ryan. He had just been signed that morning from under the noses of Manchester City. I just thought ’that will do me’.

“I could never have imagined he would play so many times. Football is just so non-stop in England. It is all about pace now. But if that little lad has run as much as I did, he has been some player.”

[asiancigar]

Charlton happy to relinquish record to Giggs

LONDON (AFP) - Sir Bobby Charlton insists he would be delighted if Ryan Giggs were to snatch his Manchester United appearance record.

Giggs is closing in on the mark of 759 set by Charlton during his 20-year playing career with the Red Devils.

The Welsh veteran is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.

If Giggs does make the trip to Merseyside, he will move onto 722 appearances and with an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, expected to be agreed in the coming months, there appears no reason why the 33-year-old should not eclipse Charlton's all-time best mark.

"I would love it if Ryan got the record," said Charlton.

"It would be so fitting and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to go onto the pitch and present him with something. In fact, if they didn't ask me, I would pester them until they did.

"When I finished I could not believe anyone would play more games than that. I did so much running for so many years, I just didn't think it would be possible.

"But Ryan is almost there now. To physically put your body through what he has is very difficult and that is why I am so delighted for him."

Giggs has always had a special place in Charlton's affections because he was one of the first senior figures associated with United to see the Welshman in action.

The England World Cup winner has never forgotten the day he ventured up to the Red Devils' Lyttleton Road training ground to watch a group of triallists.

On wandering over to one of the furthest pitches away from the car park to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, he spotted a lithe young winger cutting a swathe through the opposition defence in a manner he had rarely seen before.

"I set off for Pitch 11, where Alex was, and got about halfway there when I saw this little lad pick up the ball, beat about four men and then shoot.

"The goalkeeper made a great save but I could not get up to see Alex quick enough. I asked him who it was and it turned out to be Ryan. He had just been signed that morning from under the noses of Manchester City. I just thought 'that will do me'.

"I could never have imagined he would play so many times. Football is just so non-stop in England. It is all about pace now. But if that little lad has run as much as I did, he has been some player."

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NEVILLE IS AIMING TO CUT LOSSES

GARY NEVILLE has warned Manchester United they can only afford to lose two more games if they are to make a successful defence of the Premier League title.

The United captain believes such is the level of competition from Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal this season that three defeats is the maximum a team can suffer.

And Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have already lost one and drawn two of their opening five matches to slip two points off the pace.

With tough fixtures against Everton and Chelsea coming up, Neville says United cannot afford to lose any more ground.

“It is inevitable you are going to lose the odd game in the Premier League,” he said.

“But while losing one, two or three is acceptable I wouldn’t expect Manchester United to go and lose eight, nine and 10 games.”

Neville is due to make his comeback in the next fortnight following a six-month injury lay-off.

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Brown right back to place on the bench

WES BROWN has accepted it is only a matter of time before he is ousted from Manchester United’s right-back role.

Brown has been an ever-present for the Red Devils so far this season and is expected to retain his place in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side for the trip to Everton.

The defender has been a steady presence in a United back four which has only conceded two goals in five games so far this term, doing enough to secure a place in Steve McClaren’s England squad for the Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Russia.

Although Brown did not add to his 13 caps as England recorded impressive back-to-back three-goal wins, he remains one of the most experienced and versatile defenders in the Barclays Premier League.

Yet the 27-year-old knows with skipper Gary Neville approaching full fitness after a long-running battle against injury, he may have to start getting used to life on the substitutes’ bench.

“It has been great to play,” he said.

“It is always good to get a run in the side so early in the season.

“But Gary is getting close to his comeback now so when he does return I will make sure I am ready when needed.

“Gary is captain of the club, so when he is fit he will definitely be back in the side.

“I have to work hard, keep in shape and when I get called in I will try to prove what I can do and play my part for the team.”

After successive home wins over Tottenham and Sunderland, United will be anxious to keep their victorious run going at Goodison Park.

Everton have made a flying start to the new campaign under David Moyes and already appear to be among a group of sides who, while not quite at title-winning standard, are more than capable of giving the big guns a run for their money.

It is the form of clubs such as Everton, Newcastle and Blackburn which give credence to the theory it will not take quite as many points to win the championship this season as has been required in the past four.

“It is quite possible the big teams could drop more points to the teams around them,” said Brown.

“This division keeps getting better and better and from what I have seen, it has made another step up in quality this year.”

Brown should hold onto his place for the trip to Goodison Park as Neville is still a week away from a likely return.

The same is also true of Wayne Rooney, even though the young striker has now resumed training after recovering from his fractured foot and would relish the opportunity of facing his old club.

However, Ferguson, mindful that United open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon, then follow up their trip to Portugal by tackling Chelsea at Old Trafford next week, seems certain to delay Rooney’s comeback by a few days.

Cristiano Ronaldo will figure after completing a three-match ban but Ferguson will assess the exertions placed on his squad by their respective international commitments before finalising his line-up.

Chief concern must be Argentina forward Carlos Tevez, whose national duty took him to Melbourne on Tuesday where he was a major figure in a single-goal triumph over Australia

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United sweat over injured duo

The international break appears to have taken its toll on Manchester United with the news that both John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher are major injury doubts for the game at Everton on Saturday.

Both fringe players were substituted for their countries on Wednesday night in a development that will likely weaken Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield options for the Premier League game at Goodison Park.

O’Shea lasted only 38 minutes of Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat in Czech Republic and fears have been heightened that the versatile performer may have suffered knee ligament damage.

As Steve Staunton’s side departed Prague with their Euro 2008 hopes in tatters, O’Shea did so on crutches and he must be considered a major doubt for United.

The Premier League champions have made no official statement over the fitness of their players, but doubts also surround Fletcher after Scotland’s incredible 1-0 win in Paris.

The midfielder was removed after 26 minutes with Stephen Pearson coming on in his place before James McFadden’s stunning winner.

[tomvoyeur]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Brown right back to place on the bench

I dun know abt u guys but as an Everton fan, I really fancy seeing him in the Man Utd starting line up.....

[asiancigar]

Ronaldo: Hate made me

By NEIL CUSTIS
September 14, 2007

CRISTIANO RONALDO says becoming a hate figure has been the making of him.

The Manchester United and Portugal star was public enemy No 1 in this country after his part in Wayne Rooney’s World Cup red card last year.

Ronaldo said: “After the match I was criticised and whistled at.

“It was not very pleasant but it did me some good. With this I grew wiser and it helped me to mature.

“Rooney is a good friend by whose side it is a pleasure and honour to play.”

Ronaldo, who returns from a three-match ban at Everton tomorrow, has won over fans in this country.

He said: “I feel privileged the British people have taken me to their hearts.The best thing about Britain is the people.”

Wah... he damn clever to 'sa kah'... hehe

Cheerz
AC