Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[asiancigar]

Glazers demanding too much for Utd
February 13, 2011

ESPNsoccernet has learned the Glazer family's £1.6 billion valuation of Manchester United is putting potential bidders off the deal and that the reported sale to Qatar Holdings is far from imminent.

The American owners of United would demand more than double the £790 million they paid for the club in 2005, which actually has risen to closer to £900 million with costs for legal advice, City advisors, and interest repayments on personal family loans.

An insider, with intimate knowledge of potential new owners making enquires for United, told ESPNsoccernet on Sunday: "There has been some interest from some quarters in Qatar, but not at the prices being quoted. Talk of £2 billion, £1.8 billion, even £1.5 billion is just wide of the mark.

"I have heard of interested parties who would offer £1 billion. I am equally sure there might be people, mad enough, to offer more, but as far as I know that has not happened, and I cannot see it happening. £1 billion for a football club, even Manchester United, is a vast amount of money."

Qatar Holdings, linked with a bid for United, are the investment branch of the Qatari royal family led by the Gulf state's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Another source who has had dealings with the royal family in Qatar told ESPNsoccernet: "While the old man is a big United fan, the son, is a Gooner, and from what the old man told me a little while back, he was not interested in the purchase of a football club, although, of course, he might have changed his mind."

Qatar Holdings already boasts a portfolio of assets in England that includes London's American Embassy and upmarket department store Harrods, which was purchased from Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed last year.

United's director of communications Phil Townsend has been approached by ESPNsoccernet on a number of occasions when rumours have been widespread but he has maintained that no offer has been made, and that none would be entertained. He has not moved from that stance.

He comments: "There has been no approach to buy Manchester United and no approach would be welcome."


I really wonder if this article is true !!!

Cheerz
AC

[machoman]

Originally Posted by lacoruna69

Here's the goal....Great vision passing wide to Nani by Scholes.....even better delivery by Nani.......and superb 倒挂金鉤 by Rooney!!

Thanks for posting the video, bro lacoruna69 but it has been disabled.

I post another video below to commemorate the wondrous goal by Wayne Rooney in the derby match between Man Utd & Man City at Old Trafford on Sat, Feb 12, 2011.

I just never get tired of watching it over & over again.

[Rooney Strike]

Nice bicycle kick

[machoman]

Giggs signs one-year extension with Man Utd
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 00:17:31 HRS

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs celebrates scoring a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur during a match in April. The long-serving midfielder has signed a one-year contract extension with the Premier League giants.
Manchester United's long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension with the Premier League giants, it was confirmed Friday.

Giggs, who turned 37 in November, had already signalled his intention to prolong his Old Trafford career into a 21st season, and the club confirmed Friday the deal had now been signed.

"All I've ever wanted to do is play for United and I've been lucky enough to do that for 20 years," said Giggs.

"It is great to know I'm still contributing to the team's success and I feel I've got a lot to offer on and off the pitch.

"This is an exciting time to be involved with so many good young players coming through."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has used Giggs selectively in recent seasons, although the evergreen midfielder has maintained his knack of making important contributions to the United cause.

His exquisite pass set up Nani's opening goal in the Manchester derby last week, a match United won to maintain their healthy lead at the top of the table. If United win the league it will give Giggs a record 12 league winners medals.

Giggs has made more than 800 appearances for United and recently played his 600th Premier League game.

- AFP

[machoman]

Fergie wary of Crawley but confident for Man Utd
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 02:57:09 HRS

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring against Aston Villa earlier this month. Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of the threat posed by non-league Crawley but is confident Manchester United will possess too much firepower for the minnows in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of the threat posed by non-league Crawley but is confident Manchester United will possess too much firepower for the minnows in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The English Premier League leaders entertain the tiny Sussex club in the fifth round in a David vs Goliath confrontation that has captured the imagination of the public.

Ferguson said United were determined to avoid a repeat of the results against non-league Exeter and Burton Albion in recent seasons, who both held the Premier League giants to 0-0 draws in the FA Cup.

"You talk about the FA Cup dying and it's not dying as long as you have got giant-killing acts like Crawley have produced," Ferguson said Friday. "Every manager will tell you, you don't want to be a casualty.

"We lost to Leeds last year and it wasn't easy to take that. They deserved to win on the day. They were up for it and made it a cup tie.

"It will be the same tomorrow. Crawley will get stuck into us and there's no other way for them.

"We have got good experience of playing sides like Crawley over the years like Exeter and Burton Albion.

"It's a reminder shocks can happen and almost did against those two teams. But I think the quality we have tomorrow shouldn't give us the same worry."

Ferguson meanwhile allayed fears over the future of striker Michael Owen by saying he could be fit for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Marseille.

A groin injury, suffered in training, will keep him out of the Crawley tie, but not for the rest of the season as had been first feared.

"He picked up a small injury that will force him out of tomorrow. I was keen to play him," Ferguson said.

"We could risk him, but there's no point to that, and he should be OK for Wednesday."

Owen's absence should not hamper United too much, particularly with the attacking strength in depth at the club and the return to training of Antonio Valencia, who broke his ankle in September.

After his spectacular overhead kick winner against Manchester City in last weekend's derby, Ferguson is hoping Wayne Rooney will go on a scoring run, while he also has Dimitar Berbatov, Bebe and Javier Hernandez available too.

"Up to last year Wayne used to go on these scoring bursts," added the United manager. "I would be happy with a burst now with so many important games coming up.

"Going back, he would go five-or six games in a row, then go missing in terms of goals for a few games and then come back again. Last year he had a far more consistent and regular goal ratio."

- AFP

[machoman]

Fergie slams lacklustre United after Crawley test
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 08:54:50 HRS

Manchester United's defender Wes Brown (R) celebrates with striker Bebe (L) after scoring during their FA Cup fifth round football match against Crawley Town at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United ended non-league Crawley Town's fairytale run with a lacklustre 1-0 victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson accused his Manchester United players of failing to understand the importance of the FA Cup after the 11-times winners struggled to reach the sixth round at the expense of non-League opposition.

The Premier League leaders were given an uncomfortable time by Crawley Town before edging past the team from the fifth tier of English football 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to book a quarter-final spot.

But United's victory came at a cost as Anderson, Rafael da Silva and Fabio da Silva were injured and are now all doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League game away to Marseille.

Ferguson made his feelings clear after his players failed to perform.

Although the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov were given the afternoon off, the likes of Bebe, Michael Carrick and Gabriel Obertan failed to impress.

"Some players came in and didn't do themselves justice. No doubt about that," said Ferguson.

"In the second half, we weren't at the races. It was disappointing. We might have some players who don't understand what the FA Cup is all about. That is the biggest lesson for them."

Anderson suffered a hamstring problem while brothers Rafael and Fabio da Silva also suffered knocks.

Ferguson said he will assess them before deciding whether they are capable of making the midweek journey to France.

"It was a big problem, having to take our two full-backs off and Anderson with his hamstring," added the United manager.

"It unbalances the team. We will assess them on Sunday. We had to play Darren Fletcher at right-back and he did well, but it didn't help."

Ferguson was full of praise for Crawley, who were denied a replay when substitute Richard Brodie hit the woodwork in stoppage time in front of their 9,000 travelling fans at Old Trafford.

"All the criticism about the FA Cup, it tells you what it means to a small club like Crawley," added Ferguson.

"They showed more desire in the second half. They made it very difficult for us. We were second to every ball. They could have equalised. They deserved a draw really, we never had a shot at goal in the second half.

"First half we did very well, no complaints. We could have been three or four up. It wasn't to be and if you are only 1-0 up in a cup-tie it only takes a second to lose a goal, and we nearly did."

Crawley did not leave Old Trafford completely empty handed. They will make over one million pounds (1.6 million dollars) from the tie via television rights and gate receipts from a sellout 75,000 crowd.

Manager Steve Evans challenged his players to use the performance as a springboard to win promotion to the Football League.

"We want to play in the Football League but there are some good clubs trying to stop us," said Evans.

"I am very proud of my players. I've spoken to Alex and he's given me a bottle of wine to take away."

- AFP

[asiancigar]

Based on what we saw over the FA weekend and if this is the future team of our beloved United....... seow liao !!!

Bebe - a block of wood, so stiff and clumsy with terrible footballing skills
Obertan - running around like chicken without a head
Gibson - still lacking vision and as a mid-fielder
Anderson - blowing hot and cold
Carrick - lazy sotong and seems to be taling more than palying football
Twins - SAF must feed them and tell them to pump iron, so lightweight
Oshit - cow brain and almost cost us the match with his poor tackles

At this rate, we will be chasing the coat tails of Arsenal next year

Cheerz
AC

[mr_missile]

The next few weeks are critical to both United and closest EPL title challenger Arsenal :

Arsenal's looming fixture list

Premier League, Wednesday Feb 23: Arsenal v Stoke.
Carling Cup Final, Sunday Feb 27: Arsenal v Birmingham.
FA Cup Fifth Round Replay: Wednesday March 2: Arsenal v Leyton Orient.
Premier League, Saturday March 5: Arsenal v Sunderland.
Champions League, Tuesday March 8: Barcelona v Arsenal.
*FA Cup Sixth Round, Saturday March 12: Manchester United v Arsenal.
Premier League, Saturday March 19: WBA v Arsenal.

* Should they beat Orient.

United's looming fixture list

Champions League, Wednesday Feb 23: Marseille v Manchester United.
Premier League, Saturday Feb 26: Wigan v Manchester United.
Premier League, Tuesday March 1: Chelsea v Manchester United.
Premier League, Sunday March 6: Liverpool v Manchester United.
FA Cup Sixth Round, Saturday March 12: Manchester United v Arsenal or Orient.
Champions League, Tuesday March 15: Manchester United v Marseille.
Premier League, Saturday March 19: Manchester United v Bolton.

[A Red Devils]

march will be a critical period for Man Utd.
quite a few first team players out injured.
very tough for us but we will come thru.

[Rickey]

Fergie slams lacklustre United after Crawley test
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 08:54:50 HRS

Sir Alex Ferguson accused his Manchester United players of failing to understand the importance of the FA Cup after the 11-times winners struggled to reach the sixth round at the expense of non-League opposition.

The Premier League leaders were given an uncomfortable time by Crawley Town before edging past the team from the fifth tier of English football 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to book a quarter-final spot.

Ferguson made his feelings clear after his players failed to perform.

Although the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov were given the afternoon off, the likes of Bebe, Michael Carrick and Gabriel Obertan failed to impress.

"Some players came in and didn't do themselves justice. No doubt about that," said Ferguson.

"In the second half, we weren't at the races. It was disappointing. We might have some players who don't understand what the FA Cup is all about. That is the biggest lesson for them."

"They showed more desire in the second half. They made it very difficult for us. We were second to every ball. They could have equalised. They deserved a draw really, we never had a shot at goal in the second half.

"First half we did very well, no complaints. We could have been three or four up. It wasn't to be and if you are only 1-0 up in a cup-tie it only takes a second to lose a goal, and we nearly did."

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Based on what we saw over the FA weekend and if this is the future team of our beloved United....... seow liao !!!

Bebe - a block of wood, so stiff and clumsy with terrible footballing skills
Obertan - running around like chicken without a head
Gibson - still lacking vision and as a mid-fielder
Anderson - blowing hot and cold
Carrick - lazy sotong and seems to be taling more than palying football
Twins - SAF must feed them and tell them to pump iron, so lightweight
Oshit - cow brain and almost cost us the match with his poor tackles

At this rate, we will be chasing the coat tails of Arsenal next year

Cheerz
AC

How so rite, bro Asiancigar...if the players u named continues to play the way they do with no desire or skills to win...how then can our beloved club win the silverwares ??...not tat we fans wanna slam them for nothing...these players ought to be replaced by better ones...such poor skills & attitude on the field plus the lack of determination to win each & every game ...no wonder the boss, none other than SAF himself, is slamming his own players...afterall its such a prestigious cup, the FA Cup ! and oso the EPL title !!.. Champions of England !!...all of them gotta to be serious & fight for it...in life nothing comes to us on a silver platter...not just simply for the taking...

[insomia]

thanks to fregie who have put in so much of scoldings and pressure. today match proven MU is still a big giant.

FT MU 4-0 Wigan thrashing game.

glory glory Man United

[machoman]

United survive scares to rout Wigan
Sunday, February 27, 2011, 01:26:55 HRS

Edwin van der Sar was Manchester United's hero as Sir Alex Ferguson's side opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Wigan on Saturday.

Mexican international Javier Hernandez's eighth and ninth league goals in the 17th minute and 74th minutes helped United to a 13th successive win over Wigan, while Wayne Rooney and Fabio Da Silva were also on the scoresheet.

But it was 40-year-old Van der Sar's heroics between the posts which sent United clear of nearest rivals Arsenal with 11 games remaining.

The former Netherlands goalkeeper marked his 250th United appearance by making a string of spectacular saves, with Victor Moses, Ben Watson and Maynor Figueroa all frustrated before Rooney sealed the win with United's third goal.

Wigan had lost all their previous 12 encounters with United, conceding 37 times in the process. But they went into this game unbeaten in the previous three league outings including a morale-boosting 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

After criticism about the playing surface from their own manager Roberto Martinez, Wigan had relaid the pitch ahead of United's visit.

And it did not take long for the lowly hosts to adapt to the new surface.

During a bright start by Wigan, Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega saw his fifth minute snap shot fly over the bar.

Then England under-21 winger Moses used his pace to get behind the United defence and deliver a low centre across the six-yard area. Unfortunately for Wigan, there was no blue shirt to turn it over the line.

But after soaking up the home side's early pressure, United took control through Hernandez soon after Van der Sar had produced an excellent save to deny the busy Moses.

Once again Nani produced the assist, the Portuguese winger charging down the left before producing a cross for Hernandez, who had shrugged off his marker, to steer home from five-yards in the 17th minute.

Hernandez was only starting after Ferguson had opted to leave the Premier League's leading goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov on the bench ahead of next Tuesday's game at reigning champions Chelsea.

Yet Wigan ought to have equalised moments later when Watson found himself in space but the midfielder's close range effort was brilliantly kept out by Van der Sar.

This is the start of a pivotal period for United, with five league and cup games in the space of 17 days likely to shape their season.

And although they survived a couple of early scares, Ferguson's side should have made sure of the points before half time.

A fluid move involving Paul Scholes ended with Nani's shot rebounding off the inside of the post with keeper Ali Al Habsi beaten on the half hour mark.

But it required another fabulous stop by man-of-the-match Van der Sar to deny Figueroa a rare goal on the Honduras international's 100th Premier League appearance.

Figueroa let fly from 30-yards in the 48th minute, his ferocious effort heading for the net before Van der Sar scrambled to keep it out.

United finished strongly with Nani squandering a hat-trick of opportunities before Hernandez put the game out of sight 16 minutes from time with a composed finish after being sent clear by Rooney, who made it 3-0 from close range six minutes from time.

Wigan will feel hard done by the scoreline after substitute Fabio made it 4-0 three minutes from time.

- AFP

[lacoruna69]

Ryan Giggs - 20 years and still marching on



Wednesday, March 2, marks 20 years of Ryan Giggs as a Manchester United first-team player. It is the anniversary of an inauspicious 2-0 home defeat to Everton in which a 17-year-old Giggs replaced a hamstrung Denis Irwin after Everton's first goal to make his debut.

Twenty years on he remains a key Manchester United player.......

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...-giggs?cc=4716

Personally, I'm a big fan of Giggs.
20 years and still counting.........

[asiancigar]

We played badly and Liverpool were the better team...... period.

At the end of the day, the one who is solely responsible for our defeats in the last 2 games that saw our lead cut into tatters is SAF.

What is there to talk about......?

When i read about rumors of us buying new players, i really don't bother coz they are just RUMORS....... we are a bankrupt (Glazer) club who cannot buy anyone costing more than 10million. Added to the fact that SAF will never sign anyone taller than him.... it is sad.
So instead we continue to renew contracts of aging players like Giggs, Scholes, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick (piece of crap) and don't be surprise if VDS plays another year...... not to mention that MO and Hargreaves would probably still be around next year.

What is there to talk about.......?.

SAF has been around too long and playing with generally the same players year in and year out makes him predictable hence teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and now Liverpool will tear his tactics apart......... every time United plays a team that is prepared to run at us and win every challenge, we lose, leak goals or have to come from behind to grab a draw. Its a simple fact.... SAF is beatable!!!.

I was looking at EPL, CL & FA silverware around Christmas time............ but in reality and now, i think it would be a consolation if we even ended up 2nd in EPL at best..... all thanks to circus clowns Glaze & Grill and a very tired old ring master SAF.

What is there to talk about.......?

Cheerz
AC

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

The next few weeks are critical to both United and closest EPL title challenger Arsenal :

Arsenal's looming fixture list

Premier League, Wednesday Feb 23: Arsenal v Stoke. Ars won
Carling Cup Final, Sunday Feb 27: Arsenal v Birmingham. Ars lost
FA Cup Fifth Round Replay: Wednesday March 2: Arsenal v Leyton Orient. Ars won
Premier League, Saturday March 5: Arsenal v Sunderland. Ars drew
Champions League, Tuesday March 8: Barcelona v Arsenal.
*FA Cup Sixth Round, Saturday March 12: Manchester United v Arsenal.
Premier League, Saturday March 19: WBA v Arsenal.

* Should they beat Orient.

United's looming fixture list

Champions League, Wednesday Feb 23: Marseille v Manchester United. Utd drew
Premier League, Saturday Feb 26: Wigan v Manchester United. Utd won
Premier League, Tuesday March 1: Chelsea v Manchester United. Utd lost
Premier League, Sunday March 6: Liverpool v Manchester United. Utd lost
FA Cup Sixth Round, Saturday March 12: Manchester United v Arsenal
Champions League, Tuesday March 15: Manchester United v Marseille.
Premier League, Saturday March 19: Manchester United v Bolton.

With last night's defeat to Pool, United lost back to back league games for the first time in 2 years.

We certainly missed the cool reading of the game by Ferdinand and the strength and leadership of Vidic in defence. But in all honesty, Pool was the better team last night. The lead at the top of the table is now 3 points with Arsenal having a game in hand.

The title race is going to be heart-stopping from now.