Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

Rooney & Ronaldo 'guide new boys'

Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are the perfect role models for the club's new signings.

The duo have developed from raw talents into top-class internationals at United, who signed promising duo Nani and Anderson this summer.

"There is no better place to learn your trade," Solskjaer told BBC Sport.

"They've been given a good opportunity but the club has great players to develop into very exciting talents."

Portuguese winger Nani, 20, and Brazil's 19-year-old midfielder Anderson have been joined by Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, 23, from West Ham, while more experienced midfielder Owen Hargreaves, 26, also arrived during the summer - from Bayern Munich.

Solskjaer has been at United since July 1996 and has seen plenty of players come and go at the club.

He added: "The ones we have signed are young players and are going to need time to settle in.

"But the way we have nurtured Wayne and Cristiano is an example.

"They came very young and as really talented players but the gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson has made them into top world players and that is what you get by being at Manchester United.

"You get the challenge every day in training. They have to have that desire to improve all the time and the way Wayne and Cristiano have developed has been a joy to watch."

United would prefer Nani to give up his somersault celebration but that did not stop the player doing so after his goal in the friendly at Glentoran on Wednesday.

He has looked dangerous in pre-season, while Anderson was in the Brazil squad that beat Argentina to win the Copa America.

Solskjaer says the pair, along with Hargreaves, have settled in quickly at Old Trafford.

"It's always going to take time but they have settled really well," he stated at the launch of the Premier League Creating Chances community-based project.

"In the dressing room they have been great," he added. "They are good lads to be around and a great laugh.

"Now it's down to the nitty-gritty of the Premiership and I think they are going to enjoy this season."

[qbdp]

Fans forced Richardson out
Richardson better off at the Stadium of Light

Sir Alex Ferguson claims opposition to Kieran Richardson from Manchester United fans forced him to sell him to Sunderland.

The United chief says it was better for the player to move on after he came in for stick from some sections of the Old Trafford faithful.

He let Richardson move to the Stadium of Light in a £5.5million switch in the summer, so linking up with former United team-mate Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light.

Ferguson told the Sunday Express: "I let him go mainly because some fans were getting on his back and I don't like that.

"Kieran has great ability but he isn't going to flourish if he hasn't got everyone behind him.

"So when Sunderland made a good offer, I decided to accept and send him on his way with our best wishes."

[Mafan]

Originally Posted by stinky_shawn

let the bast@#d go if he wishes to go........no point having a traitor... let him join the liverfools...

Plz stop insulting other clubs.

[Sayangku]

We should get a striker since Rooney fractured his left foot, Gudjonhsen seems to be a good choice, he's a liability in barca anyway, hope Ferguson sign him

[mr_missile]

ROONEY SUFFERS HAIRLINE FRACTURE

Wayne Rooney looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines after Manchester United confirmed the £27million striker suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot during Sunday afternoon's 0-0 draw with Reading.

The incident occurred near the end of the opening period when Rooney fired a low cross from Michael Carrick just over the crossbar.

In attempting to make a tackle, Michael Duberry accidentally trod on Rooney's foot.

It was clear instantly Rooney had a problem, as he went down and removed his boot.

Although he was able to continue briefly, he did not reappear for the second half, with Ferguson sending the 21-year-old for a scan.

Although the United boss expressed the hope the damage would not be too bad, his worst fears now appear to have been confirmed, although the precise extent of the injury is not known.

However, having already suffered two broken metatarsals in his career already, the last against Chelsea in 2006 which nearly cost Rooney a place in that summer's World Cup finals, it would be a big surprise if the former Everton man was not sidelined for a couple of months at least.

Certainly, he will miss United's forthcoming Premier League encounters with Portsmouth and Manchester City, plus England's friendly with Germany on August 22.

In all probability England coach Steve McClaren will also be without his first choice striker for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at the beginning of next month.

Ferguson said: "There was no point in him continuing because there was a lot of swelling and he had quite a lot of pain."

With Rooney out and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only returning to training after long-term injuries last week, Ferguson seems certain to hand Carlos Tevez his debut at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

"I was considering using Carlos at Portsmouth anyway but obviously, he will come into our thoughts even more now," said Ferguson.

[evilspawnsss]

Watched the match last nite..MAN U clearly need to get a striker..Saha etc always get injured and Alan Smith gone..When Ronney was injured i was thinking siao liao...Den come in Nani which mean there is no striker playing..Hope Tever or Sir Alex get one more Striker to made it more exciting..

[evilspawnsss]

Originally Posted by Mafan

Plz stop insulting other clubs.

thks Bro

We mature enough to respect each other Supporting club..

[Mafan]

Originally Posted by evilspawnsss

thks Bro

We mature enough to respect each other Supporting club..

We are supporting the club not married the club to be life partner so we should always respect each other as its what all adult will do. May be just holidays so kids run out to play.

[evilspawnsss]

Originally Posted by Mafan

We are supporting the club not married the club to be life partner so we should always respect each other as its what all adult will do. May be just holidays so kids run out to play.

Haha..u didnt say i oso didnt realise..Long school holiday..hee heeAnyway Man U play well last nite...jus tt the Reading goalKeeper on form..U guys got watch all top 4 matches?Seem like the goalkeeper all on form..sunderland one oso not bad..Only Birmingham one..super lame -_-" Afterall only first match..Good luck to all Teams

[Sayangku]

Originally Posted by Mafan

May be just holidays so kids run out to play...

Kid with tatoos obviously, haha... anyway, cant wait the Big 4 playing each other, with Spurs also, hehe, this season is really exciting

[alex18122003]

Two Months Out For Rooney
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will be out of action for two months after suffering a hairline fracture of his left foot in Manchester United's game with Reading on Sunday.

Rooney suffered the injury near the end of the first half of the goalless draw at Old Trafford in an accidental collision with Royals defender Michael Duberry.

Although the 21-year-old briefly continued, he did not reappear after half-time and was sent for a scan, the results of which ensured Rooney will now miss United's next eight Premier League games, as well as the club's first two Champions League group matches.

He is also ruled out of England's friendly international with Germany next week and the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at Wembley in September.

Ferguson said: "We are putting it at two months. He should be back training in that time but I can't put an exact date on when he will be back playing.

"It is a bad blow, not just for us, but obviously for England as well."

Ferguson confirmed that new arrival Carlos Tevez will start Wednesday's Premier League encounter at Portsmouth, and revealed he spoke to Steve McClaren on Sunday evening to give him the bad news.

The Scot continued: "I am obviously disappointed and I could sense Steve's disappointment as well.

"It is obviously bad news for England but they should be able to cope without him against Israel and Russia - and by the time we get to the October matches I would expect him to be back by then."

Ferguson's optimism would require Rooney to hit his recovery target exactly if he is to make the October 13 qualifier against Estonia and the vital trip to Moscow for the Russia rematch four days later.

The United boss is acutely aware that Rooney was back in action within six weeks when he broke his foot prior to the 2006 World Cup - but it was deemed to be far too soon for the young striker, who failed to produce anything like his best form in Germany.

Rooney missed 14 weeks after suffering a similar injury during Euro 2004, which delayed his debut for United following his £27million move from Everton.

[Mafan]

OH NOOOOOOoooooo..... Man U 1 striker down

[hoobastalib]

Originally Posted by Mafan

OH NOOOOOOoooooo..... Man U 1 striker down

actualli shld b one more striker down. haizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[qbdp]

Tevez to be thrown in at the deep end against Pompey

Carlos Tevez anticipates an evening of pleasure rather than pressure when he makes his debut for Manchester United at Portsmouth tomorrow.

The Argentinian international striker finally arrived at Old Trafford on Friday after completing his eye-wateringly complicated move from West Ham United and yesterday he was paraded in front of a packed media gathering at Carrington, the club's training ground.

It was the sort of occasion which can turn usually confident players tongue-tied but, leaning back in his chair and sharing little jokes with his interpreter, Tevez, dressed casually in baggy jeans and loose sweatshirt, looked supremely comfortable.

Inevitable inquiries about the potential stress of playing for Manchester United were greeted by what will doubtless soon become a familiar toothy grin. "I have never felt pressure when I play football," explained the 23-year-old, who was largely responsible for West Ham's unlikely avoidance of relegation last season while also introducing football fans to the complexities of third party player ownership agreements. "Whenever I go on to the pitch I try to enjoy myself."

Tevez certainly seemed to serve as a lightening conductor at Upton Park, deflecting tension from his fellow players as he revelled in scoring the goals that kept Alan Curbishley's side in the Premier League.

"There's no doubt Carlos was the major reason why West Ham stayed up," said Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United's manager. "He was brilliant against us in the season's final game when he scored their winner.

"Although we've been watching him for a long time, his performances in the Premier League are the foundation on which our opinion of Carlos is based. But sometimes you get more of a feel of a player from training and he's been absolutely brilliant in our sessions."

Such form dictates that, although Tevez has not played a single friendly in the four weeks since helping Argentina reach the final of the Copa America, Ferguson has no reservations about asking him to replace the injured Wayne Rooney tomorrow.

"Carlos will start on Wednesday," he confirmed. "I would have preferred to wait for the Manchester City game on Sunday, which would have given him a few more days training but, for the forthcoming few weeks, he will fill the position Wayne would have occupied."

While Tevez insists he feels "no pressure" he is nevertheless aware of what Tony Blair might have termed "the hand of history" weighing on his shoulder. "This is a massive step for me," said Tevez who knows a trio of much-vaunted South Americans- namely, Juan Sebastian Veron, Diego Forlán and Kleberson - all failed at Old Trafford. "I need to write my own piece of history here and help Manchester United be successful."

Asked if he was simply too similar to Rooney for the pair to complement each other, Tevez - sent off on his first appearance at his new home ground while playing for Boca Juniors in a 2002 friendly - replied: "The best players should play with each other; great players need to play next to each other. It's a big blow to lose Wayne now; he's a great player and will be difficult to replace but my aim is to help this team like I helped West Ham.

"It hurt to leave West Ham; it was difficult, but joining Manchester United is a great opportunity. I am very happy here; it's remarkable to be with a group of people who are football stars but are also humble as human beings."

The move completed a tortuous period of negotiations involving West Ham, his agent, Kia Joorabchian, who also claimed to own the player's registration, and United. After the wrangling Joorabchian handed West Ham a £2m settlement and it is understood that United will pay him £10m for Tevez's two-year loan at Old Trafford.

The ultimate intention is to make the transfer permanent and United are free to buy Tevez at any time during, or immediately after, that 24-month period. Moreover he cannot leave Old Trafford without Ferguson waiving his right to purchase. "Everything is in place to agree a long-term deal," said David Gill, United's chief executive. "We are comfortable with the arrangement."

At the Copa America Tevez remained in largely blissful ignorance of the furore his mooted move was generating. "I only realised how difficult it all was at the end," he admitted. "But I never thought I'd be forced out of the game."

By 10pm tomorrow the Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp, and his team might wish he had been.

[qbdp]

Sven: No-one can replace Rooney

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that England manager Steve McClaren will find it impossible to replace Wayne Rooney for his crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Manchester United striker is out for two months after fracturing a bone in his foot against Reading on Sunday and will miss most if not all of England's remaining European Championship games.

Former England head coach Eriksson, now manager of Manchester City, said although his successor Steve McClaren had other good options there was no one to compare with the 21-year-old.

Eriksson said: "I don't know how many games he will miss for England but I suppose Steve McClaren is not happy about that. It's very, very bad luck - as before the World Cup.

"Of course England have other quality players but it's a simple fact that in this country you don't have two Rooneys, you have only one.

"There are other good players but Rooney is Rooney and that's it."

Eriksson at least will not to have to plan how to combat Rooney in this weekend's Manchester derby.

But he added: "I feel very sorry for Rooney, he has had a similar injury to before the World Cup last year. It's unlucky and of course it's bad for Manchester United and it's bad for England."