Manchester United FC Daily News Thread

[Guest Mike]

we shall see... muahaha

[Guest jameslhm]

:pray: all four tourment can win by man utd this season i think fergie will stay one season and man u will see a new manager replacing him

[Guest nightfly]

Been a :devil2: since '75 and never have I been as disgusted as I was this morning with the bo-chap sub standard penalties taken by Ferdinand and especially Berbatov. Really sad

[g8crasher]

Been a :devil2: since '75 and never have I been as disgusted as I was this morning with the bo-chap sub standard penalties taken by Ferdinand and especially Berbatov. Really sad

I was quite surprised at them too. What made me even more surprised was the team selection especially for an FA Cup semi final.

[Guest jameslhm]

Been a :devil2: since '75 and never have I been as disgusted as I was this morning with the bo-chap sub standard penalties taken by Ferdinand and especially Berbatov. Really sad

well the line up show they dont really care the cup the wan to win the epl n cl more

[Guest jameslhm]

Wigan 1 United 2

United moved to the brink of the Barclays Premier League title with a pulsating second-half performance and two wonderful goals at Wigan.

Man of the moment Carlos Tevez came off the bench to equalise before midfield maestro Michael Carrick sealed a superb away win for the champions with five minutes remaining. This rally put Steve Bruce’s plucky Wigan side to the sword and no doubt destroyed the morale of a certain club on Merseyside, who’d no doubt been buoyed by Hugo Rodallega’s shock opener for the home team.

Sir Alex made five changes to his derby-winning side, the return of John O’Shea, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney suggesting this eleven was picked with the Reds’ next midweek fixure in mind, the Champions League final.

United were given an early fright when Antonio Valencia’s searing pace enabled him to break between Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic close to the halfway line and carry the ball menacingly into the box. Fortunately, the Reds’ senior centre-back made a sufficiently quick recovery to put the Ecuadorian off his stride, Valencia chipping his shot off target from six yards instead of beating Edwin van der Sar.

The Reds crafted two better opportunities to take the lead in quick succession around the 10th minute, with Dimitar Berbatov involved in both. First the Bulgarian laid on a peach of a right-wing cross that Rooney, so often the scourge of Wigan, unfortunately headed wide. Then Berbatov fed Cristiano Ronaldo and his low centre, again from the right, was steered agonisingly over the top left corner by Michael Carrick. Charles N’Zogbia succeeded where Valencia had failed by forcing a fine save from Van der Sar; the Dutchman diving to his right to flick away the former Newcastle midfielder’s curling free-kick. Van der Sar’s next stop was more straightforward, gathering a low shot into his midriff after Evans misjudged a header and Wigan’s lone striker Hugo Rodallega made a Valencia-style surge forward.

The Colombian wasn’t to be denied with his next effort, however; after leaping with Vidic to contest a long pass forward, he reacted quickest as the ball dropped and lashed a close-range shot past van der Sar to give Wigan a shock lead. Vidic was incensed – he felt Rodallega had unfairly impeded him in their duel and TV replays supported this claim. Match referee Rob Styles, however, had no such view and a few minutes later he summoned van der Sar, as captain, and Vidic for a lecture on dissent.

Styles remained a central figure as Wigan’s muscular approach rattled a few men in red shirts but no serious punishment was delivered, either from the referee’s pocket or from the right boot of Ronaldo in a dead-ball situation. If Lee Cattermole upset Michael Carrick with a rash challenge, he almost embossed his villain status with an accurate shot that was well held by van der Sar, then a back-heel which helped to tee up Rodallega for an effort that only just skidded wide in first-half injury time. There was still time for United to attempt an equaliser but when Vidic’s deflected shot flew over the bar and the whistle blew, his grimace was apt for a first half of frustration.

Neither manager made a personnel change at the break, instead sending out the same players to grapple on the greasy surface, at least for the next ten minutes. One muscular tussle in this spell drew cries of ‘penalty’ from the vocal away support, only forStyles to rightly permit Paul Scharner’s perfectly executed tackle on Rooney.

The next piece of precision in Wigan’s box brought United onto level terms – courtesy of ‘impact substitute’ Carlos Tevez just minutes after replacing Anderson. The Argentine’s introduction instantly put the Latics on red alert but they were left red-faced when, with his back to the target, Carlos diverted Carrick’s shot home with a sublime flick. It was his fifth league goal of the season and undoubtedly his finest, not to mention the most important bar his Boxing Day winner at Stoke City.

The Reds had a more legitimate shout for a penalty when Ronaldo, at full tilt, tumbled after a collision with Latics’ left-back Maynor Figueroa but referee Styles rejected the appeals of the aghast Portuguese.

Sir Alex swopped his veterans as the game entered its nail-biting final phase, taking off Scholes and sending on Giggs, a decisive scorer in last season’s glorious corresponding fixture.

United’s sumptuous second-half football deserved a second goal and it fittingly came from one of many sweeping team moves. The ball flowed from Vidic to Ronaldo and on to O’Shea, and when the Irishman cut back to the edge of the area, Carrick stepped up to fire a stunning left-foot shot into the top left-hand corner.

Ecstatic Reds rushed from every position to celebrate the goal; another positive result in a few days’ time and those same players will be celebrating the ultimate triumph.

[Guest jameslhm]

That's why we're champions

John O'Shea felt United's grit and resolve came to the fore in overcoming the stern challenge of Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening.

Goals in the final half-hour from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick gave the Reds three precious points in the ongoing Premier League title race, and Sheasy believes United showed the hallmark of champions at the JJB Stadium.

“I thought we showed our commitment and our courage to go and get the three points," Sheasy told MUTV. "Obviously a draw would not have been too bad either but you have to be proud of how we kept going and with the chances we created. I think we just about edged it.

"We have done that a few times this season but that is what the club is all about, commitment and courage. The coaching staff as well, to believe in what we are doing is right and we are getting the rewards."

With former Reds skipper Steve Bruce at the Latics' helm, O'Shea and his colleagues knew they would have to weather a storm at the JJB, before a patient plan paid dividends.

“People start thinking that Steve Bruce is going to do the manager a favour but the way they played, they came at us like a steam train and maybe, could have been two nil up before we had a decent chance," he said.

"We did miss quite a few good chances in the first half as well so we could have gone in level. So

[Guest jameslhm]

Boss praises gutsy display

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted the spirit and determination of his side after Michael Carrick’s late winner put United to within one point of retaining the league title.

The boss had been given plenty to say at half-time by Wigan taking a shock lead.

“The first thing I told the players at the break was to keep their discipline," Sir Alex said.

"You can’t beat the referee, so I told them, 'Keep your mouth shut and play the game.' I think we improved from there.”

“We just had to be patient. We were against a very determined, tough Wigan side but I thought we were the better team. It was a real gutsy performance."

Carrick's stunning strike and Tevez's sublime equaliser were enough to give United a vital triumph but there could have been more goals, not least from Cristiano Ronaldo - a fact that was noted but not condemned by his manager.

“Cristiano could probably have scored a hat-trick tonight," admitted Sir Alex. "He normally hits the target and makes the goalkeeper work but it was just one of those nights I suppose, it happens. He still has an unbelievable scoring rate, particularly recently.”

United can now secure a third successive title with a home draw on Saturday. However, Sir Alex only has eyes for maximum points.

“I think we’ll approach the game we always do, we’ll try and win. We know we're up against a very good Arsenal side and we'll need to perform. Hopefully we will do.”

[Guest jameslhm]

Reds make Tevez progress

Sir Alex Ferguson is still hopeful of a positive resolution to Carlos Tevez's ongoing transfer saga.

Reports in the media have suggested the striker would leave Old Trafford at the end of this season following a two-year loan deal.

However, on the back of United's win at Wigan - in which Tevez netted a vital equaliser - Sir Alex broke his silence on the matter, and confirmed that the Argentine is very much on his wanted list.

"I think we've had progress today," the manager told MUTV. "David Gill's had a good meeting today, I've spoken to Carlos and we've given him an offer we hope he accepts. That's where we are.

"He's a great little player and once again he's shown his mettle. He's scored so many important goals and he's got another one for us tonight."

Tevez's all-action approach established him as a fans' favourite within weeks of his arrival at Old Trafford last season, and Sir Alex admits the striker's attitude is commendable.

"They (the fans) love him because he's a trier," he said. "He's got tremendous skill, of course, but he never gives in. That's a great quality to have in the modern game, he's got the hunger to fight all the time and it's a wonderful thing to see."

[Guest jameslhm]

Carrick eyes perfect end

Michael Carrick's first away goal for United means the Reds are more likely to win the title at home this Saturday.

The midfielder's stunning 86th-minute strike at the JJB Stadium turned a battling draw with Wigan into a hard-fought victory and reduced the league points required in the remaining two games - at home to Arsenal, then Hull away - to just one.

"It was a massive three points for us tonight," Carrick told MUTV.

"Obviously it now looks good for us. I think it's only been done once before, winning the title at home, so it would be great if we can do it again. But we’re not getting carried away, we’ve got to respect Arsenal for how good they are. We know we’ve still got a job to do."

It was job done at Wigan thanks to two Carrick shots - one turned in by Carlos Tevez and the other that flew direct past Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingson into the top left-hand corner.

"it was an up and down night in front of goal for me but we won the game and I’m delighted with that," said Carrick.

"My goal made up for the chance I missed in the first half really. I was just concentrating on hitting the target and once I saw it was going in, I was off to celebrate it. I nearly broke Wazza’s (Wayne Rooney's) neck with the celebration but he’s all right now!

"I also hit or mishit the shot that Carlos scored from. I’d like to say it was a pass from me but no, it was a shot.

"If you try your luck, things can happen and thankfully Carlos finished it off in great style. After that, it was just about us getting the winner. Happily tonight it was me who scored it but it could have been anyone. It’s a great night for us."

[Guest jameslhm]

English Premier League plans tougher finance rules

LONDON - The English Premier League, under pressure from football's authorities and the government, plans to bolster its financial regulations, notably toughening rules on who can own or invest in a club.

The proposals are in response to a request from Sports Minister Andy Burnham to the high profile league and the Football Association for plans to curb debt and increase financial transparency as the game comes to terms with the worst economic slump in nearly 80 years.

English clubs have amassed debts of around three billion pounds with nearly a third of that owed by the top four, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, spar1ing criticism from MPs and politicians.

The proposals announced by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore Monday, include:

- an independent audit of club accounts to determine whether a club is a "going concern," in other words financially viable.

- an annual requirement to demonstrate that the club does not have outstanding debts to other clubs, in income tax or National Insurance payments.

- improve ownership rules such as requiring disclosure of any interest in a club above 10 percent and an extension of the rule whereby conviction for certain offences leads to ineligibility for directorship.

- the range of these offences will be widened and would exclude persons who have been sentenced to at least a year in prison or convicted of a so-called dishonesty such as fraud, ticket touting or hooliganism.

"These regulations go above and beyond the laws of the land," Scudamore told a panel of reporters.

"Clubs have bought into this and I am confident we can have further progress in the future. These rules will help to steer us through what could be choppy waters."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Saturday debt-laden Premier League clubs could be hardest hit by the global credit crunch, while Michel Platini, head of European soccer body UEFA, said the game was ready to financially implode.

"Clubs are smarter and more in tune than some of the rhetoric we have heard," Scudamore said.

"The professionalism of clubs, such as their accountants and lawyers, has never been better. We have not shied away from our responsibilities."

Scudamore said the new guidelines, if approved by the league's 20 clubs, should come into force for the start of next season.

[Guest jameslhm]

FERGUSON: WE WANT TEVEZ TO STAY

CARLOS Tevez has a future at Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that talks are underway aimed at keeping the unsettled striker at Old Trafford after the Argentinian came off the bench to inspire a 2-1 comeback win over Wigan this morning.

Tevez equalised with an impudent back-heel in the 62nd minute, just four minutes after coming on, to cancel out Hugo Rodallega's opener for Wigan in the first half.

The travelling United supporters made no secret of their admiration for Tevez when they chanted 'Fergie, sign him up' after his equaliser.

Michael Carrick scored an 86th-minute winner to leave United only a point away from a third straight title.

Tevez said at the weekend that he expected to leave United at the end of a season in which he has been frustrated by his lack of starts in the club's biggest matches.

But Ferguson insisted United were not stalling on resolving the former West Ham forward's future.

Fantastic

'He is a fantastic player,' the Scot said of Tevez.

'The fans love him because he is a trier. He has great skill, of course, but he never gives in and that is a great quality to have.

'He has a hunger to fight all the time. It is wonderful to see.

'He knows I want him to stay. I had a chat with him today and (chief executive) David Gill has had meetings with him.

'I'm sorry I have to keep on going on about this, it has never changed.'

Tevez originally arrived on a two-year loan deal, which gave United an option to buy his registration at the end of this season.

However, dealing with his agent Kia Joorabchian has proved to be a difficult process and the latest development hardly indicates it is going to get easy, especially as Tevez's advisor knows his player has many suitors.

United have already spent £10 million ($22.2m) on Tevez and have been told they will have to find a further £22m to buy him from the group of investors who own the player's registration.

'We have given him an offer and we hope he accepts,' said Ferguson.

'The problem is we are not negotiating with a football club.'

However, Tevez's advisor Joorabchian immediately responded with a statement of his own.

Cordial meeting

In a statement, a spokesman for Joorabchian said: 'It is true David Gill came to see Mr Joorabchian and they had a cordial meeting.

'It is categorically untrue that Manchester United made an offer to try to persuade Carlos Tevez to stay at the club.

'In 2007, Manchester United agreed a two-year loan deal for Carlos Tevez and at the same time agreed the terms that would make the transfer permanent.

'They have not taken up that option.'

[Guest RedDevils]

Congratulations MANCHESTER UNITED!

18th Title, Champions Of England Again!

[Guest jameslhm]

ROME HERE WE COME

[g8crasher]

[Guest dash]

poor old ronnie discovers to his dismay that his package was, well, not that big afterall...hahaha. the look on his face!!! :tazzie:

[keltanky]

:evlaugh: :evlaugh: :evlaugh: :evlaugh: :evlaugh:

[Guest jameslhm]

Ronaldo is on the way to REAL....... deal should to be concluded by 30 June

[Guest jameslhm]

OWEN SCORE HIS 1ST GOAL N WHO NEED RONALDO WHEN WE HAVE NANI

[g8crasher]

OWEN SCORE HIS 1ST GOAL N WHO NEED RONALDO WHEN WE HAVE NANI

sorry bro nani is no worthy replacement for ronaldo... not yet at least.

[Guest jameslhm]

OWEN SCORE HIS 1ST GOAL N WHO NEED RONALDO WHEN WE HAVE NANI

sorry bro nani is no worthy replacement for ronaldo... not yet at least.

at the moment nani might be a normal player but if he play the whole season without injury he will be a gd player and i believe he can be as gd as ronaldo

[Guest jameslhm]

Sunday big game chel vs man utd