Manchester United Fans Club

Manchester United have gone goals crazy recently, with TEAMtalk’s Ian Watson insisting it is all down to Sir Alex Ferguson’s new formation.

You’d have thought I’d have learnt by now. Despite all Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved, I, and a great many others to be fair, keep doubting the great man. Yet time and time again, the wily old Scot leaves us all looking pretty stupid.

As United stuttered and spluttered to 1-0 win after narrow 1-0 win, I insisted the new continental style of play Fergie was forcing upon the champions would never work. Only three goals, two draws and a derby loss in the opening five games, suggested that I was right.

My argument was ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

United won the title last season playing the sort of football they’re famous for. Fast and free-flowing with Ronaldo sublime wide on the right and Giggs defying his years on the left. That is the United way. The club’s success has been built on wingers. From Best to Ronaldo, via Coppell, Kanchelskis and Giggs.

But anyone who has watched a lot of United this season will tell you that there has been a very noticeable change in the way the Red Devils have gone about breaking down defences. Gone are the traditional wingers in a 4-4-2 and in their place, a roving trio behind a lone frontman at the head of what is effectively a 4-2-3-1. (more…)

Man Utd and Holland no 1 goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar has revealed his intention to quit international football after Euro 2008.

Edwin who turned 37 on Monday, made his Oranje debut in June 1995 against Belarus and has since racked up 121 caps for his country. The former Juventus and Ajax keeper said:  ‘I will stop with the Oranje after Euro 2008.

The time has come for young blood to take over his Oranje duty, allowing him more time to rest in order to prolong, hopefully his United career.

Van der Sar is out of contract at United at the end of the season, he will be able to talk to others club come this January 2008.

Owen Hargreaves convinced the Red Devils will prove beyond doubt they are England’s top dogs when Manchester United go to Emirates Stadium next weekend match against Arsenal.

After a slow start to the campaign, United have now reeled off eight successive wins.

Their latest success saw Wayne Rooney score for the seventh straight game for club and country, providing more evidence his partnership with Carlos Tevez is virtually unstoppable and allowing Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to equal a 100-year-old scoring record by hitting four, four times on the bounce.

It is irresistible form in anyone’s book and while Hargreaves, happily restored to the United starting line-up after finally overcoming a long-standing knee problem, accepts Arsenal have been effective this term, he feels United are better. (more…)

Sir’s Alex Ferguson put Nani straight into the starting line-up ahead of Ryan Giggs in the search for freshness proved decisive, with the Portuguese wizard scoring a thunder-bolt in the 4-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Nani initiated the goal spree with a long-range missile in the third minute, after coming in from the left wing and tricking three Boro defenders.

“He doesn’t score tap-ins,” Sir Alex joked on MUTV. “He’s a thunderbolt-hitter. It was a fantastic goal and Nani’s coming along very nicely. I thought it would be refreshing to use him today instead of Ryan Giggs. I’ve got next Saturday to think about [so I rested Ryan] but Nani came on and had a good impact.”

The 20-year-old Portuguese international had a hand in most of the Red Devils meaningful attacks, particularly in the first half, and his contribution also draw Wayne Rooney into praising his new team mate.

“He came in today and did really well,” Rooney said. “His goal was a great strike – it bent and dipped all over the place.”

Nani’s two goal Manchester United goal have both come at Old Trafford, both are thunder-bolt goal and both with the scores locked at 0-0. Nani is settled down really well, hopefully he can play more major part or contribute more when the season heat up after Christmas.