Wayne Rooney didn’t enjoy the 4-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv - he felt the Ukrainians came to Old Trafford without any intention of attempting to achieve a result.
The 21-year-old Reds striker got on the scoresheet, but he described the match as “like a training match”.
“We’re delighted that we’re through and maybe we can rest a few players in the next two games,” he said. (more…)
Manchester United stroll through Champions League knock-out stages with two games to spare. There was a growing belief at Old Trafford this could be the season the current Red Devils emulate the European Cup heroes of 1968 and 1999.
Fergie has challenged the modern-day Red Devils not to end their careers as ‘nearly-man’. And while Dynamo Kiev represent nothing like the biggest obstacle on the path to glory in Moscow on May 21, the ease with which United achieved their victory suggests this could be a very special season.
United win coupled with Roma’s last-minute equalizer in Lisbon confirmed United’s place in the last 16, with top spot and top seeding for the knockout phase to come providing Ferguson’s side beat the Portuguese on this ground in three weeks’ time.
Ferguson rested several key players including Ryan Giggs, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Oliviera Anderson to give other team players some games under their belt. (more…)
Manager Alex Ferguson, celebrating his 21st anniversary at the club, has challenged his Manchester United players to avoid becoming the Red Devils’ nearly men.On the eve of his side’s Champions League encounter with Dynamo Kiev, Ferguson refused to rule out extending his stay to an incredible 25 years.
No matter how long the fiercely-competitive Scot remains, he wants his final seasons at United to be winning ones. And, in accepting the Red Devils’ Champions League record should be far better than it is, Ferguson has laid down the gauntlet to his young team to bring a third European Cup back to Old Trafford. (more…)
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed rival boss Sven-Goran Eriksson’s call for seven substitutes to be allowed in Premier League games.
Presently, only five replacements can be named in domestic matches, a rule out of kilter with UEFA competitions, where seven is the norm.
However, in citing the example of Darren Fletcher, who performed superbly for Manchester United in their recent win over Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine but then did not even make the bench for Saturday’s draw at Arsenal, and also pointing to the huge squads most top-flight clubs now employ, Ferguson cannot understand why a seven-substitute rule is not introduced.
“I think in the modern game, particularly given the profile of the Premier League and the money available, there should be seven substitutes,” said the Scot.
“Every club has a big squad of more than 16 players now. In our case, it is nearer 25.
“We have tried to get this changed for some years now and I am sure if the coaches were to make the decision on it, it would be passed.
“When you look at someone like Darren Fletcher, he was absolutely fantastic in Kiev and deserves to be part of the squad. But he did not even make the bench on Saturday, which was a real kick in the teeth for him.
“It does not sit easy with me having to leave someone like Darren out when he has done a fantastic job for us.”
Fletcher must now wait to see whether he gets his chance in the return clash with Dynamo as United chase the win required to ease them into the knock-out phase with two games to spare.
Michael Carrick has already been assured of his starting spot, while midfield partner Owen Hargreaves is expected to finally make his European bow after recovering from the knee problem which blighted the early months following his £18million arrival from Bayern Munich.
Owen Hargreaves has challenged the authenticity of Arsenal’s status as the Premier League’s most attractive side to watch.
United could, and according to Sir Alex Ferguson should, have taken all three points at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. But Hargreaves believes the tactical nous of the Reds’ first half display and the counter-attacking threat after the break constituted an excellent performance in the 2-2 draw.
There is no doubt Arsene Wenger’s side play an entertaining, attacking style. But Hargreaves may have a point, and Arsenal certainly have one still to prove after failing to beat two of their main rivals in consecutive weekends.
“Arsenal kept the ball and had a lot of possession, but they were never really threatening,” said the Reds midfielder, who once again impressed in central midfield, this time alongside Anderson.
“Defensively, we did a good job and tried to control their so-called beautiful football. Both of our goals were from really beautiful pieces of play and theirs were a bit scrappy.
“Football is about scoring goals and winning games and I don’t think they had a clear-cut chance in the first half, apart from the header by Gallas, and that was a set piece.
“They keep the ball and try to play that way, but when a team is as good defensively as ours, you can keep them at bay because we played very tight together.”
Sir Alex Ferguson was furious after United’s failure to keep the lead that cost Red Devils the 3 points in a dramatic draw at the Emirates Stadium.
There was a great chance of coming away with 3 points in the bag having leading the game twice before conceding the equalizer as the source of Fergie irritation.
“We threw it away, we were in a winning position twice,” Sir Alex told MUTV. Rooney gave United the lead just before half time, albeit it was an own goal through Gallas hand.
However, Fabregas scored the equalizer 3 minutes after the interval. The score look to remain at 1-1, before Ronaldo scored a tap-in following a good work from Saha and Evra from left flank.
United were on the way for victory, but a goal mouth scramble in injury time - Gallas salvaged a draw, volleyed through the right post.
Arsenal signalled their determination to fight Manchester United all the way for the Barclays Premier League crown with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from captain William Gallas in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal with eight minutes remaining looked set to send the champions back to the top of the league and end the Gunners’ unbeaten run, which stretched back 24 matches.
However, this Arsenal side - who first drew level when Cesc Fabregas equalised after Wayne Rooney’s scuffed shot was deflected home by Gallas for the opener - do not know when they are beaten. So it proved when the Gunners skipper made amends for his own goal and volleyed in at the far post to keep Arsene Wenger’s men on top. (more…)
Sir Alex has declared it will be medals and trophies that decide whether Arsenal’s youngsters are better than Manchester United’s prior to the game of the week.
The Premier League’s top two go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 12:45 UK time with the country eager to see how the likes of future star in Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor measure up against Ronaldo, Nani, and Rooney.
Both team are in top form at the moment, United having scored four goal in the last four games while Arsenal youngsters continue their impressive start to the season, particularly Cesc Fabregas who last week scored an equalizer to salvage a point in the Liverpool match. (more…)
There’s a real swagger about Manchester United these days. That awful stuttering start to the new campaign has paled into oblivion and all because of a remarkable sequence of results over the last month and a bit.
The Red Devils have been in irrepressible form of late. They have deservedly climbed up to second in the standings and joint top with Arsenal on points. A brilliant run of four goals in their last four games has consolidated their top billing as the favourites to retain the league title in May and left the rest, perhaps with the exception of the Gunners, in awe.
Man United’s 4-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough last weekend not only took them (temporarily) past Arsenal on the log, but it also equalled a 100-year-old record, given that the last time the Red Devils hit four in four matches was back in 1907. (more…)
Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Barclays Premier League title currently is just between Manchester United and Arsenal to lose judging by both team’s form.
The Gunners and Red Devils are currently level on points ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium, although Arsenal do have a game in hand over United.
Chelsea and Liverpool have suffered slightly more inconsistent starts to the season but Fergie still believes they may launch title challenge of their own after the New Year.
After four year without title, United finally won the first last season and Ferguson is confident he has built a squad capable of retaining the trophy.
Meanwhile, Ferguson also paid tribute to Carlos Tevez, who despite struggling to learn English is letting “the football language talk”.
Tevez is being given private tuition at home to improve his English and Ferguson said he is working hard.
