Manchester United Fans Club

Rio Ferdinand will have his contract talks with Manchester United at the end of the current campaign. It’s a new policy under Glazer regime where a player contract will be open for negotiations 12 months before the end of that contract.

Ferdinand deal expires at the end of the 2008/09 season. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson will attempts to tie down Ferdinand to a new deal in shortage time possible. 29-year-old Ferdinand, who has developed a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of defense.

Ferguson will hope to avoid any such hold-ups in contract talk which has sees Wes Brown refusing to sign last and improved offers by United believed to be 40,000 a week. Ferguson had also take a hit at player who “live in the pockets” of their agents.

Ferdinand’s current deal was signed in 2005 after several months of negotiation. Ferdinand suffered the “boo” from United’s die hard after the pro-long negotiation.

When they were a plc, United’s policy was to start talks two years before a player’s deal expired and the new arrangement does leave the club more vulnerable to players leaving on a free transfer, as Brown will be able to do at the end of the season.

Oliviera Anderson has been hailed as the natural successor for Paul Scholes. The rising young midfield star Anderson has broken into United first-team far quicker than expected following his £19million move from Porto last summer.

Anderson starred in the recent 4-0 FA Cup rout of Arsenal, impressed in the 1-1 Champions League draw at Lyon, and is set to start in the crucial Premier League clash at Fulham at Saturday.

“Anderson has exploded on to the scene for us and been absolutely phenomenal,” said Fergie.

“We’re really pleased with his progress and the evidence is there for all to see.

“When Scholes got his last injury it opened the door for Anderson, and we discovered a boy who had talent.

“He isn’t entirely like Scholes, although there are similarities. But he’s more of an aggressive running player.”

Manchester United winger Nani has revealed that a stern word from manager Sir Alex Ferguson was enough to persuade him not to repeat his on-field juggling antics.The 21-year-old provoked the fury of several Arsenal players, as well as Ferguson, when he indulged in some `kick-ups’ towards the end of last weekend’s 4-0 FA Cup thrashing of the Gunners at Old Trafford.

Nani insists he was not being disrespectful and was merely trying to entertain - but has also vowed not to repeat the trick.
‘In Portugal I have done this many times but it is only because it is an entertaining spectacle and not because I disrespect my rivals,’ he told the Daily Mail. I am a professional and am always very respectful with all the opposing players, but I do appreciate now that it may have looked bad.

‘After the match Ferguson spoke to me and demanded that I do not repeat it in order to avoid problems. Obviously, I agreed. I always follow the orders of my coach and am not interested in causing controversy.’

The Portugal winger added: ‘Gilberto Silva of Arsenal spoke to me and was clear about what their players thought about it. He was very critical of what I did and accused me of provoking Arsenal. But he never threatened me.

‘On the field I am different from most players. My celebrations of goals with a somersault is an example. This is my character as a footballer.’

All four of United’s Premier League fixtures in April will be screened live on television.

The Reds’ trip to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough has been put back 24 hours to Sunday 6 April, KO 13:30 GMT and will be live on Sky. However, the game will be postponed should either side be involved in an FA Cup semi-final.

Next up United entertain Arsenal at Old Trafford in what could be a virtual title decider. The match, originally scheduled for Saturday 12 April, will now take place on Sunday 13 April, KO 16:00 GMT and will be screened live on Sky.

The trip to Blackburn Rovers will be shown live on Setanta on Saturday 19 April, KO 17:15 GMT.

Finally, United’s visit to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea will now kick-off at 12:45 GMT on Saturday 26 April.

Sir Alex Ferguson has accused some players of ‘living in the pockets of their agents’ after Manchester United defender Wes Brown rejected the club’s final pay offer.The 28-year-old, who is a free agent in the summer, has rejected an offer of £40,000 a week to remain at Old Trafford and Ferguson insists the situation ‘depresses’ him.

‘We wouldn’t have made the offer if we didn’t have faith in him. But the players of today live in the pockets of their agents,’ said Ferguson.

‘It’s a situation which depresses me at times, it really depresses me. Wes has been with us since he was 12 years old, but I don’t think that matters these days.

‘Agents live their players’ lives and if you’re happy to go along with that then you get the situation we’ve got just now. But Wes knows this. And the other players have told him.’

Half time update, an exciting game here at Old Trafford. Manchester United already have 1 foot in the FA Cup 6th round thanks to a 3 goals cushion.

Sir Alex make all round changes at the midfield, Michael Carric, Darren Fletcher, Luis Nani, Oliviera Anderson and Ji Sung Park all making the starting eleven. Rooney is up front alone, support by a trio of attacking players in Ji-Sung Park or Luis Nani.

Half time scores are as:

Wayne Rooney 16′
Darren Fletcher 20′
Luis Nani 38′

It’s game over for Arsenal? Will United going for a fourth?

Arsenal’s Monday night win over Blackburn at the Emirates stadium has enabled them to pull five points clear of second place Manchester United with 12 league game to go.

United has lost all the 4 games when Rooney was not playing either due to injuries or suspensions and in all those 4 games, Ronaldo has a off day, a below par performance or unable to provide a match winner performance (usually in Rooney’s absence, it has to be said).

Has the trip to Saudi start to bring the effect to United team? Or the striker shortage that we badly needed has come to haunt us?

The Red Devils form has declined since coming back from Saudi trip, first was the match against Tottenham, clearly United were not at their fluent best at White Hart Lane indeed a very lucky injury time equalizer from Carlos Teves save United out jail.

With Louis Saha unable to clear off his injuries mystery and Ferguson happily pay-cheque him even when he seem to be always on the treatment table has started to haunt on the Red Devils quest for the glories.

Louis Saha has even earned himself a nicknamed called Balsa Man. You can click on the “Balsa link” to read out the story from Footbal365.com

In what Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that his squad is the “strongest I have ever had”, United bench proved otherwise. What I could say is the “strongest ever crowded central midfield” Sir Alex ever had. Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes, Oliviera Anderson and Darren Fletcher.

Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and another midfielder Park Ji-Sung all sit on the bench, another 2 available slots went to Danny Simpson and keeper Kuszcazk. What clearly went wrong was there were no striker making the bench not even from the reserve.

The inquest is under way at Old Trafford, though, with United fans hoping Ferguson won’t be left to rue keeping his chequebook locked away in January. Lets hope United plot another storm back to the Premier League title when the curtain close in May.

The Munich air disaster survivors joined other members of the Manchester United family on Wednesday to mark the tragedy’s 50th anniversary.Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Kenny Morgans and Albert Scanlon joined the families of 19 of the 23 passengers who died as a result of the injuries they suffered when BEA Flight 609 ZU crashed on take-off on February 6, 1958.

On an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford’s Manchester Suite, they sat alongside hundreds of invited guests with thousands more gathered outside to mark the occasion, while a ceremony took place in Munich at the same time. (more…)

Sir Alex Ferguson believes experienced midfielder Paul Scholes could play an important part in Manchester United’s bid this season to match their treble achievement of 1999.

The 33-year-old former England midfielder made a substitute appearance in last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur ending three months out following a knee operation.

“Something special seems to happen when the ball goes to him. He has an innate sense of composure about him,” said United boss Ferguson. “The game just seems to stop so he controls it. He is an amazing player. (more…)

Manchester United will play Arsenal in a mouth-watering FA Cup fifth round tie. The Premier League’s big two will go head-to-head at Old Trafford for a place in the quarter final’s of the world’s most famous cup competition.

Liverpool, who overcame Havant and Waterlooville in the previous round will face Barnsley at Anfield, while holders Chelsea play host to Huddersfield Town.

The other two Premier League sides have both been handed trips to second-tier opposition, with Middlebrough travelling to Sheffield United and Portsmouth visiting Preston, who hammered Derby in the fourth round.

The draw is completed by Coventry versus West Brom, Cardiff against Wolves and Southampton’s visit to the bottom ranked team in the draw, Bristol Rovers.

Ties to be played weekend of Feb 16/17.