Man Utd vs Newcastle: Preview

Both Manchester United and Newcastle United go into the new season with something to prove. Sir Alex Ferguson’s 11-time Premier League champions are desperate to regain the title and have looked in imperious form during pre-season, while Chris Hughton is aiming to consolidate his side’s status as a top-flight club on the Magpies’ return to the big time.

Having relinquished their crown to Chelsea, and narrowly missed out on a chance to overtaking Liverpool’s total of 18 league titles in the process, Ferguson’s side have plenty of motivation ahead of the new season. They made a statement of intent in last Sunday’s curtain raiser – beating reigning champions Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield – and with Wayne Rooney ready to be unleashed – the stirker looking to atone for a poor showing in South Africa – it could be a case of wrong place, wrong time for newly-promoted Newcastle.

Hughton has thrown out the big egos and sculpted a squad that is low on narcissism and high on team spirit. But having strolled to the Championship title, Newcastle can take nothing for granted on their return to the Premier League. While the signing of James Perch raised some eyebrows, the arrivals of Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell could prove astute and the key for Hughton is motivating the players who remain from the club’s last stint in the top flight to prove they deserve to be back at English football’s top table.

Hughton was certainly dealt a cruel draw by the fixture computer, and without a win at Old Trafford since 1972, the Magpies will have their work cut out to improve on a record of three victories from their last 11 Premier League opening day fixtures.

source: www.soccernet.com

Ferdinand a month from fitness

Rio Ferdinand is still a month away from returning to action, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. The England captain has spent the last two months recovering from the knee ligament injury which happened in a freak accident with Heskey during training at England camp.

Ferdinand will miss the start of the new Premier League season and making him a major doubt for England’s opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and September 3 and Switzerland four day later.

Rio has had a bad 12 months campaign last season which saw him with succession injuries in back injury, groin injury and the freak knee ligaments injury.

“Although the knee ligaments wasn’t what you’d call a serious one, it was a hard one. You have to take time with knee ligaments”, added Ferguson.

Audi R8 of Anderson

Anderson has moved to ease fears over his well-being by insisting he emerged unscathed from his weekend car crash.

The Manchester United man reportedly had to be pulled out of his car after it thundered into a wall in the early hours of Saturday.

The midfielder, who is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament problem, was taken to hospital for treatment but has claimed he suffered no major injuries.

“I am very lucky because the accident was serious,” Anderson told the Daily Mail. “I knew the road well, but the car lost control at a curve and we crashed against a wall. I remember people coming to help which I am grateful for.

“I just want to tell United fans I am fine and I will continue my rehabilitation so I can help the team. I’ve had lots of calls and have assured my friends not to worry, but it was a big scare for me.”

Lucky Anderson escape almighty scare!

Oliviera Anderson has been involved in a car crash in Portugal and was pulled from the wreckage moments before it burst into flames, according to reports.

Anderson is said to have spent hours in hospital after the crash, which occurred at around 7am on a rural road in Braga, but sustained only minor injuries.

The 22-year-old spent the night at the Sardinha Biba nightclub before leaving in a £125,000 Audi R8 and a witness said he was pulled ”lifeless” from the wreckage before it went up in flames.

Almeno Antunes, who according to Jornal de Noticias helped rescue the three people in the car, said: “I saw a cloud of smoke ahead of me. The car was unable to straighten up after a slight bend and went into the field and caught fire. I thought he was dead. My brother dragged him out.”

Two companions – a man known as Victor and a young Brazilian woman, whose details have not been released – were also said to have been involved in the accident and were taken to St Mark’s hospital to be treated for concussion, whiplash and shock. “They had only minor injuries,” a hospital spokesman, Roman Fresco, said.

Anderson ruptured his cruciate ligament in February and has been out of action since. The Portuguese press quoted the Gestifute agency, which represents Anderson, as saying the Brazilian would now return to Manchester to continue his rehabilitation after suffering an “almighty scare”.

United & Aon officially partner

Aon Corporation (NYSE:AON), the world’s leading risk adviser and human capital consultant, has kicked off its four-year shirt sponsorship of Manchester United with a program of global charity initiatives designed to promote youth development and healthier communities.

The sponsorship and charity campaign were launched at Old Trafford this morning by executives of Aon and Manchester United, alongside club legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson and Quinton Fortune.

“Based on our shared values of leadership, teamwork and a passion for excellence, it is difficult to imagine a stronger fit for Aon than Manchester United,” said Aon Corporation president and chief executive Greg Case. “Through the global charitable initiatives of Aon’s 36,000 colleagues, we will work with our partners at Manchester United and the Manchester United Foundation to promote these values and create positive opportunities for young people, to enable them to thrive and to help improve their communities.”

United chief executive officer David Gill said: “This event is an indication of how Aon is committed to developing the partnership way beyond a simple commercial arrangement. In the coming years, I hope we will be able to build a tangible legacy for the Manchester United community both here in the north west and further afield. I am delighted Aon wants to get its whole worldwide workforce involved. I’m sure it will really bring the sponsorship to life for many of them.”

To mark the start of the sponsorship, the first charity event involved more than 150 of Aon’s Manchester-based colleagues and their families. They participated in a penalty shootout challenge at Old Trafford for the Manchester-based The Christie charity, a leading cancer centre that treats more than 40,000 patients a year.

The Aon Foundation donated £25,000, of which £3,500 came from the penalty challenge, to The Survivorship Programme of The Christie, which helps young people progress in their educational and career goals and receive life skills and support following cancer treatment.

The Christie chief executive Caroline Shaw said: “Having cancer at any age is traumatic, but it is especially difficult for young people when they still have their whole lives ahead of them. This generous support will help them have the successful and fulfilling life that they deserve after cancer.”

Case added: “Throughout our offices around the world [more than 500], Aon colleagues are joining today’s fund raising through an ‘Aon United REDy Day’ campaign, which includes raising money for local charities by wearing Manchester United shirts or red clothes for the day. Aon is an organization that is truly committed to strengthening communities by sharing our human, intellectual and financial resources. We believe that through this ongoing program of charitable initiatives we can make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Forthcoming Aon charity initiatives include Aon United Day on 15 July 2010, which will involve Aon’s global colleagues in over 120 countries participating in fund raising and volunteer activities, including supporting hundreds of schools, children’s hospitals, orphanages and community centers, as well as high-profile organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Clubs, Junior Achievement, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, UNICEF, United Way and the YMCA.

In Botswana, Aon colleagues will partner with the House of Hope orphanage by providing furniture donations and helping to clean and improve the facility. In Singapore, Aon volunteers will host an indoor football match for the young people served by Boys’ Town and will support the organization’s new building fund. Aon Bangalore has “adopted” a local elementary school that it will support throughout the coming year with both charitable donations and volunteer service. In Bolivia, Aon colleagues will donate to Hogar de Ninos Alalay, helping to plant trees on the orphanage grounds and creating art projects with the children who live there. In Sacramento, California, Aon colleagues are partnering with Project 680 by collecting hygiene supplies to distribute to homeless youth. In the Netherlands, Aon colleagues will participate in a charity bike ride and sell Right to Play merchandise to help raise funds for youth sports program in disadvantaged areas.

Source: www.manutd.com

World Cup 2010 – South Africa

Hello All, our World Cup 2010 – South Africa site is up and running now, while there is still some pages that are under construction. News update will also be posted on facebook. A link to the World Cup site is on the tab, another 11 days to go for the world biggest event in South Africa. Enjoys!

Hernandez all set for new season!

Manchester United new signing from South America’s Chivas Guadalajara has been granted a work permit to play in England. He will now join Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on July 1.

Javier Hernandez a Mexican was signed in April 21, with reports putting the likely transfer fee for the striker somewhere in the region of £8 million.

But though he scored in a 2-1 defeat to Netherlands on Wednesday and appeared in the second half against England at Wembley, Hernandez has not played in 75% of Mexico’s games over the past two years.

That forced United to make the case that he is an ‘exceptional talent’ and one that could not be recruited from inside the European Union for a similar transfer fee.

An FA panel, responsible for administering the process on behalf of the Home Office, has agreed with the club and given Hernandez the green light to start his career at Old Trafford.