Evans: We must move on

01/12/2011 23:20, Report by Gemma Thompson

With games coming thick and fast in the next few weeks, Jonny Evans insists the Reds must move on as quickly as possible from their Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.

Evans, who was captain for the night on his 100th United appearance, says all the players are keen to make up for what turned out to be a forgettable evening at Old Trafford.

"We're very disappointed not to be in the semi-finals," the defender told MUTV.

"I thought we would go on after we scored. And going into the first period of extra time, playing towards the Stretford End, I thought we'd have a chance of getting a goal and seal it from there.

"But they went down the other end and scored against the run of play really. We had a lot of possession but we couldn't break them down.

"A lot of our play was in front of them and I think the only way we were going to get in was down the side, but we didn't manage to do that as well as Manchester United can. We didn't get a lot of crosses into the box.

"The games are coming thick and fast and the manager will need his squad. So we need to pick ourselves up and hopefully win on Saturday [at Villa]."

Evans added that while proud to skipper the side, the end result took away from the honour.

"Before the game I was delighted to be given the armband, but I'd happily take that away to have the victory instead.

"It's good that the manager plays the younger lads [in this competition], but unfortunately we've not managed to get the result.

"My first game was in the Carling Cup [against Coventry in September 2007] and it didn't turn out as well as we expected, but the lads have got to keep focused and work hard on their games."

source : Manutd

Sir Alex says sorry to fans

"I don't know where to start to be honest. My apologies go to our fans tonight because that was not a Manchester United performance."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

30/11/2011 23:00, Report by Gemma Thompson

Sir Alex Ferguson apologised to United fans after the Reds were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Glenn Murray's extra-time header, albeit from a marginally offside position, secured a famous 2-1 victory for the Eagles who put on a dogged display throughout the quarter-final tie.

Sir Alex was full of praise for Palace's effort, but hugely disappointed by his own side's performance.

"I don't know where to start to be honest. My apologies go to our fans tonight because that was not a Manchester United performance," he told MUTV.

"I don't want to take anything away from Crystal Palace - I wish them every success and I hope they get to the final. It was a fantastic, mammoth effort from all of them. Every one of their players worked their socks off to get to the semi-finals.

"We maybe played too many short passes, but I'm not going to dwell on it and go into the ins and outs of it all.

"When it went to extra-time I thought we must win it, but it wasn't to be. Their second goal was offside from what I've seen on the cameras, but I can't take it away from Crystal Palace, they fought hard to get the result and they deserve it. It's a very disappointing night for Manchester United."

source : Manutd

United 1 Palace 2 (aet)

MAN UNITED   1

MACHEDA (69)

CRYSTAL PALACE   2

AMBROSE (65), MURRAY (98)

30 NOVEMBER 2011, OLD TRAFFORD ATTENDANCE: 52,624

HOME

MAN UNITED
40	Amos
21	Rafael	42
6	Evans
12	Smalling
20	Fabio	51
25	Valencia
28	Gibson
13	Park
32	Diouf
9	Berbatov	49
27	Macheda
Subs:
34	Lindegaard
38	Keane
42	Pogba	21
49	Morrison	9
51	Fryers	20
52	Cole
50	Lingard

30/11/2011 21:55, Report by Nick Coppack

United's Carling Cup campaign is over after Crystal Palace snatched an extra-time winner at Old Trafford to seal their place in the semi-finals.

The Eagles join Manchester City, Cardiff City and Liverpool in the last four after goals from Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray dumped Sir Alex Ferguson's men out of the competition.

Ambrose's stunning strike gave the visitors a surprise lead midway through the first period but Federico Macheda soon equalised from the penatly spot. That sent the game to extra-time, where Murray headed home on 98 minutes to send the Championship side into the semi-finals. United's disappointment, meanwhile, was heightened by first-half injuries to Fabio, Rafael and Dimitar Berbatov (who left Old Trafford wearing a protective boot).

This wasn't a United team full of youngsters, either. Eight of United's starting XI were either current or retired senior internationals. Only Ben Amos, Rafael and Federico Macheda are yet to win a full cap. That meant there was no place from the start for the likes of Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Michael Keane, Zeki Fryers or Larnell Cole, all of whom have featured in this season's earlier rounds.

Crystal Palace, currently 12th in the Championship, enjoyed a bright start in front of their vocal travelling support, with both Wilfried Zaha and Jermaine Easter momentarily sneaking behind the Reds' defence inside the opening 10 minutes.

United weren't overrun, though. The Reds kept possession well, passed the ball on the ground and patiently probed for openings. Darron Gibson, given the task of anchoring the midfield in his first start for seven months, was heavily involved, spreading the ball to both flanks and consistently providing the Reds' centre-backs with an outlet.

Still, there was precious little goalmouth action in the first period and neither Amos nor Lewis Price had to make a save of any note before the interval. The closest anybody came to breaking the deadlock was on the stroke of half-time, when Mame Biram Diouf rounded off a speedy counter-attack by sending an acrobatic effort just over the crossbar.

The only other incidents of note in a dour first 45 minutes were unfortunate hamstring injuries that forced United's Fabio and Palace's Sean Scannell off and knocks to Berbatov and Dean Moxey (both ankle) that meant neither reappeared for the second half.

In Berbatov's place, Sir Alex thrusted Ravel Morrison, the talented teenager with an uncanny knack for unlocking opposition defences. His energy and creativity certainly made a difference, although it was Patrick McCarthy's defensive error that gifted the first chance of the second half to Antonio Valencia, who slid his shot wide of the post when clean through on goal.

Morrison then got in on the action, stinging Price's palms after neat control 25 yards from goal, while Macheda fluffed a volley shortly afterwards. Price then had to be alert to keep out another Morrison effort with his feet as United ramped up the pressure in search of the game's opening goal.

It duly arrived, but at the other end. And boy was it a cracker, Darren Ambrose collecting the ball 40 yards from goal before advancing briefly and firing an unstoppable effort into the top corner. It was arguably the best goal scored at Old Trafford by a visiting player since Dean Ashton's overhead kick at the Stretford End in 2008, and yet Ambrose's joy was short-lived.

Within three minutes the Reds were level, Federico Macheda slotting home from the penalty spot after being tugged to the ground by McCarthy. Palace fans felt aggrieved but replays showed their captain had grabbed a fistful of Macheda's shirt in a desperate attempt to preseve his side's lead.

With parity restored and Paul Pogba, sent on moments before Ambrose's thunderbolt, beginning to assert himself more in the middle of the park, United pushed for a winner. That inevitably left a few gaps at the back and Palace weren't shy in exploiting them. It made for an entertaining final 10 minutes but ultimately neither side could prevent the tie from going to extra-time.

Despite heavy Reds presssure, Palace struck the crucial blow. Substitute Glenn Murray, perhaps standing marginally in an offside position when Ambrose's free-kick was whipped in, eluded his marker to head the visitors in front after Ji-sung Park had illegally halted Zaha's run.

Gibson and Macheda both went close to nabbing a second equaliser, while Ambrose tested Amos with another bullet from distance before the extra-time interval. The Reds then threw everything at Palace in the final 15 minutes as Sir Alex's men pressed for penalties but the Londoners stood firm to register a famous victory.

Sir Alex, meanwhile, could only apologise to fans at the final whistle and insisted "that was not a Manchester United performance".

source : Manutd

Evra: Seize the day

30/11/2011 09:30, Report by James Tuck

Patrice Evra has sounded a note of caution as United’s talented young players prepare to stake another claim for regular first-team action.

The likes of Ezekiel Fryers, Paul Pogba and Michael Keane featured against Leeds and Aldershot in the previous rounds of the Carling Cup and will be hoping to be involved tonight against Crystal Palace.

Whichever youngsters are picked, Evra wants them to make the most of their opportunity to impress Sir Alex Ferguson – and take nothing for granted.

The Frenchman said: "This is a big chance for them, but they have to be careful because Sir Alex gives you an opportunity and if you let him down, it’s difficult to get another one.

"This is the United way: if you play well, you’ll get another chance, but if you play only an average game, the boss will put you on the bench. There’s always someone ready to come in and try to do better than you.

"That’s why players must be ready to grasp the chance. Before the game they must think to themselves how lucky they are to be playing with the first team already."

Evra has nevertheless been impressed by what he has seen so far.

"I’m really proud and pleased because when you see these young players in action, you know United’s future is bright," he said.

"They’re doing a great job and Sir Alex deserves a lot of credit for that – he’s not afraid to play them in the Carling Cup."

source : Manutd

Lingard hopes for call

29/11/2011 14:40, Report by Adam Marshall

Jesse Lingard is hoping to be involved in the Carling Cup squad for the tie with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

The young winger has been in excellent form for Warren Joyce's Reserves and is keen to follow in the footsteps of pals Ezekiel Fryers, Larnell Cole, Ravel Morrison, Paul Pogba, Michael Keane and Marnick Vermijl by being named in the matchday party in the competition this term.

"Hopefully, I can be involved against Palace," he told ManUtd.com. "I've been training a lot with the first-team now and just hope I can keep training with them.

"I've enjoyed the training a lot and you shouldn't be surprised by it. You've just got to carry on playing your normal game. I've got to keep working hard, keep the manager thinking about me and, hopefully I'll be involved in the Palace game."

The 18-year-old was outstanding in the recent Reserves' victory over Everton and also performed well in the success at Bolton in his last outing. After recovering from an injury picked up against Bury earlier in the campaign, he is currently firing on all cylinders.

"I'd hurt my medial ligament and part of my ankle," he explained. "It was a five-week rehabilitation programme and I was on the bench for the next game after the injury. But I've come on nicely with it and am playing well now. I just had to keep my chin up, keeping playing and doing well now I'm over the injury."

source : Manutd

Carrick aims for Cup lift

"This year there are still big teams left in it. Certain years in the past, there have been a few lesser teams. This competition is very strong. Come the quarter-finals you take it seriously, of course you do. We are not taking Crystal Palace lightly."

– Michael Carrick

29/11/2011 09:29, Report by Adam Marshall

Michael Carrick has outlined how the Carling Cup can provide a timely lift ahead of the season run-in.

The Reds lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2010 and the midfielder feels success in the competition - the final will be played on Sunday 26 February at Wembley - provides an injection of confidence in the lead up to the business end of the season.

Carrick, in superb form at the moment, also feels the tournament is the perfect testing ground for up-and-coming talents to bed in alongside the senior figures.

"There is no harm in getting into the habit of winning games, no matter what competition it's in," the former Spurs man stressed. "Some people have written the competition off as not being so important, but lifting that trophy in February gives you a great feeling. It gives you a lot of belief going into the end of the season, not just as players but as a club. If you are winning trophies, it gives everyone a boost. It's something we're not taking lightly as it's an opportunity to get more silverware.

"This year there are still big teams left in it. Certain years in the past, there have been a few lesser teams. This competition is very strong. Come the quarter-finals you take it seriously, of course you do. We are not taking Crystal Palace lightly. It is just an opportunity to be successful and keep our run going."

Several members of last season's FA Youth Cup-winning side are expected to be in the squad again after featuring in the wins at Leeds and Aldershot in previous rounds.

"This is a great place to learn your trade," insisted Carrick. "The manager is the best at guiding young players through when he sees they are ready. They have had little snippets before. Zeki [Ezekiel Fryers] has played a couple of times and done well. I am sure they will do well if the manager puts them in.

"They certainly have the talent. They're good players - they wouldn't be threatening to play if they weren't. They have been doing things right and have ability. It's about going to that next step when you have the opportunity. There are not a load of opportunities to come into the first-team. The Carling Cup is probably the best way to establish yourself and I'm sure they'll take the opportunity with both hands if it arises."

source : Manutd

United v Crystal Palace preview

28/11/2011 11:15 , Adam Marshall

The Reds look for a place in the last four of the Carling Cup...

Form guide

United have only lost once all season but have been held to consecutive home draws by Benfica and Newcastle. Sir Alex's side breezed through previous rounds of the Carling Cup against Leeds and Aldershot. Palace's trip to Old Trafford is the Eagles' first away assignment in the competition. Dougie Freedman's team haven't scored for five Championship games but three of those have been goalless draws.

Ins and outs

The manager has dropped plenty of hints about his possible team selection. The Da Silva twins, Ezekiel Fryers and Chris Smalling could all play with Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda also promised a run-out. Paul Pogba, Darron Gibson and Ravel Morrison are in contention for midfield spots while Ben Amos is expected to play in goal. Palace will be without on-loan defender Dekel Keinan as he is cup-tied after representing Cardiff in earlier rounds. Another loanee, striker Chris Martin, should be available.

Last meeting

There was stalemate at Selhurst Park in March, 2005, as Palace held out for a draw despite Vassilis Lakis being sent off after 64 minutes. Big guns Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes came off the bench but there was no way past home keeper Gabor Kiraly.

Star man

Wilfried Zaha imay be a talent but much of the Eagles' best work has been in defence of late and Nathaniel Clyne is a full-back with a big future. The 20-year-old was npower Player of the Month for October in the Championship and made his England Under-21 debut in the recent victory over Iceland. Freedman will be aware of the need to fend off Barclays Premier League interest in the youngster when the January window opens.

Quote/unquote

"It is about the players enjoying themselves and providing the fans, who have stuck by us through relegation and administration, with a great night. It is amazing to think we are playing Manchester United in the last eight of the League Cup this season. Who would have thought that would happen?" - Dougie Freedman.

Any sub-plots?

Palace were the opponents when Sir Alex lifted his first trophy as United boss - the 1990 FA Cup. The South Londers were also overcome at the semi-final stage of the same competition in 1995. The Reds are aiming to win the Carling Cup for a third time in four years after successes in 2009 and 2010.

Whistle blower

Chris Foy takes charge of the quarter-final - the first time he's officiated a Reds match this term. The Merseyside man-in-the-middle has shown four red cards in 2011/2012 including two to Chelsea players in their derby defeat to QPR last month.

Rivals watch

The other three quarter-final ties are all on Tuesday. Cardiff face Blackburn, Chelsea entertain Liverpool and City are at Arsenal.

source : Manutd

Sir Alex: Timing key for debuts

"When somebody like Paul McGuinness comes to me and says: 'He's a first-team player', then I know to keep a special eye on the player."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

Pictured left to right: Sir Alex with two loyal Academy servants, Jimmy Ryan and Paul McGuinness

28/11/2011 10:57, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has explained the detailed process that is followed when he considers whether to hand a youngster his debut.

The progress of a number of last season's FA Youth Cup-winners for Warren Joyce's Reserves has inevitably led to suggestions that more new faces could feature in Wednesday's Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace. Zeki Fryers, Larnell Cole, Paul Pogba and Michael Keane have already made their first-team bow in the competition this term, to demonstrate that the Carrington production line is still in fine working order.

"The monitoring system here is good and there's a lot of consistency with our Academy staff," says Sir Alex in the new edition of Inside United. "These are guys that have been here a long time and know what to look for. When somebody like Paul McGuinness comes to me and says: 'He's a first-team player', then I know to keep a special eye on the player.

"From there, we'll bring the boy into first-team training for a couple of sessions. That's what we're doing at the moment with Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Jesse Lingard, Zeki Fryers, Larnell Cole and Michael Keane. They're all training with the first team.

"That allows me to see how they cope playing against seasoned professionals, it lets me judge their temperament. It allows me to get a far better picture of how they're progressing. And, while this is going on, you hope they're playing well for the Reserves and displaying the right attitude and enthusiasm.

"Players are never simply thrown into first-team action," he asserted. "They always follow this step-by-step process.

"I don't think we've ever been off the mark and given a boy his chance too early. That can be very damaging. If he's not up to the standards we require at United, then we don't venture there. The last thing we'd want is to humiliate a player. I'm not saying every player I've ever given a debut to has gone on to be a fantastic player at this club, but most of them have at least forged successful careers."

source : Manutd

Pogba to face Palace?

"We've won two Carling Cup finals with young players, which is good going. It's become an important tournament for us in terms of getting the youngsters an introduction into winning and having an understanding of the progress they're making."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

27/11/2011 10:07, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped some hints as to his likely team selection in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace.

The boss will again rely heavily on youth, as he has in the previous rounds against Leeds United and Aldershot Town, and has suggested that Paul Pogba could be handed his first senior start for the Reds. The Frenchman came on as a substitute at Elland Road and the EBB Stadium but is now in the running for a place in the initial eleven, alongwith fellow FA Youth Cup winner Ravel Morrison.

"There will be complete change," revealed Sir Alex. "Just the same as we had at Leeds and Aldershot. Ravel Morrison was in the squad for Wednesday's game [against Benfica]. He's a very, very talented boy, of course, and he'll possibly be on the bench, at least, in midweek. But I've got other players needing a game like Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda.

"All the younger players [will come in] - Zeki Fryers, the two Da Silvas [Rafael and Fabio] are possibles. Chris Smalling has come back and I may be able to play him on Wednesday. He's still young and it'll be a young squad against Palace. The only area where I've got problems is centre midfield. It's possible I could play Pogba in there but we'll wait and see. I've got enough players to choose from, that's for sure."

"I think the League Cup has turned into quite a good tournament," added the manager. "Clubs like United are able to introduce young players and ones who have not been playing regularly in the first team and it's been good to us over the years.

"We've won two finals at Wembley with young players, which is good going, and I think it's become an important tournament for us in terms of getting the youngsters an introduction into winning and having an understanding of the progress they're making."

Sir Alex has a well-established system in place in terms of how to develop the youngsters coming through the ranks at Old Trafford.

"The reserves' league is more of an extended youth league but we rectify that by putting players on loan," he explained. "We've got quite a lot of players on loan this year, as we have every year, most of the 19 and 20-year-olds.

"The nucleus of the youth team last year have all had first-team experience this season. They've all been involved in the League Cup and travelled to European games with us. One of that youth team is out on loan in the Championship [Ryan Tunnicliffe at Peterborough] and it's valuable experience for the younger ones."

Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking to journalists from the national Sunday newspapers.

source : Manutd

Sir Alex reveals Palace plans

"We've won two Carling Cup finals with young players, which is good going. It's become an important tournament for us in terms of getting the youngsters an introduction into winning and having an understanding of the progress they're making."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

27/11/2011 10:07, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped some hints as to his likely team selection in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace.

The boss will again rely heavily on youth, as he has in the previous rounds against Leeds United and Aldershot Town, and has suggested that Paul Pogba could be handed his first senior start for the Reds. The Frenchman came on as a substitute at Elland Road and the EBB Stadium but is now in the running for a place in the initial eleven, alongwith fellow FA Youth Cup winner Ravel Morrison.

"There will be complete change," revealed Sir Alex. "Just the same as we had at Leeds and Aldershot. Ravel Morrison was in the squad for Wednesday's game [against Benfica]. He's a very, very talented boy, of course, and he'll possibly be on the bench, at least, in midweek. But I've got other players needing a game like Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda.

"All the younger players [will come in] - Zeki Fryers, the two Da Silvas [Rafael and Fabio] are possibles. Chris Smalling has come back and I may be able to play him on Wednesday. He's still young and it'll be a young squad against Palace. The only area where I've got problems is centre midfield. It's possible I could play Pogba in there but we'll wait and see. I've got enough players to choose from, that's for sure."

"I think the League Cup has turned into quite a good tournament," added the manager. "Clubs like United are able to introduce young players and ones who have not been playing regularly in the first team and it's been good to us over the years.

"We've won two finals at Wembley with young players, which is good going, and I think it's become an important tournament for us in terms of getting the youngsters an introduction into winning and having an understanding of the progress they're making."

Sir Alex has a well-established system in place in terms of how to develop the youngsters coming through the ranks at Old Trafford.

"The reserves' league is more of an extended youth league but we rectify that by putting players on loan," he explained. "We've got quite a lot of players on loan this year, as we have every year, most of the 19 and 20-year-olds.

"The nucleus of the youth team last year have all had first-team experience this season. They've all been involved in the League Cup and travelled to European games with us. One of that youth team is out on loan in the Championship [Ryan Tunnicliffe at Peterborough] and it's valuable experience for the younger ones."

Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking to journalists from the national Sunday newspapers.

source : Manutd