Fryers thrilled with progress

"To come on at Old Trafford in a Champions League game was out of this world. It all felt a bit unreal. That's the most excited I've ever been and I just want to keep experiencing things like that."

- Ezekiel Fryers, full interview in tonight's United Review.

30/11/2011 11:36, Report by A Marshall & N Coppack

Promising defender Ezekiel Fryers admits he has been surprised by his involvement in the first-team this term.

The youngster was sidelined for a substantial part of last season through injury but started both the Carling Cup ties at Leeds and Aldershot and also came on as a late substitute in the Champions League win over Otelul Galati.

Ahead of another likely appearance against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, the 19-year-old is delighted with his progress.

"I must admit I didn’t think the first-team games would come as soon as they did," he said in an exclusive interview with United Review, the official matchday programme for the quarter-final. "At the start of the season, a lot of the young guys start talking about loans and most people want to land themselves a loan deal to get more experience.

"Nothing worked out on that front for me, so I just concentrated on training well and getting my fitness levels up with the Reserves. Then the Carling Cup game at Leeds came along and it was an amazing experience.

"And to come on at Old Trafford in a Champions League game was out of this world. It all felt a bit unreal. That's the most excited I've ever been and I just want to keep experiencing things like that."

Fryers has already played in the heart of the defence and at left-back for Sir Alex's side so he gives the boss a couple of options going into the Palace tie.

"I was a bit surprised the opportunity came along so soon, especially because I’ve had a couple of injuries in recent years," he added.

"Last season was a bit of a downer: I had a bad injury and needed a knee operation, but this term I’ve managed to stay fit.

"Ideally, I prefer to play at left-back but I'll play wherever the manager wants. I'm not going to say 'no' to him!"

source : Manutd

Papers: Elm move hint

01/12/2011 09:21

The Mirror writes…

Elm hints at possible United move

Sweden midfielder Rasmus Elm says he is flattered by links with Manchester United as rumours continue that the champions may move for him in January. The AZ Alkmaar wide man caught the eye in his country's defeat at Wembley recently, with Joe Hart having to beat away a clever corner. Elm, 23, said: "You have to take rumours for what they are, but it is obviously flattering if there is some truth in it. I don't close the door to any league. But the most important thing is to develop here and do as well as I can in Holland." Elm would be a possible replacement for Antonio Valencia, who has slipped behind Ashley Young and Nani in the Old Trafford pecking order. United's midfiield has been a cause for concern this season, and Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with a host of players in the absence of injured Tom Cleverley and Anderson. But, last week, he appeared to rule out buying in the upcoming transfer window, saying: "It is easy to say you are going to buy players but it is not easy to buy them for Manchester United, especially in January," he said. "I do not see anyone who could make us a better team. There are two or three players but they are not available, so there is no point even going there."

Several newspapers suggest Mark Hughes is in the frame to replace former United team-mate Steve Bruce at Sunderland with the suggestion that he could even hold talks on Wearside as early as today.

The Daily Mail believe City are growing increasingly confident that they can lure  from Old Trafford. The Frenchman came off the bench in the disappointing Carling Cup exit to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

source : Manutd

Boss promotes integration

"I used to threaten Bryan Robson all the time and tell him the 1992 team would beat you."

- Sir Alex 

29/11/2011 09:16, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex enjoys watching his latest batch of youth products training with the first-team at Carrington.

The United boss is adept at integrating youngsters into his plans and is carefully nurturing another talented group of teenagers, who already have the FA Youth Cup under their belts.

"The youngsters have taken part in a lot of first-team training now," explained the boss. "[Ravel] Morrison, [Paul] Pogba, [Larnell] Cole, [Jesse] Lingard and [Zeki] Fryers: we've stepped them up to our squad.

"They enjoy the challenge and it's an opportunity for us to see what they're like in these sessions, how they cope with the older players. It's how they handle the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic if they give them a bit of stick... it's a good part of a young player's progress when they can be involved with the big boys."

The situation is not new for United, as the fabled "Class of 92" had a famous tussle with their senior counterparts in order to measure their progress.

"I used to threaten Bryan Robson all the time and tell him the 1992 team would beat you," revealed Sir Alex. "We did have a practice game together, the first team versus the Class of 92.

"The first team won 3-1 and Robson was in one of his angry moods. He was very determined that day! It was brilliant, they were absolutely revved up for it and the young boys were thinking: 'Why are we doing this and can we beat them'? There was an element of doubt in them and I think there was a lot of intimidation going on. I can't remember who was referee but it wasn't me!"

source : Manutd

Papers: Reds eye Italian

28/11/2011 09:45

The Daily Mail writes…

United on list of admirers for striker Gabbiadini

Manchester United are monitoring Atalanta's teenage striker Manolo Gabbiadini. Sir Alex Ferguson is mulling over a £9million bid for the 19-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 13 games for Italy's Under 21 side. Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen are expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, and the departures of the experienced duo could leave space open in the squad for another promising youngster. If he decides to make a move, Ferguson could face competition from Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan for Gabbiadini's signature. Although he has so far failed to live up to his international goal-scoring record at club level, Gabbiadini's powerful physique looks to make him ideal for the Barclays Premier League.

There is widespread coverage of Wales manager Gary Speed’s death, with several papers featuring Ryan Giggs’ statement, first published on ManUtd.com on Sunday afternoon.

Most of the major daily newspapers run a story claiming Sir Alex will avoid an FA ban following comments made about a linesman in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

The Sun quotes Sir Alex’s United Review column in which the Reds boss states he is not in favour of a Great Britain Olympic football team.

source : Manutd

Giggs saddened by Speed death

27/11/2011 13:48,

Ryan Giggs is "totally devastated" by the news that Wales manager Gary Speed has died at the age of 42.

Giggs and Speed became good friends during their long club careers and international appearances as Wales team-mates.

"I am totally devastated," Giggs said. "Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend.

"Words cannot begin to describe how sad I feel at hearing this awful news. It goes without saying my thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time."

Former Reds captain Gary Neville also paid tribute to the former Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United midfielder.

"It’s absolutely devastating," Neville said on Sky Sports. "Our careers crossed paths often and I played against him many times. He was a fantastic professional, a winner with a great reputation.

"We sometimes think of football being important, but it’s not."

good bye Mr.Gary Speed 

source : Manutd

Sir Alex: Draw was a travesty

26/11/2011 17:19, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson felt his Manchester United players were hugely unlucky not to take three points from the tussle with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

The Reds went ahead through Javier Hernandez shortly after half-time but were pegged back by Demba Ba's penalty after Rio Ferdinand's tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa inside the box. Despite carving out a host of chances, the champions were unable to beat Tim Krul and his solid defence for a second time, even though the Magpies went down to ten men after Jonas Gutierrez's red card.

"It was a fantastic performance from us," said Sir Alex. "Alan Pardew said Newcastle were the better team in the first half - I don't know what game he was at! Chicharito had four clear chances and we played some great football. The second half was just an onslaught and to not get three points from that is just a travesty.

"I'm not concerned if we're playing like that. Most of the time, we'd score three or four goals in that game. Their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves, there were shots blocked, cleared off the line and we had one or two bad misses. So it's just an incredible result."

The boss was obviously upset to see referee Mike Jones point to the spot after consulting his assistant on what looked to be a clean challenge by Ferdinand in the second half.

"I think it was everyone's view [that it was a fair tackle], including the referee as he thought Rio won the ball because he gave the corner kick," explained Sir Alex. "He let the assistant referee over-rule him.

"We had a situation a few weeks ago when the linesman gave a penalty kick to Sunderland for handball [against Nemanja Vidic].

"The referee [that day] was put in a terrible quandary in between what to do as he knew fine well it wasn't a penalty and over-ruled his linesman. It's what the referee should have done today."

The manager also bemoaned the crucial touch from Michael Carrick which meant Hernandez was in an offside position as he tucked in Ryan Giggs' injury-time cross.

"We kept making chances and that's the normal pattern of these last 15-minute surges," he added. "We do get chances and usually do okay. We were unlucky with the offside as, if Michael doesn't touch it, Chicharito is onside.

"They had a few blocks and put their bodies on the line all the time. Give credit to Newcastle but we absolutely slaughtered them and we just couldn't get the result. It's disappointing in that respect but, if we play like that every week, I'll be very happy."

source : Manutd

United 1 Newcastle 1 (Ratings)

Adam Marshall assesses the individual performances in the Reds' 1-1 draw with Newcastle...

David De Gea: Made a world-class save to deny Fabricio Coloccini after also thwarting Demba Ba in the first half. Had no chance with Ba's penalty and handled every cross with immaculate ease and authority.

Fabio: A tigerish display full of passion that should have resulted in a goal, only for his finish to lack composure after playing a one-two with Javier Hernandez. Sent the cross over for Ryan Giggs' first-half opportunity and made a couple of snappy challenges on Jonas Gutierrez - one of which earned him a yellow card.

Nemanja Vidic: Supreme in the air and managed to nullify most of Newcastle's attacking intentions. Made one thumping, but fair, challenge on Ba and forced a superb save out of Tim Krul with a diving header.

Rio Ferdinand: Outmuscled Ba on numerous occasions but also dribbled past him too, showing silk and steel. Blocked a Gabriel Obertan drive and stopped a dangerous Hatem Ben Arfa pass at the start of the second half. But his most telling contribution was what looked a fair sliding tackle on the Frenchman that resulted in the controversial penalty.

Patrice Evra: With Obertan's presence possibly restricting his attacking intentions, the shackles were released after the second half and he was much more involved. Blocked one Obertan cross with his arm from point-blank range but a penalty would have been harsh. His best moment was setting up a chance for Ashley Young and he made another superb pass down the line to the winger soon afterwards. Drilled in one shot that forced a diving save out of Krul late on.

Nani: Failed to see much of the ball in the opening exchanges, having to come deep to get involved. A switch of flanks saw him set up a chance for Hernandez and he curled a shot over the bar after working a short corner with Ryan Giggs. Returned to the right to run at the visiting defence and carved out clear openings for Wayne Rooney and Young before being fouled by Jonas Gutierrez that led to a red card for the Argentinian.

Michael Carrick: A strong, disciplined performance which featured some tough tackling as he was a vital figure throughout. Kept the ball rolling in midfield and there's little doubting he's in good form at the moment.

Ryan Giggs: A neat backheel early on showed his class and this was a composed display in the midfield engine room. Some driving runs lifted the crowd and showed he is still able to glide past players effortlessly with his wonderful balance. A flicked shot forced a great stop out of Krul in the first half and he set up Hernandez for the last-gasp disallowed goal.

Ashley Young: Really struggled to make his mark in the first half as United's wide players were unable to get into the game. The second period was a different story as he smashed a shot inches wide from an Evra pass and saw a cross intercepted by Krul with Hernandez waiting for a tap-in. Was unable to steer into a gaping net under strong pressure from Steven Taylor and was out of luck when his drive smacked a post late on.

Wayne Rooney: Instantly involved and kept his cool despite Ben Arfa's attempts to provoke him following a challenge with Fabricio Coloccini. A controlled volley with his left foot led to the goal and he headed a Young corner over the top but most of his work came deeper on the pitch as he tried to probe with some intelligent passing.

Javier Hernandez: Had a number of shots throughout, firing a Nani pass over in the first half, and playing high up on the Newcastle backline. Netted for the first time at Old Trafford this season when Steven Taylor's clearance cannoned off him but he was caught offside on a few occasions, inevitably given his advanced position, and most crucially when touching home deep into injury time.

Substitutes:

Federico Macheda (for Evra, 88): Did well to try and make things happen despite his limited time on pitch and the fact he's only just returned from injury. Headed his only chance wide.

Chris Smalling (for Fabio, 90): No time for any impact.

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

Evra takes the positives

"There's big frustration as I definitely wanted to finish that game being just two points behind Manchester City but the league is a marathon not a sprint."

- Patrice Evra

26/11/2011 18:34, Report by Adam Marshall

Patrice Evra is taking the positives from the disappointing 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Demba Ba's hotly-disputed penalty leveller was a source of great frustration for the home fans and players but the French full-back felt the side started to show some of the attacking sparkle that was so evident at the start of the season. Indeed, he is convinced if the champions keep playing in the same manner, then the title can be retained next May.

"I'm very frustrated we didn't win," Evra told MUTV. "I think we deserved the win. It's a draw but you have to take the positives and I think the manager has mentioned that as well. I think the team has not played that way for a long time and created so many chances. If you want to win the league, you have to score more goals.

"Against Arsenal, we created eight chances and scored eight. Today, we had maybe seven chances and only one goal. Sometimes, that's football - it's very strange. It's frustrating but it's a positive game for Manchester United.

"At the start of the season, we did very well - scored a lot of goals and conceded a lot of goals," he explained. "After the big accidents against City, when they scored six goals, we decided to defend better and we know, if we have a strong defence, we're going to win games. It's why we looked like the old United when winning 1-0 every time and winning the league in the end.

"Today, we looked more like we played at the beginning of the season and I know we're going to score more than one goal per game. There's big frustration as I definitely wanted to finish that game being just two points behind City but the league is a marathon not a sprint.

"There's a long way to go and I'm confident if the team keeps playing that well, I'm convinced we're going to win the league."

Evra was clearly disappointed with the penalty decision but refused to be too critical of referee Mike Jones, who took advice from his assistant before pointing to the spot.

"No, it wasn't a penalty," he stated. "I think it was a difficult decision against us but the referee was responsible and he went to see the linesman to say: 'Are you sure?' He said: 'Yes, it's a penalty' and the referee trusts his man. What can you say? We have to be more focused on how many chances we missed."

source : Manutd

Point pleases Simpson

“If you look at the chances onMatch of the Day, people might ask how Manchester United didn’t win the game.”

 - Danny Simpson

26/11/2011 19:00, Report by Mark Froggatt

Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson breathed a sigh of relief after helping Newcastle United cling on to a 1-1 draw with the Barclays Premier League champions.

The Magpies right-back, who made eight appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side before departing in 2008, was magnificent on Saturday and played a huge part in frustrating the Reds during a frantic second half at Old Trafford, clearing a Javier Hernandez shot off the line in incredible fashion.

“It was just out of instinct,” Simpson recalled. “We had been watching tapes of Hernandez all week and have been watching his movement in the box. I saw the cross come in and managed to get back on the line, stick my foot out and I managed to clear it.

“I’m just glad we got a point because it was wave after wave of attacks in the last 15 minutes, but we managed to deal with it. We’ve been defending like that all season. It is something that we have been working on in training and it is nice when it pays off at a place like Old Trafford.”

Simpson also praised the efforts of team-mate Tim Krul, who pulled off a string of remarkable saves - including one from a point-blank Nemanja Vidic header - to prevent United netting a winner and securing all three points.

“He has been in top form all season and for me he has been one of the better goalkeepers this year," Simpson told MUTV. "He made some great saves and you need that when you’re in the back-four. Sometimes you can’t stop certain things so when you have got him in goal making saves like that, it is nice.

“If you look at the chances on Match of the Day, people might ask how United didn’t win the game. I can see why they do score late goals - they are so clever and have got players like Rooney. You don’t know whether you’re coming or going.

“The offside decision against Hernandez in injury time was a relief but we kept going and managed to deal with their threat.”

MUTV is the only channel in the UK showing the Newcastle match in full. The first broadcast is at midnight on Saturday, when the on-demand highlights also become available on MUTV Online.

source : Manutd

Financial Fair Play to work

The Old Trafford chief reacts as Uefa hint their plans to level Europe's monetary playing field are unlikely to be able to include a transfer embargo on transgressing clubs

Nov 26, 2011 11:20:00 AM

WIFA

EXCLUSIVE

By Rahul Bali

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has admitted that Uefa's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations will need appropriate sanctions to work as intended, but has backed European football's governing body to implement a robust system in time.

Uefa decided last Wednesday to shelve their plans of enforcing a transfer ban on clubs who do not meet the new regulations, as such a punishment would not be legally enforceable. This is primarily due to the fact that player registration lies with Fifa rather than the European board.

Now Uefa, under the guidance of president Michel Platini, must reconsider how they will punish clubs who do not comply with FFP, but Gill is optimistic a solution will be found.

“I don’t think an official report has come by Uefa," Gill told Goal.com. "I think Uefa, as I understand it, are currently looking at the sanctions they are going to impose in conjunction with the Financial Fair Play and I think they will be decided and communicated in the first part of 2012.

“But everyone recognises that if Financial Fair Play is to achieve its goals, then it is going to have appropriate sanctions whatever they may be. So that’ll be worked out by Uefa with the clubs and let’s see what happens."

United's rivals Manchester City announced losses of £195 million (€227m) for the 2010-11 financial year last week, and FFP regulations state that the clubs can lose no more than£39.5m (€46m) over the next three years, including the present one. The idea is to level the playing field for the 660 top-division clubs scattered across 53 European countries.

Gill is confident that United's structure stands them in good stead to meet the demands of FFP and also still compete to sign the best players in the world.

“Manchester United, ever since we floated back in 1991, we have had a policy whereby we will not spend more than 50 per cent of our revenues in total wages," said Gill. "And if we do that, we still believe the size of our revenue has enabled us to attract, retain and pay appropriate wages to some of the best players in the world.

"That's our model and still leaves us money to invest back in the business - in the training ground or in the redevelopment of the ground or in the transfers.

“Now other clubs have to determine their own model. What Financial Fair Play will do is have a requirement that clubs have to break even. So, by definition, that should have some control over the player wages, the transfer fees and the amortisation of transfer fees.

“So I think what Michel Platini is doing with Financial Fair Play is the next step in trying to bring some financial discipline.”

How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.

source : Goal.com

Sir Alex answers midfield critics

"Everyone's saying 'go out and buy a central midfield player'. Well, I would do that if he were a Manchester United player. If we'd seen a young Bryan Robson or Roy Keane, we'd have been the first there. The possibilities of improving our team are not lost on us."

– Sir Alex Ferguson

25/11/2011 18:45, Report by James Tuck


Sir Alex Ferguson has responded strongly to criticism of United's midfield and insists he will never make knee-jerk signings aimed at strengthening his team.

In an interview with MUTV, screened on Countdown to Kick-off on Friday evening, the Reds boss was informed that the subject of central midfield had generated plenty of recent debate on the club's TV channel, with some disgruntled fans demanding new signings.

Sir Alex responded by arguing there was "no point" in rushing into the transfer market and that, in fact, the champions have coped remarkably well given the number of injuries in the squad this term, not just in midfield but also at the back.

"Criticism is fine as long as it's balanced," the manager declared. "Anderson and Tom Cleverley have been injured and those two, in particular, have tremendous potential – they’re fantastic young players. So we're missing two very important cogs in the machine.

"Darren Fletcher has had his issues and Michael Carrick has been injured a few times, so we're trying to achieve a consistent midfield operation.

"And it's not just the midfield – you've also got to look at the back four, which we've been changing all the time. We've done exceptionally well in spite of that.

"Everyone's saying 'go out and buy a central midfield player'. Well, I would do that if he were a Manchester United player. If we'd seen a young Bryan Robson or Roy Keane, we'd have been the first there. The possibilities of improving our team are not lost on us."

Sir Alex knew that replacing the retired Paul Scholes would take some time, but he has faith in his policy of promoting from within.

"When you lose a player of Scholes' brilliance, there's a 'time lapse' which allows someone to emerge from the youth or reserve team, or to come back from a loan spell," he explained.

"Cleverley was at Wigan last year and also had spells at Leicester and Watford. He gained maturity from being on loan and we have to wait on and trust that."

source : Manutd

Carrick happy for home town

25/11/2011 15:30, Report by Mark Froggatt

Michael Carrick is delighted to see Newcastle United riding high in the Barclays Premier League but insists any childhood allegiances will be forgotten when the Reds face the Magpies at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Reds midfielder, born and raised on Tyneside, always keeps an eye out for his home-town team and has been impressed by Alan Pardew’s side this season. With 25 points from a possible 36, the North-East club are currently fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

“Newcastle have had a really good start," Carrick declared. "Not a lot of people would have put them up there if you had asked a few months back. But credit to them, they have stuck together and they are certainly enjoying being up there.

"They are my home-town club and the team I watched as a boy so it is great to see them at the top. The city is really thriving at the minute. They couldn't have expected to be where they are if they took a realistic view because they have had such a hard time of it over the last couple of years.

"I am glad they are doing well but obviously come Saturday, it will be different for me."

Newcastle suffered a first league defeat of the season against Manchester City last weekend, prompting some to predict a drop in confidence ahead of Saturday’s match at M16. However Carrick feels he saw enough spirit and endeavour to disprove that theory.

“Who knows whether this is the perfect time to play them. They have had a great run and they were a bit unlucky at times last weekend with the penalty and a couple of goals that could have been avoided. I am sure they will still come with confidence, come and play and do the things they have been doing to get them in this position. We are fully aware of the strengths they have, how they are as a team and how much work they put in. We will have to be ready.”

United are braced for another busy run of games as Sir Alex’s men continue the quest to retain the title. And having made his first Barclays Premier League start of the season away to Swansea, Carrick hopes to feature heavily. The midfielder is also hoping to end a goal drought that stretches back to January 2010, but stresses his input to the overall team performance is more important.

“I would love a goal," he admitted. "But it is not something I am losing sleep over. It is something I would love to do. I try to put myself in positions to do that, but at the right time. You are there to do a job for the team in both boxes and in the middle of the park. If I am stopping them going in and someone else is scoring, as long as we are winning, I am not too fussed.

"I am enjoying my football at the moment. I am fit and looking forward to the games ahead. It is nice when positive things are said about you, especially by the manager. I just look to keep my good form going.”

Michael was talking to ManUtd.com, PA Sport, BBC Radio Manchester and Key 103.

source : Manutd

Wayne fit for weekend

25/11/2011 10:00, Report by J Tuck and A Bostock

Wayne Rooney is expected to return from injury for United’s Barclays Premier League clash against high-flying Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Reds’ top-scorer sustained a hip injury in the win at Swansea last weekend which forced him to miss the midweek draw with Benfica, leading to speculation he could also be out this weekend.

But Sir Alex confirmed Rooney should return for the encounter with Alan Pardew’s men, though the rest of the news on the injury front wasn’t so positive, with Anderson set to be out until February with a knee injury.

"I think Wayne Rooney should be okay for tomorrow," the boss told his Friday press conference. "He trained yesterday so hopefully he'll be okay.

"We've got Vidic back after suspension, of course. Smalling is fit again, which is also a boost, and Rafael's back as well. So the defensive part is okay. Michael Owen's also still injured, of course.

"It's in the midfield area where we've still got issues, with Tom Cleverley and Anderson. So that's two midfield players who are going to be missing for a spell now."

Newcastle are riding high in the league and only suffered their first defeat of the campaign against leaders Manchester City last weekend.

Sir Alex is a confirmed admirer of Pardew and believes his opposite number can take much credit for the Magpies’ current healthy position.

"He is very meticulous in training, he’s grasped the nettle at Newcastle very well and he's showing he's determined to succeed," Sir Alex said. "They're all working like Trojans up there.

"He was very unfortunate in some of his previous appointments – he was one minute away from winning the cup [as manager of West Ham].

"Newcastle aren't doing much wrong at the moment and the quality of the league is improving – you can throw a net over the top five or six."

Newcastle is United's final league game in November before the start of the traditionally hectic festive period, in which the Reds face seven games in December alone.

"December is an ardous month for everyone," Sir Alex said. "But you have a chance in this league if you're still in the ball park by new year. And the way this club is organised to perform in the second half of the season helps us."

source : Manutd

Anderson out until February

25/11/2011 09:45, Report by Adam Marshall

Brazilian midfielder Anderson has been ruled out until February with a knee injury.

Sir Alex revealed the blow at his Friday press conference after the South American has been missing since being substituted in the home win against Otelul Galati.

"It's in the midfield area where we've still got issues with Tom Cleverley and Anderson," stated the boss. "It's not good news about Anderson, we don't think he'll be fit until February.

"He's got this knee injury and we've sent him back to Portugal to see the specialist who operated on his knee last time. That's a bit of a blow, we didn't expect that one. So that's the two midfield players who are going to be missing for a spell now."

The manager insists he still has enough options in the middle of the park - even though injuries have taken their toll in the position this term.

"We're not as bad as people think we are in midfield," he stressed. "Ryan Giggs gives you experience of course, Michael Carrick’s form in the last two games has been outstanding. He had a little bit of a problem with his Achilles earlier on in the season but he’s got over that now and the grounds are softer now of course which helps.

"Darren Fletcher, given the right preparation, is always a very, very good player for us. Getting Tom Cleverley back would be a bonus if we can get him back around Christmas time. It would be a bonus to get him back because he’s such a clever footballer. I think we’re okay, we’ve got a strong squad."

One thing that is certain is Sir Alex won't be rushing into the January transfer market as a consequence. "It's dead easy to say you'll go out and buy players," he warned. "But it's not easy to buy players who are good enough for Manchester United, especially in January.

"I could choose two or three players who you’d like to have at this club who are not available. So there’s no point in even going there."

source : Manutd