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

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

Boss dealing with injuries

21/11/2011 15:01, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex admits injuries have unsettled United this season but accepts they are just part and parcel of the game.

The Reds have responded to the 6-1 defeat by City with five straight victories on the back of five clean sheets and yet have still faced some criticism for not playing the exciting football that was on show at the start of the campaign.

The boss knows exactly how to go about winning the Barclays Premier League and is happy with the way the champions are playing.

"I think we've made some changes to the team at the start of the season," he explained. "Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling got injured and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were injured in the first game. So there were quite a few changes you don't envisage.

"You see everyone fit and fresh in pre-season and, going through the tour of the States, there was not one injury and then you're hit with a whole host [of them]. It doesn't disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team at times.

"Sometimes we have to rethink which team we need to win a match and sometimes, when the team is in full flow, you don't need to worry about that. We've had a few issues but hopefully we're gradually getting over them and, once we get the players back in again, we'll be okay."

Sir Alex is satisifed with how his troops are performing as the Reds remain in second place in the table behind leaders City.

"I think the players addressed the situation well," he added. "The collective thing has been good and, at this stage of the season, what we try to do now is get through to the New Year and be near the top. Being at the top would be fine but if we're near to the top, it presents us with an opportunity.

"We never looked like losing the match at Swansea. We were always in control, which is good away from home in the Premier League. If you're controlling games, you're doing a good job."

source : Manutd

Owen sidelined for six weeks

14/11/2011 18:00, Report by Nick Coppack

Michael Owen is expected to be sidelined until at least Christmas with the thigh injury he sustained in United’s recent 2-0 home win against Otelul Galati.

The Reds no.7 lasted just 10 minutes against the Romanians after straining his left thigh in the build-up to United’s opening goal when Owen darted towards the near post and stretched for Phil Jones’ cross. While he failed to make contact with the ball, Owen’s movement dragged defenders out of position and, as Sir Alex Ferguson said afterwards, “made the goal” for Antonio Valencia, who arrived behind the striker to tap into the empty net.

The boss was initially hopeful Owen’s knock would not prove serious, but a club spokesman told ManUtd.com on Monday: “Michael has a thigh muscle injury and will be out for six weeks or so.”

That prognosis means the striker isn’t likely to feature for the Reds until Boxing Day at the earliest, when United welcome Wigan Athletic to Old Trafford. Sir Alex’s men are also scheduled to host Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Eve, with United’s first game of 2012 due to take place at Newcastle on Wednesday 4 January.

source : Manutd