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

Butt: Reds exit was hard

"The media can look at United and analyse it too much. Inside the club, they won't be worrying what people are saying and writing. The manager will have his say, the coaches will have their say and the players too. They will know what targets are what got to do and where to improve and I'm sure they will do that."

30/11/2011 14:04, Report by Adam Marshall

Former midfield star Nicky Butt gave United Review his thoughts on the Reds ...

How big a wrench was it to leave United? 

It was the hardest thing I had to do in football as I'd been there since I was 12 years of age. But it came to a time when you're getting up to 30, it was just around the corner, and I wasn't playing a lot or as much as I wanted to or felt I should've been. I was going down the pecking order. Although I didn't really want to leave, I wanted to play football and didn't want to sit on the bench for three or four years and just fizzle out really. I wanted to have one more kick at it. I knew Newcastle were in for me and I was desperate to go there really. I'd played against them and I knew they were a great club with a great atmosphere so I was more than happy to go there.

It must be hard for all players to handle squad rotation.. 

It is difficult. To be fair, all my career I had good players in front of me - Scholes, Keaney, Veron - and we were all fighting for two spots in midfield. But, all my career, I used to get over 30 games every year. I played in all the big games as people were injured or we played three in midfield. I always played in the big semi-finals and finals and I loved every minute there. But it got to a point where I was getting a bit frustrated and wasn't myself. I wasn't getting angry but I was resenting people and I didn't want to end up being bitter and twisted. So I went to speak with the manager and he was great. He understood my position and understood the most important thing was the club and rightly so. It was a nervous thing to do, going to speak to the manager about leaving the club as I'd been there so long, but it was fine. He was brilliant and asked if I was sure what I wanted to do as he didn't want me to make any rash judgements. So he said think about it for a couple of days and, when I did that, my mind hadn't changed. I still wanted to play football. Although it was the most difficult thing I had to do, I was happy to go to Newcastle.

How do United approach games that they're expected to win? 

I think any game in the Premier League is tough, regardless of who it is against. In years gone by, when I think we'd walk out at Old Trafford, we knew we were going to win. We used to know that before we'd go out. Maybe it sounds a bit big-headed but we knew we were more than capable of winning in maybe third or fourth gear. Now it's moved on and teams are having a right go which is good to watch. But I still think United are always strong favourites when at home.

What's your assessment of United's form? 

United started well but have flattened out a little bit but that happens. Every team in the whole season has its ups and downs, no matter how good you are or what team you are. Every team has ups and downs, hopefully United have had theirs and can kick on. City will have bad times, there's no question about it. Chelsea have had a bad time already and everyone has bad times it's just a matter of how you deal with them. No matter how good a team are, they still have bad moments. Hopefully, the bad moments will be overcome. 

How does the club handle any rough patches internally?

The media can look at United and analyse it too much. Inside the club, they won't be worrying what people are saying and writing. The manager will have his say, the coaches will have their say and the players too. They will know what targets are what got to do and where to improve and I'm sure they will do that.

How difficult will it be for United to retain the title?

It is hard every year and it seems to be getting harder. The great thing about the club is the challenge. I think if there wasn't a challenge, a lot of palyers would be bored and the manager would get bored as well. But, every year, teams get bigger and none bigger than City, our local rivals, who are coming up there and have done a really great job in getting a team together. So it's a big challenge for us. I think whoever beats United to the top will be a good team and I still fancy them for the league, to be fair. I don't know about City, they're a fantastic team who can beat anybody on their day but the thing at the back of my mind, niggling away, is what's next? There's always something at club, someone who's not happy and that's why team spirit and a good, settled squad can take you a long way. The squad all know who the boss is at United - it's the manager and nobody challenges him. I'm sure they'll have chats with him, like everyone does, but everyone knows who the manager is and their position in the squad and they get on with it. If they do knock on the door and ask why they're not playing, it never gets aired.

source : Manutd

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

Philosophy pays off

"It is, more and more, an exciting time for me. It's started with Welbeck and Cleverley because, when I came in, they were 10 or 11. Now they've featured in the first team team and, just underneath, there's more."

Interview first appeared in Inside United

30/11/2011 15:17, Report by Adam Marshall

Rene Meulensteen feels United are reaping the benefits of developing youngsters from an early-age and bringing them through the system.

The first-team coach implemented his philosophy at Carrington, developing the famed Coerver method after working with his fellow countryman Will in the 1990s. Teaching schoolboys good habits allows them the flexibility to play in different positions and the fruits of the hard work are starting to become clear for all to see.

"I worked with Will myself and I was very fortunate to do that," he stated. "That provided the background, the basis of the philosophy which I've taken on board and expanded it so it has become my philosophy, engrained with all the other important aspects.

"I'm just a very strong believer in it because the best players out there in the world - past and present - have given us that information. If you go back in time to George Best, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona up to all of the best players now - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney - they've got the ability to take players on and beat them. It's not only important for the team, it's very exciting for the game itself."

Educating the youngsters is providing a massive benefit for United when they are asked to fulfil various roles later in their career. The in-built confidence in possession and comfort with the ball is vitally important to Meulensteen's programme.

"In the beginning, the kids are young and just respond to the environment you create for them," he explained. "They don't know what is good or bad, they just enjoy it or hate it but they will do it.

"If I had kids climbing the fence up and down all day, they don't know whey they're doing it. "But, when they get to 18-20, they realise it's no good and they should've worked on their skills.

"When they've gone through that, it has become second nature and that's why skill development is so important in the early age groups because it can become second nature by 16, 17 and 18. If a player is going to be a defender, midfielder or attacker, they also know it's no problem because they think if I'm under pressure, I've got the skills to deal with it and that is the big difference."

The progress of Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley into the first-team this season is providing evidence that the system is set to produce players of international calibre for Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It is, more and more, an exciting time for me," enthused Meulensteen. "It's started with Welbeck and Cleverley because, when I came in, they were 10 or 11. Now they've featured in the first team team and, just underneath, there's the likes of Larnell Cole, Jesse Lingard, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Tom Thorpe, Ezekiel Fryers and the Keanes.

"They've all been on the skills journey and are now coming back to Reserves training and working with the first team and they see the same coach, sending the same messages. They say: 'Do you remember?' and it's a case of: 'Yes, so now you can tell why we did it. It should make you a player who can make a difference for us'."

For Michael Keane, Cole and Lingard in particular, patience was preached because of their slower physical development and that is beginning to pay off. "Exactly," asserted Meulensteen. "Height is no problem. It's all about quick feet and a quick brain. You see Barcelona showing us that every week."

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

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

Boss: 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

Boss clarifies Rio's position

27/11/2011 10:36, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has explained his recent comments regarding Rio Ferdinand and reiterated that the Manchester United defender still has another couple of good years in him.

The Reds centre-back was told he would have to adjust his game as he gets older and that led to some newspaper reports that the £30million signing from Leeds will be phased out of the firing line.

Sir Alex addressed the matter on the eve of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, during which Ferdinand was highly unfortunate to concede a penalty. The boss told Sunday newspaper journalists:

"I think it [the talk about Rio's United days being numbered] generally came from the media after he'd not played in certain games.

"From Rio's perspective as he's been such a great player for us, I think it was important to explain his present position and there's nothing wrong with that.

"What I said was absolute fact - he's not as quick as he was five years ago. That happens, people do lose their pace as they get older.

"But Rio is adjusting his game accordingly and has had two or three good performances since then.

"I've no issues at all with Rio, he can play for another couple of years quite easily. Of course we have to look ahead, there's nothing wrong with that, but it shouldn't mean Rio looks upon it as the end of his career. He's got a part to play with his experience and he's good in the dressing room. He's a big figure and players look up to him so that will continue."

Sir Alex echoed these sentiments in his interview with the latest edition of Inside United, which is on sale from Wednesday 30 November.

"I can clarify the situation quite simply," he stated. "Rio is 33 years old now so he's naturally going to have to adapt his game in some fashion. But he has the necessary attributes to compensate for [losing a yard of pace].

"It's not like he's a big, cumbersome oaf. Rio's a nimble, athletic and agile guy and he's still faster than most.

"He's a terrific player and he'll play many, many more games for us. He's still one of the best centre-backs in the country."

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

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

Vidic: No need to worry

26/11/2011 09:17, Report by Adam Marshall

Nemanja Vidic has stressed the champions are not panicking at being five points behind leaders Manchester City at this stage of the season.

In an exclusive interview with this Saturday's United Review, the official matchday programme, the centre-back says it is far too early to be analysing the league table in too much depth and the Reds are determined to be in the shake-up come May.

"When you look at the league table, we’d obviously prefer to be closer," he conceded. "But nobody in the team is panicking. There are tough games for everybody ahead and there’s more than half the season left to play. We have a lot of talent, experience and desire in this squad – certainly enough to win the league."

Shrewd observers will have noted Vida swapped with Rio Ferdinand and played on the right side of the central defence in the match with the Magpies' North-East rivals Sunderland, with the skipper revealing it was merely a tactical switch from Sir Alex.

"Sometimes the manager wants to try new things or make a tactical change," he added. "As he did against Sunderland. It's no problem for me to play on the right or for Rio to play on the left. We can cope either way. The boss had a reason why he wanted Rio and I to swap against Sunderland and it worked well."

source : Manutd

Fletch: United is my home

"Speculation is something that’s part and parcel of being a United player. I don’t think the way the team’s been playing has changed dramatically."

- Darren Fletcher

22/11/2011 10:57, Report by Gemma Thompson

Darren Fletcher speaks to United Review and ManUtd.com about the season so far and the Champions League...

How did it feel when you stepped out to make your 300th appearance for the club against Sunderland? 

It was a great moment to reach such a milestone even though you treat it as just another game. The time has flown since my debut and I’ve enjoyed everything about playing for Manchester United. It’s all I’ve ever known and it’s become my home. It’s an achievement I want to build on. The next target has to be 350, then 400 and so on – you always want to keep going.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since making your debut? 

The experience you pick up along the way is a massive thing. You hear people talk about it when you’re younger, but it’s only when you get older that you realise its importance. It’s about the different situations you go through on the pitch – you learn what it takes to succeed, what you need to do in certain matches and how to prepare for games so everything eventually becomes second nature. People have always told me to be myself too. There are so many great players you look up to, but you have to be your own player and your own man and have your own style. I’ve always tried to do that.

In terms of this season, how close are you to reaching your top form? 

I feel good. I’ve felt good since the start of the season and I’m pleased with how things have gone. The more games you play the more sharpness you get and, like the rest of the team, I really want to kick on for the rest of the season.

How have the dynamics of the midfield changed since Scholesy’s retirement and how does the constant media talk of targets impact on the current midfielders? 

Speculation is something that’s part and parcel of being a United player. I don’t think the way the team’s been playing has changed dramatically. Obviously Scholesy had a wonderful range of passing and could control the tempo of games, and as we get more experienced that’s something we’ll be looking to do. Manchester United always keeps moving forward - if one player leaves or retires the team is still in place. The manager has always kept things moving forward because they have to. This club never stands still.

What do you make of Barcelona president Sandro Rosell’s recent suggestion about dropping the number of domestic games to play more Champions League games at weekends? 

I don’t think it will happen. The set-up we have now works perfectly. Everyone loves the Premier League and when the Champions League comes around it’s always special. I think we already have exactly the right mix and blend.

Having missed out on playing in three Champions League finals, how big is your desire to win the competition? 

Playing in a final is still a goal that’s there for me. As a team we’re all desperate to get there again, I don’t think I’m particularly different from the rest in that sense. Some of the lads who have played in the last two are no doubt driven by their disappointment. The motivation is there for all of us and hopefully we can get there again.

source : Manutd

Concentration was key

"The concentration we showed today is exactly the concentration we need back in the team. We’ve tightened things up and there were some good performances by our defenders."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

19/11/2011 19:30, Report by Gemma Thompson

Sir Alex hailed his side’s concentration levels in the hard-fought victory at Swansea on Saturday and reserved special praise for Michael Carrick on his first league start of the season.

Javier Hernandez’s 11th-minute goal proved the difference in the 1-0 win, but it was the Reds’ dogged display at the back which pleased the manager, as did the impressive performance by Carrick in the centre of the field.

“Keeping clean sheets has been an integral part of our success and we have been careless with our defending,” he told MUTV.

“A few weeks ago there was genuine criticism about the defending and the chances opponents were getting. Swansea didn’t really make any chances apart from the miss they had in the first half.

“It was a solid performance and we never looked like losing the game. We were comfortable and had good possession. And when you win these games 1-0 it brings the concentration back to a good level which has been lacking. The concentration we showed today is exactly the concentration we need back in the team.

“We’ve tightened things up and there were some good performances by our defenders. And Michael Carrick was outstanding. I thought he did really well – it was a big performance from him.

“To get Michael back to that form and have the likes of Ryan [Giggs] available gives us good options. We also brought on Fabio, Fletcher and Valencia which shows you the strength of the squad – they were good changes at important times in the game.

"The squad we’ve got now is strong and I can make changes with confidence and that’s very important at this stage of the season.”

It was United’s first-ever victory at Swansea and it brought the Swans’ unbeaten home run this season to an end as well.

“They’ve got a great home record and that’s something we looked at before the game,” added Sir Alex. “They’re a good football team and they keep the ball well.

“We maybe should have done better with the chances we got towards the end of the game, but when you look at the way Swansea have been going in terms of form it was a good result.”

source : Manutd