Will Power

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Champions Review: September

ManUtd.com's review of the 20th title moves on to September...

Overview The action came thick and fast with a flood of goals at both ends, Robin van Persie's two late efforts completing his hat-trick and a 3-2 win at Southampton before Wigan were blown away 4-0 as Alexander Büttner and Nick Powell grabbed debut strikes. Van Persie may have missed a penalty at St Mary's but he kept his nerve from the spot to earn victory at Liverpool. The month ended in defeat with a five-goal thriller against Tottenham.

Key moment United hadn't won for five years at Anfield and trailed to Steven Gerrard's opener despite the home side being reduced to 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's red card. Rafael's pearler hauled the Reds level but van Persie confirmed his new hero status by driving the winning penalty past Pepe Reina.

Star man Rafael earned ManUtd.com's monthly individual prize. The fans appreciated the popular Brazilian's entertaining and enterprising forays forward as well as his defensive responsibility. However, that splendid strike on Merseyside must have won him a few votes too.

State of play The Reds finished the month in third behind Chelsea and Everton. Manchester City were level with United on points, with Tottenham a further place back after that first win at Old Trafford in 23 years

Champions Review: August

ManUtd.com's review of the Reds' enthralling run to a 20th title begins back in August...

Overview It was an inauspicious start in the league as injury-hit United went to Everton with Nemanja Vidic the only fit centre-back – and he hadn’t played a competitive game in eight months. Michael Carrick deputised alongside him, but the Reds came unstuck in the face of the Toffees’ aerial bombardment and it was little surprise that, despite a decent start from the Reds, Marouane Fellaini clinched a 1-0 win. Things improved at home to Fulham as Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa scored on their home debuts, while Rafael contributed to a 3-2 win.

Key moment It came off the pitch with the arrival of Robin van Persie from Arsenal. His goals would prove vital, but he arrived with a touch of class and no small amount of charm, announcing at his unveiling: “I always listen to that little boy inside of me. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Manchester United.”

Star man Considering the clamour for RvP, it says a lot that Shinji Kagawa won ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month poll. The Japanese schemer gave early glimpses of promise and bagged a goal on his first outing at OT.

State of play The Reds finished the month in seventh spot, on three points, while eventual title rivals Manchester City (fifth with four points) and Chelsea (first with nine points from three games) made stronger starts.


Summer Targets Identified

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that work has already started on possible summer transfer targets.

In an exclusive interview with Inside United, the official club magazine, the Reds boss insisted he has a solid foundation in terms of his squad to ensure sustained success for the next five years or so as the younger players mature.

Although several clubs look likely to spend lavishly during the close season in a bid to compete for next year's title, the manager acknowledges that the champions will again be competitive in the transfer market after landing the likes of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa in 2012.

Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool will all surely be on the look-out for big-name arrivals, particularly with a bumper new television deal coming into effect. It means that the task of retaining the title will be a difficult one but it is already a challenge that is being relished from within Old Trafford.

"You have to look at the structure of the club at present, in terms of the number of first-team players we have at 23 or under," Sir Alex explained in his monthly column in Inside United.

"David De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Alex Büttner, Nick Powell, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck. Shinji Kagawa and Chicharito are 24. Jonny Evans is 25 and Wayne Rooney is hitting his peak at 27.

"Older players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand may be coming towards the end of their careers, but these younger players are the foundation for the next five or six years, irrespective of the players breaking through, like Adnan Januzaj, the Belgian boy, who's really looking very good.

"Hopefully the players we bring into the club in the next year or so will be of the quality we need. We're competitive in the market - we're not Chelsea or Manchester City in terms of money but we're competitive.

"We've been doing a bit of work on that over the last three or four months, targeting who the players are that we feel could enhance us, make us better or help us maintain the level we're at."

Monday, April 29, 2013

Robin Breaks Record

Robin van Persie's penalty at Arsenal was his 25th goal in the Barclays Premier League this season following his summer arrival at Old Trafford.

Remarkably, it means the Holland international has scored more league goals in his first campaign at United than any other player has previously posted in the club's history.

The record was previously held by Brian McClair, who hit 24 in 40 league matches back in 1987/88 – one more than Denis Law (1962/63) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001/02) managed.

Others with notable first seasons in terms of goalscoring include Enoch West (19 in 1910/11), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (18 in 1996/97) and Dwight Yorke (18 in 1998/99).

However, van Persie has an incredibly tough task to beat van Nistelrooy's overall goal record in his first season. His fellow Dutchman bagged 36 in all competitions, seven ahead of the current no.20.

Instant impact

Top goalscorers in first season (League/All comps):

Robin van Persie:
32 (3) / 25 - 37 (8) / 29

Brian McClair:
40 / 24 - 48 / 31

Denis Law:
38 / 23 - 44 / 29

Ruud van Nistelrooy:
29 (3) / 23 - 44 (5) / 36

Reds Aim To Play Like Champions

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were certainly not afforded an easy ride in the first match as 2012/13 Barclays Premier League champions, but neither did the Reds fail to rise to the challenge – and the United boss expects the same in the remaining three games of the campaign.

Arsenal got stuck into United at the Emirates on Sunday but the Reds fought back to earn a 1-1 draw, and in doing so reasserted Sir Alex’s claim that his side would not step off the gas on what amounts to a four-match victory parade.

“We’ve got Chelsea next week and they’re fighting for a Champions League place,” he told MUTV. “We’ve got to honour the rest of the teams that are trying to get there.

“Nobody could say that we relaxed too much [at Arsenal]. We showed good aggression again in the second half in particular and with a bit more composure in front of goal I thought we could have won the game.”

Reds left-back Patrice Evra thought United did well to recover after falling into an initial champions’ malaise in the opening 20 minutes in North London, which saw United fall behind to a Theo Walcott goal in the second minute.

“I’m frustrated,” said Patrice. “We wanted to win the game and we had more chances than Arsenal. I don’t think we started well though. We were sleeping a little bit after being champions last week. But in the end we showed character. We were professional and we definitely played to win the game. That’s why everyone was angry at half time. We really wanted to win and I think we created more chances and deserved to win.

“A lot of people expected to see Manchester United not playing well because we have already won the title,” adds Evra. “That is not the mentality of Manchester United. We want to win every game. Even pre-season friendlies are important. If we lost at Arsenal, people would not say we lost because we have already won the league. They would just talk about us losing.

“It is important for us to win. It was a big game for us and people might laugh when I say that, but that is the Manchester United culture. We always want to win, even if we have already won the title. We always want to win.”

Evra was taken aback by Arsenal’s approach, saying: “It’s one of the most aggressive teams I have played against.” But the Frenchman prefers that to a more passive opponent. “It was good to see Arsenal like that,” he adds. “They get abuse, [with people saying they are] a team with good footballers but they are not aggressive enough. They were aggressive enough. But my focus is on Manchester United and I am happy with our response in the second half, even though I’m frustrated and disappointed with the result.”

One of United’s ten attempts on goal fell to Evra, who couldn’t convert to add to his tally of four goals, but he responded with a smile: “I’m disappointed because I want to score again. I will try to do it against Chelsea, Swansea or West Brom.”

Legend Launches Credit Card

Peter Schmeichel and Maybank unveil Manchester United Infinite Credit Card

(NYSE:MANU) Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel visited Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia today to unveil Maybank’s first club-branded Infinite Credit Card.

The Maybank Manchester United Infinite Credit Card is the only premium credit card to be offered by the Club’s Official Credit Card provider in Malaysia. The unique card is available to a limited number of cardholders and will give them access to some fantastic United branded prizes and experiences.

Apart from its attractive rewards, cardholders will also benefit from exclusive experiences such as VIP trips to Old Trafford, chances to win signed Club merchandise signed by first-team players as well as memorable corporate days out with Manchester United legends.

With over 8million Manchester United followers in Malaysia the Infinite card is set to be extremely sought after. Already over half a million United fans have snapped up one of Maybank’s Manchester United credit, debit or pre-paid cards since they launched last season.

The card was launched at a press conference held at Menara Maybank in Kuala Lumpur. United Ambassador and former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel attended and was welcomed by Maybank chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.

Peter Schmeichel commented:

"It’s a great honour to have been invited here today by Maybank to launch its Manchester United Infinite Credit Card. I know we have a huge amount of loyal and passionate fans in Malaysia and I am looking forward to meeting a few while I am here.

"When I was playing we didn’t have anything like the card Maybank has produced and I think it’s a great thing for the fans to be able to engage with the Club this way and vice versa. I am sure this new premium version of the card will be just as successful as the others they have launched."

Four Reds Named In PFA Team



Four Manchester United players have been named in the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year for 2012/13.

PFA Player of the Year nominees Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick are joined in the XI by Old Trafford team-mates David De Gea and Rio Ferdinand. All four were present at the PFA's annual awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday night after helping the new league champions draw 1-1 at Arsenal.

No other club has as many players in the team; Chelsea take two places for Eden Hazard and Juan Mata and Tottenham Hotspur occupy the same number with central defender Jan Vertonghen and goalscoring talisman Gareth Bale. Everton, Liverpool and former champions Manchester City have one representative each in the line-up - they are Leighton Baines, Luis Suarez and Pablo Zabaleta respectively.

Tottenham star Bale also won the top two individual awards, after being voted both the Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by his peers. He's the first man to scoop this double since Cristiano Ronaldo, then at United of course, in 2007.

The full PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2012/13 is as follows: De Gea; Zabaleta (Manchester City), Vertonghen (Tottenham), Ferdinand, Baines (Everton); Mata (Chelsea), Carrick; Hazard (Chelsea), Suarez (Liverpool), Bale (Tottenham), van Persie.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha - a confirmed United signing for next season - was named the PFA Championship Player of the Year after his fine season with Crystal Palace.

Jones Wants To Add Goals

Phil Jones has his first Premier League winner's medal to collect in May and high praise ringing in his ears - but like a true champion, he still wants to improve.

Specifically, the all-action defender, who has excelled in a midfield role of late, is seeking to add goals to his game. Jones has a zero against his name in this otherwise impressive second season and he missed two opportunities to rectify that with headers in Manchester United's pulsating 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

"The first one was easier, I think I should have put that one away," admitted Jones on MUTV.

"The second chance was a bit more difficult. If it had been in the air for a couple more seconds, I might have got on the end of it with a cleaner connection.

"Scoring goals is probably something I need to work on. Hopefully I can get one before the end of the season."

Jones had mixed feelings about the draw at the Emirates Stadium, a result which ended the champions' hopes of achieving a record Premier League tally of 96 points. He felt the outcome could have been worse based on the early action, better on the evidence of the latter stages.

"In the first half, I would have said a point was a good result," he said. "But having seen what we put on in the second half, I thought we carved out a lot of chances and we're disappointed not to have come away with all three points.

"Full credit to Arsenal, they took us by surprise and came at us all guns blazing in the first 15 to 20 minutes and we couldn't really get a grip on the game. But I think once we got on the ball with Michael Carrick, Wazza (Wayne Rooney) got in the pockets [of space] and we got the ball wide to Nani and Antonio Valencia, we created a lot of chances.

"The manager said at half-time that if we created more chances we'd win the game. I think we created three or four chances and perhaps could have stuck one or two more in the net."

The 21 year-old said United's determination to come back from 1-0 down and look the most likely winners proved there was no easing off by the team already crowned champions, even if he admits he's looking forward to presentation day on 12 May.

"We had the celebrations on Monday night and we were back in the swing of things on Tuesday and Wednesday," said Jones. "All week we've been preparing for this game and it was just a big game today and I'm pleased with the point in the end.

"[Winning the league] is obviously something you dream of as a kid. It's going to be an amazing day when we lift the trophy."

Ice-cool RvP Earns Praise

Robin van Persie earned praise for holding his nerve to secure a draw for Manchester United from the penalty spot against Arsenal on a testing first return to the Emirates Stadium for the Dutchman.

The former Gunners front man has been hugely influential in delivering his first, and United’s 20th, league title this season, and after winning a first-half penalty following a foul from Bacari Sagna, van Persie had the composure to block out the boos from the home support and expertly convert his spot-kick.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson was disappointed that his side did not convert more of the chances the team created, but he had no complaints when van Persie registered on the scoresheet in the 44th minute. “He kept his nerve, that was important,” the boss told MUTV. “It was a difficult time for him. The chanting from the fans doesn’t help, but he kept his cool.”

Phil Jones added: "He's got guts. He's a great player and a great lad. He knew coming back to his former club what he was going to expect today. He converted the penalty really well and I thought he played well.”

Patrice Evra alluded to it being an emotional occasion for van Persie. “People forget what he achieved for [Arsenal],” said the Reds left-back. “But he showed them that he hasn’t made the wrong choice. It was a long time that he didn’t win the league [at Arsena]. He has come to Manchester United and won the league.

“He did a good job for Arsenal and I was really disappointed for him. I think he felt it as well. To take that penalty he showed what a world-class, top player he is. He kept his nerves down to score that penalty and I am happy for him.”

Sir Alex Rues Missed Chances

It is a measure of Sir Alex Ferguson’s resolute commitment to winning that, even with a 20th title in the bag, he appeared irked by Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday as he bemoaned a host of missed goalscoring opportunities and a smattering of yellow cards against the Gunners.

The Reds played out an entertaining, feisty stalemate with Arsene Wenger’s side at the Emirates Stadium in United’s first match as champions, and Sir Alex said: “We expected a tough game and we got a tough game.”

He continued: “[The match] swung back and forth. In the first 20 minutes, we were surprised by Arsenal’s aggression and some of their tackles. That put us on the back foot. We probably had the best chances – we had four fantastic chances from headers. We went through time and time again in the last third of the field and perhaps with a bit more composure we would have won the game.”

Arsenal certainly played their part in the contest. “If we had taken one or two of our chances we would have won comfortably,” added the boss. “We always looked a bigger threat, but that’s not to take away from Arsenal putting a lot into the game. They worked their socks off and credit to them.

“Arsenal had fantastic pace, they were really aggressive and put in a lot of tackles. I think the referee just couldn’t keep up at that point. Then when we had a foul he booked us right away.

"We had five players booked. We have one of the best disciplinary records in the country, probably the best record. For Manchester United to have five players booked, I don’t think that’s right.

“But in the last 20 minutes the game was end-to-end stuff. The best chances definitely fell to us and we should have done better with them. Arsenal are fighting for a place in the Champions League and we expected a real challenge to us. We got one.”

Sir Alex was speaking to Sky Sports.

Premier League: Arsenal 1 Man. United 1

Manchester United’s first outing as Barclays Premier League champions may have ended in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal – and with it the potential to set a new record points total – but this was undeniable entertainment to begin the Reds’ four-match victory parade.

Arsenal played their part in a clash that recalled at least some of the quality and commitment of old in this fixture. Theo Walcott scored after just two minutes in an opening half hour that the Gunners controlled, but after that United came back into the contest and Robin van Persie – who else? – won and converted a penalty kick before the break on his first return to the club he left in search of the silverware he has taken just eight months to acquire at Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger's players commendably formed a guard of honour for United and, despite a smattering of boos for van Persie who emerged last out of the tunnel, this was no cauldron of hate. The home fans were allowed a moment of schadenfreude, however, when van Persie’s seemingly innocuous misplaced pass in the second minute allowed Arsenal to break and Tomas Rosicky’s threaded pass set Theo Walcott racing toward goal. The winger, who was offside as the ball was played, slotted his shot past David De Gea to give the Gunners the lead.

This was not unusual territory for United, who had already recovered 28 points from losing positions this term, this being the 15th occasion in which the Reds have conceded the first goal in a league game in 2012/13.

Perhaps it was the purpose of chasing a Champions League place or the motivation of van Persie’s return as a league winner, but Arsenal played with an aggression to accompany their agility on the ball. After a few strong early challenges from the home side it was surprising that, on 18 minutes, Phil Jones was the first of four first-half bookings for United after a committed challenge on Arteta. Undeterred, United’s no.4 went on a rampaging run from midfield, linking first with Rooney and then van Persie, whose lofted cross was a glorious invitation to level matters, but Jones’ header was misdirected from eight yards. His first goal of 2012/13 will have to wait.

Arsenal had the better of the early first-half play; always lively in central positions and looking capable of opening up United’s defence. On one such occasion, Lukas Podolski forced a save from De Gea with a powerful shot from a tight angle after 32 minutes. But United grasped control and finished the half as the stronger side and, indeed, on level terms. On 39 minutes, Nani broke away down the left and crossed for van Persie, whose header from point-blank range struck Szczesny in the face, and two minutes later Jones headed wide again from an arcing Antonio Valencia cross.

It was in the 43rd minute that the equaliser arrived. Van Persie capitalised on Bacari Sagna’s mistake and raced into the box. Sagna, attempting to recover, slid in and although he touched the ball he completely wiped out his former team-mate. The Dutchman faced resounding boos as he placed the ball on the spot, but he is just too cool and, totally unflustered, he smashed his spot-kick high into the net to level the scores and complete an entertaining half.

Attacking intent from both teams was equally evident in the second half, but United continued to look the more dangerous in front of goal as Rafael fired a 54th-minute shot over the bar and two minutes later Rooney latched onto a Patrice Evra cross but headed the ball into the ground, which Szczesny held. The tackles continued to fly in too, and Sagna could consider himself lucky to stay on the field for a wild, late challenge on Evra.

Unsurprisingly given the high pace throughout the game, both sets of players began to tire as the match entered its final 20 minutes and Arsenal tried to arrest that leggy play by introducing Jack Wilshere, Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Anderson came on for Rafael, with Jones moving to right-back.

The pace naturally dropped towards the end but the match remained tantalisingly open as both sides continued to take it in turns to slog it out on the attack, like weary boxers in the final rounds of a bout. Late on, De Gea made a good save from Santi Cazorla, while substitute Ryan Giggs agonisingly had a shot deflected wide. In the end, it was a share of the points and, although United created more opportunities to win it, with the title already won there can be few complaints at the outcome.


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Phelan Praises Sir Alex's Desire

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has praised the leadership qualities of the evergreen Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scotsman led United to their 20th title and the 13th Premier League crown during his time at Old Trafford this season, the success made sweeter by the fact they regained it from rivals Manchester City.

Phelan has been Ferguson's right-hand man since 2008, having previously been his first team coach, leaving him well placed to assess what makes the 71-year-old tick.

"He's maintained the desire to win, you can never take that away from him and what he has done over a period of time is he's mellowed," said Phelan.

"He's passed on certain responsibilities to individual people, he lets you work, he lets you get on with the job, he expects honesty and trust from you and I think he gets that.

"His biggest strength is his leadership. He's put things in place over many, many years and he's had that desire to win.

"When you've got someone who's pushing and pushing it brings along a lot of people and if you're in that same frame of mind and you've got the same work ethic that he's got, then it can only be a benefit to everybody.

"He's definitely produced some excellent teams, some excellent players and I think it's been backed up by good quality staff.

"He's matured like a good bottle of red wine. He's got better and better with age and he's still going strong."

Robin van Persie Wants To Win More Trophies



Robin van Persie says he is now eager to win every trophy going after securing the Premier League title in his first season at Manchester United.

The Dutch striker left Arsenal for Old Trafford last summer in search of silverware and has been an integral figure in United reclaiming the top-flight crown.

The 29-year-old is hungry for more medals and he is hoping that next season will result in further success for both United and the Netherlands.

"Quite simply, I now want to win as much as possible," Van Persie told The Sun Sunday. "Now I've won one big prize I'm even more eager to win more, even more eager to win it all.

"Next season I have the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Capital One Cup, Community Shield and of course the World Cup to focus on."

Van Persie returns to Arsenal for the first time on Sunday, but he insists his decision to quit for United has been vindicated by the title triumph.

He added: "I've waited a very long time for this. It's what every professional dreams might happen one day.

"That's why I sacrificed so much to come here. I chased a dream and I'm so happy the dream has now been fulfilled.

"I still can't believe it. It's just an incredible feeling. It is also a massive relief. After all this time, to be lucky enough to win a title in one of the hardest leagues in the world.

"My move to Manchester United was all about timing. We met each other at exactly the right time.

"They were so eager to win the Premier League title back. And I was so eager to win the league for the first time."

Meanwhile, Van Persie is not concerned by the threat of increased competition next season after United were linked with moves for the likes of Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao.

"The more quality players we bring the better. And even more fun," he said. "The manager knows what is good for the team."

Robert Lewandowski Could Be Man. United Target



Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that he could move to bring Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski to Manchester United this summer.

The Poland international was being mooted for a move to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, who have already captured his Dortmund team-mate Mario Gotze.

Lewandowski further enhanced his reputation this week when he scored all four of his side's goals in the 4-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid.

Ferguson has confirmed he is a fan of the 24-year-old and is hoping Dortmund's reluctance to sell any more of their players to Bayern may work in United's favour.

"If the right player comes along you have to be prepared to make a move," the Old Trafford boss was quoted as saying on the Guardian's website.

"I can find room for anybody here as long as they have the required quality.

"I am not sure Lewandowski will be sold to Bayern now. The Dortmund fans are not going to be happy and I don't think they will sell to their main rivals.

"I think they will either let his contract run out or sell him somewhere else."

De Gea: Keeper Of The Faith

Having ridden out the media storm that followed his arrival at Old Trafford, David De Gea has been one of United’s leading lights in the successful recapturing of the Barclays Premier League title.

Young, slender and bequiffed, De Gea was a soft target for criticism when he arrived at Old Trafford almost two years ago. Now, having played his part in a defensive overhaul that has taken United to the Premier League title, very little gets past the gifted Spaniard. Still only 22 and fresh from his first call-up to Spain’s senior squad, De Gea has cooled burning scrutiny with his icy nerve and, armed with a poker face and a surfeit of talent, United’s No.1 has infected everyone with his contagious calm.

“David has developed and matured as the season has gone on,” Sir Alex Ferguson said last month. “It’s like a young kid taking his first steps forward. He wobbles, gets up, wobbles, gets up again and eventually he walks. The boy is walking now.”

Walking tall, too. In 2013, De Gea has conceded just five Barclays Premier League goals, keeping clean sheets in eight of 12 matches as the Reds have curtailed the procession of concessions that scattergunned the first half of the campaign. While that madcap approach still yielded results – the Reds ended 2012 seven points clear at the head of the table – the remainder of the campaign has mercifully been a far more composed stomp towards success – just how De Gea likes it.

From an early age, quiet confidence has been the youngster’s hallmark. Before his unexpected debut at 18 for Atlético Madrid as substitute for injured Roberto – himself a deputy – David had already won over manager Abel Resino. “I spoke to him about it,” Resino recalled. “He said to me: ‘I’m better than all the other goalkeepers here. I’ll get in the first team here.’ There was something I liked about him. There was assuredness, security. It wasn’t arrogance, it was conviction.” That conviction prompted Atlético to pull the plug on a deal to send De Gea out on loan to Wigan Athletic; those at the Estadio Vicente Calderon knew they had a unique prospect on their books.

“People were talking about Joel Robles as the prominent goalkeeper coming through their ranks,” says As journalist Guillem Balague. “Atlético Madrid went along with that to protect De Gea as they knew that he was something special. As soon as he came into prominence everyone saw his potential and there was no doubt that he was going to go far. He had one or two things that made him really special; one was that calmness that he has in big games, which really served him well when it was needed.”

A star in high-profile games against Barcelona and Real Madrid, in addition to Atlético’s successful Europa League run of 2009/10, De Gea’s twinkling talent caught the eye of United and he was enlisted to replace the departed Edwin van der Sar. The 40-year-old’s legacy could not have been more imposing: a four-time champion, having just featured in his third Champions League final in four years, but Sir Alex, having passed up the chance to sign both Petr Cech and Joe Hart in their formative years, didn’t want to risk missing out for a third time on one of goalkeeping’s hot prospects.

Nevertheless, De Gea’s arrival provoked an outbreak of the numbers game among the British media. Half van der Sar’s age, history’s second-most expensive goalkeeper, but the Spaniard merely shrugged: “It doesn’t interest me. They are numbers, clauses, prices. The value that really counts is that which is shown on the pitch, not what they say your value is. I’m interested in what people think of me on the playing field.” He didn’t have to wait long to find out.

Beaten by Edin Dzeko’s speculative effort in the Community Shield and Shane Long’s altogether tamer shot in United’s Premier League opener at the Hawthorns, the Spaniard was quickly targeted by trigger-happy critics. “The goalkeeper is like a jelly,” said one experienced scribe. “I can’t see what he’s got. How on earth Ferguson and all his millions of coaches could have watched this boy week-in, week out and then signed him I just don’t know.”

“There isn’t much analysis of the Premier League in Spain,” says Balague, “but there is a lot of reaction to what the reaction is. They took note of what was being said about De Gea, and it surprised people because they knew a goalkeeper that was really special. At first, people in England didn’t know what United had in their hands, and once you get a cliché in somebody’s head, that’s it. I saw a lot of well-known people comparing him to Massimo Taibi after two games. This is a player who – alongside Valencia’s Vicente Guaita – is the future of Spanish goalkeeping.”

The Spaniard shared goalkeeping duties with Anders Lindegaard throughout the first half of De Gea’s maiden season in England, until an ankle injury forced the Dane onto the sidelines. Less than a week later, De Gea enjoyed a watershed moment in his United career. Having reeled Chelsea in from a three-goal deficit to level at Stamford Bridge, United’s share of the spoils was preserved by a staggeringly athletic fingertip save from De Gea to flick away Juan Mata’s injury-time free-kick.

“From a personal perspective that was important,” the stopper later admitted. “When you look back over a season there are lots of defining moments and key goals. Particularly from a personal point of view, the fact the save was right in the last minute was decisive. Possibly it gave me a huge confidence boost as well.”

Though his debut campaign ended on a collective low, De Gea finished 2011/12 imbued with invaluable experience of life in England. His start to the current campaign was again interspersed with spells on the sidelines, but since last December he has been a virtual fixture in Sir Alex’s defensive unit. The highlights have been numerous, but none match a superb display of dexterity and reflexes in the draw at Real Madrid. Even then, much attention was afforded to his unorthodox decision to fend away a Fabio Coentrao shot with his right boot, rather than his hands.

“Like always when someone tries something new, people say: ‘You’re wrong. For a hundred years we did it this other way,’” says Balague. “He uses his feet for saves, sometimes with his feet elevated to the same height as his hands, which has created a bit of controversy in England, but I think he may be onto something here. There’s a lot of intuition and preparation in it. He told me that if he sees that a save with the hands is not going to have enough power, the foot will always take the ball away from the danger area. David does it systematically as part of his weaponry.”

On inspection, it’s a well-stocked armoury. Even in such a short career, De Gea’s strengths are well established. Exceptional reflexes and handling, spring-loaded athleticism and immaculate distribution contrive to make him a prototypical modern goalkeeper, but it is in the Spaniard’s previous areas of weakness that his strengthening is most apparent. More decisive and commanding, as well as physically bulked, De Gea applies the same logic to crosses as he does to kicking shots away; if a ruck of bodies is likely to hinder his attempts to catch a cross, he will punch the ball as far as he can.

At Sunderland, the decision prompted a juddering clash with Nemanja Vidic and left De Gea requiring treatment before he could continue, but the punch averted the danger and preserved yet another clean sheet. Courage and calm are key components in a goalkeeper’s character, especially at United, where extended periods of inactivity can test focus, but De Gea can call upon a mental resolve which has proven key to his adaptation to life on the field and in the headlines, according to goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

“Any criticism goes off that quiff,” he said. “That is the great thing about David. He’s able to say: ‘Right, fine.’ He might have dark moments but he keeps them away from the training ground. If he is ever hurt, he doesn’t show it. If you think about what David has been through, he has to have inner strength. He has dealt with it. He hasn’t come in swearing and squeaking. He’s just got on with his job. He’s very mature for his age. He’s had to be because you’re not just replacing a goalkeeper in Edwin, you’re replacing a legend.”

A laid-back presence himself, the Dutchman’s legacy was calmly carved over six successful years. Having performed a key role in earning his first major honour, David De Gea is only just beginning to whittle his own name onto the Old Trafford goalposts.

Scholes To Stay At United Next Term

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Paul Scholes will remain at Manchester United even if he does decide to retire at the end of the season.

The veteran midfielder has been sidelined through injury and has still to make a firm decision over whether to play on in 2013/2014. After coming out of retirement last season to prove he still had plenty to offer on the field, there is no rush to hang up his boots again.

The boss was asked if the fact that the ex-England international did not celebrate with the rest of the squad on the pitch after the win against Aston Villa was a pointer to his future.

"We'll have to wait and see with Scholes," stressed Sir Alex. "He's got an injury that is bothering him a lot. I don't think he came onto the pitch but he's not that type. He was probably home by the time the game ended!

"It doesn't matter as he'll be here anyway - whether as a player or coach. He'll be here anyway."

Sir Alex also thinks that Scholes' decision to end his coaching stint with the Reserves last term was purely because he wanted to extend his playing career.

"It would've been easy to say nothing and carry on with the Reserves but he made his mind up he wanted to come back and play and it was a good one for us," added the manager.

"I think there will come a time when he has to quit anyway, whether it's next year or this year. He's not made his mind up about that. He has got a lot to offer us and we do this now, it's a very important part of our club to get players who have made a great contribution.

"Scholes, Nicky Butt is with the Reserves; Darren Fletcher, when his time comes, will join. Ryan Giggs will join. Brian McClair, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Marek Szmid. We have a lot of former players in positions at the club which is healthy for us."

Carrick Delighted By Season



Manchester United's Michael Carrick has admitted his nomination for PFA Player of the Year has topped a 'wonderful season'.

The midfielder is up for Sunday's award along with Old Trafford team-mate Robin van Persie, Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale, Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.

Carrick has been in majestic form this season, which has seen him help United to the Premier League title and become a key man in the plans of England manager Roy Hodgson in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

And the 31-year-old former Tottenham and West Ham United star is both flattered and delighted to have been recognised for a fine campaign.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award by my fellow professionals," said Carrick in association with PUMA.

"It has been a great season for Manchester United and being nominated for The PFA Player of the Year award as well as winning the league caps a wonderful season for me."

PUMA have also used ProZone data to support the argument Carrick should be voted as the player of the season ahead of Van Persie, Bale, Hazard and Mata.

- Carrick has completed 2501 passes this season, the highest in the league.

- He has an 82.4 per cent success rate for forward passes, compared to the average Premier League midfielder's 72.8% success rate.

- He makes 73.3 successful passes in a match, compared to the average Premier League midfielder's 37.7 successful passes.

Giggs Hails 'Brilliant' Season



Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs insists this season has been one of his finest with the club.

The 39-year-old Welshman celebrated clinching his 13th Premier League title following the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday and admits he has enjoyed the manner of the success after seeing Manchester City snatch the crown last term.

"If you look at the amount of wins we have had, you have to recognise it has been a brilliant season in the league. Some of the performances have been superb," said Giggs.

"Whenever you win the Premier League it is something special. Obviously, if you look at the end of last season that was a huge disappointment.

"To come back the following year and perform so strongly means it must rank really high. Overall, we have to be happy with the way it has worked out."

United still have four games left - starting with Sunday's trip to Arsenal - and Giggs has Chelsea's Premier League record of 95 points in his sights with four wins required for a total of 96.

"The aim is to get as many points as we can, then hopefully we can get the record," he said.

"It won't be easy because we have some tough games coming up. We always want to win games. The manager makes sure of that.

"If we don't perform he won't be happy, whether we have won the league or not.

"We want to go off in the summer knowing we have had a good end to the season."

After United have completed their final four fixtures, Giggs will jet off on an annual summer holiday, return fully rested, and get ready to do it all again.

"You just enjoy the moment," he said. "Then you go on holiday, come back and do it all again. That is the way it is at United.

"You want to enjoy what you have done this season because it is a great achievement but you have to retain the hunger to do it again."

Sir Alex: Squad Reds Get Medals

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his intention to give medals to every player who has contributed to this season’s Barclays Premier League title success.

The Reds boss is happy that the Premier League have relaxed their rule to allow league-winning clubs to reward more squad members with medals.

Previously only those who had made 10 or more league appearances were eligible and clubs were required to apply for extra medals for players who had not reached that tally. But now five appearances is the requirement and United will receive 40 medals, 10 more than before.

And Sir Alex confirmed: "They [the fringe players] will get medals. It’s changed now. They give you an allocated number of medals and it’s up to you to distribute them how you want.

"I think that’s fair because, in Darren Fletcher’s case for instance, it’s only illness which has prohibited him from getting a medal [under the old 10 appearances rule]. I’m sure if he’d been available he would have been sitting here with one.

"[Alexander] Büttner’s been great because he’s travelled to every away game with us, he’s been involved in every single training session, he’s played three times and been a substitute another 10 times, something like that. So I think that’s a contribution.

"It’s very difficult for a goalkeeper to get the 10 appearances when your first-choice goalkeeper is performing the way David De Gea has. So I think Anders Lindegaard deserves his medal too. We’ll distribute the way we think is fair."

Sir Alex Targets Phenomenal Tally

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to end the campaign with another four wins to set a record points haul in the Barclays Premier League.

The champions are at Arsenal on Sunday before tackling Chelsea, Swansea City and West Brom over the final weeks of the season. A maximum return of 12 points would ensure a winning tally of 96, one more than the record set by Chelsea in 2004/05.

"Well, there are four different types of challenge," the boss told MUTV. "We've got Arsenal who are chasing a Champions League position and then it's Chelsea, who are in exactly the same position as Arsenal.

"Those are challenges in different ways and we want to win the games. Our last home game is against Swansea and you always want to win your last home game. Then we're away to West Brom and they'll be trying to win their last game.

"I've said to the players it's one thing being champions of the Premier League but another thing to set a record. We have an opportunity to set the record and, hopefully, we can do that.

"If we can do that, 96 points would be phenomenal. I don’t know if that could ever be beaten but nonetheless it’s a marvellous achievement by us.”

Sir Alex is also sticking by his prediction that Borussia Dortmund will win the Champions League as the German side are odds-on to meet fellow Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich in the final at Wembley following the first legs of the semi-finals.

"I tipped Dortmund to win the European Cup and I'm not far wrong," he said. "I think they will."

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Sir Alex The Richest Manager

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has retained his position as the wealthiest football manager in Britain, according to a report to be published on Sunday.

The fourth annual Sunday Times Sport Rich List, to be published in full on 28 April, says that Ferguson, who has just led United to Premier League title glory, is now worth £34m.

The list is based on identifiable wealth, which includes land, property, other assets such as art and racehorses, or significant shares in publicly quoted companies, but which excludes bank accounts.

Former Sunderland and Ipswich boss Roy Keane, who used to play for Ferguson at United, is next on the list at £29m, followed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (£29m).

QPR manager Harry Redknapp is worth £13m, good enough for ninth on the list, just behind his predecessor at Loftus Road, Mark Hughes (£14m).

Interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has joined the list in joint-10th, alongside England boss Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neill, with a fortune of £12m.

The richest Formula One drivers born or based in the UK have also been revealed and Lewis Hamilton leads the way among active drivers on £60m, an increase of £5m since last year.

Jenson Button has also added £5m to his total in the last year and is now worth £58m, while Scot Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar champion, is worth £50m.

Manchester United Supporters Trust Apply For Right To Buy Old Trafford

Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has applied to be given the chance to purchase Old Trafford if the stadium is ever put up for sale.

United's owners, the Glazer family, have given no indication that they would be willing to sell the ground, which has been their home for 103 years.

But MUST have lodged an application with Trafford Council for the ground to be registered as an 'Asset of Community Value'.

If the application is accepted, MUST would be given the opportunity to buy the stadium should the Glazers put Old Trafford on the market.

Trafford Council now has eight weeks to make a decision, leaving open the potential for the Glazers to appeal.

MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: "A listing reduces the chances that Old Trafford could be secretly sold off and worse still Manchester United move to a new location, as we've seen with such disastrous effects at several other English clubs - perhaps the worst example being Wimbledon/MK Dons.

"We don't have any reason to assume the Glazers currently have any plans to sell Old Trafford. However, if that truly is the case, they should have no reason to oppose this application."

Arsenal Will Hold A Guard Of Honour For Manchester United

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team will hold a guard of honour for Manchester United's players before Sunday's match at Emirates Stadium.

The match is the first United have played since sealing their 20th league title with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.

Wenger said: "I want the traditions of English football to be respected."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: "I am glad Arsene has done that. That is what great clubs should do."

Ferguson said: "When they came to Old Trafford in 2002 and Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal, we did exactly the same."

In addition to 2002, United gave Arsenal a guard of honour at Highbury in 1991, and honoured champions Chelsea at Old Trafford in 2005. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea returned the gesture two years later.

The match sees the return of former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who scored a hat-trick against Villa.

Van Persie, 29, scored the opener the last time the two sides met in United's 2-1 victory in November.

"Van Persie is a massive talent, a world-class player who has fantastic technique and a lot of experience," Wenger said.

"You always miss a big player. It took us a while because our game went a lot through him but if you look at the number of goals we have scored, it's similar to last season."

Wenger said he wanted Van Persie "to be respected", while Ferguson said he expected some booing of the striker.

"I don't bother about it, and I don't think Robin should bother about it either," he said. "That is the modern generation I am afraid.

"For Arsenal to have one of their players go to their biggest rivals of the last 20 years doesn't sit well with their fans, nor Arsene for that matter.

"But it does happen. You just have to move on."

With four games remaining, Arsenal are in a three-way race for the Champions League spots given to the top-four teams, alongside Tottenham and Chelsea.

Arsenal are third with 63 points, two ahead of Tottenham, who have a game in hand, in fifth.

"We have no room to drop points," Wenger said. "This is another vital game for us to get the points we want.

'We are on a very strong run. We need total desire, commitment and focus to achieve what we want."

Giggs Salutes 'Brilliant' RvP

Ryan Giggs has long been familiar with Robin van Persie’s talents but admits even he has been surprised by the Dutchman this season.

Though Giggs became well acquainted with van Persie’s fearsome goalscoring ability during the striker’s spell at Arsenal, his appreciation of him has since grown.

"I don't know if he has exceeded expectations because we all knew what he was capable of," Giggs told PA Sport. "But sometimes you don't realise just by playing against them how good they actually are.

"When you train with them every day and play with them every week it is different. That has definitely been the case with Robin. We knew about his goalscoring but it is his all-round play. He is a brilliant player – long may that continue."

Sir Alex has insisted he’s "not bothered" about the potentially hostile reception van Persie will receive on his return to Arsenal, for whom he scored 132 goals in eight seasons.

Giggs believes there will be no problem on the pitch and hopes the frontman gets some recognition from the Emirates Stadium fans.

"I think the players will give Robin the respect he deserves," the Welshman added. "You might get certain fans who are not happy because he was their best player and he scored so many goals for them. You are going to be disappointed as a fan when someone like that leaves your club.

"We are happy he came to us and has had such a tremendous season. Hopefully the fans will give him the respect he deserves but you can't always guarantee that with fans because he was such a good player."

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Reds Agree Gloops Deal



Japanese company gloops is the club’s first social gaming partner

(NYSE:MANU) Manchester United, one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, today (Thursday) hosted a launch event to celebrate its new sponsorship agreement with gloops, Japan’s leading social gaming company.

The new two-year regional sponsorship will see gloops become the club’s first Official Social Gaming Partner, allowing them the right to create and distribute a statistical-based battle card social game in Japan.

Manchester United has almost four million followers in Japan and the addition of gloops to the club’s family of sponsors follows on from a number of sponsorship agreements with some of the country’s most successful brands.

Founded in 2005, gloops was originally an advertising agency before diversifying into the online social gaming industry. Much like Manchester United, the company started from humble beginnings, employing just six people. Now, just eight years on, they employ over 600 across offices in Japan, the U.S. and Vietnam.

gloops has an annual turnover of ¥2.4 billion and produces 19 different games, boasting over 18 million members in Japan. The company has also been awarded one of the most prestigious social gaming awards in Japan.

Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold comments:

"Our partnership with gloops is a first for the club and we are delighted that they are now part of the Manchester United family.

"gloops is a market leader in what is still very much an emerging industry. They are at the forefront of social gaming’s development in Japan and we believe they can help the club deepen our engagement with many of our four million followers in Japan.

"This is a very important territory for us, which is one of the reasons we chose to visit Japan as part of our Tour 2013, and we are very pleased to be able to offer fans innovative digital content from gloops.

"We are delighted to see this partnership bring Manchester United closer to a greater number of people through the distribution of new games and joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. I know the Manchester United Foundation is keen to explore ways that it can work with gloops in this important area."

gloops president Shinsuke Kawakata comments:

"We are delighted to be launching our partnership with Manchester United, to create new game titles for the club’s millions of Japanese fans.

"As well as providing sports themed content to our 18 million users, gloops has also been an avid supporter of sports fans and athletes through our CSR programme, which was launched last year.

"Through our CSR programme we have already offered our local community tickets to baseball matches, as well as making donations to the TOMODACHI Project, a Japan-US initiative under the public and private sector partnership."

Paul McGrath: Man. United Should Offer Ferdinand A New Deal



Former defender Paul McGrath believes Manchester United should offer Rio Ferdinand a new contract.

Having just won a sixth title at Old Trafford, the 34-year-old centre-back's current deal expires this summer.

"I would go along with giving him a new contract. Watching some of his performances, he's as cool as he's ever been," McGrath told BBC Red Wednesday.

"When he plays he makes it look so simple you think it's over-confidence, but it's just he's that good."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes centre-back Ferdinand could play for another "two or three years" and McGrath, who made over 200 appearances for the Red Devils in the 1980s, said: "I would love to see him getting another contract because I think it's in his blood that he's got that winning mentality.

"He loves the club, you can see that in the way he plays, he doesn't like getting beat and he's screaming at people who make mistakes; those people are winners in football and Rio is one of them."

Ferdinand has had to manage fitness concerns for a number of years and last month controversially pulled out of the England squad for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Former Republic of Ireland centre-back McGrath was troubled by knee problems throughout his career and knows better than most what Ferdinand has to do to prepare for games.

"I did get a lot of time off at Aston Villa when I didn't train with the team, I did bicycle exercises so I wasn't involved so much with actual team until the Saturday," he added.

"The other lads accepted that, they didn't call you out and I think that is what Rio needs.

"He knows his own body, he knows what he can and can't do and the great thing is that when he walks on the pitch on a Saturday you are getting the performances you are at the moment."

Rio Ferdinand's medal haul
6 Premier League titles: 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13

2 League Cups: 2004-05, 2008-09

1 Champions League: 2007-08

1 Fifa Club World Cup: 2008

* Ferdinand was serving an eight-month suspension when United won the FA Cup in 2004

Zaha Starstruck By Manchester United Move



Wilfried Zaha admits he will be starstruck when he becomes a regular member of Manchester United's squad.

The 20-year-old winger was signed by the Premier League champions in January before being loaned back to Selhurst Park for the remainder of the season.

But Zaha will be with United from the summer when he will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Robin van Persie, Ryan Giggs and fellow England international Wayne Rooney.

And the young winger admits it will be slightly overwhelming, as he said in The Sun: "I am just anxious and excited. I cannot wait. It will be something different.

"When I walk into that dressing room at United, I do not know what I will feel. I will keep my head down as I am there to play football.

"But I have to admit I will be a bit starstruck. Van Persie and Giggs will be in there, wow. Rooney will be in there, amazing. How can I not be looking forward to this?

"I have to be patient. I do not expect to walk in and play week in, week out. Once I get the chance I will take it."

Zaha has also revealed he is an Arsenal fan and he was surprised when United made a move for him instead.

He said: "It was always Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal in terms of where I could be going.

"I have always supported Arsenal. I did not expect United to come in but they did. Arsenal are a good team but United are one of the best in the world."

Robin's Respect For Ryan

Robin van Persie has revealed that it is an honour to train and play alongside Ryan Giggs.

The Welsh midfield maestro ensured a 13th title medal is on its way into his overstocked cabinet with a key role in the 3-0 victory against Aston Villa, setting up two of van Persie's three goals.

After signing a one-year contract extension, the veteran has been told by Sir Alex Ferguson that he can carry on for another couple of seasons.

"I was quite pleased we got the early goal and it was a great pass by Giggs," van Persie informed MUTV in an exclusive interview.

"It is an honour for me to play and train with him. It really is. I told him as well.

"Every training session, with the way he trains and loves the game, he sets the example for every single one of us for old and for young.

"The way he plays, today he gave me two brilliant assists and, every single day, he's just unbelievable in training and during games.

"He's 39 now but you can't tell. He's fit and he works his socks off. He is a true example for young and old."

When asked if he thinks he can carry on playing until such an age, van Persie laughed: "You never know! I love the game so we'll see!"

Season Ticket Prices Frozen

Manchester United would like to thank all Season Ticket holders for their superb support over the course of this season’s title-winning campaign.

There’s no doubt the fans played a huge role in roaring the Reds on to a 20th league title on Monday night, and we’re sure the atmosphere inside Old Trafford will be just as electric for the two remaining home games this season, against Chelsea and Swansea City (both sold out).

The club are also delighted to announce that Season Ticket prices have been frozen for 2013/14, meaning fans won’t pay a penny more next term to watch the champions attempt to defend English football’s most prestigious trophy.

Manchester United Parade 'Will Not Overshadow City'

A victory parade for Manchester United's 20th league title will not overshadow any celebrations rivals Manchester City hold if they win the FA Cup, a council chief has said.

United will hold an open-top bus parade through Manchester on Monday 13 May.

It comes two days after Manchester City are due to play Wigan in the FA Cup final at Wembley, on Saturday 11 May.

Pat Karney said City have not made any decisions about a parade because their trophy is yet to be won.

The team are favourites to win the FA Cup and if so, would usually be expected to parade the cup around the city the Monday after the game.

About 100,000 City fans packed into Manchester when the club won the Premier League last year.

Manchester United regained the Premier League crown from their local rivals when they clinched their 20th league title on Monday night with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.

The Barclays Premier League trophy will be presented at United's final home game of the season against Swansea City, just after the final whistle, on Sunday 12 May.

The club said its parade the following day would start at Old Trafford in the early evening and finish in the city centre, but details are yet to be finalised.

Mr Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman, said: "We will go out of our way to make sure that City fans have a full celebration.

"Forget some of the traditions, forget some of the dates. We have two world class clubs, let's celebrate that.

"These are always complicated but take it from me, who is at the centre of some of these negotiations, there is no competition between City and United over these dates."

A spokesman for the city council added that Manchester City had never discussed or requested having a parade on Monday 13 May, or any other date.

"Any suggestion about there being competition for that date is entirely unfounded," he said.

Strachan: Sir Alex Ferguson 'Could Defy God'

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says Sir Alex Ferguson is "the best psychologist in the world" and does not see an end in sight to the veteran Manchester United boss's career.

United clinched their 20th league title, Ferguson's 13th in 21 seasons, after beating Aston Villa on Monday.

"How long will he go on for? Forever," said Strachan about his former manager at Aberdeen, Scotland and Old Trafford.
"He'll just get angry with God and defy him as well."

Strachan was speaking as PFA Scotland launched its search for its manager of the year .

But, for the Scotland manager, few will ever come close to matching the heights reached by his fellow Scotsman, the 71-year-old Ferguson.

"I heard Sir Alex describe Ryan Giggs as a freak - he's in the same boat," said Strachan referring to the veteran Manchester United winger.

"But he's an even bigger freak because he is so good at his job.

"People keep telling me about sports psychologists and all the rest. That man is the best sports psychologist in the world.

"You only get these people once in a generation - he's the one."

England manager Roy Hodgson also hailed Ferguson.

"If we're talking about magic in football, the only magicians I know are people like Sir Alex," he said.

United legend Sir Bobby Charlton labelled Ferguson's side as one of the best in the club's history.

"Although it looks as though we haven't been playing attractive football, we've been winning with ease in lots of cases," United's record goalscorer told BBC Sport.

"It was impossible for anyone to follow us, we were right on song

"This is maybe one of the best squads of players that we have had."

England World Cup winner Charlton has a close relationship with the long-serving Scot but said he did not know how long Ferguson intended to carry on for.

"Everybody asks me when do I think he is going to retire? The answer is I don't know," he added.

"He'll maybe tell me. But, at the end of the day, he is such a motivator.

"He is in control totally with his squad and I'm happy just to say 'on you go Alex, just do it the way you have always done it'.

"Alex will already be planning for next year. As soon as we won that match on Monday, his thoughts will have turned to next season.

"We have got quite a busy tour in Asia and Australia in the summer. When the team returns from that it will be the start of another campaign to win the league again. And who is to stop him?"

Evans: Hungrier Than Ever

Jonny Evans tells ManUtd.com how it feels to be a champion again…

There is no better feeling than winning the league. This is my third one and I just want to keep building on that.

It was a great night on Monday and it was nice to be 3-0 up by half-time because we kind of knew we had the title in the bag. It was just a case of making sure Villa didn’t score and enjoying the evening. We wanted to score a few more goals but Villa played well in the second half and put us under a bit of pressure at times.

We wanted to go at Villa from the off. In the past we maybe haven’t scored enough goals early on in games. We’d been working on that in training all week, being positive in our forward play and you could see that right from the off against Villa. The work-rate from the lads was fantastic and Villa couldn’t really get out of their own half in that first half.

It was great to see Robin get his goals on Monday. He’s been absolutely fantastic this season. His work-rate and finishing ability are phenomenal. He wants to score goals and he’s disappointed when he doesn’t, even when we get the points. We’re really happy to see him get his first winners’ medal. He came here because of his respect for the philosophy of the club and it’s paid off for him.

He’s lifted everyone at the club. He was captain of Arsenal and obviously a very mature person and very respectful guy – he’s got a bit of an aura about him and has settled in brilliantly. You can tell by the way he plays and his whole demeanour that he is really enjoying things here.

Our away form has been a big factor in helping us win the league. It’s been phenomenal, particularly in the games against the big teams. We’ve won at City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle... those results gave us a big platform to go forward.

I think last season has been in the back of our minds and perhaps subconsciously it gave us an extra motivation. But we’re always determined to succeed here no matter what – you can’t keep thinking about last season going into every game. You have to look forward. That’s one of the great things about the manager – he is looking forward regardless of whether we win or lose the league.

We’ve got a lot of experience and players who are maturing at the right time – there is a great mix in the team. I can honestly say that we all come into training every day with a smile on our faces. It’s a great place to work – the staff are great to work with and there is a brilliant spirit and togetherness amongst everyone.

As I said earlier, winning the league is an unbelievable feeling. It’s a first title for some of the lads in the squad and it acts as great motivation for everyone. It makes you hungry for more. When you experience that feeling you don’t want anyone else to have that feeling. You develop a selfishness and a determination to experience that feeling again and again and hopefully that will be the case in the future.

Kagawa Feels He Could Have Offered More To Manchester United's Title Win



Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa admits he wishes he could have contributed more to his side's Premier League title winning season.

Kagawa, who arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund last summer, started his debut season at United brightly but suffered a knee injury in October which kept him sidelined for two months.

The 24-year-old scored five goals in 18 Premier League outings for the club, including his hat-trick in the 4-0 success over Norwich last month.

The Japan international has earned plaudits in his home country after helping United to a 20th league title but believes he could have offered more to Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

He said: "I was looking to produce even more results. I was injured and I felt things didn't go well easily.

"I had a lot of conflict, frustration and worries. In that sense, I think it has been a profound year.

"Honestly, I haven't contributed as much as I did at Dortmund.

"I was even injured. I still don't quite have that feeling of accomplishment."

Despite feeling he could have offered more on an individual level, Kagawa was pleased to be part of three successive title wins after helping Dortmund to back-to-back championships following his move from J-League club Cerezo Osaka in 2010.

The midfielder is hoping to build on that tally, adding: "I've managed to win three in a row. I think my career is bound to get better and better."

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Arsenal Independent Supporters Association Back Guard Of Honour For Manchester United

The Arsenal Independent Supporters Association feel the club were right to agree to a guard of honour for newly crowned champions Manchester United - in order to avoid accusations of pettiness.

United sealed a 20th domestic championship on Monday night when they beat Aston Villa 3-0 and the title winners have traditionally been clapped out onto the pitch in their next match.

United did as much when the title-winning Arsenal side went to Old Trafford at the end of the 1990-91 season and AISA feel it would be churlish to do otherwise.

AISA chair Lois Langton said: "I think we have to give the guard of honour, as I don't want us to look as though we are being petty by not giving the guard of honour.

"For it not to happen and for supporters not to acknowledge the Manchester United team as they come out would actually boost Robin van Persie's ego.

"I would rather us just acknowledge them and then get on with the game - otherwise the focus will be on Robin van Persie, rather than the Arsenal team, which is what we are supposed to be going there to support.

"Having said that, the reality is he will get a hot reception.

"Football is a game of passion and emotion, and there are a large amount of supporters who feel very strongly about the circumstances in which Van Persie left.

"We had the seven years of him being injured with us, then he had his one injury-free good season, and at the end of that he decided to leave.

"The statement he came out with when he left, which I think he felt showed he identified with supporters, actually showed how very far removed he was from supporters.

"He completely called it wrong, he did not appreciate how Arsenal supporters felt about him and about the club.

"He alienated himself from supporters by the way in which he brought about his move, that is still felt very strongly by Arsenal supporters and is what is going to generate the response that he is going to get when he comes back on Sunday."

David Gill Expects Manchester City Response

Manchester United chief executive David Gill expects Manchester City to come back fighting next season following their failure to defend the Premier League title.

United secured their 20th league title on Monday night to end their fierce rivals' hopes of lifting the trophy for a second successive year.

Gill, who will step down from his position in the summer to push for a place on UEFA's executive committee, expects City to respond next term.

"I'm sure they will come back," he said. "They've got some ambitious plans on their investment and their academy. But that's what the excitement of the Premier League is.

"I'm sure all the clubs who missed out this season will be doing business in the summer - as we will be - with a view to come back all guns blazing next year."

Gill also credited United's owners the Glazers, who have overseen five title wins and Champions League success since completing a takeover in May 2005.

A minority of United's fans continue to criticise the Florida-based owners but Gill said: "They have shown that what happens on the pitch is crucial to the club's ambitions off it.

"There are still a small number of dissenters and they will always be there and they have had long held views which they are not going to change. We respect those, but ultimately, someone has to own the club.

"They [Glazers] get the personal enjoyment and the important thing is that there is really no ego about them. They operate behind the scenes here, they don't walk around saying 'we own the club', and they are very mindful of the traditions and the history of the club and people.

"Clearly, if you own an asset and it comes up with winning a 20th title, it's unbelievable."

Trophy Plans Confirmed

Sir Alex Ferguson and his players will have the chance to share the 20th title success with fans during an open-top bus parade through Manchester on Monday 13 May.

The Reds clinched a 20th league title earlier this week following a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa and the club has now confirmed that the Barclays Premier League trophy will be presented at the final home game of the season against Swansea City, shortly after the final whistle, on Sunday 12 May.

The champions will then parade the trophy through Manchester on Monday 13 May. The parade will commence at Old Trafford in the early evening and finish in the city centre.

Carrick: Recovery Never In Doubt



Michael Carrick insists there was never any doubt in the Manchester United dressing room that the players would recover from the heartbreak of losing the title in such dramatic fashion last season.

After losing out on goal difference to Manchester City in the final seconds of the 2011/12 campaign, the Reds were determined to bounce back with a vengeance this time round.

A 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night ensured a 20th league title for the club and helped banish the harrowing memories of last May.

“It hurt and it wasn't pleasant but we pretty much started thinking about this season straightaway,” Carrick told reporters. “It was said in the dressing room (at Sunderland, on the final day of 2011/12) 'remember this feeling'. It wasn't pleasant. Even coming to the end of this season, we had a decent gap, but we didn't want to let it slip because we know what it felt like.

“There are not many teams who could have come back from that. It was devastating. But we came back for the start of the season, got out on the pitch, started playing well and getting points. I am proud of being part of that. The character of the lads is incredible. Not many teams could have done that.”

This latest title triumph is Carrick’s fifth as a Red and he insists his hunger to win more is only getting stronger.

“I said before I came here that if I won a league that would have meant everything to me. Strange as it is though, as soon as I won that first league it left me hungry for more,” he explains.

“Whether that is from being here, or just the feeling that came with the opportunity for getting more here, I don't know. Before I came here one trophy would have been a big success from where I came from. But the satisfaction of winning it is such a good feeling you want it again and again, and you get hungrier to win it again.

“I definitely want more,” he added. “The season is not over yet, we haven't even got the trophy, but we will come back next year and give it everything again. We will be as hungry as ever. That is how we bounce back from this so well. Regardless of whether we have been successful the year before or not, we are trying to achieve again. What is gone is gone. We lost against City and we bounced back. It is something we pride ourselves on.”

Giggs's Manchester United Loyalty Praised By Michel Platini



Ryan Giggs has been hailed by Uefa president Michel Platini for staying loyal to Manchester United.

The Welshman was in the Red Devils team which secured the title with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday night.

United have now won the Premier League 13 times and Giggs has featured in all of those title-winning campaigns.

"That is beautiful. I like the people that fight for their colours and don't change [clubs] every two months to make business," Platini said.

"He's a guy who would never change clubs."

Giggs played a prominent role in United's win over Villa at Old Trafford, setting up two of Robin van Persie's three goals.

Cardiff-born Giggs has spent his entire career at Manchester United since making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 1991.

The 39-year-old made his 1,000th senior appearance this season and signed a new one-year contract with United in March.

And Uefa president Platini, a former France captain, says Giggs's loyalty is to be admired.

"To make business you have to change clubs often. It's a pity we change, change, change but I know why we change.

"It's not because to be at better clubs, it's to have better money.

"Ryan Giggs is totally different. It's important to create an identity and it's important that one guy for one club fights for the colours."

Valencia Wants United Stay

Antonio Valencia has revealed that he hopes to end his career at Manchester United.

The 27-year-old winger - who has two years left on his current deal - also played down rumours, which he believes emanated in his homeland, that he was looking to leave the club this summer.

"Neither the club or the coach have said anything about that (leaving Manchester United), I think it was a rumour that came about in Ecuador more than anywhere else," the Ecuadorian ace told Radio La Deportiva.

"This [Manchester] is my home, I would like to stay here for a lot longer and retire here before going back to Ecuador."

Valencia admits that it has taken him time to physically get over the broken leg he suffered in September 2010 against Rangers in the Champions League.

"When I had the problem with my leg I recovered mentally without any difficulty," he said.

"But the problem with my back was something that affected me for a lot longer, but now I am fine and physically much better."

Valencia was talking after helping United to clinch the Premier League title on Monday against Aston Villa.

"I am very happy, this is my second championship here," he said.

"I have the confidence that the coach has given me and when you go into a match with the confidence of the team, it gives you extra motivation."

England Boss Roy Hodgson Hails 'Magician' Sir Alex Ferguson

England boss Roy Hodgson has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson after he claimed his 13th league championship with Manchester United.

Ferguson secured the title on Monday after a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, and Hodgson was the latest to add his praise for the veteran United chief.

"It is incredible, the most incredible thing is being able to do it, year after year," he told Sky Sports.

"There is no doubt there is a certain lack of appetite that comes with winning things, it is very difficult to be as hungry for your second title as you were for your first so it must be even harder for your 25th title, or whatever it is if we take all Alex's titles together.

"And we are talking about someone with incredible ability and an incredible ability to keep himself fresh, just how many teams has he rebuilt? His teams have won 13 league titles and goodness knows how many cups, so there is not much we can say really other than we would all like to know how he does it and we would all like to know the secret.

"And if we talk about magic in football the only magicians I know are people like Sir Alex Ferguson who year after year keep producing incredible performances from his teams and players and keeps building teams from the ashes of the previous teams."

Hodgson was speaking at the National Football Centre, where England's first ever manager has been celebrated.

Hodgson and the centre's chairman David Sheepshanks revealed a new statue of Sir Walter Winterbottom, who would have turned 100 last month.

United legend Sir Bobby Charlton insists thoughts have already turned to retaining their crown next season.

"Alex will already be planning next year," said the 75-year-old. "As soon as we won against Villa, his thoughts will have been on next year.

"We've got quite a busy tour of Asia and Australia in the summer and then when they come back from that it will be the start of the campaign to win the league again and who is to stop him?"

Ferguson, 71, has flirted with retirement in the past but shows no sign of calling it a day at the moment having clocked up 26 years at Old Trafford.

"He never talks about it and I wouldn't deem to talk about it myself, really," said Charlton.

"What I want is for it to continue the way it is at the moment.

"But we all get older and Alex will get older, the decision will be made and it will be a sensational performance because he has a great talent for winning.

"He wants to win and I think some of the newspapers would love to find out what Alex is going to do with his future. But I can't help you, because I don't know.

"And I don't ask any questions, either, just in case I trigger something!

"But he's been marvellous and everything that Manchester United wanted. He's been a major success and is the greatest manager there's ever been. It's unquestioned.

"But if you wanted to find out when he's going to change and have someone else in command, the only person who will ever give you a proper answer is Alex."

Charlton, who visited St George's Park to attend the unveiling of a bust of legendary England manager Sir Walter Winterbottom, cannot praise Ferguson's methods highly enough.

"He is such a motivator and he's in control totally of his squad," he said. "I'm happy just to say 'on you go, Al, you just do it the way you've always done it'.

"It shows in the performances and the goals that we're scoring. We have lots and lots of goalscorers now and most of them are pretty young, so the future looks pretty good.

"He reads the game and knows the game. He finds that young players are really important in the future of the club.

"Then when you've got someone like Robin van Persie, at 29, he has been a success. Alex wants the younger players who come through to be that successful too."

Van Persie has admitted his wonder volley at Old Trafford last night was his best goal for United.

His boss believes the sublime effort deserves to clinch the goal-of-the-season prize.

And whilst Van Persie accepts there was an element of good fortune about his effort, the former Arsenal man recognises it was a special strike.

"It is hard," Van Persie told MUTV. "Maybe if you look at the day, the occasion and the importance of the goal it was my best one.

"It was a great pass from Wayne (Rooney) for a start. He had to spot my run because I went in front of Ron Vlaar.

"It was straight into my path. I was counting my steps. The only thing I had to do was time it right and keep my body straight, level with the ball.

"You need to be a bit lucky with those goals because most of them go over or wide. That didn't, which was a big relief."

Sir Bobby Charlton Won't Consider When Sir Alex Ferguson May Retire

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton is refusing to even consider when Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as manager.

United's 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night sealed the club's 20th league title and Ferguson's 13th during his 26-year tenure at Old Trafford.

The Scotsman may be 71 and, despite having flirted with the idea of retirement in the past, he shows no sign of letting up at the moment.

"He never talks about it and I wouldn't deem to talk about it myself, really. What I want is for it to continue the way it is at the moment," said Charlton.

"But we all get older and Alex will get older, the decision will be made and it will be a sensational performance because he has a great talent for winning.

"He wants to win and I think some of the newspapers would love to find out what Alex is going to do with his future. But I can't help you, because I don't know.

"I don't ask any questions, either, just in case I trigger something!

"But he's been marvellous and everything that Manchester United wanted. He's been a major success and is the greatest manager there's ever been. It's unquestioned.

"But if you wanted to find out when he's going to change and have someone else in command, the only person who will ever give you a proper answer is Alex."

Charlton also attempted to sum up why Ferguson has been such a success as United manager.

"He is such a motivator and he's in control totally of his squad," added Charlton.

"I'm happy just to say 'on you go, Al, you just do it the way you've always done it'.

"It shows in the performances and the goals that we're scoring. We have lots and lots of goalscorers now and most of them are pretty young, so the future looks pretty good.

"He reads the game and knows the game. He finds that young players are really important in the future of the club.

"Then when you've got someone like Robin van Persie, at 29, he has been a success. Alex wants the younger players who come through to be that successful too.

"How he does it is a question of talent that only Alex can answer. He knows everything about the game."

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Jones Central To Reds' Success



Amid the giddy excitement of Monday's title-clinching celebrations at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson enthused about the current quality of his squad and its potential for improvement, and in Phil Jones he says "arguably, the way he's looking, he could be our best ever player.”

That's some statement considering the talent the United manager has witnessed, but his finest servant to date, Ryan Giggs, believes Jones will be "outstanding" for years to come.

The 21-year-old’s display in the heart of United’s defence against Aston Villa was another excellent showing at centre-back. Jones has also featured at right-back and in central midfield in his short Reds career, but Giggs viewed Monday's accomplished display as a spoiler for the path the youngster’s career will ultimately take.

“He was outstanding tonight,” Giggs told Sky Sports. “Phil is one of those players who's that good he can play midfield or right-back, but I think tonight you've seen his position. Every time he plays at centre-half he's outstanding.”

In just two seasons at Old Trafford, Jones has sampled searing highs and sapping lows, and Giggs says the former Blackburn Rovers defender will benefit from a well-rounded education.

“He's such a young lad, that he'll only get better and better, and experiences like last year and this year will help him,” said the 39-year-old. “Disappointment can also help you in some ways. There are a lot of young players in there who have learned from last season and have gone on and played really well consistently this season, which is hard for a young player.”

Carrick: It Gets More Special



Michael Carrick says the feeling of winning the league title is something that gets more special every time.

The Reds clinched a 20th league title on Monday night after a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa and this latest triumph was Carrick's fifth as a Red, an experience he will never tire of.

"It is an incredible achievement. Every year we win it just gets more special. The sense of achievement gets greater, for the manager and the club," he told PA Sport and the Manchester Evening News.

"This was a special one this year, the way we ended last year. We could have gone two ways and let it affect us and faded away. But we bounced back. We are proud of all the lads for showing their character.

"We were written off at the start of the season, as we are most seasons, but we have managed to come out on top. It is a special feeling."

Carrick also paid tribute to team-mate Ryan Giggs who has now won 13 Premier League titles. "You keep talking about him but what else is there left to say! It is sensational that he is still able to do that after all this time," added the 31-year-old.

"It is not just physical, it is mental, having the drive and desire to do it every day. The standard he has set is unbelievable. He is a legend. It is a throwaway comment too often. But he is a legend. It is a pleasure to play with him and work with him every day."

Rio: Don't Compare Title 20

Rio Ferdinand says it is “pointless” trying to compare the current Manchester United team with those from bygone eras, saying he is content enough with securing a place in Reds history.

The veteran defender helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s men claim the Barclays Premier League crown on Monday night after a 3-0 win over Aston Villa. And with four games still to play there is a chance of surpassing the 91 points gathered by the then-record breaking 1999/2000 title-winning team, and Chelsea’s current record 95 points set in 2004/05.

But, rather than looking at the past, Ferdinand is keen to focus on the here and now, and explains why the present day United team's sole focus is success no matter what the circumstances are.

“I think it is pointless trying to compare teams because it is different eras,” Rio told MUTV. “It makes good pub talk and good media talk, but for us, it is neither here nor there – it’s about winning.

“We’re going to have a winners’ medal by the end of the season and we are delighted about that. To compare us is a waste of time. We respect all of the teams that have gone before us, but we just want to be part of this club’s history."

Reclaiming the title this season is made even sweeter in the context of last season's disappointment – losing out on goal difference on the final day - and Ferdinand feels credit is deserved for the way the team has responded.

“I think that just shows the resilience and the attitude in the squad that the manager has instilled in us,” Rio said. “A lot of other teams would probably have fallen away.

“We played Liverpool a couple of seasons ago when they were fighting for the title, we beat them and got to the league before them and they’ve not been seen since. That shows the mentality and character that this club has.” Ferdinand has now won six league titles at Old Trafford, a feeling that does not diminish over time.

“Winning can’t get boring,” he says. “It’s always sweet when you win the title and it’s nice to do it here at Old Trafford and in the right way, in style. We have won it outright and comfortably.

“I am still loud as ever, I have already lost my voice but you have got to enjoy it," Rio explained. “To be honest with you, we have been a little bit laxidasical about it when we had won a couple in the past, moving on quite quickly. But you have to enjoy it, especially when you get to my age.”