Saturday, February 16, 2013

Vidic and Ferdinand no longer Manchester United's first-choice pairing, admits Sir Alex Ferguson

The Red Devils boss feels that the successful partnership at the heart of his pace-setting team's defence may have to give way to the emerging figure of Jonny Evans

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has acknowledged that Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic may no longer be his first-choice pairing at centre-back.

The Serbian played the entire 90 minutes at Old Trafford against Everton on Sunday but was left out of the side which earned a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in midweek, with Rio Ferdinand coming in to replace him.

The United boss admitted that it was a risk leaving the 31-year-old out of the Champions League tie but ultimately believes that he did the right thing in rotating his two senior centre-backs.


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30/1	Jonny Evans is 30/1 with BetVictor to score the first goal in Manchester United v Reading

"I had my doubts about whether I was doing the right thing or not because he was fantastic against Everton but I stuck by what we’ve been doing with him," Sir Alex told The Sun. "Three days [between games] to my mind was a risk.

"It would have been the same for Ferdinand; if he had played on the Sunday I would have had my doubts whether to play him on Wednesday."

Jonny Evans played both matches for the Red Devils and Sir Alex believes that the Northern Irishman is developing into an outstanding player.

The 71-year-old added: "Jonny has emerged as a real top defender and his form has been fantastic.

"The thing about young players, particularly defenders, when you get consistency from them you know you’re on the right track with them. I think Jonny has shown great consistency in the last year.

"If you remember what I said about last year, it wasn’t until Ferdinand and Evans played regularly together that we got a run going."

Friday, February 15, 2013

Scholes suffers injury setback, Sir Alex Ferguson says

The veteran midfielder missed the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid with a knee concern but had been expected to return for the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Reading.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Paul Scholes is set to miss two additional weeks through injury.
The 38-year-old midfielder has been struggling with a knee problem that forced him to sit out the side's mid-week UEFA Champions League trip to the Bernabeu in Madrid, with the initial hope of involvement against Reading in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday.

Ferguson revealed on Friday that the veteran is sidelined for "another couple of weeks," though after having a bit of a setback.

"It is a knee injury, which has been bothering him a bit," Ferguson told reporters. "We have tried another treatment during the week. He will probably be back in another couple of weeks."

On a more positive note, Ferguson confirmed that the squad came away from Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid unscathed, but he will be making changes for the visit of Reading in three days’ time.

"I will make some [changes]," Ferguson said. "We want to get to the quarterfinals (of the FA Cup), and we do expect to qualify."
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

De Gea: Casillas could be missed

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is ready to renew his rivalry with Real Madrid - albeit without a familiar face at the opposite end of the Bernabeu.

Real's legendary number one Iker Casillas will miss Wednesday's Champions League match after suffering a fracture in his left hand and De Gea admitted it's a significant piece of team news when asked about it at United's pre-match press conference.
"Every time Iker Casillas is not there, he is a great loss," said De Gea, a former servant of Real's local rivals Atletico Madrid.
"It is a great loss because he is the captain of Real Madrid and Spain. But Real have two other keepers who can play as well as Casillas does."
When Casillas came off with the injury, early in last month's Copa del Rey match at Valencia, he was replaced by substitute keeper Antonio Adan. But Jose Mourinho has since signed the more experienced Diego Lopez, who began his career at Real and was in goal when Los Blancos beat Sevilla 4-1 at the weekend.
Ex-United star Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in that game, as De Gea is acutely aware.

Rafael prepared for Ronaldo

Rafael hopes he is perfectly prepared for the likely assignment of keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Sir Alex Ferguson hinted some time ago that he would pin his faith in the Brazilian to keep Ronaldo in check, which may seem a tall order considering the former United favourite's current form.
However, Rafael has been impressing all term and was the outstanding player in Sunday's 2-0 victory against Everton, while also managing to stifle man-of-the-moment Gareth Bale during the recent draw at Tottenham.
Not only will these factors give confidence to the South American but he has also stressed that Ronaldo is not an unknown quantity after coming up against him in training many times at Carrington.
When asked by United Review about Bale, Rafael replied: "He’s quick. I have to say that he is very quick! If you concentrate, and that’s the key word, and read the game, it helps.
"It’s important because he’s quicker than me, even though I am quick as well. Sometimes if you can read the ball before it gets to him, it can be effective."
In terms of whether marking Bale could be seen as good practice for coming face-to-face with Ronaldo, he said: "Of course. They are both very quick but maybe they are just different. Ronaldo is right-footed and plays a different type of game. He can come inside and shoot with power but both of them are tough players to come up against.
"I think I know Ronaldo as I trained with him. I know what he can do because I played and trained
with him a lot. So he’s not the type of opponent where you would say he is good but I don’t know what he can do. I know what he can do. I trained with him so, yes, it could be a help.
"To be honest, he helped me a lot when I arrived here. He took me aside and helped me outside of the pitch a lot because I did not speak English very well and obviously he is Portuguese.
"For me, he’s the best player in the world. I think he is the complete player and I really like him. I think he is the number one."

Ando will enjoy Real test

Anderson says a combination of concentration and enjoyment will be vital to Manchester United’s mentality in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Reds touched down in Spain on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the first-leg clash in the pick of the last 16 ties. But while the Brazilian midfielder insists that the players are fully focused on the task in hand, he adds that it is just as important to enjoy an occasion as big as Wednesday night.
“These are the games you want to play in. We know we have to be very focused but it’s also important to enjoy games like this,” he told ManUtd.com.
“It will be a hard game. Of course, Madrid are a big team but we are a big team too, with quality players and experienced players. We are playing well and looking forward to it.
“Concentration is going to be very important. Everyone knows it’s not a normal game – it’s a big match – but you have to try
and play your normal football and work hard together as a team. Hopefully we can come back with a good result and finish the job at Old Trafford.”
Of course, Wednesday’s meeting will see a reunion with Anderson’s close friend Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian says the pair remain in regular contact but maintains football will come before friendship come kick-off.
“I talk a lot with Cristiano, but not just him. Pepe is my friend too, we played in Portugal together. We are all great friends, but when you step out on the pitch no-one is friends because we all want to win!”

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mourinho talks up Real Madrid-Manchester United clash

The Portuguese has expressed his excitement at the upcoming Champions League fixture while also re-affirming his "fantastic relationship" with counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson

Jose Mourinho has described Real Madrid's mouth-watering Champions League clash with Manchester United as "the match the world is waiting for".

United travel to Bernabeu for the first leg of their last-16 tie in midweek, and the los Blancos boss was seen at Old Trafford to watch the current Premier League leaders defeat Everton 2-0 and extend the gap between themselves and Manchester City to 12 points at the top of the table.
And despite the attractions of Bayern Munich taking on Arsenal and AC Milan facing off against Barcelona in the same round of the competition, Mourinho believes the tie between his own side and United is the main lure for spectators.

"It is the match the world is waiting for," Mourinho told MUTV.
"The world is not waiting for other matches in the Champions League, so I hope we can give the world what they are waiting for."
Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson are known to enjoy a good relationship and the former, who has won the Champions League on two occasions with both Porto and Inter, was quick to praise his managerial counterpart.
"I feel privileged about that because he is such an important person in the world of football and, more importantly than that, he is good person," Mourinho added.
"I have always had a fantastic relationship and I am proud of it. We have had so many matches between us which started with Porto. We had some with Chelsea, Inter and now Real. At all of my clubs I have met Manchester United and Sir Alex.
"Of course, I want to win and he wants to win, but I believe the loser will have a little bit of space to feel a little bit happy because of the friendship, but I want to win."

Monday, February 11, 2013

Manchester United - Real Madrid not all about Ronaldo, claims Evans

Feb 12, 2013 12:45:00 AM

The Red Devils centre-back believes there is more to los Blancos than the Portugal star and that both clubs have a lot of expectation to live up to ahead of their clash this week

Jonny Evans claims that Manchester United's game against Real Madrid is not all about Cristiano Ronaldo facing his former club.

The Northern Ireland international believes that the clash is the highlight of the round due to the history between the two clubs and not the Portuguese star.

"I am sure one or two of the lads have kept in contact and Nani was on international duty with him," Evans told the club's official website.

"I don't know if he has spoken to anyone but I am sure he is looking forward to the game as much as we are.

"But I don't think it is just about Cristiano Ronaldo. It goes back further. There is the history of the two clubs. It is the glamour tie of the round. Everyone is looking forward to it."

While Evans took time to hail Ronaldo's improvement since leaving United, he warned that Jose Mourinho's side contain several other players who could damage the Red Devils on Wednesday.

"Cristiano has changed his game. He has adapted," he added.

"When he was playing here, he was a right or left winger and expected to work back a lot. That was the way we played. I don't think Real Madrid play like that. He has adapted his game to suit them."

"They don't just have Cristiano Ronaldo who can hurt you.

"They have a lot of different players who can cause you problems. He will be the one everyone will be looking to as the man to stop and we have to make sure we keep him quiet.

"We have had a great recent record in the Champions League until last year," Evans added. "We have gathered that experience to make sure that we do progress and get to finals and semi-finals.

"I suppose Real Madrid have always had that. You are expected and if you don't do it, there is uproar. We have that pressure on us. I am sure it will be a great occasion and everyone is looking forward to it as much as we are."

Ferdinand: Ronaldo will get fantastic reception from Manchester United fans

Feb 11, 2013 8:50:00 PM

The centre-back believes everyone will want to watch the Champions League clash and recalls the disappointment of the 2003 defeat to Blancos

Rio Ferdinand expects Manchester United fans to cheer Cristiano Ronaldo when the Real Madrid attacker comes back to Old Trafford in their Champions League last-16 tie.

Tuesday's match at the Santiago Bernabeu will see the Portuguese face his former club as the two giants meet for the first time since an enthralling 6-5 aggregate Champions League quarter-final win for Madrid in 2003.

Ferdinand stated that while he had previously kept in contact with Ronaldo, who won three successive Premier Leagues and a Champions League at Old Trafford, this would stop in the run up to the match.

"We've had a few texts, but when you get into a situation like this when you're coming up against a friend, all the texts and the conversations go to one side and you don't really speak until you actually get the game over and done with," the defender told Uefa's official website.

"The fans appreciated him when he was here and since he's been gone they sing his name. He came here a young boy and left a world-class player. He showed a lot of respect when he left and still does."

He explained that defending against Ronaldo would be crucial to progressing, and continued: "You get as many people around the ball when Ronaldo’s got it as possible!

"Madrid are that good a side you have to make sure you're set up right and that your team are in good positions all over the pitch to defend.

"It'll be a game that everyone will be tuning into because there's so much attached to it."

Ferdinand also recalled the 2003 quarter-final defeat against Madrid, in which a 4-3 win in the second leg at Old Trafford was not enough to overturn a 3-1 deficit.

"In the away game – they really played us off the park if I'm honest," he stated.

"Raul was just difficult to get up against. In terms of making you think, he definitely was the most intelligent player I've played against."

The Red Devils failed to get past the group stage last year, and the year before saw a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, the same venue for the climax of this year's competition.

"It'd be nice to go back there and put what happened last time right," Ferdinand said.

"We went there and we didn't give a great account of ourselves. Lionel Messi, in the two Champions League finals we played against him, was the main difference really."

Sir Alex wary of Real

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Real Madrid’s indifferent form is a boost for Manchester United ahead of Wednesday’s colossal clash in the UEFA Champions League – although the Reds boss is wary of underestimating a team that has set its sights firmly on European success.
Los Blancos are currently 16 points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona and have recently slipped up against Granada, Valencia and Osasuna to all but end their hopes of retaining a Spanish title that was won in such admirable fashion last season.
As a result, the pressure is on manager Jose Mourinho to deliver on the continent and end an 11-year wait for the European Cup, meaning the Portuguese is likely to rotate his squad domestically in order to prioritise the much-hyped second round tie with United.
“I think their target is the European Cup,” Sir Alex said when quizzed on Real’s priorities. “They got a bad start in the league and were chasing their tail a bit because Barcelona’s form has been incredible. I think Jose has set his targets firmly on the European Cup, no doubt about that.
“It can be harder for us but there’s a bit of pressure for them too. At this moment in time we’re involved in three things. Jose has still got the semi final of the Copa del Rey, they play Barca next week and then again in a league game before we play them on the Tuesday at Old Trafford. So they’ve got a big programme themselves.
"You look at English football and say it’s a very, very difficult programme and every game is hard but you look at Madrid’s programme at the moment and it’s also very difficult. Every game is hard.
“Maybe in Jose’s situation he can make changes simply because the priority is the European Cup, but Real never want to lose to Barca so he has to play a strong team in that game. But I think both teams are in a programme of playing game after game so it’ll be interesting."

Ronaldo destined for greatness

Sir Alex Ferguson believes it was "obvious" that Cristiano Ronaldo would one day be recognised as one of the world's greatest footballers.
The Manchester United manager has also joked to reporters that he might resort to underhand tactics in a bid to shackle his former star during Wednesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie in Madrid.
“Ronaldo’s form, I have to say, is pivotal to everything Real Madrid do," Sir Alex said. "His goal tally - 179 goals in 178 games - tells its own story. I think I will have to bring a bit of blackmail to it and tell the true story of him!
"He's a fantastic player and I knew he would do well and improve tremendously in Madrid. He was still youngish when he left us and it was obvious he was going to be a top player in the world, no doubt about that.
“When he first came, he was a boy who wanted to display all his tricks and technical abilities but, bit by bit, he overcame all the little flaws in his game because he’s an absolutely rounded player.
“His last game of his last season for us... well in almost every one, he created five chances, sometimes more, by himself. He was unbelievable.”
Earlier this season, Ronaldo sent ripples throughout football by telling reporters "I am unhappy and the club knows why", prompting rumours of an imminent departure from the Spanish capital and a possible return to United, where he made just under 300 appearances during six trophy-laden years.
Ronny, as he’s affectionately known, has since declared his displeasure has passed but says he is still not ready to sign a new deal, whilst openly admitting that he "misses" Manchester.
However, when quizzed on the topic, Sir Alex is cautious and admits he can’t imagine how a reunion might occur.
"Everyone goes on about that but I don’t see it," added Sir Alex. "He’s got two-and-a-half years left on his contract and to try and buy that at the moment, you’d be talking about hundreds of millions. It rules out everyone, including Barcelona. I think Madrid are trying hard to get him to a new contract and I think that’s happening.
"The glare of publicity he gets in Madrid is different to here. The players here, I think, are quite well protected – especially in the training sessions. There are cameras everywhere at Madrid as everyone knows. I think he will miss a lot of things here [at United] but that's not stopped him progressing as a footballer. His progress has been brilliant.”

Battle royale

Blog: Battle royale

Like just about everyone in the football world, I can't wait for Wednesday night's game in Madrid.
This is surely what the European Cup was made for - the two biggest clubs on the planet meeting in one of the game's great cathedrals. I was lucky enough to go to the Bernabeu when United played there in 2000 and 2003. It's an incredible place - the steepness of the stands really takes the breath away.
The quarter-final tie in 2000 is special to me as that was my very first Champions League commentary - what a way to start! Back then, I was working for BBC Radio Manchester. I vividly remember my horror at being put into a commentary box behind glass up in the stratosphere above the corner flag. There was no TV monitor to help me so anything could have happened in that game and the radio audience would have been none the wiser!
I do remember thinking what a good result 0-0 was. United were reigning European champions at the time and I rather blithely thought they would win the return leg with a bit to spare - how wrong I was. Nil-nils aren't what they used to be - an away goal is now essential for success in knockout ties.
An away goal is exactly what United got when they returned to the Bernabeu three years later - but it didn't prove to be enough. Indeed, United were lucky to get away with a 3-1 defeat. To this day, I have never seen a United side get so comprehensively outplayed in a European tie. Madrid destroyed the Reds that day and played some amazing stuff - Figo, Raul and the peerless Zidane were mesmerising. The return game at Old Trafford was a modern-day classic with the "big-boned" Ronaldo scoring a brilliant hat-trick but United showed bags of pride and passion to win the game 4-3 but ultimately lose a barn burner of a tie.
And talking of Ronaldo, there really is only one Ronaldo - Cristiano. He's been at the Bernabeu for less than four years but is already sixth on Real's all-time goalscorers list. His ratio of more
than a goal a game is astounding and he scores hat-tricks like at an incredible rate. A brilliant player for United, he's now a true force of nature. We were lucky to see him every week for six seasons and I'm looking forward to watching him again in this tie. But let's not get too obsessed by the great man - Madrid do have the odd decent player apart from him!
United will travel to Spain on Tuesday in great spirits after a fabulous weekend. What was the best thing about it? City's defeat? No. Revenge over Everton? No. Another Giggs milestone? No. It was Jose Mourinho going up to Paddy before the game and telling him that he loves watching his show on MUTV! Pat was thrilled and so was I! Lets hope he tunes in next week and we can relive a famous win at the Bernabeu - you're welcome to give us a call anytime Jose!
PS - There is a Paddy show tomorrow night (Tuesday) on MUTV at 6.30pm GMT but without Paddy!

Reds primed for the run-in

The toughest lessons are indelibly imprinted on the memory and Gary Neville believes that Manchester United’s surrender in the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League title race is fuelling the Reds’ charge for success on all fronts this term.
On that basis, the 12 points that currently separate United and nearest challengers Manchester City should be viewed as impressive but not impenetrable.
Neville, who has been the through most epic season finales in United’s recent history, urges the players to allow the momentum of the season’s run-in to propel them onwards.
Now a club ambassador, Neville wrote in his United Review column for the Everton game: “After being eight points clear last year with six games to go only to lose the title, knowing the players in that dressing room, they’ll be saying: “There’s no way that will happen again.’
"There’s a mechanism that kicks in which says to you: ‘I’ve been here before, I know what happened last time we were in this position.’
“Another important difference from last year is that we look a better team. Since Christmas, not only are we still scoring goals, we’ve got more defenders back and we’re conceding fewer. Conceding one or none is far better than the twos and threes we were letting in previously.
"In the last [seven] league games we’ve had [four] clean sheets and let in three goals – that’s a significant improvement; in defensive terms, it’s championship-winning form.”
Striking a balance between defensive solidity and a goal threat will be crucial at home and abroad according to the Reds legend. “We’ve got a real balance now at a key time of the year, going into February and with the Campions League resuming,” he added.
“Around now, the fixtures give you a real concentration and tightness. The games creep up on you and start to fall away really quickly. [But] you can always have bad experiences in life, and the players and manager will be so on-guard.
"Every single second in every single match, nothing will be taken for granted and concentration will be total. I’m sure the players will be telling themselves those messages because they can feel they’ve got a really good chance this season.”

Evans ready for Real

Jonny Evans has stressed that Wednesday night's Champions League blockbuster is not all about Cristiano Ronaldo.
Much of the pre-match focus ahead of the first leg has inevitably centred around the former United idol but Evans is fully aware of the galaxy of talent at Jose Mourinho's disposal, even if Ronaldo emphasised his status as the main danger-man with a brilliant hat-trick against Sevilla at the weekend.
The Northern Ireland international feels the Portuguese star has adjusted his game in La Liga and is an obvious threat to the Reds' European aspirations.
"I am sure one or two of the lads have kept in contact and Nani was on international duty with him," said Evans. "I don't know if he has spoken to anyone but I am sure he is looking forward to the game as much as we are. But I don't think it is just about Cristiano Ronaldo. It goes back further. There is the history of the two clubs. It is the glamour tie of the round. Everyone is looking forward to it.
"Cristiano has changed his game. He has adapted. When he was playing here, he was a right or left winger and expected to work back a lot. That was the way we played.
"I don't think Real Madrid play like that. He has adapted his game to suit them. But they don't just have Cristiano Ronaldo who can hurt you. They have a lot of different players who can cause you problems. He will be the one everyone will be looking to as the man to stop and we have to make sure we keep him quiet."
Evans also feels that the pressure is on United as well as Real, even though Mourinho's men have had to make the trophy an obvious priority this term after falling so far behind in the Spanish title race.

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Dream tie

"This is surely what the European Cup was made for - the two biggest clubs on the planet meeting in one of the game's great cathedrals." - Stewart Gardner, MUTV

11/02/2013 16:05, Report by Stewart Gardner, MUTV

Manchester United Latest New

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Vidic and Ferdinand no longer Manchester United's first-choice pairing, admits Sir Alex Ferguson

Friday, February 15, 2013

Scholes suffers injury setback, Sir Alex Ferguson says

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

De Gea: Casillas could be missed

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is ready to renew his rivalry with Real Madrid - albeit without a familiar face at the opposite end of the Bernabeu.

Rafael prepared for Ronaldo

Rafael prepared for Ronaldo

Ando will enjoy Real test

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mourinho talks up Real Madrid-Manchester United clash

Mourinho talks up Real Madrid-Manchester United clash

Monday, February 11, 2013

Manchester United - Real Madrid not all about Ronaldo, claims Evans

Manchester United - Real Madrid not all about Ronaldo, claims Evans

Ferdinand: Ronaldo will get fantastic reception from Manchester United fans

Ferdinand: Ronaldo will get fantastic reception from Manchester United fans

Sir Alex wary of Real

Sir Alex wary of Real

Ronaldo destined for greatness

Ronaldo destined for greatness

Battle royale

Blog: Battle royale

Reds primed for the run-in

Reds primed for the run-in

Evans ready for Real

Evans ready for Real

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Dream tie

Blog: Battle royale

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