The Red Devils Cafe

The Epitome of Excellence, is Man Utd

2008-03-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

Todays Game at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney scored twice in the second half and Cristiano Ronaldo played a part in all four goals to help Manchester United crush Aston Villa 4-0 to charge six points clear in the Premier League on Saturday.

Champions United, who also netted in the first half with a cheeky Ronaldo back-heel and a header from Carlos Tevez, lead second-placed Arsenal by six points with six games remaining.

Arsenal, down to 10 men for an hour, ended a six-year league jinx at Bolton Wanderers as they fought back from two goals down for a 3-2 win.

Chelsea, two points further back, can reclaim second spot by beating Middlesbrough on Sunday when Liverpool and Everton also resume their battle for fourth place in the Merseyside derby.

At Old Trafford, where the second half was played in pouring rain, the league's top scorer Ronaldo took his tally for the season to 26 when he struck in the 17th minute.

A cross was poorly cleared and the loose ball fell to the Portugal striker who, with his back to goal, flicked it with his left heel through defender Martin Laursen's legs and past keeper Scott Carson.

Tevez made it 2-0 just past the half hour when he dived to head home Ronaldo's far-post cross following a fine team move started on the halfway line by the Argentine.

Ronaldo flicked on a Ryan Giggs pass for Rooney to take the ball round Carson for the third in the 53rd minute, his first goal in eight games.

Rooney added the fourth in the 70th minute from another Ronaldo pass, taking his league tally to 10.

Looking ahead to United's Champions League quarter-final first leg at AS Roma on Tuesday, Rooney told Sky Sports television:

"It's going to be a massive game for us in Rome. I think we prepared well today".

MAN UTD WILL WIN THE TITLE

2008-03-29T03:12:00.000-07:00

It wasn't just last Sunday's matches. Sir Alex Ferguson's systematic approach the whole season will lead the Red Devils to their 10th Premiership title, says DRINIE AGUILAR

BOY, am I a happy camper after Manchester United's 3-0 thumping of Liverpool last weekend.

I'm also buoyed by the other result - Chelsea beating Arsenal 2-1 - which puts the Red Devils five points clear at the top of the table ahead of the Blues going into this weekend's matches.

As you can tell, I'm a Man U supporter.

But this only means that two big matches next month - at home against Arsenal and away at Stamford Bridge - will be massively significant for Man United if they are to successfully defend their title.

Nevertheless, I'm confident United can bag their 10th Premier League crown this May.

While many may say that last weekend's matches were a crucial turning point in the title run, I strongly believe that Manchester United's success was a combination of several key factors from the very start of the season.

And knowing Sir Alex Ferguson's incredible attention to detail and meticulous preparation, it looks like this season could be in the bag as well.

Indeed, the devil is in the details, and here are my personal thoughts on what went right for them so far:

A) FERGUSON'S NEW WAVE OF FLEDGLINGS

A firm believer in combining the creativity and exuberance of young players and the experience of battle-hardened veterans, Ferguson's new signings have settled in quickly and found their niche in the team.

Playing in the Premier League is tough, and it's even tougher to make an impact in your first season.

What the coaching staff has done well is to pair his new players with seasoned mentors - Nani with Ryan Giggs, Anderson with Paul Scholes.

Ferguson has even fielded them together on several occasions, and there's no quicker way of building match experience than getting on-the-job-training from the best pros in the game.

B) AN INJURY-FREE RONALDO

Imagine where would Man Utd be without his 25 league goals? Despite being a target for hard-tackling defenders, he's toughened up this season, shrugged off their challenges and economised his game.

Sure, there is the occasional showboating of his mesmerising oversteps and feints, but he's cut down his pony-tricks to become an efficient scoring machine.

Most importantly, he has stayed injury-free and made himself available to Ferguson all season long - evidence of the United's school of physical conditioning.

Easily the best player in the league - and some say, even the world - what's frightening to opposing defenders is that he's become even more consistent this season scoring from open play, free-kicks, penalties, and been a keen supplier of crosses to his strikers.

C) KEEPING A CONSISTENT BACK FOUR

Ferguson knows better than anybody that the key to keeping clean sheets is keeping a consistent team of defenders.

In fact, Man Utd have the stingiest defence in the league, leaking only 15 goals to date.

Sir Alex has kept rotation of his back four to a minimum, and despite captain Gary Neville's protracted injury, Wes Brown has filled in nicely at right-back.

The gaffer has established a fine quartet, combining the industry of Brown, passing flair of Rio Ferdinand, the hard-nosed Nemanja Vidic and the attack-minded Patrice Evra to build a defensive bedrock for Manchester United.

D) UTILITY MEN

These players have made themselves indispensable by being specialists as multi-role players. Adaptability and a willingness to play to instruction are key points here.

John O'Shea has played left and right back, and even once as a goalkeeper last season. Darren Fletcher has been used as a man-marker, mid-field destroyer to break up play and as a right winger.

Even Owen Hargreaves, best known as a midfield holding player for England, has been used occasionally as a right back (any Bundesliga fan might know that he did the same when he started his Bayern Munich stint).

E) FERGUSON'S NO. 2, CARLOS QUEIROZ

Of late, the Portuguese has been patrolling the lines more than Ferguson, which shows his growing influence on the team.

Indeed, his ability to speak five languages fluently has helped the new foreign players quickly.

In the last two seasons Ferguson has lightened the burden of the job, where in the past he was renowned for his obsessive attention to pre-match preparations, but he is now allows Queiroz to share much of the responsibility.

As a comparison, several pundits have noted Liverpool's Rafa Benitez has been under tremendous strain holding the fort on his own since his assistant manager, compatriot Pako Ayestaran, left - and look how Liverpool suffered for it.

As Ferguson's trusted lieutenant, Queiroz's instincts lie on the technical and scientific side of football, which complements the United manager's preference to focus on team tactics and motivating his players.

F) THE TEVEZ FACTOR

With 'Baby-faced Assassin' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hanging up his boots, another striker with a penchant for scoring goals when we really need them has emerged this season.

Indeed, Carlos Tevez is proving to be a master at scoring really important goals, such as clinching a 1-0 win at Liverpool, and he is building a reputation for producing dramatic late ones.

His dogged performances have earned praises from Ferguson, who likened the Argentine to another United legend, Eric Cantona, as a player with a knack of rising to the occasion whenever they desperately needed a goal.

With only seven games left, the jury's still out if Ferguson's formula will be a winning one this season.

But you can be sure of one thing. That I'll be crossing my fingers and toes that it does.

Live Man Utd v Liverpool

2008-03-23T07:23:00.001-07:00

Watch live video from lencstream on Justin.tv

Queiroz says sorry for remark to Martin Taylor

2008-03-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

LONDON: Manchester United's assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has apologised to Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor for comments he made on Saturday.

Queiroz was angered by the treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo during United's FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth and said referees were not doing anything to stop "the Taylors of this game" using rough treatment to stop the flair players.

Taylor was sent off for the tackle that broke Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva's leg last month.

The Portuguese could still find himself in trouble with the FA, however, after other remarks about referee Martin Atkinson, including calling him a "robber".

"I am deeply sorry if my comments, made when emotions were running high after the Portsmouth game, were misconstrued," Queiroz told United's Web site (www.manutd.com) on Monday.
part three Liverpool seeks to finish off Inter in quarterfinals"Everyone at Manchester United knows that Martin Taylor is not that type of player. All I sought to say was that in the modern game, because of its speed, we need to have more vigilance on mistimed tackles. I apologise for any upset my remarks may have caused."

The FA is also looking at comments made by United manager Alex Ferguson about Atkinson and English referees chief Keith Hackett after the 1-0 defeat by Portsmouth.

"The game was decided by the decision not to give us a penalty," Ferguson told Sky Sports television at the time, referring to Sylvain Distin's early body-check on Ronaldo.

"They (Portsmouth) had great confidence to hang on knowing the referee was on their side.

"Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week."

The FA have confirmed they are looking at comments made by Fergsuon and Queiroz.

Ferguson wants 3 more years

2008-03-10T03:17:00.000-07:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he intends to step down in three years' time.
"I still have a lot of passion," Ferguson told the Daily Mirror. "I'm still happy. But I'm 66 now - maybe three years more, then I'll finish."
Addressing the issue of his successor, he said: "I have a great assistant in Carlos Queiroz. He will come into the reckoning. But we have owners and a chief executive who will choose the new man in three years' time. The thing about football is we have some potential young manager but because of the dangers, the hazards of management, they may not be there in three years' time."

Portsmouth knock Man Utd out of FA Cup

2008-03-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — Harry Redknapp admitted Portsmouth's FA Cup quarter-final victory at Manchester United was the greatest day of his career.
Redknapp's side won at Old Trafford for the first time in 51 years to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 1992 thanks to Sulley Muntari's second half penalty.
The Portsmouth manager had never reached the last four of the FA Cup before and he paid glowing tribute to the players who helped him finally realize a long-held dream.
Asked if the 1-0 win ranked as his finest hour he said, "Yeah, it's a great day, I'm loving it.
"It's a difficult place to come and play but it was a great performance and a great result for us.
"This was fantastic. We came here the other week and got slaughtered. This time we had a plan and we stuck with it. We grafted and we deserved it."
Muntari sent Portsmouth back to Wembley, where this year's semi-finals are being played, for the first time since 1939, when they last won the Cup.
He converted from the spot in the 78th minute after United's substitute goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was sent off for bringing down Milan Baros.
United felt they should have been given a penalty themselves earlier when Cristiano Ronaldo was shoved over by Sylvain Distin.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was furious with referee Martin Atkinson and launched a tirade at the official and his superiors.
He said: "The game was decided by the decision not to give us a penalty. They had great confidence to hang on knowing the referee was on their side.
"(Lassana) Diarra had eight or nine fouls in the match. It's incredible.
"I've got to agree with Arsene Wenger. Someone is going to get a serious injury in our game. He's had one himself with Eduardo.
"It's not a nice thing to talk about but, the treatment Ronaldo is getting, I'm worried about him.
"Keith Hackett (the Professional Game Match Officials Board chief), is in a nice, comfortable position and does nothing really. I don't think he makes a contribution to the referees' performances in our country.
"That should be addressed. He's not doing his job properly. That guy will go and referee next week no problem. You see his favourites always get the games and that's disappointing."
Redknapp conceded Portsmouth had been fortunate at times but claimed it was just reward for their hard work.
"You always have to ride your luck here. They are a fantastic team. No-one comes here without a bit of luck to win," he said. "They are different class. But we worked and deserved our luck.
"They all grafted. The back four were magnificent and the keeper (David James) when called upon."
James was a commanding presence as United poured forward in the closing stages but he revealed he feared the worst as Portsmouth tried to hold on.
"Only when the whistle goes and you've won, then you believe it. It was a great effort," he said.
"To be fair, the first thing we had to do was stop them opening up early on. I thought we looked very good in the first half. I didn't have a shot to save.
"We rode our luck a little bit but that is going to happen at United. It was nice to get a penalty as well."

Inter president Moratti: So close to landing Man Utd legend Cantona

2008-03-06T04:03:00.000-08:00

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has sensationally revealed he attempted to buy Eric Cantona as a package with Manchester United's Paul Ince in the 1990's.

"Missing out on Cantona is my greatest market regret," Moratti told La Stampa.

"Eric Cantona was the first and most painful missed opportunity. I was going to sign him, he was unsettled at Manchester United, was disqualified because of the clash with a football fan, but felt obliged to remain in England to serve his suspension.

"He was fantastic.

"With him and Ince, we would have had a very competitive team. If they were with us today, we would certainly be winning things - that's if there's anything else left for us to win."

Man Utd's Rooney: Premiership No1. No reason to leave

2008-03-06T03:19:00.000-08:00

Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney has ruled out ever playing abroad.
"Our game has improved so much in the past few seasons," he said. "We've proved we have the best league in the world - which is why we attract the best players in the world.

"It's down to English players if they decide to play abroad but, for me, English football is the best. I love playing here and I'm pretty sure that'll never change."

With four Premiership clubs in the Champions League quarterfinals, Rooney added: "It'd be nice if the English teams could stay apart in the Champions League and go further. It would be a shame if we drew each other."

Portsmouth keeper James: Man Utd's Ronaldo free-kicks partly down to luck

2008-02-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

tribalfootball.com - February 27, 2008

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James admits Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning free-kick last month could have been down to good luck as well as good technique.
He told the Daily Mail: "A lot is made of his technique and I thought he must take thousands just like that in practice to hit it so well, until I was talking to Owen Hargeaves about it when we joined up with England and he reckons in training they fly all over the place, apparently. Thanks for that, Owen."

Nani: Man Utd's Giggs wants me to succeed him

2008-02-23T02:32:00.000-08:00

Nani has revealed Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has told him he can succeed him at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese winger told the Daily Mail: "Ryan has already said he wants me to succeed him on the left when he has gone. He is always talking to me and giving me advice.
"There is no bitterness or obvious rivalry. He just wants me to do well and for United to do well when he is no longer playing."

Match Preview: Newcastle United v Manchester United – Injury Free Reds Targeting A Win Against Magpies

2008-02-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

After their last Premier League loss to Manchester City, Manchester United will hope to recover from the disappointment to ensure a win when they face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
United cannot afford a defeat as any drop in points could see the defending champions trail by eight points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Magpies boss Kevin Keegan is still awaiting his first win since the start of his current reign and would be delighted if it could come against Sir Alex’s side.
However the hosts will have to play without defender Stephen Carr, who is down with a hamstring problem and midfielder Emre who has strained his calf muscle.
Once again Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins is sidelined after suffering an ankle injury, but Charles N'Zogbia is back to the squad from his one-match ban.
Sir Alex Ferguson is boosted with an injury free squad for the match.
Previously, the only worry for the visitors was winger Ryan Giggs, but he too has recovered from the minor knee injury which forced him off the pitch during the second half of the 1-1 draw against Lyon in the Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday night.
Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Forster, Beye, N'Zogbia, Enrique, Cacapa, Taylor, Faye, Edgar, Butt, Smith, Milner, Duff, Barton, LuaLua, Owen, Viduka, Ameobi, Carroll.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Kuszczak, Saha, Carrick, Nani, O'Shea, Fletcher, Park, Simpson.

Kevin Keegan hoping he can outwit Man Utd

2008-02-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

Kevin Keegan is banking on his Newcastle team turning the element of surprise to their advantage when he pits his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time at St James' Park since a famous 5-0 defeat of Manchester United.

The Newcastle manager is still looking to celebrate his first win since returning to Tyneside last month. In fact, Newcastle have not managed to win a League game since the 1-0 defeat of Fulham over the Christmas period, but Keegan believes victory over their old foes would kick-start his second spell in charge.

"I don't know what my record is like against Sir Alex, but I don't think it's as bad as some managers and I'm sure it's not the worst," Keegan said as he stepped up preparations for Saturday's reunion.
"They have the form and we haven't, so we'll see if we can surprise a few people. We've had a little bit of a break, and we've worked the players a little bit harder.
"We gave them a couple of days off, but they're back now and fresh. We're building up to what is a very big game for us."
Newcastle have been inactive since their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa, and Keegan has been trying to put the inactivity to good use.

"Two weeks without a game has been a long time, and the last game against Aston Villa wasn't a good performance," added Keegan whose side demolished United 5-0 on Tyneside in October 1996.
"Man United will have had two games by the time they play us, so we have little things going for us. We have to try to get the balance right in the break, and I believe it'll be a good thing.
"Geremi is now back, and I've now met all of the lads and have got to know everyone that little bit better.
"We need a win. That's all we lack at the moment. The confidence will come flowing back, the football will get better and the players will start to trust each other that little bit more."
Keegan is hoping Republic of Ireland Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit enough to face United despite a groin problem. Steve Harper is on stand-by, while striker Obafemi Martins (ankle) is unlikely to figure.
FA Cup (sponsored by E.ON)
Quarter-finals:
March 8Manchester Utd v Portsmouth (12.45pm)Barnsley v Chelsea (5.30pm)
March 9Sheffield Utd or Middlesbrough v Cardiff (1.10pm)Bristol Rovers v West Bromwich (6.00pm).

Ferguson heaps praise on Man Utd centurion Giggs

2008-02-19T16:12:00.000-08:00

LYON, France (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson heaped praise on Ryan Giggs ahead of the winger's 100th Champions League appearance in the first knockout round first leg at Olympique Lyon on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old former Wales international is set to become the eighth man to play in 100 games in the competition, a list that includes former United team mate David Beckham (103).
"There are only a few players who've reached that milestone," Ferguson told a news conference on Tuesday before giving the reasons for Giggs's achievement. "One is his ability, two is longevity, three is how he prepares himself and has good lifestyle.
"Ryan has been an absolute model. Even at 34 we expect big, big things from him.
"We don't play him in every game but that's absolutely normal for someone that age. We want to play him in the games that absolutely matter and one of them is tomorrow."
United were also in France a year ago for a game at Lille in the first leg of last season's first knockout round.
It was Giggs, with a quickly-taken free kick, who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory in a match full of incident.
"Ryan has always reserved his best performances for the big occasions," Ferguson said of a player who joined United in 1990 and made his debut in the old Division One the following year.

Giggs, who retired from international football last year, won his ninth English title when he helped United to the Premier League crown last season.
"He has produced many great moments for us," Ferguson said. "This is a big occasion for him. We're all proud of him."

Man Utd may be have to pay £12M Mikel fee to Chelsea

2008-02-19T07:39:00.000-08:00

Manchester United may have to cough up the £12 million paid by Chelsea for John Obi Mikel two seasons ago, it has been revealed.

The Times says Chelsea could be refunded the £16 million transfer fee paid to United and Lyn Oslo for Obi Mikel if Morgan Andersen, a former Lyn director, is convicted of forging the Nigeria midfield player's first professional contract.
It is understood that Svein Holden, a Norwegian public prosecutor bringing the case against Andersen in a fraud trial in Oslo this week, will argue for the settlement to be cancelled on the grounds that Mikel's contract with Lyn was invalid, making him available as a free agent.
Chelsea are monitoring the trial, but cannot comment publicly because they signed a confidentially agreement when the compensation package was agreed in June 2006, with United and Lyn receiving £12 million and £4 million respectively to facilitate Mikel's move to Stamford Bridge.
Andersen's trial is expected to last two weeks and Mikel and his agent, John Shittu, could be called to testify via videophone. Andersen denies all the charges.

Chelsea and Man Utd kept apart in FA Cup

2008-02-19T02:56:00.000-08:00

The prospect of the first repeat FA Cup final for 123 years increased on Monday when holders Chelsea and last year's beaten finalists Manchester United were kept apart in the quarter-final draw.
Chelsea, who knocked out Huddersfield Town of League One (third division) in the fifth round, will travel to Championship (second division) side Barnsley, who stunned seven-time winners Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday.
It is only the second time Chelsea and Barnsley have met in the Cup with Barnsley winning their only previous tie 4-0 in 1988-89.
United, who have beaten Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in previous rounds this season, will play yet another Premier League club, Portsmouth, at Old Trafford.
They thumped Arsenal 4-0 on Saturday while Portsmouth squeezed through with a stoppage-time winner in a 1-0 victory at Preston North End on Sunday.
United manager Alex Ferguson told the Premier League champion's Web site (www.manutd.com) that he was pleased to get another home tie.
"It's a home draw, so it doesn't matter who you get. But it's typical that we have another Premier League team," Ferguson said. "The good thing about the FA Cup, though, is that the opposition bring an increased number of supporters, which makes for a great atmosphere.
"We've had two great home ties against Spurs and Arsenal in the previous rounds, and hopefully we'll have another one against Portsmouth."
Cardiff City, in the last eight for the first time since winning the FA Cup in 1927, will travel to either fellow Championship side Sheffield United or Premier League Middlesbrough, who drew 0-0 on Sunday and will replay next week.
Bristol Rovers of League One, in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1958 after a shock 1-0 win over Championship side Southampton, will host West Bromwich Albion of the Championship in the first ever Cup meeting between the sides.
West Brom, who last won the FA Cup 40 years ago, crushed Coventry City 5-0 in Saturday's fifth round tie.
Only one Premier League team -- either United or Portsmouth -- is guaranteed a place in the last four.
If United and Chelsea get through as expected and are kept apart in the semis, the final could be contested by the same teams in successive seasons for the first time since 1884 and 1885 when Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park from Glasgow met each other, with Blackburn winning both finals.
The ties will be played on the weekend of March 8/9

Man Utd keep close eye on Lyon's young strikers

2008-02-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will keep a particularly close eye on Olympique Lyon strikers Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in Wednesday's Champions League first knockout round first leg at Stade Gerland.
Benzema has hit 16 Ligue 1 goals this season while Ben Arfa was twice on target against VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League in November.
"It is an area we tried to strengthen last summer and I don't think that's left us," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.
"Benzema is only 20 and Ben Arfa is also 20. Lyon produce young players and Benzema is a local boy which I'm sure gives them pride."
* Palermo striker Amauri looks set to leave the Serie A team at the end of the season after media reports said Liverpool and Juventus were among clubs interested in the Brazilian.
"I will not be able to keep Amauri. He is worth 25 million euros ($36.57 million) and other clubs can offer him triple what he earns at Palermo," president Maurizio Zamparini told reporters.
Cagliari have relieved sporting director Nicola Salerno of his duties, the Serie A bottom club said on their Web site (www.cagliaricalcio.net).
* Olympique Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou is out of Thursday's UEFA Cup third round second leg at Spartak Moscow with an ankle injury, the club said on their Web site (www.om.net)
Cheyrou was injured in Sunday's 2-1 win over arch-rivals Paris St Germain in Ligue 1. Marseille beat Spartak 3-0 in the first leg.
* Snai, Italy's top bookmaker, says it has suspended betting on Inter Milan winning the Serie A title after the champions went 11 points clear at the weekend.
* Former Newcastle United assistant Nigel Pearson has been appointed manager of Southampton, the Championship (second division) club said on their Web site (www.saintsfc.co.uk).
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday defender takes over from George Burley, who took charge of Scotland last month.