Tag Archives: united

United labouring without Rooney

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Manchester United (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League) need Wayne Rooney more than Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United -  that is providing of course that he returns to the sort of form he showed last year.

Yes, they won. Yes, they remain unbeaten but they are not exactly pulling up trees at the moment and looking like they are going all the way – in any competition.

Rooney seemingly has not been back to his best, having endured a torrid World Cup campaign and mustering only one goal in five appearances this season for United, with the England man now facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov’s extra fitness work over the summer appeared to work dividends, as he started the season on fire and looked set to justify the hype over his big-money move in 2008.

The Bulgarian bagged seven goals in his first six games, culminating in his hat-trick which secured the 3-2 win over Liverpool. However, he has not scored in the six games since and certainly does not provide the work-rate that Rooney also offers – normal service has resumed and Fergie needs to get him on the treadmill again.

There is a school of thought that says foreign players need time to adjust to the Premier League, so what can be expected of Javier Hernandez. Although the “Little Pea” has scored five goals in his last eight games, he gives the impression of being the “new” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – ie: an impact substitute from the bench.

Luis Nani is trying to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and has contributed a lot this season already, but he is far too inconsistent for United to be able to depend on him in the same way – despite his own belief that he is now “one of the top players in the world” – where did that come from.

Although unbeaten, United have slipped five points behind Chelsea already in the table and need a fully fit and firing Rooney (16/1 Premier League Top Goalscorer) if they are to have any realistic chance of regaining the title.

Speaking of strikers, Liverpool (6/4 for a Top Six Finish), who have now won two on the bounce, need one! Fernando Torres has not quite recovered from injury and looks a shadow of the player that has tormented the Premier League in the past. A guaranteed starter for the club, injury-permitting, but if he is not doing it, who else can Roy Hodgson call upon?

David Ngog, Ryan Babel or Milan Jovanovic? Bring back Robbie Keane! I am expecting Hodgson to make some moves in the January transfer window – if he is still there!

Refereeing decisions are coming increasingly under the spotlight but let’s make one thing clear, referees, at one point or another, are always going to make a strange/wrong/downright stupid decisions – generally in favour of the “big teams”.

How Bolton did not get one of two penalty decisions on Sunday is anyone’s guess, but the answer is they were playing Liverpool.

Mark Clattenburg realised the error of his ways on Saturday after not giving Nani a penalty against Spurs, by allowing him to stroke home unimpeded immediately afterwards as Heurelho Gomes foolishly thought a free-kick had been given in his favour. It was at Old Trafford, Heurelho.

Tuncay’s ‘goal’ against Everton was ruled out at Goodison Park, presumably because Leighton Baines was put off by the breathing on his neck, although Andrei Arshavin must realise only Maraoune Chamakh at Arsenal is going to get penalties when there is no/little contact.

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Rooney performs United U-turn

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney (12/1 Premier League top goalscorer) has signed a new five-year contract to put to an end a week of intense speculation surrounding his future.

The news will come as a huge relief to the United faithful who had resigned themselves to losing the England international after a statement on Wednesday said he would not be signing his new deal.

With his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2012, speculation he could leave Old Trafford was rampant in the media as they began to link the forward with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

While no club came forward with an actual offer there would have been no shortage of takers had the 24-year-old stuck to his word and left United.

A statement on Wednesday had indicated Rooney’s time at the club was up, with Ferguson revealing he had been told the striker wanted to leave at a press conference that night.

The United boss spent Thursday afternoon in a meeting with United chief executive David Gill in a bid to rectify the situation.

While no official statement was released by the club on Thursday night Gill did tell United fans to be patient.

Those who did keep the faith will have been rewarded by Friday’s news that Rooney has agreed a new five year contract which will keep him at the club until 2015.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.  I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay,” Ferguson told United’s official website.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.  I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”

Ferguson’s comments come after a difficult week for the United (4/1 Premier League outright) manager, whose own future was questioned as part of the saga.

Reports had indicated that Rooney and Ferguson had fallen out over the striker’s phantom ankle injury, with the player having denied he ever had such a problem.

However, things appear to have been patched up with Rooney claiming Ferguson had played a big part in helping him to commit his future to United.

“I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this where I belong,” said Rooney.

“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.”

Rooney went on to apologise to the United supporters for what had happened over the last week.

Some members of the Old Trafford faithful had shown their unhappiness at Rooney’s apparent decision to leave by protesting outside his home on Thursday night.

However, they will hope all the drama is behind Rooney and United now as they look to get their title challenge back on track.

There was no word as to whether Rooney would feature in United’s Premier League game at Stoke (4/1 – 90 minutes betting) having missed Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor with an ankle injury.

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Liverpool reveal united front

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Boss Roy Hodgson admits the Carling Cup defeat at Anfield at the hands of League Two Northampton in midweek was “not acceptable” for a club of Liverpool’s stature (Manchester United 2/1f – Carling Cup Outright).

The Reds’ sluggish start to the season has seen them win just one Premier League game – against West Brom – and pick up just five points from five matches.

Liverpool are now also out of the Carling Cup which was arguably their best chance of a trophy this season to end a drought which goes back to four years to the 2006 FA Cup win.

However, the real prize for the Merseysiders will be a return to the top four and Champions League football which, for financial as well as sporting reasons, is crucial for the club’s future (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).

Hodgson is putting on a brave face ahead of Liverpool’s home clash with Sunderland in the league, however, and insists the latest setback must be put into context (Liverpool 4/9 – 90 minutes).

“I’ve had many disappointments,” said Hodgson. “You can’t work at 35 years at the level I have without having disappointments.

“Any criticism which comes my way and the team’s we have to accept because it is not acceptable to have a home game in the Carling Cup against a team several divisions below you and not come out with a victory.

“Wednesday was a really bad result for the club, it has knocked us backwards, and has put us in a situation where we are heavily criticised – perhaps rightly so.”

He added: “We’ve had some good moments – with five straight Europa League victories – but also some bad ones, like the (3-0) defeat at Manchester City and the one in the Carling Cup.

“It’s been pretty much a mixed bag but we’ll live through the bad moments and over the course of the season we’ll do well.

“We are reading an awful lot into a bad result.”

Hodgson’s sentiments have been echoed by captain Steven Gerrard who is looking for a response now the dust has settled on the Carling Cup shock.

He said: “Football isn’t just about highs. Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes.

“Playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone’s head focused on Sunderland now.

“What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying.

“I’ve been reading and listening to what they’ve been saying and they’ve all said we’ll get it right in the end – and we will.”

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Torres targets United scalp

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Liverpool star Fernando Torres has admitted he is desperate to secure a victory over Manchester United this weekend to kick start the Anfield side’s season (Match Betting – United 7/10, draw 5/2, Liverpool 19/5).

The Spanish striker has admitted he would love to come away from Old Trafford with all three points as he knows how much the fixture means to the fans (Torres 7/1 to score the first goal).

“It means everything to them [the fans],” explained Torres.

“We are the two most successful teams in England but it has not been nice  for the Liverpool fans to watch Manchester United  have so much success over the recent years.”

Liverpool have managed to pick up just five points from their opening four games but Torres is confident the Reds can win on Sunday.

The Spanish international was quick to praise new boss Roy Hodgson and the Liverpool squad, and Torres remains hopeful the club can pick up some silverware this season.

He added: “We have a great squad and a great manager, and we really hope to give the fans a trophy this season, as well as beating Manchester United for them.

“The Liverpool fans are great, when you play well they are behind you and when you are not playing the best they are still behind you.

“I walk my dogs round the city, and before matches like Manchester United the fans will tell you good luck and things like that. It’s clear how much the Manchester United games means to them.”

Torres’ new strike partner, Milan Jovanovic, is also confident his side can climb the table after a slow start.

The Serbian international, a summer signing from Standard Liege, admits he is yet to find his best form since his move to Anfield but hopes he will adapt to the Premier League soon and believes Liverpool can mount a title challenge.

“It is going to take time because there are a lot of new players,” said Jovanovic. “But if we keep getting the ball to Stevie (Gerrard), we will be much better.

“I have no doubts that we will climb the table.

“The Premier League is tough but we are Liverpool. That is what matters.”

Torres may have his sights set on United but Liverpool are in Europa League action tomorrow night as they welcome Romanian side Steaua Bucharest to Anfield, although Hodgson may chose to rest Torres or hand him a place on the bench due to Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford (Liverpool 1/4, draw 9/2, Steaua Bucuresti 11/1).

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Rio grand for United

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Manchester United mnager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rio Ferdinand will play his first game of the season on Tuesday night when Rangers make the trip to Old Trafford in the Champions League (United 4/6 – To Win To Nil).

The England defender has been sidelined so far this term by the knee injury he suffered during the Three Lions’ first training session at the World Cup finals in South Africa in the summer.

Ferdinand was fit for the Everton game in the Premier League at the weekend but Ferguson held him back after last week deciding not to make the 31-year-old available for the reserves because he had seen enough in training.

Ferdinand is likely to partner Nemanja Vidic at the back as the Red Devils look to lay down a marker against Ferguson’s former club (United 1/6, draw 11/2, Gers 18/1 – 90 minutes).

“I think Rio will play on Tuesday night,” Ferguson said. “It’s a European tie at home and we’ve got to take advantage of that.”

All eyes will be on Ferguson’s decision over star striker Wayne Rooney who the Scot decided to spare a cauldron of hate at Goodison Park on Saturday following revelations over his private life.

But back on home soil, it seems a no-brainer that the Scouser will come back into the side for the Gers clash.

Rooney trained as normal with United on Monday morning amid tabloid speculation claiming Ferguson had read the riot act to the 24-year-old hitman

The United chief will demand a response from his side after they blew a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 late on at Everton. Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill did the damage with goals in stoppage time to leave Ferguson unhappy.

He said: “You have to have determination in situations like that.

“We were so wasteful with our chances. We could have scored five or six in the second half with great opportunities and that has come to haunt us.

“But saying that, to lose two goals in injury time is unthinkable.

“We had it under control and the game is finished – even when they scored a second. It is a terrible end for us.”

Rangers head south without striker Nikica Jelavic who is ineligible after former club Rapid Vienna made it through to the Europa League.

Scotland ace Kenny Miller admits it will be a tough game for Walter Smith’s men (Miller 16/1 – First Goalscorer).

He told the BBC: “If you ask the manager or any of our coaches, they’ll tell you they’re not happy with our level of performances so far in the first three of four games of the season.

“You have to work your socks off for the 90 or 95 minutes and there’s no doubt you have to carry a bit of luck along the way as well.

“You can defend as good as you want for the majority of the game, but they’re always going to create a chance in the match given the standard of player they have.

“It’s a level that everyone in the dressing room wants to be playing at and it doesn’t come any bigger than playing Man United at Old Trafford.

“There’s no doubt it’ll be a really tough game, but we know that, if we can go out and play our game, we’ll have a chance of getting a result.”

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Rio looking grand for United

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be back in first-team action for the Red Devils after the break for Euro 2012 qualifiers at the start of September (United 12/5 – Premier League Outright).

The 31-year-old centre-half has been sidelined ever since England’s first training session at the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier in the summer when he suffered a medial knee ligament problem.

But Ferdinand has been working his way back to full fitness as he looks to bounce back from a couple of seasons where he has spent as much time off the pitch as on it with various injuries.

Last week Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson said he did not expect Ferdinand to be back before the end of next month – however, the former Leeds and West Ham man has clearly had other ideas.

Ferguson told reporters on Friday: “Rio hadn’t done anything football-wise when I spoke last week.

“When he read what I said maybe it gave him a kick. But he has come in and trained this week and done fantastic.

“He will train with the reserves today.”

Ferguson added: “He won’t be involved on Saturday, of course, but we have to try and think when we can get a game with him in the next two weeks he is that close.”

United entertain the Hammers in Saturday’s late kick off looking to bounce back from last weekend’s draw at Fulham (West Ham 2/7 – To Stay Up).

England striker Wayne Rooney sat out the trip to Craven Cottage through illness but is set to return against the Hammers while Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs will both be hoping to be promoted from the bench.

West Ham, who have lost both of their opening two Premier League games – against Aston Villa and Bolton, have moved to strengthen their forward line by snapping up Inter Milan forward Victor Obinna on a season-long loan deal.

The 23-year-old Nigeria international, who played for the Super Eagles at the World Cup in the summer, becomes the sixth signing of the Avram Grant era after Thomas Hitzlsperger, Tal Ben Haim, Winston Reid, Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne.

The Hammers have the option of making the deal permanent at the end of the season.

Obinna spent last season on loan at La Liga strugglers Malaga who avoided relegation by a single point.

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Hughton aware of United challenge

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Newcastle United manager Chris HughtonNewcastle United boss Chris Hughton admits he would have liked to begin the season with a home game instead of a daunting trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford (Newcastle 12/1 to beat Manchester United).

The Magpies are now back in the English top flight following one season in the Championship after stand-in boss Alan Shearer failed to keep them in the Premier League towards the end of the 2008-2009 campaign.

The North-East giants ran away with the Championship last season and will hope to re-establish themselves in the top division having surrendered their top-flight status in May 2009 following sixteen successive seasons in the Premier League.

Despite calls to strengthen the squad, Hughton has only brought in Sol Campbell, James Perch and Dan Gosling to date, with just a couple of weeks to go before the transfer window closes until January.

Newcastle and United had a number of memorable encounters during Kevin Keegan’s time in charge at St James’ Park, when the Tynesiders were a match for the majority of Premier League teams, but their star has waned in recent years culminating in relegation just over 12 months ago.

But a wave of optimism is now back at the club and they will be looking to cement their place in the best league in Europe this season.

Hughton admits the fixture computer could have been kinder to his side but he is looking to draw on the performance of the players a couple of seasons ago, when they drew 1-1 with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team on the opening day at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ (Man Utd 2/9 to beat Newcastle).

“Looking at Manchester United and the squad they’ve got and the quality they’ve got, it will be a massive challenge for us,” he said. “But this is what we worked so hard for last season to get straight back up into this division.

“It’s probably not the ideal choice. I think the ideal choice would have been to have a home game but we have been there before on the first game of the season two seasons ago and we certainly gave a very good account of ourselves so we’re aware that everything’s possible even though we’re massive underdogs.”

United are out to win back the Premier League trophy after losing out to Chelsea in the race for the title last term and they have already shown that they are well up for the fight with victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Community Shield last weekend.

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Hargreaves blow for United

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Owen Hargreaves will miss the start of Manchester United’s bid to wrestle the Premier League title (United 12/5 – Premier League Outright) back from Chelsea next season after suffering an injury setback.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who United signed from Bayern Munich for £17million in 2007, only returned from an 18-month knee injury absence at the end of last season when he featured in several reserve-team matches and made a three-minute substitute appearance in the 1-0 Premier League win at Sunderland.

However, while Hargreaves’ return was too late for him to be considered for Fabio Capello’s England squad for the ill-fated World Cup campaign in South Africa, it was hoped that he would be fit to start the new league season when newly-promoted Newcastle visit Old Trafford (United 1/5, Newcastle 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 Minutes) in mid-August. But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has now revealed that Hargreaves picked up a fresh problem in training and will miss the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of America in order to see a specialist in the States.

“He will not be ready for the start of the season,” Ferguson told MUTV. “I do not know when he will be back.”

The disappointing news on Hargreaves follows on from the news that central defender Rio Ferdinand will also miss the Newcastle match on Monday August 16 due to the knee injury he picked up in training ahead of England’s first World Cup group stage match with the United States in June.

Ferguson added: “Rio will probably not make the start of the season. It will be close. It depends on his progress over the next few weeks.”

There is some good news for United fans as Antonio Valencia, Nani and Michael Owen should all be fit for the new campaign after recovering from respective hamstring, shoulder and hamstring problems, while Anderson is making good progress in recovering from the cruciate knee injury he suffered last September.

United depart for their training camp in Chicago on Monday.

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Fabiano eyes United deal

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luis fabianoSevilla’s Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano has revealed he will not sign for Tottenham as he wants to join a club like Manchester United where he feels he has a chance of winning the Premier League (United 2/1 Outright 2010/11).

The 29-year-old is currently looking to help Brazil clinch the World Cup (10/3 Winner) in South Africa and his two goals against Ivory Coast last Sunday ensured they went into the last-16 as group winners. However, beyond the tournament, Fabiano has stressed that he will not be signing a new contract at Sevilla as he wants to leave the Spanish Primera Liga side to secure a move to a team capable of winning top honours.

Tottenham, United and Italian giants AC Milan are said to be interested in taking Fabiano this summer, despite Sevilla stressing that they want to keep hold of him. And, while the player is looking to persuade his club to let him go, he will not entertain the idea of joining Harry Redknapp’s north Londoners because, “there would be no point me moving to a smaller team”.

Therefore it appears to be a straight choice between the Red Devils and Milan as Fabiano feels both clubs are capable of winning the Champions League next term. However the prospect of linking up with Wayne Rooney in United’s attack could sway him towards joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: “I think the way Manchester United play football is very attractive, I must be honest and say Premier League football attracts me and also the way Manchester United play football attracts me.

“You think about being Wayne Rooney’s strike partner and that is very attractive for any striker. I think the style of Premier League football suits me and I think I could score goals and be very successful there.

“Their coach is a winner, their players are winners and they are one of the few teams in Europe challenging for the top honours season after season.”

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United reject Cole link

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Manchester United have ruled out a swoop for Joe Cole, currently on World Cup duty with England, which could pave the way for north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal to make a move (Arsenal 6/1 to win the Premier League 2010/2011).

Cole will be a free-agent as of July 1 when his contract with Chelsea comes to an end and the Stamford Bridge side have already confirmed Cole will move on.

A number of clubs are said to be keen on the former West Ham playmaker and reports earlier this week suggested the Old Trafford side were the most likely candidates to secure a deal.

However, the Guardian newspaper have now claimed a source has told them United have no interest in the 28-year-old, which would allow Arsenal and Spurs to move in.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp confirmed he was keen to sign Cole after it became clear he had no future with Chelsea but Redknapp has since stated he has been unable to speak to Cole and believed he had agreed terms elsewhere.

This would now appear not to be the case as the midfielder is focussing on his international commitments and Redknapp will move quickly as soon as the World Cup is over to try and seal a deal.

However, Arsenal have also been mooted as potential suitors for Cole and a battle for the player’s signature could erupt between the two north London rivals.

Redknapp has worked with Cole before when manager to West Ham and the current Spurs boss was the manager who gave Cole his debut in the Premier League.

Spurs also have Champions League football to offer for the first time in their history, while Cole will already know the likes of Aaaron Lennon, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch, amongst others at White Hart Lane, having played alongside the Spurs men in the England squad (Spurs 50/1 to win the Premier League).

Arsenal face the very real prospect of losing captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona this summer and if the Spaniard does decide to leave they will be eager to find a suitable replacement.

Although Cole and Fabregas are not particularly similar in playing-style the England international could well fit in to the Arsenal line-up and boss Arsene Wenger has already confirmed he is keen to bring in some new faces over the summer to boost the Gunners chances of securing some silverware next season.

It appears Cole will not decide upon anything until after the World Cup, but as soon as England’s tournament is over he will probably have a number of options to consider with current reports suggesting Spurs and Arsenal are leading the chase for his signature.

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