Man Utd XVI: Quest of the Title - Return to winning way.

[melvin]

Van Gaal: Victory rewarded fighting spirit

Louis van Gaal felt two sides to Manchester United's game yielded three much-needed points against West Ham - with the steel of the second half ensuring the silk of the first was fruitful.

In a first half which echoed the corresponding period at Leicester City, the Reds went 2-0 up through strikes from Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie only to have the lead halved for the break when Diafro Sakho beat David De Gea with a headed goal. But unlike last weekend, United successfully weathered an opposition storm after the interval and held onto the advantage to finish as victors - despite having captain Rooney sent off with more than 30 minutes left to play.

"After the red card, we had to fight for the victory and I have said to the lads you have been rewarded today because you fought until the end - and more than that," a delighted van Gaal told MUTV.

Rooney was dismissed by referee Lee Mason for kicking out at Stewart Downing as the West Ham midfielder threatened to sprint away from him with the ball. It was a straight red card and as such, it caused incredulity and anger in the crowd.

"I could imagine why he did it," said van Gaal, when asked if he was disappointed by Rooney's challenge. "But I think you have to do it more friendly and that is the only thing that I can say.

"You can ask if that is a red card. I think you see what you want to see and I believe he [the referee] could have given a red card. In professional football, you make these faults, but I also saw them from West Ham. They weren’t punished like Wayne."

Van Gaal felt there was one such unpunished misdemeanour in the lead-up to Sakho's goal, saying: "We had a goal against us from a corner but you have to ask if the West Ham attacker was making a foul because he was in David De Gea's five-metre area (six-yard box).

"Okay, so he didn't hit De Gea the first time but, the second time, he hit De Gea and that's why he was on the ground. That's a pity because we played such a good first half. I think we played very well."

The aforementioned home fans eventually recovered from the shock of seeing their skipper trudge off to play a big, vociferous part in helping the Reds to see out the victory - a factor duly acknowledged by the manager.

"The crowd is always incredible, it’s unbelievable the way they supported us," he said, before adding with a smile: "I’m happy because of the result, we needed it after that extraordinary loss at Leicester, when we also played very well in the first half. We have to do that for 90 minutes!”


LVG say win is reward

 

[christeo]

score more than the other team then no need to use professional foul lor.

 

[christeo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag122HQAeBU

I think we found our new central world class defender, right at home.

 

[melvin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag122HQAeBU

I think we found our new central world class defender, right at home.

Hope to see more of him in the senior team ... timely tackle and clearance ... always pushing forward n supporting upfront.

 

[christeo]

Hope to see more of him in the senior team ... timely tackle and clearance ... always pushing forward n supporting upfront.

yep, i like the way he pushes the ball up. Good dribbler and very mindful of his surroundings. Good passer as well.
Heard he started off as a striker.

 

[melvin]

yep, i like the way he pushes the ball up. Good dribbler and very mindful of his surroundings. Good passer as well.
Heard he started off as a striker.

Great incase our strikers left their scoring boots at home he can just push up and score and we will have scorers in all 3 departments close to the '99 batch where all 4 departments scores ...

 

[melvin]

Under-21s: Spurs 1 United 2

Manchester United's Under-21s won 2-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Stevenage's Lamex Stadium in a game of few chances until a dramatic conclusion.

Adnan Januzaj's brilliant free-kick was worthy of winning any match but a controversial equaliser within a matter of seconds, by Nathan Oduwa, immediately cancelled it out. As the game moved into injury time, Januzaj turned provider to send over a corner for Tom Thorpe to head in the winner.

Warren Joyce fielded a strong side with plenty of firepower in Januzaj, James Wilson and Will Keane but the Reds struggled to test Luke McGee in the Spurs goal. Wilson did latch onto a Callum Evans pass inside two minutes and produced a dangerous centre that evaded Keane in the middle.

Spurs replied with a Oduwa shot over the bar and Cristian Ceballos' header wide but the play was congested in the midfield with both sides working extremely hard to limit time and space on the ball. Alexander McQueen was booked for a bad foul on Marnick Vermijl and there were plenty of sharp tackles being made all over the pitch.

It took almost half an hour for the Reds to register a genuine attempt and the visitors were unlucky not to score following a beautiful move. Januzaj fed the overlapping Evans and his cross was touched back intelligently by Wilson for Andreas Pereira to shoot but the ball deflected off target.

There was a similar incident at the other end when skipper Thorpe diverted an attempt by Emmanuel Sonupe following some lapse defending before Wilson lifted a rising shot well over the bar. The half ended with Josh Harrop forced off after sustaining an injury when blocking a cross and with neither keeper having a real save to make.

Unfortunately, Wilson was also withdrawn at the break after picking up another knock on his return from injury, Liam Grimshaw taking his place, but it was revealed to be a scheduled change. Anders Lindegaard was tested soon after the restart by Oduwa but dived to push the ball away to his right. However, there were still precious few chances being created, although Dominic Ball almost headed a Saidy Janko cross into his own net.

Januzaj floated a free-kick disappointingly wide from just outside the box as the match remained goalless as it entered the closing stages. Another set-piece opportunity would not be wasted by Januzaj from out on the right flank after Harry Winks fouled Janko. A superb shot arrowed past McGee and into the top corner with three minutes left.

Spurs retaliated and Lindegaard's poor kick was returned with interest but Oduwa threw up an arm in his aerial challenge with the keeper and it looked a clear foul. Incredibly, the referee allowed play to continue and, as the Dane appealed, the home forward smashed into an empty net for the equaliser.

It would have destroyed lesser teams but Joyce's charges are always made of stern stuff and, after Januzaj's shot deflected wide for a corner, he took the kick himself to cross for captain Thorpe, who made his first-team debut on Saturday against West Ham United, to leap and power home a winner that takes the Reds to the top of the table.

United: Lindegaard; Janko, Thorpe, Vermijl, C.Evans; Pearson; A.Pereira, Harrop (Rothwell 45); Januzaj; Wilson (Grimshaw 46), W.Keane. Subs not used: O’Hara, Tuanzebe, Weir.

Januzaj scores again!

Think he is top scorer for us now...

 

[melvin]

Manchester United considering midweek friendlies abroad

Manchester United are thinking about playing midweek friendlies abroad, says one of the club's directors.
Reports suggest a lack of Champions League football this season could cost United more than £40m.
United's managing director Richard Arnold says lucrative fixtures overseas are something the club will "continue to look at".
An early League Cup exit means they will play only three more midweek games this season, all in the Premier League.

United won the Champions League as recently as 2008, but their seventh-place finish last season under David Moyes meant they missed out on European club football's premier competition for the first time in 19 years.
The club reported a record annual revenue of £433.2m for the financial year 2013-2014, and profits of £23.8m.
But not being in a European competition this year could affect that revenue by around 10%.
More than 100,000 fans watched United's 3-1 win over Real Madrid in Michigan this summer during the side's pre-season tour of the United States.
And Arnold believes manager Louis van Gaal would be receptive to similar fixtures during the Premier League campaign.
"We have a fantastic partnership in terms of our work off the pitch and I'm very appreciative of the support we have had from him," Arnold said.

"For many years of our [pre-season] international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that team building that goes together with getting the team all together in one place.
"That's something that's being looked at."
Meanwhile, United striker Robin van Persie says Van Gaal is installing a Dutch mentality on the squad's meetings.
"It's very demanding in a good way as you have to be focused every single day of the sessions or the meeting," Van Persie says.
"You have to give your own input, which is what the staff likes. That's a bit of the Dutch thing."

Friendly games???

Looking at our injury hit list think shouldn't have for now ... when most recover then maybe

 

[melvin]

Manchester United could join Real Madrid, AC Milan in UAE
Red Devils look for lucrative friendlies to plug gap left by lack of European action

Dubai: After Monday’s announcement that Real Madrid and AC Milan will play a friendly at Dubai’s Sevens Stadium on December 30, it now seems Manchester United want in on the act too.
The record 20-time English champions are looking for lucrative overseas friendlies to fill the midweek void left by the absence of European football and an early League Cup exit this season. United only have one midweek game scheduled between now and the end of 2014 and just three in the first three months of 2015.
The Red Devils have forecast a 10 per cent drop in revenue in 2014/15 after they finished seventh in the English Premier League (EPL) last season and failed to qualify for the Uefa Champions League.
So the UAE could be the perfect place to recoup their losses, re-charge both their batteries and brand and build team spirit ahead of the business end of the season.

United came here last winter and trained at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, while staying at the One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. They were even treated to an impromptu training session with Dubai-based Argentinian legend Diego Maradona, but they have yet to reward their fans in the region with a long-awaited exhibition game.
However, the summer arrivals of Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria have increased the club’s bargaining power for lucrative friendlies, and the UAE could soon see the three-time European champions having to cash in on their fanbase here.
“That’s something we continue to look at, as always making sure that the preparations we do on the pitch come first,” United’s managing director Richard Arnold told The Associated Press when asked to comment on winter break friendlies.
“For many years of our [pre-season] international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that team building that goes together with getting the team all together in one place. That’s something that’s being looked at with regards to the future [friendlies] with [coach] Louis [Van Gaal].”
Shortly after taking charge, Van Gaal was critical of this summer’s pre-season tour of the United States, saying that obligations to sponsors and the distances the team had to travel were “not very positive for a good preparation” for the EPL campaign.
But Arnold insisted Van Gaal was open to taking on more commercial ventures.
“I can only speak positively of my experience with the manager in terms of his understanding of what’s required to get a first-class team onto the pitch and also what’s required for running a club of our magnitude,” he said.
“We have a fantastic partnership in terms of our work off the pitch and I’m very positive of the support we have had from him.”
Van Gaal has followed on from David Moyes’ disappointing ten-month tenure with just two wins from the first seven games of the season. But, despite the slump in results, the Glazer family-owned club remains English football’s biggest money-maker, with revenue up 19 per cent to a club record £433 million [Dh1.5 billion] last season.
On Monday, United announced their latest commercial deal with sustainable technology partner Abengoa, proving their sponsorship operation hasn’t slowed as a result of former coach Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 after winning 38 trophies in 26 years.
“We find current form does not figure highly in the reasons to partner or not partner,” said Arnold, who pointed to the club’s 659 million global followers.
— With inputs from agencies

Man Utd RM AC in UAE friendly?

 

[melvin]

Louis van Gaal pulls rank on England over Manchester United fitness staff

Louis van Gaal is to withdraw Tony Strudwick and Rod Thornley, two members of the back-room staff he inherited at Manchester United, from part-time duties with the England team to focus entirely on their work at Carrington.

Strudwick, who has been a fitness coach at Old Trafford for seven years, and Thornley, a masseur, have been sharing roles with the national team of late and will join Roy Hodgson’s England staff as normal next week for the Euro 2016 qualifying games against San Marino and Estonia. However, they are expected to stand down from the England staff after those fixtures and, in future, will spent international windows at the club.

Van Gaal has seen his squad badly affected by injuries since taking up the reins this summer, with Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini all in rehabilitation. With that onerous injury list in mind, the United manager wants his staff to focus entirely on club duties and the Football Association has been made aware of that intention.

Representatives of the governing body hope to speak to Van Gaal after the forthcoming fixtures but, with the manager’s decision apparently made, they anticipate restructuring Hodgson’s backroom team before November’s qualifier against Slovenia and friendly against Scotland in Glasgow.

Thornley, a former non-league striker whose elder brother Ben played for United and Huddersfield Town, has been a long-standing member of the FA’s medical staff, having been recommended for the position by the former captain, David Beckham.

Strudwick, in contrast, has been involved in the set-up only since just before the summer’s World Cup and has recently seen his duties tweaked at United, having been appointed head of athletic development this season. United have confirmed the fitness coach, who joined from Blackburn Rovers in 2007, is now working across all age groups at the club, “with Louis van Gaal for the first-team right through to Paul McGuinness in the academy”, following the arrival of the manager’s trusted aide Jos van Dijk in the summer. United added in a statement: “Introducing this new role and using Tony’s invaluable experience in sports science, which spans over 20 years, shows the club’s commitment on placing greater emphasis on developing players for long-term success.”

“I am thoroughly enjoying this new role,” said Strudwick. “With increased importance on developing players for the future, the athletic component becomes critical in their advancement and to have the chance to work with the younger players, who are in the early stages of their career, as well as the first team, will give a continuity of progression which is critical to their future success.”

England’s medical staff are headed by Dr Ian Beasley and the former Arsenal physio Gary Lewin, who is close to resuming his duties after fracturing and dislocating an ankle in the celebrations of Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser in the defeat by Italy in Manaus in June. Another physio, Steve Kemp, oversaw touchline duties for the friendly against Norway and the Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Switzerland last month. Hodgson will continue to benefit from the expertise of other medical staff affiliated to Premier League clubs, with Manchester City’s Carlo Sertori among those still doubling up.

United are looking at playing lucrative friendlies overseas to fill the midweek void left by the absence of European football this season and the early Capital One Cup exit. The Middle East would be the most likely destination. “That’s something we continue to look at, as always making sure that the preparations we do on the pitch come first,” United’s managing director, Richard Arnold, told Associated Press.

Arnold said Van Gaal, who complained about the effects the pre-season tour to the US had on preparations, was being fully consulted. “I can only speak positively of my experience with the manager in terms of his understanding of what’s required to get a first-class team on to the pitch and also what’s required for running a club of our magnitude,” he said.

• The headline on this article was corrected on 30 September 2014 to remove the word “physios”, as the staff in question are not chartered physiotherapists.


Boss starts to pull ranks

 

[melvin]

James Wilson becomes Manchester United’s 11th player out injured

Louis van Gaal’s squad has been hit by an 11th injury after James Wilson was left hobbling at half-time during Manchester United’s under-21s victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening.

While Wilson had only been due to play the opening 45 minutes of the Premier League Under-21 fixture, the news is yet another setback for the manager who will be without captain Wayne Rooney throughout October due to his three-game suspension for the red card he received in the 2-1 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford.

The emergence of Wilson convinced Van Gaal to allow Danny Welbeck to be sold to Arsenal for £16m in the summer window as the England forward was effectively placed behind the 18-year-old in the pecking order of strikers.

If Wilson is declared unfit for Sunday’s visit of Everton if will be a particular disappointment to him as Rooney’s unavailability places him in contention to be called into the matchday squad by Van Gaal.

Wilson scored twice on debut in United’s final home match of last season, the 3-1 win over Hull City on 6 May.


ever growing injury list.


We got a first 11 injury list...

 

[9V-Orion Images]

I dunno.. can't really see it from the slow motion replay. It was a tight one for sure.

"Superman linesman" with "x-ray vision" feels Kevin Nola's head is offside. That's all it matters. :bsmilie:

Hope to see more of him in the senior team ... timely tackle and clearance ... always pushing forward n supporting upfront.

That should really be the way to go, fostering talents from young rather than purchasing them.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[melvin]

"Superman linesman" with "x-ray vision" feels Kevin Nola's head is offside. That's all it matters. :bsmilie:


That should really be the way to go, fostering talents from young rather than purchasing them.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Think with the desperate need for defenders think we should be able to see more of him in the senior side ... and we really need his kind of play which i think really suits our attacking play...

 

[melvin]

Ji-sung Park returns to Old Trafford

• Former Manchester United player to become Club Ambassador

Former Manchester United midfielder Ji-sung Park will make a return to the club as he takes up his post as Club Ambassador.

To celebrate his appointment, Park will be invited to tread Old Trafford’s hallowed turf once again, with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before kick-off at the team’s home fixture against Everton on Sunday 5 October.

As part of his role, the highly decorated player will attend various events and functions on behalf of the club, promoting the work it does within the community and with its partners, sharing anecdotes from his time at Old Trafford.

Park played for United for seven years, from 2005 to 2012, winning an array of accolades, including four Premier League titles, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup.

He is recognised as the most decorated Asian footballer in history as well as the first Asian player to have won the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking about his appointment, Ji-sung Park comments:

"I have fond memories of my time at Manchester United and I am delighted and honoured to have become an ambassador for the club.

"Some of the best moments of my life and career were spent here and I will never forget the great support I had from the club and the fans. I am looking forward to once again representing United and sharing some of these memories with our global fanbase."

Manchester United Group Managing Director Richard Arnold comments:

"Ji was a fantastic servant for the club and I’m delighted that he is becoming an ambassador for Manchester United. He has always been a favourite with our fans both at Old Trafford and around the world and this new role will give him the chance to meet many of these fans and share his stories.

"Ji joins a long list of ex-players who are now working with the club in various guises; from ambassadorial appearances, media work and in coaching roles at the Aon Training Complex. It demonstrates the club’s ability to not only attract some of the best talent in the world, but retain it even after the players have retired."


Park returns to OT!

 

[melvin]

Preview: Manchester United v Everton


Manchester United are aiming to avenge last season's two defeats to Everton when the Merseysiders travel to Old Trafford on Sunday (kick-off 12:00 BST).

The Reds are determined to build on last week's hard-fought win over West Ham with another international break looming. Wayne Rooney's red card left the hosts preserving a narrow 2-1 lead as both he and Robin van Persie were on the scoresheet.

Team News: Louis van Gaal confirmed on Friday that Paddy McNair will keep his place in defence and also hinted at a start for Juan Mata in the absence of Rooney. The game comes too soon however for Phil Jones, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, although Michael Carrick is closing in on a return. Tyler Blackett is back from suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench behind Marcos Rojo, with van Gaal reluctant to pair two left-footed centre-backs together at the heart of defence. Everton are without Kevin Mirallas after he suffered a hamstring strain while Sylvain Distin, James McCarthy, Steven Pienaar and Seamus Coleman did not travel to Russia to face FC Krasnodar in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Opposition: Everton have failed to replicate last season's fine form yet and, in fact, had the worst defensive record in the top European leagues before managing a useful 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the derby, courtesy of Phil Jagielka's late bolt from the blue. Roberto Martinez always plays attractive football but youngster Ross Barkley has not been available this term and his new signings are still to gel. Nonetheless, the Merseysiders are often difficult opponents and are expected to climb the table soon.

Everton's last XI: Howard; Hibbert, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Besic; Mirallas, Naismith, Lukaku.

Betting: United are 1.75 favourites to beat Everton (4.50) with the draw rated a 3.60 chance. Radamel Falcao and van Persie are shortest priced at 4.50 to open the scoring while United to win 2-1 is priced at 8.25.

Last Meeting: Everton were comfortable 2-0 victors at Goodison Park in April in David Moyes' final game in charge of the Reds. Baines, with a penalty, and Mirallas scored in the first half and, although Rooney was thwarted by Tim Howard late on, there were few signs of a recovery from the visitors. The team that lines up for United on Sunday will be very different to the one selected on that occasion.

Match Official: Kevin Friend is the man in the middle in his fourth Barclays Premier League assignment of the season. He is yet to issue a sending-off this term but has brandished 12 yellow cards.


Preview

 

[melvin]

Boss suggests Mata and McNair will start


Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested Juan Mata and Paddy McNair will start Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Everton.

Spanish schemer Mata is favourite to replace suspended skipper Wayne Rooney in the no.10 role while McNair is set to retain his place after an impressive debut against West Ham last weekend, with Phil Jones not yet fit. The boss is hoping the injury situation clears up over the international break but is looking forward to seeing how his side performs against the Merseysiders at Old Trafford.

"Juan Mata has played very well in his [Rooney's] position," stated van Gaal at the pre-match press conference. "I have to choose. I will miss Wayne because he is the captain of the team but Mata can also play very well.

"We still have three central defenders injured so he [McNair] shall play. He is the only player who can play in the right-sided defensive position. I chose him last week and he was very good. It's difficult for a player like him to maintain that level - that is his biggest challenge.

"We have eight injuries and one red card so nine players are not available. It's difficult to explain. You can be fit but not match fit - that's a big difference. For example, Ander Herrera is fit but he cannot play because of his rib pressure. Marouane Fellaini has trained for one week but is not fit to play 90 minutes."


Mata n McNair to start

 

[richiemccaw1]

I have a feeling Mata is not staying for much longer at United. Probably gone by Jan to fund a purchase for Strootman..

 

[melvin]

Rojo loving life as a Red

Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo has been a Manchester United player for less than two months, but has already settled into life as a Red.

The defender, who put in an admirable display in central defence against West Ham last weekend, spoke to MUTV about settling in off the pitch in Manchester and his views about the team's progress on the field.

"Things are going very well," says United's no.5. "My family are with me, which is great, and we are enjoying living here. We are still sorting out a house, so I'm in a hotel at the moment. But I'm very happy and settled in the city. I really like Manchester.

"So far I've managed to play three games. We lost one of them but overall I think we've done well. I've been quite pleased with how it's gone."

Rojo is also taking English lessons alongside fellow new recruit and countryman Angel Di Maria. "I really like the English language so I always go to my lessons excited and ready to learn," he says. "This way I'll be able to communicate better with my teammates. The two of us are tackling it together. It's going really well and learning together makes it more fun."

Asked if anything had surprised him since his summer move from Portugal, Rojo says the fans inside Old Trafford have already left a lasting impression. He added: "I've played in many stadia around the world but the atmosphere when you come out of the tunnel at Old Trafford is like nothing I've ever experienced before at any of my former clubs."


Rojo n Dimaria learn english

 

[melvin]

Neville urges fast start against Everton

Phil Neville believes Manchester United need to make a fast start against Everton as the former full-back previewed Sunday's game for MUTV.

The ex-England international has been monitoring both clubs' form with interest and feels the Toffees' long trip to Russia to face FC Krasnodar on Thursday could hamper their ability to repeat last season's win at Old Trafford.

"I think to come back from Russia and play on Sunday at 12 o'clock is really difficult, from past experience, so I feel United have got to have a fast start and keep the tempo high to make sure Everton feel the effects of the Europa League game," he said.

"Everton have let in too many goals which is unlike them, and every goal has been an individual error. But it was their best defensive performance at Anfield [last weekend] when they cut out the silly mistakes and became hard to beat.

"As for United, it's been a bit up and down. The biggest problem is the amount of injuries - to have nine or 10 out, particularly in key areas of the pitch, means you're always going to struggle. The time to judge this team is when everybody is fit.

"People are having a go at the defence but there have been no centre-backs fit all season. Soon, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling will be back and the manager can start playing his best pairing at centre-back. I'm sure these players will come good. I've got every faith in them. I've coached them, played with and against them, and I know the qualities they have got."


former Everton players tips us

 

[melvin]

I have a feeling Mata is not staying for much longer at United. Probably gone by Jan to fund a purchase for Strootman..

Yea ... there is rumour since last transfer window ...