And if Villa were to win tonight they will be fighting for their favourite spot......which is No.4!:bsmilie::devil:
Manchester United IX - Quest for Treble Glory Continues....
- Thread starter melvin
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And if Villa were to win tonight they will be fighting for their favourite spot......which is No.4!:bsmilie::devil:
Arh.. pls keep Brown away if not we will start to conceded goals again!;p:devil:
After this weekend we should be 4pts clear right?:think:
Current Lineup
Manchester United Everton
1 Edwin van der Sar (G) (G) Tim Howard 24
15 Nemanja Vidic (CD-L) (CD-L) Joleon Lescott 5
5 Rio Ferdinand (CD-R) (CD-R) Phil Jagielka 6
22 John O'Shea (LB) (LB) Leighton Baines 3
2 Gary Neville (RB) (RB) Tony Hibbert 2
24 Darren Fletcher (CM-L) (CM-L) Phil Neville 18
16 Michael Carrick (CM-R) (CM-R) Mikel Arteta 10
13 Ji-Sung Park (LM) (LM) Steven Pienaar 20
7 Cristiano Ronaldo (RM) (RM) Leon Osman 21
32 Carlos Tevez (CF-L) (ST) Tim Cahill 17
9 Dimitar Berbatov (CF-R) (RCF) Marouane Fellaini 25
Lucky no Brown!:sweat:
Manchester United Everton
1 Edwin van der Sar (G) (G) Tim Howard 24
15 Nemanja Vidic (CD-L) (CD-L) Joleon Lescott 5
5 Rio Ferdinand (CD-R) (CD-R) Phil Jagielka 6
22 John O'Shea (LB) (LB) Leighton Baines 3
2 Gary Neville (RB) (RB) Tony Hibbert 2
24 Darren Fletcher (CM-L) (CM-L) Phil Neville 18
16 Michael Carrick (CM-R) (CM-R) Mikel Arteta 10
13 Ji-Sung Park (LM) (LM) Steven Pienaar 20
7 Cristiano Ronaldo (RM) (RM) Leon Osman 21
32 Carlos Tevez (CF-L) (ST) Tim Cahill 17
9 Dimitar Berbatov (CF-R) (RCF) Marouane Fellaini 25
Lucky no Brown!:sweat:
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muahahahhaha! Top of table AGAIN, record holders for longest time for not conceding a goal and STILL COUNTING!
However, very pek chek watching all the BUILDUP and no effective lethal finish!
with the star studded cast, all MU could do was to scrape through with 1-0 via a penalty again?!
wah lau eh....
haiz, SACK THE LOT of strikers (cept carlos tevez), bring in natural strikers!
haiz....well...a win is still a win, but today's match was showing so clearly, GK, Def, MF is great, Strikeforce?.........:think:
However, very pek chek watching all the BUILDUP and no effective lethal finish!
with the star studded cast, all MU could do was to scrape through with 1-0 via a penalty again?!
wah lau eh....
haiz, SACK THE LOT of strikers (cept carlos tevez), bring in natural strikers!
haiz....well...a win is still a win, but today's match was showing so clearly, GK, Def, MF is great, Strikeforce?.........:think:
muahahahhaha! Top of table AGAIN, record holders for longest time for not conceding a goal and STILL COUNTING!
However, very pek chek watching all the BUILDUP and no effective lethal finish!
with the star studded cast, all MU could do was to scrape through with 1-0 via a penalty again?!
wah lau eh....
haiz, SACK THE LOT of strikers (cept carlos tevez), bring in natural strikers!
haiz....well...a win is still a win, but today's match was showing so clearly, GK, Def, MF is great, Strikeforce?.........:think:
I think its our trend lor... always after a big win the next game we will onli win by 1 goal!:bsmilie:
Stirkers what we need is a strong finisher like RVN!:devil:
Gooners drop point is expected one le... think we should be 4pts gap after tonight!:bsmilie::devil:
Galdor
Senior Member
United 1 Everton 0
Another game, another United win, another record.
This hard-fought victory extended the champions lead at the top of the table and, in keeping another clean sheet, Edwin van der Sar has now broken the all-time record in the entire English football league.
Like last season, the game was settled by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. This one, which came just before the interval, was the wingers 14th goal of the season.
And the Reds held off a determined Everton side to end the visitors nine-game unbeaten run and go five points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea, who face off on Sunday.
United had made one change from the side that demolished West Brom in midweek, with Darren Fletcher, scorer at Goodison Park earlier in the season, replacing Ryan Giggs.
The champions took to the field in black armbands as this was the closest home game to the 51st anniversary of the Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958.
Everton were boosted by the availability of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini after the influential forwards passed fitness tests.
It was a decidedly more cagey opening to the game than United had experienced at The Hawthorns, with both sides preferring to test the water rather than dive-bomb into it.
United enjoyed the majority of the possession early on, however, with Everton content to get behind the ball and punt long balls towards Cahill and the considerable frame of Fellaini.
Unsurpisingly, the visitors main threat came from set-pieces and Uniteds defence had to muscle up to clear more than one dangerous-looking free-kick.
In the seventh minute Ji-sung Parks low cross evaded everyone and almost deceived Tim Howard, who was at full stretch to prevent the ball creeping in at the far post.
The ex-United keeper was called upon again five minutes later, superbly scooping over a close-range Carlos Tevez stab after Everton had failed properly to clear a Ronaldo cross.
Tevez was at his bullish best and his persistence almost created a chance for Ronaldo as he burst past Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott but saw his cross cut out.
Just before the half-hour mark Ronaldo had two chances to open the scoring in quick succession. Firstly he toe-poked the ball against the post from the edge of the box, then saw his dipping shot tipped over by Howard.
But Everton refused to buckle and, indeed, were themselves causing United more problems than most sides have done at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with Baines more than happy to get forward down the left to support the attack.
Phil Nevilles clever through-ball presented Fellaini with a half-chance, but the striker failed to control the pass which would have put him through one-on-one with van der Sar.
Carrick flashed a left-foot volley just wide after controlling the ball superbly on his chest, and just before the break he was involved again in winning the decisive penalty.
The midfielder charged towards goal and was tripped by Mikel Arteta, with referee Mark Halsey adjudging the offence to have been committed just inside the area.
Ronaldo did the honours, blasting the penalty down the centre of Howards goal for his third goal in five days.
Artetas misery was compounded early in the second half when he sliced a presentable free-kick embarrassingly wide.
Carrick thought he had won another penalty a minute later when he charged onto a John OShea pass and was sent flying by Lescott, but Halsey pointed to the dead-ball line and not the penalty spot.
Soon after Tevez should perhaps have extended Uniteds lead when he controlled Parks cross and made room for himself in the box, only to flash wildly over.
Wes Brown continued his injury comeback when he replaced Gary Neville just before the hour. The United skipper had picked up a strain but, in truth, had endured a torrid first half in which he gave away several free-kicks.
Arteta fared better with another long-range free-kick but van der Sar clung onto his low drive. By now the United keeper had kept Everton scoreless for the 72 minutes needed to break his second record in a week.
With 20 minutes left Steven Pienaar clattered into Carrick on the edge of the box and Tevezs free-kick took a deflection, looped up and forced Howard to tip over.
At the other end Pienaar attempted to make amends but curled his shot from 20 yards way over van der Sars bar.
Fletcher made way for Giggs and the Welshmans corner almost led to a second United goal, but Ronaldo headed over when well placed. Then Tevez found space on the edge of the box but mishit his attempted chip into Howards arms.
Halsey waved away Evertons penalty appeals with seven minutes left as Rio Ferdinand grappled with Lescott in the box.
Howard was again on hand to deny the Reds with time running out, blocking Parks shot from an acute angle.
The Everton keeper had enjoyed a good game on his return to Old Trafford but it was all in vain as the champions won again to march inexorably onwards.
Another game, another United win, another record.
This hard-fought victory extended the champions lead at the top of the table and, in keeping another clean sheet, Edwin van der Sar has now broken the all-time record in the entire English football league.
Like last season, the game was settled by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. This one, which came just before the interval, was the wingers 14th goal of the season.
And the Reds held off a determined Everton side to end the visitors nine-game unbeaten run and go five points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea, who face off on Sunday.
United had made one change from the side that demolished West Brom in midweek, with Darren Fletcher, scorer at Goodison Park earlier in the season, replacing Ryan Giggs.
The champions took to the field in black armbands as this was the closest home game to the 51st anniversary of the Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958.
Everton were boosted by the availability of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini after the influential forwards passed fitness tests.
It was a decidedly more cagey opening to the game than United had experienced at The Hawthorns, with both sides preferring to test the water rather than dive-bomb into it.
United enjoyed the majority of the possession early on, however, with Everton content to get behind the ball and punt long balls towards Cahill and the considerable frame of Fellaini.
Unsurpisingly, the visitors main threat came from set-pieces and Uniteds defence had to muscle up to clear more than one dangerous-looking free-kick.
In the seventh minute Ji-sung Parks low cross evaded everyone and almost deceived Tim Howard, who was at full stretch to prevent the ball creeping in at the far post.
The ex-United keeper was called upon again five minutes later, superbly scooping over a close-range Carlos Tevez stab after Everton had failed properly to clear a Ronaldo cross.
Tevez was at his bullish best and his persistence almost created a chance for Ronaldo as he burst past Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott but saw his cross cut out.
Just before the half-hour mark Ronaldo had two chances to open the scoring in quick succession. Firstly he toe-poked the ball against the post from the edge of the box, then saw his dipping shot tipped over by Howard.
But Everton refused to buckle and, indeed, were themselves causing United more problems than most sides have done at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with Baines more than happy to get forward down the left to support the attack.
Phil Nevilles clever through-ball presented Fellaini with a half-chance, but the striker failed to control the pass which would have put him through one-on-one with van der Sar.
Carrick flashed a left-foot volley just wide after controlling the ball superbly on his chest, and just before the break he was involved again in winning the decisive penalty.
The midfielder charged towards goal and was tripped by Mikel Arteta, with referee Mark Halsey adjudging the offence to have been committed just inside the area.
Ronaldo did the honours, blasting the penalty down the centre of Howards goal for his third goal in five days.
Artetas misery was compounded early in the second half when he sliced a presentable free-kick embarrassingly wide.
Carrick thought he had won another penalty a minute later when he charged onto a John OShea pass and was sent flying by Lescott, but Halsey pointed to the dead-ball line and not the penalty spot.
Soon after Tevez should perhaps have extended Uniteds lead when he controlled Parks cross and made room for himself in the box, only to flash wildly over.
Wes Brown continued his injury comeback when he replaced Gary Neville just before the hour. The United skipper had picked up a strain but, in truth, had endured a torrid first half in which he gave away several free-kicks.
Arteta fared better with another long-range free-kick but van der Sar clung onto his low drive. By now the United keeper had kept Everton scoreless for the 72 minutes needed to break his second record in a week.
With 20 minutes left Steven Pienaar clattered into Carrick on the edge of the box and Tevezs free-kick took a deflection, looped up and forced Howard to tip over.
At the other end Pienaar attempted to make amends but curled his shot from 20 yards way over van der Sars bar.
Fletcher made way for Giggs and the Welshmans corner almost led to a second United goal, but Ronaldo headed over when well placed. Then Tevez found space on the edge of the box but mishit his attempted chip into Howards arms.
Halsey waved away Evertons penalty appeals with seven minutes left as Rio Ferdinand grappled with Lescott in the box.
Howard was again on hand to deny the Reds with time running out, blocking Parks shot from an acute angle.
The Everton keeper had enjoyed a good game on his return to Old Trafford but it was all in vain as the champions won again to march inexorably onwards.
Galdor
Senior Member
Boss: We must take our chances
Sir Alex was delighted to see his side beat Everton and keep yet another clean sheet, but the United boss insisted there is still room for improvement.
The Reds went five points clear at the top of the league but the 1-0 scoreline made for some nervy moments as the final whistle approached.
You only need a second to lose a goal, Sir Alex told MUTV. And in a situation like today, where Everton kept going and kept playing balls up to the edge of the box, that can happen.
The aim of football is to kill teams when youve got them by the throat and we had Everton by the throat several times and didnt do that.
Everton were very energetic and athletic and because we didnt score a second goal even though we created some terrific openings they were always going to carry on and keep fighting. They took us right to the wire.
In the end, Cristiano Ronaldos penalty separated the sides.
Hes taken his penalty well, Sir Alex said. He was under pressure, it was right before half-time but he remained calm.
Ronny perhaps should have been given another chance from the spot when Michael Carrick was brought down by Joleon Lescott after the interval. The Reds boss certainly thought so.
That was a clear penalty, he said. Theres no question about that. But youre never going to get two penalties
Michael Carrick did well today. His penetrative runs were very good. Weve spoken about our midfielders making those sort of runs into the box and Michael did that well today.
Sir Alex was delighted to see his side beat Everton and keep yet another clean sheet, but the United boss insisted there is still room for improvement.
The Reds went five points clear at the top of the league but the 1-0 scoreline made for some nervy moments as the final whistle approached.
You only need a second to lose a goal, Sir Alex told MUTV. And in a situation like today, where Everton kept going and kept playing balls up to the edge of the box, that can happen.
The aim of football is to kill teams when youve got them by the throat and we had Everton by the throat several times and didnt do that.
Everton were very energetic and athletic and because we didnt score a second goal even though we created some terrific openings they were always going to carry on and keep fighting. They took us right to the wire.
In the end, Cristiano Ronaldos penalty separated the sides.
Hes taken his penalty well, Sir Alex said. He was under pressure, it was right before half-time but he remained calm.
Ronny perhaps should have been given another chance from the spot when Michael Carrick was brought down by Joleon Lescott after the interval. The Reds boss certainly thought so.
That was a clear penalty, he said. Theres no question about that. But youre never going to get two penalties
Michael Carrick did well today. His penetrative runs were very good. Weve spoken about our midfielders making those sort of runs into the box and Michael did that well today.
Galdor
Senior Member
Ronaldo happy with his form
Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself satisfied after scoring the winner against Everton but insists all that matters is that the team keep winning.
Following his brace at West Brom on Tuesday, the winger netted his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot on Saturday to send the Reds five points clear at the top.
"I am happy with my season, but the most important thing is the team," Ronaldo told MUTV."We are top, the lads are playing very well, Ive scored a few important goals and want to carry on doing my job to help the team.
"It was very tough today. Everton had a good game at the weekend against Liverpool and we knew it was going to be difficult.
"But we played well, especially in the first half when we created a few chances and managed to score the goal. The second half was a little more difficult, with Everton just playing on the counter-attack."
Ronaldo was not too disappointed that United failed to add to his opener and credited Everton's resilience.
"If we win every game 1-0 its good!" he continued. "Sometimes its important to score goals but Everton are a difficult team to play against. We have to appreciate the attitude and character of the team."
Ronaldo also reserved praise for Edwin van der Sar, who kept his 12th consecutive league clean sheet to break a 30-year-old English league record.
Ronaldo said: "Its unbelievable! Edwin deserves it because he is a great goalkeeper and a great man who works a lot for his age! Im really happy not just for him but for all the lads, especially the defenders who support him a lot."
Third-placed Liverpool host second-placed Chelsea on Sunday when both sides will be fighting tooth and nail to claw the ground back on United.
"Itll be a tough game," Ronaldo added. "Maybe a draw is the best result, but one or both of them will definitely drop points!"
Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself satisfied after scoring the winner against Everton but insists all that matters is that the team keep winning.
Following his brace at West Brom on Tuesday, the winger netted his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot on Saturday to send the Reds five points clear at the top.
"I am happy with my season, but the most important thing is the team," Ronaldo told MUTV."We are top, the lads are playing very well, Ive scored a few important goals and want to carry on doing my job to help the team.
"It was very tough today. Everton had a good game at the weekend against Liverpool and we knew it was going to be difficult.
"But we played well, especially in the first half when we created a few chances and managed to score the goal. The second half was a little more difficult, with Everton just playing on the counter-attack."
Ronaldo was not too disappointed that United failed to add to his opener and credited Everton's resilience.
"If we win every game 1-0 its good!" he continued. "Sometimes its important to score goals but Everton are a difficult team to play against. We have to appreciate the attitude and character of the team."
Ronaldo also reserved praise for Edwin van der Sar, who kept his 12th consecutive league clean sheet to break a 30-year-old English league record.
Ronaldo said: "Its unbelievable! Edwin deserves it because he is a great goalkeeper and a great man who works a lot for his age! Im really happy not just for him but for all the lads, especially the defenders who support him a lot."
Third-placed Liverpool host second-placed Chelsea on Sunday when both sides will be fighting tooth and nail to claw the ground back on United.
"Itll be a tough game," Ronaldo added. "Maybe a draw is the best result, but one or both of them will definitely drop points!"
Galdor
Senior Member
Carrick pleased with the points
Michael Carrick echoed his managers comments after United squeezed past Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Reds won 1-0 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty won by Carrick but the former Spurs midfielder would have preferred the margin to have been greater.
We played very well in the first half-hour but Everton made it difficult for us, he told Setanta Sports. Everton have proved how good a side they are in recent weeks so were happy to come away with the win.
Youre not always going to get games where everything goes right and you play great football. Were happy with 1-0 its another clean sheet and we looked solid as a team.
We had chances to score a few more... theres still more to come from us.
Carrick was at the centre of two penalty claims one given, the other waved away by referee Mark Halsey.
There was definitely contact for the first one, he said. The player [Mikel Arteta] clipped my ankles and my momentum carried me over. I dont think Everton can have any arguments about that one. I thought the second one was a penalty as well. Ive nicked the ball and hes [Joleon Lescott] come across me as Im running through. But you get some decisions and you dont get others. Im not worried complaining too much.
The midfielder was delighted with the three points, and just as pleased to be part of the teams 12th consecutive league clean sheet.
Its a huge achievement and shows how well weve been playing and also the character we have to stick together when its not going so well. Were very satisfied with that.
Michael Carrick echoed his managers comments after United squeezed past Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Reds won 1-0 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty won by Carrick but the former Spurs midfielder would have preferred the margin to have been greater.
We played very well in the first half-hour but Everton made it difficult for us, he told Setanta Sports. Everton have proved how good a side they are in recent weeks so were happy to come away with the win.
Youre not always going to get games where everything goes right and you play great football. Were happy with 1-0 its another clean sheet and we looked solid as a team.
We had chances to score a few more... theres still more to come from us.
Carrick was at the centre of two penalty claims one given, the other waved away by referee Mark Halsey.
There was definitely contact for the first one, he said. The player [Mikel Arteta] clipped my ankles and my momentum carried me over. I dont think Everton can have any arguments about that one. I thought the second one was a penalty as well. Ive nicked the ball and hes [Joleon Lescott] come across me as Im running through. But you get some decisions and you dont get others. Im not worried complaining too much.
The midfielder was delighted with the three points, and just as pleased to be part of the teams 12th consecutive league clean sheet.
Its a huge achievement and shows how well weve been playing and also the character we have to stick together when its not going so well. Were very satisfied with that.
Galdor
Senior Member
U18s: Bolton 0 United 5
United's high-flying Under-18s emulated the first team with a resounding five-goal win away from home at Bolton on Saturday.
Paul McGuinness' side were always in command at Lostock and this victory, following the 3-2 win over Everton last week, maintains the Reds' unbeaten start to 2009 and undefeated away record this season.
Striker Evandro Brandao put United ahead in the first half with a fine, rising left-foot drive from 20 yards, before Chris Curran took advantage of some slack Bolton marking to prod home a corner 10 minutes after the break.
Substitute forward Josh King grabbed a well-taken quickfire double, sidefooting home his first after a strong run from Curran and then scrambling home from close range after a neat one-two involving fellow replacements Ravel Morrison and Ryan Tunnicliffe.
Captain Oliver Norwood completed the rout with a superb curled effort that Bolton keeper Tom Brocklehurst could only palm into the roof of his net.
The result keeps United in touch with derby rivals Manchester City at the top of the table, while Bolton remain rock-bottom.
United: Devlin; Strickland (Tunnicliffe 70), Wootton, Gill, Dudgeon; Norwood, Curran, Brady, Stewart (Morrison 70); Brandao (King 46), Ajose.
Sub not used: Petrucci
United's high-flying Under-18s emulated the first team with a resounding five-goal win away from home at Bolton on Saturday.
Paul McGuinness' side were always in command at Lostock and this victory, following the 3-2 win over Everton last week, maintains the Reds' unbeaten start to 2009 and undefeated away record this season.
Striker Evandro Brandao put United ahead in the first half with a fine, rising left-foot drive from 20 yards, before Chris Curran took advantage of some slack Bolton marking to prod home a corner 10 minutes after the break.
Substitute forward Josh King grabbed a well-taken quickfire double, sidefooting home his first after a strong run from Curran and then scrambling home from close range after a neat one-two involving fellow replacements Ravel Morrison and Ryan Tunnicliffe.
Captain Oliver Norwood completed the rout with a superb curled effort that Bolton keeper Tom Brocklehurst could only palm into the roof of his net.
The result keeps United in touch with derby rivals Manchester City at the top of the table, while Bolton remain rock-bottom.
United: Devlin; Strickland (Tunnicliffe 70), Wootton, Gill, Dudgeon; Norwood, Curran, Brady, Stewart (Morrison 70); Brandao (King 46), Ajose.
Sub not used: Petrucci
Galdor
Senior Member
League: Villa held
Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League table after being held to a goalless draw by Wigan on Saturday afternoon.
With second-placed Liverpool hosting third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, there was an opportunity for Villa to leapfrog the pair, but Martin O'Neill's men failed to break down a dogged Latics side.
Fifth-placed Arsenal were also unable to close the gap as they drew 0-0 with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, while Bolton went above Spurs after a Kevin Davies goal gave them a late 3-2 win over Harry Redknapp's side at the Reebok Stadium.
Two goals from ex-United striker Erik Nevland helped Fulham see off Portsmouth 3-1 to go ninth above Man City, who lost 1-0 at Stoke.
Basement dwellers West Brom battled to a 2-2 draw at Hull, while the two sides above the Baggies, Middlesbrough and Blackburn, played out a stalemate at the Riverside.
Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League table after being held to a goalless draw by Wigan on Saturday afternoon.
With second-placed Liverpool hosting third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, there was an opportunity for Villa to leapfrog the pair, but Martin O'Neill's men failed to break down a dogged Latics side.
Fifth-placed Arsenal were also unable to close the gap as they drew 0-0 with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, while Bolton went above Spurs after a Kevin Davies goal gave them a late 3-2 win over Harry Redknapp's side at the Reebok Stadium.
Two goals from ex-United striker Erik Nevland helped Fulham see off Portsmouth 3-1 to go ninth above Man City, who lost 1-0 at Stoke.
Basement dwellers West Brom battled to a 2-2 draw at Hull, while the two sides above the Baggies, Middlesbrough and Blackburn, played out a stalemate at the Riverside.
Galdor
Senior Member
Edwin's award
The Barclays Merit Award was in safe hands at Carrington on Friday - those of Edwin van der Sar.
The United goalkeeper collected the award after breaking the Barclays Premier League record for minutes played without conceding a goal, spanning 11 consecutive clean sheets from Stoke City on 15 November to West Brom this week.
Speaking about the achievement on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Eleven clean sheets is an incredible record and Edwin has been a key figure in that.
"Hes in the twilight of his career, and the form of his life. His performances have been absolutely fantastic."
It seems the only regret Sir Alex has about Edwin's Old Trafford career is that it didn't start a decade ago.
"It was a mistake not getting Edwin in 1999," admitted the United manager. "I wanted him, but Martin Edwards had already done a deal with Mark Bosnich, and it was too late. He went to Juventus."
Sir Alex eventually got his man six years later in July 2005, after van der Sar had acclimatised to English football with Fulham.
"All through that season (before Edwin signed for United), we were assessing the goalkeeper situation," recalls Sir Alex.
"I left it to Tony Coton (former goalkeeping coach) to get all the information. But every time we discussed it, van der Sars name came up. So we didnt hesitate and did the deal quickly.
"For Edwins sake, it was a great lift for him as much as it was for us. Since he arrived, hes brought incredible knowledge to the back four, patience, great use of the ball. All the technical attributes of goalkeeping, he possesses."
The Barclays Merit Award was in safe hands at Carrington on Friday - those of Edwin van der Sar.
The United goalkeeper collected the award after breaking the Barclays Premier League record for minutes played without conceding a goal, spanning 11 consecutive clean sheets from Stoke City on 15 November to West Brom this week.
Speaking about the achievement on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Eleven clean sheets is an incredible record and Edwin has been a key figure in that.
"Hes in the twilight of his career, and the form of his life. His performances have been absolutely fantastic."
It seems the only regret Sir Alex has about Edwin's Old Trafford career is that it didn't start a decade ago.
"It was a mistake not getting Edwin in 1999," admitted the United manager. "I wanted him, but Martin Edwards had already done a deal with Mark Bosnich, and it was too late. He went to Juventus."
Sir Alex eventually got his man six years later in July 2005, after van der Sar had acclimatised to English football with Fulham.
"All through that season (before Edwin signed for United), we were assessing the goalkeeper situation," recalls Sir Alex.
"I left it to Tony Coton (former goalkeeping coach) to get all the information. But every time we discussed it, van der Sars name came up. So we didnt hesitate and did the deal quickly.
"For Edwins sake, it was a great lift for him as much as it was for us. Since he arrived, hes brought incredible knowledge to the back four, patience, great use of the ball. All the technical attributes of goalkeeping, he possesses."
He miss quite a no goals last nite after scoring 2 last game he left his scoring boots at home!
:cry: Villa cant win at home!
If not tonight pool can fight for the favourite no 4 place again! :devil:
afbug
Senior Member
Ya its a mistake not to sign VDS eariler and even a bigger mistake to let him spent 3 seasons with Fulham.
But still, his best is for Man Utd and I think he still can play for another season. Bad news for the back up keepers like Kuz and Foster thou.
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