Manchester United VI: TREBLE DREAM is ALIVE!!!

[melvin]

Papers: Ronny backs Prem

England can rule for Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo has called on the Premier League’s Champions League heroes to make sure it is an all-English final. Liverpool’s triumph over Inter Milan on Tuesday means that all four English sides are through to the last eight. Now the Manchester United star wants one of them to reach the final. Ronaldo said: “I don’t want to play one of the English clubs at the quarter-final stage. I would much prefer it in the semis or better still the final. To have two English sides in the final would be fantastic.”
Neil Custis, The Sun

The Sun reports that Steven Gerrard has hit back at Rio Ferdinand’s supposed criticism of Liverpool's European form, saying: “Our record in the Champions League speaks for itself – we don’t have to defend ourselves or say how good we are.”

Several of Thursday’s papers pick up on Sir Alex Ferguson’s declaration that the Barclays Premier League is now the best in Europe.

Carlos Tevez will have a price tag of £37million when his move to United is made permanent, according to The Express.

In other news, Ferguson is reportedly interested in Wales U21 midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who shone for Cardiff in their FA Cup win over Middlesbrough.

And the Reds boss believes Teddy Sheringham, who will retire from playing at the end of the season, has the potential to succeed in management.

Round up by James Tuck

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Evra: Bring on the Gunners

Patrice Evra would relish being paired with Arsenal in Friday's draw for the Champions League quarter-finals.

With all four Premier League representatives still in the competition, United have a three in seven chance of being drawn against English opposition - and Evra has no fear of going up against Arsene Wenger's league leaders.

"Why not get Arsenal? I don't give a damn," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Express. "I have played every year against Arsenal. We drew 2-2 on their ground and we can't wait to play them again next month. We beat them 4-0 in the FA Cup, too."

The Gunners raised eyebrows around Europe by eliminating holders AC Milan in the first knockout round, but Evra cares not a jot. He insists that the most important thing is to stay focused, regardless of who lies in wait in next month's two-legged tie.

"You have to say they struck a big blow in knocking out the holders, but, basically, Arsenal don't scare me," he said. "The only team I am looking at for the next round of the Champions League are Manchester United.

"It would be a mistake to say we'd rather have Fenerbahce than Barcelona, say. That's when you get hit. Look at Real Madrid when they played us at Monaco in the quarter-finals in 2004.

"They were so confident they booked their hotel for the semi-final - but they hadn't reckoned on us. You have to stay concentrated."

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Edwin eyes more Euro glory

Edwin van der Sar may be a Champions League veteran but his appetite for European success has not diminished.

It is 13 years since the goalkeeper won the competition with Ajax and he is determined to claim another winner’s medal with United before hanging up his boots.

The 37-year-old is one of five members of the current squad to have experienced Champions League glory – Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown were all part of the Reds’ Treble-winning squad in 1999.

“Everybody wants to win it and we’ll be doing our very best to claim another medal,” Van der Sar told MUTV.

“It’s a long time since I won it and it’s the same for the boys who played in 1999, so everyone’s determined to repeat it.”

While some of his team-mates have claimed they do not mind who United are pitted against in Friday's quarter-final draw, Van der Sar revealed he would be happier not to face one of the three other English teams.

“I would prefer to play a European team," he said. "It’s part of the Champions League experience: you go to the airport, you fly somewhere, you rest in the hotel, you train the night before the game and you play in different surroundings in front of a hostile crowd.

“I would prefer that but if we’re drawn against an English side, we’ll deal with it.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Match Pack: Derby County

Reds fans may expect the goals to rain down after Derby lost 6-1 at Chelsea - but Spurs are the only side who've scored more than two at Pride Park in 2008.

Form guide: Derby's drubbing at Stamford Bridge was like a flashback to September when they conceded six at Liverpool and five at Arsenal. Defensively they had been a bit tighter following the January signings of midfielder Robbie Savage, centre-back Alan Stubbs and ex-United keeper Roy Carroll - the latter kept his first clean sheet for the club in their last home fixture, 0-0 against Sunderland on 1 March. That draw was Derby's third in nine league matches since New Year's Day - they've lost the other six games.

Ins and outs: Spared from the reserves on Wednesday, Ben Foster could make his competitive United debut in the possible absence of Edwin van der Sar (thigh) and the certain exclusion of Tomasz Kuszczak (suspension). Derby's absentees include defenders Claude Davis and Tyrone Mears and promising winger Giles Barnes.

Star men: Combative rather than creative qualities could be Derby's best hope of earning a shock result and few men are better suited to a scrap than ex-United youth player Savage. The Reds will hope Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez - scorer of two goals against Derby inDecember - can open their goal accounts for March.


Rivals watch: Sunderland v Chelsea (Sat 15:00), Arsenal v Middlesbrough (Sat 17:15).

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Carlos: It's time to deliver

Carlos Queiroz insists it's vital the players get over their FA Cup exit as quickly as possible and focus their efforts on Premier League and European glory.

United's assistant boss admits the quarter-final defeat to Portsmouth last weekend was a bitter pill to swallow, but he remains confident in the team's ability to bounce back from adversity.

"We were very down after the Portsmouth game. It was a bad feeling because we felt the trophy escaped from our grasp," Queiroz told MUTV.

"There was a lot of frustration and sadness amongst the team and the staff. But the most important thing now is to show the right attitude, the Manchester United attitude and bounce back from what happened. We need to keep moving forward."

Three league games in a week now await the Reds with a trip to bottom-placed Derby on Saturday, before two home games against Bolton (Wednesday) and Liverpool (Easter Sunday).

Arsenal's third consecutive league draw at Wigan last weekend means United are now just two points behind the league leaders and they have a chance to leapfrog Arsene Wenger's men with victory in their next two matches.

"We cannot rely and expect other teams to make mistakes in our favour. It is up to us to do our job," insists Queiroz. "This is a crucial part of the season and there is no room for error on our part. Now is the time to deliver.

"We expect the best from our players - the best concentration, the best football and the best motivation. Everything needs to be perfect."

:devil:

 

[Big Kahuna]

Carlos: It's time to deliver

:devil:

Hate to hear this...everytime after a game lost....you will hear someone say this....they should let their feet do the talking :sweat:

 

[mystudio]

Hate to hear this...everytime after a game lost....you will hear someone say this....they should let their feet do the talking :sweat:

yes.. and everytime people like gary neville, rio ferdinand start talking about winning treble etc.. they start to loss. just let the feet do the talking la...

 

[Hitman]

The Champions League Draw is done!!

Man Utd will face Roma (a repeat of last season, anyone?)

Arsenal vs Liverpool (goodness!!)

Barcelona vs Schalke (easy game for Barca I guess)

Chelsea vs Fernebahce ( I think Chelsea have the easiest opponent)

 

[jeff49er]

Man U ag Roma. Roma improved from last season. Lets wait for the moment of truth

 

[afbug]

The Champions League Draw is done!!

Man Utd will face Roma (a repeat of last season, anyone?)

Arsenal vs Liverpool (goodness!!)

Barcelona vs Schalke (easy game for Barca I guess)

Chelsea vs Fernebahce ( I think Chelsea have the easiest opponent)

woohoo!! AS Roma here we come!! :devil:

Chelsea will face Arsenal/Liverpool if they beat Fernebache. Man Utd will take on Barca if both win.

Champions League semi-final draw:
Arsenal/Liverpool v Fenerbahce/Chelsea
Schalke/Barcelona v AS Roma/Man Utd

 

[melvin]

woohoo!! AS Roma here we come!! :devil:

Chelsea will face Arsenal/Liverpool if they beat Fernebache. Man Utd will take on Barca if both win.

Champions League semi-final draw:
Arsenal/Liverpool v Fenerbahce/Chelsea
Schalke/Barcelona v AS Roma/Man Utd

Oh yes NOU CAMP here we come!:bsmilie::devil:

 

[jeff49er]

Hard fought 1 nil win over Derby. Thats what Champions come up with :thumbsup:

 

[Big Kahuna]

Hard fought 1 nil win over Derby. Thats what Champions come up with :thumbsup:

Giggs and Scholes again....and Fergie nearly eat his own medicine....on last game...Lampah managed 4 goals against Derby.....Ronaldo should have 5 for this one....kelong :lovegrin:

 

[jeff49er]

Arsenal drew again. Well they dropped crucial pts in the last 4 games or else they would be cruising .

 

[redstorm]

Ben Foster, making his debut for the first eleven, though was nervous at times judging from some of his kicks, made two superb saves that would otherwise have resulted in two goals. His kicks, when well taken, were very powerful and went almost an entire length of the field. Given more first team exposure, in the long run especially given his young age, he would definitely make an excellent goalkeeper. Afterall, he was already knocking on the national team's door when he was loaned out last season. This lad will go far. Keep a tab on him. :thumbsup::devil:

 

[afbug]

Woohoo! Lead the table with a game in hand. :devil: Have to beat Bolton midweek to make it count.

 

[afbug]

Ben Foster, making his debut for the first eleven, though was nervous at times judging from some of his kicks, made two superb saves that would otherwise have resulted in two goals. His kicks, when well taken, were very powerful and went almost an entire length of the field. Given more first team exposure, in the long run especially given his young age, he would definitely make an excellent goalkeeper. Afterall, he was already knocking on the national team's door when he was loaned out last season. This lad will go far. Keep a tab on him. :thumbsup::devil:

Yes he is good. Future number one! :thumbsup:

 

[Galdor]

Actually I'm quite disappointed with the result. We dominated the game so well and only have 1 goal. Anyway, I must say that Derby has played very well. At one time, they were very promising to get a goal or two. :sweat:

 

[melvin]

Actually I'm quite disappointed with the result. We dominated the game so well and only have 1 goal. Anyway, I must say that Derby has played very well. At one time, they were very promising to get a goal or two. :sweat:

Should say this game both keepers play quite well esp our EX when come to facing his old team mates .... wah.... in TOP form man ....if not our score line will be much more! Foster got 3 point blank save :thumbsup: for a young guy!:devil:

 

[jeff49er]

Aside to Bolton game, this weekend and the next is Red Tide Rising.

This weekend, Chelskis vs Arsenal . Draw for Arsehols again? :bsmilie:

Following week, Arsehols and Liverfulls = blood bath? :think: