Manchester United VIII - King of Europe/Double Champions!!!

[melvin]

Papers: PSG want Reds duo
31/07/2008 08:29

Silvestre keen to stay, despite PSG interest
Mikael Silvestre, the Manchester United defender, is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain but he is still holding out for a testimonial.
The France international, 30, made just three Barclays Premier League appearances last term but will clock up 10 years at Old Trafford this season. PSG plan to offer £3.5m.
They also fancy United's injury-prone France striker Louis Saha but he would prefer to stay in England.
Daily Mail

Meanwhile, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has insisted once more that it’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s “dream” to play at the Bernabeu. In the Daily Express, he reiterated his belief that Madrid have done nothing wrong this summer in their pursuit of Ronaldo. “The club at which I’m president sleeps with a clear conscience,” he said.

The Sun claim they know Ronaldo will stay at United… because he’s apparently ordered two new hot tubs for his Manchester home.:sweat:


Round up by Nick Coppack

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Youngsters reach Milk Cup final
31/07/2008 21:48

United's goal-laden trail to Milk Cup glory continued on Thursday evening, as Paul McGuinness' young side hit another four goals to reach the competition final at the expense of Watford.

The Hornets were beaten 4-2 at Ballymena's Showgrounds, taking United's goal haul to a staggering 17 in just four games.

The Reds will meet South Coast Bayern in Friday's final, after the Americans overcame Hearts in a penalty shootout earlier in Thursday's early semi-final.

More details will follow.

Round up by Steve Bartram

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Rene: Ole's razor sharp
31/07/2008 08:52

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the tactical nous to be a successful manager, according to friend and mentor Rene Meulensteen.

The two coaches regularly watches United's senior side in action together, and Meulensteen has been impressed by the Norwegian's astute insight into matches.

"As a player, Ole was so productive off the bench, he had a great ability to read games and opponents, and that will help him also as a coach and a manager," Rene told ManUtd.com.

"He’s got a good eye for tactical ideas about the game. I sit a lot with him upstairs during matches and he has a good sharp view for what’s happening in a game and what he would do to change it and why things are happening. It certainly bodes well."

Solskjaer brings down the curtain on his playing career with this weekend's testimonial against Espanyol, and Reds coach Meulensteen expects the Norwegian's career move into management to mirror his success as a United player.

"The things that made Ole succeed as a player will make him succeed in management," said Rene. "He’s got great determination and focus, as well as a great ability to learn, and these qualities are the same as those you need to be a successful manager."

Round up by Steve Bartram

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Iaquinta ready to face United
31/07/2008 10:07

Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta believes the bianconeri will pose a stern challenge to European champions United when they visit Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Claudio Ranieri's side visit Old Trafford on Wednesday to take part in the Reds' final pre-season friendly before the defence of United's Premier League and Champions League crowns begin. Before then, of course, the Reds face Espanyol for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial and Peterborough United.

Juve have high ambitions of their own this season. After finishing third in their first season back in Serie A, Ranieri's side have their sights set on a swift return to Champions League action, too, and they can achieve it with victory in the third qualifying round which begins on 12 August.

After scoring once against Brondby, twice against Borussia Dortmund and grabbing another against Internazionale, the 28-year-old no.9 hopes to score the goals that will meet Juve's expectations this season.

"I feel very good, fortunately my injuries are in the past now and I hope I can get to the qualifying round 100% fit.

"We're all doing very well up front, we're still in the preparation phase, but all four of us will be on good form when it counts. Tonight we had more confirmation that we can challenge any team."

United v Juventus, 6 August, 20:00 BST

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Somemore its reported for 1m only. Wah kenna chop but I guess he is still regarded as a rookie.

Alamak! Why u they let him go at that kind of price? At least $10mil mah!:devil:

 

[afbug]

Alamak! Why u they let him go at that kind of price? At least $10mil mah!:devil:

haha ya lor but dun think 10m lah. :bsmilie: Think he is worth 2-5m. I guess he has no experience thats why so cheap.

 

[afbug]

Rene: Ole's razor sharp
31/07/2008 08:52

:devil:

Fergie once said that Ole studies the game instead of talking to team mates when he is on the bench. He will be a top filght manager one day.

 

[melvin]

haha ya lor but dun think 10m lah. :bsmilie: Think he is worth 2-5m. I guess he has no experience thats why so cheap.

Ya he worth 5 mil but he still got youth and thats another 5mil so 10mil ok la not too much la!;p:devil:

 

[melvin]

Fergie once said that Ole studies the game instead of talking to team mates when he is on the bench. He will be a top filght manager one day.

Hope one day he will be able to take over SAF!:bsmilie::devil:

 

[Venom81]

Alamak! Why u they let him go at that kind of price? At least $10mil mah!:devil:

10 million v expensive. more expensive then most current liverpool strikers expect Torres. :bsmilie:

 

[Venom81]

I think its time for Saha to go. He really CMI at Man Utd

 

[melvin]

I think its time for Saha to go. He really CMI at Man Utd

Ya ... think its time for the 2 french fries to go! Really CMI and if PSG wants them time to chop carrot head! :bsmilie::devil:

 

[Venom81]

Ya ... think its time for the 2 french fries to go! Really CMI and if PSG wants them time to chop carrot head! :bsmilie::devil:

Comfirm must chop PSG's carrot head. :bsmilie:

 

[melvin]

Reds triumph in Milk Cup final
01/08/2008 20:34

United’s youngsters turned in another classy performance against South Coast Bayern to bring the Northern Ireland Milk Cup back to Old Trafford for a record third time.

The Reds ran out 3-0 winners in teeming rain at Coleraine’s Showgrounds, courtesy of superb goals from Oliver Norwood, Nicky Ajose and Federico Macheda.

Paul McGuinness’ side went into Friday’s final in a rich vein of goalscoring form, having hit 17 goals in just four games en route to the showpiece, and were quickly in the groove again against their Californian opponents.

Only 13 minutes had elapsed when Norwood fired home a delightful free-kick and, though the Reds were always on top, nerves were only settled when Ajose chipped home a lovely second goal just before the interval.

Macheda lashed home his fifth goal of the tournament shortly after the restart, blasting clinically into the top corner from 15 yards after a fine pull-back from skipper Matthew James to end the Americans’ hopes of a comeback.

South Coast Bayern had a late goal ruled out for offside, perhaps harshly, but United were rarely troubled as they sauntered to victory and capped a highly impressive Milk Cup campaign with the ultimate prize.


Round up by Steve Bartram

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Papers: Villa in for Mikael?
01/08/2008 08:43

O'Neill chases Silvestre
Martin O'Neill wants to take Mikael Silvestre on a year's loan from Manchester United. Aston Villa's boss is desperately short of cover at left-back and has earmarked the former France international to fill the spot vacated by the injured Wilfred Bouma. And so O'Neill has sounded out Sir Alex Ferguson about the possibility of using Silvestre on a temporary basis. The former Inter Milan star has been working his way back to full fitness following a cruciate ligament injury suffered early last season. He returned to the first-team at Old Trafford but has found opportunities difficult to come by due to the form of Patrice Evra and has attracted interest from Bordeaux, Roma and Paris St Germain over the past two months. But he is in the last year of his contract and is keen to earn a testimonial following ten years at United and a loan deal would not hinder that.
Neil Moxley, Daily Mail

In other news, the Mail runs a story which claims Cristiano Ronaldo has told Portuguese reporters that he'll return to England next week and reiterate his desire to play for Real Madrid.

United hope Tottenham’s bid to bring in new strikers means they will offload Dimitar Berbatov, according to The Sun. Spurs are on the brink of signing Russian ace Andrei Arshavin having just recruited David Bentley from Blackburn. They may now choose to balance the books by selling Berbatov to United.

Round up by Gemma Thompson

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Becks: Ole's all about goals
01/08/2008 09:25

David Beckham's overriding memory of playing alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is simple - goals.

The LA Galaxy midfielder took time out to pay tribute to the Norwegian in an exclusive interview with MUTV.

Beckham had hoped to be part of the celebrations at Solskjaer's testimonial on Saturday at Old Trafford, but commitments with his current side have prevented him from making the trip to Manchester.

The England international played alongside United's former striker for six years and rates him as one of the best players he's ever worked with.

"I remember meeting him for the first time and thinking how young he looked - he had such a baby face!" recalls Beckham.

"As soon as he started training you could see straight away that he had what it took to become a Manchester United player, a great Manchester United player in fact, even at such a young age.

"He was one of those players that whenever he got the ball he did something with it – that was obvious from the moment he stepped on the training pitch."

Solskjaer went on to net 126 goals in 326 games, including that goal in Barcelona in 1999, numerous other late winners and two memorable quadruples against Nottingham Forest and Everton.

"Obviously the goal in Barcelona is one of my favourite Ole memories," says Beckham. "But I’ll never forget when he came on as a sub at Nottingham Forest and within ten minutes had scored four goals. That just sums Ole up as a player, he was all about scoring goals.

"We appreciated everything about him though, not just his goals. He always worked hard on and off the field and the fact that he was a nice guy on top of all that was brilliant. He’s a great player and a great person."


Round up by Gemma Thompson

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Neville out of Espanyol game
01/08/2008 11:50

Injury will force Gary Neville to miss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s testimonial match against RCD Espanyol at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Neville is hoping to return to action this season after missing almost the entire 2007/08 campaign with various injuries.

The 33-year-old defender has picked up a slight calf strain, but Sir Alex Ferguson explained on Friday that he expects to have the club captain available for selection when the Reds take on Juventus at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney, who have both been suffering with a virus this week, should recover in time to face Espanyol.

Round up by Ben Hibbs and Gemma Thompson

Alamak its time for Uncle to retire!:bsmilie::devil:

 

[melvin]

6 more hours to go! UNITED V RCD Espanyol:devil:

 

[afbug]

6 more hours to go! UNITED V RCD Espanyol:devil:

Got telecast?

 

[afbug]

Ya ... think its time for the 2 french fries to go! Really CMI and if PSG wants them time to chop carrot head! :bsmilie::devil:

Yeah Silvestre isn't the player he is already. Old liao but dunno if Fergie will trust Simpson as Evra's cover or not. If Silvestre leaves, full backs a bit thin, left Neville, Brown, Evra and Simpson.

Saha is good but he really made of glass. CMI liao. Once broken considered sold! :devil: Anyway think Fergie wants a striker, so I think Saha is likely to leave. Reserves still got Welbeck, Campbell and Cleverley. Ah Dong must have lost his way liao.