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

[melvin]

FAYC: United 2 Chelsea 3

United exited the FA Youth Cup on Thursday, losing 3-2 to Chelsea in the third round. But it could all have been so different after controlling the first half.

Paul McGuinness' boys took the lead through Ravel Morrison, but United were unable to make the most of first-half chances and Chelsea ultimately capitalised.

McGuinness was able to call on Danny Welbeck, who celebrated his 18th birthday this week. The Longsight-born striker has made inroads into the Reds first-team, but he was back on Academy duty at Old Trafford and had the first opening after just four minutes. Oliver Norwood’s through-ball set him racing clear, but he took a fraction too long to decide that he wanted to round Niclas Heimann rather than shoot and the Chelsea keeper collected the ball.

But it didn’t take long for United's early domination to pay off. Four minutes later England schoolboy international Ravel Morrison, still only 15 but already making waves in the U18s, latched onto another throughball. His first touch was excellent and the chipped finish beat Heimann despite the German goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.

The Reds, clearly unfazed by playing at Old Trafford, put together some excellent intricate football, with Morrison and Welbeck integral in attacking areas and central midfield pairing Norwood and Matty James pulling the strings.

Morrison should have scored a second just after the half hour mark. He brilliantly rounded the keeper and one Chelsea defender but tried to beat a third man instead of shooting. He recovered to lay the ball off for James, whose shot was cleared off the line, then Morrison fired over the rebound.

United had looked comfortable all half, but somehow Chelsea went in at the break in front. Gael Kakuta struck first on 43 minutes, poking his past Gary Woods, then Frank Nouble smashed in a second from 20 yards.

Chelsea had looked ordinary in the first half an hour – perhaps they were overawed by the big stage – but they became stronger as the game progressed. They hassled and harried the Reds, whose rhythm and composure was disrupted. But United weren’t giving up. The Reds cranked up the pressure with 15 minutes remaining when a sweeping move across the edge of the Chelsea area ended with James being denied twice by Heimann with a third shot rebounding off his legs and going wide.

With 11 minutes left Welbeck wriggled free in the area but his flicked shot went narrowly wide. Unfortunately, as United pushed forward, Chelsea again struck on the counter attack when Fabio Borini fired past Woods.

The Reds pulled a goal back when Welbeck poked in United's second after good work down the left from substitute Nicky Ajose. But, despite a late flurry from the Reds, Chelsea had already got the goals to ensure victory.

Manchester United: Woods; Tunnicliffe, Wootton, Gill, Dudgeon; Morrison, Norwood (Petrucci 73), James, Brady (Stewart 33); Welbeck, Macheda (Ajose 82).
Subs not used: Devlin (GK), Strickland.

Attendance: 1,246

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Berba back in training

Sir Alex Ferguson is playing a waiting game on the availability of Dimitar Berbatov for this weekend's Manchester derby.

The Bulgarian striker missed the Reds' last two games with a hamstring injury, and his performances in training will determine whether he is risked at Eastlands on Sunday.

"On the injury front, we’re hoping Berbatov starts training today," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "With hamstrings you have to be careful.

"It’s not an easy one. He’s never had a hamstring injury before. We have to judge whether it’s wise to use him on Sunday or put him on the bench. It depends how he trains."

United will definitely be bolstered by the return of Edwin van der Sar, who will bring further experience to a side which hasn't conceded a goal in four games. Less likely to feature are fellow veterans Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, who are both returning from injury.

"We gave Edwin gave a rest on Tuesday and he’ll play on Sunday," said Sir Alex. "His experience is always important on these occasions. Gary Neville started training yesterday, and Scholes may be involved next week sometime but definitely not this game."

Think Berba should be on the bench no need to risk him against the blues. :devil:

 

[melvin]

Evra eyes derby revenge

Patrice Evra says the Reds want to win Sunday's Manchester derby for the fans following back-to-back defeats last season.

Blues fans enjoyed bragging rights last season thanks to a 1-0 victory over Sir Alex's men at Eastlands and a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

Despite not finding the net in their last two games, Evra insists the Reds go in to Sunday's clash full of confidence and determined to make up for the disappointments of last season.

"Sunday is a massive game for us and a really important one for the players, staff and the fans," said the Frenchman.

"Last season we lost six points [against City], and although we ended up winning the league, it was very disappointing.

"Winning on Sunday would be a great present for our supporters."

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Tosic granted work permit

Manchester United have today secured a work permit for potential new signing Zoran Tosic.

The 21-year-old Partizan Belgrade winger was linked with the Reds in the press last weekend and United's application for his work permit has now been successful. However, no move can be completed until the transfer window reopens on 1 January 2009.

Tosic, renowned as a dead-ball specialist, first came to prominence while playing for Serbia in the 2007 European Under 21 Championships. He helped his country to finish runners-up to a Holland team featuring Liverpool's Ryan Babel.

Now a full international, Tosic played in last month's World Cup qualifying win over Austria (3-1), as did United's Nemanja Vidic.

Ronaldo Replacement? :think: :devil:

 

[melvin]

Status quo suits Rio

Rio Ferdinand has refuted suggestions that a resurgent Manchester City would be good for the North-West.

It's been 32 years since the Blues last lifted a major trophy (City beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the 1976 League Cup final) but new owners and big-money signings have injected a wave of optimism into the blue half of Manchester.

Of course, City and United have enjoyed simultaneous success in the past, most notably in 1968 when the Blues won the league and the Reds the European Cup. But it's not a scenario Ferdinand is keen to see repeated.

When asked at a recent Nike Inner Circle event if Manchester would benefit from a second successful side, the England defender’s response was swift and succinct.

“No,” he said. “I want United to win everything. I don’t care about what happens at City.

“Okay, if they start improving and doing well then good luck to them, but as long as they’re not above us in the league I’m happy.”

Ferdinand has played in 11 Manchester derbies since arriving at Old Trafford and can’t wait for kick-off on Sunday.

“The derby’s always a massive game and the fans are right up for it, just like the players. Supporters come up to you in the days leading up to the match and wish you good luck.

“It’s a great fixture and obviously expectations at City are a lot higher these days, so I’m sure it will make for a good game.”

The Blues won both encounters last season – 1-0 at Eastlands, 2-1 at Old Trafford – but Rio’s confident United can turn those results around this term, especially with the help of the Reds’ vocal travelling fans.

“Our away fans are unbelievable,” he said. “It’s easily the best travelling support in England. I was in the stands at Anfield [in 2006] and it was the maddest experience I’ve ever had. It was brilliant and long may our fanatical away support continue.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Hughes: We're in great shape

Mark Hughes believes his Manchester City side are perfectly primed for Sunday’s derby against his former club.

The former Reds striker has his sights set on toppling the champions, following a week that saw convincing wins over Arsenal and Schalke 04. Speaking after the latter victory in Germany, Hughes said of his team:

"We're in great shape. It's been a great week, starting off against Arsenal, we've had a great performance here and it leads nicely into a certain game at the weekend!"

A tricky spell saw Hughes' men lose to Middlesbrough, Bolton and Spurs, but after putting three past the Gunners at the City of Manchester Stadium last Saturday and a 2-0 UEFA Cup win over Schalke on Thursday, things are looking up for the Blues.

Hughes said of Thursday’s game: “I thought we were really comfortable and knew when to break, so as a consequence Schalke were always on the back foot. It was a very accomplished performance."

Sunday's contest will be Hughes' first experience of a Manchester derby as a manager but his 14th derby in total. During his playing days at United, he netted four times in 13 appearances against the club he now helms.

Hughes' derby goals included United's consolation in City's 5-1 win in 1989, and one in the Reds' 5-0 drubbing of the Blues at Old Trafford in November 1994.

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Q&A: Giggs' derby memories

Ahead of another eagerly anticipated Manchester derby on Sunday, Ryan Giggs tells ManUtd.com how he hasn't looked back since joining United from City as a youngster more than two decades ago...

If you play on Sunday, you will have made more Manchester derby appearances than any other player. How does that make you feel?
I didn't realise that! It’s great to play in these sorts of games. For the first part of my career we won all of them, more or less, but over the last four or five years it’s been different – they’ve had a bit of success and so have we. They are massive games for the fans and the rivalry is huge, but it’s also important for us to get the three points.

What are your best derby memories?
I have a few good derby memories but my best one is probably coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in 1993. I came off the bench to set up Eric [Cantona] to make it 2-2, and then Keaney scored late on. That was a great game. Then there was the goal on my full debut against them and scoring the winner at Maine Road in 1996 – there have been so many! The debut ‘goal’ [in May 1991] is down in the history books as being mine, not Colin Hendry’s! I think I may have touched it with my bootlace, but that’s about it… In the past I’ve had goals taken away from me that I thought should have been mine, so I’ll claim it.

And your worst?
My worst memory is probably when we lost at Maine Road in 2002, when Shaun Goater scored twice. That was the first time I’d ever experienced defeat in a derby so it was hard to take.

Do teams lose something when they move to big new grounds like the City of Manchester Stadium?
I think they do simply because of the history of the grounds they’ve been at. Having said that, you have to move with the times and Eastlands is a fantastic stadium, with a massive, great pitch, so you have to try to better yourself. But they did lose that atmosphere that they’d had for 100 years.

Many fans will remember you wearing those tights at Eastlands in 2005…I was thinking about that the other day, funnily enough – probably because it’s getting a bit colder! I was coming back from a hamstring injury, it was cold and I’d trained in them that week, so it was just precautionary, really. I don’t think I’d have started the game in them, though! I took my jogging bottoms off and the gaffer gave me a dirty look – he didn’t even know I was wearing them. I think I’ve got away with it since, although I got a lot of whistles from the crowd at the time!

What do you recall of your switch from City to United as a 14-year-old?
I was at City for two years but didn’t really enjoy it. I was always a United fan and had the opportunity to train with them for a week. After that the manager came to my house and asked if I would sign for United and there was no hesitation, purely because I was a United fan and had had such a great time the week before. Nowadays the academies are set up for kids from the age of seven or eight, but back then it was the little things that stuck in your mind. I was 12 or 13 and had been to Bury and Preston, and some southern teams were also interested in me. But I just got a good vibe when I came to United – Brian Kidd looked after me, the manager obviously made a big impression, and it was those little things that helped.

There was a feeling that City were getting all the best young talent in Manchester at that time. Is that true?
City had a great youth team around that time with a lot of good players – Paul Lake, David White, Ian Brightwell. Our manager had had a good youth system at Aberdeen and wondered why the biggest club in the world were not getting the best youngsters in their own area. So he rejigged the scouting system and brought in the likes of Kidd and Les Kershaw to get the best players, and you saw the fruits of that in the years after with Scholesy, Becks, myself and other players coming through. United should be getting the best players because of what they can offer – they are not scared to field players at an early age if they’re good enough.

United haven't had it all their own way against City recently. Why is this?
I don’t know what the reasons are. Anything can happen in derbies. They’ve had some quality players over the last few years, they had some luck last season, especially at their place – at Old Trafford they probably deserved to win. But you have to take your chances and hope you get the rub of the green.undefined

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Tonite we will be having a early game 9.30pm.

Match Pack: City v United

United and City go head-to-head for the 151st time on Sunday and, after suffering two derby defeats last season, the Reds are out for revenge...

Form Guide: Despite last season's double for the Blues, the Reds still hold the upper hand in Premier League derby clashes with 12 wins out of 22 and only five defeats. Sir Alex Ferguson's men go into the game on the back of two goalless draws, so let's hope that old derby-day cliche about form books and windows rings true. Especially as Mark Hughes' side have registered two victories to nil this week - putting three past Arsenal and then winning impressively in the UEFA Cup, 2-0 at Schalke.

Ins and Outs: Dimitar Berbatov is in contention after recovering from a hamstring strain. Skipper Gary Neville is also back in the frame after a groin injury, but Wes Brown (ankle), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Paul Scholes (knee) are all unavailable. Scholesy, however, could return within a week or two. City, meanwhile, are without long term injured pair Martin Petrov (knee) and Valeri Bojinov (Achilles), while the clash is likely to come too soon for midfielder Michael Johnson who has been sidelined with a groin strain.

Star Man: Robinho. City's deadline-day record signing has taken to the English game like a duck to water, firing nine goals in 14 games for the Blues.


Rivals Watch: Chelsea v Arsenal (Sun 16:00), Liverpool v West Ham (Mon 20:00 GMT)

:devil:

 

[XiaoYang]

:dunno:

 

[melvin]

20 more minsto go!:devil:

 

[melvin]

The Teams:

Man utd: VDS, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidc, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Berbatov.
Subs: Foster, Anderson, Giggs, O'Shea, Tevez, Nani and Evans.

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Dunne, Garrido, Hamann, Wright-phillips, Ireland, Vassell, Benjani, Robinho. Subs:Schmeichel, Ben-Haim, Ball, Elano, Zabaleta, Jo, Sturridge.

 

[melvin]

United off to a good start!:devil:

 

[melvin]

15mins Richard's stud found Vidic's Chest!:bigeyes:
Lucky he is back on his feet!:thumbsup: A Tough guy!

 

[melvin]

21 min Rafael yellow card for throwing ball away after being penalised for foul on Robinho!:sweat:

 

[melvin]

30 min city hit the post!:sweat:

 

[melvin]

Fletcher yellow carded!:sweat:

 

[melvin]

Evra has been a thorn in City's side. Whenever he attacks down the left City have looked in trouble; Richards has a better handle on Ronaldo than Evra!:devil:

 

[melvin]

41'---->GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!

City just couldn't clear the ball. Five or six City defenders could only watch as Park and Carrick carved an opening on the edge of the box after a freekick was floated in. Carrick pulled wide and fired on Hart's goal. He saved well, but the parry landed in from of Rooney who tapped in from a yard.



1-0 Manchester United! Wayne Rooney with a tap in.

 

[melvin]

Yeah ... End of first half.


At last Rooney wif his 100th goal!!!

United 1-0 City! :devil:

 

[melvin]

2nd Half Man C a diff team!

58' A booking for Ronaldo after he clips SWP who was in full flight. Ronaldo the applauds the the ref in a mokcing, sarcastic fashion which he is lucky not get in trouble for.