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

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Ferguson cools Berbatov rumours

Dimitar Berbatov's hopes of a move to Manchester United look to be fading after Sir Alex Ferguson said he was "less optimistic" about new signings.

The United boss, who had a £20.5m bid for the striker rejected, was uncertain whether he would boost his squad before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

"I'm less optimistic so we'll carry on," Ferguson said.

"I've no idea what's going on. It's very hard to get communication with some people in life."

Man Utd release China star Dong

China striker Dong Fangzhuo has had his contract at Manchester United terminated by mutual consent.

The 23-year-old joined for an initial fee of £500,000 from Dalian Shide in 2004, but made only three first-team appearances at Old Trafford.

 

[afbug]

Full Champions League draw:

Group A
CHELSEA
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj

Group B
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis Famagusta

Group C
Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D
LIVERPOOL
PSV Eindhoven
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Group E
MAN UTD
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg

Group F
Lyon
Bayern Munich
Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina

Group G
ARSENAL
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev

Group H
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit St Petersburg
Bate Borisov

Celtic again! They are 1 of the strongest pot 3 clubs. Only consolation is that travelling to their ground isn't too far. RM and Liv got tough groups this time. Chelsea pick cow dung again...Roma must be cursing after being drawn with English clubs for 3 straight seasons.

Found a nice pic from HWZ!

 

[melvin]

Full Champions League draw:

Group A
CHELSEA
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj

Group B
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis Famagusta

Group C
Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D
LIVERPOOL
PSV Eindhoven
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Group E
MAN UTD
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg

Group F
Lyon
Bayern Munich
Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina

Group G
ARSENAL
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev

Group H
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit St Petersburg
Bate Borisov

Celtic again! They are 1 of the strongest pot 3 clubs. Only consolation is that travelling to their ground isn't too far. RM and Liv got tough groups this time. Chelsea pick cow dung again...Roma must be cursing after being drawn with English clubs for 3 straight seasons.

Meeting them once more! Battle of Britain!:bsmilie: :devil:
Maybe this time Roma can win Chelsea?
Okay la... overall our grp not too tough!:thumbsup::devil:

 

[Zaknafein]

YES SAHA IS GONNA Be SOLDDDDDDD
have been waiting for this for so many years!

 

[melvin]

Saha set for Toffees switch

United have agreed terms with Everton for the sale of striker Louis Saha, subject to a medical.

An announcement on Everton's official website confirmed the Frenchman has been offered a two-year deal - with the option for a third year - and is set to sign for an undisclosed fee.

Saha's proposed switch to Goodison Park will be completed subject to a medical.

The 30-year-old has fired 42 goals in 124 appearances for the Reds, despite enduring a torrid time with injuries since joining in January 2004.

Last season's double-winning campaign was a bitter sweet one for the Frenchman. He returned from a knee injury in September 2007 to fire the winner against Sunderland and a victory-sealing spot-kick against Chelsea (in the league), but was largely unavailable at the business end of the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted on Thursday that he was "less optimistic" about bolstering his squad, most probably with a new striker. But Saha's expected departure may see the Reds step up their hunt for a new front man before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Yes! He is going liao.....but we not signing anyone yet!:devil:

 

[melvin]

1.5hrs to go!

Papers: Reds' Euro goal

We'll make history
Sir Alex Ferguson watched United draw Celtic in the Champions League — then challenged his champions to make Euro history. No team has yet managed to successfully defend the Champions League trophy. But Sir Alex is convinced he has the players to do just that, hailing this squad as his greatest ever — and one that will get better. Yesterday’s draw in Monaco pitched United against Gordon Strachan’s Hoops, Spanish outfit Villarreal and Danish champions Aalborg for this season’s first group stage. Sir Alex then immediately set his sights on a final date in Rome. “No club has defended the Champions League and that is a great challenge to us," he said. “I have looked into the eyes of my players to make sure they have retained the hunger you need to succeed — and I am satisfied we are ready to go again."
Neil Custis, The Sun

As reported on ManUtd.com yesterday, Sir Alex is less hopeful of bringing in a new signing before Monday's transfer deadline. The Daily Mail reports that UEFA president Michel Platini has hinted he will move to scrap the January transfer window. He thinks players should not be able to play for two clubs in the same season.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex has warned England boss Fabio Capello that there was no way Owen Hargreaves will be fit for England's World Cup qualifiers next month.

Round up by Gemma Thompson

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Sir Alex wary of Zenit threat

United may be going into Friday's Super Cup final as odds-on favourites, but Sir Alex Ferguson is aware his side face a tough task against Zenit St Petersburg.

The Russians shocked big-name sides throughout Europe en route to last season's UEFA Cup success, and their menace is no secret to the Reds' coaching staff.

"The press are saying we’re big favourites, but that doesn’t come into our preparation for the game," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "Our preparations for the game go towards Zenit St Petersburg, their style of play and their tactics.

"Going on our analysis, even away from home, there are four players in the box on the end of every cross. They’re very good at getting players into the box.

"I’m sure that will be exactly the case tomorrow, the important thing is that we hold our concentration and make sure we deal with that, then express our own game and enjoy it."

Sir Alex will be locking horns with former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat in Monaco, and the United boss has great admiration for the Dutchman's sparkling career.

"The Dutch are traditionally good travellers in football," he said. "It’s a great asset to have, because football is the important thing and he has proved himself as a very competent and successful coach – no matter where he’s been."

:devil:

 

[afbug]

Saha set for Toffees switch



Yes! He is going liao.....but we not signing anyone yet!:devil:

Ya this is getting worrying. If Man Utd sold Saha without signing a new striker, then its gonna be tough. But maybe Fergie sold Saha cos he is sure Berba is arriving.

Besides Tevez and Rooney, now left only the young strikers liao.

 

[afbug]

Sir Alex wary of Zenit threat



:devil:

Match is tonite! Dun think Man Utd will take this game too seriously. Midfield is just recovering and only got 2 recognised strikers.

 

[Sjourn]

for you fans...

 

[Zaknafein]

Ya this is getting worrying. If Man Utd sold Saha without signing a new striker, then its gonna be tough.

with or without saha, not much difference

 

[afbug]

with or without saha, not much difference

Yeah but at least he can cover if players get injured. Although he was injured for much is last season, he still scored more than 10 goals. that helped in he title win.

 

[afbug]

Match is tonite! Dun think Man Utd will take this game too seriously. Midfield is just recovering and only got 2 recognised strikers.

I tot they will take it easy but lol not that easy! 1st half got losd of possession and its a wonder that they created only 1 chance. Only came alive after conceding the 2nd goal.

G.Neville looks like he CMI liao. Lost a lot of his speed and got out paced easily.

 

[afbug]

for you fans...

Thanks! I read that some club's fans got very jealous after this disaster cos it propelled Man Utd's popularity.

 

[afbug]

Only left a few hrs to transfer window closes and still no signings. Sold Saha and not is replaced.......it is a bit worrying with Rooney and Tevez left as strikers. Campbell is still not quite ready?

 

[melvin]

Only left a few hrs to transfer window closes and still no signings. Sold Saha and not is replaced.......it is a bit worrying with Rooney and Tevez left as strikers. Campbell is still not quite ready?

Ya lor... dun what SAF is thinking sell sell sell but no buy yet! Hmmm....he trying to defend our double title with out new signing?:sweat:

 

[melvin]

Ronaldo targets early return from injury

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes he could be playing again by the end of September.

The Portuguese underwent ankle surgery in July and initial forecasts were that he could be out of action until late October and possibly November.

But Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals last season to fire United to the Premier League title and Champions League, has been told to step up his rehabilitation after making better-than-expected progress.

'I am feeling fine. I am feeling really good and my recovery is going well,' the 23-year-old said.

'I am more than happy with my progress and I hope to be back playing for United by the end of September - that is my target and it is a realistic one.

'It has been frustrating to miss the start of the Premier League season but I am pleased with my rehabilitation and, hopefully, I'll be ready soon.'

:devil:

 

[melvin]

once again!

Knee trouble sidelines Owen

Owen Hargreaves was missing from Friday's UEFA Super Cup defeat after a recurrence of his knee injury, Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed.

The United manager had pencilled in the midfielder for his first start of the season in Monte Carlo, but had to withdraw him after a flare up in Thursday evening's training session.

"He said he felt his knee and that he was not fit enough to play," Sir Alex confirmed. "There is nothing you can to do about it. If a player declares himself unfit you have to accept that."

Hargreaves was dogged by tendonitis throughout his first season at Old Trafford, and the Reds' boss admits he is keen for the combative star to get his Reds career back on track.

"We'd have liked to play him and get him back into the run of things and playing football again," he said. "To be honest, he has not played enough football in the last year. He'd like to get back and it is disappointing."

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Scholes faces ban

Paul Scholes will miss Villarreal’s visit to Old Trafford on Champions League Matchday 1 after being sent off in the UEFA Super Cup on Friday night.

The 33-year-old earned his marching orders in the 89th minute when he propelled Wes Brown’s cross into the Zenit St Petersburg net with his hand.

Referee Claus Bo Larsen showed Scholes a yellow card, just as he had earlier in the match for a reckless challenge in midfield.

Article 18.01 of the UEFA Super Cup regulations state:
As a rule, a player who is sent off the field of play is suspended for the next match in a UEFA club competition.

Before learning of Scholes’ impending ban, Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson sympathised with the midfielder, suggesting “it was maybe an instinctive thing, it’s a bit unfortunate”.

The manager also highlighted some of the over-zealous tackling that took place during the match.

Anderson and Carlos Tevez also picked up bookings in Monaco, although these cautions do not carry forward into the UEFA Champions League.

:devil:

 

[melvin]

30/08/2008 12:00, Report by Nick Coppack

Reds to face BoroUnited will host Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in the Third Round of the Carling Cup.

The tie will take place in the week commencing 22 September, 2008.

The clubs have met six times before in the League Cup, with United triumphing three times and two matches ending in draws. Boro's sole win arrived at Old Trafford in October 1973.

The last time the sides met in the competition was at the semi-final stage in 1992. The teams played out a 0-0 draw at Ayresome Park before United won the second leg 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth will host Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra face a trip to Liverpool and Swansea meet Cardiff in an all-Welsh tie.

Carling Cup Third Round
Arsenal v Sheffield United
Brighton & Hove or Man City v Derby
Burnley v Fulham
Portsmouth v Chelsea
Blackburn Rovers v Everton
Rotherham United v Southampton
Swansea City v Cardiff City
Ipswich Town v Wigan Athletic
Stoke City v Reading
Leeds United v Hartlepool United
Watford v West Ham United
Manchester United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Crewe Alexandra
Aston Villa v Queens Park Rangers
Sunderland v Northampton Town
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

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