Eight Reds braced for big night

As many as eight United players could be involved when the Euro 2008 campaign draws to a close on Wednesday night.

Owen Hargreaves has recovered from tendonitis and could pip Aston Villa's Gareth Barry to a midfield place if England coach Steve McClaren decides to play a 4-5-1 system. Wes Brown is also in the squad to face Croatia at Wembley but Rio Ferdinand is suspended. McClaren has invited the injured Wayne Rooney to Wembley to cheer on his England team mates who need just a draw to qualify for Euro 2008.

Two United players could be on opposite sides in Belgrade. Nemanja Vidic's Serbia need to beat Tomasz Kuszczak's Poland, who have already qualified, to keep their campaign alive. Serbia will then face Kazakhstan on Saturday in a rearranged game and if the result is still crucial, but it remains unclear whether Vidic will be allowed to play in the match as it would mean missing United’s away fixture at Bolton.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani could both play for Portugal when they take on Finland, seeking the point they need to reach the Euro 2008 finals.

The Netherlands and France have both already qualified but Edwin van der Sar is set to play again for the Dutch away at Belarus while Patrice Evra may be given an opportunity for France over the border in Ukraine.

In Group F, Northern Ireland have an outside chance of going through. They must win in Spain, without the suspended United defender Jonny Evans, and hope that Latvia win in Sweden.

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=509142

Tevez off in Argentina loss

Carlos Tevez was sent off in Argentina's World Cup qualifying defeat to Colombia on Tuesday night.

Having earlier come close to opening the scoring with a volley, the United striker was dismissed after just 24 minutes for an off-the-ball scuffle with defender Ruben Bustos.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi gave the Argentines an unlikely lead 10 minutes later, but second-half strikes from Bustos and Dairo Moreno gave the hosts a 2-1 victory.

Despite their first defeat of the qualifying campaign, however, Argentina still top the CONMEBOL table with nine points from four games, one point ahead of Colombia.

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=509396

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Vidic could miss Man Utd fixture

Nemanja Vidic could miss Manchester United's game at Bolton on Saturday.

Vidic is part of the Serbia squad whose Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan has been rescheduled for the day of United's trip to the Reebok Stadium.

The group A match was due to be played last Saturday but had to be cancelled because of heavy snow in Belgrade.

However, if Serbia fail to beat group leaders Poland, or Portugal take a point from Finland on Wednesday, the Kazakhstan tie will be meaningless.

That would raise the possibility of Vidic being freed by his country to rejoin the United squad for their Premier League encounter with Gary Megson's Bolton.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be loathe to lose the 26-year-old defender, who has played in all but one of the club's league games this season.

After Saturday's postponement Uefa attempted to stage the qualifier on Sunday but with 14cm of snow still lying on the Partizan Stadium pitch, those plans also fell through.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7101231.stm

Man Utd's Hargreaves returns to England squad

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been recalled to the England squad.

Also winning a place is Tottenham striker Darren Bent, who comes into the squad after Michael Owen was ruled out by a thigh strain suffered in the friendly victory over Austria on Friday.

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=65567

Manchester United keeper to quit next year

Manchester United and Holland goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar has revealed his intention to quit international football after Euro 2008.

Van der Sar, who turned 37 on Monday, made his Oranje debut in June 1995 against Belarus and has since racked up 121 caps for his country.

In an interview with Dutch station Radio 538, the former Juventus and Ajax keeper said: "I will stop with with the Oranje after Euro 2008. The time has come."

Holland still require one win from their remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers against minnows Luxembourg and Belarus to qualify for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Van der Sar is out of contract at United at the end of the season.

Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=490509&in_page_id=1779&ct=5

Rooney takes heat off England boss

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney claims the players should be blamed for England's Euro 2008 troubles - not manager Steve McClaren.

England are in danger of failing to qualify for next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland following last week's 2-1 defeat in Russia.

McClaren's position has come under heavy scrutiny but striker Rooney, who scored England's goal in Moscow, insists the squad should take responsibility.

Rooney, speaking at a Coca-Cola Street Striker event, told The Sun: "Before that Russia game everyone was saying how well the side was playing and how well the manager was doing.

"Of course everyone was really disappointed to lose - but one defeat doesn't make you a bad side or him a bad manager. These things happen - no one's going to win every game.

"Steve's come in and done a great job.

"Everyone in the camp's really happy and the players really feel a sense of responsibility for what's happened.

"We're the ones playing the football, we're the ones representing the country and we feel responsible for it."

England, who play Croatia in their final qualifier, will miss out on Euro 2008 if Russia, who have a game in hand, beat Israel and Andorra.

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_2828335,00.html

Missing Euro 2008 would be a 'nightmare', insists Rooney

Wayne Rooney admits it will be a "nightmare" if England do not qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

England are no longer in control of their own destiny after losing in Russia and now need Israel to take points off Guus Hiddink's side to have any realistic chance of reaching the tournament.

Rooney, who fired England ahead in Moscow with a stunning volley but then gave away a penalty as Russia fought back to win 2-1, is hoping Israel will come to the rescue.

"With the players and support we've got it would be a nightmare if we didn't qualify," the Manchester United striker told Sky Sports News.

"Hopefully Israel can help us by taking a point or beating Russia. We have to wait and see and pray that Israel get a result."

Israel tackle Russia on Saturday, November 17 while England's final game is against Group E leaders Croatia at Wembley four days later.

The Russians complete their campaign against minnows Andorra.

Credit : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=489740&in_page_id=1779&ct=5

EURO 2008 : Russia 2-1 England

England's Euro 2008 qualifying hopes were wrenched out of their own hands as they crashed to defeat in Moscow. The result means Steve McClaren's side must now beat Croatia at Wembley next month and hope Russia stumble in their remaining games against a hopeless Andorra and an Israel side with nothing to play for.

The Russia substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed both of his team's goals in a four-minute spell in the second half, cancelling out Wayne Rooney's delightfully volleyed first-half opener.

Russia, backed by a hostile atmosphere inside the Luzhniki Stadium, started brightly, with Yuri Zhirkov and Alexander Kerzhakov having their shots blocked by Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell respectively. However, England grew in confidence as the half wore on and Joleon Lescott's header was deflected on to the crossbar, before Shaun Wright-Phillips broke free only for him to see his cross run behind the incoming Rooney.

If Rooney had been sluggish for that chance however, he was at his brilliant best a few minutes later. Micah Richards lumped an aimless ball upfield and Michael Owen - unexpectedly finding himself in the Emile Heskey role - flicked it on to Rooney, who hammered an unstoppable, dipping volley past Vladimir Gabulov.

England then managed to miss two unmissable chances that would have sealed the game early in the second-half. Gerrard was the first culprit, volleying wide after a Gareth Barry free-kick found him unmarked at the far post, while Richards - six-yards out - failed to connect with a Rooney flick-on a few minutes later.

Those misses appeared to weigh heavily on England and Russia took full advantage: Zurianov stole past Rooney on his blind side and was clipped - but the initial contact was outside the area. No matter, the referee gave the spot-kick and Pavlyuchenko converted.

Worse was to come though. Vasili Berezutsky's fierce shot was palmed away by Robinson, but neither he nor the defenders surrounding him could get to the ball before Pavlyuchenko, who poked Russia into the lead.

England struggled to create any meaningful chances in the rest of the half, until the 85th minute. First, Rooney's shot was forced wide by Gabulov and then Campbell headed the resulting corner high and wide when unmarked. That was their last chance. Now England must hope for help from elsewhere if they are to qualify for next summer's finals.

Credit :

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2193184,00.html#article_continue

http://www.soccersuck.com/soccer/viewtopic.php?t=62297

Clip Hilight : Russia 2-1 England

Rooney 0-1

http://letsprove.tv/video/Sports_avch67sg101192635730

Pavlyucenko (pen) 1-1

http://letsprove.tv/video/Sports_nb2rxhsd1q1192638821

Pavlyucenko 2-1

http://letsprove.tv/video/Sports_t8yprc3g1h1192639622

Man Utd's Rooney: I didn't know how to celebrate England goal

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney hinted he had forgotten how to celebrate scoring for England after yesterday's breakthrough against Estonia.

He said: "It was good. I didn't really know what to do.

"If it's 0-0, you'd react a bit differently. You do for each goal.

More importantly, we got the three points, but I was delighted to get the goal today. It was dragging on a bit and it was nice to get the goal. It's been a while, but I'm just happy with the win."

Credit : http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=60591

Rooney ends goal drought as England edge closer

England 3-0 Estonia

Wayne Rooney scored his first competitive international goal since 2004 as England eased past Estonia in their Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley.

Shaun Wright-Phillips set England on their way when his shot from the right went through keeper Mart Poom's legs.

Rooney almost ended his goal drought with an exquisite chip before netting with a deflected shot from 15 yards.

Taavi Rahn headed an own goal from 20 yards just before half-time but England failed to score in the second half.

Here is the video of the goals:

Rooney tipped to end goal drought

England coach Steve McClaren insists he is untroubled by striker Wayne Rooney's goal drought at international level.

Rooney has not scored since Euro 2004 in a competitive game for England and has admitted he has not shown his best form for his country for two years.

However, he will partner Michael Owen against Estonia in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier and McClaren said: "Wayne's lack of goals does not worry me.

"All I want him to do is keep playing the way he has at Manchester United."

Hargreaves ruled out for a month!!!!

The Manchester United midfielder will be out of action for up to four weeks because of a knee injury and having an injection to cure a tendonitis problem.

Furthermore, he will miss England's vital Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

Hargreaves was expected to be back in United's squad for Tuesday's Champions League game against AS Roma before the tendonitis problem returned.

He was troubled by the injury at the start of the season and did not play his first game for United until August 19.

The 26-year-old managed just three games before sustaining a thigh injury in training with England ahead of their game against Israel on September 8.