Queiroz admits: Bolton intimidated Man Utd

Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz admits Bolton Wanderers simply didn't allow their stars to play during yesterday's defeat at the Reebok stadium.

Queiroz said: "We tried to play football but it is difficult when you face intimidation football. That is how Bolton played and it was difficult.

"Without protection from the referee we couldn't play our usual game.

"After a poor first half we improved in the second half.

"We were more calm and cooler and played better football. I think we deserved at least not to lose after the second half performance.

"But this is football, if you only play for 45 minutes it is difficult to win."
Returning to the referee's display, Queiroz felt Clattenberg talked too much in the match,

"The referee tried to teach the rules and stopped the game for too long at times.

"Instead of making decisions he talked, and the referee is there to make decisions not to teach the game."

Source : http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=66590

Fergie: Ref wasn't strong enough

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he told referee Mark Clattenburg "what I thought" of him before being dismissed at Bolton.

Ferguson was ordered from the Reebok Stadium dug-out by Clattenburg midway through his United side's 1-0 defeat on Saturday, and was forced to watch the second half from the stands as his side fell to Nicolas Anelka's early effort.

The Red Devils chief was furious at Clattenburg's failure to clamp down on what he felt were over-aggressive tactics from the relegation-threatened hosts, who recorded their first home win over United since December 1978.

And he waited for the official - whom he hailed as one of the best in the Premier League only a month ago - by the tunnel at the interval to offer a piece of his mind.

"I told the referee what I thought - some referees don't like that. They don't like the truth," said Ferguson.

"But I just told him how bad he was in the first half.

"I know Bolton are battling for their lives at the bottom but they were a bit aggressive and we were looking for some protection from the referee.

"The first half was just a shambles. It was foul after foul after foul. I felt they were over-physical and there were two or three really dodgy tackles. You hope the referee is strong enough to handle it. But he wasn't."

Ferguson was particularly annoyed at the treatment meted out to full-back Patrice Evra, who was on the wrong end of a series of firm challenges even if he was fortunate to escape being booked himself for a late tackle on Kevin Davies.

"I don't know whether they targeted him but the poor lad seemed to be involved in everything. There were some terrible tackles on him."

However, opposite number Gary Megson, who was presiding over his first win in six matches as Bolton manager, refused to make any apology for his team's committed performance.

"We were third from bottom of the table," he said. "I asked my team to be aggressive.

"The worst tackle was by a centre-forward (Davies), who is not a particularly good tackler.

"We have to compete. That is the idea. You won't get me criticising my team for that. You would only get complaints if they don't.

"The referee saw nothing untoward. He didn't send anyone off."

Ferguson was honest enough to admit his side did not deserve to win.

Given their lack of clear opportunities, Carlos Tevez wasting the best one, it is debatable whether United even deserved a point as they slumped to their first defeat since mid-August and fell three points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, who also have a game in hand.

Although the visitors were without Cristiano Ronaldo with a thigh strain, it was the absence of Nemanja Vidic with a back problem that caused United more problems given it was a mistake by the Serbian's replacement, Gerard Pique, which gifted Anelka his 11th-minute winner.

"It looked like Gerard jumped too soon," said Ferguson.

"We do not like losing but sometimes you have to take defeats, it is part of the game.

"We have players of great quality and I am sure we will bounce back."

While Ferguson headed back down the M61 licking his wounds, Megson was finally able to celebrate, not just the victory but the sight of his team climbing out of the relegation zone.

"It was a terrific performance in terms of work-rate, desire and drive," said Megson.

"We have an awful lot going for us and I have no qualms is saying we will get out of this position."

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_2919754,00.html

Hargreaves blasts ref justice

OWEN Hargreaves echoed Sir Alex Ferguson's comments in criticising referee Mark Clattenburg.

The Manchester United manager was sent to the stands for remonstrating with the official during the champions' shock 1-0 defeat a Bolton.

And England international Hargreaves agreed - suggesting Clattenburg failed to keep control of a bad-tempered affair.

Patrice Evra seemed to come off worse - being the subject of several crunching tackles, from Kevin Davies in particular.

And Hargreaves said: "There were definitely a few challenges that were borderline, especially the one from Kevin Davies.

"I don't mind physical. That is why there is a referee out there - but he struggled to keep the game under control."

Source : http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1025852_hargreaves_blasts_ref_justice?rss=yes

Ferguson hails 'strongest' squad

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United beat Blackburn 2-0 to head the Premier League and claimed the squad is his strongest in 21 years at the club.

Ferguson said: "We've got young players led by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and more in the likes of Carlos Tevez and Nani and Anderson.

"In fact, it is difficult to know when to stop when talking about our important players.

"But this team has to win something. They have a great chance of doing so."

Ronaldo scored twice in United's victory over Blackburn, which moved Ferguson's squad three points clear in the top flight, although second-placed Arsenal visit Reading on Monday night.


The goals took him to double figures already for the season, and saw him get the highest mark from users of BBC Sport's player rater for the match.

But Ferguson also singled out for praise the old man of the squad, Ryan Giggs.

Ferguson added: "He is 34 at the end of the month but I feel he can go on for a few years yet.

"He has been a wonderful servant for this club and he was our best player."

However, Ferguson's opposite number Mark Hughes was not so happy after seeing his side beaten on Sunday.

The Blackburn manager was unable to hide his frustration at referee Chris Foy's dismissal of David Dunn, who picked up a second booking early in the second half.

"He was a little bit quick with the card," Hughes told BBC Sport.

"There should have been a little bit of leeway but after that it was very hard for us. We feel a little bit hard done by."

Ferguson agreed with Hughes that Dunn's red card might have been harsh.

Dunn's second booking was for a trip on Louis Saha and was possibly deserved but Hughes was unhappy with Foy's previous decision to give the Blackburn midfielder a yellow card for a challenge on Tevez.

"It was never a booking - why didn't the assistant help the referee in that situation?" questioned Hughes.

Blackburn were already losing by two goals when Dunn was dismissed and Hughes argued that his side's numerical disadvantage gave them no hope of rescuing the game.

"Little things went away from us and we didn't quite get the run of the ball," he added. "We didn't have a chance to show the team we are."

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7089910.stm

Man Utd' Ronaldo delighted with double

Manchester United wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted with his brace in yesterday's 2-0 defeat of Blackburn Rovers.

He said: "If I keep scoring two goals every game then it's fantastic, it doesn't matter about the hat-trick. I score goals to help my team not for personal glory.

The most important thing is getting the three points and going back to the top of the table.

"The first goal was a fantastic leap and the second goal killed the game. After that we improved our play and deserved to win. We are in good form."

Source :

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=64642

Rooney: I didn't enjoy it

Wayne Rooney didn’t enjoy the 4-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv - he felt the Ukrainians came to Old Trafford without any intention of attempting to achieve a result.

The 21-year-old Reds striker got on the scoresheet, but he described the match as “like a training match”.

“We're delighted that we’re through and maybe we can rest a few players in the next two games,” he said.

“It was difficult though because they didn’t want to play. It spoilt the game and I didn’t really enjoy playing in it. It was one of those nights but we did a good job and got the win.

“It was like a training session, they came and showed no enthusiasm to play the game. At times we played some good football, but it was a slow game. The main thing, though, was that we won the game.”

Rooney was pleased with the contribution of young defenders Danny Simpson, Gerard Pique and Jonny Evans, who were all given a chance to shine.

“A few lads came in and did really well – Simmo, Gerard Pique and Jonny Evans got good experience. That will help them in years to come and I’m sure they’ll thrive on that.”

And for the rest of the squad it’s a continuation of the good form the team has been producing in recent weeks. “We’re really confident at the moment anyway,” he added. “We’re playing some good football and we just want to keep that up.”

Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=505507

Sir Alex: We threw it away

Sir Alex Ferguson was fuming after United's failure to keep the lead cost them dear in a dramatic draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The boss believes his team threw away a great chance to beat their rivals, and pointed to the first of two Arsenal equalisers as the source of his irritation.

"We threw it away, we were in a winning position twice," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"The goal that angered me most was the goal we gave away after half-time. To lose a goal from taking a throw-in at their corner flag was criminal.

"The goal in question, scored by Cesc Fabregas, came only three minutes after Wayne Rooney had given United the lead - albeit with the half-time interval inbetween.

"It was a marvellous time for us to score, just before half-time. We should have been buoyed by that and we did start the second half well with good possession. Then we gave the goal away and for the next five to ten minutes after that they got at us.

"United weathered that early second-half storm and the score remained at 1-1 for the next half-hour. Sir Alex was then as surprised as anyone when the Reds broke through again.

"I couldn’t see either team scoring a second goal. To then score our second when we did and give it away in injury time is hard to take, really hard to take. Arsenal got out of jail.

"The result doesn’t tell you anything as both teams are going to be challenging. But the draw's good for Chelsea and Liverpool and there are a lot of twists and turns to come."

Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=504131

Ferguson critical of referee Webb

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson accused referee Howard Webb of favouring Arsenal in United's 2-2 draw.

The Gunners twice came from behind to salvage a draw at home on Saturday.

"I think Howard Webb has a great chance to be the top referee but today was a big game for him and, at times, he favoured Arsenal," Ferguson told MUTV.

"Their second goal came from him not giving a free-kick for a foul on Louis Saha on the far side. It should've been a foul for us."

However, Ferguson stated it was hard for referees not to be influenced by hostile home crowds.

I am pleased that in two big games we had to run after the score and we did that both times

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

"It is very difficult for the referee," he added. "On our bench, we were getting terrible abuse from people two or three feet away from us.

"There is a lack of security. It is absolutely disgraceful the abuse you and your staff take. All sorts of things are being shouted and screamed at you and there is an absolute danger here."

However, a spokesperson for the Gunners said: "Stadium security is of the highest importance and we feel there is ample stewarding around the dugout area.

"However, the club does recognise that some exchanges which takes place can be of an aggressive nature, and there was an incident this afternoon where one supporter was ejected.

"There is also CCTV which monitors the area which our stadium management crew review in detail after games, and if necessary the club will take further action."

Ferguson had thought his side had done enough to win the match when Cristiano Ronaldo put them 2-1 up with eight minutes left.

But William Gallas, whose own goal had given United a first-half lead before a Cesc Fabregas goal, volleyed an injury-time equaliser for the Gunners.

"Our character was tested twice," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "Just before half-time and with eight minutes to go.

"Overall though, I believe it was a fair result. We played with the handbrake on in the first half, though, and we lacked our usual flowing game."

It was the second time in successive league matches that Arsenal had drawn against top opposition, having finished 1-1 at Liverpool last Sunday.

And Wenger was frustrated not to have taken at least four points from the two games.

"That is a disappointment," he added. "But on the other hand I am pleased that in two big games we had to run after the score and we did that both times.

"We are still in charge of the title race because we are top with a game in hand.

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7073616.stm

After Match Report : Manchester United 4 Middlesbrough 1

Boss salutes 'amazing' Reds


Sir Alex was delighted with United's fourth four-goal haul in as many matches, but admitted the Reds almost let Middlesbrough back into the game.

Nani fired United into the lead in the third minute, only for former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere to equalise three minutes later.

"For weeks people were going on about our 1-0 wins but now they're going on about us scoring four. It's amazing!" the manager told MUTV.

"Some of the attacking play today was very good, although when we got in front we took our foot off the pedal. We started running with the ball, didn't play the way we normally play and paid the penalty.

"We weren't getting to the ball quick enough and I think the players really needed a wake-up call, and that's exactly what their goal did to us. Credit to Middlesbrough for that 20-minute period where they got in and about us.

"Gareth Southgate's side may have made things difficult for the Reds in the first half, but the second period was all United and the match ended 4-1."There was no doubt we were on top in the second half," Sir Alex agreed.

"There was far more concentration, our attacking play improved and we could have scored a lot of goals.

"The boss was particularly impressed with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, who linked superbly for United's third.

"I think that goal sums up their partnership. It was all about quick-thinking, great vision and, you know, the courage to even try that. Wayne could have taken another touch but he knew Tevez was making that run and a little backheel put him in on goal. It was a fantastic goal and hopefully we're going to see a more complete partnership."

Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=482634


Hargreaves glad to be back
Injury has ravaged Owen Hargreaves' start
to life as a United player, so it's little surprise
that he savoured every second of Saturday's
win over Middlesbrough.

Super Nani shines
Sir Alex's decision to plump for Nani ahead of
Ryan Giggs on Saturday paid dividends for the
United boss, with the Portuguese wonder-kid
lighting up the Reds' 4-1 win over Middlesbrough

United get a glimpse of the future
When Wayne Rooney say it's an "honour" to play
for this Manchester United team, you know
Sir Alex Ferguson is developing something special
at Old Trafford.

Clever Carlos wins Wayne's heart
Wayne Rooney heaped praise on strike partner
Carlos Tevez after United's summer signing notched
twice in the Reds' 4-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Man Utd boss Ferguson thrilled with
Rooney, Tevez
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was
thrilled to see Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez fire
his team to the Premiership summit after their 4-1
defeat of Middlesbrough.