Tevez price is right for United

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims a fee has already been agreed to sign striker Carlos Tevez on a permanent deal.

The Argentina international finally signed for the Red Devils in a two-year loan deal in August after protracted legal wrangling over his transfer from West Ham.

Tevez, 23, has made an instant impact at Old Trafford with five goals in 17 appearances and Ferguson believes he has done more than enough to show he will be a sound investment.

"There is no question about his long-term future here," Ferguson told Setanta.

"David Gill (the club's chief executive) has spoken to his agent and told him we are very happy with him.

"The fee is in place. I won't tell you what it is but it is still cheap.

"I want to make this happen. He has impressed everyone with his appetite for the game.

"He'll get me 15 goals this season and what's more, they'll be important goals."

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_2920458,00.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

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

Batistuta: Man Utd's Tevez convincing Argies about Premiership
Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta believes Manchester United ace Carlos Tevez can be a trailblazer for the Premiership attracting Argentina's best young talent.

Man Utd's Tevez: I'm cooked
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez admits his latest trip to South America for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers has left him worn out.

Youth inspires Giggs

Ryan Giggs says he feels invigorated by the promising young talent around him at Old Trafford.

The influx of Anderson, Nani, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez this season has added strength and depth to an already ultra-talented squad. Paired with the experience of United's longstanding servants like Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson believes this is the best squad during his 21 years at Old Trafford.

Giggs is certainly excited by the current set-up and says the youthful exuberance within the squad has given him a new lease of life.

"When you come into training and you’re up against young, quality players it’s a test every day," he told ManUtd.com. "That only helps to bring your game on. There’s so much enthusiasm amongst the lads and it’s a great place to be at the moment.

"The new lads have all bedded in really well and very quickly, bringing something new to the team already this season. Nani with his spectacular goals and celebrations, while Anderson has shown what a top player he is with some fantastic performances.

"We knew all about Owen’s [Hargreaves] qualities and he’s produced those every time he’s played and Carlos [Tevez] has brought that extra dimension to our attacking play.

"They’ve also added something different to the dressing room which is great. There is certainly a lot more Spanish and Portuguese being spoken! They’re all very enthusiastic and the team spirit is as good as ever."

Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=509106

Ferguson dealing in Man Utd foursome

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to deal in four of his defensive stars.



The Mirror says Wes Brown, out of contract at the end of the season, is expected to sign a three-year contract worth £50,000-a-week in the next few days. He has been right-back this season in place of the injured Gary Neville and can talk to other clubs from January 1 unless United move fast.

Left-back Patrice Evra will renegotiate the deal that brought him to United almost two years, while John O'Shea was offered an improved contract.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will agree a 12-month extension until the end of next season.

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=65880

Ronaldo backs Queiroz as next Man Utd manager

Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo is backing assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to eventually succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

"I have a great relationship with Carlos and I know all the squad like him," said Ronaldo.

"Sir Alex has been at the club for 21 years. It will be very hard to replace him on many levels."

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=65861

Rooney is on course for shock comeback

Wayne Rooney is set to return to training just 11 days after damaging his ankle.

The England striker was initially ruled out for four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in a freak training-ground accident prior to United's Premier League win over Blackburn.

However, it is thought that Rooney could now return for Manchester United's Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon next Tuesday.

Ferguson has problems up front anyway, with Carlos Tevez not due back to training until Friday after completing Argentina's World Cup qualifier in Colombia.

In addition, while Louis Saha was able to start in Rooney's absence in the win over Blackburn, his fitness is so fragile Ferguson will not want to be over-reliant on the Frenchman.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=495133&in_page_id=1779&ct=5

Hargreaves tops fan poll

Owen Hargreaves may have been limited to half a dozen appearances since his summer arrival from Bayern Munich, but he has already made a huge impression on Reds supporters.



In a Fanzone poll, we asked ManUtd.com readers which summer signing had impressed you most, and Hargreaves came out on top, although Carlos Tevez wasn't far behind.

Tendonitis in his knee has sidelined the 26-year-old for much of the season, but his effervescence and excellent distribution have been a breath of fresh air in the midfield engine room.

He polled 37 per cent of the overall votes in our poll. Tevez, who has also settled remarkably well and has already established an impressive partnership with Wayne Rooney, finished in second place with 32 per cent of the votes.

Anderson and Nani, Sir Alex Ferguson's other summer purchases, have both played more football than they would have expected this term. But both players have proved instantly capable of playing in the United first team as well showing plenty of potential to improve even further.

Nani provides a viable alternative to Ryan Giggs or Cristiano Ronaldo on either flank, while 19-year-old Anderson has - perhaps surprisingly - given his boss a selection problem in central midfield with performances that belie his age.

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=508863

Evra is season's star

Forget Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra has been United's outstanding performer so far this season, according to MUTV pundit Paddy Crerand.

The Reds legend and former European Cup winner insists Evra has been “absolutely fantastic” this term, particularly because of his instinct to attack down the left flank.

Many United fans would agree, and on current form it could be reasonably argued that the Frenchman is the best left-back Premiership.

"I would say without question he’s been the man of the season so far, he’s been absolutely outstanding," Crerand told MUTV. "I don’t think anybody can have an argument about that. But if they do, I’ll argue with them!

"He’s got all the qualities, particularly at Old Trafford because United are invariably the attacking team. He plays up and down that left side and has been fantastic doing it.”

Having arrived almost two years ago for a reported fee around £5.5million, Evra has proved an excellent capture and already seen off the competition of Gabriel Heinze. It may have taken him time to bed in to the English style of play, but the patience, Crerand feels, has paid off.

"He’s another one who, like Nemanja Vidic, needed a little bit of time to settle,” he added.

“I think there’s more pressure at this club on players than there is at any other club because you’ve got a worldwide audience staring at you and they expect you to go on the pitch and be a star straightaway.

“But it takes time. You have to get to know the players you’re playing with and they have to get to know you.

"I believe Patrice is a very popular person with the rest of the squad, but I think being a good player helps to make you popular, and he’s been exactly that for us this season.”

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=508860&page=2

Kaka: Man Utd's Ronaldo best in Europe

AC Milan midfielder Kaka has declared Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo as currently the No1 player in Europe.

The Brazilian is hot favourite to win the European Footballer of the Year award, which is handed out by magazine France Football next month.
But Kaka has paid a glowing tribute to Ronaldo.

"He is the best, not only for his technical ability, but also for what he has done with Portugal," said Kaka to Italian media on Sunday.

As for the future, the 25-year-old dreams of captaining Brazil when his country host the 2014 World Cup.

"In 2014, I will still be playing and it would be a marvellous experience to be captain of our national team," he said.

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=65573

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

Man Utd's Simpson working closely with Neville

Manchester United fullback Danny Simpson has revealed he's working closely with skipper Gary Neville in training.

He told the People: "He's teaching me all sorts of stuff ... how to study the weaknesses of different players and try to force them into areas where they do less damage.

If you can't learn from somebody like Gary, then you might as well not bother.

His dedication is second to none - he's the ultimate team player."

With Neville due back next month and We Brown ahead of him, Simpson knows he must play the waiting game.

He said: "Rio Ferdinand told me not to get carried away, to enjoy my taste of the big time but to keep a level head.

And that's what I'm going to do."

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=65615

I can make it at United - Pique

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is hoping to repay the faith shown in him by Sir Alex Ferguson and establish himself at Old Trafford.

Pique was sent out on loan to Real Zaragoza last season and attracted interest from both them and Atletico Madrid in the summer.

But after making six first-team appearances so far this season the 20-year-old now feels he is ready to make an impression on United's defence of their Barclays Premier League crown.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "Zaragoza tried to sign me in the summer but I knew what the answer would be.

"Since the first day I arrived, Sir Alex has showed me he has a lot of confidence in me and I'm trying to do my best to show him I can be part of this team. I can be a United player.

"He talks to you a lot - not only about football, but about everything in life''.

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_2888093,00.html

O'Shea set for new United deal

Manchester United star John O'Shea has revealed he is close to signing a new deal at Old Trafford.

The Republic of Ireland international says he is in advanced talks over extending his stay with the champions.

The 26-year-old insists he is happy to stay as he been assured he is important to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.

"The manager feels I am part of his plans, so we will wait and see," O'Shea told the Sunday Mirror.

"I have this season and the next on my current contract, but I am very close to signing a new deal that will keep me at United into my 30s.

"It is something I want to do. I want to stay here, everything is good and this is where I want to be.

"I have never looked to go elsewhere."

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_2889397,00.html

Cristiano: Praise is positive

Cristiano Ronaldo has welcomed Sir Alex's comments on the strength of United's squad.

In his United Review programme notes for Blackburn's visit to Old Trafford, the United boss said he believed the current crop of players could be his best yet.

"It's always good to hear praise from our manager, who, over the years, has coached several United teams," Ronaldo said. "If he says that then it's good for us, especially the new players. It's very positive.

"Ronaldo's form has been central to United's unbeaten streak in the league, which now stretches back to mid-August. Indeed, the Portugal international has found the net 10 times already this season. And yet, some critics claim he's failed to ignite matches in the way he so often did during the 2006/07 campaign.

That kind of criticism doesn't bother Ronaldo. He insists he's playing well and only wants to continue his good form.

"I have scored some goals and played well," he said. "I always work to be the best, with the aim of improving every year on the weaker parts of my game. I’ve been in good form and now I’ve got to make sure I maintain this consistency."

Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=507786

Ron tops Rovers poll

Cristiano Ronaldo's quick-fire brace against Blackburn has earned the winger the Man of the Match award, as voted by ManUtd.com users.

More than 6500 fans had their say in an online poll after United ended Rovers' unbeaten streak on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.

Mark Hughes' men hadn't lost away from home in the league since the last time they came to Old Trafford, back in March.

But two goals in as many minutes – the first a powerful header, the second a simple tap-in after good work down the left by Carlos Tevez – sunk the visitors and left Sir Alex marvelling at his side's killer instinct.Ronaldo didn't light up the stage as he has done on so many other occasions, but his two goals undoubtedly turned the game and he garnered an impressive 53 per cent of the vote.

Ryan Giggs, who turned back the clock with a stunning display of wing wizardry, provided the sternest competition (18%), while Patrice Evra (13%), Owen Hargreaves (11%) and Carlos Tevez (5%) rounded out the voting.

Man Utd's Saha delighted with start

Manchester United striker Louis Saha is delighted with the early weeks of his latest comeback from injury.

"It has been such a long time since I was in the starting line-up and it felt good to be in there," Saha told L'Equipe after Sunday's victory over Blackburn Rovers. "I was in the starting XI against Roma, but that day I was not at my best.

"I took advantage of the Wayne Rooney injury, but that is why a whole squad is useful.

"It went smoothly against Blackburn. I won't complain about failing to score because the most important thing is the team won."

Scholes' surgery a success

Sir Alex has allayed fears Paul Scholes' recent knee injury could threaten the midfielder's career.

Scholes, who turns 33 on Friday 16 November, damaged his knee during a training session in Kyiv last month.

An initial scan was inconclusive before a second confirmed the need for surgery and three months' rest.

"Paul has had his operation and it was 100 per cent successful," the Reds' boss told United Radio.

"The specialist said the condition of his knee is fantastic… he's got the knee of a 20-year-old.

We're losing him for three months but the great news is there's nothing stopping him from playing for a few years yet.

"In January he'll come back as a fresh player, at an important time when we've got the knockout stages of Europe and the FA Cup to think about.

Remember the last time he came back after his eye injury – it was like having a new player."


Source : http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=506343