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

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

Match Review : Bolton 1-0 Man Utd

Gary Megson claimed his first win in charge of Bolton with the unlikely scalp of Manchester United, thanks to Nicolas Anelka's early strike.

Anelka slotted home Ivan Campo's free-kick after 11 minutes.

And an out-of-sorts United were left frustrated as Jussi Jaaskelainen kept out Owen Hargreaves' free-kick and Carlos Tevez sliced a shot wide.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was sent to the stands after the break following a half-time rant at the referee.

Ferguson, whose side now trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by three points, was dismissed by referee Mark Clattenburg for a tunnel outburst at a succession of minor decisions that had gone against his team.

Although Manchester United's trip was less than 20 miles down the road from Old Trafford, the gap between the two sides in the Premier League could not be much bigger.

United experienced their only previous league defeat this season back in August - against Manchester City - whereas that same month marked Bolton's only win in the Premier League - 3-0 against Reading.

Having already notched up four draws and a loss, Megson's side have clearly become harder to beat but few would have expected them to take an early lead.

Megson reaped the rewards of Anelka's return from a recent hamstring injury when the Frenchman took advantage of United defender Gerard Pique's mistake to slot home.

Campo's chipped free-kick set up the goal with Pique mis-timing his leap leaving Anelka unmarked with the ball in front of goal.

While Bolton looked lively and dangerous on the break, the visitors made a lacklustre start - perhaps missing the touch of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested after playing in two Euro 2008 qualifiers over the past week.

United's chances at the other end were few in the first half with Hargreaves screwing a 20-yard effort wide, and Tevez just failing to get on the end of Rio Ferdinand's long ball.

Their frustrations were deepened by an ongoing battle between Bolton striker Kevin Davies and United defender Patrice Evra - which resulted in an angry Ferguson being sent to the stands after the break.

Davies was lucky to get away with just one booking after two heavy-handed late challenges and a nasty clash of heads with the Frenchman.
But the referee's decision brought Ferguson to the touchline to express his disgust.

However the tactical substitution of Pique for Anderson just before the half hour mark seemed to reinvigorate Ferguson's side and moments later, keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to keep out Owen Hargreaves' dipping free-kick with a flying save.

United kept turning the screw and Carlos Tevez should have done better when he sliced Evra's cross wide from just a yard out 70 minutes in.
Although the visitors continued to pile forward, United could find no equaliser.

And when Hargreaves clipped the roof of the net with an injury-time free-kick, Ferguson had to settle for the sight of his side losing at Bolton for the first time since December 1978.

Meanwhile Megson was able to breath a sigh of relief as defeats for Birmingham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Wigan helped Bolton climb from second from bottomin the table to 15th on 11 points.

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7099689.stm

Match Preview : Bolton vs Man Utd

Reebok StadiumSaturday,

24 November

Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka is fit again after a hamstring injury and should return to the starting line-up.

El-Hadji Diouf is also set to return after completing a one-match ban.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is still out with an ankle injury, while Gary Neville continues his recovery after a succession of injury problems.
Defender Nemanja Vidic is United's only worry. The Serbian picked up a knock against Poland, so Wes Brown may partner Rio Ferdinand at the back.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, McCann, Michalik, A O'Brien, Meite, Gardner, Cid, Campo, Guthrie, Nolan, Speed, Alonso, Diouf, Davies, Anelka, Al Habsi, Samuel, Teymourian, Braaten, Giannakopoulos.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evans, Evra, Simpson, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Saha, Tevez.

Bolton manager Gary Megson:"In my view, we are improving. We made a case for winning every game played whilst I've been here.

"But we haven't won so we've got to find a way of turning draws into wins, regardless of the opposition.

"We've also been doing a lot of work during the international break in terms of watching players."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:"He [Wayne Rooney] is doing some running. Somebody said that they saw him training on Tuesday. That's some eye sight!

"He started some light running on Thursday and did some good running on Friday.

"He won't play at Bolton or against Sporting Lisbon, but I would think he'll be available for Fulham."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

The 109th league meeting of these two Greater Manchester rivals could see United at the top of the table and Bolton still below the safety line at the final whistle.

No club has won more Premier League matches this season than Manchester United (nine), and no club has won fewer than Bolton (one).

Bolton have drawn four and lost one of five games since the appointment of Gary Megson, and are chasing a first win under the new manager against the tightest defence in the Premier League.

Manchester United are unbeaten in 10 league outings; Wanderers are pursuing a first win in 10.

The Trotters have conceded more Premier League goals to Manchester United than to any other club (40).

Bolton are making a ninth attempt to clinch a first ever home Premier League victory over Manchester United. They've not taken maximum points off the Red Devils in front of the home faithful since a 3-0 top flight triumph on 22 December 1978. A brace from Frank Worthington and an Alan Gowling goal decided the issue 29 years ago.

CLUB FORM
BOLTON WANDERERS

Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 15thLowest could fall: 20th

1. One of only two clubs with just one Premier League victory; the other is Derby. Also, one of three clubs with just one home Premier League victory so far this season. The others are Middlesbrough and Derby. Reading are the only club to have left the Reebok without any points.
2. Not won in eight; drawn three and lost five league and cup games since beating Rabotnicki Kometa 1-0 in the Uefa Cup first round second leg at the Reebok on 4 October.
3. Drawn five of the last seven Premier League fixtures, including the last three against Aston Villa (h), West Ham (a) and Middlesbrough (h); it is the longest current sequence of draws in the highest league.
4. Won one of 19 Premier League outings; winless in nine, having picked up five points out of 27.
5. Eight points from the first 13 games equals their worst ever start to a Premier League season in 1995-96. That was their first taste of football in this league, which saw them finish bottom and suffer immediate relegation.
6. Averaging 0.62 points per game, having dropped 31 of the 39 available. Only Derby exceed that; 33 points dropped. Eight points were dropped from winning positions; losing to Fulham and Portsmouth - both away, and drawing, home to Aston Villa.
7. Yet to beat a top half club. Drawn two and lost four of their six fixtures against clubs currently in the top 10.
8. Won one of the last seven Premier League fixtures against north-west clubs; 1-3, away to Wigan on 7 April.
9. Need to score one goal to total 200 in home Premier League games all-time.
10. This match precedes Thursday's Uefa Cup Group F tie, home to Aris Salonica, and a Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday, 2 December.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1stLowest could fall: 2nd

1. Undefeated in nine; won eight and drawn one in all competitions, since the 0-2 home defeat by Coventry in the third round of the Carling Cup on 26 September; their only loss in 15 outings.

2. Dropped only two points from a last possible 30, since their only league defeat this term; 1-0, away to Manchester City on 19 August.

3. Kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season - more than any other club; seven of those have been in the last 10 matches.
4. Opened the scoring in an unrivalled 10 Premier League matches this season.
5. Heading the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table with 16 points out of 18.
6. Completed 53 league games since a loss by more than a single goal; 3-0, away to Chelsea on 29 April 2006.
7. Meanest defence in the Premier League with six goals conceded from 13 outings, at one every 195 minutes (three hours 15 minutes) on average. Liverpool have also let in just six, but from 12 matches, at one every 180 minutes (three hours).
8. Yet to lose to a lower half club; won five and drawn one of their six fixtures against clubs in the bottom 10.
9. Unbeaten in four league games on the road (three wins, one draw), and already returned from Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa with maximum points.
10. This match precedes Tuesday's Champions League Group F tie, home to Sporting.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

BOLTON WANDERERS

Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with seven goals, including six of the clubs 11 in the Premier League.
Kevin DAVIES is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals (Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn, Millwall and Bolton).
Jussi JAASKALAINEN is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's Premier League matches this season.
Gary SPEED, the only player to have netted in every Premier League season, is a double shy of 100 career league goals (Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton).
If selected:-
SPEED will be extending his record breaking number of Premier League appearances to 533.
DAVIES will be making his 150th league appearance for Bolton.
Kevin NOLAN will be making his 300th club career appearance - all for Bolton.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne ROONEY, who's currently injured, has scored five Premier League goals against Bolton - all five were netted last season.
Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer this season with 10 goals, and leading Premier League marksman with six.
Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.
Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.
When he returns from injury and next plays from the outset, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.

HEAD TO HEAD

Wayne Rooney celebrated his 21st birthday earlier in the week, by completing a hat-trick in last season's 0-4 triumph over Bolton in this identical fixture last season.
United scored eight goals against the Trotters last term.
Although they are yet to defeat the Red Devils on home territory, Bolton have recorded two Premier League victories at Old Trafford: 1-2, on 20 October 2001 and 0-1, on 11 September 2002.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Bolton 40 wins, Man United 44, Draws 24Prem: Bolton 2 wins, Man United 10, Draws 4
at Bolton onlyLeague (inc PL): Bolton 24 wins, Man United 16, Draws 14Prem: Bolton 0 wins, Man United 5, Draws 3

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United28 October 2006 - Ref: Rob StylesMan United scorers: Rooney 10, 16, Ronaldo 82, Rooney 89

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7099689.stm

Training Pic. Before Game with Bolton

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.

Man Utd get serious about Sporting Lisbon's Veloso

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is pondering a £10 million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.

Ferguson, taking the advice of his assistant Carlos Queiroz, has identified Veloso as the next potential star to emerge from the Sporting youth ranks that also produced Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, says the Guardian.

Veloso, who has broken into the Portuguese national side at 21, has been the outstanding player in La Liga this season and it is a measure of United's interest that Ferguson's brother Martin, the club's chief scout, has been a virtual ever-present recently at the Estadio Jose Alvalade XI. United have been represented at six of Veloso's last seven matches.

Ferguson has been slowly modifying his line-up to a 4-2-3-1 system and he has received glowing reports about Veloso's ability to break up opposition attacks. One scouting report from last season details how Veloso outshone Patrick Vieira when Sporting beat Internazionale in the Champions League.

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=66034