Friday 17 June 2011

End of an Era

They say nothing lasts forever and with regards to the 'Class of 92` that is fast becoming the case.

With Paul Scholes joining Gary Neville as members of that famous class who have retired this season, Scholes, now set to become a member of Sir Alex Ferguson`s coaching staff, has reflected on that exact fact, commenting,

"It`s definitely ending. Phil Neville and Nicky Butt left a while ago while Gary is finishing this year."

"Becks went a while ago, so it`s coming to an end. Nothing can go on forever."

"But there`s still Ryan and plenty of homegrown players at the club."


My view is that the 'Class of 92` was a one-off and that, despite throwing huge investment in the direction of our academy we`ll not see the likes of them again.

Read more: http://www.manchesterunited.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=244453#ixzz1PXUKORrY

Sanchez Now a Target!

Collecting the usual bundle of newspapers from the newsagents this morning it looks as if our spending could be about to continue.

After already adding David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young to the squad, as Sir Alex Ferguson seeks to improve the squad, the tabloid are insistent that we`r emaking a major play to sign the Udinese winger, Alexis Sanchez.

According to the tabloids, David Gill has gone to Spain to try and broker a deal that would bring the Chilean to Old Trafford.

A fee of £27 million is mentioned with Gill desperately trying to break a stranglehold Manchester City thought they had on the deal.

The players` agent, Fernando Felicevich, in comments attributed to him in the media was giving nothing away,

"An agreement with City? Sanchez`s future is still very much wide open. We are working on it, and after meetings with City, we have other new appointments."

It`s proving to be an exciting summer at Old Trafford isn`t it!

Read more: http://www.manchesterunited.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=244455#ixzz1PXU4u2mK

£20m to replace Paul Scholes the quiet man

So then, Scholesy has called it a day. It didn't come as any great surprise.
In typical style, the 'Ginger Prince' kept his council and ignored the never ending media speculation about his future in those final few weeks of the season. 

United wrapped up the Premier League title and then took on mighty Barcelona at Wembley in the Champions League final, for what would be Paul's last competitive game in a United shirt. Next came the open top team bus parade around the streets of Manchester, but still Scholes said nothing about his future. Only then, when all the fuss had died down did news filter through that the little man from Middleton had called time on what has been a glittering career. How typical of Scholes to bow out in this way with no media fanfare.

Scholes will be remembered for many things; his brilliant football brain, his ability to score goals and create them for others, but he won't be remembered for his tackling ability because that was pretty much the only football art he failed to master.

Fergie wanted Scholes to carry on for one more season and you do wonder if there will be any regrets in the coming weeks. 

One thing is for certain replacing Scholes is going to be a costly exercise with talk of United having to battle it out with moneybags Man City for the services of Wesley Sneijder. United are also being strongly linked to Luka Modric at Spurs with speculation claiming that a £20m plus move is in the offing. Reading between the lines, it seems that the Croatian could be Fergie's backup plan should the United manager lose out on Sneijder who has been making noises about staying with Inter Milan.

Ashley Young in, Nani or Berbatov out? United plotting big money moves

The one thing Manchester United do not need right now is another winger and yet if we believe the latest transfer rumours Ashley Young could be heading to Old Trafford. The Villa winger has been strongly linked to several clubs including Liverpool, but reports claim United are the favourites to capture the England player in a reported £16m move.

Young is by no means the finished article and so it's worth asking if he is any better, or come to that as good as Park, Nani, or Valencia? Ryan Giggs will retire in the not too distant future and of course he can also play on the left. 

Fergie might well reason that in signing Young he is bolstering his options, but with Scholes retiring there is an obvious void to fill in central midfield. United have just won a record 19th league title, but if they are to continue to dominate the Premier League and do well in Europe it is vital that Fergie spends his transfer war chest wisely; top of the transfer short-list should be a central midfield general. 

United need someone like Wesley Sneijder or else Luka Modric, but Manchester City are said to be in the running to sign the Dutch midfield play-maker and they can out-bid anyone including Chelsea who are also said to be keen to capture the Inter Milan star.

According to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, they will not sell Luka Modric - but we can safely ingore this assertion based on events of the recent past. In time honoured fashion, Spurs will hang United out to dry over any transfer fee for Modric, as they did when selling Carrick and Berbatov to the champions. Blackpool's Charlie Adam could be Fergie's 'plan B' for the central midfield slot. In an ideal world Fergie would sign two of the three midfield players mentioned, but will the manager have sufficient transfer funds?

As ever, the fans and media alike have no idea how much money the United manager has at his disposal, but given how little has been spent on transfers since the Glazer family takeover in 2005, it's a fair bet that Ferguson's cash will not stretch that far. 

We know that Fergie is very confident about signing Spanish stopper David Gea - but if that deal doesn't come off the United manager will have a serious dollop of egg on his face after he publicly announced his intentions before the deal was cut and dried...it's fair to ask, why on earth did Fergie take such a risk?

Whatever happens with Gea, United will more than likely sign three new players this summer, but we could see as many as two big name exits. Ashley Young looks like a racing certainty to join United, as will David Gea hopefully along with either Sneijder, Modric or Adam.

As for likely exists, given that United do not really need to sign Ashley Young, (25), you have to wonder if Nani,(24), will be sacrificed, however, if that scenario actually comes to being then it doesn't really look like a sensible decision given that both players are a similar age and have a similar goals to game ratios (0.20 and 0.21 respectively). Fergie could argue that Young might perform better on the left than the Portuguese winger who was voted the player of the season by his team-mates in 2010-2011. Nani has taken time to settle, but he has proved his worth since Ronaldo moved on. There are no guarantees that Young will do as well as Nani.

Signing Young might make sense if Fergie had pots of money to spend this summer, but his transfer dealing under the Glazer regime suggests that will not be the case and so there must be a serious prospect of a least one big name player exit and if it isn't Nani then maybe Berbatov will be that man. 

Berbatov was axed from United's Champions League squad and despite finishing top goal-scorer last season in the Premier League it looks as though his time at United could be coming to an end, thanks largely to the emergence of Javier Hernandez.

Liverpool move for Zapata | Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News

Liverpool move for Zapata | Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News

Thursday 16 June 2011

Phil Jones: First of many new arrivals? Fergie building for United's future

The transfer news is really hotting up amidst reports that Phil Jones, 19, is having a medical ahead of a £17m transfer to the champions. United are also being strongly linked to Ashley Young, 25, along with Luka Modric, 25, Wesley Sneijder, 26, and Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea, 20.

United have a policy of not signing players over the age of 27 and if we are to believe the latest batch of transfer rumours then it looks like the club will once again be buying players who will have a resale value in the future.

The jury might be out on the likes of Ashley Young, but there appears to be a growing consensus about Phil Jones; Wayne Rooney says the Blackburn defender was one of the toughest he'd played against last season. Jones is only 5ft 8in, but he can play in central defence or in midfield, but you wonder if Fergie has plans to play him at right-back and if that is the case then the United manager might well be plotting to move the da Silva twins into midfield.

Whatever happens, it certainly looks like Ferguson is buying some solid building blocks for United's future. Bring it on.

The goalkeeper's profile is part of a database of former ManU opponents Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell


Several digital media platforms mentioned on Sunday that there is a profile of Iker Casillas on Manchester United's website and related this to a possble signing of the keeper by the English club. The truth is Casillas' profile is part of a database of hundreds of profiles of what seem to be former ManU opponents, many of which have already retired.
On Thursday, the Daily Mail published that Manchester United were interested in signing Iker Casillas. This rumour grew considerably this weekend when several digital media platforms found a URL that gave access to a profile of the Madridista on Manchester United's website. By typing 'Iker Casillas Manchester United official web site' on any browser, users could easily access it. 

If the creation of said profile meant that the English club was interested in signing the player, then it would also be interested in signing all the rest on the same database, which features men like Raul, Guti, Michel Salgado, Ze Roberto, Fernando Morientes, Roberto Carlos, Geremi, Helguera, Ivan Campo, Cesar, and retired footballers such as Zidane, Figo, Fernando Hierro, McManaman, Savio, Victor Baia and Robert Prosinecki. 

Manchester United's website has published an article simply mentioning the numerous rumours that have spread these past few days, which say that the club is interested in signing Arjen Robben, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, amongst others.

Man Utd signing Jones enjoying partnership with Smalling

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United defensive pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones helped England U21 keep a cleansheet in their 0-0 draw with Ukraine last night.
The duo formed the centre-half pairing for England.
Jones said after the Ukraine match: "We've got to go and win the last game and we'll give it everything to do that. We're working hard and we'll try to put things right."
On his partnership with Smalling, he added: "It’s working really well, I like playing with him. I read what he does and he reads what I do so it's working well."

Man Utd star Rooney to join fans at Glastonbury

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United starWayne Rooney is ready to muck in with fans at the Glastonbury festival.
His younger brother Graeme let the cat out of the bag by revealing on Twitter the pair were heading to Worthy Farm for a booze-up.
The Man United striker had hoped to head to the festival on the quiet.
But Graeme tweeted yesterday: "Cnt wait 4 glasto with @WayneRooney, boozeville yerrrrrrrrrrrrrr."
But within minutes of the tweet going online it was mysteriously removed.
Newcastle United midfielder and fellow Scouser Joey Barton is also heading to Somerset. Joey's soon-to-be former Toon team-mate Kevin Nolan gave a glowing endorsement of the festival last year after meeting up with Barton and Wayne's Man U pal Jonny Evans.

Chelsea to go higher for Tottenham ace Modric after first bid refused

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Chelsea will go higher forTottenham midfielderLuka Modric.
The Sun says they last night stunnedTottenham with a £22million bid for Modric - and are ready to go to £25m.
Spurs quickly rejected the Blues' opening salvo.
But Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be sorely tested today when Roman Abramovich increases his offer.
Blues owner Abramovich wants to blow Manchester United, who are also chasing the 25-year-old, out of the water in the battle for Spurs' prize asset.
It looks almost certain that Modric, who cost £16.5m from Dinamo Zagrebin 2008, will now leave White Hart Lane and that Chelsea are favourites to sign him.
Insiders say he wants to stay in London after playing 120 games and scoring 12 goals in three seasons at Spurs.

Man Utd, Chelsea lead scramble as Eto’o stuns Inter: Time for England move

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Samuel Eto'o has dropped a bombshell on Inter Milan: I fancy a Premier League move.
The Cameroon ace's declaration comes just 24 hours after it emerged coach Leonardo is set to leave Inter for PSG.
Eto'o told Corriere dello Sport: "I'm evaluating some suggestions: I have a month to decide whether to stay or choose the Premier League.
"I'm 30 so I will have to consider well before the last real contract. I won the gamble to be able to play in Italy and in my mind the time to play in England is now approaching."
Eto'o's sensational comments are sure to spark a mad rush for his signature.
Manchester CityChelsea and Arsenal are all sure to be keen to take the Cameroon international to England this summer, while Manchester United boss Sir Alex Fergusonwill also be on red alert.
For his part, Eto'o has confessed a great admiration for the work of Gunners bossArsene Wenger.

Man Utd boss Ferguson fancies wrecking Liverpool hopes for Adam signing

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson is aiming to trump Liverpool forBlackpool midfielder Charlie Adam.
The Daily Star says United boss Ferguson is set to go head-to-head with old rival Kenny Dalglish and join the race to land Adam.
Adam scored against United at Old Trafford this season and impressed Fergie with a string of stand-out displays for Ian Holloway’s relegated team.
Fergie is convinced he can outmuscle Liverpool because he can offer the 25-year-old higher wages.
Fergie has already beaten Dalglish to the signing of Blackburn’s Phil Jones.
He will turn to Adam because he fears losing out to Chelsea in his bid to signInter Milan star Wesley Sneijder.

Inter Milan board resigned to selling Man Utd, Chelsea target Sneijder

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Inter Milan directors are resigned to losingWesley Sneijder this summer.
The Milan-based Mediaset says Inter president Massimo Moratti and his board believe Sneijder now has his heart set on moving to England.
Manchester United have already been in touch and indicated a willingness to go to over £30 million, while Chelsea have also asked after Sneijder and are prepared to include players in their offer.
Moratti has now ordered sports chief Marco Branca to draw up plans to find a replacement for Sneijder - which has led to him contacting the camp of Arsenal star Samir Nasri this week.
No quick sale of Sneijder is expected, with Moratti wanting his replacement in place before discussing a sale with United and Chelsea.

Nasri set to rundown Arsenal contract after disappointing Man Utd talks

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Arsenal ace Samir Nasri is ready to run down the final year of his contract.
The Independent says talks between Nasri and Manchester United have come to nothing and the player now appears likely to remain at Arsenal for another season.
Nasri will now head into the final year of his current £55,000-a-week contract and reconsider his options as a free agent at the end of next season.
Arsenal are gambling on the 2011-12 campaign being more successful than the one just gone which will persuade the 23-year-old – who is disillusioned with a lack of silverware – to sign new terms, either during the next season or 12 months from now.
Arsenal believe their relationship with him is strong.

Man Utd fullback Evra ready to help former club Les Ulis

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United star Patrice Evra is expected to hand over his outstanding World Cup pay to former club Les Ulis.
Evra promised the money before last year's tournament in South Africa, but hasn't been able to meet that as the French Federation was holding onto the due cash.
But Le Parisen says Evra will now received €27,000 from the FFF.
Les Ulis president Marc Le Prunennec said: "He's great and I hope to soon meet Patrice.
"The money will help us upgrade our facilities or we could buy a mini bus or create jobs."

LA Galaxy offer Totti amazing $14M-a-year to quit Roma

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

The Los Angeles Galaxy have made a stunning offer to AS Roma captain Francesco Totti.
Gazzetta dello Sport says LA Galaxy have offered Totti $14 million-a-year to leave Roma and move to the USA.
Totti is being lined up by Galaxy's owners as a replacement for David Beckham, with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star's contract due to expire at the end of this season.
The Italian midfielder has already mulled over the offer, but has so far resisted, insisting he wants to be part of the new era at Roma under American businessman Thomas Di Benedetto.

Man Utd announce Bebe joining Besiktas on 2-year loan

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com  

Manchester United have announced Bebe has signed for Besiktas on a two-year loan.
Bebe was signed by managerSir Alex Ferguson from Vitoria for £7.4million last summer, despite the youngster having never played a game for the Portuguese club.
And he struggled to make an impact during his debut campaign at the Premier League champions, making just two league appearances in the 2010/11 term.
Bebe did score twice for the club, in the Carling Cup and UEFA Champions League, but now Ferguson has seen it fit to send the 20-year-old out on a season-long loan at Turkish team Besiktas.

Real Madrid tell Diarra his price-tag stays as Spurs, Man Utd go cold

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Real Madrid will sell Lassana Diarra for €20 million this summer.
Marca says Real have told Diarra to forget about trying to talk down their assessment - it will be €20 million or he stays in Spain.
TottenhamManchester United andJuventus have been linked with Diarra, who has stated he will only leave Real for a return to England.
But interest from Spurs and United has gone quiet in recent weeks.

Scholes: Right time for Man Utd boss Ferguson to buy big

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com

Retired Manchester Unitedmidfielder Paul Scholes is backing managerSir Alex Ferguson to make the right signings this summer.
Scholes says the manager will have no qualms about making required changes.
"The manager will know what he needs and if he needs to buy players or he’s happy with what he’s already got," Scholes told manutd.com.
"Over the last couple of years he’s not really added that much to it, and if he feels the need to do it now, he’ll do it. He’s built three or four teams now and if he needs to do it again, I’m sure he will."

Man Utd legend Irwin: Champions cannot afford to act up on USA tour

16.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin says their preseason tour of the USA will be no jolly for the players.
Irwin says given the competitiveness of the Premier League, United must be primed to hit the ground running when the season kicks off.
“Pre-season’s the most important time for a player,” he said. “It’s the time when a player needs to get fit and get up to speed for the opening day of the season. One of the reasons the club comes to America is because the facilities are fantastic.
“The league’s getting stronger, too, and the quality of players it’s attracting is better. Kansas City Wizards beat United last year [on the pre-season tour] so we know the quality of football is high.
“Every year’s a new challenge. Manchester City have got stronger in the last few years, Liverpool have had a quiet time recently but they’ve acquired some good players. And of course Chelsea and Arsenal will be in it, too. There’s a challenge to win a 20th title next year.”

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Jones relishing challenge

United-bound defender Phil Jones has described his imminent move to Old Trafford as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.
The Reds announced on Monday 13 June that a deal was in place with Blackburn Rovers to bring the 19-year-old to the club as soon as the Under-21 European Championships have finished.
Within 90 minutes of the announcement, Jones had addressed his fans on social networking site Twitter, writing: “I’d just like to start off by saying that I've loved my time at Blackburn and I will always be a huge fan.
“But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to a new challenge. Thank you for all your kind messages.”
Soon-to-be-team-mate Michael Owen, who remains a Red for at least another year after agreeing a new deal earlier this month, welcomed the Jones deal as “great news”.

我的曼联情结

韩冰
45岁,来自北京,北京师范大学继续教育与教师培训学院副院长
为什么你会成为一名曼联球迷?
在毕业前,我在校队一直担任中场,在1986年,英甲联赛传播到中国,当时我是大学2年级生。对大多数大学男生来说,看电视直播足球是最有吸引力的项目之一。现在我仍经常观看英超联赛。我成为一名曼联球迷的原因是球队的风格。还有我很喜欢老特拉福德,因为这对我以及所有曼联球迷来说十分著名。
你有去过老特拉福德吗?
我在2010年11月27日去过老特拉福德,我看了曼联对布莱克本的比赛。我很幸运能在一场比赛看到很多进球。我在曼联官网为自己和朋友预订了5张门票,我们在比赛前一天去了老特拉福德,在曼彻斯特大学,我曾参加过21天的培训。
你在老特拉福德坐在哪个位置?
我的座位号码是N4407 18排35位。这几乎是北看台最高的座位了,不过身边的球迷的热情给我留下了深刻的印象。
谁是你最喜欢的球员,为什么?
吉格斯是我最爱的球员。他是一位真正的男人以及一名很有技术的球员。他诠释了足球精神,永远不会被击败。
在过去和现在,你还有哪些喜欢的球员,为什么?
斯科尔斯、欧文、基恩和休斯都是我比较喜欢的球员。斯科尔斯:聪明而有才华。欧文:绅士。基恩:像钢铁般强大。休斯:一名完美的球员。

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Man Utd boss Ferguson convinced £35M Sneijder wants Old Trafford move

14.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United are ready to go higher forInter Milan midfielderWesley Sneijder.
The People says United's spending frenzy is set to ­accelerate with a final tilt for £35million Sneijder.
Despite claims on Inter Milan’s website last week that he is happy in Italy and sees no reason to move, United believe 27-year-old Sneijder DOES fancy a fresh challenge at Old Trafford.
They should ­discover this week if a deal is possible.

Man Utd target Nasri demands £160,000-a-week to stay with Arsenal

14.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Samir Nasri is demanding a major pay-rise to stay withArsenal.
The People says Nasri wants a stunning £160,000 a week fromArsenal – or a move to one of the Manchester giants.
The French star’s sky-high salary wish has stopped the Gunners from tying him down to a new deal as his current arrangement enters its last year.
Manchester United have been tipped to nab Nasri since news of the dispute came to light – but only if they fail to woo Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder.
Manchester City are watching the situation – and could easily top all of the contract offers he could get at the Emirates or Old Trafford.

Real Madrid legend hails Man Utd pair Welbeck, Smalling as sensational

14.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro rates some of England's top kids as "sensational players".
Hierro is a former Spain football director and has been linked with a return to Real.
He said: “Many English clubs have young players with enormous quality. England Under-21s have some sensational players.
“Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck and Chris Smalling (bothManchester United) have enormous futures.”

Ex-Watford chief Lewington: Young will be Man Utd success

14.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Former Watford chief Ray Lewington is delighted seeing Aston Villa winger Ashley Young on the brink of moving to Manchester United.
Lewington handed Young his first pro deal while at the Hornets.
Young will now joinManchester United and attempt to become a legend at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
And, fittingly, Watford will land around 15 per cent of his transfer fee.
Lewington told the People: “It’s so pleasing when a lad like Ashley makes it to the top.
“He’s a terrific talent, one of the best I have ever worked with, and I’m sure he will deal with this move and do really well for United.”

Man Utd icon Scholes: Zidane, Xavi praise just embarrassing!

14.06.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has shrugged off praise from the game's greats.
Scholes has never been one for blowing his own trumpet but the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Xavi led the tributes to him.
He said: "It's obviously nice for these players to say that because they really are the top players, the Zidanes and the Xavis. But you are a little bit embarrassed.
"Replacing me is up to the manager and he will have his ideas about how the team goes forward. There have been a lot of players who have left this club, like Roy Keane, Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson. People wondered how you replace them. Somehow this club managed."