Manchester United: 28/08/2011

Saturday 3 September 2011

Ferguson picks up Barclays award

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson has won the Barclays Manager of the Month for August.

The title holders won all three Barclays Premier League matches, including the remarkable 8-2 home victory against Arsenal.

Sir Alex Ferguson is no stranger to the award and becomes Barclays Manager of the Month for an unprecedented 26th time in his distinguished career.

FIRST TEAM

To kick-off the club's title defence the side achieved a victory away to West Bromwich Albion, and scored three goals against Tottenham Hotspur to secure a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. The phenomenal 8-2 win against Arsenal cemented the club's place at the top of the table alongside rivals Manchester City, who also have a 100 per cent record.

Sir Alex has introduced new signings such as Phil Jones and Ashley Young who have contributed strongly, together with young players including Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley who seemingly have made the transition effortlessly to the first team.

The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel that includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

Manchester United & England's Chris Smalling: Start to the season has been like a dream

The versatile youngster is thrilled with his early form for club and country and hopes that both his respective managers maintain the faith in him that they have shown so far

Sep 3, 2011

Getty Images

Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling has spoken of his joy at both his own and his respective teams’ start to the current season.
Smalling made his England debut against Bulgaria in a 3-0 win on Friday and his performance looked to be the icing on the cake of an ideal start to the defender’s campaign.
Speaking to BBC Sport Smalling said: "My first month or so couldn't have gone any better, so hopefully the season can carry on like this. I'm really enjoying my football. It's gone like a dream."
Although primarily a center-back, the new season has seen the newly-capped England international in a right-back role for Manchester United - and it was there that the player also made his debut against Bulgaria. And although he hopes to return to his natural position, Smalling is more than happy with any playing time he receives.
He continued: "I didn't see myself playing regularly at right-back for Manchester United or making my England debut in that position."
"Hopefully I can do the job for the minute but I feel my future definitely lies at center-half. I feel Fabio Capello and Sir Alex Ferguson are great people to be backed by so hopefully I can carry on doing that job and they will have faith in me."
The 3-0 win over the Bulgarians sees England sitting atop Group G with two games left to play and three points more than second-place Montenegro, who suffered what was a surprise defeat to Wales on Friday.
Smalling hopes that his solid debut could lead to his second England appearance against Wales at Wembley on Tuesday, and says that he and his teammates feel that qualification is now finally in their sights.
"We've been given a massive opportunity by Wales beating Montenegro. It was something we didn't expect and when we came into the dressing room and heard the result it's really given us an edge. With 80,000 behind us at Wembley, hopefully we can really kick over the finishing line," said Smalling.

John Terry believes Phil Jones & Tom Cleverley will have no problem making step up to England squad

Defender thinks Three Lions must improve to guarantee qualification to Euro 2012 in next two games and reckons Raul Meireles will be a great player for Chelsea after transfer

Getty Images

Chelsea defender John Terry believes Manchester United youngsters Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley will have no problem adapting to the England set-up.
“They are from a very big side, so they’ve come into the England set-up and felt very comfortable," Terry told reporters. "They are very assured of themselves as well and rightly so because they’re huge talents and certainly good for the future of the England side because they have an awful lot to give."
Three Lions manager Fabio Capello selected the uncapped pair to face Bulgaria and Wales following promising performances in the Premier League for the Red Devils at the start of the season.
The England captain believes that their experience thus far will stand them in good stead.
“You don’t go into the Manchester United side if you’re not ready," said Terry. "They’ve shown some great individual performances and collectively also at Man United so clearly they’re ready. I don’t think age comes into it at all you need to be given opportunities and if that comes around tomorrow good luck to them because they are certainly ready.

Terry believes it is vital that England get back to winning ways against Bulgaria and Wales after drawing to Switzerland in its last group game.
“I think it’s very important," said the defender. "I was looking forward to the Holland game which didn’t go ahead but I think we drew the game against the Swiss I think we all realised as players that we didn’t play to our potential. It’s very important in the next two games that we pick up six points and put ourselves in a very good position in the group.”
The defender thinks qualification should be attained before anyone thinks about the European Championships themselves, but believes England could have a good blend in its squad if it reaches the competition.
“Ideally, first and foremost we’d like to qualify and put ourselves in that position," he continued. "Hopefully we can go there with some young players with an awful lot of games under their belts and a little bit more experience as well. That mixture of the young and the old, that we always speak about, could do us good in such a big tournament.”
The match is slated for 2:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

President Massimo Moratti: Retaining Wesley Sneijder is a victory for Inter

The Italian supremo insists the club had always sought to keep the midfielder from the clutches of the Premier League giants

Inter president Massimo Moratti admits the club's intentions was to keep Wesley Sneijder and is delighted at having done after a move to Manchester United failed to materialize.

"We wanted that [Sneijder to stay] because he is a top-class player," Moratti told reporters in Milan. "He is surely very sought-after, but every time he saw reports in the papers he told me he wanted to stay at Inter. He behaved very well and the team is more confident with him in it."

The Netherlands international was linked with United and he admitted after the transfer window had closed that there had been a chance to join Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

However, Moratti is happy the club were able to hang onto its man despite strong interest from the Premier League.

Inter also secured the services of Lazio's Mauro Zarate on loan for the season.

DARREN FLETCHER CZECHS HE’S FIT

3rd September 2011

DARREN FLETCHER insists he is fit enough to lead Scotland’s last-gasp bid to make Euro 2012.

Darren Fletcher will skipper Craig Levein’s side in today’s qualifier against Czech Republic at Hampden with only two competitive games under his belt since early March.

He was hit by a mystery virus and worked with a personal fitness coach over the summer, but his only action this season has been two reserve games.

But the 27-year-old said: “I feel as fit as I have done in more than a year.

“I worked hard and come through both reserve games without a problem.

“I was involved in the Blackpool game at the end of the season and managed to make the bench for the Champions League Final, but it was a real struggle.”

Scotland need maximum points from the games against the Czechs and Lithuania on Tuesday to have any realistic chance of winning a play-off place as runners-up to Group I leaders Spain.

United coach rules out Chelsea chance

Manchester United - Rene Meulensteen unconvinced by contenders

By Mark Bollons September 03, 2011

Meulensteen dismisses title rivals. (©PAphotos)

Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen has stoked the Barclays Premier League flames just three matches into the season.

With the Red Devils looking to claim a 20th English league title this term, the challenges are expected to come from a number of clubs, including 'noisy neighbours Manchester City.

But Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant has all-but written off all of their rivals, most notably Chelsea, claiming Andre Villas-Boas' side are too old to be considered as legitimate contenders this term.

"We are not afraid of anyone at all. City have made very good signings, but we have something they don't possess. We know what it takes to win trophies," he told the Daily Star.

"City are still a big rival. But Arsenal have gone backwards, Liverpool are still in a stage of rebuilding and Chelsea have just made one major signing in Juan Mata.

"Besides, Chelsea's squad is too old, and their tempo is not high enough to win the Premier League."

Meulensteen was also quick to play down United's 8-2 success against the Gunners at Old Trafford last weekend.

Whilst pundits have lauded the efforts of Ferguson's side, Meulensteen believes things were just going against Arsene Wenger at the time, and the result just amplified the loss of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

"Our win over Arsenal was something special," he added.

"Their squad has lost a lot of quality with Fabregas and Nasri's departures. It's as though nothing is going right for Arsene Wenger right now."

Capello: Rooney raring to go

England - Wayne Rooney is looking to replicate his club form against Bulgaria

Fabio Capello is convinced that the injection of confidence Wayne Rooney gained after his stunning hat-trick for Manchester United in last weekend's 8-2 victory over Arsenal is just the tonic he needs to end his international goal drought.

The 25-year-old striker has scored just one goal in nearly two years for the Three Lions, but Capello believes his return to form for England is just around the corner.

As Rooney and Co. prepare for tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia, the Italian boss is hopeful of a big response from his players, in order to keep their campaign on track and cement their place at the top of Group G.

When asked if he felt the Red Devils front man was in a different state of mind, Capello joked: "He's different, probably something to do with his hair transplant. He's really happy.

"It's nice for him. It's a good moment. You can see in every moment with him that he's really happy. And that makes a big difference to the group. He's a really important player.

"We know the value of Rooney. Also, the players know Rooney at the top of his form can beat his opponent and other teams, which is what we want to see.

"He's scored a lot of goals, which is a fantastic medicine for a forward. He needs to score goals."

Meanwhile, England skipper John Terry backed Capello's observations that Rooney seems to have changed his temperament, and that he now looks like he is enjoying his football once again.

"He seems very relaxed, he is in a good place. He's playing brilliantly for United and scoring," said Terry. "They're flying as well, which helps his situation.

"But he's a man and a player who's oozing confidence. That certainly rubs off on the rest of us."

Terry also spoke about the role played by the more senior players in Capello's current squad - a squad dominated by exciting young players meaning Rooney is now classed as one of the elder statesman for others to look up to.

"He pushes himself to the maximum every day, doesn't let people make mistakes in training or slip up without letting them know," he continued. "He's a big character.

"We all talk about his quality, but he's a real character to have around the camp off the field. On the pitch he is a real winner as well, which sets the example for the younger players coming in."

Today's pictures

Fabio Capello was delighted to have Wayne Rooney back at the top of his game after the Manchester United forward broke his 15-game international goal drought with a brace in England's 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia.

It took the 25-year-old into joint-eighth position on the all-time England standings, two adrift of Alan Shearer, Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney. And, judging by the form he is in at present, it will not be long before Rooney is overhauling that illustrious trio.

"I am really happy because he scored," said Capello.

"Rooney is really important because he is a player with movement. He creates a lot of space for the other players and doesn't only stay upfield. He comes back and his movement creates difficulties for opponents. And afterwards, he always arrives in front of goal where you need him. This is important."

Rooney nodded home Stewart Downing's corner before finishing off a flowing move involving Theo Walcott and Manchester United team-mate Ashley Young.

Having excelled together at Old Trafford already this season, the duo are also hitting it off with England, where Young was deployed in a different role, behind the main forward.

"Ashley played this position with Aston Villa for all of last season," noted Capello. "I only took him off because I wanted another player in that position to press more, run more, win back the ball and help the midfielders."

That man was James Milner, who helped secure a victory that puts England into a commanding position in Group G, with Capello making light of an injury scare around his star man.

"Rooney has a problem with his foot but I think he should be okay for Tuesday," he said. "It's a different part of his foot. His big toe. It's nothing, I think but we will have to wait for a minimum of 24 hours.

"I saw him on the bed in the dressing room with the physio speaking with him, but I'm not sure what's really happened."

Bolton signing Ngog aims to shock Man Utd on debut

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

David Ngog hopes to be an instant hit withBolton Wanderers fans.

The new signing aims to score on debut against Manchester Unitednext week.

“If I can score my first goal next weekend then that would be great, especially against a big side, but getting a result for the team is more important,” he said.

“I'm a striker and I want to score goals – I'm fit and ready to play whenever I'm asked to. But I'm not judging myself on goals because it's all about the team winning. I think this group can so something good this year.”

Arsenal skipper Van Persie shakes off Man Utd horror show with 4-goal Holland haul

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Arsenal skipperRobin van Persie shook off his horror show atManchester United to score four times for Holland last night.

Van Persie hit FOUR as Holland smashed minnows San Marino 11-0 in Group E of the Euro 2012 qualifiers for their biggest ever win.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt also found the net in the rout and Inter Milan'sWesley Sneijder bagged two.

Man Utd defender Smalling delighted with winning England debut

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was delighted to be part of England's Euro victory in Bulgaria.

Smalling made his debut out of position.

He said: "Right-back is a completely different position for me — I've only played there a few times this season.

"The manager gave me a job and luckily it paid off."

Keown convinced right-back role will only benefit Man Utd defender Smalling

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown was impressed byManchester United fullback Chris Smalling last night.

Smalling caught the eye on debut in England's victory against Bulgaria.

Keown told the Daily Mail: "Playing out at right back will benefit Chris Smalling. He will see more of the ball and that will help him develop technically and tactically.

"It is not easy for a player who is essentially a central defender but he looked fine. It’s also great for the manager because he’s got a centre half who can cover at right back. Perfect for tournament football."

Man Utd ace Rooney: England players could hear racist chants

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United aceWayne Rooney admits England's players could hear the racist chants from Bulgarian fans last night.

The English FA have complained to UEFA after racist abuse appeared to be directed towardsManchester United star Ashley Young by Bulgaria supporters during England's Euro 2012 qualifying match in Sofia.

"'As players we could hear it on the pitch. It has been going on for years and it is not right," Rooney said.

"It needs to stop and hopefully something will be done about it."

Hull teammates tell Man Utd winger Brady to cut out fancy stuff

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United winger Robbie Brady has been told to cut out the step-overs byHull City teammates.

Brady's form on-loan with the Tigers saw him named in the Championship Team of the Week for the last round.

But Hull defender Liam Rosenior told the Hull Daily Mail: "It doesn't matter how many step-overs or how many tricks you do, we need an end product.

"Robbie has got that in abundance, I'd never dispute that, but maybe it's not time for tricks."

Man Utd midfielder Fletcher admits mystery virus was nightmare experience

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher admits his mystery virus this summer was a nightmare experience.

The 27-year-old — who has yet to feature for United this season — will skipper Scotland against the Czech Republic at Hampden today.

And he admits he's been to hell and back in a bid to get fit.

Fletcher said: "I had a bad virus, a stomach infection.

"The biggest thing was the weight loss. I lost close to a stone which for someone like me — I don't have a stone to lose — was massive.

"That was the biggest thing, building my strength back up and putting my weight back on was a real struggle.

"I was stuck in bed for two weeks.

"But I had constant reassurance from the doctor that it was a bit of bad luck, a combination of different things that had a domino effect which set me back.

"I am a positive person so I expected to be back the next week, then it was a week later, and then I thought the next week.

"I just had to eat as much as I could to try to put it back on but even that is a struggle for me.

"I just ate as much as I could, protein shakes, meal replacements drinks."

England coach Capello explains hooking Man Utd star Young

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

England coach Fabio Capello explained hookingManchester United ace Ashley Young during victory in Bulgaria.

Capello played Manchester United's Young behind Wayne Rooney before taking him off after an hour for James Milner.

The Italian said: "Last year, Young played this position with Aston Villa. We took him off because I wanted another player in that position to press more, run more, win back the ball and help the midfielders."

Capello praise for 2-goal Man Utd ace Rooney after England triumph

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

England coach Fabio Capello was pleased with two-goalWayne Rooney in last night's 3-0 win in Bulgaria.

Manchester United star Rooney struck twice — the first a fine header off the weave from a Stewart Downing corner.

Capello said: "He was very good. He fought a lot, ran a lot, scored and his movement without the ball was always important."

Davide Petrucci completes remarkable comeback making Man Utd Champions League squad

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Davide Petrucci has madeManchester United's Champions League squad list.

The former AS Roma junior was out for over a year with injury, but made his return towards the end of last season.

The United squad on UEFA.com includes 10 names on 'Player list B' which is for younger squad members - others eligible for this list can be added up to 24 hours before a fixture.

Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Tomasz Kuszczak, Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos*, Sam Johnstone*.

Defenders: Patrice Evra, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling,Nemanja Vidic, Fabio*, Rafael*, Sean McGinty*.

Midfielders: Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick, Nani, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson, Matty James*, Davide Petrucci*.

Forwards: Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck*, Federico Macheda*, Mame Biram Diouf, Will Keane*.

* Indicates player is on list B.

Man Utd management convinced Man City lack winning experience for sustained title challenge

03.09.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen believes Manchester City lack the experience to sustain a major title challenge.

Meulensteen says their lack of winning experience will hurt City.

He told the Daily Star: "We are not afraid of anyone at all.

"City have made very good signings, but we have something they don't possess. We know what it takes to win trophies."

Friday 2 September 2011

Full-Time Report for England 3 - 0 Bulgaria

Bulgaria [0 - 3] England

13'

[0 - 1]

G. Cahill

21'

[0 - 2]

W. Rooney

35'

S. Parker

45'

[0 - 3]

W. Rooney

59'

G. Sarmov

84'

Z. Milanov

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Congratulate to Wayne Rooney Score 2 Goals in This Match!

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Bent remains doubtful for England

Bent missed two training sessions. (©PAphotos)

Striker Darren Bent is a major doubt for England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria in Sofia after he was again absent from training on Thursday.

Bent had missed the previous two days' sessions with a groin problem and he again failed to participate in the final session 24 hours before the game.

The Aston Villa player also missed last month's friendly international against Holland - subsequently postponed because of the London riots - with a shoulder setback.

The former Sunderland player had looked to be establishing himself as a regular member of Fabio Capello's attack after a spell of three goals in three matches.

But his possible absence on Friday could open the door for Jermain Defoe, who scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria at Wembley a year ago.

Another option for Capello would be to play the in-form Ashley Young behind Wayne Rooney - a role he has performed at club level with Manchester United.

Bent was the only absentee from training as England finalised their preparations for two games in four days, which will go a long way to determining whether they gain automatic qualification to next summer's finals.

They will follow up the trip to Sofia with a home encounter against Wales at Wembley on Tuesday.

Bulgaria v England: Big Match Preview

Bulgaria v England: Live Team Sheet

By Mark Bollons September 02, 2011

Capello talks with Lescott, Barry, Rooney and Terry. (©PAphotos)

Bulgaria v England;
Euro 2012 qualifier, Group G;
Vasil Levski, Sofia
19:15 BST KO

LIVE TEAM SHEET

England: Hart, Smalling, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Walcott, Parker, Barry, Downing; Young, Rooney.

Terry: England expects

England captain John Terry is ready and waiting to lead the Three Lions into action against Bulgaria tonight, in what is a crucial European Qualifier for Fabio Capello's men.

Sitting joint top of Group G alongside Montenegro, the Chelsea defender knows the international side can't afford to slip-up in Sofia following earlier draws against Switzerland and the aforementioned Hrabri sokoli.

Despite a 4-0 victory against Lothar Matthaus' side almost a year ago to the day, Terry is well aware that the opposition will provide a very different challenge on home soil, and England will have to be on their guard if they are to collect three points and bring them back to Wembley.

"It will be tough, but we'll be fully ready and prepared for the game. Bulgaria's obviously going to be a very hostile place to go," said the centre back.

"By the time we kick-off, we'll know everything we need to know and how they play and their strengths and weaknesses. The manager prepares extensively for every game, so come kick-off we'll be ready."

Reinstated as captain by Capello back in March, Terry is full of praise for the preparation that the Italian makes ahead of every England match.

"He goes into a lot of depth. Our preparation first and foremost is to worry about our own formation and tactics," he continued.

"As the week goes on we start to look at videos of our opponents and how they are likely to play, and then start to focus on the individuals. First and foremost though, we concentrate on how we're going to play."

Given the previous victory against Bulgaria, and the 2-0 win against Wales at the Millenium Stadium, it would be easy for the Three Lions to look beyond the forthcoming fixtures and towards a trip to Montenegro on October 7th.

However, the skipper insists the players will be focused on the task at hand, with thoughts not allowed to focus on anything other than two wins come Tuesday night.

"I think we all know on paper we're a better side than Wales, but they can still come to Wembley and make it difficult for us. We just have to be patient and the fans have to be patient - and, as long as we keep our focus and play the way we can, it'll be okay," he concluded in an interview with Sport magazine.

"We drew our last game and Montenegro did the same, so we cant be looking too far ahead. If we can beat Bulgaria and Wales, we'll be six points closer to qualification."

Capello: Rooney raring to go

England - Wayne Rooney is looking to replicate his club form against Bulgaria

By Paul Bailey September 02, 2011

Capello assesses Rooney in training. (©PAphotos)