Man Utd boss Ferguson admits title now Man City's to lose

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits the title is now Manchester City's to lose.

Ferguson felt his side were poor on the night and conceded the title was now City's to throw away.

"It was feisty, competitive, not a lot of goal chances," the Scot said. "We're disappointed we never tested their goalkeeper.

"They had more threat as they had more action around the edge of our box."

Ferguson lamented the manner of City's goal, which came from a corner right on the stroke of half-time.

"If you lose a goal from a set-piece at this level, you only have yourself to blame for that," he said. "It was a bad time to lose a goal."

He added: "I think they're in the driver's seat now. They've got to win two games of football.

"It's not over yet, but they've got an eight-goal advantage. It's a big advantage."

Man Utd legend Neville: Players won't give up in final games of season

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United legend Gary Neville expects his old team to keep fighting leaders Manchester Cityin the final two games of the season.

Should City beat both Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers they will become English champions for the first time since 1968.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has rightly said that the title has slipped away," Neville said on Sky Sports. "But you can only keep going. That's all you can do in football."

And although the destiny of the silverware is now in City's hands, Roberto Mancini's men face a tricky test next Sunday when they travel to Newcastle to take on one of the league's form sides. Nothing, Gary Neville insists, is certain yet.

"All the pressure's now on City," he said. "They play first up at Newcastle so United will know exactly what they need to do [by the time they kick off against Swansea at Old Trafford], or even if they've got a chance."

Lille star Hazard: Man Utd, Man City want me

Tue, 05/01/2012

Lille star Eden Hazard is happy Manchester United and Manchester City are watching him.

Hazard was reportedly watched again by scouts from United and City on Sunday, when he helped inspire Lille to victory against PSG.

Asked if the Manchester teams are clubs that attract him, he replied to sports.fr: "These are clubs that interest me, I have repeated this several times. But I focus on playing the last four matches and then we'll see what happens."

Arsenal legend Wright: Ferdinand should've marked Man City's Kompany

Tue, 05/01/2012

Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Manchester United cocked up with their marking for Manchester Cityskipper Vincent Kompany's matchwinner last night.

Kompany headed home in first-half injury-time the only goal of the game.

Wright told The Sun: "Vincent Kompany is City’s strongest, most dangerous player in the air and his goal was obviously crucial. He was too good for Chris Smalling.

"The United defender got blocked, found himself under the ball and was always struggling to meet the corner.

"Kompany could not believe his luck getting a free header and I would have been more comfortable seeing Rio Ferdinand mark the City man."

Man City boss Mancini slates negative Man Utd tactics

Tue, 05/01/2012


Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini took aim at Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics after victory overManchester United last night.

The title is now City’s to lose.

Boss Mancini said: “The key was that we wanted to win and they wanted a draw. This is the difference. We deserved to win but it was difficult as they had so many behind the ball.

“Every manager can choose his team and for them it was important to play for a draw.

“With a draw, they knew the championship was finished. It was an important result. Now we have it in our hands.

“But I’m not happy just for me, I’m happy for our fans.

“It is important we are top now but it is more important to be top on May 13.”

Man Utd boss Ferguson on Mancini bust-up: I was fed-up with him badgering ref

Tue, 05/01/2012


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has explained his blow-up with Manchester City rivalRoberto Mancini during last night's dismal defeat.

City prevailed 1-0 thanks to captain Vincent Kompany's first-half header to take them top of the Barclays Premier League table, above United on goal difference with two games each left to play.

Ferguson said: "He was badgering the referee the whole game, the fourth official and the linesman, and the minute I go out there...

"He was complaining about referees all week, he can't be complaining tonight, that's for sure."

Victorious Mancini played the incident down, adding: "I don't remember (what the row was about). I told the fourth official it was a foul for us, not against.

"At that moment the tension was high, but for me it's forgotten."

Ex-Villa and Man Utd stars headline impressive Olympiacos Aussie tour squad

Tue, 05/01/2012

Olympiacos are touring Australia with a full-strength squad after completing the domestic Double this season.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, ex-Aston Villa pair Olof Mellberg and Jean Makoun, along with exciting former Sheffield United and Galatasaray star Colin Kazim-Richards are all in coach Ernesto Valverde's squad.

Also included is striker Kevin Miralles, a target for Liverpool and Newcastle United, and fullback Vasilios Torosidis, who has been linked with Manchester United this season.

Olympiacos will face Melbourne Victory on May 19 at Etihad stadium in Melbourne.

Thaksin Shinawatra sees Man City beat Man Utd

Tue, 05/01/2012

Thaksin Shinawatra made Manchester City's derby victory over Manchester United last night.

The Thai businessman bought City for £82million in the summer of 2007. He quickly aimed high with the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson and the arrival of several expensive acquisitions.

However, City failed to shine under their stewardship and just over a year later the club was sold to Sheik Mansour for a reported £200m.

Man Utd striker Welbeck leaves Man City in moon boot

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has handed England a potential Euros blow.

Welbeck sparked an England Euro 2012 worry when he left the Etihad Stadium wearing a protective boot on his ankle following Manchester United's 1-0 defeat by Manchester City.

Welbeck was caught by a nasty challenge from Nigel de Jong in the second-half, which sparked a furious touchline row between Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini.

It is not known whether he sustained the injury in that incident.

However, if the damage is bad, it could have serious consequences for Roy Hodgson, who seemed likely to select Welbeck in his European Championship squad if, as expected, he is confirmed as Fabio Capello's replacement later.

Ferguson blasts Man Utd players: Everton performance was RIDICULOUS

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is still furious with his players for their draw with Everton.

After defeat at Manchester City, Ferguson concedes it was the loss of those two goals in the final seven minutes at Everton that really saw his team stumble, allowing City back into a title race they seemed out of when they were eight points behind just four matches ago.

"You can look back at all sorts of games but you've got to look at the Everton one," he said.

"That was a ridiculous performance for the last seven minutes to lose two goals. That's maybe cost us the league.

"We know we need to win two games of football, that's another way of looking at it. Of course, we're certainly not in the driving seat any more."

Liam Gallagher mocks Man Utd's Ferguson at Man City media conference

Tue, 05/01/2012


Manchester City celebrity fan Liam Gallagher gatecrashed Roberto Mancini's post-match media conference after victory over Manchester United.

The Daily Mail says City captain Vincent Kompany was joined by former Oasis frontman Gallagher who was in a party mood.

Gallagher, who took the seat reserved for City boss Mancini, said "Ferguson must have been on the whisky," and: "I love Mancini, he is nearly as cool as me."<>
He then left, hugging Kompany and declaring "Viva La Belgium".

Man Utd legend Neville: QPR are a non-entity

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has slammed QPR.

The Rs were thrashed by Chelsea on Sunday and Neville doesn't believe they can offer United any hope of upsetting Manchester City next week.

Neville said: "For Manchester City, they have one game. I think the QPR game at home, with respect to them, the way they played on Sunday against Chelsea, they're a non-entity.

"It's that game away at Newcastle. Win one match to win a championship and now all the pressure's back on City."

Man Utd legend Neville: Losing title on goal difference Fergie's worst nightmare

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United legend Gary Neville says losing the title on goal difference to Manchester City isSir Alex Ferguson's "worst nightmare".

Monday night's 1-0 defeat at the Etihad, courtesy of Vincent Kompany's header, left the Red Devils second behind City, level on points but eight goals back from their rivals.

Neville told Sky Sports: "I know - I've been in that changing room for 20 years - it's his worst nightmare.

"Losing a championship on goal difference is what he always talks about, every single season.

"In January, in February, in March, whatever month it is going for a championship, he will say if you're 1-0, 2-0 up, 'score three, score four'.

"You never know whether it's going to get to goal difference.

"And you look at games like Fulham at home 1-0, QPR at home 2-0, and it's these sort of things you look back at during a season an think, 'we could we have done more'.

"It is his worst nightmare."

Man Utd tell Leicester to forget about Fryers

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United are determined to keep hold of defender Zeki Fryers.

The People says United have rejected an approach from Leicester City for Fryers.

The youngster is off contract in June and yet to agree new terms.

Porto expect Man Utd to bid for James Rodriguez

Tue, 05/01/2012

Manchester United are maintaining their interest in Porto star James Rodriguez.

The Colombia international has been watched regularly by United chief scout Martin Ferguson this season.

Marca says United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is just waiting for the right moment to make an opening offer for Rodriguez.

Tottenham striker Saha says Moscow snub for Man Utd still burns

Tue, 05/01/2012

Tottenham striker Louis Saha says being dropped for the 2008 Champions League final atManchester United still burns.

The pain of being forced to sit out United's Moscow triumph through injury is what is fuelling Saha's desire to get back in the big time next season.

"The low (in my career) is that night in the Champions League where I missed the final," said the striker, who is hoping to be offered a new contract when his six-month deal expires this summer.

"I'm a very ambitious person. I don't play to participate only.

"I want to win the biggest competitions if it's possible. So if I can participate and win it in, I'll try my best."