Man Utd fear Arsenal will drive Van Persie price to £30M

21-07-2012




Manchester United fear having to pay over the odds to land Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

The Daily Mail says United fear it could take as much as £30million to prise Van Persie away from Arsenal.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he has made a bid for Van Persie, with United ready to battle rivals Manchester City and Juventus for the 29-year-old Holland striker.

But club sources believe United will have to raise their opening offer to close to the record £30.75m it took to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham four years ago, and there is also concern that Ferguson’s chequered history with Arsene Wenger could also be a major stumbling block in any deal.

Man Utd defender Ferdinand courts more Twitter controversy after Safari pics

21-07-2012

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has again courted controversy on Twitter.

The Daily Mail reports Ferdinand posted a picture of himself holding a spear and shield alongside a Zulu warrior during United’s trip to PheZulu Safari Park on Thursday, and wrote: "Me + my Zulu friend out in the bush just before we hunted and killed a Lion + a Wilder beast!!"

Even though the park has no lions or wildebeest, some followers took him seriously. One wrote back: "Why did Rio Ferdinand have to kill a Lion while here in SA???? He could have spent the money on CONSERVATION!!!"

Ferdinand was forced to clarify his comments on Friday when he tweeted: "had an amazing time in Durban – safari was unbelievable and for those concerned I didn’t hunt any lions… can some of u please lighten up!"

Ex-Man Utd keeper Bailey impressed by De Gea, Lindegaard

21-07-2012 

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey is impressed by the club's two current shot-stoppers.

Anders Lindegaard and David De Gea both have their fans in the battle to be United's No1.

Bailey told manutd.com: "Each one has his own qualities. David De Gea is a wonderful shot-stopper and he's also very composed and confident with the ball at his feet. He's done a lot in football when you consider he's only young. It's unusual for goalkeepers to blossom so early, but he's an exceptional talent.

"The only thing David needs to get used to is the physical nature of English football; it's very different to the Spanish game. Anders is a little older and I think sometimes you need that experience. He's great in the air and commands his penalty area. They're two fantastic goalkeepers and they keep each other on their toes. The manager has a tough choice to make when it comes to picking the right man to start."

Man Utd target Oliver Torres only thinking of Atletico Madrid stay

21-07-2012

Atletico Madrid whiz Oliver Torres has again declared his commitment to the club.

The teen is being linked with Manchester United.

"I've had the opportunity to leave in the past, but stayed because all I want is to succeed at Atletico Madrid. The players I model myself on are Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta."

Man Utd, Man City have bids in for Arsenal's Van Persie

21-07-2012








Manchester City and Manchester United have both made offers for Arsenal contract rebel Robin van Persie.

The Sun says City offered Arsenal around £15million yesterday and United boss Alex Ferguson also confirmed a bid, understood to be about £13m.

The Gunners want at least £20m for the striker.

Juventus are also in the running and have said they will pay £8m for the Arsenal skipper.

The Londoners are resigned to losing last season’s Premier League top-scorer but told him yesterday in talks they will hold out for the full amount.

Man Utd boss Ferguson sees Carrick as their most important

21-07-2012 

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Michael Carrick will make or break their season.

It is not Wayne Rooney, Nani or even Paul Scholes that Fergie sees as the man to guide United back to the top.

He explained: “I think Michael Carrick is the key to it. He did really well in the second half of last season and I think he’s going to be the key man.

“Scholes will obviously play his part, Ryan Giggs as well and Tom Cleverley hopefully as well as Anderson if he keeps fit.

“They will all play a part — but, for me, Carrick is the key player.

“If you look at the central midfielders in the Premier League, he can match up against any of them in terms of quality.”

Man Utd boss Ferguson admits not taking Champions League seriously

21-07-2012

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he won't take the Champions League as lightly as he did last season.

Ferguson believes he simply took the competition too lightly last season given that United usually sail through the group stages. But last term they won only two games of their six and went out after an away defeat to Swiss side Basel.

Ferguson said: “That definitely won’t happen next season, there is no chance of that.

“Over the last few years we have used the group stages in Europe as an opportunity to play some of the youngsters.

“We have done it two or three times — but last season it backfired for us.

“We changed the team too much and we won’t be doing that this season.”

Man Utd keeper Lindegaard still regrets timing of last season's injury

07/21/2012

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard admits last season's injury couldn't have at the worst time.

Lindegaard, 28, lost his place in the United goal when he picked up an ankle knock in January.

He had starred in his last six games for the club but could only watch on as David De Gea snatched back the No1 jersey.

He told The Sun: “If you look at it objectively, it was maybe one of the worst situations a football player has ever been in.

“I had worked for that spot since I was four.

“From the first time I touched the ball, that is what I dreamed of.

“It has been a very frustrating period, from the day I got injured until after the Euros.

“But I have to try and use it in a positive way. The disappointment was so big, if I let it drag me down, I will never get out of that hole again.”