Manchester United news and links

United are going back to Pride Park in the FA Cup - but Liverpool are out.

United are fortunate to be graced with a special talent in Edwin van der Sar.

FC UNITED may be without top scorer Kyle Wilson as they launch a final push on promotion from the UniBond League.


The former Crewe striker – whose 23 goals have landed him at the top of the premier division scoring charts – tweaked a knee in last week’s win over Guiseley and has minor cartilage damage which may rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Nantwich.

FC UNITED may be without top scorer Kyle Wilson as they launch a final push on promotion from the UniBond League.


The former Crewe striker – whose 23 goals have landed him at the top of the premier division scoring charts – tweaked a knee in last week’s win over Guiseley and has minor cartilage damage which may rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Nantwich.

DARREN Fletcher reached a crossroads in his United career last summer. It was decision time.


One signpost arm pointed away from the Reds and the certainty of a vast increase in his career appearances on his CV.

DARREN Fletcher reached a crossroads in his United career last summer. It was decision time.


One signpost arm pointed away from the Reds and the certainty of a vast increase in his career appearances on his CV.

FC UNITED may be without top scorer Kyle Wilson as they launch a final push on promotion from the UniBond League.


The former Crewe striker – whose 23 goals have landed him at the top of the premier division scoring charts – tweaked a knee in last week’s win over Guiseley and has minor cartilage damage which may rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Nantwich.

FC UNITED may be without top scorer Kyle Wilson as they launch a final push on promotion from the UniBond League.


The former Crewe striker – whose 23 goals have landed him at the top of the premier division scoring charts – tweaked a knee in last week’s win over Guiseley and has minor cartilage damage which may rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Nantwich.

Reds defender James Chester can’t wait to make his Peterborough debut.

Danny Welbeck gets his first call-up to the England U21 squad to face Ecuador.

Paddy Crerand explains why he welcomed Liverpool beating Chelsea.

ENGLAND have stepped up their bid to secure the future of Danny Welbeck - handing the United striker his first Under 21 call-up.


The 18-year-old is also wanted by Ghana and Scotland. Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to convince the Longsight-born forward to pledge his allegiance to Scotland. But he could be set to lose his battle after England U21 coach Stuart Pearce named Welbeck in his squad to face Ecuador next week.

ENGLAND have stepped up their bid to secure the future of Danny Welbeck - handing the United striker his first Under 21 call-up.


The 18-year-old is also wanted by Ghana and Scotland. Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to convince the Longsight-born forward to pledge his allegiance to Scotland. But he could be set to lose his battle after England U21 coach Stuart Pearce named Welbeck in his squad to face Ecuador next week.

NEMANJA Vidic can join an exclusive band of United defenders by picking up one of football’s top personal awards this season.


Gary Pallister believes the big Serbian could become only the third member of a Reds rearguard in 50 years to lift an individual prize. Vidic would join Pally himself and the late Johnny Carey on the honours board.

NEMANJA Vidic can join an exclusive band of United defenders by picking up one of football’s top personal awards this season.


Gary Pallister believes the big Serbian could become only the third member of a Reds rearguard in 50 years to lift an individual prize. Vidic would join Pally himself and the late Johnny Carey on the honours board.

GOLD Trafford continues to rake it in with United set to announce record-breaking profits for 2008.


The Reds’ Premier League and Champions League success coupled with a massive increase in TV revenue, is expected to see the club shatter the 2007 pre-tax profit figure of £59.6m

GOLD Trafford continues to rake it in with United set to announce record-breaking profits for 2008.


The Reds’ Premier League and Champions League success coupled with a massive increase in TV revenue, is expected to see the club shatter the 2007 pre-tax profit figure of £59.6m

ALTRINCHAM new boy Jody Banim made himself an instant hit at Moss Lane by scoring to sink the Robins’ ailing Blue Square Premier neighbours Northwich Victoria.


Banim’s 28th minute strike was all Alty needed to secure a victory which lifts them three places to 12th and puts them firmly back on course to achieve boss Graham Heathcote’s target of a top-half finish.

ALTRINCHAM new boy Jody Banim made himself an instant hit at Moss Lane by scoring to sink the Robins’ ailing Blue Square Premier neighbours Northwich Victoria.


Banim’s 28th minute strike was all Alty needed to secure a victory which lifts them three places to 12th and puts them firmly back on course to achieve boss Graham Heathcote’s target of a top-half finish.

United legend Pat Crerand explains why he welcomed Liverpool’s latest win.

UNITED’S young centre half James Chester has moved on loan for a month to Peterborough following a bit of Ferguson family business.


Sir Alex’s son Darren is manager of Posh and an injury crisis prompted him to have a chat with his dad. “I have brought in James because of the injuries we now have. He fits the bill,” said Darren after agreeing the temporary switch for the 20-year-old.

Petr Cech believes Chelsea must “win every game” if they are to challenge for the Premier League championship, following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield. The Blues are five points behind Manchester United, who have a game in hand, and three behind Liverpool.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, looking ahead to the game against Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, said: “We need to win every game. There is no good in beating Arsenal away and dropping points against Hull at home, because then an away win at Arsenal doesn’t make any difference.”

The Czech international does not believe it is impossible for Chelsea to win the title, though, because similar gaps have been closed in previous seasons. “Eight points in football, especially in the Premier League, means anything can happen. You can see that from last year. Arsenal were eight points clear and ended up third, so we will keep playing, we will try to keep winning and we will put the pressure on the others.

“We are behind and we need to keep winning so if Man United or Liverpool drop points we can close the gap. This is the only way now for us to get back into it. We need to keep winning because we don’t have the control in our hands.”

UNITED midfielder Anderson has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad for next week’s friendly against Italy due to an ankle injury he sustained in last month’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Derby.


The 20-year-old has yet to fulfil his potential with the Reds and has made 23 appearances so far this season, last playing in that 4-2 win over the Rams.

UNITED midfielder Anderson has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad for next week’s friendly against Italy due to an ankle injury he sustained in last month’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Derby.


The 20-year-old has yet to fulfil his potential with the Reds and has made 23 appearances so far this season, last playing in that 4-2 win over the Rams.

England are to play their first home game away from Twickenham in over a decade when they meet Argentina at Old Trafford in the summer. The game, on Saturday 6 June, will be England’s first Test match in Manchester since November 1997, when they lost 25–8 to New Zealand in Sir Clive Woodward’s second game as England manager.

England last played a game away from Twickenham in England in November 1998 when they beat Holland 110–0 and Italy 23–15 respectively at the then McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield.

The 6 June clash will kick off at 4pm, with a second Test to be played in Argentina seven days later at a venue to be confirmed.

The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Francis Baron, said: “We received a request from the Argentinian Rugby Union to play one of the Tests in England to generate funds to invest in their squads.

“We are delighted to have been able to help them by securing Old Trafford, one of the most famous football stadiums in the world. Rugby union is thriving in the north-west, and this is a great opportunity for us to play a match away from Twickenham and aid the development of the game in the region. We are looking forward to a great occasion.”

The Manchester United chief executive, David Gill, said: “We are delighted that Old Trafford has been chosen to host this international fixture. It underlines the stadium as one of the premier venues in world sport, and we look forward to welcoming both teams to the Theatre of Dreams.”

England will play a rugby union Test match against Argentina at Old Trafford in June.

UNITED’S Champions League game against Inter Milan at the 80,000-capacity San Siro on February 24 is a sell-out.


The Italian club have confirmed they sold the remaining tickets for the first leg of the last 16 clash against the defending champions within two hours.

UNITED’S Champions League game against Inter Milan at the 80,000-capacity San Siro on February 24 is a sell-out.


The Italian club have confirmed they sold the remaining tickets for the first leg of the last 16 clash against the defending champions within two hours.

UNITED’S young centre half James Chester has moved on loan for a month to Peterborough following a bit of Ferguson family business.


Sir Alex’s son Darren is manager of Posh and an injury crisis prompted him to have a chat with his dad. “I have brought in James because of the injuries we now have. He fits the bill,” said Darren after agreeing the temporary switch for the 20-year-old.

WAYNE Rooney could boost United’s attacking options on Sunday against West Ham as the latest wave of injured stars return.


The England striker has missed the Reds’ last five matches after suffering a career first hamstring injury against Wigan three weeks ago.

WAYNE Rooney could boost United’s attacking options on Sunday against West Ham as the latest wave of injured stars return.


The England striker has missed the Reds’ last five matches after suffering a career first hamstring injury against Wigan three weeks ago.

SUPERSUBS Matty Williams and Gareth Thompson performed a late double act to blast RVP into the Manchester FA Sunday Cup semi-finals.

The in-form Irlam outfit looked set to make a shock last-eight exit when they trailed their Eccles League rivals Lower Kersal Social Club 1-0 with three minutes left.

But two goals from substitutes Williams and Thompson saw RVP snatch victory.

ALTRINCHAM new boy Jody Banim made himself an instant hit at Moss Lane by scoring to sink the Robins’ ailing Blue Square Premier neighbours Northwich Victoria.


Banim’s 28th minute strike was all Alty needed to secure a victory which lifts them three places to 12th and puts them firmly back on course to achieve boss Graham Heathcote’s target of a top-half finish.

ALTRINCHAM new boy Jody Banim made himself an instant hit at Moss Lane by scoring to sink the Robins’ ailing Blue Square Premier neighbours Northwich Victoria.


Banim’s 28th minute strike was all Alty needed to secure a victory which lifts them three places to 12th and puts them firmly back on course to achieve boss Graham Heathcote’s target of a top-half finish.

SUPERSUBS Matty Williams and Gareth Thompson performed a late double act to blast RVP into the Manchester FA Sunday Cup semi-finals.

The in-form Irlam outfit looked set to make a shock last-eight exit when they trailed their Eccles League rivals Lower Kersal Social Club 1-0 with three minutes left.

But two goals from substitutes Williams and Thompson saw RVP snatch victory.

Will Berba or Vida top our poll? There’s still time to have your say.

United’s South Korean has positive words for his team-mates.

Michael Carrick was all smiles after another league win for United.

Who was United’s best player in January? Vote at www.manutd.com/polls

A smattering of snow can’t stop the Football Weekly pod squad from their regular Monday musings.

Joining James Richardson in the warmth of the studio are John Ashdown and Paul Doyle to analyse (sort of) whether it’s now just about Man United and Liverpool in the race for the Premiership, and to finally name names when it comes to the relegation scrap.

Meanwhile, Sid Lowe reports from Spain on Lionel Messi’s latest bit of magnificence, and wonders why Madrid are shopping for players from Porstmouth, West Ham, and Wigan.

There are other questions for you to the think about too. Is Shay Given’s goalkeeping prowess the biggest myth in football? Is it time to rethink the criteria for relegation and promotion? And is Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s spectacular afro actually a tactical masterstroke?

Post your comments on the blog below, or join the work-shy on Facebook.

And click here to subscribe free, via iTunes, and get the latest episode on your iPod every week.

DIMITAR Berbatov may never win over all the critics because of his languid style - but he will go on trying to become ‘Mr Perfect’.


After a slow start to his Manchester United career, Berbatov has started to show the form that persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to spend a club record £30.75million on him last summer.

DIMITAR Berbatov may never win over all the critics because of his languid style - but he will go on trying to become ‘Mr Perfect’.


After a slow start to his Manchester United career, Berbatov has started to show the form that persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to spend a club record £30.75million on him last summer.

For those whose only exercise is jumping to conclusions, this is a dark day. From hereon in, David Brent and Rafael Benitez won’t be the only people dealing in facts. After all, acting on wild speculation can only get you so far: into pub fights, friends’ bad books and, if you’re really lucky, into a cold 8×5 for the night.

But speculation about football is a thing of the past, now that our brilliant new chalkboards - previously only available to managers and blah blah blah - are accessible to you, the great unw- sorry, the general public. Think Johnny Foreigner isn’t pulling his finger out? Think Joe Bloggs couldn’t pass a kidney stone? Think Andrea Dossena is absolute gash? Now you can prove it.

In the first of a regular weekend round-up, we look at why Liverpool were significantly superior to Chelsea even before Frank Lampard fell victim to Mike Riley; how Cristiano Ronaldo’s role has changed this season; and why Arsenal are not missing Cesc Fabregas’s passing accuracy so much as his passing adventure. You can post your own chalkboards by clicking here.

Liverpool were already the better team

The perceived harshness of Frank Lampard’s red card gave Chelsea a ready-made excuse for defeat at Anfield, but our graphics show that Liverpool had significantly more of the game in the hour before Lampard’s sending off.

Chelsea barely played a pass into Liverpool’s final third, whereas Liverpool were a consistent - if erratic, as the preponderance of red arrows (unsuccessful passes) suggests - attacking threat. Liverpool also stretched the pitch much more, whereas Chelsea’s graphic shows a massive cluster of passes in the middle of the pitch, highlighting the lack of width that has dogged them for much of the season.

Why Ronaldo’s output has reduced this season

The reduction in Cristiano Ronaldo’s output this season - he is only the league’s second top-scorer, after all - may have much to do with a different tactical role.

Whereas last season Ronaldo had scope to roam wherever he wanted, with United often playing a 4-3-3 (or 4-6-0 if you prefer), the signing of the relatively static Dimitar Berbatov has prompted a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, meaning that Ronaldo’s role is much more defined, as an orthodox left- or right-winger who only moves when he formally swaps flanks with Park Ji-Sung.

He still wanders a little, but the comparison between Saturday’s game against Everton, in which he stayed predominantly on one wing, and last season’s at home to West Ham, when he had much more of the ball in the centre of the pitch, shows how his role has changed.

Pretty but pointless?

A passing carousel can be beautifully hypnotic to behold, but ultimately it has to ultimately go somewhere to be of any use. Arsenal’s Denilson played more passes than anybody this weekend - 81 - but, of those, only two were successful passes into the penalty area. That contrasts with the more progressive work of Cesc Fabregas, as shown in the return fixture against West Ham earlier in the season.

SIR Alex Ferguson has been named as Manchester United’s greatest icon.


Ferguson finished above Eric Cantona and Roy Keane in a poll conducted by the club’s official magazine ‘Inside United’ that covered the period from the Premier League launch in 1992.

SIR Alex Ferguson has been named as Manchester United’s greatest icon.


Ferguson finished above Eric Cantona and Roy Keane in a poll conducted by the club’s official magazine ‘Inside United’ that covered the period from the Premier League launch in 1992.

Peterborough United sign Manchester United defender James Chester on a month-long loan.

ROCK-bottom Northwich’s slide towards relegation from Blue Square Premier continued with a crushing 4-1 defeat at Woking.


And similarly stricken Leigh remain anchored at the foot of UniBond premier following a 2-1 home loss to Worksop.


Ashton United fell further behind FC United in the race for promotion as they tumbled 2-1 at Ilkeston, while, in division one north, bottom-of- the-table Salford are still 14 points short of safety despite holding visiting promotion hopefuls Ossett 1-1.

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on Edwin van der Sar after the 1-0 win against Everton - the 12th successive Premier League game that the Dutch keeper had kept a clean sheet.


“Edwin brings absolute calm and assurance to the players in front of him,” said Fergie.

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on Edwin van der Sar after the 1-0 win against Everton - the 12th successive Premier League game that the Dutch keeper had kept a clean sheet.


“Edwin brings absolute calm and assurance to the players in front of him,” said Fergie.

MATCH-winner Cristiano Ronaldo insists he would be happy if United won every game 1-0.


The FIFA World Player of the Year netted the vital penalty at Old Trafford which secured the Reds’ victory over Everton and consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League.