Manchester United news and links

Goalscorer Carlos Tevez salutes Manchester City’s supporters after his brace sees off neighbours United in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester City are now serious competitors to his side’s ambitions.

ALTRINCHAM and Northwich Victoria made a winning return to action on a day when most of the region’s non-League clubs were again beaten by the weather.


The thaw came too late to save most games but conditions were better in Kent, where travel experts Alty, making their first Blue Square Premier appearance in six weeks, emerged from their long winter hibernation with goals by Chris Senior and Greg Young giving them a 2-1 victory over struggling Ebbsfleet - their seventh away triumph of the season.


The Robins’ pre-match preparations were hit when keeper Stuart Coburn was injured in the warm-up, forcing his deputy Russell Saunders to take over.

Carlos Tevez strikes twice as Manchester City see off neighbours United in a lively Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

FC United have submitted proposals for their own 4,000-capacity stadium to Manchester council.


Although a final location for the project is yet to be confirmed, the club say they are hoping to complete the planning process before the end of the season.


“We’ve been working on the business plan for a few months and had meetings with the council before Christmas to talk about our draft proposals,” said general manager Andy Walsh.

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson rules out sending keeper Ben Foster on loan, throwing into doubt his chances of going to the World Cup.

Manchester United give Febian Brandy permission to remain on loan at Gillingham all season.

ALTRINCHAM’S England C international star Shaun Densmore reckons the rusty Robins can emerge from their winter hibernation to push for promotion to the Football League.


Part-timers Alty haven’t kicked a ball since knocking Wrexham out of the FA Trophy a month ago and are praying their weather-enforced break will end on Saturday, when they’re due to return to Blue Square Premier action at Ebbsfleet.


Ex-Everton reserve-team skipper Densmore believes the fixture backlog Alty now face could actually help them strive for the play-offs.

FC United’s home game against Bradford Park Avenue has been postponed.
 
The Rebels’ next scheduled fixture is away at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday 23 January.

Three second-half goals secure a hard fought win for second-placed Manchester United against a spirited Burnley.

THE big freeze looks set to have claimed yet another FC United fixture as tomorrow’s home game against Bradford Park Avenue is in serious doubt.
 
Due to league regulations, the game cannot be officially called off more than 24 hours in advance.

 
But Bury’s clash with Macclesfield at Gigg Lane on Tuesday was postponed, and it seems certain that the Rebels’ fixture will follow suit.

The funeral for former Manchester United winger and “Busby Babe” Albert Scanlon takes place in Salford.

Manchester United says it plans to raise £500m through a bond issue to refinance its debts, as it reports annual profits of £48.2m.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson criticises the decision to send off Darren Fletcher in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday.

ALL weekend games involving local non-league clubs have fallen victim to the weather.



The scheduled fixtures at Stalybridge, Droylsden, Hyde and Ashton have been postponed, while Altrincham’s FA Trophy tie at AFC Wimbledon and FC United’s Unibond Premier League trip to Boston have also been cancelled.


Stalybridge’s home FA Trophy game against Corby and Altrincham’s match at AFC Wimbledon have both been provisionally rescheduled for Tuesday 12th January.

Manchester United come from behind to salvage a controversial draw against in-form Birmingham.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic will be out for 10 days after tweaking a nerve in his leg.

Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs is awarded the freedom of the city of Salford.

New dates for the Carling Cup semi-finals between Manchester City and Manchester United and Blackburn and Aston Villa are announced

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he will only think about new signings after their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United.

The Carling Cup semi-final first leg between Manchester City and Manchester United at Eastlands is postponed because of the freezing weather.

Sir Alex Ferguson criticises his players as Manchester United are dumped out of the FA Cup by League One side Leeds.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits Wayne Rooney’s prolific form may be harming team-mate Michael Owen’s international chances

Leeds striker Robert Snodgrass says he and his team-mates will not be overawed when they face fierce rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

FC UNITED’S New Year’s Day home fixture against Ossett Town has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

However, the planned ‘Big Coat Day’ appeal for winter clothing for the homeless will still go ahead at Gigg Lane from 2pm today and then again at FC’s next home game against Bradford Park Avenue on January 16th.

League One leaders Leeds United cause the biggest shock of the FA Cup third round by beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson warns his side’s title rivals that Manchester United will only improve in 2010 following their 5-0 win over Wigan.

FORGET New Year’s Day - January 1st is known as ‘Big Coat Day’ at FC United.

The Rebels are appealing to supporters to bring unwanted winter clothing along with them to Friday’s game against Ossett Town at Gigg Lane (3pm) for the benefit of Manchester’s homeless community.

All coats, hats, scarves and gloves will be collected outside the ground by the Salvation Army and the Boaz Trust before being redistributed to homeless people across the city.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he still expect a two-horse race for the Premier League title with Chelsea despite other teams threatening.

BLUE Square North promotion hopefuls Stalybridge will get another chance to close the gap on runaway leaders Southport after the top-of-the-table clash between the two was abandoned because of floodlight failure.


Five minutes remained at Bower Fold when the lights went out with the score at 0-0.


Altrincham’s game with York was postponed due to a frozen pitch, as were Droylsden’s derby at Northwich and Hyde’s visit to Gainsborough.

What A Friend, part-owned by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, wins the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar signs a one-year contract extension with the Premier League champions.

Wayne Rooney was pleased to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson’s displeasure after making a potentially costly error in Manchester United’s win over Hull.

Manchester United move back to within two points of league leaders Chelsea with a processional win over Wigan.

FC United’s Unibond Premier League fixture at Ashton has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
 
The Rebels return to action when they host Ossett Town on New Years Day (3pm).


Meanwhile, new goalkeeping coach Joe Paladino has only been at FC United a matter of weeks - but already sees himself staying for years to come.

Manchester United move within two points of Premier League leaders Chelsea after edging past Hull City in an error-strewn game.

Sir Alex Ferguson brands Manchester City’s conduct in Mark Hughes’s dismissal as “unacceptable”.

Manchester United’s Senegal striker Mame Biram Diouf will be available to make his debut in January after being granted a work permit.

Former Manchester United winger and ‘Busby Babe’ Albert Scanlon has died at the age of 74.

UNIBOND North foes Woodley Sports and Leigh Genesis each celebrated with home victories on a day when other non-League games were frozen off.


Woodley beat Wakefield 3-1 on their artificial pitch and Leigh thrashed AFC Fylde 4-1 with Jordian Stepien,Jack Dorney, Chris Page and Chris Baguley - back from Salford City, on target for Garry Flitcroft’s sixth-placed side.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes his injury-hit side’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham will not signal the end of their title defence.

FC United’s Unibond Premier League fixture at Guiseley scheduled for midday on Sunday has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.


The Rebels return to action on Boxing Day (3pm) when they visit Ashton United.

Manchester United produce an insipid display as Fulham claim a deserved victory over the reigning champions at Craven Cottage.

Manchester United will face former midfielder David Beckham in the last 16 of the Champions League after they were paired with AC Milan in the draw.

Veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs signs a one-year contract extension at Manchester United that commits him to the club until June 2011.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar travels to Holland for a fresh assessment on his knee injury.

Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand dismisses fears that he will not be fit to play in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

CHRIS Senior’s 69th minute goal was enough to secure Altrincham a mouth-watering FA Trophy last-32 trip to AFC Wimbledon in the New Year.


The diminutive striker was on hand to bundle in from Nicky Clee’s corner and give the Robins a hard-fought 1-0 first-round replay victory over Wrexham at Moss Lane.
  

Alty had played second-fiddle to the visiting Welshmen in the first-half and more than once had to rely on goalie Stuart Coburn to keep them on terms.

Fabio Capello says Man Utd midfielder Owen Hargreaves could play in next summer’s World Cup, even though he has been out injured for over a year.

STALYBRIDGE boss Steve Burr saluted his slick Celts after steering them into the FA Trophy’s last-32 stage for the second year running.


Bridge cruised into round-two with goals by Matty Barlow (31 mins), Joe O’Neill (70) and skipper Keith Briggs (74) giving them a comfortable 3-0 win at Nantwich.


Burr, whose Blue Square North promotion hopefuls have lost just two of their last 20 games, said: “The lads did really well on a difficult surface and deserve great credit for another fine performance.