Manchester United news and links

UNITED’S fringe players are becoming the men of the moment for Sir Alex Ferguson.

THE FURIOUS Mayor of Rome has demanded an apology over a letter sent by Manchester United to its fans warning of a “real danger” they would be attacked by notorious Italian hooligans known as “Ultras”.

SIR Alex Ferguson has issued his troops with one major mission against Roma in the 75,000 sell out Olympic Stadium tonight: “We must score.”

UNITED director Sir Bobby Charlton admits the club are becoming “cheesed off” by Real Madrid and Barcelona continuing their pursuit of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

WES Brown has rocketed from shadow squad member to the full glare of the United spotlight in the wake of the Reds’ injury problems.

UNITED have flown out to Rome for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. It will be a tough game, with the second-placed Serie A side boasting the likes of Francesco Totti and Amantino Mancini among their stars.

IT’S a neat pub quiz question: Name the four footballers from what is now Greater Manchester to have won World Cup winners’ medals.

MANC attitude won the day as United’s gutsy teenagers proved they are every bit as good as Old Trafford’s seniors when it comes to courageous comebacks.

UNITED director Sir Bobby Charlton admits the club are becoming “cheesed off” by Real Madrid and Barcelona continuing their pursuit of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

LOUIS Saha and Darren Fletcher were the surprise members of the Manchester United party that travelled to Italy for Wednesday’s Champion League quarter-final first leg against Roma.

MICHAEL Carrick says United are on fire as they prepare to tackle their Italian job in Rome.

WAYNE Rooney has insisted his lack of goals is not a problem - as long as his Manchester United team-mates go on to seal the Premiership title.

UNITED return to the Champions League top table this week with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confident the intensity of competition will bring out the best in his team-mates.

UNITED’S whiz-kids will not be scared by the task of beating Arsenal tonight at Old Trafford to reach the FA Youth Cup.

ROMA players Christian Panucci and Mancini have warned Cristiano Ronaldo he cannot expect “protection” from the referee when the Italians host Manchester United on Wednesday.

ALL that was missing was Carlos Queiroz leaping onto the pitch in a victory jig and sliding on the Old Trafford turf on his knees and this could have been Easter 1993.

SIR Alex Ferguson is set to leave Louis Saha behind when Manchester United head to Italy for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Roma.

SIR Alex Ferguson will be forced to shuffle his pack in Rome on Wednesday night.

PLAYER ratings from United’s 4-1 win over Blackburn.

SIR Alex Ferguson has condemned the Football Association’s failure to charge Middlesbrough’s George Boateng for his verbal attack on Cristiano Ronaldo.

A MOMENT of genius from Paul Scholes sparked a magnificent second-half revival from Manchester United which allowed them to move another mighty stride closer to completing their Premiership title dream.

IT could be a heart-stopping Premiership title climax but Sir Alex Ferguson has the constitution to beat off Chelsea’s challenge for the crown.

SIR Alex Ferguson is backing Wayne Rooney to battle through his miserable England experience.

UNITED are looking to land new Portuguese wing sensation Nani for a bargain £2m this summer. The Reds have been keeping a careful eye on the 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon star, who has been dubbed the “new Cristiano Ronaldo”.

UNITED’S kids have managed a feat beyond many of their seniors - changing Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind.

UNITED captain Gary Neville is expected to remain on the sidelines for another three weeks with ankle ligament damage.

MARK Hughes is backing United to beat Chelsea to the Premiership title in a battle of his former clubs.

PAUL Scholes reckons Michael Carrick’s calming influence in the Reds engine room has contributed to his own resurgence.

RYAN Giggs reckons United’s recent string of last-gasp victories carries the hallmark of a title-winning side.

UNITED are lining up a summer swoop for Ajax star Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to a report.

UNITED fans have been warned they will be kept behind in the Olympic Stadium for 90 minutes after the end of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Roma.

MANCHESTER United remain the most valuable football team in the world, according to Forbes business magazine.

UNITED winger Ji-sung Park has played down talk of a treble and declared his number one target is the Premiership title.

GABRIEL Heinze looked to be heading for the Old Trafford exit door. But the Argentinian’s see-saw United fortunes could be set for another upswing.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes for Portugal in their 1-1 draw with Serbia on Wednesday night.

SIR Alex Ferguson is convinced Paul Scholes’ return from suspension can give United the final push in their hunt for silverware.

STEVE McClaren has never shied away from a tough call and won’t be put off by the bloodied nose he’s suffered as a result of England’s faltering Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

REAL Madrid president Ramon Calderon admits the Spanish giants would be interested in signing Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo if he became available - but not at any price.

UNITED moved to the top of the Premier Reserve League Table after a 2-1 victory over Everton at Widnes’ Halton Stadium last night.

SIR Alex Ferguson believes a repeat of United’s historic treble in 1999 is unlikely.

BEMUSED United fans have less semi- final tickets than opponents Watford as the treble-chasing Reds attempt to make history by playing in the first FA Cup final at the new £757m Wembley.

RIO Ferdinand has slammed suggestions England’s players are not hungry for success but claimed anyone incapable of handling the pressure has “no right” to be part of the squad.

WAYNE Rooney’s critics could ruin an England gem if they don’t get off the United striker’s back, warns Andy Ritchie.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo may have showcased his talents by scoring twice for Portugal against Belgium but he hasn’t let the latest interest shake his intention to stay at Old Trafford.

WES Brown is on Newcastle’s summer transfer hit-list, with the Geordies hoping to tempt the Mancunian with the offer of first-team football.

UNITED target Owen Hargreaves has called for England to give Wayne Rooney more of the ball as they bid to repair their flagging confidence against Andorra.

ENGLAND manager Steve McClaren has described reports of a bust-up with striker Wayne Rooney as “an absolute load of rubbish”.

ENGLAND manager Steve McClaren has described reports of a bust-up with striker Wayne Rooney as “an absolute load of rubbish”.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo praised the resilience of the Portugal side after he scored twice in their 4-0 qualifying win over Belgium.

CITY are bracing themselves for a £20m summer bid from rivals United for Micah Richards.