Manchester United news and links

The Daily Star argues Louis Saha was shipped to Goodison Park before time.

Today’s tell-all believes words can only hurt you if you try to read them. Don’t play their game

Consisting of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine, the Rumour Mill’s DNA contains all the usual sugars, bases, proteins and what-not, not to mention certain other genetic properties that makes us specifically … well, us. Scrunch up one eye and peer intently into the microscope with the other and chances are you’ll see a lank-haired, uncompromising South American full-back playing head-tennis with a sullen looking Russian striker, while nearby, several foreign spivs in sharp suits and dark glasses shout increasingly large numbers into an array of mobile phones.

But remove the slide from the Thing You Put The Slide On That Goes Underneath The Thing You Look At The Slide Through, replace it with one smeared with the swab you’ve just taken with the extra long cotton bud you’ve rolled around the inside of the mouth of Cesc Fábregas and you’ll see something different: a teeny-tiny model of Camp Nou, thousands of culés singing Cant del Barça, a hunched Leo Messi scurrying across the ester bond linking one strand to the other. “Barca has his DNA, he knows the club and how things work here,” declared his soon-to-be team-mate Xavi yesterday. “The club has denied an agreement with him but we’ll see,” he said, smirking knowingly, but stopping short of winking conspiratorially or breaking out into the classic “Mwuahahaha … mwuahahaha … mwuahahaha” evil laughs from the movies.

Elsewhere in Spain, Sergio Agüero’s revelation that while he loves Atletico Madrid, he may not stay there forever, is bound to get the antennae of the few clubs that can afford him twitching. A Rumour Mill staple for so long now that he’s come to resemble one of those knackered old horses racing trainers keep on as a pet long after they’ve retired for no other reason than they like having them around the place, the 21-year-old Argentinian international will continue to be linked with a £40m move to Chelsea or Manchester United until (a) this daily corner of baseless tittle-tattle continues to draw breath or (b) he moves to Chelsea or Manchester United for £40m.

Real Madrid striker, team captain, manager and president Raul, 62, is believed to be considering his future at the Bernabeu and pondering a move to the Big Apple to play for the New York Red Bulls. Mr Real Madrid has found himself marginalised at the Spanish club for whom he’s scored 226 goals in 536 appearances and will head off to the US of A to top up his pension.

Manchester United officials are “on the trail” of Benfica’s Brazilian defender David Luiz, according to the Daily Mail, who manage to convey the impression that a posse of blazers from Old Trafford are prowling around the car park of the club’s Estádio da Luz in the company of a wise native American who signals them to stop every now and again with a raised hand, before hunkering down, touching the ground, sniffing the tips of his fingers and then quietly heading off in the direction of the players’ entrance. A central defender who can also slot in at left-back, Luiz already has 24 appearances for Brazil U-20s to his name.

In other Benfica-related news, Portsmouth look set to lose the services of Hassan Yebda, the Algerian midfielder they took on loan from the Portuguese club, because they can’t afford the £4m required to buy him outright. They may offer his dressing room peg to Shabani Nonda, who sounds like a sports car you might see Jeremy Clarkson unfolding himself into on Top Gear, but is actually a former Blackburn striker who has just been released by Galatasaray.

Journalist and Italian football expert Gabriele Marcotti assesses Milan.

Manchester United will step up their search for a new keeper - irrespective of whether veteran Edwin Van der Sar accepts the offer of a new 12-month contract.


The Reds are waiting for their 39-year-old Dutch keeper to come to them with an answer to their offer.

Valencia is looking forward to the biggest club games of his career vs Milan.

• Defender and forward in line to face Manchester United
• Other doubts remain before Champions League tie

Milan’s injury problems were eased today as they prepare to face Manchester United in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at San Siro on Tuesday. The forward Alexandre Pato and the defender Alessandro Nesta have been passed fit for tomorrow’s Serie A match against Udinese.

Pato has not played this year after a thigh injury and Milan’s coach, Leonardo, has frequently given his place on the right of his front three to David Beckham.

Nesta has been out since suffering a leg muscle strain against Siena last month and Milan have not won a league match since. The full-back Massimo Oddo is also in Milan’s squad for the Udinese game after a long lay-off.

However, Leonardo still has injury worries ahead of the United match with the defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Luca Antonini, the midfielder Clarence Seedorf and the forward Marco Borriello all unavailable for tomorrow’s match.

United’s Premier Reserve League North match with Burnley has been postponed.

League leaders United take on Burnley this evening at Moss Lane.

Take your pick from the nine own goals in United’s favour this season.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is sidelined for four weeks after fracturing his right arm in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday.

• Sustained injury in 1-1 draw with Aston Villa
• Will miss both legs of Champions League clash with Milan

Ryan Giggs will miss both legs of Manchester United’s Champions League last 16 encounter with Milan, as well as the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa, with a fractured arm, United have confirmed.

Giggs sustained the injury, which will keep him out of action for at least four weeks, during United’s 1-1 draw at Villa Park last night. It happened in a 74th minute collision with Villa substitute Steve Sidwell.

As well as the matches against Milan and Villa, Giggs is also likely to be absent from United’s league games against Everton, West Ham and Wolves.

It is a blow for Sir Alex Ferguson, who will now also be without Nani for three games after the Portuguese winger was sent off during the draw at Villa Park.

Ryan Giggs will be out of action for four weeks after fracturing his right arm in United’s Premier League game at Aston Villa last night.


The veteran Welshman suffered the injury in a collision with Steve Sidwell during the second half of the 1-1 draw and left Villa Park with his arm in a sling.

• Unbeaten record gives club hope ahead of Carling Cup final
• ‘It will be important if we can win a trophy,’ says defender

The Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuéllar believes his side can approach the Carling Cup final with sizeable confidence as a result of their two showings against Manchester United – their opponents at Wembley on 28 February – this season. Villa drew 1-1 with United at Villa Park last night having beaten the champions 1-0 at Old Trafford in December.

“To get four points out of Manchester United this season gives us a lot of confidence,” said Cuéllar, who scored for the hosts yesterday. “It is very good for the team’s belief because we have showed we can get points – and win – against the best team in this league, one of the best teams in the world.

“Will we be favourites for the final? It will be hard but we can do it. We have the confidence from these two league games. The final will be different but we believe we can win the game and we won’t be scared of United.”

The lack of fear is partly fuelled by Villa’s deep desire to secure a piece of silverware for the first time since they won the league cup in 1996.

“It will be important if we can win a trophy because the team is getting better and improving every year,” added Cuéllar. “It would be good for the fans and for the club to lift some silverware.”

Reds veteran will miss the Carling Cup final after fracturing his arm at Villa.

Sir Alex gives his players time off ahead of the vital trip to Italy.

Darren Fletcher has a simple explanation for the astonishing number of own goals Manchester United have benefited from this season.


When James Collins turned a Ryan Giggs cross-shot into his own net at Aston Villa last night to secure a 1-1 draw for the champions, it took the tally to 10.

Get this season’s Champions League Shirt now on offer for a limited time

If the Football League had needed an advert to sell tickets for the Carling Cup final in 17 days time, this would have done the job.


On a freezing cold night in Birmingham the Wembley showpiece got a major fillip as the two contenders for the least cherished of the major prizes went toe-to-toe.

Sir Alex Ferguson had no complaints about Nani’s red card at Aston Villa that will see him miss the Carling Cup final.


But the Reds boss had nothing but praise for 10-man United as they battled to a 1-1 draw.

Winger sent for an X-ray after leaving Villa Park with his arm in a sling.

Cameron Stewart had a squad call-up, now he wants a piece of the action.

An epic clash between United and AC Milan was settled by Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Nani deserved his red card for a two-footed tackle in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

Fletcher reveals why opposition defenders can’t stop scoring for United.

Going down to 10 men didn’t stop Reds putting in a great display at Villa.

Ten-man Manchester United picked up a valuable point at Aston Villa despite Nani’s early dismissal.

The score was already 1-1 when the Portuguese winger was sent off after 29 minutes for a two-footed lunge on Villa’s Stiliyan Petrov, and he will now miss the Carling Cup final.

Ryan Giggs was sent for an X-ray on an arm injury he suffered at Aston Villa, sparking fears he could miss Manchester United’s Champions League encounter with AC Milan on Tuesday.


Giggs injured himself in a clash with Steve Sidwell during the second half of United’s 1-1 draw at Villa Park and immediately clutched his arm.

Find out how we rated the Manchester United players for their performance in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Ex-Red Louis Saha fires Everton to victory over Chelsea at Goodison.

Ten-man Manchester United had to settle for a point at Aston Villa after Nani was sent off early on.

The score was already 1-1 when the Portuguese winger was dismissed after 29 minutes for a two-footed lunge on Villa’s Stiliyan Petrov.

United dominate with 10 men but only leave Villa Park with a point.

Wayne Rooney signed his first professional contract with Everton without having it fully explained by his agent, a court hears.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Old Trafford, the Manchester Evening News has produced Dream Factory, a 48-page special souvenir supplement.

Dream Factory includes interviews with past managers and United legends, special reports from behind the scenes at the Theatre of Dreams, and memories from the countless fans who have watched football at the world famous stadium.

The press laud the resurgence of in-form Portuguese winger Nani.

Sir Alex may use the 4-5-1 system at Villa that has served so well recently.

Everything United hit turned to goals on a legendary night against Roma.

WES Brown has thanked City for reigniting United’s title charge. And now the England defender has set a target of maximum points between now and the end of the season to clinch a record fourth successive Premier League title.


United travel to Aston Villa tonight having hit top form in recent weeks - moving them to within two points of leaders Chelsea.

Wes Brown says team-mates loving playing alongside ‘magnificent’ Rooney.

REJUVENATED Nani intends to hold his head high in United’s gallery of the greats. This year, the Portuguese winger has answered his critics in spectacular style. Last summer the 23-year-old was among the most likely of United players to be heading for the Old Trafford door.


Having signed from Sporting Lisbon for £18m in 2007, his form in his 73 appearances for United up to the end of last season put a huge question mark over his future with the Reds as he failed to win over his critics.

Join MUTV Online for matchday video and radio as United face Aston Villa.

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo rejected a move to Barcelona in order to join their bitter rivals.


Ronaldo finally completed his much talked about move to Madrid last summer for a world record fee of £80million.

• Defender believes champions cannot afford another slip-up
• Travel to Aston Villa tomorrow

Wes Brown claims Manchester United have reached the stage of the season where they “have to win” if they have intentions of holding on to the Premier League title.

United head to Aston Villa tomorrow night needing three points to keep pace with, or even overtake, Chelsea, depending on how the Premier League leaders fare against Everton at Goodison Park on the same night.

“Once we get to this stage of the season it is no longer about wanting to win, we have to win” said Brown. “We have to play well and we have to score goals.

“Recent results mean we have a lot of confidence at the moment. Hopefully we can keep it that way.”

Brown believes the champions generated their recent momentum, which has seen them convincingly beat Arsenal and Portsmouth in recent weeks, on the back of their Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester City.

“Those two games were brilliant,” he said. “Coming off after the second leg knowing we had beaten them and earned a place at Wembley gave everyone a massive lift.”

“When you look at the table now, anyone could take it, but knowing other teams have dropped points only matters if we keep winning. What does gives you a bit of a confidence is knowing that when you go into a game, you finish it by being top.”

A run of nine successive United away wins over Villa only ended with a goalless draw last season.

It was 1995 – when Alan Hansen famously delivered his “you’ll never win anything with kids” statement – that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team last tasted a league defeat at Villa Park.

Wes Brown says Villa can expect a different United to the one they beat in December.

Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal over violent conduct ban extension.

Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against the additional one-match suspension he incurred for a “frivolous” challenge to a violent conduct charge brought against him by the FA.


The case was due to be heard on Friday and last week Sir Alex Ferguson indicated a desire to contest the penalty, which turned a three-match ban into a four-game suspension for Ferdinand’s attack on Hull striker Craig Fagan at Old Trafford last month.

 United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is delighted to be back playing regularly again as the Reds go into the business end of the season.


The Dutchman will start at Villa Park as he keeps up his record of playing in every Premier League game this year.

A Manchester United fan denies throwing a coin at footballer Craig Bellamy during a Carling Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa hold on to deny 10-man Manchester United the chance to go top of the Premier League.

When asked about United benefiting from a club record eight own goals this season Sir Alex Ferguson replied: “I hope it is 16 by the end of the season.”


I am sure, however, that the Reds boss will prefer it if the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, and some of the midfielders ensure that OGs aren’t second top United scorer by the end of the season.

I spent last week in Barcelona interviewing 17 players from 17 different World Cup final teams.



I’d wait in my office above a studio where they were shooting an advert until a player dressed in his full national kit knocked on the door, just like he was entering a doctor’s surgery.