iLoveUnited

United Players Can Step In And Do A Good Job

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 22:30:12 -0600

Manchester United are out of defenders but Darron Gibson has hailed the strength of the Reds after the win over West Ham.

"It was a massive win for us and shows how good our squad is. We have players who can step in and do a good job. I've not seen Michael play at centre half before and Fletch was playing out of position too."

"I was buzzing after the Spurs game on Tuesday and ready to play again. It was a massive boost for me to start against West Ham. My two goals during the week got my confidence up and the gaffer’s stuck with me, which is great."

"For my goal, Patrice gave me the ball, I gave it to Giggsy. The manager and Mick Phelan had been telling me and Anderson to get forward so I ran forward and Giggsy gave me the ball back and I just stroked it home. I think it was better than the goals against Spurs. It was a better celebration so I'm happy with that."

"Overall, we're very happy with the performance and I think we're starting to hit our stride. Hopefully we can kick on from here and keep winning."

More Defensive Crisis As United Hammer West Ham

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 21:45:11 -0600

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with Manchester United 4-0 win over West Ham but he is really desperate for a proper back four.

"It was a great performance, particularly in the second half. Getting the goal just before half-time helped us of course. The goal allowed us to settle down and use our experience in the second half. We played very well then."

"Paul is an incredible player and he is conducting our play so well at the moment. He's making it look good for us. And as I've always said about Darron, he has this ability and power to score from outside the box, which he proved again today with a marvellous strike."

"I was pleased that we did try to shoot from distance on a number of occasions, and it does give us an extra dimension to our game because we don't normally have midfield players who can do that."

"Darron and Anderson are both only young boys of 22 and 21 years of age. They are going to be great players, and they accept that Paul Scholes is the finished article. They see a man who has been doing it for 15 years at the highest level. He’s a great example to them and it will rub off I'm sure."

"Losing defenders the way we are doing at the moment is a bit of a headache to us. Nemanja Vidic was out with flu, meaning we had to put Gary Neville at centre-back and then he goes off after half an hour. Then Wes Brown came off at the end."

"I don't know how we're going to get a back four together for Tuesday. I'm hoping Nemanja will be OK and I will probably play Michael Carrick with him in defence."

"Michael came in and did very well, we were very pleased with that. The reason we put Michael on the bench this afternoon was to cover us in event of anything happening to the back four. He has the height, the composure, the pace and the experience to play there. There was an option to play Ritchie De Laet, but away from home against West Ham, it's a difficult place to go to. I felt that an experienced player was important."

"I would actually like to have played Michael in midfield from the start because he's in good form. But I felt like I had to err on the side of caution and I'm glad I did."

Scholes To Retire

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 06:30:20 -0600

Paul Scholes may call time on his Manchester United career at the end of the season because he is still not happy with either his form or the amount of football he is playing.

"I wouldn't say I am playing some of my best football. I don't always feel I am making as much of a contribution as I'd like to."

"I always preferred it when I was playing regularly and scoring a lot more goals. Now, it's different. I play once every two or three weeks and I can only hope to do well when I get the chance. I don't have a choice."

"Obviously, every player wants to play every week but I know now it can't always happen. I just have to be okay with that."

"You do think about the future. I'm not too sure. I'll just carry on with the way it it's going at the moment and we'll see what happens come the end of the season."

We Believe We Can Win Every Game

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 06:00:20 -0600

Paul Scholes anticipates a close encounter with West Ham.

"It's a tough place to go. We did okay on our last visit and hopefully that'll continue on Saturday."

"It's vital we go on a long run now. Chelsea are five points clear and are a strong outfit as they proved at Arsenal last weekend. They look a little bit more determined than they have done over the last few years."

"It's up to us to put pressure on them and the only way we can do that is by going on a long run of wins, while hoping our rivals slip up here and there."

"The belief is always there at this club. We believe we can win every game."

On the other hand, Scholes has no doubt Manchester City are going to be a footballing force and he is also excited with the Manchester derby in the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final.

"These games are certainly something to look forward to. Both matches will have great atmospheres and it would be fantastic to get through to the final by beating City."

"There is a bit of a way to go before you think of Manchester City as a main rival in terms of the league and the Champions League."

"But they are definitely going forward and with the players and money at their disposal, I am sure, given time, they will be right up there."

SAF Regrets FA Cup Pull-Out

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 23:30:13 -0600

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he regrets Manchester United pulling out of the FA Cup 10 years ago.

He has always felt the move benefited United that season because the Reds were able to recharge their batteries in the South American sunshine and United went on to retain their title by a massive 18 points.

However, as a traditionalist, Sir Alex was never entirely comfortable with the move.

"It turned out to be a disaster for us. We did it to help England's World Cup bid. That was the political situation."

"I regretted it because we got nothing but stick and terrible criticism for not being in the FA Cup when really, it wasn't our fault."

"The FA and the government felt that playing in this tournament would help England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. There was a lot of undue criticism, but it was a great two-week break."

No Deal For Ljajic But New Contract Extension For Kiko

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 23:15:13 -0600

Manchester United confirmed they will not buy Serbian wonderboy Adem Ljajic, dubbed the 'new Kaka'.

Last January, United had agreed a combined £17million deal with Partizan Belgrade for Ljajic (who was left with Partizan for another year until he was 18 and old enough to apply for a work permit) and Zoran Tosic (who came to Old Trafford in the summer).

But Tosic has flopped at United and will be allowed to leave next month.

Meanwhile, after watching Ljajic in extensive trials at Old Trafford, as well as in games for his club and country, Sir Alex has decided he is no better than the youngsters he already has coming through United's youth scheme.

Additionally, with Luis Antonio Valencia impressing on the right and Gabriel Obertan able to operate on both flanks, Sir Alex decided he did not need more cover in the same position.

Therefore, Ljajic was not worth such a huge fee and Sir Alex killed the deal.

On the other hand, Federico Macheda (Kiko) has agreed a new four-year contract extension at United until at least June 2014.

Sir Alex said, "We are delighted by the new four year deal, everyone at the club recognises the fantastic talent he has and we hope to see that develop in the next years, so he becomes a well rounded player."

Kiko said, "I am very happy to commit my future to Manchester United. I really enjoyed myself last season when I came on and I hope to get more chances like that and contribute to the team's success."

It Is All Manchester In The Semi-Final

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 23:00:13 -0600

Manchester United will face local rivals Manchester City in the in the two legged semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

It would be the first Manchester derby in a knock-out competition since Valentine's Day 2004 when United won 4-2 in an FA Cup fifth round tie at Old Trafford.

The first leg will be at Eastlands in the week commencing January 4 with the return a fortnight later at Old Trafford.

City manager Mark Hughes is confident his side can get to Wembley.

"We are just taking in the events of this evening but they're going to be two fantastic games and the whole of Manchester will be tuning in and looking forward to some fantastic games."

"Over two games we'd fancy our chances against anyone left in the draw, so bring them on."

Full Draw:

Manchester City v Manchester United

Blackburn v Aston Villa

Carrick Sees No Reason To Leave At All

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:30:10 -0600

Despite the regular rotation of Manchester United's midfield, Michael Carrick insists he is still happy with life at Old Trafford.

"You never know in football, but I see no reason to leave at all. I am delighted to be here. It is as high as you can get."

He also admits he tries to ignore all the criticisms for a number of disappointing performances.

"I am not going to judge myself on what someone is writing. You know yourself if things are not going so well. I've got people here, team-mates, who'll tell you, and coaches and the manager to help."

United Kids Deserve First Team Chance

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:15:10 -0600

After the victory over Tottenham, Gary Neville believes his younger team-mates have the quality to play regularly in the Premier League.

"In the first half today we didn't play the best football, but Gibbo (Darron Gibson) scored two goals and that makes it routine for you."

"I don't think they're younger players, they're playing for their countries. They deserve to be there by right. They are Premier League players of that quality, they are obviously developing."

"It's going to be difficult but we're in the semi final and we want to continue to do well this year."

Hard Work Pays Off

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:00:10 -0600

Match-winner Darron Gibson revealed that Manchester United's hard work in training before the Tottenham clash had certainly paid off.

"We've been working in training all week on getting shots off in and around the box and it worked tonight with the two goals. For the second, Berba got in on the left and passed it to me. I played a one-two with Welbeck and stroked it in. I didn't try to hit it hard, I just placed it and luckily it went in."

Although he was pleased with his overall performance, he felt there is still room for improvement.

"I think I played quite well. I gave the ball away a few times so I could have done better in that sense."

Gibson also insisted the Reds did not have anything to prove when they took to the field against Tottenham.

"We knew Spurs were going to play a strong team because it's one of the few competitions they can win this year but we knew if we played well we could get a result. They are established Premier League players and I think there was pressure on the youngsters to prove we are good enough to play at their level."

"They started very well and were on top but when I scored the first we started to pass the ball and relax a bit more and the second one calmed us down a lot. In the second half I think we controlled the game."

"It was a good team performance following last week. We bounced back and the young lads did well. We didn't go out to try and prove anything. Sometimes you have bad days and today was a good day."

"I think we showed we're capable of doing that and overall we deserved the win."