The Red Devils News

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Nemanja Vidic Is The Envy Of The Premier League – Sir Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton, 71, has added his voice to the growing contingent readily offering commendation to Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic, and has singled out some areas of his game for specific tributes.

The Serbian has begun to accumulate a number of in-house end-of-season awards and remains a front-running candidate to claim further accolades due to his sturdy and consistent season.

"It’s normally the glamour players who get these prizes, but Nemanja deserves this," Charlton explained to the club's official website.

"He has been such an influence. He is the envy of the whole league and he has been a brilliant, brilliant player for us."

Sir Bobby continued by examining the areas of Vidic's game that helps separate the Serbian international from other defenders.

"Nemanja is unbelievable in the air,” Charlton said. “He wins absolutely everything. He is so powerful and brave, and he has a fantastic leap to get above the strikers. And he also comes up for set-pieces and scores goals.

"As a defender he makes the full-backs, the goalkeeper and the midfielders in front of him all feel secure. He is a player you can depend on and put your trust in, and that’s important.

"I like that he doesn’t try to do too much, he sticks to his task of defending, and does that job very well.

"It’s hard for me to imagine that Manchester United would be congratulated and lauded for our defensive capabilities. We’re not supposed to be defensive!

"But alongside Rio Ferdinand or young Jonny Evans, Nemanja has dominated our area this season, and you also have to give credit to Edwin van der Sar and his other colleagues in defence," the World Cup winning striker concluded.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Ryan Giggs Omits Cristiano Ronaldo From His Best Manchester United XI

Ryan Giggs, the most decorated player in Premier League history, won an incredible 11th title following Manchester United's goal-less draw with London rivals Arsenal.

While Cristiano Ronaldo's goals have not come as thick and as fast as last year, he has still contributed significantly to the club's challenge on two major fronts during the season run-in but, when Giggs was asked to name his favourite players of the United teams he has featured in, there was no room for the Portuguese international.

His ten outfield were picked with little qualms, but Giggs admits to struggling to select between record-breaking clean-sheet accumulator Edwin van der Sar, and exemplary shot-stopper Peter Schmeichel.

"Peter was one of the best players I played with," Giggs is reported to have told the Daily Mail. "He was a match-winner who would save the game for United because he was such a good goalkeeper.

"Now I play with Edwin. They are both great goalkeepers. It wouldn't matter who played in goal."

The versatile veteran, who has adapted his game from a hard-to-track dribbling left flanker, to a central midfielder, opted to pick the whole of the midfield treble-winning side of 1999, and reserved notable commendation for Paul Scholes.

"He does things I couldn't do. The time he has on the ball, his range of passing and ability to score goals make him probably the best I've ever seen."

Up-front, Giggs decided to nominate French legend Eric Cantona, and powerful English workhorse Wayne Rooney, explaining their place in the history of United thus, "They are players who have come through the system. Players from different countries and background that sums up Manchester United."

Giggs' XI
Schmeichel/Van der Sar
Neville - Stam - Ferdinand - Irwin
Beckham - Scholes - Keane - Giggs
Cantona - Rooney

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Monday, May 18, 2009

Nemanja Vidic Expresses Surprise At Scooping Manchester United Awards

Aside from a blip against Liverpool, Manchester United's Serbian centre-back Nemanja Vidic has been a reliable and consistent component of a defensive line that has been chopped and changed throughout the season due to a host of injuries and suspensions.

The defender, along with Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Edwin van der Sar, and Rio Ferdinand, dominated the PFA Player of the Year nominations, but Vidic missed out to versatile veteran midfielder Giggs.

The 27-year-old, though, did scoop the individual in-house end-of-season accolade, and shared his thoughts with MUTV.

He said, "It's a great night for me. It has been a really good year. I am surprised I got it but I have really enjoyed it."

He continued, "To be honest I don't have so many individual awards. That's why I am a bit confused and my speech is not the best. Next time my speech will be a bit better."

Portuguese international Ronaldo claimed United's goal of the season award in recognition of his long-range goal scored against Porto away from home in the Champions League.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Hails Chelsea Star Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has long been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League and has even upped his game this season, prompting temporary Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink to claim that he is the "complete box to box midfielder".

His form may have gone un-noticed by his peers - he was controversially snubbed for the PFA Player of the Year awards - yet Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking after leading his side to a record-equalling 18th league title, has declared Lampard to be an "exceptional" footballer.

Ferguson told The Sunday Times, "He is an exceptional player, a huge asset to his team. Every time he plays he goes from box to box and he hardly misses a game.

"You pay attention to players who can get goals from midfield and he’s been averaging 20 goals every season.

"As I say, Frank Lampard is exceptional."

Despite being omitted from certain end-of-season awards, Lampard could find himself as a front-running candidate for goal-of-the-season due to his chipped strike versus Hull City earlier in the season.

Then-manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said at the time that it was one of the greatest goals he had seen.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Ferguson: I Want Carlos Tevez To Stay At Manchester United

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has publicly stated his desire to keep Carlos Tevez at the club, after he fired a crucial goal on the way to the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic this evening.

Tevez cancelled out Hugo Rodallega’s first-half opener within four minutes of coming on as a substitute to replace Anderson, before Michael Carrick sealed the comeback with an 87th-minute winner.

And speaking after the match, Ferguson gave the biggest hint yet that the Argentine is wanted at Old Trafford on a permanent basis.

“He [Tevez] is a fantastic little player,” he said to Sky Sports.

“He knows I want him to stay. I’ve had a chat with him today, [chief executive] David Gill has had some meetings with him today and it has progressed.

“We hope we get what we want [an agreement]. I keep saying that the situation has not changed.

“We’re not negotiating with a football club and that is the problem. Carlos himself is OK and the terms he has been offered are good.”

Speaking about the match, which leaves United within a point of a third successive Premier League title, the Scot paid tribute to his team’s second-half display.

Ferguson said, “We were against a very determined Wigan side.

“It was a real tough hurdle today and the team were fantastic in the second half in terms of their determination, not giving in and keeping going until we got a little break and at the end of the day we were the better team in the second half.

“The first thing I said [at half-time] was keep your discipline because the referee was annoying them with a lot of decisions – but you can’t beat the referee.

“Cristiano Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick tonight and we had a lot of chances – I felt he should have also had a penalty.

“We just needed to stay patient.”

Chris Myson, Goal.com

Player Ratings: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United

Manchester United came from behind to beat Wigan at the JJB. Goal.com rates the performers…

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Kingson: 6.5 - A first league start for the Latics and could not have imagined he would have such a quiet night. No chance with the two goals but dealt with everything else comfortably enough.

Melchiot: 6.0 - Had few problems against Anderson but found Evra a tougher opponent.

Boyce: 7.5 – A super defensive display, kept a very close eye on Berbatov and foiled numerous United attacks.

Bramble: 7.0 - Lost Berbatov early on but improved as the game wore on although he found Tevez a handful.

Figueroa: 6.5 - Was outpaced by Ronaldo on occasion but generally held him in check and also got forward well, hitting two good efforts just over.

Valencia: 6.5 – Looked a threat whenever he had the ball and his pace caused United problems. Great break early on but supplied a poor finish when he only had Van der Sar to beat.

Cattermole: 7.5 - Gave the United midfield no peace but also got forward. A great ball up to Rodallega for the opener and had a decent shot just on half-time.

Scharner: 7.0 - In central midfield tonight and his pressing forced the United midfielders into mistakes early on. Made several vital tackles in the second half particularly on Rooney and Ronaldo.

Brown: 6.5 - Gave United no space and was a bustling, harrying presence.

N'Zogbia: 6.5 – Offered a useful attacking outlet and had a good free kick saved by Van der Sar in the first-half.

Rodallega: 7.5 – Gave Vidic a really tough evening, beat him for the goal before slotting home with a confident finish.

Substitutes

Mido: n/a

MANCHESTER UNITED

Van der Sar: 7.0 – A decent display, saved well particularly from N’Zogbia and Rodallega in the first half.

O'Shea: 7.5 - Defensively he did OK and a great run and pass handed Carrick the chance to slot home the winner.

Vidic: 6.0 – Seemed unnerved by Rodallega. Was beaten by the Colombian for the opener and struggled to recover his composure. Good ball into Ronaldo in the build-up for the second goal.

Evans: 5.5 - Looked nervy, caught out by Valencia and Rodallega early on and will have been relieved that neither man could profit from his mistakes.

Evra: 7.0 – Valencia’s pace gave him plenty to think about defensively but attacking-wise he looked to get forward at every opportunity and posed a threat.

Carrick: 8.5 – Missed a great chance early on but redeemed himself by setting up the first and grabbing the second with a fine strike.

Scholes: 6.5 – Had a tough evening against a stubborn Wigan midfield but barely put a pass astray.

Anderson: 6.0 - Got forward frequently but couldn’t offer the invention to break Wigan down and was replaced by Tevez on the hour mark.

Ronaldo: 7.0 - A super cross for Carrick early on but gave it away far too frequently. Improved in the second half and should have finished it late on but fired over.

Berbatov: 7.5 - Helped set up two great moves early on and was involved in all of United's best attacking moments.

Rooney: 6.5 - Worked incredibly hard but guilty of missing two great chances, a gilt edged header early on and another shot just before half time.

Substitutes

Tevez: 7.5 - Scored within minutes of his arrival and was a real handful.

Giggs: n/a

Park: n/a

Gill Clark, Goal.com

Manchester United Close In On Title With Wigan Win

A very late Carrick goal handed the champions all three points at the JJB and leaves them just one point away from yet another title.

Wigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United

Manchester United look to be closing in on yet another Premier League title after coming from behind to secure a hard-fought victory at a rain-swept JJB Stadium.

A thrilling first-half saw chances aplenty for both sides but with Wigan, crucially, heading into the interval with the lead.

Indeed the home side might have gone ahead in the opening minutes when a mistake by Jonny Evans allowed Antonio Valencia clear through on goal.

Yet whilst the Ecuadorian’s run into the box was impressive, his finish wasn’t, and he chipped a poor effort wide of goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men came storming back and had chances of their own as early as the tenth minute.

Dimitar Berbatov handed Wayne Rooney a glorious opportunity to score but the England international conspired to head his cross well wide with only Richard Kingson to beat.

Minutes later and a flowing move from the visitors saw Rooney and Berbatov combine again to tee up Michael Carrick who prodded another effort just wide.

Yet the league leaders were not having it all their own way and were grateful to Edwin van der Sar who did well to punch a Charles N’Zogbia free kick to safety.

The Dutch shot stopper was also called into action shortly afterwards when Hugo Rodallega beat Evans but could only fire straight at the veteran.

However, Wigan were not to be denied and just before the half-hour mark they took the lead.

A long ball by Lee Cattermole up to Rodallega saw the striker challenging with Nemanja Vidic in the air.

As the ball dropped, the bounce seemed to confuse both players but Rodallega was quickest to the rebound and swept it past Van der Sar with a composed finish.

The goal knocked United out of their stride and with the wet conditions playing a part, they struggled to regain their earlier fluency.

However, as the half drew to a close they finally managed to slip into gear once again.

A lovely move involving several players eventually saw Ronaldo slip in Rooney for a shot but again the England striker couldn’t find the target despite being well-placed.

Undeterred Wigan sprinted down the other end of the field with Rodallega shooting straight at Van der Sar as the half ended in much the same exhilarating fashion as it began.

The home side began the second half in determined fashion and with United unable to force Kingson into a save, Ferguson changed things on the hour mark sending on Carlos Tevez for Anderson.

It was to prove to be an inspired substitution as within minutes of his arrival the Argentine had pulled the Red Devils back on level terms.

For the first time all game Carrick found himself in space outside the area. The midfielder hit a low shot which looked to be heading wide before Tevez flicked it past Kingson for the equaliser.

With half an hour still remaining the visitors went in search of the winner but were frustrated by a combination of some superb Wigan play and poor finishing.

Both Rooney and Ronaldo saw decent efforts flash wide of the target and with time running out the champions looked to be heading for a frustrating draw.

Yet with just five minutes remaining Ronaldo and O’Shea combined to tee up Carrick who slotted home a sumptuous left-footed finish to leave United just one point from the title.

Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Scharner, Brown, N'Zogbia (Mido, 82), Rodallega.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Giggs, 75), Anderson (Tevez, 58), Ronaldo, Berbatov (Park, 88), Rooney.

GOALS

1-2 Manchester United (Carrick, 86)

1-1 Manchester United (Tevez, 62)

1-0 Wigan Athletic (Rodallega, 29)

Gill Clark, Goal.com