The Italian wants his two stars to continue to express themselves when England have the ball...
England coach Fabio Capello has revealed that he intends both Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard to play in 'free roles' when their side is in possession.
Gerrard lined up nominally on the left during yesterday's 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia at Wembley, with Rooney playing just off main striker Emile Heskey. The two men interchanged at will though, and roamed about the pitch to good effect, with Rooney scoring two goals.
"I want Rooney and Gerrard to be very free to move around when we have the ball," the Italian told Sky Sports News.
"That is the way I want them to play. I am very happy when Rooney plays.
"He is different to the other players and has always done well with the national team. I was sure he would score goals for us. I told him some things about the movement he needed to do in front of goal.
"But he is a very big talent. He can do everything."
Capello also revealed that it was always his intention to withdraw Steve Gerrard and Aaron Lennon from the action at half-time, protecting them for future challenges, something which perhaps hints at starting role for the Tottenham Hotspur man on Wednesday night against Ukraine.
"I decided before the game that Lennon would play until half-time and it was the same with Gerrard," he explained.
"They are both in fantastic form so I didn't want to play them too much. I want them to be fresh for the next game.
"Lennon in particular I tried to protect. He is so quick and sometimes when they are playing against someone like that, the defenders will try to bring them down."
Meanwhile, Capello also dismissed suggestions that he should recall Michael Owen, reiterating that he only picked players who were in form and fit, regardless of prior achievement.
He concluded, " I have to choose players to play against the Ukraine, not against history. I have chosen the best players who are in good form at the moment.
"It is impossible to choose someone who has only played for 20 minutes. Why didn't he play the last game?"
Blog Traffics
Monday, March 30, 2009
England Coach Capello Envisages Free Roles For Rooney & Gerrard
Fabio Capello Credits Liverpool And Manchester United
The England coach give thanks to Fergie and Rafa for their parts in developing the likes of Gerrard and Rooney...
England coach Fabio Capello has thanked Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez for the way they have developed Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, after the two impressed in England's friendly against Slovakia.
Rooney was named man-of-the-match, as the Three Lions thrashed Slovakia 4-0 at Wembley yesterday, while Gerrard provided an excellent contribution to the England cause.
The Italian coach was clearly impressed with the teamwork of both players and felt they linked up very well during the course of the game.
After years of confusing formations and poor performances, Capello seems to be potentially solving one of England's biggest problems, namely accommodating their biggest stars.
Speaking to Setanta Sports, Capello said, "I always said the important players, the big players, can play together. You just have to find their position on the pitch.
"It is not really down to me. I am manager of England but when I choose the players it is because they have done very well at their clubs.
"It is the managers of Manchester United and Liverpool who have been the most important."
Capello and his men must now concentrate on their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Wednesday night, where a win could potentially see them go a massive eight points clear at the top of the Group 6 table.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson And Wayne Rooney Had Bust-Up, Reveals Lawrenson
Rooney's explosive temper appears to be landing him in trouble off the pitch as well as on it...
Former Liverpool player and BBC television pundit Mark Lawrenson has claimed that Wayne Rooney and manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a huge row following Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Lawrenson insisted that the falling-out between the pair led to Rooney being left out of United’s next game against Fulham.
The champions lost that game 2-0 at Craven Cottage, with Rooney starting on the bench and then coming on the pitch, only to be sent-off after picking up two yellow cards.
Speaking about the situation, Lawrenson suggested that Ferguson had continuing problems with his fiery striker but backed the Scot to resolve their differences.
“We are told he had a massive row with Fergie and he left him out at Fulham,” he said.
“It is an ongoing problem, but if anyone can deal with it, it is Sir Alex.”
Rooney’s sending-off, and United’s defeat to Fulham, has meant it has been a bad couple of weeks for the Red Devils, who have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just one point.
Liverpool, who routed the European Champions 4-1 at Old Trafford a week earlier, are now hot on their heels, although they have played a game more than their bitter rivals.
The Reds now have the opportunity to claim top spot next weekend as they play before United and Rooney will not be in action as the Old Trafford outfit take on Aston Villa, due to suspension.
Having scored twice for England yesterday against Slovakia in a man-of-the-match display at Wembley, his absence is likely to be sorely felt.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Liverpool's Martin Skrtel Waiting For Manchester United Slip-Up
The Reds defender is backing their rivals from up the East Lancs Road to crack under the pressure...
Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel thinks that the pressure exerted by him and his team-mates on Manchester United will be too much for the Red Devils to handle, and Liverpool's 19-year-long drought for the league title will come to an end this season..
Liverpool mauled their rivals 4-1 at Old Trafford a week and a half ago, and United slipped up again when they were beaten 2-0 in west London at the weekend by Fulham. Skrtel is sure that there will be further errors from Alex Ferguson's men as the season's end nears and the pressure grows ever more intense.
"I think yes, because there are eight games left or so," he told deniksport.cz.
"They are also in the UEFA Champions League. A lot of points are still up for grabs, and although they have a match against Portsmouth in hand, they will not have it easy against them.
"I just hope that we will stay in-form, they will slip-up and we will jump over them in the table."
The Slovak also feels that his club manager Rafa Benitez deserves much of the credit for Liverpool's more sustained title challenge this year, and hailed the effect the Spaniard has had on his personal game, adding, "It is good for us players as well as for the fans and the whole club, because Benitez has done a great piece of work during his time at Liverpool.
"He is enormously popular here and I think that he is a coach
of great qualities. He has also helped me personally.
"He has taught me a lot. Thanks to him we work a lot on tactics and game discipline. I have improved in both aspects."
Liverpool thrashed Aston Villa 5-0 at the weekend, a result many felt has ended the Midlanders push for a top four finish. The Villans face United next though and Skrtel did not rule Martin O'Neill's men out from still having a vital part to play in the destination of this season's Premier League crown.
He concluded, "It will not be an easy game for them. Aston Villa are still aiming for a Champions League spot and will not give them anything easy.
"We will see. It would be great if they could play better than against us and steal a point or three from United."
Henrik Larsson Blasts 'Diver' Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead Of Portugal - Sweden Clash
One iconic No. 7 is going to have a word with the referee ahead of Sweden's forthcoming game with Portugal...
Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has claimed that his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is inclined to hit the ground a little too easily when tackled, and is warning his team-mates not to fall into the tricky winger's traps.
He also revealed that he will be speaking to the referee ahead of the Swedes' World Cup qualifier with the Portuguese in Porto on Saturday, as he fears that his nation's qualification hopes are under real threat from the Red Devil.
"I intend to speak with the referee before the match to warn him about Ronaldo diving," English tabloid The Daily Mail reports Larsson as telling reporters in Portugal earlier.
"We must be careful, as a team, not to get caught out by that, but so must the referee. I will be having a word with him and telling him to keep an eye out for it."
Ronaldo has become notorious in England for his alleged theatrics when tackled, though his club manager Alex Ferguson has pointed out that the player is subject to some excessively rough treatment from defenders, and referees should be offering the player more protection.
Sweden play Portugal in Porto on Saturday, kick-off 21:45 GMT.
Manchester United Defender Rio Ferdinand Salutes Britain's Armed Forces
The England defender has hailed the sacrifices made by his country's servicemen and women...
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was on duty with the England squad yesterday, meeting some of Britian's disabled ex-servicemen, wounded in recent conflicts, to sign autographs and chat.
He took the time to thank all members of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces for the sacrifices that they made, believing that it put the task ahead of him and his team-mates into perspective.
"They are the heroes," he told The Manchester Evening News.
"You are speaking about people who are going out and risking their lives for the country.
"We have seen so much on TV about how these guys go about their work and the sacrifices they make for our well-being, for us to be able to share the same room is a privilege.
"We know how to play football and lose matches but what they do is a bit different to losing a game of football.
"They are more worthy of the word hero than we are."
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender John Terry, attending the event along with David Beckham and Ferdinand, also spoke of his pride in the veterans' sacrifice, and how he would have liked to have served his Queen and country, though he wasn't sure he was up to it.
"They love their football, they like to look up to us but I would like to be in their shoes and do what they do," the Blues skipper told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's great they want to do that and they are brilliant at their job. I would love to [serve], of course. Put your life on the line for the country – I would love to, but I don't think many of us could."
Foster Out To Pip Van der Sar To Manchester United's No. 1 Shirt Next Season
England hopeful Ben Foster has acknowledged that his World Cup dreams could hinge on his ability to play his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's first team plans...
Edwin van der Sar's understudy at Manchester United, Ben Foster, was deemed to be a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's latest England squad as the League Cup winning shot-stopper has struggled to establish himself in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team, despite being 25 years old.
In order to secure his plane-seat to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, should the Three Lions qualify, Foster acknowledges that he may need to play his way into the first team at Old Trafford, which could prove an laborious task considering Van der Sar's record-breaking season guarding goal.
"The biggest club in the world against the biggest competition in the world - that is the dilemma," he explained to Sky Sports. "Playing for England is a hugely important thing but I am also at the biggest club in the world. I will only get one chance at that and I don't want to give it up.
"I have to come back next season and get into the manager's face as much as I can. I want to be playing and I want to get into the World Cup squad next season."
England's current No. 1, David James, will be 40 by the time the world's most prestigious international football tournament begins next year. Meanwhile, the chasing pack - Robert Green, Scott Carson, Paul Robinson and Joe Hart - have continually failed to exert themselves as automatic choices.
By securing the No. 1 spot for Ferguson's trophy-chasing side, the corresponding jersey for the national team would presumably follow, but Foster is not taking this for granted.
"Possibly that is true," he said. "Playing for United does not guarantee you anything but it would certainly make it easier. I am up for the job but it is proving tough enough to get into the United squad at the moment."
He still concluded by saying, "It certainly feels good to get that little bit of recognition."
Foster has received just the solitary international cap to date, handed to him by former manager Steve McClaren in February 2007.
Premier League Referees Could Force Cristiano Ronaldo To Real Madrid
The press in Madrid have pounced on the latest rumblings of discontent from CR7…
Spanish daily AS have picked up on a story from England’s Daily Mail suggesting how Cristiano Ronaldo might finally have an excuse to ditch Manchester United and the Premier League for Real Madrid and the Primera Division.
Both papers highlighted how the Portuguese ace is growing tired of the lack of protection being offered by the referees in the Premier League following his latest round of confrontations with the match official during last weekend’s game at Fulham.
Even the player’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has opined that his star winger is being ‘systematically fouled’ by opponents.
“It has become a tactic,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail. “Someone fouls him, then someone else. The referee thinks he is diving and the crowd are screaming.”
The Scotsman also used a Champions League clash with Villarreal as an example of the disparity between referees in England and the rest of Europe.
During that game back in November at El Madrigal, Italian referee Roberto Rosetti sent off the Yellow Submarine left-back, Joan Capdevila, for a rash tackle just above Ronaldo’s knee. And Ferguson admitted that such a foul in England would probably have not drawn a red card.
It is precisely that extra protection from La Liga referees and a less physical approach in the Spanish game that AS is convinced will attract Ronaldo and tempt him to seek an exit from Old Trafford.
It is widely believed that Madrid already have the funds ready to sign the FIFA World Player of the Year. Furthermore, it has also been whispered that an agreement has been reached with Ferguson to allow the two parties to negotiate a transfer this summer - which, if true, means that it is now strictly up to Ronaldo whether he wants to leave United for the Santiago Bernabeu.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Manchester United Captain Gary Neville Becomes Unlikely Role Model For Liverpool Kids
A politician believes that Liverpudlian youngsters can learn a thing or two from Gary Neville.
For Liverpool youngsters who harbour an unswerving allegiance to the red side of the Mersey, the news that their hated north-west rivals' captain - Gary Neville - is to be treated as a potential role-model will come as a sour recommendation.
A Conservative MP, Chris Grayling - the Shadow Home Secretary - committed the Malapropism by declaring that Neville's professionalism is an attribute that kids from the streets of Toxteth can learn from.
Grayling - born in London and raised and educated in Buckinghamshire - is quoted by The Times as saying, "I have spent time on the streets of Toxteth with some very good youth workers, who told me that kids are growing up without any parental guidance at home.
"If I was to pick out a good role model, it would be Gary Neville, an estimable professional over a long period of time," he concluded.
The news will no doubt be looked on with scorn by young Liverpool fans, who will be reminded by their elders of Neville's stinging comments about their city's people.
"I can't stand Liverpool. I can't stand Liverpool people, I can't stand anything to do with them," he is reported to have said.
Patrice Evra: Manchester United Will Not Slip Up Again
The French international is confident that the Red Devils' will turn around the form which has seen them lose twice in a row...
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has insisted that their recent defeats to Liverpool and Fulham are just minor setbacks which will not be repeated.
The Red Devils' lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut to just one point as a result of their recent losses, although they still have a game in hand.
The Senegal-born French international says losing is not something that United are used to, and he is sure they will get back to winning ways when they return to action.
"In three years, it is the very first time that I have experienced two defeats in a row," Evra told French publication L'Equipe.
"I am sure it is just a little accident."
The 27-year-old is currently with the France squad ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifying home and away fixtures against Lithuania, and Evra says he is only concentrating on helping Les Bleus pick up six points at present.
"Anyway, I have to forget about the club now. I will think about Manchester again after the two matches against Lithuania."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Manchester United's Michael Carrick Pleased To Avoid All English Tie
Michael Carrick was pleased to hear that Manchester United would not face another English team in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester United are set to entertain FC Porto at Old Trafford for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The Red Devils are hosts to the Portuguese outfit on April 7 before travelling to the Estadio do Dragao eight days later.
Whilst fully anticipating a tough game against the Portuguese champions, Michael Carrick admitted that he is pleased to have avoided English opposition at this stage in the competition.
"There was always going to be a chance that the English teams would play each other and I think we thought it was our turn," he told ManUtd.com.
"It’s tough to play another English side because you know each other so well and that’s been proved in the past when Liverpool have played Chelsea. They’ve got each other again and in recent years the games have been tight and tough games.
"When you play in European competitions it’s nice to play a team from another country and in that respect we’re happy with the draw.
"It’s only a good draw if we get through so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But we’re feeling upbeat about it."
This is the fifth consecutive year that Liverpool have had to face Chelsea in this competition with the winners of their upcoming tie getting the chance to play either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
The fourth English squad in the competition is Arsenal, who face Spanish
side Villarreal with the eventual victors facing United or Porto in the semi-finals.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney Escapes Further Ban After Red Card At Fulham
The Red Devil has escaped further censure for his bad-tempered display at Craven Cottage on Saturday...
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has managed to avoid the further three match ban many feared he would be awarded following his show of petulance at Fulham on Saturday after being sent off for receiving a second yellow card when he hurled the ball back at referee Phil Dowd for a free-kick to be taken.
Dowd has confirmed that he wasn't sworn at by Rooney, and there will therefore be no upgrading of his standard one-match ban for receiving two yellow cards. The FA will be writing to the player though to formally warn him over his future conduct after he punched the corner flag on his way to the tunnel after his sending off.
"We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed," an FA spokesman is reported as saying in The Times.
"In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities."
That means that the England international is now set to miss only United's game with Aston Villa, which takes place at Old Trafford on April 5.
Paul Scholes was also sent off for United, for deliberate handball, as Fulham dented the Mancunians' title hopes just a little by beating them 2-0.
Bulgaria Confirm Manchester United Striker Berbatov Will Miss Ireland Clash
The ice cool striker will not be appearing in Dublin this week...
Manchester United front-man Dimitar Berbatov has definitely been ruled out of Bulgaria's World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, due to the effects of the knock he took on the ankle during the Red Devils' weekend defeat at Fulham.
"There’s no chance of Berbatov playing against Ireland and Cyprus. The injury will prevent any kind of football-related activity for the next two weeks," explained team doctor Mihail Iliev, speaking to The Irish Times.
"I have talked to the Manchester United medical staff and I am expecting a fax with the details of the medical scans.
"We are talking about a muscle tear, which means his foot will be immovable for two weeks. It is most likely that he aggravated his old ankle injury."
The Irish take on group leaders Italy, in Bari four days after their game against the Bulgarians at Croke Park, in what could be the pivotal fixture in Group Eight. Both sides are locked on ten points after four games with the Azzurri leading the men in green on goal difference.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has been left with a 25-man squad for the two fixtures after Espanyol full-back Steve Finnan, who has missed his country's last two qualifiers with injury, withdrew with a recurrence of his persistent hamstring problem.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Neville Southall Backs Everton To Beat Manchester United In FA Cup Semi-Final
The Toffees legend believes being tagged underdogs will help his former club progress to the final...
Legendary Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall is confident his former club can overcome Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and go all the way to this year's final.
The former Wales international, who made 578 appearances for the Toffees between 1981-1998, feels that labelling the Red Devils as favourites to win the tie could work in the Merseyside outfit's favour.
"I wouldn't be worried about playing United because nobody outside of Everton expects them to lose," Southall is quoted as saying in The Sun.
"That means there's no pressure on the boys and there's everything going for them.
"They'll be relaxed but will want to do the job. I'm sure Phil Neville will be sat there thinking it would be fantastic to put United out.
"Everton are a hard team to beat and in a one-off game we shouldn't be scared of anybody. There's nothing to fear as they've got enough to get a result against United."
The 50-year-old has also been hugely impressed with how well David Moyes' side have performed this campaign given the size of their squad and the number of injuries sustained.
"I think they've done fantastically so far this season," he explained. "It's a small squad but they have a really good work ethic and an amazing team spirit.
"Sometimes you can have too many players and struggle to keep everybody happy, so I think the size has worked in Everton's favour.
"They have to get a striker in during the summer and probably a couple of wide men. But having a small squad has worked quite well for them because it's kept everybody together.
"Moyes has been able to pick pretty much the same team every week, apart from when it comes to the strikers, so that's been a bonus.
"And he's got the likes of Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Neville who can fill a variety of positions. That's helped enormously and Moyes has bought well considering he hasn't got a huge amount to spend.
"I hope we end the season strongly by winning the FA Cup and finishing in the top four. What Moyes has done is remarkable and if he gets us there it will be beyond anyone's expectations.
"Whatever happens, it's been a really good season but Europe is the one we've got to crack."
Manchester United Boss Ferguson Still Fuming Over Rooney Red Card Decision
Fergie looks to be doing his best to bite his tongue as he doesn't want to land his young charge in even more hot water...
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is still aggrieved by referee Phil Dowd's decision to send off Wayne Rooney during the dying minutes of their shock defeat away to Fulham on Saturday.
With just two minutes of regulation time remaining and Man United 2-0 down, their fiery frontman was shown his second yellow card for dissent and for throwing away the ball, albeit in precisely the direction it needed to go but with no small amount of venom.
"The ball was thrown to where the free kick was being taken - did it hit the referee? No," Ferguson fumed on MUTV.
"But there's no point talking about the referee - we didn't play well enough in the first half and that's why we lost."
At this point the United manager will be secretly hoping that Rooney escapes with 'just' the one-game ban. According to News of the World, the England striker's petulant reaction to the red card, during which he berated the referee before storming off the field and punching the corner flag on the way out for good measure, is likely to earn him a three-match suspension.
In this case, Rooney would not only miss the coming game against Aston Villa, but also the following ones against Sunderland and Everton, all of which are potentially pivotal to United's ever more difficult title defence.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson Laments Poor Manchester United Performance
Fergie didn't bother trying to hide his disappointment regarding United's defeat at Craven Cottage...
Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney both saw red at Fulham as Manchester United sank to a 2-0 defeat, their second loss on the trot.
A blatant handball from the former allowed Danny Murphy to put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot on 17 minutes amid a hugely disappointing first-half display from the Red Devils.
United made some tactical changes at the interval and looked a completely different, well-drilled outfit thereafter, but their numerical disadvantage meant that piling forward left them exposed at the back. Zoltan Gera made good use of this fact and sealed the win for the home side with a late clincher.
"I was disappointed with the first half, I must admit," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the press.
"We didn't get started at all and that's cost us the game.
"They were lively and they got stuck in, and we expected that. They lost 4-0 to us a few weeks ago so we expected a response from them. We didn't meet that challenge. I think we can thank Edwin van der Sar for keeping us in it.
"In fairness to the team, in the second half they responded to the half-time talking and I think we were unlucky not to get something out of it. Their goalkeeper's made some terrific saves but we've missed a few chances ourselves.
"It's inevitable that one of their counterattacks will put you in trouble, and that cost us the game. We did really well and we were unlucky. If they'd have got the goal back then they may have even won it. In fairness they kept going and good credit to them for that."
United's consecutive defeats have shortened the gap between the league leaders and a chasing Liverpool to just four points, a deficit that could be shortened further should 'Pool overcome Aston Villa on Sunday.
"As I've said, when you lose games in March and April it can cost you," said Ferguson.
"Fortunately, we have a slender lead at the moment but it's not a lot. Obviously I'm hoping we go away for the internationals and come back at our best.
"We've got a home game against Aston Villa in our next game and that's absolutely crucial."
Player Ratings: Fulham 2-0 Manchester United
Fulham condemned nine-man Manchester United to their first back-to-back defeat in the league in almost exactly four years with a disciplined display. Goal.com rates the performers on the pitch.
FULHAM
Schwarzer – 8.5: Didn’t have a single save to make in the first half but it was a different story in the second, and he did not let his side down. Made at least four superb saves when United were really laying siege to his goal.
Paintsil – 7: Made a few well-timed tackles and interceptions and shackled Ronaldo closely whenever the Portuguese drifted over to his flank.
Hangeland – 8: Rock solid in the air and very assured on the ground, always at the right place and the right time to intercept any crosses or through balls.
Hughes – 7.5: Combined well with Hangeland and cleaned up anything that got past his defensive partner. Together, they completely shut the door on United in the first half. Wasn’t intimidated by Ronaldo’s speed or trickery.
Konchesky – 6.5: Wasn’t afraid to bomb forward in the first ’45 and that pinned O’Shea back. Whipped in a number of telling crosses and he rarely looked troubled at the back.
Davies – 6.5: Very dangerous with his through balls on the counter. Involved in almost every attack in the first half and retreated to the back in the second to help his side defend.
Etuhu – 7: Lingered right in front of the back-four and barely allowed any space or time for Ronaldo to exploit. Also kept Fletcher very quiet. His passing out of defence wasn’t the best, though.
Murphy – 8.5: Never stopped running all over the pitch to win tackles. Coolly smashed home the opening goal from the spot. Faded away late in the game after picking up what looked like an ankle sprain.
Dempsey – 6: Very energetic in the beginning, constantly swapping flanks with Davies. Faded away as the game wore on and restricted himself to hopeful shots from distance.
Johnson – 6.5: Didn’t have too many look-ins at goal but always posed a threat playing behind Zamora. Assisted the second goal.
Zamora – 7.5: Had numerous shots at goal from distance but caused United’s defence endless headaches with his runs into the box. Used his strength and power to outmuscle the opposition backline time and again. Won the penalty for the opening goal.
Substitutes:
Dacourt – 5.5: Replaced the injured Murphy to strengthen the midfield line and he did his job.
Kamara – 6: Got into the game straight away and almost caused immediate panic in the United backline.
Gera – 7: Started the move for the second goal and finished with aplomb with a delightful acrobatic scissor-kick.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Van der Sar – 7: Made a number of crucial saves in the first half to keep his side afloat. Could do little to stop the well-taken penalty and can’t be faulted for Gera’s wonderful goal as he was left exposed by his defenders.
O’Shea – 5: Wasn’t afforded the opportunity to overlap in attack in the first half. Played more as a midfielder in the second half as United pushed forward but had little impact.
Evans – 5: Struggled horribly to contain Zamora. Showed no understanding with the rest of his defensive team-mates.
Ferdinand – 6: As the more experienced centre-back, he didn’t make any extra effort to help cover for his young colleague. Looked nervous at the back and never offered any signs of assurance to his goalkeeper.
Evra – 5.5: Made the effort to attack but his runs down the wing produced little results other than the odd free-kick. Caught out of position a few times and left his flank wide open for Fulham to strike the killer second goal.
Park – 6.5: Back-tracked diligently to help retrieve the ball out of defence into attack. Could have brought his side levelled midway through the second half but his toe-poke from four yards out was blocked by Schwarzer. The only player to show any fight when his side was being run ragged.
Fletcher – 5: Almost anonymous. Had a brief spell early in the second period where he came to life but other than that, made no significant impact to the game whatsoever.
Scholes – 3: Sent off after just 17 minutes for an obvious handball on the line – two hands, mind you – to block Zamora’s header. Clearly didn’t learn his lesson from the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Zenit when he was sent off for a similar offence… although it was less blatant this time. Only just.
Ronaldo – 5: Kept losing the ball and going to ground in the first half. Saw a lot more of the ball and had more space to attack in the second, but wasted his energy and focus protesting and throwing tantrums.
Giggs – 5: Started off brightly with a few of his typical surging runs but disappeared completely from the game after that. His contributions were restricted to corner kick deliveries, which were poor.
Berbatov – 3: Had all of three touches of the ball in the first half. Showed no fire or urgency when his team went a goal down.
Substitutes:
Rooney – 5: Did so well to breathe new life to his team’s attack after coming on for the second half. Created chances, spaces and openings for his team-mates but promptly let them down by foolishly getting himself sent off late in the game and will now miss the clash against Aston Villa.
Tevez – 5: Got himself into a decent scoring position on a few occasions but never really had a clear-cut chance.
Manchester United Shot-Stopper Van der Sar Spurns Chance Of International Comeback
The Dutchman's phone keeps on ringing, but he will not answer the call of an international comeback...
Edwin van der Sar has been in record-smashing shot-stopping form this season for Manchester United, as his recent 22 hour + streak without concession in the Premier League is testament to.
His club prowess has not gone un-noticed, and Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk - in light of the nations injury troubles when it comes to the goalkeeping position - has made an audacious attempt at luring van der Sar out of international retirement. Marwijk's request, though, was refused by van der Sar.
The Dutch boss is without Maarten Stekelburg (dropped by Ajax), and Henk Timmer (substandard performances for Feyenoord), while FC Utrecht's Michel Vorm may be called upon.
Van Marwijk explained to The Herald: "Against my better judgment I called Edwin because of our present difficulties. We had agreed the book was closed before we had these injuries and while I knew what the answer would be, I still called him."
Van der Sar retired from international football after the European Championships in 2008.
The veteran glovesman, however, did acquiesce to an emergency call-up to help the nation compete in their World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Norway.
Fulham Down Nine-Man Manchester United
We have a title race; Manchester United have lost consecutive league games to allow Liverpool and Chelsea a glimpse of the top of the table. Murphy and Gera netted the strikes to give Fulham the win over nine-man Man United...
Fulham 2-0 Manchester United
Fulham had not won against United here since 1964, and against a frustrated rival, executed their gameplan to perfection to stop the rot. Home form, a boon earlier in the season, had begun to wobble of late but this result will augment the Cottagers' European hopes.
Fulham triumphed thanks to a Danny Murphy penalty and a goal on the break by Zoltan Gera with two minutes to play. Each goal brought a United dismissal; Paul Scholes was sent off prior to the Murphy penalty for handling, while Wayne Rooney blew his top in the wake of Gera's clincher.
There were off-days for Ronaldo, Berbatov and company, and despite battering Fulham for large swathes of the second half, Manchester United fell.
Not a good day at the office for Sir Alex. It may be, for him at least, squeaky bum time.
First Half
Sir Alex Ferguson shuffled his deck, making some alterations to the side that lost to Liverpool last weekend; Dimitar Berbatov replaced Wayne Rooney in an attacking capacity for the visitors in one of their more noteworthy changes, but it was Ferguson stalwart who was to be the chief protagonist in the first period.
Fulham, for their part, named the same XI that won at Bolton Wanderers last week and started on the front foot. Clint Dempsey went close early on with a drive, before United had a decent chance of their own. Patrice Evra, booked for diving at the end of the half, crossed from the left but Berbatov couldn't direct his header on the target.
The hosts maintained control of the game, dictated the pace in the opening stages and made United uncomfortable on a ground on which they triumphed 4-0 only a fortnight ago.
Bobby Zamora had a clutch of first half chances, but couldn't convert. He sent the first of a few speculative drives wide on the quarter hour.
Fulham's early dominance was rewarded as soon as the 17th minute, when the Cottagers were given a penalty and Ferguson's side reduced to ten men.
Simon Davies fired in a corner, which was flicked on by Zamora. His effort prompted a hand ball on the line by Paul Scholes, who was shown the red card. Danny Murphy, not for the first time in his career, netted a penalty against the Red Devils.
The northern side failed to ruse themselves and were lucky not to be two-down on 20 minutes when van der Sar saved from Zamora.
Zamora was again repelled by the occupied Dutchman before Dempsey stuck narrowly wide on the half-hour, as United continued to be sub-par.
Dickson Etuhu, from a Dempsey cross, made van der Sar work again; Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans could not get to grips with their adversaries. Zamora, one of the more prominent first half performers, then unleashed a vicious strike, which was well-fielded by van der Sar.
The champions went in at half-time a shadow of their selves; their game was blighted by a lack of responsibility and a palpable crisis in confidence in possession.
Second Half
No doubt on the end of the hairdryer treatment at half-time, it was a vastly improved Manchester United that appeared after the break. Park Ji Sung fired narrowly over immediately, as the world champions attempted to gain parity.
United dictated the second half tempo, but with their new-found attacking instincts now functioning, there remained the danger of a counter attack.
Nonetheless, a Ronaldo header, from Darren Fletcher's cross served to remind the Londoners who they were dealing with. Just wide on that occasion.
A Zamora shot, from an unlikely angle alleviated the Fulham pressure and gave United a jitter before Rooney fed Ronaldo to shoot straight at Schwarzer on the hour.
Fletcher was next to try his luck, before a combination of Rooney and Ronaldo almost prized Hodgson's side open. The Scouser crossed from the right and Ronaldo, frustrated to the point of a booking, could only direct his header at Australia's number 1.
The custodian had to be on full alert moments later, pulling off an incredible pair of saves to protect Fulham's clean sheet. Park fired from close range and was denied; Rooney's follow up was shut out by Schwarzer in stunning fashion.
The wave of pressure never let up; Ferdinand, as well as Ronaldo and Rooney had another chance apiece as the game ebbed towards the last 15 minutes.
However, that threat of a counter-attack ultimately outdid the Champions League holders. Pouring forward, Ferguson's side were caught by Andy Johnson running down the right. The Red Devils had scant cover when Johnson sent the cross over. Subsitute Zoltan Gera was well placed in the box to control and fire an overhead shot into the corner to sink United.
Wayne Rooney's temper then further agonised Sir Alex; throwing the ball away, the England forward was handed a second yellow card to reduce his side to nine men.
Line Ups:
Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer - Paintsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky - Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Dempsey (Gera 82') - Zamora (Kamara 77'), Johnson
Manchester United (4-4-2): van der Sar - O'Shea (Tevez 70'), Evans, Ferdinand, Evra - Fletcher, Scholes, Park, Giggs - Ronaldo, Berbatov (Rooney h/t)
Goals:
Fulham: Murphy PEN 18', Gera 87'
Manchester United:
Cards:
Fulham: Paintsil 42', Dempsey 70'
Manchester United: Scholes SENT OFF 17', Evans 27', Evra 45', Ronaldo 55', Rooney 81', 88' SENT OFF
Referee: Phil Dowd
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Unfinished business
Rio Ferdinand was pleased to avoid the English sides in the Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday, and says United will be aiming to rectify defeat to FC Porto in 2004 when the teams meet next month.
“We've got unfinished business with Porto after they beat us at Old Trafford a few years ago,” Rio told ManUtd.com. “I'm excited about the game and looking forward to it.
“It's a decent draw. It's a bit of a cliche, but at this stage of the tournament whoever you play is going to be difficult. We’ll have to be on top of our game to get through.”
United are certainly in the more favourable half of the draw, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea all battling it out for a place in the final, where United, Porto, Arsenal or Villarreal will await them.
“I'm pleased to have avoided the English teams at this stage,” added Rio “Emotionally and physically it would have been draining – probably more than against a European team – because there's so much that goes along with playing English sides in this tournament. We know that firsthand from playing Chelsea last season.
“But we don't look too far ahead at the semi-finals. We're just focused on the quarter-final and won't be disrespecting Porto by looking at who we can play in the next round. We have to beat them first.”
Even before that, the Reds’ immediate task is getting over last Saturday’s 4-1 humbling at the hands of Liverpool. The wounds cut deep, but Ferdinand insists the result is behind the players and they’re focused on Saturday’s rare 15:00 GMT kick-off against Fulham.
“Saturday and Sunday were bad days,” he admits. “I've got a lot of friends who are Liverpool fans and I didn’t talk to them. It's out of our system now though, we've trained well this week and had four good solid days getting ready for Fulham.
“You don't ever want to lose to a team that are near you in the league, let alone your big rivals. You'd probably rather it happened against someone else, but that's part of playing football, you've got to take the rough with the smooth.”
United don’t take kindly to such defeats, so it’s a case of watch out Fulham. “We need to try and win every game we play,” adds Rio. “That's the way it is at this stage of the season. There's no time for saying we could afford to draw this game or that.
“Every game is different - the games we've played against Fulham will have no bearing on the one on Saturday. They'll come out and try to stop us playing and we've have to be able to deal with that.”
Rio was speaking to ManUtd.com, BBC Radio and PA Sport.
Ferguson: Liverpool Boss Benitez Has Spent More Than Manchester United
Rival Premier League managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez have found something else to disagree about...
Rafael Benitez might have got the better of Sir Alex Ferguson last weekend, when Liverpool went t oOld Trafford and resoundingly beat Manchester United 4-1, but the Scot has taken a snipe at the Spaniard by refuting Benitez's claim that Ferguson has spent more on transfers.
Benitez said last week that Ferguson had spent £100million more on players than he had, but the United boss was far from convinced and instructed his staff to calculate each manager's spending since Benitez took charge at Anfield five years ago.
According to United's figures, Benitez has spent £24 million more than Ferguson - and the Scot expects his Liverpool adversary to outspend him again significantly this summer.
Ferguson is quoted by ITV Sport as saying, "I was amazed at that one. I got some of the people in the sports technology department to check that out.
"He's well ahead of us in spending in the last five years.
"He said our spending power is more than theirs but he has spent £24 million more than we have.
"I think you will see Rafa producing an absolute spending spree [this summer], I think that's an absolute certainty now he has signed a new contract.
"There's talk about a recession but I don't think there will be one at Liverpool this year."
ITV Sport calculate that in terms of net spending - taking into account income from player sales - the clubs are roughly equal. Liverpool's net spending on players over the last five years is £82.5 million, while United's has been £85.5 million. Chelsea spent £154.8 million net on players over the same period, while Arsenal splashed just £3.4 million in net terms.
Ferguson also claimed that while his policy involved developing home-grown talent through United's youth system, as well as signing established stars, Benitez was more focused on bringing in established players.
He said: "There's a balance - we have signed 18 players in the last five years and eight of those have been young players. There's a balance, it's about doing the thing correctly."
Alex Ferguson Pleased With Manchester United's Porto Draw
The supreme Red Devil is contemplating the match-up with the Portuguese side with a certain amount of relish...
Alex Ferguson has reacted to Manchester United being paired with Porto in their Champions League quarter-final tie positively, and feels that it gives his men a real chance of claiming a semi-final spot once again.
"This is a good draw for us," the Scotsman told ManUtd.com. "You sometimes wonder if being at home first is a good or a bad thing but I think in this modern-day competition there's no indication of what is better.
"The only thing you hope is that you don’t lose a goal in the home tie."
The fact that United have such strong Portuguese connections themselves, with wingers Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, being prominent members of the Red Devils squad, is also something which Ferguson feels will work to United's advantage in the tie, scheduled for April 7 and 15.
"We’ve met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team," Ferguson added.
"We have had a huge Portuguese influence in the club, firstly with Carlos Quieroz but now with Cristiano and Nani. So we understand Portuguese football.
"We're happy with the draw and we're looking forward to the tie."
Premier League Preview: Fulham - Manchester United
Manchester United will be desperate to hit back after being humbled by Liverpool last week, with Fulham in the firing line...
Kick-off: 1500 GMT, Saturday March 21. Craven Cottage, London.
The Cost of Complacency
After humiliation at the hands of a bitter rival, Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate for his troops to get back on the front foot this weekend against Fulham.
Manchester United were diabolical in last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. Blunt in attack, second best in midfield and comical in defence, the Red Devils were more pub team than record breaking quintuple chasers.
The Scot’s selection will certainly make interesting reading at Craven Cottage if his threat to purge out any complacency in the ranks is to bear fruit.
It was damning that the best performer in United colours was the industrious Park Ji-Sung. The Korean’s talent may be limited in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson and Patrice Evra, but Ferguson knows there is no use for genius without application.
Luckily for the Reds, their opponents this weekend should provide the perfect springboard for a glory filled end of season.
Fulham have acquiesced to 3-0 and 4-0 defeats at their hands already in this campaign and a similar scoreline will send a message out across Europe that the beating handed out by Rafael Benitez’s men was just an aberration.
The Right Or The Wrong Time?
As Roy Hodgson watched Manchester United’s 4-1 mauling by Liverpool, he must have been in a quandary as to whether this was a good or bad result for Fulham.
Was it a sign of terminal decline or did it re-light the fuse propelling the Red Devils to an unprecedented level of success? Either way, his side are going to be the first to find out.
This isn’t to overlook the south west Londoners achievement of collecting a valuable 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers on the same day.
The Blunderers lived up to their nickname in this game as they handed the goals to their visitors. But victory cemented the Cottagers’ position in mid-table and moved them to within three points of securing their Premier League status for another year.
If they catch Manchester United in another hospitable mood, the scrap for mere survival could become elementary as the race for the final place in the inaugural Europa Cup hots up.
A victory over the Premier League and European champions would signal how far Fulham have travelled under Roy Hodgson’s stewardship and make the fans dream of dusting off their passports for a trip to the continent next season.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
March 14 vs. Bolton Wanderers (A) won 3-1 (PREM)
March 11 vs. Fulham (H) lost 2-1 (PREM)
March 7 vs. Manchester United (H) lost 4-0 (FA CUP)
March 4 vs. Hull City (H) lost 1-0 (PREM)
February 28 vs. Arsenal (A) drew 0-0 (PREM)
Manchester United
March 14 vs. Liverpool (H) lost 4-1 (PREM)
March 11 vs. Inter (H) won 2-0 (CHAMP LG)
March 7 vs. Fulham (A) won 4-0 (FA CUP)
March 4 vs. Newcastle United (A) won 2-1 (PREM)
March 1 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (N) 0-0 [4-1 pens] (W) (LEAGUE CUP)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Clint Dempsey is still a concern because he's had a nasty case of food poisoning. Aaron Hughes is sidelined, but Hodgson's squad is otherwise in tact.
Last starting XI (vs. Bolton Wanderers): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson (Nevland 90), Zamora (Kamara 84).
Possible starting XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Baird, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.
Manchester United
Nemanja Vidic is suspended after his Liverpool horror show, meaning that Jonny Evans is likely to step in. Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also recovered from injuries and are available for selection.
Last starting XI (vs. Liverpool): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick (Giggs 74), Anderson (Scholes 73), Park (Berbatov 74), Rooney, Tevez.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Park, Giggs, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham: Andy Johnson should be raring to go against the Mancunians. The predatory striker would have watched the Liverpool game with glee as the Red Devils’ back line imploded. After bagging a goal against Bolton in fortuitous circumstances, the England international should be looking to poach another on Saturday.
Manchester United: After last weekend’s defensive disaster, Jonny Evans will need to bring a sense of normality to proceedings. Nemanja Vidic’s suspension ensures he’ll be thrust back into the first team picture for the trip to London. The Ulsterman has been a terrific understudy all season, and won’t let Sir Alex Ferguson down.
PREDICTION
The mark of real champions is the ability to get over any setbacks immediately. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, Manchester United should do just that on Saturday.
Roy Hodgson saw the Reds show signs of weakness last weekend, but his side will be shown the lesson that a wounded beast is at its most dangerous at that time.
Fulham 0-3 Manchester United
Friday, March 20, 2009
CHAMPION LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL DRAW: RESULT
Quarter Final 1
Arsenal vs Villareal
Quarter Final 2
Manchester United vs FC Porto
Quarter Final 3
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Quarter Final 4
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Semifinal 1
Winner of Quarter Final 1 vs Winner of Quarter Final 2
Semifinal 2
Winner of Quarter Final 3 vs Winner of Quarter Final 4
Final
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2
Milan Would Have Beaten Manchester United - Gattuso
Rossoneri midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has said his side would have dealt with Manchester United differently...
Gennaro Gattuso, never known for mincing his words, has won many fans through his no-nonsense attitude, which extends to life off the pitch - as he demonstrated again this week.
Ringhio has been sidelined by injury but spoke at the opening of a special sports centre for children in his home town of Schiavonea, near Cosenza.
Il Corriere dello Sport, reports that he talked of lower wages, the Champions League and Milan’s league position.
“In times like these, the lowering of wages would be a case of common sense; I have already spoken to [Milan’s vice-president Adriano] Galliani about it. If the club asks anything of me, I am ready to do it," he said.
And regarding the Champions League exit of Milan's city rivals, the Italian international continued, “If we had faced Manchester United, we would have won. The Champions League is always unpredictable, and it is vital for us to get back into it. One year in the UEFA Cup is enough for us.”
The hard man also dealt with the future of the Rossoneri, “If we can beat Napoli we should be third, but next year, if [Paolo] Maldini goes and we don’t keep [Giuseppe] Favalli, we need another defender to help Thiago Silva out.
“When will I return? The doctors said it would be at least five months, that means I can’t even start thinking about it until May,” he concluded.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wants To Play In The Bernabeu - Pepe
The defender has declared that he hopes him to be with the Spanish side next year...
Pepe has yet again reiterated his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo will soon join Real Madrid by saying that he wants to play in the Bernabeu.
The Manchester United winger has been linked with a move to the Spanish
capital for some time now and could well leave England this summer.
Pepe told Marca that his Portuguese team-mate "wants to play in the Santiago Bernabeu" and that he thinks he will join the club.
"I would love Cristiano to join Madrid. He has already said in the press that he wants to come and I hope that next year he is with us," he said.
Aside from Ronaldo, Pepe spoke about two of his current team-mates; Julien Faubert and Raul, the former of whom stepped on his hand last weekend and injured him.
The defender says that he "did not intend to hurt me and apologised later" and that there is "no problem" before admitting "it is difficult to play for Real Madrid and he must be given time to settle in".
He then went on to praise his captain Raul and spoke about the defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
"For me, Raul is a player to look up to. If he is selected for the national team one must congratulate him because what he has done is not easy and he would defend Spain as if it were his own son," he said.
"Liverpool played a very strong game against us. They had chances and took them whilst we were wasteful and paid for it."
Finally, the Portugal international gave his opinion on the upcoming elections, saying that the new president has to "give stability and make Real Madrid what it once was".
He singled out Florentino Perez for praise too, saying "many people talk about Florentino Perez, he did great work for the team and bought stability to the club".
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Ramon Calderon: Cristiano Ronaldo Will Join Real Madrid
The ousted supremo has not only insisted that CR7 will be a Blanco next season, but has also boasted that it is all because of him that the Portuguese will be at the Bernabeu.
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon may have been booted out of the Santiago Bernabeu offices earlier in the year, but that has not stopped him from pursuing his obsession with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
The lawyer, who no longer has any say in how the club is run, expressed his certainty that Ronaldo would sign for Madrid as he looked back at his tumultuous two-and-a-half year term at the ‘White House’.
“I believe that my work at Real Madrid was good. We won six titles, I doubled the club’s income and in addition, one of the best players in the world will join the club as soon as the current season is over, and that is all thanks to my work,” he crowed during an interview with Cadena SER programme ‘El Larguero’.
“The past summer was not an appropriate time to make big signings but Madrid will always attract those superstars because they have the money to pay the players what they want.”
Although Calderon did not specifically mention Ronaldo’s name, AS believes that the ex-supremo is indeed referring to the Red Devil after he dismissed rumours that he had a conversation with Milan playmaker Kaka’s relatives in an airport.
“I do not want to create false expectations because the rumour is untrue,” he affirmed. “In any case, what is necessary is that the next president who comes in must sign the best players in the world.”
Finally, the 57-year-old revealed that he will not be attending the re-staging of the botched General Assembly, nor will he run again for the presidential elections.
“I must not attend the Assembly as I have been ordered to stay away from it. I just wanted to say today that I will not hide from anybody and if the courts summon me, I’ll be more than happy to testify,” he concluded.
“And I will not appear in the elections either. I left my current term because it was killing me and I had to think about all the damage it was doing to me and to my family.”
Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: Manchester United Still Favourites For Premier League
The French tactician admits the title race is far from concluded, but feels that the Red Devils' game in hand gives them a great advantage...
Manchester United had the chance to move seven points clear of Chelsea and ten ahead of Liverpool when they hosted the Reds at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Instead, Rafa Benitez's side gave the Red Devils an absolute mauling, running out 4-1 winners to close the gap at the top of the table to just four points.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has had his say on the weekend's events, and while he believes that either one of the top three clubs could yet win the Premier League this season, he feels the balance is still in United's favour.
"There are two things I'd like to say. Firstly, congratulations to Liverpool for winning with an emphatic score, but I think... it is a very flattering score," Wenger is quoted as saying in The Independent.
"For big spells in the game, Manchester United dominated but they made mistakes on the day that usually they don't do. Some players looked a bit mentally tired.
"It opens up the race for the title, even though I still believe Manchester United are in a strong position with the game in hand."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand Won't Blame Vidic For Liverpool Defeat
Rio has declared that he won't hold his defensive partner responsible for United's drubbing by the Merseysiders...
On the scale of things, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic had a fairly terrible day at the office on Saturday. Receiving a straight red for bringing down Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and making a mistake that allowed Fernando Torres to convert an equaliser, it really was not the big Serbian's day.
Speaking to MUTV, Rio Ferdinand gave his thoughts on the 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
"The sending-off and third goal came at a really critical time. I thought the referee's decision to send Vida off was debatable as I could have got over there to cover," he said.
"Vida has been one of our most consistent players this season and everyone is allowed to make a mistake, so we won’t be getting on his back."
After a refusal to castigate his fellow defender, Ferdinand summarised the game from his perspective.
"It was a nervy start from both teams but we took the lead and started to get a foot in the game," he continued.
"Even when they were 2-1 up, we started to turn the screw in the second half and Carlos Tevez had a half-chance".
The England stopper only displayed positivity despite suffering such a horrendous defeat, claiming that his team would use the loss as a learning experience.
"Losing any game is disappointing, losing to your big rivals is even worse and the scoreline compounds that," he said.
"But we have to turn this into a positive. This game will have torn out any sub-conscious complacency there may have been. We got a rude awakening today that if we don’t go out and work hard as a collective unit then we won’t get the results.
"We now have time to dust ourselves down and get our minds on the game against Fulham next week. It would have been nice if that game was right round the corner but we have to deal with what’s in front of us."
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Liverpool Storm Past Manchester United To Close Gap At Top
Liverpool came from behind to hit four goals at Old Trafford and reduce the gap at the top of table on a miserable day for the champions who also had Nemanja Vidic sent off.
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool
After swatting aside Inter and Real Madrid in midweek, Manchester United and Liverpool renewed Premier League hostilities at Old Trafford.
Both sides made changes for the hotly-anticipated clash, Carlos Tevez replacing Dimitar Berbatov for the champions who also included Anderson and Park Ji-Sung in their starting line-up at the expense of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Liverpool, meanwhile brought in Lucas Leiva for the injured Xabi Alonso and were also forced into a late change with Sami Hypia coming in for Alvaro Arbeloa after the Spaniard suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
United began the game brightly and with only three minutes on the clock had opened up Rafael Benitez’s side.
Carlos Tevez out on the right squared a ball to Park inside the box who looked to shoot but his effort was blocked and flew over the bar after a vital challenge by Jamie Carragher.
After a slow start Liverpool quickly warmed to their task with skipper Steven Gerrard once again urging his side forwards.
With only 10 minutes gone the skipper burst inside the box before trying to cut inside Nemanja Vidic but the Serbian did well to deny him sight of Van der Sar’s goal and clear the danger.
Yet Liverpool’s other talisman Fernando Torres was also causing problems in the usually unflappable United defence.
The Spaniard showed superb skill to turn inside Rio Ferdinand and weave into the box but he needed an extra touch to surge past John O’Shea which just allowed Vidic to clear.
A game that had been slow to get going was beginning to warm up nicely and mid-way through the first-half Old Trafford saw its first goal.
A super ball by Tevez inside Carragher and Hypia found Park inside the box. The Korean latched onto the ball but Reina came out quickly to deny the United man but only succeeded in bringing him down and conceding a penalty.
Up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo who calmly slotted his kick past the Liverpool keeper to hand his side the lead.
The goal filled the home side with confidence but it was short-lived as a mistake by none other than Nemanja Vidic ensured that United’s advantage lasted only five minutes.
A long ball upfield by Martin Skrtel was badly misjudged by the centre-back who allowed the ball to bounce over his head.
Facing his own goal the Serbian was then beaten to the ball by Torres who advanced on goal before slipping the ball effortlessly past Van der Sar.
United looked stunned but were quickly back in action at the other end as they sought to re-establish their lead.
Tevez almost profited from a moment of indecision from Reina, after the Spaniard fumbled a Ronaldo free kick, before Michael Carrick thrashed a shot inches over the bar.
Yet at the other end Torres was looking a real threat for the Reds and only minutes before half-time there was to be even more drama in an already action-packed first period.
A splendid ball from Torres into the United box saw Patrice Evra upend Gerrard and once again referee Alan Wiley showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Skipper Gerrard dusted himself down to take the kick and planted it past Van der Sar to hand the Reds a priceless lead at the interval.
A grim-faced United emerged from the break and within minutes had hit the post. A right-wing cross from Ronaldo took a deflection and Reina could only watch as it rattled his near post before grabbing it gratefully.
Ten minutes later and a Tevez cross again had Reina struggling before, back-pedalling, he just managed to tip it over his bar.
United were dominant and were only inches away from grabbing an equaliser on the hour mark.
A Ronaldo cross to the far post found Rooney guiding the ball back to Tevez right in front of goal but Skrtel did just enough to deny the striker from close range.
Yet in truth United were struggling to penetrate a Liverpool side happy to defend their lead and, with time ticking away, Sir Alex made a triple substitution sending on Berbatov, Giggs and Scholes for Anderson, Carrick and Park.
However, minutes after the substitution and Manchester United found themselves down to 10-men after Vidic was sent off for hauling back Gerrard as he surged goalwards.
From the resulting free-kick Fabio Aurelio lifted a brilliant effort over the wall and low into the corner of Van der Sar’s goal to seal victory.
Yet there was still time for even more joy for the visiting side. Another long ball forward found substitute Andrea Dossena lifting a neat finish over Van der Sar as United shipped four goals on a day their lead at the top was also cut to just four points.
Manchester United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick (Scholes, 74), Anderson (Giggs, 74), Park (Berbatov, 74), Rooney, Tevez.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard (El Zhar, 90), Riera (Dossena, 68), Torres (Babel, 81).
GOALS
1-4 Liverpool (Dossena, 90 + 1)
1-3 Liverpool (Aurelio, 76)
1-2 Liverpool (Gerrard, pen 44)
1-1 Liverpool (Torres, 28)
1-0 Manchester United (Ronaldo, pen 23)
Sky Pundit Andy Gray Tips Manchester United For Premier League Title
The owner of one of the most famous Scottish accents in England can't see beyond the Red Devils for this campaign's crown...
Andy Gray, a man who collected a fair few winners' medals of his own during a lenghty playing career with Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton, thinks that Manchester United are now certainties to win the Premier League.
Sky Sports' expert summariser, whose voice is heard by countless millions during televsion coverage of the English top division, has said today that the title race is as good as over, whatever Liverpool manage to achieve in tomorrow's match-up with the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
"I think the league’s done, I think United will definitely win the league," Gray told ManUtd.com.
"They know how to get the job done, and that's the most impressive thing. They have already won the Carling Cup and the Club World Cup, but you can always fall down in knockout competitions.
"You just need one off-day where you’re below par, a referee’s decision going against you and you’re out of the tournament. That’s the biggest threat I think. Four of the biggest teams in the country will be in the FA Cup if Arsenal get through their quarter-final, and the Champions League is extremely tough. Now they’re at the sharp end."
And Gray was full of praise for key individuals in the United team, hailing their defenders and central midfielders in particular as reasons for their dominance this season.
"When you’ve got two centre-backs like [Rio] Ferdinand and [Nemanja] Vidic you’ve got a pretty good basis for anything," he added.
"As a pair, they’re as good as anything United have had. [Steve] Bruce and [Gary] Pallister come to mind, but for the modern game Ferdinand and Vidic are just about exactly what you would want.
"I thought United might struggle in the middle of midfield this year. Everyone’s been waiting for Michael Carrick to step up and just say: ‘You know what, I’m going to play game in, game out and start influencing every game.’
"With Scholesy at 34 and Giggsy at 35, Anderson still young, I thought the big teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal might find them wanting, but they haven’t.
"Carrick has played a lot of games this year, and you can count on it being him and one other in the centre for the big games. Darren Fletcher is a real steady Eddie, you’d want him in your squad every time – he’s a much better player than people give him credit for.
"But I think this is the year when Michael has stepped forward as a United player. Keane’s gone, Scholesy’s 34, Giggsy’s 35, these fantastic players might not be able to do a whole season. I was waiting for somebody to step up, and I think it’s been him."
Guus Hiddink Wants Liverpool Victory At Manchester United
The Chelsea manager isn't strictly neutral when it comes to watching tomorrow's lunchtime epic in the North West...
Guus Hiddink has admitted to taking a highly partial stance when it comes to tomrrow afternoon's eagerly awaited Premier League heavyweight battle between Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Chelsea manager has revealed that he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at Old Trafford, and that he is hoping for a vicotry for Liverpool that will provide a huge boost to his own team's lingering hopes of claiming the league title.
His Chelsea side face Manchester City at home on Sunday, aware that even with a hundred per cent league record under the Dutchman of three wins in three outings, they are still seven points behind United. Hiddink feels that the Blues will have to win every single remaining league match if they are to have any chance of catching Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils.
"Our first concern is our game of course against Manchester City," Hiddink told The Daily Telegraph.
"We have the possibility to watch. It will be a beautiful clash to watch and if Liverpool can do some harm then great because it will make for a more exciting end to the season. But United look very determined and if they win then they can do the same to Liverpool.
"When I said we could win the league we were on schedule at that time but United have not made any mistakes since and neither are we. Until it is impossible, then we will fight."
As for Didier Drogba, who has made something of a return to form since Hiddink's arrival at the club, the Dutchman refused to be drawn on what was different with the player, and also asserted that he had found no trace of the rumoured 'cliques' at the club.
"I don't know what is different," he said of Drogba.
"I only saw him in the World Cup, and after, not so much in person, but he is very committed for the team, he has responded very well to the team and contributes very well in the team.
"I didn't find any isolated group of players within the team. It's easy when you have won games to say as a manager that it has improved but I have not seen what happened before. It is more interesting to see the reaction when things have not gone well in one or two games than it is when you have won a few."
Giggs Urges Manchster United To Use Caution Ahead Of Liverpool Clash
Veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs is wary about the threat posed by Manchester United's weekend opposition, Liverpool...
Liverpool disposed of historic heavyweights Real Madrid in convincing, and unforgiving, fashion midweek with a 4-0 scoreline that could easily have been doubled had it not been the heroics of Iker Casillas.
Manchester United too progressed to the final eight in the Champions League by slaying Serie A side Inter, but even though both will be riding a high wave, veteran versatile midfielder Ryan Giggs has warned his United side of a strong Liverpool performance when the Merseysiders visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
"They've proven again this season they are a top European side, something they've managed to do over the last four or five years," Giggs asserted to This Is London.
"But this year I feel they've improved, they've got good players, and so we're not going to be complacent. We know we will need to play well to win. If we do then it will obviously make it difficult for them to win the title.
"The games might be running out and the momentum is with us, but we still have to go out and win. I'm sure after their great result and performance the other night they'll be looking forward to the game as much as we are.
"No matter what is riding on the outcome, United versus Liverpool is one of the games of the season, and as they're our closest rivals right now, along with Chelsea, it makes it a massive game," he concluded.
Premier League Preview: Manchester United - Liverpool
This week's English action kicks off with the undisputed pick of the round as Rafa's Reds travel up the East Lancs Road in the hope of keeping their title dreams alive...
Kick-off: Saturday, March 14 2009, 12:45 GMT. Old Trafford, Manchester.
In The Bag?
For Manchester United, a win this weekend would all but guarantee them a third consecutive Premier League crown. They already sit seven points and a game in hand ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea, so three points against their North West rivals would all but decide the title race.
Funnily enough, the Red Devils began 2009 as outsiders on the domestic scene. Their sojourn in Japan for the Club World Cup - and the stuttering form of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Blues - allowed the men from Merseyside to gallop clear at the tabletop at the turn of the year.
But a run of 11 straight league wins since Boxing Day has seen United reclaim their perch at the summit of the standings. They will hope to continue that trend when they host the Reds on Saturday lunchtime, and none more so than Scouse striker Wayne Rooney.
"I grew up an Everton fan, my whole family are Everton fans and I grew up hating Liverpool – and that hasn't changed," the former Goodison Park hero said on Thursday.
"I think coming to Old Trafford will be a difficult game for them. They know they need to win, they need the three points. I'm sure they will be up for it and we certainly will be too.
"It will certainly end Liverpool's chances if we win and that's why we're looking forward to it."
United come into the clash in high spirits and surrounded by talk of a 'Quintuple' after their Champions League triumph over Inter, but their upcoming opponents should take even more confidence from their midweek exploits.
All Or Nothing
You wouldn't have known Liverpool were struggling for form if you watched their demolition of Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.
Having grabbed a 1-0 win in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to an air-tight defensive display, the Mersey giants then proceeded to put four unanswered goals past a helpless Iker Casillas in the return fixture, thus booking their sport in the quarter-finals.
However, as is so often the case with Rafael Benitez's side, their European efforts are in no way reflective of their domestic situation. For example, the impressive victory in Spain two weeks ago was followed up immediately by a disastrous 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough. Many would would tipping a similarly sluggish showing at Old Trafford this weekend.
Liverpool haven't fared especially well in their arch-rivals' den over the past few years; in fact, the last time they returned with three points in league play was in 2004, when Danny Murphy was the hero. However, they are yet to lose against a Big Four opponent this term, and they will hope to replicate their 2-1 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's champions at Anfield earlier in the campaign.
The Reds, who have won just three league games since their 5-1 mauling of Newcastle United at the end of December, are well aware that defeat against United would end their title chase once and for all. And Martin Skrtel has assured the Kopites that they will be going all-out for the win.
The Slovakian centre-half, who starred against Los Blancos, said recently, "Any result other than a win would mean a definite end to our title hopes.
"Despite the point difference, we are going into the match with the goal of winning. We will see if we can do it but, one thing is for sure, we are in a good mood after beating Real."
And as United would draw level with Liverpool on 18 English championships should they win this season, there is no lack of motivation for Benitez's boys.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
Mar 11 Man United 2-0 Inter (Champions League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Man United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Newcastle 1-2 Man United (Premier League)
Mar 01 Man United *0-0 Tottenham (Carling Cup)
Feb 24 Inter 0-0 Man United (Champions League)
Liverpool
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 25 Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Feb 22 Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Ferguson's defence remains light on personnel, with Gary Neville, Wes Brown and Rafael da Silva all sidelined, but Rio Ferdinand is expected to start after coming through Wednesday's win over the Nerazzurri unscathed. The very capable Jonny Evans will be on stand-by.
Rooney is likely to partner Dimitar Berbatov in attack, although Carlos Tevez - who scored at Anfield in October - may well feature in some capacity.
Possible XI: Van der Sar - O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra - Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs - Berbatov, Rooney
Liverpool
Albert Riera should return to the starting lineup after missing the midweek mauling of Madrid through suspension. Ryan Babel will most probably make way, despite a bright showing against the Merengues.
Danish defender Daniel Agger is still hampered by a back problem, but Yossi Benayoun - who hasn't played since scoring at the Bernabeu last month - is a chance to make the squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem.
Possible XI: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio - Mascherano, Alonso - Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera - Torres
PLAYER TO WATCH
Manchester United
After his controversial comments during the week, all eyes will be on Wayne Rooney as he attempts to kill off Liverpool's title hopes. The 23-year-old is perhaps not in the finest form of his career, but everyone knows what the former Evertonian is capable of.
Liverpool
At the other end of the park, Fernando Torres will be aiming to notch up his first strike against Man United. The ex-Atletico Madrid star has already shrugged one monkey off his back this week by netting against his old crosstown rivals, and he'll be the man the Reds look to as they attempt to re-enter the title race on Saturday.
PREDICTION
The Mancs must fancy themselves to effectively close the book on their rival Reds' domestic campaign. A draw would do them little harm, while the visitors cannot afford anything but a win. With the virtual threat of elimination hanging over their heads, Rafa's mob might well produce a continental-class performance - but don't count on it.
Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool