French left-back Patrice Evra believes the derby win over local rivals Manchester City gave Sir Alex Ferguson's men a further lift as they go into Wednesday evening's tie against Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic outfit.
"We’re nearly there," Evra explained to MUTV. "If we win against Wigan, it will be very important for winning the title. But it’s not finished yet. Now we need a good recovery before we play our next game."
Evra was also insistent that the double-hopefuls need to take things one game at a time. "We have a Champions League final to look forward to, but we have to put that to the back of our minds and concentrate on the league,” he said.
"The win against City was very important for the team. When you play in the league after playing in the European Cup, [it] can be tough. It’s the Manchester derby and we are all very happy, it was an important three points. Liverpool won and went top [on Saturday], so we knew we had to do our job."
Regarding Carlos Tevez, who is the subject of endless speculation as he is fast approaching the conclusion of his two-year loan spell, Evra said, "It was very crucial for the team to get the second goal just before half-time.
"‘Carlitos’ is a world-class player and he showed his quality. You could tell City felt a bit down after that goal. I am very pleased for Carlitos. Whenever he plays, he respects the shirt of Manchester United.
"He is a great professional."
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
Blog Traffics
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Patrice Evra Warns Manchester United Against Complacency & Hails Carlos Tevez
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo Brushes Off Transfer Speculation Once Again
Cristiano Ronaldo has yet again made it clear that he has no desire to leave Premier League giants Manchester United any time soon.
The 24-year-old versatile winger was used as a front-man against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday and, after scoring twice to help the Red Devils progress to the final, he has insisted that he is only concentrating on taking more silverware back to Old Trafford.
The 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year has continuously been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid since last summer.
However, the 62-time capped Portugal international has said that there is no substance to the reports, asserting that he is committed to Manchester United.
"I've responded to this question many times. I am very happy at Manchester and I want to stay here," Ronaldo told The Sun.
"I am very focused on winning the Champions League."
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
Manchester United Is The Only Team For Me - Carlos Tevez
Carlos Tevez has insisted that he cannot imagine playing for any team other than Manchester United.
Manchester United have a contractual agreement with Media Sport Investments, the agency that own the rights to Carlos Tevez, that see to it that the pint-sized striker stays at Old Trafford until the end of this season.
It is believed that a bid in the region of €30 million would have to be placed in order to make Tevez's stay at United a permanent one. And in spite of many links to other top European clubs, Tevez has claimed that he can only see himself playing for the Red Devils.
"My loan deal ends in June but I cannot think of any team except United," he told Sport magazine.
"The United fans love me and my family is very happy, both in Manchester and in England.
"My thoughts are only about winning titles with United, and if this happens then I hope I will still be here next season.
"I do not want to play with any other team. I always follow my heart, and my heart is telling me it will be impossible for me to leave English football."
The Argentine was also full of praise for his current gaffer, claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson's approach to managing has had a massive effect on his career.
"He is always the boss," he said.
"There is never any doubt who is in charge, but he is also a gentleman.
"From the moment I arrived, he has treated me with respect as a person.
"His greatest quality is that, for him, there are no star players – everyone is equal, whether they cost many millions or are a young player who hasn't played many times for the team.
"When I see him work he reminds me of Carlos Bianchi, who was my coach at Boca Juniors in Argentina.
"Both have had a big influence on my career, and both know how to treat people."
Tevez also expressed his thoughts on whom he believes to be amongst the world's greatest footballers, saying that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two most talented players he has ever seen, and confessing that he would love to have Messi play alongside him at Old Trafford.
"Sometimes [Ronaldo's] performances are almost from a different planet," he said.
"He is a truly special talent and the only other player who I think is on the same level as him today is my Argentinian team-mate Lionel Messi.
"He is at Barcelona now, but I think they could play very well together – they are the only men in football who can win a game on their own.
"They are complete because they are both superb dribblers who also have a very good eye for goal. I would love to have them both with me in the same team."
Stephen Crawford, Goal.com
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
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."
Friday, March 20, 2009
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.”
Monday, March 9, 2009
Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic & Jonny Evans On Milan Shortlist – Report
The Rossoneri are being linked with a €33.4 million swoop for the Red Devils' defensive duo...
Italian giants Milan are preparing an offer in the region of €22.2 million (£20m) for Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic, according to a report in British newspaper The Daily Mail.
It is claimed that the 27-year-old Serbia international has already held talks with il Diavolo and an agent about a potential transfer at the end of the season. This news breaks just days before the Red Devils' Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Inter on February 24.
Meanwhile, it is also alleged that the Rossoneri have identified fellow United defender Jonny Evans as another possible recruit for the summer.
Apparently, the Serie A outfit are prepared to bid around €11.1m (£10m) for the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international.
However, it is believed that Milan may face competition for the 6ft 2in centre-back's signature because Spanish giants Real Madrid are also rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services.
Despite the speculation, it is unlikely that Manchester United would sell the duo given they are two of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe at present.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo May Not Succeed At Real Madrid - Carlos Cuellar
Cristiano Ronaldo should think twice before swapping Manchester United for Real Madrid because it may not be such a good move for him, Carlos Cuellar believes.
Aston Villa's Carlos Cuellar believes that Cristiano Ronaldo would be better off staying with Manchester United because he is unsure if the Portuguese star would be a success in the slower Spanish league.
The former Osasuna and Rangers defender thinks that the lack of space and the slower build-up in the Primera Division would take something away from the Ballon d’Or winner's game.
Real Madrid pursued Ronaldo last summer and have been linked with another move this term but Cuellar is not sure that it would be a dream move for either club or player.
"I am not sure that [the Spanish] league would be the best for him," Cuellar told AS. "He is a great player but the game in Spain is much more tactical than here, going forward it is slower and it works in a different way.
"His explosiveness and speed are better suited here.
"I compare [Ronaldo] to [Fernando] Torres, who is thriving here much more than he did with Atletico [Madrid] because he is quick and can take advantage of the space that exists in Premier League defences."
When asked which players from the Premier he feels could be a success in the Spanish league, Cuellar had no doubts.
"[Wayne] Rooney, [Carlos] Tevez, [Steven] Gerrard and a lot of the Chelsea players because the way they play is better suited than Cristiano is," he continued.
Ashley Young was also linked with Real Madrid and Cuellar believes that he would be a success in La Primera.
"He would make it in Spain,” the defender said of his team-mate. “He is very good going forward on the right or the left. He is fast and likes to run at players. He has great quality and likes to work hard for the team.”
Cuellar then stated that he feels Chelsea are the best team he has faced in England and thinks that Manchester United have enjoyed their fair share of luck this term.
"The team that has made us suffer the most is Chelsea,” he explained. “They have quality, speed, mobility, they keep possession...
"United are very good but they have been lucky and have won games when they have not played well.”
Monday, February 23, 2009
Nemanja Vidic Nearly Joined Liverpool Instead Of Manchester United
The Serbian central defender claims he was close to signing for his club's bitter rivals...
Manchester United's influential Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has revealed that he nearly joined Liverpool and Fiorentina before turning both down and signing for the Red Devils.
The 27-year-old joined the Premier League champions from Spartak Moscow in 2006, and has since helped the club win two Premier League trophies and one Champions League title.
He has gone on to become one of the most formidable defenders in the England, and his reputation carries on growing as his time at Old Trafford continues.
The Serbia international has stated that he nearly never made the move to Manchester, but opted out of two deals before agreeing a deal with United in a deal worth around £7 million.
Speaking to The Independent, Vidic said, "I was talking with Liverpool. I was very close to Fiorentina, then Liverpool and after that Manchester United. Definitely I made the right choice.
"At that time it was a hard choice but when you look at it now with the three years we have won many trophies and I play regularly.
"Liverpool started the meetings, then they stopped. If I had stayed at Spartak Moscow I would have had more money than at United because they offered me more money to stay. Professionally, to go to Europe, United was the best choice."
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Boluda Sees Cristiano Ronaldo At Real Madrid; Wants Juande To Stay
Los Blancos’ interim supremo is proving to be just as stubborn as his predecessor, especially when it comes to the transfer of a certain Portuguese winger…
Real Madrid stand-in president, Vicente Boluda has remained defiantly adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United to play for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit in the very near future.
Boluda further exhibited the typical doggedness required to lead the club when he commented on the future of several key personnel as well as the team’s chances of silverware this term.
“There are socios (club members) who say to me that they do not like [Predrag] Mijatovic, but he is a player who has given a lot to Real Madrid and at the moment, he is doing a good job for us. He knows a lot about football,” the president said in his interview on Cadena SER program, ‘El Larguero’.
Mijatovic, the club’s sporting director, has come under enormous pressure this season due to a number of transfer bungles and he has now been put under heavy scrutiny after being accused of receiving commissions for player purchases.
“I am going to put myself on the line now and say that if someone has evidence that he has been receiving commissions, I will personally accompany him to the courts,” Boluda boomed.
The focus then shifted to the future of current coach, Juande Ramos, and eternal transfer target, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I would like to extend Juande’s stay at the club, but I can’t do it if none of the [presidential] candidates request it.
“And as for Cristiano, I see him playing at the Bernabeu in the future,” he added.
Los Blancos successfully cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the Primera Division standings to 10 points at the weekend and Boluda’s confidence of silverware success has doubled.
“I am convinced that we are going to win La Liga and we will also be in the final of the Champions League on May 27,” he said.
The presi concluded by hinting that the elections will be held on the first week of July.
Resource: Goal.com
Liverpool & Manchester United Eyeing Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson – Report
The England Under-21 international is attracting interest from the Premier League's top two teams, who could be willing to pay £10 million for his services...
According to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror, Premier League table-toppers Liverpool and Manchester United are tracking Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson.
The England Under-21 international winger, who has scored twice in 11 caps, was linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the January transfer window.
Boro manager Gareth Southgate is eager to hold on to the club's top home-grown players, including Stewart Downing, David Wheater and Johnson.
However, with Middlesbrough two points from safety in the Premier League table, relegation is a real possibility. If they were to finish in the bottom three, the financial blow of demotion coupled with the ambition of their players would almost certainly force Boro to sell their stars.
It is claimed that Manchester United and Liverpool are willing to offer £10 million for the versatile winger, who can play on either side of the pitch. Meanwhile, Boro are reportedly holding out for at least £12m.
Resource: Goal.com
Friday, February 13, 2009
Next Real Madrid President Will Have Cristiano Ronaldo Option - Report
Cristiano Ronaldo's future is set to be the subject of another long-running saga this summer as Real Madrid are reported to have a deal in place that means the next president can sign him.
Real Madrid's next president will have the option to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in July after the current chief pushed through an agreement that will put everything in place for the transfer, according to a report.
Vicente Boluda, who will step down as interim president at the end of this season, has decided to press ahead with the deal and has signed all the necessary paperwork for Los Merengues to borrow around €70 million of the €100m transfer fee.
AS state that Ronaldo and his agent have also put pen-to-paper on a contract that would see Madrid receive a hefty compensation fee should the Portuguese star back out of a summer move.
One hitch still remains. AS has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson's wrath is still likely to have an influence on any proposed move, and the Scot could well block the transfer.
Ronaldo's story filled newspapers in Spain and England last summer and look set to do so again this year, with AS already at the forefront of the rumours once more.
According to the paper, the Portuguese international would earn an annual salary of €12m, his agent would pocket a fee of €8m for brokering the deal, and the transfer fee would be around €100m.
If agreed, the move could leave the new president with a huge financial problem on his hands as the Spanish giants already said to be around €300 million in debt.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Carlos Tevez Could Leave Manchester United For Real Madrid - Ossie Ardiles
At the end of last season, the idea that Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester United would be in doubt within six months' time would have seemed far-fetched, at best.
However, that is exactly the situation in which the Argentine forward currently finds himself, as he has plummeted down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur has essentially seen Tevez relegated to the role of back-up for Wayne Rooney, whose first-team status seems assured regardless of form.
And Ossie Ardiles, the former Spurs superstar, believes it will only be a matter of time before 'Carlitos' gives up on the Red Devils and shoves off to Real Madrid, his long-time suitors.
"Until that day he [Tevez] has been happy in Manchester," the World Cup winner told ESPN. "But for sure if he doesn’t play, moving to Madrid would delight him.
"Tevez has been playing less since Berbatov arrived. If he’s not played in the starting line-up, then he will have to think twice about his future.
"Because every time he was given the chance to ply his trade, Carlitos played well and scored goals."
Tevez has netted ten times this season, although only three of those have come in the Premier League.
Santander Bank Ready To Help Real Madrid Buy Cristiano Ronaldo
The world famous Banco Santander is set to play a huge role in what is expected to be the sequel to the CR7-Real Madrid transfer saga this coming summer…
It does sound like a movie but it is anything but fantasy as the rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid takes another new twist.
It has been reported that Banco Santander, the largest bank in the Euro region who are also the main corporate sponsors for the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team and the Copa Libertadores, have approved of Madrid’s application for a massive loan.
According to an informer, Jose Ramon de la Morena, who spoke to Cadena SER radio programme, ‘El Larguero’, the Santander-based group have already granted Los Blancos a whopping €70 million credit to assist them in signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United this coming June.
It does not mean, however, that that amount is the set price-tag for the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, but it is the maximum credit limit for Madrid, as the club cannot exceed 20 per cent of their budget expenses.
The ‘White House’ are expected to have enough in their own pockets to cover the rest of the transfer fee, which will more likely than hit close to the €100 million mark.
And according to Spanish sports daily, AS, United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will have to release the Portuguese this time around if a fee can be reached between the two clubs and if the player himself decides to leave.
Ronaldo had made Ferguson sign a written agreement during their meeting in Lisbon last August and it stipulates that the winger will be allowed to leave in June 2009 should the opportunity arise.
But the Madrid-based paper also believes that the Red Devils have included a confidentiality clause in the pact, whereby the agreement can be unilaterally broken if the details are leaked to the press and it harms the Old Trafford club.
Los Blancos’ current interim chief, Vicente Boluda, will hand all relevant information, from the credit concession from Santander to the written agreement with Ronaldo, to the candidate to be elected as Madrid’s next president.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Carlos Tevez Offered New Manchester United Deal - Report
Despite earlier reports emanating from Italy that suggested a Serie A giant was waiting to pounce, it looks as though the Argentinean will remain a Red Devil...
Manchester United are set to secure the future of their Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez, reports in England indicate today.
Earlier, there had been suggestions from Italy that Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan was waiting to snare the player. However, after a meeting between United manager Alex Ferguson and Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, following the weekend's victory over Everton, it now looks likely that the Argentine international will be staying in England, according to The Daily Mirror.
Ferguson has seemingly been highly impressed with the way in which Tevez has responded so positively to being left out of the side earlier in the season, with the striker being recalled to the first-team after Wayne Rooney was injured last month.
Tevez had reportedly felt marginalised after the Red Devils signed Dimitar Berbatov in the summer but, rather than sulking about things, he has rolled his sleeves up and performed magnificently whenever called upon by Ferguson.
It is believed that the deal will be worth £30 million, but how that breaks down with the complicated issue of Tevez's 'third-party' registration is impossible to say at this stage.
The player himself, already reputed to be on £75,000 a week, will be offered a contract that will see him take home £11.7m during the three year duration of the deal. Perhaps a good job then that United also announced pre-tax profits of £59.6m this week.
Resource: Goal.com
Inter And Jose Mourinho To Snare Carlos Tevez – Report
Tevez is out of contract and the Milanese giants are ready to lure him to Appiano Gentile...
Inter are reportedly favourites to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, as he will be free to find another club when his current deal, which was brokered between the English giants and Media Sports Investment, who own him, expires this summer.
Sportmediaset claims the player has refused a number of offers from Sir Alex Ferguson, as he wants out of Old Trafford in search of regular football. Dimitar Berbatov's summer arrival has seen Tevez being used sparingly, and his chances of first team action have been limited at best.
With an exit looking likely, Inter are moving to land the Argentinean striker. Jose Mourinho is keen on the hitman, as is president Massimo Moratti, who wanted to sign Tevez when he played for West Ham United.
Reports suggest that the Nerazzurri are waiting to pounce as they consider the striker to be the ideal partner for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Mario Balotelli, Julio Cruz, Adriano and Hernan Crespo are all unlikely to be regulars at San Siro given the various problems that they have all had with their coach.
It is believed Inter will get the transfer ball rolling when they arrive in Manchester later this month for their Champions League clash with the Red Devils. The key will be to tempt the striker with a lucrative deal, in addition to convincing him that a move to Serie A would be a positive step for his career.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid are some of the other clubs to have shown an interest in Tevez.
Resource: Goal.com
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Chester excited by loan
Sir Alex Ferguson may not have given the giddy media anything in the way of incoming transfers on deadline day, but it was still a big day for some of his young charges, who are now looking to gain valuable first-team experience.
James Chester, for example, "can't wait to get started" after joining Peterborough United on loan. Negotiations were no doubt smooth as the 19 year-old signed for Sir Alex's son Darren. "He's very competitive, quick and comfortable on the ball," said Ferguson junior. "He'll do us, no problem. It'll be a good experience for the boy."
Chester, who made his Reds debut against Derby County in the Carling Cup last month, has shown great promise as Reserves captain at United and will be keen to aid fourth-placed Posh in their push for promotion to the Championship.
"The move came about really quickly," says Chester, on Peterborough's official site.
"I was training with United on Sunday and when I got home I heard from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who told me to expect a call from the boss at Old Trafford. Sir Alex said he wanted me to go on loan to Peterborough, then Darren Ferguson rang me.
"I am really excited, I have been wanting to go out on loan for a little while now and this is a good move for me because I want matches under my belt and first team experience.
"It has been an exciting time for me of late, I have been on the fringes of the first team at United for a little while and that has been a good experience for me. I have watched closely some of the best defenders in the world at Old Trafford in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. I like to put a tackle in and always give my best."
Febian Brandy will also aim to give his best as he begins a third spell away from Old Trafford (previously he enjoyed two separate stints with Swansea City). Brandy, who turns 20 this week, joins League One outfit Hereford United in their attempts to stave off relegation.
Meanwhile, German goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, also 20 this month, has extended his stay at Northampton Town.
In other loan news, Tom Cleverley scored his first goal in the Football League last night (Tuesday) as Leicester City maintained their 10-point lead at the top of League One. It was the United midfielder's fifth appearance for the Foxes, resulting in a 4-1 away win at Walsall with Cleverley's goal making it 3-0 just after half-time.
Resource: manutd.com
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Manchester United Defender James Chester Joins Peterborough On Loan
Promising Red Devils defender James Chester will be joining Posh club Peterborough on a short-term loan deal.
Peterborough United have shored up their defence by bringing in hotly-rated Manchester United youngster James Chester, 20, on a short-term loan deal, confirmed by the BBC as one month.
Chester has enjoyed a burgeoning reputation at the reigning world champions as he was made captain of the reserve side while still a teenager.
The central defender bears startling similarities to Jonny Evans, who has recently been promoted to the first-team and has proved a strong partner for Nemanja Vidic.
Like Evans, Chester is an academy graduate with a strong reputation. He is strong in the challenge, a consistent performer, and is to continue his footballing education away from the club, with Sir Alex Ferguson hoping he will return in March with first-team experiences under his belt.
There are family ties between Manchester United and Peterborough United, as the League One side are managed by Sir Alex Ferguson's son, Darren, 36.
The deal follows Ferguson Jnr's admission that 23-year-old Welsh international Craig Morgan has suffered a suspected and expected broken toe in the Huddersfield tie.
Chester therefore is likely to step in for Morgan, and also Chris Westwood, who is himself spending a loan spell away from Peterborough, at Cheltenham Town.
Resource: Goal.com
Friday, January 30, 2009
Report: Carlos Tevez Weighing Up Manchester United Alternatives
Carlos Tevez is starting to seriously contemplate a future outside of Manchester United, according to a report in the British broadsheet The Guardian.
While the 24-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford in 2007, would prefer to extend his stay with the Red Devils, it is thought he is not happy that his future is yet to be decided.
Apparently, chief executive David Gill had insisted that United would pay the €24.3 million (£22m) needed to secure his services permanently before Christmas, so Tevez is concerned it is still yet to be done.
Although the 5ft 6in Argentina forward has started 22 games this season - as many as Dimitar Berbatov - a handful of those have been in the League Cup, and it has become apparent that once everybody is fit there is no place in the starting line-up for the former West Ham player.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Italian heavyweights Inter are believed to be possible destinations for the former Boca Juniors and Corinthians star, as, it is alleged, are Manchester City.
Citizens manager Mark Hughes may have acquired Robinho and Craig Bellamy this season and could still swoop for Roque Santa Cruz, but an 'inside source' at Eastlands is quoted as saying, "Mark [Hughes] certainly likes him [Carlos Tevez], he's very much a Mark Hughes type of player."
Resource: Goal.com