Giggs: We're ready to deliver

Ryan Giggs admits the Reds are “frustrated” at having let their advantage over Manchester City slip, but are determined to ensure they leave the Etihad on Monday night with the title still very much in their grasp.

Just over two weeks ago Sir Alex’s men were eight points clear of the Blues, but a change in fortunes for both clubs has seen the lead reduced to just three points. A win or a draw for United would ensure our title hopes remain in our hands, but victory for City would hand them the initiative because of their superior goal difference. Giggs, a veteran of 35 Manchester derbies, insists the players are well aware of what’s at stake and know they must perform to their best.

“We’re looking forward to the game more than anything,” he told ManUtd.com. “It’s been a long week building up to it and as a player you just want to get out onto that pitch and perform. We just can’t wait for Monday night to come.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s a tough game but it’ll be a tough game for City as well. They will be looking at it and fancying themselves to win just like ourselves because they’re a good team and they’re at home. But we’re Man United, we’re the champions and we’ll be trying to put a statement out that shows we deserve to win this league.”

Sir Alex has labelled the clash the “biggest derby in my time” and Giggs agrees that given its timing in the season and the positions both teams are in, there has never been another more important. But he says it’s vital the Reds do their utmost to block out the ever-increasing hype.

"We realise it’s a big game but as a United player you're used to that,” he added. “You’ve got to block out the hype and what’s being said – that’s been going on all through the season. One day people say City are going to win the title and then it’s United… we’re used to that. I must admit it’s hard to block it out, but you’ve got to try and be professional and not let emotions get the better of you. Your job is to train well and be ready to go out there and perform when Monday comes.”

While a point would be good enough for United to stay in control at the Barclays Premier League summit, Giggs maintains that the Reds will not simply be going there to defend.

“We’ve got to go out there and try and win,” says the 38-year-old. “Obviously if there’s a few minutes to go and it’s all square we won’t be pushing six or seven players forward and we’ll probably try and get the draw! [Laughs]. But we’ve got to go and try to win it because if we just try to defend against a very good team we might come unstuck.

“We’re the two best teams [in the league], there’s no doubt about that,” he continues. “We’ve been the two most consistent teams over the season. The likes of Tottenham and Chelsea have fallen by the wayside but we’ve carried on going. City were on fire before Christmas and we were just trying to hang on really. We managed to do that and we’ve come into form in the second half of the season. But it’s come down to this now… we’re neck and neck and it’s about whoever puts in the performance on Monday night.”

Nani wants to stay at United:).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...=feeds-newsxml

Some people thought that the club would sell him in the Summer despite them and him/his Agent entering into negotiations for a new contract:crazy:.

Guys please tell me you dont approve of that tactical display

Well we deserved to lose that, tactics were wrong and I hate to admit it but City played better.

Liverpool fans will be happy, however, they have not won the Premier League for ages so they can button it;):p.

[Friendly] Real Madrid vs Manchester United friendly arranged at the Bernabéu for the 3rd June 2012.

Looking forward to the arrivals and departures going on at United in the Summer once the last 2 matches are done now:).

Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck are ruled out of the Swansea match at Old Trafford:(.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...f-swansea.aspx

Title not coming to Old Trafford and we only have ourselves to blame for messing it up, complacency in the European games also cost us and we will end up trophyless...

Lots of rebuilding is needed in the Summer. A few departures of senior players or loan deals for youth players and a few more arrivals especially in Midfield and maybe another Striker/Full Back is needed for United.

United going to Norway during pre season:).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...=feeds-newsxml

Phil Jones has been surprised at the number of appearances he has made for Manchester United in his first season at Old Trafford.


Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out £18million to sign Jones from Blackburn last summer.

As a raw teenager, it was envisaged United would ease the Chorley-born player in gradually.

However, partly through the energy of his early performances, partly through his ability to operate in a variety of positions and with Nemanja Vidic's season ending early due to a knee injury, Jones has been thrown in at the deep end.

Sunday's win over Swansea represented his 40th appearance of the campaign in all competitions, a figure Jones finds it difficult to believe he has reached.

"It has gone really well," he said.

"If anyone had told me at the start of the season I would have made 40 appearances for Manchester United I would have snapped their hands off. It is incredible.

"I didn't expect it this season but it all started off really well.

"Perhaps I picked up a few injuries at the wrong time because at the back end of the season I couldn't really get my match fitness back.

"But now I feel good, fit and fresh and hopefully I can finish the season strongly."

Barring an unexpected turn of events in Manchester City's match against QPR next Sunday, Jones will end the campaign with a Barclays Premier League runners-up medal

Yet few who have watched Jones closely this term, particularly in the middle portion of the season when he was earning comparisons with legendary United star Duncan Edwards, doubt he is destined for the very top of the game.

Sam Allardyce knew it when he handed Jones his Blackburn debut two years ago, and asked him to mark Didier Drogba.

That he managed it was an indicator of the 20-year-old's laidback attitude, which ensured he was not overawed for long when he first wandered into United's dressing room.

"There is definitely a bit of personal intimidation," he said.

"You always raise the question to yourself. Am I good enough to be here?

"The manager has shown that faith in me. Hopefully I have repaid it.

"I found it relatively easy to adjust though, because at Blackburn I always saw myself as a player who likes to get the ball down, which is what United love to do."

Prior to Fabio Capello's surprise resignation in February it seemed Jones was a certainty to feature in England's Euro 2012 squad.

Now, with Roy Hodgson in charge and Jones' form taking a dip, it is not quite so certain.

However, the certain consolation prize would be an Olympics berth, so the youngster knows, one way or another, he is in for a busy summer.

"There are two massive competitions coming up at the end of the season," he said.

"Hopefully I can be part of one of them."

Javier Hernandez will be resting over the Summer and not going to the Olympics with Mexico as agreed by United and the Mexican FA:).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...?newsfeed=true

I hope he gets lots of rest, improves over the Summer and is fresh for next season!

United are going to be questioned by Police over the Bebe transfer, no suggestions that the club has done anything wrong so far but something doesn't add up and there was an Agent involved;).

United unveil the awful new kit!:eek:

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...-home-kit.aspx

SAF says that United have a plan to keep the pace with City in the Summer!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18040096

Ryan Giggs gets Team GB go ahead from Manchester United

Manchester United have given Ryan Giggs the go-ahead to play for Team GB at the Olympics but will not allow any of their other over-age players to do so.

The ex-Wales captain is believed to be on a shortlist of 80 for Team GB.

It is understood United have contacted the Football Association to say coach Stuart Pearce cannot select their over-age players, apart from Giggs.

The FA say they subsequently informed the club that Giggs was the only over-age United player being considered.

United have also said that Mexican striker Javier Hernandez will not play at the London Olympics.

Hernandez had initially been selected as one of Mexico's three over-age players for the tournament but Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the striker needed to rest.

And the club have ruled out Team GB coach Pearce picking Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans for the Olympic tournament at London 2012 as over-23 players.

A 2008 Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling states clubs have the right to refuse to release players for the competition as it is not on the international calendar, but United are only taking that position on their over-age players.

Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could be part of the Olympic squad if they are not picked for the England Euro 2012 squad.

Giggs won 64 caps for Wales between 1991 and 2007 but never played in a major international tournament.

The 38-year-old has previously indicated he would accept an invitation so long as the Football Association of Wales did not oppose him doing so.

The FAW fear Team GB could threaten their independence and, although they oppose Welsh internationals featuring at the Olympics, they have said they will not stop them from taking part.

SAF watched Shinji Kagawa play for Borussia Dortmund, fuelling speculation that the player might be joining United.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...erman-Cup.html

Manchester United team vs Sunderland : De Gea; Jones; Evans; Ferdinand; Evra; Scholes; Carrick; Giggs; Valencia; Rooney; Young.

Man Utd Subs : Amos, Rafael, Nani, Park, Berbatov, Chicharito, Owen.

Title went down to the wire, knew that City would get the 2 late goals but well done to them through gritted teeth.

Now all United can do is regroup, make some additions to the squad and get rid of a few to improve the quality of the team for next season.

Sir Alex "On behalf of Manchester United I'd like to say congratulations to our neighbours. It's a fantastic achievement to win this league".

SAF: "It's a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League. It's the hardest league in the world & anyone who wins it deserves it."

Haaaaaaaaaa!

Personally I feel it is time for Fergie to put up or shut up this summer cause all know City will only get stronger. I like that we are sighing van Persie but if Fergie again plans on ignoring the midfield he needs to go

SAF:“We take great credit from the fact that we have had so many injuries this season and we’ve coped with that very well."

Sir Alex gracious in title defeat

Sir Alex Ferguson congratulated Manchester City after they pipped Manchester United to the Barclays Premier League title on a dramatic final day of the season.

The Reds won 1-0 at Sunderland thanks to Wayne Rooney’s first-half header but lost the title on goal difference as Roberto Mancini's men came from behind to beat ten-man QPR 3-2 courtesy of two stoppage-time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero. Gracious in defeat, Sir Alex doffed his cap to the local rivals and praised his own team for a professional job in spite of immense pressure and distraction from the Etihad Stadium.

“I would like to say on behalf of Manchester United, congratulations to our neighbours,” Sir Alex said. “It is a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League, it’s not easy to win, it’s the hardest league in the world and anyone that wins it deserves it.

“We knew there were five minutes of injury time being played there, one of our assistant referees informed us of that. Our game only had three [added] minutes so for two minutes [after our final whistle] we didn’t know that was happening. Of course, they got the break and won the game.

“It was a cruel way but we’ve experienced many ups and downs in the 25 years that I’ve been here and most of them have been great moments. We have won the league three times in the last five seasons and we nearly did it again today.

“All we had to do, I said it before the game to the lads, was concentrate on our job because you are going to get certain types of reaction from the fans - you saw that from our fans and from Sunderland’s when City scored a third goal. You just have to put that to one side and concentrate on your own game, which I think we did pretty well.”

Not one to panic, Sir Alex says the future looks bright for United after his young squad pushed Manchester City to the final minute of the season, despite suffering a plethora of injuries to key areas of the team throughout the campaign.

“We take great credit from the fact that we have had so many injuries this season and we’ve coped with that very well. They are only young players, it was excellent for them.

“They’ve experienced what has happened today and they’ll be around in five, six, seven or ten years time for Manchester United. The experience is good for them, even if it is a bad one.”

Boss: We deserve great credit

Sir Alex insists United can take “great credit” in the 2011/12 season, despite falling at the final hurdle and in heartbreaking fashion.

The Reds were just minutes away from clinching an unlikely 20th league title... until two injury-time goals at the Etihad Stadium sealed the championship for Manchester City.

Celebrations turned to shock at the Stadium of Light, where United fans had just watched the Reds beat Sunderland 1-0 thanks to a first-half Wayne Rooney goal.

The result meant United finished the season on 89 points and lost the league only on goal difference.

“I think we can take great credit,” Sir Alex told MUTV. “We’ve had to contend with a lot of injuries this season so I’ve had to change the team around a lot. That didn’t always help us.

“I have absolutely no recriminations about our season at all. Yes, there were times we can look back and say we’ve done this wrong or we’ve done that wrong, but 89 points would have won the league in most seasons.

“At the start of the season I said 82 points would probably win it. And we’ve gone seven points ahead of that. It doesn’t matter, though. We’ve lost the league. There’s nothing we can do about it.

“We congratulate Manchester City. Anyone who wins the league deserves to win it because it’s a very difficult league to win.”

The boss, magnanimous in defeat, took a number of positives from United’s final game of the season and said his players – particularly the younger ones – would learn a lot from the experience.

“They’re a good bunch of lads,” he said. “The younger players will remember today. Sometimes a bad experience is even better for you.

“When you have a good character and a certain purpose about you then you shouldn’t fear the future.

“We did our best today and but for their goalkeeper we could have scored seven goals. We hit the post, the bar, their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves. We conducted ourselves in the right way. It was a good level of performance.

“Well done to the players: Sunderland’s not an easy place to come to. They’re very committed, as you expect from a Martin O’Neill team. We came out with a lot of credit.

“For us it’s a challenge and we’re good at challenges. We’ll kick on from here.”