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Javier Hernandez scored once for Mexico, amusing goal and the other goals in this game were good too:).
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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he holds no grudge against England's players after missing Euros selection.
For all Ferdinand’s disappointment, he remains a passionate England fan and will be cheering on Roy Hodgson’s men from his sofa. He told The Sun: “I will be watching every game and I want the lads to do well. “Just because I’m not there don’t think I want them to fail. That’s ridiculous — I’m not bitter. “I know a lot of the boys and I know how much they want to succeed. “I’ve been chatting to some of the United lads and they are confident of going a long way in the tournament. “We have a lot of good players and it won’t do us any harm that expectations aren’t that high. “For once there are no outside pressures, the pressure is coming from within themselves. “From what I’ve seen in the two friendlies, the manager has them well organised and they are going to be difficult to beat. For me that’s a very good starting point.” |
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Kagawa shines in draw
Shinji Kagawa's long season came to a close with Japan's 1-1 draw with Australia. The prospective United new boy impressed in a pulsating World Cup qualifer as he and Keisuke Honda drove their team forward. The visitors went ahead when Yuzo Kurihara profited from some fine work by Honda but the Socceroos levelled, despite being down to 10 men after Mark Milligan's sending off. A controversial penalty by Luke Wilkshire squared the match and both teams finished equal in terms of personnel too as Kurihara was dismissed late on. Kagawa was denied by Mark Schwarzer after firing in a low shot in the closing stages before being substituted in injury time. Victory for Japan would have virtually sealed qualification for the finals but a draw will still be considered a good result for the Asian challengers |
United agree Powell deal
Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Crewe Alexandra for the transfer of Nick Powell for an undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old England U18 international has passed a medical and agreed a four-year contract commencing 1 July 2012. Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted to have recruited the youngster and told ManUtd.com: “We have scouted Nick for months now. He is an exceptional talent and has been schooled well at Crewe. I’m delighted he has chosen to come to United. He has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to working with him." Powell himself is over the moon to have secured a move to Old Trafford and told us: “It really is a dream come true to be signing for Manchester United. I have had a great time at Crewe and I would like to thank them for helping me to develop as a player over the past 13 years. I’m excited about continuing my development with Sir Alex and the world-class players in the squad. The thought of making the step up to the Premier League next season is an exciting prospect. I can’t wait to get started.” |
Welcome to Manchester United NickPowell, promising young footballer with lots of future potential:).
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Welbeck earns praise
Danny Welbeck's performance for England earned praise as he worked selflessly in a lone striker's role during the 1-1 draw with France. The 21-year-old was his country's man of the match, according to BBC Sport, who stated: "Star performer right from the start. Looks completely at home in international football at the highest level." Ex-skipper Alan Shearer agreed with the assessment, adding: "I would say Welbeck was our man of the match. I am sure Roy Hodgson would have been delighted with the first 25-30 minutes, in particular Danny Welbeck, who was giving the back four all sorts of problems. "He was running in behind, coming short, turning Philippe Mexes and using his pace. The French did not do that but Welbeck was full of it and their defenders did not like it." The display also impressed former Arsenal defender Martin Keown. The former England defender, writing in the Daily Mail, said: "Danny Welbeck put in a really mature performance, which was a credit to his club Manchester United and the way they have brought him up. His movement was excellent and he played intelligently, running into space and holding up the ball well. France's centre-halves Philippe Mexes and Adil Rami will have known they have been in a game." Welbeck, who overcame a painful ankle knock in the first half, was substituted as the clock ticked past 90 minutes but will hope his performance has earned him another start against Sweden on Friday with Wayne Rooney still suspendedAshley Young played just behind Welbeck and created one glorious chance that was spurned by James Milner. The United winger was unable to get involved as much as he would have liked but he played the full match, picking up a yellow card in the 71st minute. Patrice Evra, meanwhile, was upset with the tactics employed by Hodgson as he felt England defended in numbers during the stalemate. "At times it was like there were 15 bodies in front of us," complained the left-back. "It was really difficult to find space. "People laugh but they played the way that Chelsea played against Barcelona. Maybe the fans want England to play more football but if they win the tournament like that, they will be happy." |
Shinji Kagawa has confirmed that he has reached an agreement with Manchester United.
The Red Devils announced last week that they had an offer accepted by German champions Borussia Dortmund for the Japanese international. Kagawa refused to discuss the potential transfer at the time, insisting that he was fully focused on Japan's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With those matches now completed, the 23-year-old has broken his silence. "I have to do a medical check but the agreement between me and the club is done," he told Japanese reporters. "I wanted to avoid people focusing on this matter [during World Cup qualifiers]. It was Manchester United who sent me an offer officially." "They're one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I was given a chance to play for them. I took a lot of things into consideration, like the fact that they've got a deep squad, their style of football and it wasn't an easy decision. "But I wanted the challenge." Kagawa will become the first Japanese player to represent Man United. |
Manchester United winger Ashley Young says he can handle the expectations of England fans.
He is looking to make an impact in Poland and Ukraine and, although a capable performer on both flanks, has impressed as the second striker in recent internationals. Young said: "I think I'm always confident in my own ability. This season ended in a disappointing way but, on a personal level, I enjoyed it and thought I did well. "When you play for Manchester United, the pressure's on you every week. Everyone wants to beat United, the biggest team in the world. "But, when it comes to playing with pressure, I thrive on pressure. I enjoy having a challenge. "I remember the manager, Sir Alex (Ferguson), saying to me when I first joined United, that it would be a challenge for me coming here. "I've played a whole season now and now I'm looking forward to the first Euro game on Monday." |
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Manchester United have released details of a two-match pre-season tour of South Africa next month.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men will take on AmaZulu FC in the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, on July 18. The Red Devils will then travel to Cape Town to take on Ajax Cape Town on July 22, wrapping up their first tour to the country since 2008. "The training camp and matches in South Africa will be an important part of our preparations for the 2012/13 season and an excellent chance to renew our acquaintance with our loyal and enthusiastic fans in South Africa," said United chief executive David Gill. "Everyone has fond memories of the visits there in 2006 and 2008 and, of course, of the exceptional organisation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup." |
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Kagawa wants central role
Shinji Kagawa is eyeing an attacking midfield role for United once he completes his transfer to Old Trafford. The 23-year-old usually plays on the left for Japan but believes he is most effective in the advanced central position he has occupied successfully for Borussia Dortmund. "I want to play [in the hole]," Kagawa told a press conference in Tokyo. "I feel that's where I play my best football. I plan to work hard so I can win my place in the position. "United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I have been given a chance to play for them. I took a lot of things into consideration, like the fact that they've got a deep squad, their style of football and it wasn't an easy decision. But I wanted the challenge." Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid were among the clubs reported to be interested in Kagawa, but the playmaker admits his heart was set on United. "There were talks with other clubs, but United were the first to make me a formal offer and the more I talked to them, the more I felt Manchester was the place for me," he said. Kagawa, who will seal his switch once he passes a medical and obtains a work permit, is looking forward to making the step up to the Premier League. He added: "It's the best league in the world. You've got the world's biggest clubs like [Man] City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea all in the same league, which is fascinating. "In the Bundesliga, the only games that compare are the ones against Bayern Munich. I feel like I'd be able to gain so much by playing big games on a regular basis, including the Champions League. I can't help but be excited." |
Crewe mentor hails Powell
Crewe Alexandra director of football Dario Gradi says new Manchester United signing Nick Powell was in high demand prior to Sir Alex Ferguson's swoop. In an exclusive interview with MUTV, Gradi - the man who has overseen the development of some top-class talent at Gresty Road - not only praised the young forward but also Sir Alex for the decisive way he acted during the negotiations. "Nick Powell is a match winner," asserted the Crewe supremo. "He doesn't rely on other people to make the goals for him. He's not a six-yard box player. In fact, we've been trying to encourage him to get in that six-yard box more. But he picks the ball up, runs at people and finishes with a goal. He wins matches on his own. "I used to watch him in Crewe's Under-16s, training on a Monday night, and he'd hit them in from everywhere. When he joined us and came with the first team, he was a little more reluctant to do that. Perhaps he lost a bit of confidence doing that and he was playing in a more central role for England, where he was passing the ball. "We managed to persuade him not to do that if you can score. Don't become a 'steady Eddie' if you can become a special player. He scored a terrific goal at Wimbledon for us and it reminded us of the goals he used to score for the Under-16s, going on from there to score some terrific goals." According to the Crewe supremo, Powell is a unique talent - different to players like Dean Ashton and David Platt who've rolled off the conveyor belt at Gresty Road. "We've had some terrific players at Crewe who went on to play for England, but Nick's not the same as any of them. He does a similar job to [current England player] Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain." United had to fend off competition from rival clubs for Powell's signature but Sir Alex was determined to win the chase for the 18 year-old after witnessing his talents first hand. "There was a lot of speculation," revealed Gradi. "Sir Alex came to watch him and then rang me up a couple of days later and said: 'Do you want to do a deal?' I said: 'I thought you were going to watch him for the rest of the season!' Sir Alex explained they were not going to learn much more about him as they'd got him down to a tee. We didn't want to stop the boy joining United so we worked together on an agreement. "There were [other clubs interested] but I have to say Sir Alex wanted Nick more than anybody else did and worked harder at it. I was very impressed with the way Sir Alex went about it and what he said. If he was trying to sign me, I'd have signed! "What Sir Alex has done is challenge the boy to do what Ronaldo did. Young players worry about their chances of playing when they go to United. But Sir Alex told Nick, 'If you do well enough, you'll get a chance. Ronaldo went on as sub (on his debut against Bolton) and was outstanding so I picked him.' Nick has got to be good enough, first of all, in training to be named as a sub but that's the challenge Sir Alex has given him." |
Ritchie excited by Powell
Former United striker Andy Ritchie is expecting big things of new signing Nick Powell after witnessing his skills first hand. Ritchie watched the 18-year-old attacker in action on a number of occasions at the Alexandra Stadium and says it wasn't just his ability with the ball at his feet that stood out, but his awareness on the pitch. "Even before he receives the ball he knows what he's going to do with it - he's already got that in his mind," Ritchie told MUTV. "That's a big thing for a player who plays in his position. It's important to know what's going around you and even behind you, and he's got that awareness. It's not something you can teach, it's something that inbuilt in you. "I think he's going to be a very good signing. I've watched him a few times in the flesh and I've been very impressed with what I've seen. "He has good all-round ability - he's very astute, quite quick, he can play a pass and he knows where the goal is, but the biggest thing for me is his awareness of what's happening around him on the pitch." Defining Powell's best position will be something, Ritchie feels, Sir Alex and his coaching staff will look at over the coming couple of seasons as they manage his development. "I think he could play in two or three different positons. I see him as an attacking midfielder but he could certainly do a job up front," he said. "I think he'd love to play in that little hole just behind the striker where Wayne [Rooney] plays but I don't think he'll be dislodging Rooney just yet! "You could play him in one of the wide positions as well because he likes to take players on. It'll be down to Sir Alex and his staff to work out what's best for him and the team. "It's obviously going to be a big leap for him [from Crewe to United]," added Ritchie. "But we know he won't walk straight into the first team. He'll almost do a second apprenticeship here - he'll probably start off in the Reserves and be on the fringes for Carling Cup games and he might even go out on loan at some stage. "I've certainly been impressed with what I've seen of him and he looks to be a very good talent." |
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Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck believes he and his England teammates can produce a winning performance over Sweden on Friday.
The Three Lions take on the Swedes in Kiev in their second Group D match at Euro2012 and Welbeck, who played was replaced by Theo Walcott in injury time of the 1-1 draw with France on Monday, is confident of scoring goals and helping his country to maximum points. "I was really excited to be in a major competition for England and obviously to make the start, I was really honoured," he told Sky Sports. "I think it was a good start for us. We set our platform and we really want to build on that from now on - and I think we can improve a lot more. "Looking at it from a neutrals perspective it should be a good game to watch," he added. "Once the game gets opened up, there will be a few goal scoring opportunities getting carved out." |
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Manchester United is reported to have ditched plans to float the club in Singapore in favour of a US listing.
Sources with knowledge of the deal say the club believes its efforts to position itself as a global media business rather than a sports franchise would be more attractive to investors in the US than Asia. US investors are also said to be more familiar with United's proposed dual-class share structure, where class B shares would be sold with little or no voting rights while the Glazers would maintain control by retaining the bulk of class A shares, which do have voting rights. The club declined to comment. United's owners the Glazer family had eyed a Singapore flotation last year and had gained permission for an initial public offering, but shelved their plans due to market volatility. The Florida-based family is looking to raise up to £600m by selling 25 to 30 per cent of the club via an IPO that would value it at up to £2bn. A number of Far East listings have been pulled in recent weeks, including plans to float Graff Diamonds in Hong Kong, with a fall in demand for equities being blamed. The Glazers, who also own American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, controversially bought United in 2005, taking it from a public listed company to a private one. Last month Manchester United has agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with General Motors' Chevrolet brand as it looked to expand its fan base in the US. United claims 659 million fans around the world, with just 34 million in the US. It has been suggested that the new money raised through a float would be used to reduce the burden placed on the club by its £423m debt. The club's income in the six months to December 31 rose nearly 12 per cent to £175m. The figure included a ground-breaking £40m deal with logistics firm DHL to sponsor the club's training kit and £60.9m from its media deals, up 13.4 per cent from £53.7m. |
DANNY WELBECK has hailed his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney for helping him take his Euro chance.
Welbeck will lead the England line against Sweden tomorrow, boosted by his display in the opening draw with France. And the striker said: “Wayne’s always there giving me advice on and off the pitch. He talks to me just before games, and at half-time. I’m glad to be around him. “He lets you know what to do in games, or if he’s seen a weakness in the opposition you can exploit.” Rooney will miss the Sweden clash through suspension but Welbeck can’t wait until his pal is back for the third game against Ukraine. He said: “Wayne is itching to get out on the pitch. It’s going to be better for us once he can play against Ukraine. “I’ve been put in a position now to lead the line for England and it’s not something I’m scared of. “Playing for United means you’re expected to produce that moment of quality every time and once I get the opportunity I’ll be aiming to stick it away.” |
I am so pleased for Danny Welbeck that he has been given a chance to shine at Euro 2012 because he did so well in his first full season at United and he seems such a nice lad with no ego, mature and level headed:).
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Nani shines for Portugal
Nani bounced back from a disappointing opening Euro 2012 game with a commanding display to help Portugal to a late 3-2 win over Denmark. The United winger struggled to make an impact in Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Germany, but was mesmeric against the Danes, outshining Cristiano Ronaldo on the opposite flank. The 25-year-old set up Portugal’s second goal for Helder Postiga, but Denmark responded with two Nicklas Bendtner strikes, before Silvestre Varela snatched victory for the Seleccao in the 87th minute. "We showed everyone we wanted to win the game," Nani told reporters after the game. "When Denmark equalised, we had a lot of anger in us and a desire to turn things around. "The only thing we were thinking about was the victory and we had to fight for it until the last minute. That is what I tried to transmit to my team-mates. "Those last minutes were decisive. We had to give everything, to risk everything." Ronaldo spurned several chances but Nani backed his ex-United colleague, saying: "Everyone misses chances. Cristiano is very important to us because he helps in defence and attack." Portugal are third in Group B, level with Denmark and behind leaders Germany, who have won their first two games. Nani’s side face pointless Netherlands on Sunday. |
Park welcomes Kagawa move
Ji-sung Park is backing Shinji Kagawa to follow in his footsteps and become a successful Asian import at Old Trafford. Park knows what it’s like to carry the expectations of a nation in Europe, having become United’s first Korean player when he arrived from PSV in 2005. Similarly, Kagawa will be the Reds’ maiden Japanese signing and he, too, is making the switch from another European club in Borussia Dortmund. "I know United have agreed a deal for Kagawa and I'm happy because we’re signing a good player," Park told ManUtd.kr at an event hosted by his JS Foundation. "Manchester United is a huge club and every season, we sign new, world-class names. I hope Kagawa shows how good he is next season and I think he will do." Kagawa and fellow new-boy Nick Powell will swell the Reds’ midfield ranks next term, but Park is ready to fight for his place. "There is a lot of competition in the squad but it doesn’t matter who I’m competing with," he said. "We're a team and I just want to concentrate on producing better performances. "We're starting our pre-season tour next month and those matches will help me to prepare for the new season. As always, when I begin a new season I am determined to improve." |
Nick Powell@NPowell25
I am Happy and excited to join man utd. A big Thank you to everyone connected to Crewe. #NeverForget #CAFC #MUFC #Future |
Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney admits he's become more of a leader inside the England camp at this summer's Euros.
The superstar striker is suspended from the Three Lions’ first two games and revealed coach Roy Hodgson offered him an extra week off before the team flew to their Poland base. But Roo, dubbed Wazza, chose to spend extra time with the squad — and has boosted morale by helping Our Boys chill out between games. He said: “I need to be more of a person around the dressing room and hotel, helping to get people relaxed more. “I’ve a job to do there as well as on the pitch when I come back playing. “We’ve got a big squad and a good squad. I just have to make sure I’m in there, getting in among the lads and getting in the spirit with them.” |
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