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Wootton's tour delight
Young Reds defender Scott Wootton spoke exclusively to ManUtd.com at the end of the South Africa leg of the DHL Tour 2012. Two games into the tour, how are you feeling? I'm delighted to have started both games and play a full 90 minutes on each occasion. And when I look back over the two games I have to be happy with my performances. There are a couple of things I'm disappointed about, but overall I'm very pleased. I've learnt loads of little things from playing alongside people like Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. I think I've coped well in these games. Do you feel comfortable alongside Rio? Yeah. I think we've done fairly well together. We've both been talking to each other on the pitch. He has years of experience so he knows exactly where to be. All the information he gives is always spot-on. It's fantastic for me to learn from someone like him. How's the body feeling? Getting up to full fitness? I feel pretty good. A couple of us have played two full games, so that's really helped. In pre-season you just want to get minutes under your belt, so I'm happy with how that side of things is going. So far, so good. What have you made of the reception United have enjoyed on tour? It's crazy. You try and imagine what it's like to travel with United to these places but you have to see it with your own eyes before you can understand it fully. There are fans outside the hotel, there are fans at the airport when we leave or arrive somewhere. It's unreal. Has this experience made you even hungrier to break into the first-team more permanently? Everybody's already hungry to get into the first-team but coming away and experiencing these things just drives you on further. I'm even more determined to make it now. Has being on tour with fellow young players helped ease you into the first-team environment? I think so. It's great having some other young lads here. That's probably made it easier for us to mix but the first-team guys are just normal people. They're not these mega superstars that sometimes read about. They're normal people who have done well. Everybody mixed with everybody else. It's been really enjoyable. You've started both games at centre-back. Is that where you want to end up? Definitely. Centre-back is where I've played most of my senior career, although I've played in holding midfield and at right-back during my loan spells. They were great experiences and I'll take things on board from those positions, but ultimately for me it's all about becoming the best centre-back I can. What do you hope to have achieved by the end of this tour? I hope to have started three games on tour and played every minute of every game. I'll then have a bag of experience from playing alongside Rio and hopefully I'll have enhanced my reputation with the staff here at this club. I'm only young and I'm still learning. But there have been a lot of positives so far and I just hope it continues. http://www.manutd.com/en/Tour2012Tea....aspx?pageNo=2 |
Neville hails China fans
Manchester United legend Gary Neville speaks exclusively to ManUtd.com about pre-season tours and what Sir Alex's men can expect from Shanghai Shenhua... United's pre-season tours have always been a mixture of fitness work, playing matches, meeting fans, meeting sponsors, attending coaching sessions, doing community work... and this tour is no different. It’s particularly important to make a connection with the fans. I grew up in Manchester with the club on my doorstep and I always thought I was the guy who loved United most. But when you tour the world you see the way people in these countries support the club and you realise just how passionate fans are around the world. They pay big money to come to Old Trafford, they camp outside your hotel, they turn up in huge numbers to training session... it’s mad! You can’t meet every single fan but it’s great to visit their country, play in their stadiums and take Manchester United to them for a change. The dedication involved in following United from abroad is massive. They’re up all hours of the night watching every Premier League game. The commitment is incredible and a lot of them feel a strong connection with the club. They’re obsessed with football and Manchester United and it’s fantastic to see. My first trip to Asia with United was in 1995. We went for two weeks and I had a brilliant time. We played in front of big crowds and saw a lot of interesting sights. It was the first tour for quite a lot of us young lads from the class of ’92 and it was brilliant to spend time with the first-team players and coaching staff. I also remember the heat and humidity. I couldn’t understand how it was possible to play football in those conditions. I remember coming back to play in England and thinking, ‘This is easy’. But that’s part of pre-season: if you can run in that heat then it’s going to bring on your fitness an awful lot. Wednesday's game in China will pit United’s defence against two old foes: Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. They now play for Shanghai Shenhua and I think everybody's looking forward to this test. To be honest, though, most games on pre-season are a test anyway, whether it’s because of the weather conditions you’re playing in or simply because, for the other team, the game is like a cup final. When you add in top-class players like Drogba and Anelka things could get really interesting. They’re brilliant players and they’ll want to make a big impact on the game and help their team to victory. There’s no question it’s going to be tough in Shanghai and United won’t take anything for granted. |
Vidic back in full training
Nemanja Vidic is back in full training with United but it's not certain the skipper will be fit to start the Barclays Premier League campaign. The Serbian is back at Carrington and stepping up his bid to return after knee ligament damage suffered last season. Close season surgery for Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans means the Reds are a little light at the heart of the defence but Sir Alex Ferguson is not too concerned yet. Phil Jones is another option at centre-back as he is getting back into the groove after taking a holiday following Euro 2012. "It's not 100 per cent that Jonny Evans and Vida will start the season," he stated at a press conference in Shanghai. "Jonny will start running today. Vida and Phil Jones started full training today, which is very positive. "If I can keep Rio fit, then Vidic and Jones should give us ample cover." As for the midfield, the manager is aware that Darren Fletcher's continued absence is an issue but is pleased to be able to call upon evergreen playmaker Paul Scholes. "Darren Fletcher has a medical situation that he's trying hard to keep under control," added the boss. "We don't expect him back immediately but, hopefully, he does come back at some point. "Paul Scholes, a year ago, was coaching my Reserves. Now he's back playing and everybody attached to United is delighted. He's such a fantastic player. "In the long-term, trying to replace Scholes is very difficult. To replace a great player like him would be hard for anyone. We always hope somebody turns up through the ranks of United, from the Academy. "We've also signed the young boy Nick Powell. We hope he develops into a top-class centre-midfield player because he has very good potential." |
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Language no barrier for Shinji
Shinji Kagawa may not yet speak English but that has been no barrier to understanding what is required of him, says Sir Alex. The Reds boss is impressed by how quickly his summer signing picks up new techniques in training without the need for translation. Shinji has vowed to learn English to the best of his ability but, in the meantime, he appears to be having no problems settling in on tour. "The thing that's impressed me is that every exercise we do on the training ground, he's never needed it to be explained," Sir Alex said of the Japan midfielder. "After one demonstration he joins in, as if he's known the language forever. We know he doesn't speak the language, but it isn't a problem. "It just goes to show that a good footballer can pick up exactly what's needed. He's been fantastic in that respect." Since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Kagawa hasn’t taken long to win over his team-mates, either. "I've been very, very impressed," Rio Ferdinand said. "He's quick, he's sharp, he has great awareness, he plays off both feet. "I'm excited about playing with him and getting the season started. I think he'll be a great acquisition." |
Boss confirms Lucas interest
Sir Alex Ferguson has denied reports that United have agreed a deal to sign Sao Paulo winger Lucas Moura, but confirmed that he is interested in signing the Brazilian international. The 19-year-old trickster, who is in Brazil's Olympics squad, has been tipped to move to Old Trafford for several weeks, but the boss batted back Sunday night's reports that the move was tied up. "It's not correct," the United manager told a press conference in Shanghai. "We haven't reached an agreement for the player. We've shown an interest but until such time a we get a deal agreed we can't say he's our player." Sir Alex confirmed that the club are exploring a variety of options, with a view to bringing in more than one player before the start of the 2012/13 season proper. "We've signed two players in the summer: Kagawa and Powell," he said. "We think they both have fantastic potential. "At this moment we're looking at other options in terms of bringing other players in. We're not lying on our backsides doing nothing. We're trying hard to bring other players to the club." |
Good news that United are interested in Lucas Moura and are looking at other targets to try and sign:):D.
Of course there is a money limit because of those bloody Glazers wasting money and the clubs debt!:bored: Best news is Nemanja Vidic being back in full United training... |
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Apparently moura deal is off as united refuse to meet the £30 million asking price. Shame but may meamore money for rvp
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Maybe the agent is trying to push through a deal by saying that United won't go any higher so Sao Paolo cave in. |
It is pure negotiation tactics RE Lucas Moura from both sides, first Sir Alex Ferguson confirming our interest and now the players agent pushing for more money.
I think this saga is not over yet... |
Wootton maturity admired
Rio Ferdinand has praised central defensive partner Scott Wootton for his maturity on the DHL tour. The young stopper was promoted to the first-team squad for the first time after loan stints with Peterborough and Nottingham Forest last term and has not looked out of place alongside the Reds' tour skipper. "I think he’s done really, really well," said Ferdinand. "He’s a young lad but he has quite a mature head on his shoulders. He reads the game well and he’s unfazed by playing in big stadiums and being on tour or around the first team. "I think all the young lads have done well. It’s great for them to come in and get an opportunity to impress the manager and the coaching staff. There’s pressure, sure, but the ones who handle it best and show what they can do are the ones who will get the chance to come into the first-team dressing room a lot more during the season. This is a big opportunity for them and they have to grab it with both hands." |
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Michael Carrick has confirmed he would consider a return to the international fold.
The Manchester United midfielder came in for some criticism prior to Euro 2012 when it emerged he had asked not to be considered for selection. It seemed like a bizarre move, especially as he had ended the campaign in top form, as club manager Sir Alex Ferguson often notes. When Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry both sustained injuries that ruled them out of the tournament, leaving new boss Roy Hodgson with Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones to act as deputies to Steven Gerrard and a Scott Parker who was running on empty by the end, Carrick's absence became even more of a talking point. Most were unsympathetic to the 31-year-old, believing he should have been willing to make himself available no matter what. Yet Carrick is anxious to point out that when the decision was made, it seemed highly unlikely he would even get in the squad, and with Capello out of the way, if the call came again, he might view it more favourably. "I've had no contact from Roy Hodgson, so it would be wrong of me at this stage to make a decision either way," said Carrick. "But I would consider it, definitely." Carrick had been selected just once by Capello since the World Cup, for the August friendly straight afterwards when he was forced to pull out through injury. And having endured a pretty miserable experience in South Africa, when he did not feature for a single minute, the laid-back Geordie felt if he did scrape in, it would be as a bit-part player once more. "I didn't kick the door down and say: 'You've got to play me or I'll leave'," he said. "It wasn't a case of that at all. "It was more that if I wasn't going to play, I'd rather not go. "During the World Cup I never featured and I was never really close to playing. That was a hard time. "I just thought if it was going to be the same scenario again, I'd rather let someone else go in my place." Capello's treatment of Carrick was odd. Indeed, the former Tottenham man's entire international career is something of a conundrum. How can it be that a player deemed good enough to feature on all United's greatest nights of the last six seasons, who has secured four league titles and started three Champions League finals, can amass the grand total of 22 caps. "It's a game of opinions and Capello wanted to play a certain way," said Carrick. "If that was the road he wanted to go down, it wasn't for me to argue with that. I just didn't play, that's all." |
ders Lindegaard has warned David De Gea that he aims to become Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper again next season.
Sir Alex Ferguson turned to Lindegaard following De Gea’s shaky start at Old Trafford, and the Dane rewarded him by keeping a clean sheet in his first five Premier League games. But Lindegaard, 28, twisted his ankle in training in January and did not regain full fitness until last month, allowing De Gea to regain his place and his confidence in the second half of the season. Asked if he thought he had established himself as No 1 before the injury, Lindegaard said: ‘Yes definitely. I think I played six or seven games in a row, and I think that speaks for itself. ‘I believe I can become No.1 because if I don’t believe it then no-one else can believe in it. I will never be at United just to sit on my money. I want to deserve the money I earn, and I want to deserve it by playing. ‘I never saw myself as a straight No.2. I think I have more respect now compared to 12 months ago. ‘I went through a very hard period personally in terms of football before we went on the tour because I didn’t play any games and I didn’t feel the respect that I have to feel from my teammates before that - not necessarily because it wasn’t there but it’s just the feeling you have yourself. ‘It’s definitely different now. I feel the respect and I feel as though I’ve proved myself. I feel I’ve put my name on the list of good players.’ Lindegaard, a £3.5m signing from Aalesund in November 2010, still wonders what would have happened if he had not been injured. ‘That’s difficult to answer but I was on a good run and doing well,’ he added. ‘I believe England hasn’t seen the best of me, there is more to come, and I was slowly getting towards my best. ‘I just twisted my ankle during training. It was very simple and very stupid. ‘I always try to come back earlier than the doctors said was possible, and that paid off in a negative way in the end because I got a setback or two and I honestly haven’t been really ready until the middle of the Euros. ‘That was very disappointing but I can use the disappointment for something positive, remember what I did and remind myself that I have to do something again that I’ve done before and I know how to do it. ‘I’ve had a very short vacation which I would never dream of complaining about because I spent six months not doing anything, just trying to push myself through a hard period both mentally and physically. ‘I’m glad that they didn’t give me a longer vacation, and picked me to go on the tour.’ |
Rio's tour essentials
United defender Rio Ferdinand has been there, done that and worn the t-shirt when it comes to summer tours with the Reds, having joined the club 10 years ago. We caught up with him to fire a few pre-season questions his way... What's your favourite thing about pre-season tours? Just being able to travel to different countries and getting to see other parts of the world. I love trying new food as well. Is there one city that stands out from all those you've visited? It's hard to pick one because there are memorable things about all of them. I remember Chicago for being up early most mornings and going to the local coffee shop because the jetlag was so bad! It's probably the worst jetlag I've ever had - we were waking up at random times in the middle of the night and would just go for a walk near the hotel. Korea is another fantastic place to visit, China's enjoyable and I like going to South Africa. What's the best tour match you've been involved in? The game that sticks out is when Ruud [van Nistelrooy] scored an unbelievable volley at the Giants Stadium in New York against Juventus [in 2003]. It was a great goal. What are the three essential items you take on tour? My phone... my iPad for music, movies, games and Skypeing my family... and my PSP Vita. What are you reading, watching and listening to on tour? I've just finished reading a book called Marching Powder and I'm now reading a similar book, which is about prisons. I'm watching This is England again after meeting one of the actors - I want to see which role they play. I'm listening to random songs on my iPad - I downloaded lots of songs before we left. Who's the best player to sit next to on the plane - and who do you avoid? I always sit next to Michael Carrick. We just know each other's moods - for example I know when he wants to speak and vice versa, it works really well between us. Who wouldn't I want to sit next to? Ando [Anderson]! I wouldn't want to hear him snore and I wouldn't want to be around when he wakes up after a deep sleep! |
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Shanghai Shenhua v United
Date, time and coverage: Wednesday 25 July 2012, 20:00 local (13:00 BST) kick-off. Live on MUTV and MUTV Online (UK and Ireland only). Match report & reaction on ManUtd.com. State of play: The Reds' Chinese fixture on the DHL tour is against Shanghai Shenhua, the ambitious local outfit who have Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in their ranks. The Chevrolet China Cup game is at the Shanghai Stadium, with the Manchester United Premier Cup final for the world's best Under-15s taking place beforehand as a curtain-raiser. Ins and outs: Sir Alex pledged to give all his players an outing on tour so Sam Johnstone can hope for a stint in goal, especially as Ben Amos has flown back to the UK to join Hull City on loan. There is likely to be a mix of youth and experience again with Shinji Kagawa in line for a second start and Bebe hoping his late equaliser against Ajax Cape Town earns him a place. Drogba has injected fresh life into a struggling team and set up a goal for Cao Yunding on his debut against Guangzhou R&F. Last game in Shanghai: In the Treble-winning year of 1999, the Reds won 2-0 against Shenhua. The goalscoring heroes from Camp Nou were on target again as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netted after an hour and then set up Teddy Sheringham for the clincher. Opposition boss: Former Argentina manager Sergio Batista is the new head coach after replacing Anelka, who had stepped in as player-coach following Jean Tigana's sacking. The 49-year-old was a midfielder in his playing days and represented Argentinos Juniors over 250 times, winning the World Cup with his country in 1986. |
Boss happy with steady start
Sir Alex Ferguson is not unduly concerned by the low-scoring start United have made to the DHL Tour. The Reds have scored twice across their opening two games, beating AmaZulu 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Ajax Cape Town, but the manager is unperturbed as he continues to focus on next month's season-opening trip to Everton. "That [the lack of goals] is not the most important thing," Sir Alex told MUTV. "We want to keep our heads held high in terms of our performance level and making sure we get a result. "But at the end of the day when we get to that last pre-season game in Hanover [on 11 August] we want to be confident the team is ready for the first game of the season." Part of the Reds' preparations for the season proper have been the efforts to stave off jetlag, a move which has led the squad to remain just two hours ahead of British Summer Time, rather than adapting to the local timezone in Shanghai. "I think it helps staying on European time," said Sir Alex. "Obviously we lose a little bit of daylight with the way we've operated but in terms of our recovery when we go back to England we felt it was the right thing to do. "We assessed all that before we came. Hopefully we've done the right thing and when we go back we don't have to worry too much about jetlag." United's next warm-up game comes against Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, and the boss and his players are steeled for another physical challenge against their Chinese hosts. "We've experienced it in the two games in South Africa and it will be much the same tomorrow," he said. "They'll be very committed, very enthusiastic, quite aggressive and athletic. We'll have to deal with that. "We don't know if [Didier] Drogba will be playing or not but you look at him and you have to say he's a handful. We've played against him many times and you can never take your eye off him. We'll have to deal with that." |
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Man United starting line up to play Shangai Shenua: Lindegaard, Veseli, Ferdinand, Carrick, Brady, Anderson, Powell, Kagawa, Petrucci, Valencia and Macheda.
KO at 1:00 PM:). |
1-0 to United. Shinji Kagawa socred just with his first goal for the club:D, he has been quality and United have dominated most of the game but Shangai have been defensive with their tactics and it was hard for United to break through for half of the match despite dominating play.
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FT Shenhai Shengua 0 Manchester United 1.
Shinji Kagawa MOTM for me, he is quality and pleased he scored his first United goal:). I was impressed with Nick Powell, Davide Petrucci and Frederick Veseli too. Better team performance from the last match overall. |
Glad all the young lads are getting these chances to play with the established and experienced members of the Manchester United squad:).
There is some very good potential in this bunch breaking through! |
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