Tevez has gone from someone I loved to someone I despise. Kicking Phil and Shoving Rio out the way and yelling at him when that chav came to approach him.


EDIT: Saw that vid earlier. Rafael's "YEES!" at the end :joker:

I agree, although credit to Joe Hart who got in the way and had a right go at that City chav who came on the pitch trying to run towards Rio.

Awesome video:D. Rafael is so likeable and a funny guy, passionate about United too.

Rooney romps derby poll

Everyone in the red shirt played their part in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 derby triumph, but there was a convincing winner in our Man of the Match poll.

Wayne Rooney picked up a huge 68% of more than 11,000 votes after an inspirational display at the Etihad Stadium in which he scored twice to put United in command.

The 27-year-old's neat first-half finishes were his 149th and 150th Premier League goals and made him the first Reds player to score 10 times against City.

Robin van Persie, who sparked wild celebrations in the away end with his injury-time free-kick winner, was second with 16%, while Rio Ferdinand (8%) came third after a commanding performance at the back.

Ashley Young, who enjoyed one of his best games for United, and Michael Carrick, who was quietly effective in breaking up numerous attacks, rounded off the nominations.


Well done Wayne Rooney:).

Robin: Chicha's an example

Like most people who come into contact with him, Robin van Persie is full of admiration for Javier Hernandez’s positive attitude on and off the field.

Chicharito possesses an infectious joie de vivre, seemingly regardless of how well he is playing for United – or even if he is playing at all.

The Mexican was an unused substitute at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday but is always ready to take advantage of an opportunity, as his four goals off the bench already this season show.

It’s rubbing off on van Persie. When asked by MUTV if Hernandez and fellow young striker Danny Welbeck could learn from him, the derby match-winner said: “It goes both ways – I can learn from them as well.

“For example, I love Chicharito’s enthusiasm. I love how he plays and trains and does his work off the pitch after training.

“A couple of weeks ago he wasn’t playing as much, but he was in the gym every day doing extra work, and that sets a big example for everyone.

“Danny, too. He’s not playing in his favourite position at the moment but we need him and he’s working hard.

“So when you have four strikers being so professional, it sets the tone for the others. Everyone realises we are all in it together and we all need to do our bit.”


RVP spot on about Javier and Danny:worship:.

Giggs: City are new Arsenal

Ryan Giggs has compared United’s current rivalry with City to that formerly shared with Arsenal, citing the recently intensified Manchester derby as reason.

From 1997 to 2004, the Reds consistently battled the Gunners for the Premier League title and meetings between the pair were often highly-charged, competitive affairs that weren’t for the faint-hearted.

Just days after a similarly ferocious match at the Etihad Stadium, Giggs cannot help but compare clashes with the Blues to those of yesteryear against Arsene Wenger’s team.

“We had so many battles with Arsenal that were skilful games, but also physically tough, and I felt the game was like that on Sunday,” Ryan told Red Voices, ManUtd.com’s exclusive podcast.

“It is two very good teams with the added spice that it’s a local derby. Over the last three years, each Manchester derby has intensified. The build-up is longer, people start talking about it earlier and the feeling when you win is even better.

“It was two quality sides, both in good form and going head to head at the top of the league. We took the first half and then City came back into life like we expected, but I thought we still looked dangerous and had goals in us during the second half. At 2-2, with City coming back into it, most people would’ve settled for a draw, but we score late goals so often and there is no better feeling, especially in such a big game.”

United will be visiting Australia in 2013:), how exciting that will be for the fans over there!

http://www.manutd.com/en/Tour2013.aspx#

Evra: Players should be sacked if lead is lost

Patrice Evra has thrown down the gauntlet to his Manchester United team-mates by warning that Sir Alex Ferguson should “sack” them all if they squander a substantial lead in the title race for a second successive season. A dramatic 3-2 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday moved United six points clear of their rivals at the top of the Barclays Premier League, although they will have to get by without Anderson for the foreseeable future. The Brazil midfielder is likely to be out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring tear. United led City by eight points with six matches to play last season only to relinquish the title on goal difference, and while Evra accepted that the championship is a long way from being decided this term, the defender left his fellow players under no illusions that another collapse would be unforgiveable in the eyes of their manager. “I think Ferguson is going to sack everyone if we did that,” Evra said. “No, I’m serious. It would not be funny, for the fans, for the players, for everyone. A six-point lead ... the league is not finished yet, there is a long way to go, but I really mean now we have to make sure we are ready for Sunderland.”

Elsewhere, Evra also features in the Manchester Evening News, stating his desire to stay at United in light of recent rumours linking him with a January move to PSG. “You would have to kill Ferguson before bringing me to Paris,” the defender is quoted. “For now, there is nothing to do. I am happy in Manchester.”

Giggs: Derby is intense

Ryan Giggs has compared United’s current rivalry with City to that formerly shared with Arsenal, citing the recently intensified Manchester derby as reason.

From 1997 to 2004, the Reds consistently battled the Gunners for the Premier League title and meetings between the pair were often highly-charged, competitive affairs that weren’t for the faint-hearted.

Just days after a similarly ferocious match at the Etihad Stadium, Giggs cannot help but compare clashes with the Blues to those of yesteryear against Arsene Wenger’s team.

“We had so many battles with Arsenal that were skilful games, but also physically tough, and I felt the game was like that on Sunday,” Ryan told Red Voices, ManUtd.com’s exclusive podcast.

“It is two very good teams with the added spice that it’s a local derby. Over the last three years, each Manchester derby has intensified. The build-up is longer, people start talking about it earlier and the feeling when you win is even better.

“It was two quality sides, both in good form and going head to head at the top of the league. We took the first half and then City came back into life like we expected, but I thought we still looked dangerous and had goals in us during the second half. At 2-2, with City coming back into it, most people would’ve settled for a draw, but we score late goals so often and there is no better feeling, especially in such a big game.”

Vidic set to return

Manchester United club captain Nemanja Vidic could return from injury to face Sunderland on Saturday, possibly in place of the doubtful Jonny Evans.

The Serbian has not featured since undergoing a knee operation in September, shortly after his fifth and last appearance of the season during a 1-0 win over Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.

There were rumours that Vidic was ahead of schedule and would start last Sunday’s Manchester derby, whispers Sir Alex Ferguson quickly poured scorn on when quizzed on the topic prior to kick-off.

“No. definitely not,” the boss said. “To put him in at City for his first game back would be crazy but I think the Sunderland game definitely.”

Coincidently, Vidic’s return to the first team fold directly aligns with fitness doubts over defensive-deputy Evans, who was forced off with a hamstring injury at the Etihad Stadium and, as a result, is now unlikely to face the Black Cats on Saturday.

“Evans had a hamstring problem,” Sir Alex explained after the match. “He got it in the first half in a challenge from Balotelli but he played on while I had Chris Smalling warming up.

“It's okay if you get through the first half but if you try to start again in the second half after cooling down, it can be a problem. So I knew he'd have to come off.”


Vida:worship:. He has been missed at the back!

Giggs eyes festive charge

Ryan Giggs believes last Sunday’s victory in the Manchester derby has given United a welcome boost ahead of the busy Christmas period.

The Reds legend also insists his teammates are well-placed for success throughout the remainder of the 2012/13 campaign, as long as they can blend defensive consistency with attacking quality.

Speaking to Red Voices, ManUtd.com's podcast, Giggs was optimistic in his response when asked if the 3-2 win over City has improved squad morale: “It should do, purely because of the way we performed.

“The bench is very strong and some players aren’t even getting on it. The squad is looking good at the moment and we’ve got our captain, Nemanja Vidic coming back soon. We have got everything is in place for the busy Christmas period and the confidence of such a great result.

“We accept that we are letting too many goals in and we’ve had to come from behind too often, but the signs are there that this could be a very good season for us. Chelsea, Newcastle and City away have been our three best performances and you probably can’t get three bigger challenges.

“The quality and the form is there, we just need the consistency - which we will hopefully get now the Champions League is over and internationals are gone, and we can purely concentrate on the Premier League and later the FA Cup.”

Rafael: Maturity is key

Reds right-back Rafael is arguably United’s most consistent performer this season and, although even he admits his surprise at the number of games he has played this season, the Brazilian believes his form is down to hard work and maturity.

Rafael has played more games – 21 in all competitions – than any other player in United’s squad this season, yet it is the quality of his performances as well as the quantity of appearances that has shone through.

“I start every season hoping to make an impression and play a lot of games, but I couldn’t have imagined how well this season has gone for me,” Rafael says in an exclusive interview with this month’s Inside United.

"It’s been great, and yes, I’ve been a little surprised to have played so many games. But I’m not a young player any more. I feel like I’ve developed and I want to play in every single game.”

United’s no.2 made his Reds debut back in August 2008 and, now 22 with over 100 club appearances under his belt, he feels he has come a long way as a player and a person.

“I’ve waited a long time for this – getting to this point hasn’t happened overnight,” he says. “I’ve been at this club for five years and that’s a long time. At first, the goal was to just play one game for Manchester United. Then, when you achieve that, you set other targets. Now I want to play very game and become a regular in the team.”

So, what’s changed? “I’m getting old!” he jokes. “No, I think this is just a natural development; it’s bound to happen when you play more games and have more experiences. My daughter has also helped me – [being a father] has settled me down a lot. When you’re a dad you have to be mature.

"Also, I think splitting from Fabio – he’s out on loan at Queens Park Rangers this season – has been a good experience. At first I was sad, but I’ve come to see that it’s made me grow up a lot. I’ve had to change and be more responsible.”


Rafael is so honest:), glad he is doing well and has matured.

New dad Anders available again

Sir Alex Ferguson will have both David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard at his disposal this weekend as Manchester United welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Denmark international Lindegaard missed last weekend’s Manchester derby to be at the birth of his first child, a son, although the 28-year-old goalkeeper revealed he couldn’t resist keeping up-to-date with events at the Etihad.

“I had my phone with me so I was checking up on the score and what was going on all the time,” he said. "I couldn't leave it completely.”

Lindegaard described his first steps into fatherhood as “a fantastic experience” and said Sunday had been “the greatest day of my life”.


Congratulations to Anders!:)

Vote for Welbeck

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck is on a five-man shortlist to be named England Player of the Year.

The Reds forward, who only made his senior international debut in March 2011, has impressed during his 11 appearances for the Three Lions in 2012.

During those games, which included friendlies, European Championship fixtures and World Cup qualifiers, Danny found the net five times – more than any other England player.

Also vying for the honour are Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson.

The award will be decided on a fan vote, so head to the official England website to show your support for Danny. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 13 January.

The prize will be presented as part of the inaugural FA England Awards ceremony, which will take place at St. George’s Park on Sunday 3 February 2013.

Vidic in, Evans out

Nemanja Vidic will be included in Manchester United’s squad for Sunderland’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday, but Jonny Evans misses the Barclays Premier League clash with a hamstring injury.

The Reds are still without Nani – out with a hamstring injury – while Shinji Kagawa is due to take part in full first-team training next week. However, it is the return of Vidic that is seen as the biggest boost.

"Nemanja is back in the squad but Jonny Evans is out obviously after his injury last week," Sir Alex said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. "Jonny got the injury midway through the first half and he struggled on to half-time, but I always think with muscle injuries that if you start the second half with it it’s a problem.

"Having Vida back in the squad is a big, big one for us: his experience, his ability to head the ball, his offensive qualities are well renowned now and he’s our captain. Whether I start him or not, that’s another issue. But it’s great to have him back.

"We hope we’ve given him the proper rehabilitation. Coming back from the last injury, we gave him a long rehabilitation and I thought it was a good one. But unfortunately he suffered another injury. In fact, in the last year and four months or so, I think he’s only played about 10 games. That’s not a lot of football for a man who’s 30, 31. So it’s an issue and we’re hoping that he sails through it.

"We’ll give him a chance and there will be opportunities for him because he brings that great experience, that warrior-type defending he’s renowned for. I don’t know whether I’ll start him against Sunderland but at least we have him back and given the number of injuries we’ve had to defenders over the last two or three years, I think it’s a bonus for us."

If Vidic doesn’t start against Martin O’Neill’s side then Chris Smalling, who came on for the injured Evans against Manchester City last weekend, is likely to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence. "Chris Smalling came on against City and did very well, he was excellent," said Sir Alex.

Elswhere, Kagawa is due back in full training next week. "Shinji should start training with the first team on Monday, which is good news," added the boss. "He’s doing very well now. Nani is still out. Rio’s okay, there’s no problem with him. We’re more or less in good shape."

Manchester United team to play Sunderland : De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Van Persie.


United subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Chicharito, Vidic, Welbeck, Scholes, Fletcher.


I like that line up and happy that Nemanja Vidic is back, even if he starts on the bench. I think Rafael has been rested, he has started a lot of games for United this season after all.

HT United 2 Sunderland 0- Goals from Robin Van Persie and Tom Cleverley:).

United playing well and with lots of energy, plus high tempo which United are good at. A clean sheet so far too, hoping it stays the same at FT and for United to keep this performance up then score more goals to put this game to bed!

FT United 3 Sunderland 1.

United took the foot off the gas a bit in the second half, better team overall although Sunderland did perform better and created some chances. When they made it 3-1 and we had Giggs/Scholes in CM I was sighing, but in the end the win was secured because points matter:).

It was so good seeing Nemanja Vidic back in action too!

Ohh Robin Van Persie!!! Ohh Robin Van Persie!!! Here is #RVP singing 'Glory Glory Man United'. #GGMU #MUFC http://fb.me/1WthPsShN

Shinji Kagawa singing Gangnam Style:D.

http://twitter.yfrog.com/mvck8utojovuvjfkruqujzowz

Match Report:

United 3 Sunderland 1

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-An...ue-report.aspx

Boss defends O'Neill

Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a passionate defence of Sunderland counterpart Martin O’Neill, declaring him an “outstanding manager”.

O’Neill is under fire from some sections of the media after his side’s poor start to the season, though they moved out of the relegation zone with what was only their third victory of the season on Tuesday, 3-0 over Reading.

Having taken over at the Stadium of Light just over a year ago, the Northern Irishman makes his first visit to United with Sunderland on Saturday; he has previously brought Aston Villa and Leicester teams to Old Trafford.

“There was a question to him last week which was absolutely ridiculous,” Sir Alex said at his Friday press conference.

“A journalist or a TV guy asked him if he still had self-belief. Martin O’Neill has won three titles with Celtic, he’s taken them to a UEFA Cup final, he’s been at Aston Villa, he’s been at Leicester City… what a silly question.

“It’s an insult, an absolute insult to him. And I’m glad his chairman is supporting him because he’s an outstanding manager.”

O’Neill has won just three of his 22 games in charge of three different clubs against Sir Alex, though one of those was en route to League Cup glory with Leicester in 1996/97.

And his 1-0 win with Villa in December 2009 was the last time United failed to score in a home league game.

Fletch: Squad is strong

Darren Fletcher feels United are blessed with the strongest squad in the Barclays Premier League.

The Reds currently sit six points clear despite another campaign punctuated by injuries, and Scotland captain Fletcher feels strength in depth is the reason the rest of the division are currently trailing.

"We always feel we have the strongest squad," Fletcher told PA Sport. "In terms of starting XI and strength in depth we have a real quality squad. There is so much competition for places.

"Some of the matches on the training ground are really intense because everyone wants to play and be involved. That is great for the manager. When you get the number of injuries we have had, especially in defence, it is important you have a big squad.

"The fact Chris and Phil Jones are coming back, Nemanja is coming back. We have a strong, fit squad with a lot of choices. I think it is the strongest squad around."

Fletcher is one of a variety of midfielders at Sir Alex Ferguson's disposal, and he concedes that he and the rest of the Reds' middle men are constantly jostling for inclusion.

"We have always had a lot of strength in depth in midfield; it is the same this season," said the 28-year-old. "Tom (Cleverley) has been fantastic. He had a great start to last season but he picked up an unfortunate injury. He has been on fire this season.

"We have the experience of Ryan (Giggs) and Paul (Scholes). Michael Carrick has been outstanding. I'm coming back, getting games under my belt and getting stronger. Anderson's injured just now. There's a lot of competition for places and everyone is competing well."

Last weekend's victory at Manchester City established a powerful position for the Reds going into the turn of the year, and Fletcher insists that it is important to keep setting a breathless pace in the title race.

"It feels good to be six points clear," he said. "It was good to win the derby, especially after what happened last year, but it is important that we kick on and think just because we beat Manchester City and are six points clear, we can't take it for granted.

"It is important that we keep pushing on and really putting pressure on Manchester City."

Rafael: No time for slip-ups

Rafael insists Manchester United must not undo the hard work that helped the Reds achieve a dramatic derby victory over City by being complacent against Sunderland.

The right-back played a big part in the team’s excellent display at the Etihad Stadium, setting up United’s second goal and winning the free-kick which Robin van Persie duly curled home in injury-time to secure a 3-2 win.

The Brazilian says confidence is understandably high in the United camp, but insists everyone is focused on maintaining the momentum with victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.

"It’s really important we get the result against Sunderland,” he told ManUtd.com. “We did a very good job last week, everyone knows that but we need to keep our momentum going if we’re going to get our title back.

"It’s been a great week in training for us – beating City was a big boost mentally for us. And the way the game went and how we won was a great feeling and the result has motivated everyone.

"When you win a big game like the derby and win it in the way we did it’s just such a good feeling. Everyone’s confidence is very high, but it’s important we don’t take our foot off the pedal and we keep things going."

Jones making up for lost time

Phil Jones endured an injury-affected start to the 2012/13 campaign but is aiming to make the most of United’s busy festive fixture list – and he says the Reds must do the same having notched a six-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.

The 20-year-old Reds no.4 earned his first outing since recovering from a knee injury against Galatasaray in November’s Champions League Group H clash and, in only his fifth match since returning, he was given a taste of Sunday’s scintillating Manchester derby as a late substitute.

After such an epic high, Jones is naturally keen for more first-team opportunities in the crucial coming weeks.

“There are a lot of games coming up and I just want to be involved as much as I can be,” he tells United Review, the Reds’ official matchday programme.

“Sunderland is another really important game for us. They’re fighting for points at the other end of the table so we don’t expect it to be easy at all, but we have to make the most of the position we’re in.”

United edged six points clear of title rivals Manchester City after last weekend’s injury-time 3-2 triumph, but the Reds aren’t resting on that lead as they enter a crucial stage of the league calendar

“The manager talks a lot about the Christmas period being one of the toughest spells of the Premier League season,” adds Jones.

“To be in a strong position at the turn of the year is vital. We’ve put ourselves in a good position and we need to keep it going now.”