[bbfan1991]

Carrick: No let up at Arsenal

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United will be motivated to beat Arsenal this weekend, despite having wrapped up the Barclays Premier League title with four games to spare.



The Premier League record points total of 95 is still within reach, but Carrick believes the champions have a duty to perform in the remaining games anyway.

Third-placed Arsenal will certainly be up for it as they are aiming to secure a Champions League place in a close battle with Chelsea and Tottenham that looks set to go to the wire.

Carrick told ManUtd.com: "We’ll approach it the same as always because our pride dictates that we want to win the game.

"We’ve won the league but we won’t go there and relax; we want to put on a good performance and try to play as if the title depended on it – that’s how we’ll approach it.

"Of course we’re in a position where we can play with a bit of freedom but we still want to get a result, so we won’t be taking anything lightly.

"We don’t want to take our foot off the gas; we want to carry on until the end of the season. It’s only fair to us and the other teams that we do as much as we can."

Sir Alex has outlined his desire to involve the fringe players in his squad in the final few games and Carrick can appreciate why.

"The big thing about this season is that everyone has played a part; everyone has contributed to us winning the league," the in-form midfielder added.

"The manager has changed the team regularly and everyone wants to be a part of it now because it’s a great time to play. We can enjoy it and play with confidence, whatever team the manager picks."

Carrick carried an injury through Monday’s title-clinching win over against Aston Villa but if he is involved at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, he could come up against fellow midfielder and countryman Jack Wilshere, a player he admires.

"I’ve played against Jack a couple of times and you can see he’s a big talent with a great chance of doing really good things in the game," Carrick added.

"Unfortunately he’s had a bit of a stop-start career so far: he suffered an injury last season and has had one or two niggles this season.

"He’s still young and still learning but he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders because people expect big things of him.

"In an ideal world he’d be left to develop but that’s the nature of the beast in football. I’m sure he’ll cope with it fine and go on to have a good career."

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex to pick strongest XI

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United "have a duty" to take the rest of the Barclays Premier League season seriously and says he will play his strongest possible team for this Sunday's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.



Of course, the Reds clinched the title in style on Monday via an emphatic 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, prompting some to suggest the boss will select a rotated team against the Gunners and the remaining fixtures with Chelsea, Swansea and West Brom.

However, speaking during his weekly press conference at Carrington, Sir Alex insisted there will be no let-up from United and claimed his side should respect the clubs still fighting for league positions and, in particular, UEFA Champions League qualification.

“We have a few bumps and bruises from the other night but it is hopefully nothing serious and I expect to have a strong side on Sunday,” the boss told reporters.

“Having won the league, there's always a danger of falling into the trap of 'it's all over and we can relax' and enjoy ourselves but I think we've got a duty to other clubs who are chasing Champions League places.

“Also, the rivalry we've had with Arsenal and then Chelsea over the years does put an edge to these games anyway so hopefully we'll represent ourselves in the right way.”

[bbfan1991]

Robin ready for Arsenal return

Sir Alex Ferguson insists that Robin van Persie will not be fazed by a first return to the Emirates Stadium since trading Arsenal for United last summer.



The Barclays Premier League top scorer hit a hat-trick against Aston Villa to confirm his return to top form and will be a major threat to his former club on Sunday as they bid to maintain a top-four place.

However, a number of pundits have suggested that the Dutchman could be left out of the starting line-up for the clash in the capital as the home fans are guaranteeing him a hot reception for opting against signing a new contract in order to leave the Gunners.

"I'm not really bothered about Robin's return to Arsenal," stressed Sir Alex. "I don't think he's bothered about it either.

"There was some booing of him at Old Trafford [in the corresponding fixture] but that's modern society.

"Robin showed in his celebrations how much winning the league meant to him."

Van Persie scored in the 2-1 win against Arsene Wenger's men in that first meeting with his former club and will be out to hit the net again on his old stamping ground this weekend.

[bbfan1991]

Preview: Arsenal v United

Date, time and coverage: Sunday 28 April (kick-off 16:00 BST).

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...er-united.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Giggs salutes 'brilliant' RvP

Ryan Giggs has long been familiar with Robin van Persie’s talents but admits even he has been surprised by the Dutchman this season.



Though Giggs became well acquainted with van Persie’s fearsome goalscoring ability during the striker’s spell at Arsenal, his appreciation of him has since grown.

"I don't know if he has exceeded expectations because we all knew what he was capable of," Giggs told PA Sport. "But sometimes you don't realise just by playing against them how good they actually are.

"When you train with them every day and play with them every week it is different. That has definitely been the case with Robin. We knew about his goalscoring but it is his all-round play. He is a brilliant player – long may that continue."

Sir Alex has insisted he’s "not bothered" about the potentially hostile reception van Persie will receive on his return to Arsenal, for whom he scored 132 goals in eight seasons.

Giggs believes there will be no problem on the pitch and hopes the frontman gets some recognition from the Emirates Stadium fans.

"I think the players will give Robin the respect he deserves," the Welshman added. "You might get certain fans who are not happy because he was their best player and he scored so many goals for them. You are going to be disappointed as a fan when someone like that leaves your club.

"We are happy he came to us and has had such a tremendous season. Hopefully the fans will give him the respect he deserves but you can't always guarantee that with fans because he was such a good player."

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex: Squad Reds get medals

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his intention to give medals to every player who has contributed to this season’s Barclays Premier League title success.



The Reds boss is happy that the Premier League have relaxed their rule to allow league-winning clubs to reward more squad members with medals.

Previously only those who had made 10 or more league appearances were eligible and clubs were required to apply for extra medals for players who had not reached that tally. But now five appearances is the requirement and United will receive 40 medals, 10 more than before.

And Sir Alex confirmed: "They [the fringe players] will get medals. It’s changed now. They give you an allocated number of medals and it’s up to you to distribute them how you want.

"I think that’s fair because, in Darren Fletcher’s case for instance, it’s only illness which has prohibited him from getting a medal [under the old 10 appearances rule]. I’m sure if he’d been available he would have been sitting here with one.

"[Alexander] Büttner’s been great because he’s travelled to every away game with us, he’s been involved in every single training session, he’s played three times and been a substitute another 10 times, something like that. So I think that’s a contribution.

"It’s very difficult for a goalkeeper to get the 10 appearances when your first-choice goalkeeper is performing the way David De Gea has. So I think Anders Lindegaard deserves his medal too. We’ll distribute the way we think is fair."

Great news.

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson targeting two summer signings

The Red Devils' boss has revealed that the Premier League champions will be looking to add two new players to their title-winning squad when the transfer window opens in July.

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe Manchester United must rebuild over the summer months to successfully defend their Premier League title, suggesting that only two players will be added to the squad.

The Red Devils were only confirmed as this season's Premier League winners on Monday after beating Aston Villa 3-0, but Sir Alex is already looking towards adding to his team for the new campaign in August.

The United boss told reporters: "I don't think that we need to rebuild at all – possibly two players, if possible. It depends of course. If a player came along that we felt met our criteria, I think we'd push the boat out and get him irrespective of how many players we had.

"Having spoken with the Glazer family [the owners] I think there's every intention we want to kick on, yeah," he added.

"Absolutely. I hope so. It has been fantastic [gaining extra revenue from sponsors] and that's credit to the commercial people, they've done a great job and of course the football team has been [the] platform for that. But they're capitalising on such a great profile of the club – there's no doubt, worldwide it seems to me to be getting bigger.

"We're happy where we are at the moment, that's for sure," said Sir Alex. "We've attracted some really good sponsors, interesting and valuable partnerships because all the sponsors we're combining with have got the same philosophies as ourselves in terms of trying to make their product the best in their business – that's what we're trying to do."

Looking forward to our transfer business. I think there will be a few departures though!

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex Ferguson compares Luis Suárez case with Eric Cantona ban

• 'I can understand how Liverpool are aggrieved'
• Repeats claims that FA went back on its word in 1995



Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested Liverpool will be glad they did not ban Luis Suárez themselves before the Football Association's 10-game suspension for the striker, with the Scot claiming the governing body cannot be trusted.

Ferguson pointed to how Eric Cantona was prohibited from playing for nine months by the FA for kicking a Crystal Palace fan in 1995 having allegedly first promised Manchester United that a club ban would suffice.

Speaking before Suárez decided on Friday to accept the 10-match tariff for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, Ferguson said: "I think back to Cantona and I have to say that a nine-month ban doesn't equate to a 10-match, does it? I can understand how Liverpool are aggrieved at it, I must say that. I keep going back to [Cantona] – the FA done us that day, we would never allow that to happen now. I would never have listened to them in the first place saying that if 'you make your punishment we'll be happy'.

"We did that, gave him a four-month ban and then they turned round two or three days [later, and said]: 'Right, we're charging him.' We would never allow that to happen again at this club."

Asked if this was why Liverpool did not choose to levy their own ban on Suárez, Ferguson said: "I'll bet they're glad they didn't. It didn't work with us, that's for sure. David Davies [then the FA's spokesman] promised us that, if we did it, there'd be no more action taken – bloody hell. If you think about it – a nine-month ban, its quite incredible, I still can't get round that."

It is understood that Davies has always maintained that he was in no position to give assurances regarding any FA action over Cantona and that he never communicated directly with Ferguson during the episode.

After winning the club's 20th title on Monday Ferguson believes the club's commercial growth over the past few years puts them in prime position to dominate over the coming seasons. "Having spoken with the Glazer family [the owners] I think there's every intention we want to kick on, yeah," he said. "Absolutely. I hope so. It has been fantastic and that's credit to the commercial people, they've done a great job and of course the football team has been platform for that. But they're capitalising on such a great profile of the club – there's no doubt, worldwide it seems to me to be getting bigger."

United's cut of the new Ł5.5bn television deal, plus tie-ups with Nike, Aon and Chevrolet means they can expect even greater revenues in the immediate future. "We're happy where we are at the moment that's for sure," Ferguson said. "We've attracted some really good sponsors, interesting and valuable partnerships because all the sponsors we're combining with have got the same philosophies as ourselves in terms of trying to make their product the best in their business – that's what we're trying to do."

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex Ferguson will look to emulate Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund - GARY NEVILLE: GARY NEVILLE: On... http://dlvr.it/3Hw73y

Class article as always by Nev. Lots of interesting points made!

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex targets phenomenal tally

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to end the campaign with another four wins to set a record points haul in the Barclays Premier League.



The champions are at Arsenal on Sunday before tackling Chelsea, Swansea City and West Brom over the final weeks of the season. A maximum return of 12 points would ensure a winning tally of 96, one more than the record set by Chelsea in 2004/05.

"Well, there are four different types of challenge," the boss told MUTV. "We've got Arsenal who are chasing a Champions League position and then it's Chelsea, who are in exactly the same position as Arsenal.

"Those are challenges in different ways and we want to win the games. Our last home game is against Swansea and you always want to win your last home game. Then we're away to West Brom and they'll be trying to win their last game.

"I've said to the players it's one thing being champions of the Premier League but another thing to set a record. We have an opportunity to set the record and, hopefully, we can do that.

"If we can do that, 96 points would be phenomenal. I don’t know if that could ever be beaten but nonetheless it’s a marvellous achievement by us.”

Sir Alex is also sticking by his prediction that Borussia Dortmund will win the Champions League as the German side are odds-on to meet fellow Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich in the final at Wembley following the first legs of the semi-finals.

"I tipped Dortmund to win the European Cup and I'm not far wrong," he said. "I think they will."

[bbfan1991]

Boy wonder: Robin van Persie reveals winning title with Manchester United made childhood dreams come true

Robin Van Persie’s ultimate sporting dreams are finally coming true.

The little boy inside him is still thrilled at being part of the team that has seen Manchester United crowned as English champions for the 20th time.

The 29-year-old Dutchman *explained: “I was having lunch the other day with Rio Ferdinand when four 10 year-olds from our Academy came in.

“They had nice United tracksuits on. They looked curiously around the place. I said to Rio, in 10 years time those boys will probably be playing in the first team.

“Now, at their age, they don’t have any worries or stress yet.

“I also told Rio that at that age I had the time of my life. It probably was the most wonderful time as a *footballer. Every day I used to walk round in a track suit. Trainers or football boots were the only things I’d wear on my feet.

“All day at school, after school, on the street, at the club, at PE. Tired? I was never tired. It is amazing that as a kid you don’t feel aches and pains.”



Van Persie explains that this is why he loved his time as the little boy in love with football more than *anything. All he needed was a ball, his boots and the street or a game at the club.

On Sunday he will walk out at the Emirates as part of the title-winning Red Devils team. It will be his first *return to Arsenal since his controversial Ł24million transfer to Old Trafford last summer. He will feel vindicated at finally becoming a champion after eight years of near misses with the Gunners.

Van Persie says he still does not know how he will react to Sunday’s emotional trip.

He said: “I really don’t know what to do on Sunday.

“I remember that I had decided to *celebrate a goal against Arsenal in a really calm way *earlier this season at Old Trafford. That went kind of ok.

“But I can’t always anticipate what will happen. Sometimes emotions get the *better of me. But then again, what I find more beautiful than the actual championship is the way towards winning it. It is one big process.’’

Van Persie, who may well have despatched the goal of the season in last Monday’s title-clinching win over Aston Villa, admits there have been times when his team have not been in breathtaking form.

He explained: “We played Stoke City away. The wind gusting in from three gaps between the stands was ferocious. All their players are 6 feet plus. On days like that, I know that it is going to be nothing but a hard battle. And that’s what I liked about United this season, every player is prepared to battle.

“We have a winning mentality here. I love that. We only have to look at each other on the pitch and we know that we trust each other.

“I have the best job in the world. Every day I can play football. I can see myself carrying on like this for a long time. I used to be addicted to Diego Maradona’s videos.

“I also loved watching moves and turns by Johan Cruyff. Some *sportsmen like watching films of Rocky, I used to be crazy about those videos. I saw the moves of Maradona and Cruyff as art. Once I had watched one of their videos, I was ready to go and burst on the pitch.

“I made mistakes when I was young. Then I joined Arsenal and met players like Bergkamp, Henry, Pires and Arsene Wenger. Great *people. They all wanted to help me.

“Even at Arsenal I could get *impatient. I wanted to go and knock on the manager’s office door and ask him why I was not playing.

“Dennis (Bergkamp) said: ‘Don’t! It might work like that in Holland, but not here. This is England.’

“So I said, ok, I will wait and keep my mouth shut for a bit. *I *appreciated he told me to be patient. I do the same now with young players. I love talking to the Academy lads at the club now. I know how they feel, I know why they feel like they do.”

There’s a new *dimension to Van Persie’s life.

His six year-old son Shaqueel has *already asked his dad if he can stay longer than just three or four years at United.

It made the United striker smile.

And it reminded him again about the little boy he once was himself.

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson refuses to rule out move for Robert Lewandowski.

He is just class.

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex on Lewandowski "I don’t think they will sell to Bayern. I think they will let his contract run out or sell him somewhere else''.

Ferguson on Lewandowski: "Have I got room for him? I can find room for anybody".

Interesting...

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Sir Alex on Lewandowski "I don’t think they will sell to Bayern. I think they will let his contract run out or sell him somewhere else''.

Ferguson on Lewandowski: "Have I got room for him? I can find room for anybody".

Interesting...

He also dodged questions about him the other day.

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan praises Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has praised the leadership qualities of the evergreen Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scotsman led United to their 20th title and the 13th Premier League crown during his time at Old Trafford this season, the success made sweeter by the fact they regained it from rivals Manchester City.

Phelan has been Ferguson's right-hand man since 2008, having previously been his first team coach, leaving him well placed to assess what makes the 71-year-old tick.

"He's maintained the desire to win, you can never take that away from him and what he has done over a period of time is he's mellowed," said Phelan.

"He's passed on certain responsibilities to individual people, he lets you work, he lets you get on with the job, he expects honesty and trust from you and I think he gets that.

"His biggest strength is his leadership. He's put things in place over many, many years and he's had that desire to win.

"When you've got someone who's pushing and pushing it brings along a lot of people and if you're in that same frame of mind and you've got the same work ethic that he's got, then it can only be a benefit to everybody.

"He's definitely produced some excellent teams, some excellent players and I think it's been backed up by good quality staff.

"He's matured like a good bottle of red wine. He's got better and better with age and he's still going strong."

SAF is a legend.

[Brother Leon]

"His six year-old son Shaqueel has *already asked his dad if he can stay longer than just three or four years at United. "

Get in little Shaq.

[bbfan1991]

Scholes to stay at United next term

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Paul Scholes will remain at Manchester United even if he does decide to retire at the end of the season.



The veteran midfielder has been sidelined through injury and has still to make a firm decision over whether to play on in 2013/2014. After coming out of retirement last season to prove he still had plenty to offer on the field, there is no rush to hang up his boots again.

The boss was asked if the fact that the ex-England international did not celebrate with the rest of the squad on the pitch after the win against Aston Villa was a pointer to his future.

"We'll have to wait and see with Scholes," stressed Sir Alex. "He's got an injury that is bothering him a lot. I don't think he came onto the pitch but he's not that type. He was probably home by the time the game ended!

"It doesn't matter as he'll be here anyway - whether as a player or coach. He'll be here anyway."

Sir Alex also thinks that Scholes' decision to end his coaching stint with the Reserves last term was purely because he wanted to extend his playing career.

"It would've been easy to say nothing and carry on with the Reserves but he made his mind up he wanted to come back and play and it was a good one for us," added the manager.

"I think there will come a time when he has to quit anyway, whether it's next year or this year. He's not made his mind up about that. He has got a lot to offer us and we do this now, it's a very important part of our club to get players who have made a great contribution.

"Scholes, Nicky Butt is with the Reserves; Darren Fletcher, when his time comes, will join. Ryan Giggs will join. Brian McClair, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Marek Szmid. We have a lot of former players in positions at the club which is healthy for us."

I personally think Scholesy will retire at the end of the season, if that happens what a career he has had and a coaching role at United for him would be great.

If he sticks around for another season then that would be fantastic, but hopefully our CM options get strengthened in the Summer.

[bbfan1991]

De Gea: Keeper of the faith

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...a-feature.aspx

Great article. I have always had faith in DDG and glad he has proved his doubters wrong, so pleased for him when we won the league.

He did not listen to any criticism and worked on improving, but constructive criticism certainly helped his development and I really do think he will go on to be one of the best GK's in the world!

[bbfan1991]

RVP accidentally walking towards the Arsenal dressing room LOOOL.

No Nemanja Vidic in the travelling squad apparently, probably due to injury.

[bbfan1991]

The CHAMPIONS line up:

De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Jones, Nani, Rooney Van Persie.

Bench: Lindegaard, Anderson, Giggs, Hernandez, Cleverley, Kagawa, Buttner.

[bbfan1991]

Strong team.

[Drew.]

i hope your ready to feel the full force of Podolski.

[bbfan1991]

MUTV state that Danny Welbeck is out with a knee injury and Nemanja Vidic is out with a calf problem.

[bbfan1991]

That Sky montage.

[bbfan1991]

I'll take that draw. Arsenal were the better team in the first half and the United lads were hungover from the weeks celebrations, but we got into the game more a bit before Sagna's foul on RVP before we approached the first half injury time.

Good penalty by RVP () and he was respectful in celebrations despite the boos and abuse from the Arsenal fans. Phil Dowd is a joke, i'm sure he was attempting to book every United player.

Thanks for RVP. He left for trophies and ambition.

[bbfan1991]

James Nesbitt singing in the United end was class too.