[bbfan1991]

That guy has been getting lots of funny tweets.

[Brother Leon]

Would prefer Rio to play Vs Chelsea so those scum fans and Terry/Cole can clap him on.

[bbfan1991]

RVP to get a goal for United at The Emirates too.

[bbfan1991]

Youtube video

Welbz.

[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]

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 £24million 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.

[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.

[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.

[Ryan57]

Lmao! at Valencia being shown on that page. Anyone who votes for him is just idiotic.

I voted for Carrick also. Hope he wins it.

[Legend killer]

Rafeal not winning an award is a travesty in my eyes

Has literally carried our attacking play down the wing this year

Had Bale in his pocket again and lets not act like Ronnie wasn't also there at OT until Nani got sent off

Has 2 goal of the season candidates

The boy breathes United the passion he shows out there brings a tear to my eye

[bbfan1991]

Star man: Jones tops poll

Phil Jones’ battling performance in the heart of midfield at Arsenal on Sunday has won him the ManUtd.com Man of the Match award.



Almost half of all fans who voted in our online poll plumped for the 21-year-old, who twice came close to scoring with headers in the first half. Jones also put his body on the line at the other end (and even spent the last 17 minutes at right-back) to help ensure the home side barely got a sniff at goal after Theo Walcott’s early strike.

And on a day when plenty of passes went astray (from players on both teams), Jones left the pitch at the final whistle with the joint highest pass completion rate (91 per cent).

Speaking to MUTV on Sunday afternoon, Jones admitted “scoring goals is probably something I need to work on – I should have put that first chance away” and outlined his desire to get on the scoresheet before the end of the season.

Although Jones was at the heart of the action for United’s goal against Manchester City at Old Trafford in early April, the strike went down as a Vincent Kompany own goal, meaning Jones is still to open his account in 2012/13.

Mind you, he’s predominantly a defender and has made most of his starts for United at the back. His versatility is one of his strengths, though, and gives Sir Alex a number of options when picking his teams or, as evidenced on Sunday, rejigging his formation midway through a match.

Well done to Phil.

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex eyes summer targets

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that work has already started on possible summer transfer targets.



In an exclusive interview with Inside United, the official club magazine, the Reds boss insisted he has a solid foundation in terms of his squad to ensure sustained success for the next five years or so as the younger players mature.

Although several clubs look likely to spend lavishly during the close season in a bid to compete for next year's title, the manager acknowledges that the champions will again be competitive in the transfer market after landing the likes of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa in 2012.

Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool will all surely be on the look-out for big-name arrivals, particularly with a bumper new television deal coming into effect. It means that the task of retaining the title will be a difficult one but it is already a challenge that is being relished from within Old Trafford.

"You have to look at the structure of the club at present, in terms of the number of first-team players we have at 23 or under," Sir Alex explained in his monthly column in Inside United.

"David De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Alex Büttner, Nick Powell, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck. Shinji Kagawa and Chicharito are 24. Jonny Evans is 25 and Wayne Rooney is hitting his peak at 27.

"Older players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand may be coming towards the end of their careers, but these younger players are the foundation for the next five or six years, irrespective of the players breaking through, like Adnan Januzaj, the Belgian boy, who's really looking very good.

"Hopefully the players we bring into the club in the next year or so will be of the quality we need. We're competitive in the market - we're not Chelsea or Manchester City in terms of money but we're competitive.

"We've been doing a bit of work on that over the last three or four months, targeting who the players are that we feel could enhance us, make us better or help us maintain the level we're at."

Good news that SAF has already started identifying Summer targets and I hope we strengthen our Midfield.

I like how he mentions the younger lads and those players who have a bright future at the club, plus those from the reserves trying to get their breakthrough into the first team and also about how important it is to have experienced and older players too.

[bbfan1991]

Jones learns from experience

Phil Jones claims he will learn from his injury setbacks this term as he continues to push for a regular starting spot at United.



Despite securing his first Barclays Premier League title medal, the versatile 21-year-old has expressed his frustration at spending time on the sidelines.

After an over-exuberant tackle against Reading in the FA Cup clash in mid-March led to his absence from the second leg of the Champions League showdown with Real Madrid due to an ankle injury, Jones admits that was a learning experience.

However, with Sir Alex Ferguson recently proclaiming that the defender can become one of the club's best-ever players, there are plenty of reasons for pride at his season's accomplishments.

"It has been frustrating," Jones told Inside United, the official club magazine, when asked about his campaign. "Certainly at the start of the season.

"It was tough as I had a back injury and then, in the first or second training session back, I injured my knee again. It was kind of one thing after the next and I felt like: 'Is this sort of thing going to end?'

"Thankfully, I got over that and played in quite a few games and cup games as well. The cup ties really gave me a chance to have more game-time and I think I've done reasonably well towards the back end of the season."

Jones left Old Trafford on crutches after the Reading cup tie following a tackle on Jobi McAnuff that was described as 'too brave' by his manager.

"It was silly tackle," he conceded. "I probably should have looked after myself a bit more. I will learn from it as an experienced head would probably not have done that. But I will learn from that.

"It is in me [playing with great enthusiasm]. I like making tackles. I like defending. Injuries are going to occur in football so I've probably just been unfortunate, especially at the start of the season.

"I was gutted [to miss the Madrid tie]. I tried everything to make the game. I was on the treatment table, having massages, in the pool and in the gym. But it was just too soon for me and I missed it."

Glad to hear it.

[Ryan57]

As long as he doesn't demand more cash, if so, he can sling his hook.

[bbfan1991]

Colombian legend Faustino Asprilla has revealed that he has told compatriot Radamel Falcao to sign for Manchester United.

The 27-year-old Atletico Madrid striker has been the subject of intense transfer speculation with Chelsea and Manchester City amongst a number of clubs interested.

But former Newcastle forward Asprilla believes the £46million-rated star should head to Old Trafford this summer if he wants to regularly challenge for trophies.

Asprilla said: ‘We were talking and he asked me my opinion on who he should join. He knows that every big club in the world wants him. He is not a player motivated by money - what he wants is somewhere that his family will be happy and where he will have success.

'With teams like Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City they have good times then they have bad times - that is why I told him he must choose Manchester United. Every season they are challenging - and if he wants success that is where I have told him to go.

‘Also they don't have all the behaviour away from the field - with changing coaches every season. They are steady in all that they do - and a well run club at every level. He is a real family guy - and Radamel will appreciate that and the way that Sir Alex Ferguson protects his players like family.'

Asprilla also believes Falcao will be the only player ever to play in the Barclays Premier League who can rival the finishing ability of Alan Shearer.

‘It is difficult for me to explain how good he is - he is the best finisher in the world. The only striker who has played in The Premiership who is on his finishing level is Alan Shearer. If he signs for Manchester United - he would be their missing piece in The Champions League. Robin Van Persie and Radamel would be unstoppable.’

Interesting. The Lewandowski rumours could be a smokescreen, although United were interested in RL before we signed Van Persie.

[bbfan1991]

I know. Falcao will probably go to Chelsea.

[bbfan1991]

Carrick playing at his peak


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

Nice interview, he is such a nice guy and so down to earth and what a season he has had!

[Brother Leon]

FML. Seriously

[the truth]

man utd should bomb rooney or offer him about £100,000 less
the man isnt quick enough to score many goals now......theres a lot of strikers who will score more, starting with hernandez for starters. kagawa needs to be used more, as does nani

then go spend all that moola on a schweinsteiger, schneider, robben, bale, type midfielder i.e. world class or if money is tight maybe pick up a one of the swans midfielders, nathan dyer or routledge, elsewhere maybe a gotze , fellani, theres plenty of young brazillian midfielders in the market too.....fergie needs to crack the whip on his football scouts.......even if man utd pay less than man city chelsea , theres still more glory and silverware playing for the red devils