[Ryan57]

De Gea <3

[bbfan1991]

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson calls David de Gea critics 'idiots'

Manchester united manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called critics of his goalkeeper David de Gea 'idiots'.

The Spaniard, 22, was criticised in the media for failing to clear the ball in the lead-up to Tottenham's equalising goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw with United.

"It's been over the top. It is always over the top when it comes to criticism here," said Ferguson. "You have to listen to some idiots in the game.

"I am not interested in discussing it because we know it is unfounded."
“We are high profile and the FA naturally panic as soon as the press criticise them.”

The United boss believed the blame should lie with assistant referee Simon Beck, who allowed, what he believed was a foul in the build-up.

Ferguson has been asked to explain his criticism by the Football Association and has to wait until Tuesday to find out if he will be charged.

"We are high profile and the profile of me is such that the FA naturally panic as soon as the press criticise them.

"Whether I think it is unfair or not doesn't matter to them really at this point.

"I just think it is more about me than what I have said."

[bbfan1991]

Report: United 4 Fulham 1

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-An...rt-fa-cup.aspx

Good team performance by the lads and yay we are in the next round of the FA Cup.

Ryan Giggs deservedly named MOTM.

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Some stories from before the match coming up...

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Sir Alex: Rio can play on

Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief that Rio Ferdinand will extend his Reds career beyond this season and replicate the longevity of legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

The 34-year-old veteran defender is out of contract in the summer and is yet to sign a new deal, but his boss believes pen will be put to paper when the timing is right.

When asked at Friday's press conference if Rio will agree an extension, Sir Alex replied: “I don’t think there is any reason why not. We give players one-year contracts and there is nothing wrong with that.

“I don’t think players with the reputation and ability of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand should worry about a one-year contract. It is quite straightforward I think.

“It is not to say we doubt them in terms of longevity. What we are doing is natural because players get to their 30s and you never know how they cope with getting older. Some do, some don’t.

“Players look after themselves and defenders, if they look after themselves, should have longer than Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, or as much as. There have been good examples through the years.

“Going back to the old days, Frank McLintock played until he was 39 or something like that. Defenders can do it if they look after themselves. It does apply to all positions but particularly defenders because they don’t have the mileage on the clock that midfield or wide players have.”

This season, Ferdinand appears to have moved on from the persistent injuries that had hampered previous campaigns and has produced several admirable performances at the heart of United’s defence, most recently during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane alongside long-term partner Nemanja Vidic.

As Sir Alex explains, this level of performance and quality is no fluke and can be attributed to the careful plan that is mapped out to bring the best out of Rio, taking care to attribute game time in appropriate matches as the Reds chase glory in three separate competitions this term.

“Rio has had a great season,” the boss stated.” Obviously, he doesn’t play every game and we prepare him for certain situations. He didn’t play last Wednesday against West Ham. He was nice and fresh to play against Tottenham and of course as we expected he did really well.

“I read that (Andre) Villas-Boas said they (Tottenham)played great football. They didn’t, actually. They missed out their midfield in the second half, they just kept playing it into the penalty box. In that situation Rio and Vida were right down their alley. They (Tottenham) played right into their (Ferdinand and Vidic's) hands I thought.

“I didn’t see any great danger to be honest with you. Rio and Vida swallowed up everything that came in their way. They had a couple of shots blocked but nothing that caused us a great deal of damage. The biggest threat was Lennon. When he got the ball, he was Tottenham's best player.”

Hopefully Rio signs another deal. he is having a good season and has given United great service.

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Evra reveals Cup message

Patrice Evra has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson has spelled out his determination to win the FA Cup this season.

The Frenchman would love to get his hands on the famous trophy and could be in line for his first outing in this season's competition when Fulham provide the opposition in the fourth round on Saturday.

"The boss has given a big message this season – he really wants to win the FA Cup," Evra told United Review. "He really wants it and so do we.

"It is the only trophy that I have not won at Manchester United. That seems impossible given that I am now in my seventh year here. The FA Cup means so much and, one day, I hope I will win it. Hopefully this year."

The left-back feels Sir Alex is able to shuffle his pack for the cup competitions and yet still progress, something that was evident considering he did not feature himself in the two ties with West Ham.

"Manchester United is the only team that can make 10 changes and still win," he asserted. "You might hear people call it a second team, but it’s not. Everyone is a United player and you trust each one of your team-mates. The manager makes those changes because he trusts that we are going to win. He’s not crazy, he knows exactly what he is doing."

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Reds await fifth round draw

Manchester United’s next FA Cup opponents will be revealed when the fifth round draw takes place on Sunday 27 January at approximately 17:45 GMT.

Sir Alex’s men beat Fulham 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and a brace from Javier Hernandez to book a place in the next round and move a step closer to reaching a first FA Cup final since 2007.

United will be represented in the draw by ball no.5. Other top-flight sides still in the competition include Manchester City (ball no.10), Arsenal (no.9) and Everton (no.16), as well as Liverpool (no.2) and Chelsea (no.12) who both play their fourth round fixtures on Sunday.

[bbfan1991]

Vote: Man of the Match

Manchester United turned in a dominant performance against Fulham on Saturday afternoon to ease into the FA Cup fifth round.

The Reds took the lead after just three minutes via the penalty spot before adding three more goals in the second half.

Ryan Giggs gave United that early lead and then proceeded to pull the strings in midfield, just as he did against West Ham in the third round. The veteran drifted infield from his wide position, picking his passes superbly and dictating the tempo of the Reds' play.

In the centre of the park, Anderson was at his driving best, surging forward at every opportunity and causing panic in the Fulham defence. He worked tirelessly, launched a number of Reds counter-attacks and set up Wayne Rooney's first goal.

And although United netted four times against Fulham, our last two Man of the Match candidates are defenders. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were superb at the back, limiting Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz to just a handful of half chances. Jones was dominant in the air and made a number of clever interceptions, while Smalling's composure on the ball was particularly pleasing on the eye.

http://www.manutd.com/en/polls

[bbfan1991]

Cup focus for Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson insists the FA Cup is "an important trophy for us this season" after seeing his side secure a comfortable 4-1 win over Fulham.

Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez - twice - got on the scoresheet to ensure United's place in the fifth round, the draw for which takes places on Sunday at 17:45 GMT.

The United manager was pleased with his side's display against the Cottagers and even more delighted to see two of his strikers firing on all cylinders.

"I'm really pleased that Wayne scored and that Chicha scored two because if I get those two and Robin [van Persie] into the twenty-plus goals mark, we're definitely in business," he told MUTV and ESPN after the match.

"We picked a very strong team because we didn't want to make any slip-ups. The FA Cup is an important trophy for us this season. We haven't won it for nearly 10 years.

"The players did well and it was quite comfortable. In the first half Fulham had a lot of possession and there were a couple of squeaky moments. But all in all it was a really good performance by us."

The Reds got off the mark in the third minute from the penalty spot after Aaron Hughes' handball. And United should arguably have had a second soon after when Damien Duff clearly handled in the area.

"I think from the referee's position he obviously thought it was unintentional, but from my angle - obviously I've got the benefit of looking at the video at half-time - it was handball," added Sir Alex. "But we didn't need any decisions because the performance was good.

"We had some shots in the first half blocked, one hit the bar - we needed that second goal to put us in the comfort zone, and we got that early in the second half and then a third and fourth followed."

Indeed, it would be great if United did win the FA Cup this year.

[bbfan1991]

Giggs: We want the FA Cup

Ryan Giggs says Manchester United are “desperate” to win the FA Cup after booking a place in the fifth round with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday.

The Reds' legend, who was a standout performer at Old Trafford, believes his early penalty conversion was the catalyst for victory, but feels his team-mates could have been more clinical in the final third having created a number of clear chances to test opposition keeper Mark Schwarzer.

“We got the early goal, which is what you always want, but we didn't really kick on from there," Giggs told ESPN. “We had a couple of chances and probably should have been a little bit more clinical, but then in the second half we were.

“It does help [scoring early]. If you're at Old Trafford you want to score early and settle into the game and keep the ball. That's what we did. Like I say, we could have been a little better in front of goal, but we made up for that in the second half.

“The FA Cup means a lot," he added. "We've not done as well as we should have done really in the last eight or nine years. There are a lot of players that are desperate to win it. The history that we've got in the competition, we should be there - we should be getting to finals. Hopefully this year will be the year.”

[bbfan1991]

United front: Fergie got thumbs up from Scholes and Giggs before buying Robin van Persie

Old Trafford manager's assistant Rene Meulensteen reveals concerns that signing a player from bitter rivals Arsenal might upset the dressing room.



Sir Alex Ferguson took the advice of two key people before signing Robin van Persie.

The Manchester United boss sought the opinions of veteran stars Ryan Giggs and Paul *Scholes because he wanted assurances that the Ł24million *striker’s arrival from Arsenal would not lead to any problems in the dressing room.

Both urged their boss to sign the Dutchman – and Van Persie has responded with a blaze of goals and emerged as the *signing of the season.

United coach Rene *Meulensteen said: “The players at United never saw Robin as an intruder.

“The boss and I tested that before we made a move for him. We dropped Robin’s name with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

“We said to them, ‘What would you think if Robin van Persie comes here?’ They both said the same thing. They both thought it would be outrageous if Robin came to United – and later so did all the other players.

“The reason we discussed it with Ryan and Paul is because they stand for the culture of Manchester United in the dressing room. They keep that culture and protect it.”

Meulensteen believes Van Persie’s strengths are now improving the emerging players in the Old Trafford ranks.

Meulensteen explained: “Robin has a phenomenal eye for free space. I don’t know another player who creates space for himself so well.

“As a coach that was one of the first challenges for me. Trying to show to the other players what kind of striker Robin is and how they have to play with him in the team.”

And the arrival of Van Persie has made United feel invincible.

The Dutchman has given Ferguson's side a star quality that was missing when they were pipped to the title by Manchester City last season.

And, according to Meulensteen, beating City to the signature of his countryman was a huge statement of intent by Fergie.

With United five points clear at the top of the table, Meulensteen said: “Robin gives the team an invincible feeling.

“All the players have that same buzz. They think ‘we’ve got Van Persie. With him we are always going to score. We can always give him the ball and he will always do something magical with it.’

“It was time for Manchester United to have a big-name player like Robin van Persie again.

“In the last few seasons, we had squeezed everything out of our star players and last season we were just not good enough.

“As a club we had to make sure that we would not underperform again. With Robin we have a world-class player in our ranks again. He’s a really *world-class act. As one of the biggest clubs in the world we really needed a player like him.”

Meulensteen believes that the rest of United’s squad recognised a kindred spirit in Van Persie when he announced his intention to move to Old Trafford to win trophies.

United’s gain has been City’s loss. The Dutchman said: “With his *personality, it was easy to get a warm welcome from the rest of the squad from the first moment.

“Robin is not the kind of player who says, ‘Here I am’. Robin is an absolute professional. He’s a fantastic trainer and he delivers on the pitch.

“That creates a security for players. They feel nothing bad can happen to them because we have got Robin van Persie. We really missed that kind of influence last season.”

Meulensteen added: “Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes just love football. Like *Lionel Messi, they don’t care if they are playing in a stadium filled with 100,000 people or in the local park.

"I mean this in a positive way, they are football animals. Football is the only thing that occupies their life and, since the *beginning of the season, they have been joined by one more football-mad guy in Van Persie.

“The fact that he chose United shows how much he loves the game. He is a guy who thinks about everything. He is driven by his love for the game.

“All Robin is focused on is success.

“He has a massive desire to win. I know because he could have earned so much more money elsewhere.

[bbfan1991]

Carrick wins new Utd deal

MICHAEL CARRICK is in line for a fresh 12-month contract at Old Trafford when his Ł80,000 a week deal ends this year.

There were suggestions boss Alex Ferguson might opt to cash in on the 31-year-old next summer, with former clubs Spurs and West Ham keeping tabs on his situation.

But Carrick has been United’s outstanding midfield performer this term.

And Fergie is adamant the England star will be staying at Old Trafford.

So the England star is poised to get the same same rolling agreement given to the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

It would be well deserved as he is so important to the United Midfield and he is in outstanding form this season.

[bbfan1991]

He's Terryfic! Phil Jones has more in his locker than a young John Terry claims Ferguson

Manchester United boss insists he isn't having a pop at "fantastic" Chelsea talisman Terry but feels his man is a better prospect at 20 than he was.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Phil Jones has more natural talent than John Terry.

The Manchester United boss is a big admirer of Terry but feels Jones, at 20, is a better prospect than the Chelsea captain was at the same age.

Jones, a Ł16.5million buy from Blackburn, was outstanding in midfield for United at Spurs last week. And Fergie said: “Jones has got more in his locker than John.

“Terry has got the *experience and has become a fantastic central figure at Chelsea.

“But as a young player, John would be the first to admit he didn’t have the pace of Phil Jones.

“Phil is a *versatile boy, he can play anywhere. He’s quick, two-footed, reads games well and is competitive.

"He’s doing very well.”

[bbfan1991]

Well done to United loanee Fabio Da Silva on scoring for QPR in their shock FA Cup exit to MK Dons.

[bbfan1991]

Ryan Giggs to study at WBS

It has been revealed that football player Ryan Giggs is to undertake part of his management course at Warwick Business School (WBS).

He is aiming to complete the final qualification necessary for managers of Premier League and Champions League teams, having already completed his ‘B’ and ‘A’ licences.

Part of this elite qualification requires him to complete a mandatory business case study, for which he will briefly undertake study at WBS.

However, it is unlikely that the football player will attend any classes on campus due to his commitments to Manchester United.

It is more likely that he will undertake distance learning at Warwick, as he is attempting to complete the qualification in less than 12 months to avoid taking excessive leave.

Giggs has recently been mentioned as one of the several potential successors to Sir Alex Ferguson by the current Manchester United manager himself.

Good luck with it Giggsy.

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United Becomes First Team Valued At $3 Billion

Manchester United has become the first sports team in the world with a $3 billion valuation.

Manchester United's crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shares of the English soccer team, which were offered to the public last August at $14, did poorly at first but have soared the past few days. Closing at just under $17, Manchester United’s stock has outperformed the S&P 500 since its IPO and made the controlling Glazer family and legendary investor George Soros, who bought a big stake in the team shortly after it went public, wealthier.

The recent increase in its stock price has pushed up Manchester Untied’s enterprise value (equity plus debt) to $ $3.3 billion, the highest value of any team in the world. The second most valuable sports team in the world are the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, worth $2.1 billion.

Despite a drop in first quarter earnings because of a reduction in television revenue, the appetite for shares of the 19-time English champion has increased due to better earnings, new sponsorship deals with Japan‘s Kansai, and China Construction Bank, and the potential of much more lucrative English Premiership (Manchester United currently is in first place) and Champions League payouts this year.

Publicly traded sports teams have traditionally been bad investments. But thus far the Red Devils are bucking history.

Well done United.

[bbfan1991]

Prank Call! Manchester United fan rings up 606 pretending to be a Liverpool fan

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/pr...liverpool-fan/

[bbfan1991]

Jones lauded by Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson has lavished praise on Phil Jones and praised the defender's versatility.

Jones was an instant hit last season after joining Manchester United from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2011 but injuries curtailed his progress in the current campaign prior to his return in late November. Recent performances against West Ham and Tottenham proved he is back to his best and they came in two very different positions - centre-back and central midfield.

The fact that Sir Alex started with the England international at White Hart Lane, in such an important league fixture, shows the faith he has in the former Blackburn man.

"Jones was absolutely brilliant at Tottenham in the role we asked him to play," said the boss. "He did it really well. He can play anywhere. He is quick, two-sided and reads the game well. He’s competitive and has got a great change of pace going forward so the boy has done very well."

Some pundits have likened Jones to Chelsea stalwart John Terry during his Ewood Park days, but the manager does not subscribe to that viewpoint.

"Well, I think he’s got more in his locker than Terry had to be honest with you but Terry gathered experience and became a fantastic central figure for Chelsea," added Sir Alex. "Obviously, he was the main man at Chelsea but, as a young player, I think John would be the first to admit he didn’t have the pace of Jones.

"He’s a very versatile boy while John is a centre-back. Jones is proving himself everywhere."

[bbfan1991]

Chicha targets the treble

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez has outlined his desire to win the treble after helping Manchester United progress to the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Fulham.

The Mexican striker bagged a brace of goals against the Cottagers and looked sharp throughout, taking his tally for the season to 14 whilst helping the Reds advance in a competition that has not been won since 2004 – a fact that has been often mentioned at Old Trafford this season.

“I don’t want to say it was comfortable because I want to respect Fulham,” Chicharito told MUTV. “They came here against a difficult team but we are very happy because we scored four goals and got through in the cup. All of the people should know we can win this competition, as well as the title and Champions League.

“It is almost ten years now since we last won this cup. The gaffer, my teammates and I want to win the cup. Of course, we have a lot of hunger to do it and not get distracted in the league and the Champions League.

“The most important thing for me right now is to win the treble. We have a chance in the FA Cup and now we have two games in the league. After that there is the international break, another league game and then Real Madrid, so we have a very good calendar and we are looking forward to it.

“We want to win all three - we want to win the treble. That is in our minds, we need to think game by game and then get the points in the league and get through in both cup competitions.”

After netting his second goal of the match via a heavy deflection, Chicharito parted ways with his usually reserved celebration to complete a brief yet amusing dance as a tribute to a watching friend – but as the Mexican admits, he wanted to check the goal was definitely his first.

“I was speaking with the referee after I scored the goal and asked if this one was mine because at Aston Villa they took away my goal. I am always looking for the famous hat-trick but, like I always say, we won 4-1 and I scored twice so I am very pleased.

“My best friend is here. We used to play together and do that dance when both scored. In Chivas, there were two players who celebrated like that and when we were in the youth team we celebrated like that too. He was here visiting me so that’s why I did it.”

[bbfan1991]

Reds to face Royals in Cup

Manchester United will face Reading at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup after being paired with the Royals in Sunday’s draw.

Sir Alex’s men beat Fulham 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford, while Reading progressed following a 4-0 home win over Sheffield United.

The two sides have met 12 times before in the FA Cup and will do so again on the weekend of 16/17 February (date and kick-off to be confirmed).

United have lost just one of those previous 12 meetings, winning six and drawing five.

[bbfan1991]

Anderson casting wide net

Following Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth round triumph over Fulham, Anderson insisted that the Reds’ sights are set on all three major honours this season.

Perched atop the Barclays Premier League, preparing for a Champions League second round clash with Real Madrid and now safely into the fifth round of the FA Cup, the Reds are well-placed as the season’s nitty-gritty stage approaches.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s sizeable squad currently boasting a favourable bill of health and the boss rotating personnel successfully, Anderson feels United have the talent pool to achieve all their aims.

“Of course,” the Brazilian told MUTV. “We have unbelievable players. I know the boss has two or three teams. He doesn't play eleven players all the time, he changes players and I think he has an unbelievable squad.

“I don't want to be the manager at this moment because there are a lot of quality players. The boss tries to keep everyone happy. Sometimes that's difficult, but that's the club; this is Manchester United.”

The Reds’ comfortable triumph over Fulham ensured a last-16 berth in the FA Cup, a competition which attracts less attention than domestic or European rule, but one which Anderson insists is important to everyone in the United dressing room.

“It's very important for everyone,” he said. “Rio's been here for ten years and he hasn't won the FA Cup. It's important for everyone.

"Every competition is important at this moment for Manchester United. Four-one is a good result but we have not finished here. We have three or four more games to get to the final.”

The Brazilian shone against the Cottagers, pulling the strings in midfield during his 70-minute outing, though he admits that he has a little further to go before he will attain full match fitness after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury.

“I'm not one-hundred percent fit yet,” he said. “I need maybe one or two more games, then I think I'll be one-hundred percent. It's important for me to not have any injuries anymore.

“Just when I think everything is fine I have to get back again, stay out for one month, come back and now it starts to go slowly. No problems, training is good, no problems.”

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex puts Giggs on spot

Sir Alex Ferguson has stood by his decision to strip Wayne Rooney of Manchester United’s penalty-taking duties, but insists he still has faith in the striker from 12 yards.

Ryan Giggs stepped up to score from the spot in the Reds’ 4-1 win over Fulham, even though Rooney, United’s usual designated penalty-taker, was also on the pitch.

The Englishman, however, missed his 10th penalty in a Reds shirt in United’s recent FA Cup third round replay, prompting Sir Alex to hand over the responsibility to his most experienced player.

“I think Ryan's probably one of our best penalty takers, to be honest,” the manager told MUTV.

“I think it's fair that with Wayne missing the penalties he has, it was time to give him a break. He'll come back to it, though, there's no question about that.

“The thing about Wayne is that it doesn't faze him if he misses a penalty kick. He's got a fantastic temperament for that.”

Right call for now. Wayne Rooney can get more practise in with them.

[bbfan1991]

Boss explains Chicha dilemma

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Javier Hernandez is providing him with 'a terrible dilemma' when it comes to team selection, but the manager has left the Mexican in no doubt over his importance within the United squad.

Another pair of goals in Saturday's FA Cup victory over Fulham took Chicharito's personal haul to 14 this season, making him second only to Robin van Persie in the Reds' scoring charts.

"He got a break in the summer, got the little rest and that's shown the benefit," Sir Alex told MUTV. "It's a terrible dilemma when I've got that lad there. Sometimes I leave him out to bring in Robin van Persie, but as I explain to him, we regard him so highly.

"He's a fantastic professional, unbelievable attitude to the game, never stops running or working and every training session's the same, so I'm really pleased for him and it's good to see Wayne back scoring."

Comparisons continue to be drawn between the Reds' current attacking roster and 1999's Treble-winning quartet of Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke, and Sir Alex rates his modern crop just as highly as their forebears.

"The four in '99 were fantastic players," he said. "You couldn't possibly criticise any of them, they were fantastic, but we've got four players today who are equally as good."

Well said Sir Alex. Chicharito is class and has such a good attitude, he has many more years to give at United!

[bbfan1991]

Loans: Fabio's first goal

Fabio scored his first goal for QPR but it came in a shock home defeat to MK Dons in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Brazilian helped restore some respectability to the scoreline by netting with a powerful shot that deflected in during the 4-2 reverse, with the League One visitors 4-0 ahead at one stage. Rangers boss Harry Redknapp fumed at his much-changed side afterwards and suggested a number of players blew their chance to impress.

Michael Keane was also in FA Cup action as his solid defensive display aided Leicester City's cause in a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town. The England Under-19 international was booked for a foul but picked out Ritchie De Laet with a fine pass in the build-up to Chris Wood's equaliser.

If the Foxes win the home replay, they will face Wigan Athletic in the fifth round and Keane could come face-to-face with United team-mate Angelo Henriquez. The Chilean was given a taste of the other end of English football as he started in the tricky away tie at non-league Macclesfield Town, giantkillers of Cardiff City in the previous round.

The teenager’s tricks did not always come off on a cold, bumpy surface – and he was booked for failing to retreat at a free-kick late on - but he persevered for the full 90 minutes, helping the Latics to win 1-0 through Jordi Gomez’s early penalty.

Luke McCullough was an unused substitute on Friday night after joining Cheltenham Town in time for the goalless home draw with Rochdale.

Bebe featured in Rio Ave's 1-1 draw at Maritimo but was substituted 13 minutes from time by former Bolton forward Temitope Obadeyi. Federico Macheda was not rushed into action against Bayern Munich after joining Stuttgart, with coach Bruno Labbadia not including the Italian in the matchday squad, and Luke Giverin, Davide Petrucci and Scott Wootton did not have a fixture.

[bbfan1991]

Law tips Rooney for more

Manchester United's all-time leading FA Cup goalscorer Denis Law has backed Wayne Rooney to keep hitting the net for the Reds.

The Scottish legend thinks it's inevitable that the current No10 will beat his overall tally of 237 strikes for the club but Rooney's tremendous finish in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round victory still leaves him 18 behind in the world's most famous cup competition.

The ex-Everton attacker will be bidding to climb United's all-time list of FA Cup scorers - he's currently in seventh place - as his quest to win the trophy for the first time in his career continues this term.

"When you see some players in and around the penalty box, you don’t think they’ll score," Law told Inside United. "But, with Rooney, you never think that. We always dreaded playing against Jimmy Greaves when he was at Spurs because you knew that if he was in and around the area there was a fair chance he’d score a goal. And Rooney is in that category.

"Along the way, I obviously beat someone else’s total [to get to 237] so it’s something that is always going to happen in football. I was happy to beat someone else and it’s inevitable that Rooney will beat mine. I said when he first joined the club that if he can steer clear of serious injuries, he’ll be the record goalscorer for Manchester United, there’s no doubt about that."

United's all-time top scorers

FA Cup:

1. DENIS LAW 34
2. Jack Rowley 26
3. Stan Pearson 21
3. George Best 21
5. Sir Bobby Charlton 19
6. Mark Hughes 17
7. WAYNE ROONEY 16

Overall:

1. Sir Bobby Charlton 249
2. DENIS LAW 237
3. Jack Rowley 211
4. WAYNE ROONEY 191