[bbfan1991]

Pics: Back in the groove

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...d-080314.aspx#

The Match: Baggies beaten

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-An...er-League.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Rafael form delights boss

Manchester United manager David Moyes was keen to praise Rafael's performance in the 3-0 victory against West Brom.



The Brazilian returned to the side at right-back and was in excellent form, forcing Ben Foster to tip a header onto the bar, winning the free-kick that led to Phil Jones' opener and crossing superbly for Wayne Rooney to head in.

By also defending impressively, including making one wonderful block in the closing stages, there is little doubt that Rafael was the right man to pick up the fans' official Man-of-the-Match award on Twitter.

"I've got to mention Rafa," the manager told MUTV. "He picked out a great cross for Wayne's goal and was involved in the build-up to the first one as well. He probably should have scored one or two himself maybe when he got around the back in the first half.

"There were some really good performances in the team. Much better than I've seen for a while."

Rafael was replaced by Nemanja Vidic after picking up a knock towards the end of a satisfying afternoon for the Reds.

"I think he got a kick on the ankle," added Moyes. "That is what I was told - he'd taken a kick in a tackle with 10 minutes to go. He was limping so I didn't want to risk it any more."

[bbfan1991]

Carrick hails control

Michael Carrick says Manchester United found the balance between controlling possession and making it count in front of goal as the Reds confidently beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at The Hawthorns.



David Moyes' team have often started games well this season, dictating the play without taking full advantage by creating and converting chances. That wasn’t the case on Saturday against Pepe Mel’s admittedly struggling Baggies side, but regardless of the opposition’s perilous league placing, Carrick was pleased with the display.

“It was an important day for us, we had to bounce back,” Carrick told ManUtd.com. “It feels like such a long time since the last game [against Olympiacos] before the international matches, so we had to perform and really show that we are a good team.

“I thought we scored at crucial times in the game to really take control of it. It’s been frustrating this season because, at times, performance-wise we have controlled matches and haven’t come away with the results we wanted. You strive for the performances and want the results to follow, today it did.

"We looked really dangerous going forward, we had really good penetration through the pitch and caused them problems all afternoon. We looked exciting going forward.”

Phil Jones gave United a first-half lead with a powerful header from Robin van Persie’s inswinging free-kick. Then, after the break, the game turned a tad physical as West Brom attempted to battle their way back into the contest. United weathered the storm and Wayne Rooney doubled the lead shortly after the hour, heading home Rafael’s cross.

“That second goal was important,” added Carrick. “It was always going to be feisty here with both teams needing results; we wouldn’t expect to come here and cruise through the game. They’re trying to get three points just as much as we are. The pitch was difficult to play on – it was bouncy and a bit lively. There was a spell in the game where it got quite scrappy and we just had to weather that. Wayne got his goal at a good time and that killed the game off.”

Of course, substitute Danny Welbeck scored late on to complete a bright spring afternoon’s work for United, with a clean sheet into the bargain.

“It’s a tough place to come, so to win like we have is a big positive,” concluded Carrick. “We looked dangerous going forward and we defended well. All in all, we couldn’t have asked for much more from our performance.”

[bbfan1991]

Boss pleased with display

David Moyes felt Manchester United excelled on a difficult surface against West Brom and looked a real threat throughout at The Hawthorns.



The Reds returned to the scene of Sir Alex Ferguson's final game in charge and headed home with the three points on this occasion to avenge the surprise loss at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign.

With Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj all selected, there was plenty of flair in the starting line-up, but the defensive work of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also earned credit from the manager.

"I thought Robin and Wayne were excellent," said Moyes. "Mata and Adnan too, but we also needed a good defensive performance as well so, all round, I’m pleased.

"The pitch was very lively, it was drying out a little bit and it wasn’t that easy to pass the ball, but we looked much more potent going forward and looked more likely to score than we have in other games. I made the point about us trying to attack more and have better play going forward and I think we did that.

"I thought Smalling and Jones played really well," he opined. "Smalling was excellent by all accounts for England too, while Jones is a very good player. He's been out for a month and we needed to try to get him some minutes as we've got some big games coming up. We needed to make sure he's ready to play and they both did a great job.

"[For the first goal] it was a really good header by Phil after Rafael did good work down the right and got the free-kick. Robin's delivery was excellent and, thankfully, Phil got across his defender and scored."

Moyes explained the decision to substitute van Persie after the striker was lectured by referee Jon Moss when already on a yellow card following a robust tackle on Steven Reid.

"I thought it was a foul but it did not warrant a yellow card," explained Moyes to MUTV. "I was always taking him off anyway because he played 90 minutes for Holland in midweek. I actually told him in the hotel that I'd try to get him off at the right time in the game so it made the decision easy. I couldn't afford him to have another challenge and give the referee a decision to make."

[bbfan1991]

Rooney: We deserved win

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United fully deserved to beat West Brom on Saturday and says the result will give the Reds a welcome confidence boost.



The striker headed home after the break after Phil Jones had opened the scoring in the first half. Danny Welbeck came off the bench to add a third and seal the victory, and Rooney believes the win could be vital ahead of some tough upcoming fixtures.

"It is a confidence-booster," he told BT Sport. "We’ve got Liverpool and Olympiacos next, where we’re two goals behind [after the first leg], followed by West Ham and Manchester City. They’re all big games. It’s a good challenge and it’s down to us as players to take that challenge on and show everyone we’re a good team that means business.

“We were hurt after the Olympiacos game, and we needed to go out and show everyone that we are a good team. We’ll fight for the shirt, and we’ll fight for a place in the team, and I think that showed today. We played with a great energy, we were exciting and we always looked a threat, so I think we deserved the three-goal win. And it could have been more."

Rooney praised the battling qualities shown by his team-mates and was pleased to get on the scoresheet at The Hawthorns with a goal that moves him to within just one of Jack Rowley on the club's list of all-time top scorers.

“We had to scrap at times, " added the striker. "Nothing seemed to be going for us in the first half and we didn't seem to get the decisions so we had to fight through that. Thankfully, we got the goal through Phil Jones and went in at half-time knowing we had to finish the game off because it’s always tough coming here. To get the second goal was great, and I thought we saw the game out quite well."

[Brother Leon]

The difference Rafael makes to the team is everything.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

The difference Rafael makes to the team is everything.

He's awesome and on his way to being a potential United legend, he is injury prone at times which is a shame though.

[Ryan57]

Lot's of fans displeased by the news. Offered a new deal simply because he was criticised. Deary me. Has hardly been deserving of a new deal.

[Brother Leon]

Get that money Clev. Should post pics of a new car and troll the whole petition lot

[Ryan57]

Here's hoping the petition spurs him on. Needs to grow a pair and return to the Cleverley of the early parts of 2011/12 that could of developed into a pretty good player.

[bbfan1991]

Mata targets positive March

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

I love Mata's interviews. He is such a nice and honest guy!

[bbfan1991]

Jones' praise for Fellaini

Phil Jones was full of praise for Marouane Fellaini after the Belgian’s powerful display in Manchester United’s 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.



A forward quartet of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj drew praise for an eye-catching attacking display at The Hawthorns, where the Reds were excellent after the break.

Jones, Rooney and Danny Welbeck got the goals but the former was also quick to point out the importance of Fellaini’s contribution alongside Michael Carrick in United’s midfield.

"Fellaini was terrific in breaking up the play and playing the ball forward," Jones told MUTV. "He showed why the manager brought him in and there’s a lot more to come from him – he’s a quality player."

Fellaini himself added: "I enjoy playing with Michael. I know he’ll sit back if I go to the edge of the box to try to score.

"Everyone is happy today. The team played well and that is good for confidence. We have to keep going like this in the next game."

Jones played alongside Chris Smalling in central defence and said of the partnership: "I enjoy playing with Chris.

"We haven’t played that many times together but the more we play, the better our understanding will be and the better our performances will be."

Of his headed goal, Jones added: "It was a great ball by Robin and I managed to guide it into the net – it didn’t need any power as the pace was in the cross.

"We’ve now got a good week’s training ahead of us and hopefully we can put in some good sessions and prepare well for the next games."

[bbfan1991]

Welbeck will be needed

Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley will have key parts to play in the remainder of the season, according to Manchester United manager David Moyes.



The two homegrown talents are hoping to represent England in the World Cup finals and are determined to prove their worth at domestic level ahead of this summer's showpiece tournament in Brazil.

Welbeck came off the bench against West Brom on Saturday to display a cool head in front of goal, stroking in the third goal at The Hawthorns when Jonas Olsson was unable to cut out Wayne Rooney's through ball.

"Wayne played him in with a great pass before then but it was a bit of a narrow angle and the pitch was really lively," explained Moyes to MUTV. "When he was played in down the side, he opened up and finished terrifically well. I'm pleased Danny is looking sharper and getting back ready. We're going to need him."

Cleverley was not involved in the 3-0 triumph on Saturday with the boss explaining the thinking behind the decision.

"I just felt he wasn't required today," he stated. "I wanted to make sure Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs were involved. We've got a lot of big games coming up and Tom will be involved in a lot of these in the coming weeks."

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Here's hoping the petition spurs him on. Needs to grow a pair and return to the Cleverley of the early parts of 2011/12 that could of developed into a pretty good player.

I agree, he has the potential to improve and I feel sorry for him with this abuse. People are entitled to their opinions, but it is getting OTT now.

Obviously the Managers he is playing under for both United and England see something in him and the players like him, so that is one positive he can take from this tough situation.

[bbfan1991]

Mata's blog: One fine away day

Each week, Juan Mata keeps Manchester United fans around the world up to date with his own personal blog. Here's an extract from this week's piece...



Our win on Saturday - 3-0 at West Brom - was really important.

I'm talking about the three points, of course, but also about the performance. We saw samples of what the team is capable of, and we got very positive feelings.

I enjoyed myself on the pitch and at the end of the day that's what you want when you play football. At all levels.

I would like to highlight our three consecutive clean sheets in the league. It's important for our work not to concede, as that eventually will take us closer to our goals. In order to reinforce that we have a great challenge ahead this coming weekend: Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The so-called North West Derby is always a big game in England, even more this season if you look at the league table.

At this stage, every match is important. There are less and less games to play and we want to get all the points. I hope we continue to play the way we did on Saturday and delight the fans.

I want to thank you, the fans, for the Manchester United Player of the Month award I was honoured to receive last week. It means a lot to me because it's voted for by you. This award gives me so much confidence and I hope it will be the first of many.

[bbfan1991]

Carrick relishes Liverpool clash

Manchester United kicked off a mammoth month of March with a 3-0 away win over West Brom but now the tension is ramped up with a run of home games that takes in league clashes with Liverpool and Manchester City, sandwiching the Champions League last-16 second leg against Olympiacos.



"It's a big month ahead, we're well aware of that,” Michael Carrick told ManUtd.com after helping the Reds to beat the Baggies on Saturday. “It’s Liverpool next and that's a big one. Regardless of where both teams are in the league it’s an important fixture.

“In recent times, with this rivalry, we’ve been on top of them in the league and it's the other way around at the moment. But I don’t think league places affect the game. We’d say it if we’re top of the table that form goes out of the window against Liverpool, it counts for very little, and that’s the case now. It should be a good game and we’re all looking forward to it.”

United’s performance against West Brom brought with it plenty of promise – a display which combined a solid defensive foundation with good possession play and, crucially, the taking of chances when they arose. That followed on from a solid display against Crystal Palace in the league, with Carrick describing the subsequent 2-0 defeat to Olympiacos as an anomaly, not the norm.

“I know we’ve had an up and down season but I think performance-wise in recent times we’ve been pretty good," Carrick told us. "That Olympiacos game was a bit of a shock to everyone and afterwards we just wanted to get back to where we were. I thought we did that against West Brom, so we need to build on that now."

Two players who were crucial in the victories over Crystal Palace and West Brom are still relatively new additions to the squad – Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini. Mata’s wand of a left foot inspires creativity in attacking areas, while Fellaini is beginning to prove to be the midfield minder he was brought in to be. Both men could play in their first United-Liverpool fixture this coming Sunday, introducing them to a rivalry like few others in the English game.

“Juan and Marouane both did really well against West Ham,” said Carrick. “That’s two league games in a row now in which they’ve both performed well – Palace and now West Brom. But while they did well individually, I thought collectively, as a team, we looked really dangerous going forward.

“The performance against West Brom was better than the one at Palace, so that's something we have to take forward into some big games in this important month.”

[bbfan1991]

Reds unveil new medical facility

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

Good news.

[bbfan1991]

US firm acquires ten million United shares.

http://m.eurosport.com/football/prem...33/story.shtml

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United ‏@ManUtd
RvP: “The truth is I’m very happy here… although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.” More: http://bit.ly/1cVe1ZO

Get in RVP.

[Brother Leon]

Meh. He's a media savvy guy. No way he will want to stay under this clown of a manager that doesn't know how to use him.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Meh. He's a media savvy guy. No way he will want to stay under this clown of a manager that doesn't know how to use him.

You are right about him being media savvy, but he is a straight forward guy and I am glad he is broken his silence. He could be really annoyed at the speculation and him being happy could be his genuine feelings.

He's getting accused on Twitter of lying, even though he has made this statement so the guy can't win either way.

[Ryan57]

Would be fantastic news if he stayed. However, numerous players have said they'll stay and then end up leaving.

[bbfan1991]

Preview: Liverpool

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-An...er-League.aspx

Big game, hopefully we get the win and it will be extra special against that lot!

[bbfan1991]

Gearing up for Liverpool

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

[bbfan1991]

Rooney proud to be a leader

Wayne Rooney has revealed he would jump at the chance to be a future Manchester United captain and admits he enjoys being one of the Reds' senior squad members.



In an exclusive interview with April's Inside United magazine, the striker discussed his role in the side and increased responsibility as he prepares to mark a decade at Old Trafford in August. With Nemanja Vidic leaving for Inter Milan in the summer, there has been speculation that David Moyes could consider the no.10 as a long-term candidate for the armband.

Although keen to stress the manager has a number of options, Rooney admits it is an honour he would relish if the opportunity to skipper the club arose.

"I've done it a few times and, if the manager wants me to be the captain, I would have no problem with that," he explained. "I would take it with both hands. However, it is down to the manager, because it's his decision on whoever he feels is the right person to lead the team. I'm sure he'll make that decision when the time comes.

"I think, whether you've got the armband or not, I always feel I'm quite vocal on the pitch. I try to help the players when I feel I can and say what I think. I believe that's the most important thing, to be honest and say what you feel. If you say what you believe are the right things, you need to keep doing that."

Rooney is already acting as a role model to some of the younger players and revealed he is keen to assist Adnan Januzaj with his development.

"I've stayed out after training with Adnan a few times," he added. "Even just working on free-kicks and crossing. It actually benefits me as well and it benefits him.

"I am trying to help him get better and better, which I feel he is doing, and I think young players need to practise all the time, especially coming into the side. Senior players also need to keep practising to stay on top of their game so it works for both of us."

I think Wazza will be our next Captain.