[bbfan1991]

Neville relishes Liverpool clash

Phil Neville says the intensity of Manchester United's rivalry with Liverpool has never dropped, regardless of their varying fortunes over the years.



The Reds welcome Brendan Rodgers' second-placed side to Old Trafford on Sunday, looking for victory to close an 11-point gap in the Barclays Premier League table.

The sides have beaten each other once this season, with United knocking Liverpool out of the Capital One Cup at home in September, three weeks after going down 1-0 in the league clash at Anfield.

It's a fixture first-team coach Neville has always relished, having played against the Merseysiders 15 times as a player with United.

"When I was in the United first team, Liverpool was the biggest game," Neville says in the latest issue of Inside United.

"The rivalry between the two teams was intense. Both clubs have great history and great success, which always made for some cracking matches. These are the games all the fans want to watch and all the players want to play in.

"Funnily enough, you normally find the little knocks and injuries players are carrying die down in the week leading up to the match. Suddenly, everybody's fit because everybody wants to play!

"This year, Liverpool have had a great season and it'll be a fantastic game but, as always, we'll be looking for maximum points."

[bbfan1991]

RvP pledge pleases Moyes

David Moyes expressed his satisfaction after Robin van Persie declared he wants to stay at Manchester United in an interview with United Review.



There had been rumours in the media that van Persie was unhappy at the club and was looking to leave at the end of the season. But in an interview published on ManUtd.com on Thursday night, van Persie set the record straight.

Moyes is pleased the striker wants to stay beyond his current contract, and is looking forward to seeing more of his partnership with Wayne Rooney.

The manager said to journalists at a press conference on Friday afternoon: "I’ve been telling you that [he’s staying] but you’ve wanted to say or write something different.

"It’s difficult if you don’t believe what I say. Robin is happy here and I’m pleased about that. I didn’t know what was coming out – I’ve only just heard this morning about it.

"We’ll take it as it is. He has a couple of years to go on his contract and I’m sure that will be something the board look at.

"I’ve always said we’ve got two outstanding forwards in Wayne and Robin. Both have capabilities of winning games off their own back. They’re both pivotal international players and the sort of players any side in the world would want in their team.

"I’m delighted to have both of them and, more importantly, that they both want to be Manchester United players."

[bbfan1991]

Rooney: We have to step up

Wayne Rooney admits it is hard for everybody associated with Manchester United to observe the title race - especially as Manchester City and Sunday's opponents Liverpool are among the teams battling it out at the top.



The Reds have endured a difficult campaign and are currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League, 18 points off first place with only one game in hand. When asked if the local rivals' superior form has made it difficult for United fans, Rooney told Inside United magazine:

"Yes it has - and for the players as well. It's not nice when we know we are capable of being up there challenging and we haven’t been doing that this season. It is really difficult to see City doing well - and particularly Liverpool, who have kicked on."

In the same exclusive interview, the striker explained how the current state of play between United, Liverpool and City makes his team-mates even more determined to finish the season strongly and to resume normal service next term.

"It means we have to step up and get back up there, because the feeling we have had this season when we're not doing so well is not a nice feeling at all to have," said Rooney.

"We have to keep working, keep progressing and finish the season stronger. Hopefully we can make that top four but, if not, we will still come back firing next season.”

Rooney was typically bullish when asked if driving United back to the top will be the biggest challenge of his career so far.

“No, I just think we’ve had a disappointing campaign," he replied. "But we will bounce back. I am sure of that.

“We have to focus on trying to get into the top four and retrieving the two-goal deficit against Olympiacos," Wayne continued.

"If not, we’ll bounce back next season and be up there challenging again.”

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Rooney proud to be a leader




I think Wazza will be our next Captain.

Makes me feel sick tbh.


Jones for captain.

[bbfan1991]

Moyes boosted by Nani return

Nani has returned to training to boost David Moyes’ midfield options ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League blockbuster with Liverpool at Old Trafford.



The winger has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on 7 December, a blow that has forced him to miss the following 19 fixtures.

However, while speaking to the media at the Aon Training Complex on Friday, Moyes gave a positive update on the talented Portuguese and three other injured Reds.

“Nani is back. He had a really bad hamstring injury. But he is back and has trained. Hopefully we get him up to speed very quickly,” the boss said. “Rafael, Javier Hernandez and Jonny Evans are all coming along. They all have a chance of playing on Sunday.”

Moyes also discussed his centre-backs, praising Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for their recent form while touching on the benefits of using Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

“I’m pleased with the young boys. We’ve had great service from Rio and Vida and we're using them because we need their experience. With the amount of games we have coming up we’re going to need them to be fit and healthy.”

Good news about Nani being back in training for United. Hoping the other three will be OK too!

[Brother Leon]

Nani can fit in well with this inverted 4231 inverted wingers formation when Adnan needs a break. Just hope he can recover some form.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Nani can fit in well with this inverted 4231 inverted wingers formation when Adnan needs a break. Just hope he can recover some form.

I agree and Nani would thrive from that, we need to keep a consistency in first team selection too. So I hope the team that played vs West Brom starts on Sunday.

[Ryan57]

Would prefer to see only one of Rooney and RVP start on Sunday. The pair do not work together. I'd much rather see the likes of Kagawa or Mata played behind one of them.

Never going to happen though.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Would prefer to see only one of Rooney and RVP start on Sunday. The pair do not work together. I'd much rather see the likes of Kagawa or Mata played behind one of them.

Never going to happen though.

Rooney works much better with Mata and Kagawa than with RVP. RVP is a better Striker than Rooney, but IMO Rooney is a better player overall in terms of his versatility.

I think Rooney/RVP are still working hard to gel and it will come together eventually, these things take time.

[Ryan57]

I'd personally go Rooney over RVP as the main striker.

I don't see them ever gelling. They didn't gel last season and haven't done this campaign, although they have both been injured. Both are at their best as the main striker. Rooney just isn't a number 10. Unfortunately, Moyes is a bottler.

[bbfan1991]

Juan Mata should be in the CAM position, he isn't a winger and will never be.

I really do think United are prepared to spend big in the Summer, things are looking up a bit in terms of news recently despite our awful season, which is one of transition and kind of expected.

The news of a new mega deal Nike sponsorship deal is going to be expected at some point too- £70 million a year the press are reporting. Nike obviously don't want to lose United and both have a good business relationship.

[Ryan57]

He'd work in a 4-2-3-1 on the right. That should be the formation we play from now on. Not the totally outdated 4-4-2.

[Brother Leon]

4312 tbh. **** wingers.

Fellaini
Carrick
Jones (c)

Mata

RVP
Rooney


Only way they can both play. Rooney is no number 10.

[Ryan57]

Don't fancy playing with just 6 players.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Don't fancy playing with just 6 players.

[bbfan1991]

Moyes ponders transfers

Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed he’s "getting prepared" for the summer transfer market and may look to make signings before the start of the World Cup.



Brazil 2014 kicks off on 12 June and it's believed many clubs will try to do their main transfer business before it begins, to head off the inevitable surge of interest should their targets star for their countries.

Moyes has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad in the close season and, while he can’t do much business yet, he’s already thinking about potential incomings.

Asked by reporters if he wanted to sign players before the World Cup, he said: "Yeah, I might do. We are getting ourselves prepared now.

"We can't do an awful lot until the end of the season but we will prepare as much as possible. You don’t always get all your ducks in a row but we will try to get as many of them as we can.

"I know it has been difficult for a lot of people to accept and understand what is going on but we will make changes. We have said that now and everyone is well aware of it."

Moyes rejected the suggestion that Robin van Persie’s desire to stay at United will help him bring in new players.

"I don’t think Robin saying that makes it any more of an attractive proposition for players," the boss added. "It just tells you that people have tried to find reasons why things haven't gone as well for us.

"A lot were saying that was down to Robin van Persie or the manager but I always said that wasn't the case and hopefully now you have heard it from Robin as well."

[bbfan1991]

Liverpool clash still top

Manchester United and Liverpool still merits the highest billing in English football, according to David Moyes.



United can dent the second-placed Merseysiders’ title hopes with victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, a fact that will add more spice to what is always a keenly-contested encounter.

Manchester City’s rise in recent seasons has elevated the importance of the crosstown derby for many Reds but as far as Moyes is concerned, Liverpool remains the big one.

"I think it’s the biggest game in the Premier League," the manager told journalists. "There has been great history between the two clubs over a long period.

"Every game of football is important and any game that features United and Liverpool is massively important.

"[Winning on Sunday] would be a big boost. It would be an important three points. We’ve played them twice this year and they’ve been tight games."

Asked if it was accurate to say Liverpool are favourites to win on Sunday, Moyes replied: "It may well be. Their league position suggests they’re ahead of us and they possibly do come here as favourites.

"Liverpool are having a very good season. They’re our next game at home and we have to do all we possibly can to beat them. We’ve got big games coming up this month so it will be important."

Liverpool are seven points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand but Moyes insists he’s not motivated by the potential to stop them winning the title.

"Our motivation is to make sure we keep progressing," he said. "I think we’ve played well in recent weeks with the exception of Olympiacos. We’ve been progressing and improving.

"Continuing to improve is the most important thing for me and we want to see signs of that. I see signs of it in training. The players are looking well and sharp."

[bbfan1991]

Rooney backs RvP alliance

Wayne Rooney understands why his partnership with Robin van Persie is scrutinised in the media and the Manchester United striker says both men are working hard to prove their critics wrong.



Although Rooney and Van Persie have scored 27 goals between them this season, not to mention another 46 during the title-winning 2012/13 campaign, their relationship has come under the microscope following a number of disappointing results.

During an exclusive interview with MUTV ahead of Sunday’s match against Liverpool, Wayne was asked to discuss his work with Robin.

“I think we are doing alright. Obviously, we can do better and if we are not at the top of the league then that will get looked at and we understand that," Wayne explained. "Personally, we can score more goals and we know we can. We are working hard to do that, we have to keep going and hopefully that will come.”

Liverpool visit Old Trafford with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in white-hot form, having scored 45 goals between them. Although Rooney does not enjoy seeing United's great rivals riding so high in the table, the 28-year-old is begrudgingly impressed by both strikers.

“I think they are both fantastic players and obviously it is good to see Sturridge doing well because he has never really had a chance at his previous clubs,” Wayne explained. “Brendan Rodgers has given him a chance and he has taken it with both hands. That is good for England as well.

“Suarez, for me, is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world. He has been that good and the two of them together have been in great form this season. We will have to do everything we can to stop them on Sunday.”

This weekend’s game is the second of six important fixtures in March, a run of games that includes high-profile collisions with Olympiacos and local rivals Manchester City. While some players might be intimidated by such a sequence, Rooney can’t wait to get started.

“It is a massive couple of weeks for us with the Liverpool, City and Olympiacos games standing out,” Wayne explained. “It could be a massive two weeks for us if we can get the right results. It would put us back on track and keep us with a chance of getting into that top four.

“We know how important these games are and we have worked really hard in training to make sure we are ready for them. We are just looking forward to the Liverpool game on Sunday now.”

[bbfan1991]

Moyes hopes Reds can deliver

David Moyes is urging his Manchester United players to show what they’re capable of during a potentially pivotal ten days, starting against Liverpool on Sunday.



The Reds host Brendan Rodgers' side at Old Trafford with Moyes admitting on Friday that the visitors go into the game as slight favourites. Olympiacos, in the second leg of the Champions League last 16, are up next on Wednesday with the Greeks holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, before a trip to West Ham next Saturday and a Manchester derby meeting with City at home three days later.

Moyes has seen positive signs from his players in recent weeks and in training, and hopes the Reds can come through the testing spell with a string of good results.

“Positive results in the games coming up would make a big, big difference and that’s what we’ll be trying to achieve,” he told reporters. “I hope we can show what we’re capable of in those matches which I think we can win.

“The players have shown that to me recently and with the exception of the Olympiacos game I actually think we’ve played quite well. If we park that game I think we’ve not been in a bad run of form and have had some good results.

“The players have an opportunity to go and show they’re improving. I think they played well at West Brom and there have been signs that they have been doing better. Our away form has been pretty good, but it’s at Old Trafford where we need to pick ourselves up and play better. We’ve made the opportunities and got into lots of positions to score but we’ve not done it. I hope we can show our best in the remaining games.”

There has been a lot of talk about United’s chances of getting into Europe, be it through the Champions League or Europa League, while others have pointed out how Sunday’ s opponents Liverpool have benefited from being able to focus fully on domestic football this term. Moyes, however, is defiant in his stance on qualifying for Europe, no matter which route.

“I’m planning to be in Europe,” he insisted. “I want to be in Europe and I’m planning to win the games to get in there.”

[bbfan1991]

Vidic focused on job in hand

Nemanja Vidic admits to feeling some sadness as he looks back on his Manchester United career but he is determined to finish it with a flourish.



The Reds captain is leaving the club at the end of the season after eight years and revealed he has already been reflecting on a spell that has produced many glorious highs and only the occasional low.

It’s a strange situation for the Serbian, who will leave Manchester to join Internazionale in Milan, but he’s focused on the task in hand – not least the remainder of this important month.

"At the end of the season, a really important part of my life and career will be over, and that’s sad," Vidic told MUTV. "I’ve been starting to think about the times I’ve spent here, the good and bad moments. I’ve been a part of so much success and worked with so many great people who’ve helped me to develop as a footballer.

"But that’s the way it is, that’s life and you have to move on. I’m looking forward to a new challenge but there is still lots for me to do here. We have important games in front of us and I would like to be a part of them to do as much as I can to help the club get through this difficult time.

"Most importantly, we must win our home games, which isn’t going to be easy. We’ve had some bad results at Old Trafford, so we have to assess the problem and change things."

I'll miss Vida when he leaves us. United legend IMO!

[bbfan1991]

United team to play Liverpool: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra, Mata, Fellaini, Carrick, Januzaj, Rooney, Van Persie.

Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Cleverley, Kagawa, Valencia, Young, Welbeck.


Class team. Hopefully United perform well and get the win against that lot.

[bbfan1991]

Glad we just about got through to the Champions League Quarter Finals. The team actually put on a good performance and they had passion and desire, that was missing from previous matches.

I hope that RVP's injury is OK.

David De Gea, what a class two saves he did to keep us in the game and all round fantastic performance!

[bbfan1991]

United 3 Olympiacos 0

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

Something to be happy about for once in what has been a miserable season overall for us.

[bbfan1991]

RvP injury not serious

Hat-trick hero Robin van Persie was stretchered off in the closing stages of Manchester United’s 3-0 victory against Olympiacos but manager David Moyes is confident the injury isn't serious.



Van Persie looked in severe pain when he went down in the 90th minute under a challenge from Kostas Manolas. He was stretchered off the pitch and went straight down the tunnel.

However, speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Moyes appeared confident the Dutchman would soon be back on the pitch.

"I don't think Robin's too bad," he said. "He's got a knock just behind his knee. We'll know more in the morning – we'll assess it – but he had a knock in the back of his knee. We hope it's not too bad."

Van Persie's hat-trick was his third since joining the club and the first by a United player in Europe since Michael Owen netted a treble against Wolfsburg in December 2009.

[bbfan1991]

UEFA draw on Friday

Manchester United's next Champions League opponents will be determined on Friday 21 March when the quarter-final draw is held in Switzerland at 11:00 GMT.

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