[bbfan1991]

Preview: Aston Villa v United

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

[bbfan1991]

Johnstone enjoying loan

On-loan goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is maintaining hope of making the play-offs with League One Walsall.



The 20-year-old has only conceded two goals in his five matches since joining the promotion-chasing Saddlers and is desperate to help them reach the Championship.

Walsall have two games remaining – at home to bottom club Bury and away to Crewe – and a pair of wins would give them a chance of making the top six as they are currently four points adrift.

"Against Sheffield United was the first goal I conceded," he told MUTV. "I wasn't happy about it as I don't like conceding and the way it happened against Scunthorpe was frustrating too.

"But I look at my performance myself and don't think I could have done much about the goals that have been scored against me. It's great experience for me. Last year I was at Scunthorpe at a different end of the table but this year at Walsall I'm at the top end. It's different with different pressures but I'm enjoying it.

"There are two games left and we'll work hard to win them. It'd be great to get into the play-offs but we have got to take things one game at a time."

I am pleased for him.

[bbfan1991]

Boss delighted with PFA nods

Sir Alex Ferguson says the PFA Player of the Year nominations for Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck are thoroughly deserved.



Van Persie and Carrick have been shortlisted for the main award, while Welbeck has been included in the Young Player category.

Sir Alex hopes at least one of his players will be celebrating when the winners are announced on Sunday 28 April.

"I'm delighted," the boss told MUTV. "They deserve to be nominated, there's no doubt about that. And I obviously hope one of them wins.

"Robin has had a fantastic season – his goals emphasise the impact he has made at our club. And I think this is Michael's best ever season at United. He's been absolutely magnificent. Both of them deserve to be there and I hope one of them wins it.

"It's amazing Michael has had to wait until he's 31 to get nominated for anything!" joked the boss. "He really deserves it.

"Danny has also shown some great performances this season for us and his country, and I'm delighted for him too."

[Ryan57]

United players modelling Paul Smith suits.





Giggs looks a fool. Young as usual a waste of space. RVP the only one who pulls it off.

[King Gizzard]

ashley young has such a small head

both his and giggs' look awful

[Drew.]

oh dear, them suits are terrible

[Legend killer]

Have never seen Young move so quick as in those photo's

[King Gizzard]

Originally Posted by Drew.

oh dear, them suits are terrible

yeah..looking at this again..this guy pretty much needs to find himself a new job

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by Nathan

ashley young has such a small head

both his and giggs' look awful

Young has a malteser head.

[bbfan1991]

Funny ha ha.

Ashley Young looks like he is hosting a gameshow!

[bbfan1991]

Boss happy with United shape

Sir Alex Ferguson feels minor changes are more likely than a major overhaul when he assesses his Manchester United squad for next season - although he admits his summer plans are still to be firmed up.



Given the current pool is on course to win the Barclays Premier League, and he expects a number of players within the group to improve, the boss is set to only tinker with his resources. But while a deal has already been concluded for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Fabio will return from his season-long loan at QPR, the boss is refusing to rule out making a big-name buy.

Asked by Sunday newspaper journalists if he would consider signing another star, Sir Alex replied: "In what position? That's the main thing. Normally, the players you’re talking about are forwards and it’s complicated enough as it is with the forwards we have."

When the next question addressed a specific striker - Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski - there was a hint of interest from the boss.

"Bayern [Munich] are strong in that one too aren’t they?" he responded. "We’ll just have to wait and see where we are in terms of if we win the league. Maybe then we’ll view it differently."

On the whole, it's clear Sir Alex is very happy with the players already at his disposal.

"I think it’ll be minor," he revealed on the subject of any rebuilding. "Maybe but I don’t know.

"It depends on a lot of things like the availability of players. Not everybody wants to sell their players. What do we need? We have a reasonable group of young players in Kagawa, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Rafael, Fabio will be back, Büttner, De Gea, Cleverley, Welbeck and Chicharito. They’re all in a really young age group that can last quite a few years and we expect improvement from the younger players in the team.

"Jones and Smalling, if I can keep them clear of injury, will improve a lot as they’ve got the material. We’ve seen improvement in Welbeck from last season and he’s improving all the time. The issue with Danny is the goals and that’s where we want to see improvement in him. Last year he scored 12 goals but this year only two so he has had a wee bit of a plateau. With England, he looks like he can score in every game though."

SAF.. We need to improve our Midfield!

[bbfan1991]

Carrick inspires Cleverley

Tom Cleverley has grown up at Manchester United learning from great players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and the young Reds midfielder puts Michael Carrick in that bracket of team-mates who have heavily influenced his game.



Carrick, who has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, has been one of the Reds’ most consistent performers throughout the 2012/13 campaign and Cleverley has struck up a promising partnership alongside the deep-lying playmaker, lining up together on 15 occasions this term.

Even when he is not in the starting eleven, Tom admits he pays close attention to Carrick’s calmness under pressure and the way he controls the tempo of matches in the hustle and bustle of the midfield battle.

“Michael has been fantastic for United this season,” Tom told MUTV.

“Growing up here, I’ve been really lucky all the way through as I’ve always had fantastic midfielders to learn from. He’s one of those.

“With his forward passing and calmness on the ball, he just knows how to control and win games, so I can always be learning from him.”

Michael Carrick is class and so underrated IMO. Nice praise by Tom Cleverley, who I am glad is learning from our main Midfielder.

[bbfan1991]

De Gea grasps first-choice role

David De Gea is set to make his 18th consecutive start for United on Monday with his boss declaring him the club's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.



The Spaniard is three games away from his longest unbroken run between the posts, having been top of the Reds' teamsheet for every competitive fixture since mid-January's FA Cup replay win over West Ham, when Anders Lindegaard returned to the line-up for one night only. And De Gea hasn't missed a league game since 1 December when his Danish colleague played in the dramatic 4-3 victory at Reading.

When asked if De Gea is now confirmed as his first-choice goalkeeper, Sir Alex replied: "Yeah, definitely. And I thank Steeley (Eric Steele) for that as he’s the one who works with David every day. I’ve had a couple of chats with him but nothing serious.

"Steeley kept reminding David he would be top. The improvement is the physical part as he’s put on nearly a stone now in terms of muscle. He’s much stronger and dealing with the physical part [of the game] much, much better.

"As I said a few weeks ago, he’s developed into a really top keeper. He’s quick, he's got good composure and his use of the ball is good. He’s got no problems now."

De Gea has proved his strength, not to mention his powers of recovery, in at least two recent away games. At Sunderland, for example, he bravely played on after accidentally clashing heads with his own captain Nemanja Vidic. Against West Ham, the keeper was controversially clattered by Andy Carroll in what Sir Alex referred to as a football "war zone."

"He took a real buffeting at West Ham and it didn’t affect him at all," said Sir Alex. "He was composed in everything he did and had no chances [of saving] the goals. Actually, he was very unlucky with the second goal – Kevin Nolan did a fantastic job of shielding the defender out of the road and if you see the video from behind the net, David had no chance."

Sir Alex says De Gea was fully briefed about the rigours of English football prior to his arrival - and the warning immediately rang true when he made his league debut in August of last year.

"If you remember he played his first game away from home at West Brom and got a battering," recalled Sir Alex. "At the time I said referees will think he’s a young Spanish goalkeeper and he’s not tough and he didn’t get any protection at all.

"When we agreed to sign David, I had him at my house with Steeley and I got Eric in to explain how we played and what the game was like in England. He must’ve expected it to be different in that respect but I’m sure he was still surprised.

"Having to deal with it as a young goalkeeper was different. In the early days, it was a concern whether he was going to mature enough to handle that kind of play. But with the maturity we're seeing in him now, it doesn't bother him in the same way. He’s handling it. We don’t have any concerns about that.

"I don’t think you can prepare for it in training. Steeley does a lot of crossing with the three keepers but you can’t prepare for the real thing. We don’t want players crashing into one another in training!"

Sir Alex revealed he encouraged De Gea by pointing to how arguably United's greatest ever goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, had to adapt when he first came to England from his native Denmark.

"Yes, I spoke to David about Schmeichel and pointed out to him that in his first game at Wimbledon away from home he was screaming for protection from the referee.

"That mob [Wimbledon's players] were focusing right on him and battering into big Pete and he was screaming like a dying pig but he handled it.

"It was something different for him but Peter was more mature in fairness – he was 27 and a big strong lad. He soon got used to what it’s like in England and never had any bother after that."

Well said SAF. David De Gea is awesome, has a bright future with United and I am soooo pleased he is proving his critics wrong.

[bbfan1991]

Evra: Character at United is unique

Patrice Evra believes no other team has the character and spirit that Manchester United possess.



The Reds are within six points of collecting a 20th Championship crown having led the way at the top of the league for the last few months.

While results in the Champions League and the Cups have ultimately ended in disappointment, the Reds have unquestionably set the standard in the league.

Next up on Monday night is Aston Villa, who United beat 3-2 earlier in the season after coming from two goals down. Never giving up has always been an intrinsic quality of any Sir Alex Ferguson team, yet Evra feels the Reds aren’t always given the deserved credit for the team's powers of recovery.

“The funny thing is because it is Manchester United people don't give us a lot of credit. They just say 'oh, okay, they escaped, they came back,’” the Frenchman told PA Sport and talkSPORT.

“If it is another team they say what great character they have, what a great team they are. Because it is Manchester United they just say we have escaped. We did not escape. This is character. This is personality. That is why we are here. That is why I hope we are going to win the title.

"You have to accept the criticism but I don't see anyone with more character than this team.”

He is so right.

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Carrick inspires Cleverley




Michael Carrick is class and so underrated IMO. Nice praise by Tom Cleverley, who I am glad is learning from our main Midfielder.

Shame he isn't learning enough. Please model yourself on Wilshere, Tom. We need much much more than what he offers.

[bbfan1991]

Spurs 3-1 up. Tomorrow will be great if United win!

Chicharito Hernandez ‏@CH14_ 8m
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooool

Chicha.

[bbfan1991]

When he lives on a farm
And he bites a blokes arm
That's a Suarez

With a smile that's so wide
Makes his teeth go offside
That's a Suarez.

[bbfan1991]

Hopefully tomorrow.

[bbfan1991]

Youtube video

English translation:

Kagawa: Why, why is my dad…

Shinji’s dad – Shinji

Kagawa – .. a DOLPHIN dammit!?!? (Hits post)

Shinji’s dad – Come back home

Kagawa – Blast!!!

Uncle – I’ll put you in touch!!!

Kagawa – Uncle!!!

Uncle – Get in touch with your father!!!

Kagawa – With my dad?

Shinji’s dad – I want to see your face

(Scores goal) Uncle – Nice assist!!!

Kagawa – yeah

Uncle – And again (misses ball)

Kagawa – UNCLE!!!

Narrator – The No 1 way to get connected

Uncle – GOAL!!!

.

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

United players modelling Paul Smith suits.





Giggs looks a fool. Young as usual a waste of space. RVP the only one who pulls it off.

Horrendous colours

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Youtube video

English translation:

Kagawa: Why, why is my dad…

Shinji’s dad – Shinji

Kagawa – .. a DOLPHIN dammit!?!? (Hits post)

Shinji’s dad – Come back home

Kagawa – Blast!!!

Uncle – I’ll put you in touch!!!

Kagawa – Uncle!!!

Uncle – Get in touch with your father!!!

Kagawa – With my dad?

Shinji’s dad – I want to see your face

(Scores goal) Uncle – Nice assist!!!

Kagawa – yeah

Uncle – And again (misses ball)

Kagawa – UNCLE!!!

Narrator – The No 1 way to get connected

Uncle – GOAL!!!

.

Now I understand, scoring a goal is too mainstream.. setting up rvp by hitting 2posts is kagawa style. this advert explains how his dolphin father and uncle dog trains him on hitting posts

Great comment.

Leon, RVP is looking suave though.

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Shame he isn't learning enough. Please model yourself on Wilshere, Tom. We need much much more than what he offers.

I see your pont but That's unfair. He just isn't a Wilshere player. He isn't cutting edge and going to take it past two players etc. what he is though is a player who will keep the ball and almost always pick out the right pass, rarely giving it away. That is just as important in the middle.

[bbfan1991]

Reds have title chance

Manchester United can clinch a 20th league title with victory over Aston Villa on Monday after Manchester City were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.



Roberto Mancini’s side took the lead after just five minutes through Samir Nasri at White Hart Lane, but Clint Dempsey, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale all scored in an irrepressible second-half display from Spurs, themselves chasing the final top four Champions League qualification spot.

United’s lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table still stands at 13 points, but beating Villa at Old Trafford would extend that advantage to 16, and with just five games remaining City would be unable to catch the Reds.

Monday’s clash with Villa is by no means a guaranteed three points for Sir Alex’s men. Paul Lambert’s side are battling for Premier League survival and three wins and a draw from their last five matches means the Villans are in good form and desperately seeking valuable points to retain their top-flight status.

That said, the opportunity to close out the title race with a win on home turf is an excellent incentive for United in what could be a special night at Old Trafford.

Come on United tonight, hopefully we get the win that confirms as Premier League champions. #20 is so close!

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

I see your pont but That's unfair. He just isn't a Wilshere player. He isn't cutting edge and going to take it past two players etc. what he is though is a player who will keep the ball and almost always pick out the right pass, rarely giving it away. That is just as important in the middle.

He's a decent player but, as things stand, no way in a million years is this guy going to replace Scholes and that is the task really, given we haven't signed a central midfielder for the past two seasons due to Cleverley.

He'd make a good squad player but just isn't upto the task of being a permanent starting XI player for me. Aside from when playing a defensive formation as he has a good engine on him.
Good short passer. Long passing the jury is still out. I just wish he had more confidence than to just go for the simple pass.

[bbfan1991]

Eyes on the prize

Michael Carrick says Manchester United's refocused winning mentality in the second half of the season has been the key to setting up an opportunity to clinch a 20th league title against Aston Villa tonight.



The Reds notched 45 goals in 18 matches in a pre-Christmas run containing thrills and spills in abundance, but Carrick is more impressed with the team's steely focus, as evidenced in 11 victories from 12 after Christmas Day leading up to a first league defeat of 2013 in the Manchester derby.

“Sometimes at the start of the season [your form] can be unpredictable,” he tells tonight’s United Review. “After Christmas it settles down, we refocus again after Christmas. You start that run towards home and your mindset changes almost without you realising it.

“At the start of the season you have to be ready and focused, but there’s something in the air here when you turn for that finish line; it’s part of the mentality. That’s not to say we’re relaxed or taking it easy at the start of the season and the way the league is now from the word go you have got to be at it.

“You can’t lose too many games or drop too many points, but when you swing around past Christmas every game seems to get bigger and bigger. We relish that.”

United have scored three or more goals in 13 matches in the Barclays Premier League this term, but nine clean sheets in 2013 have been critical in placing United 13 points clear of closest rivals Manchester City with just five games to go, one victory away from clinching the title.

“The 4-3s are exciting and they’re the ones you look back on and think that they really stand out,” explains Carrick. "But I’d take the Stoke result every time. People were looking at that game wondering how we were going to react to a defeat and what situation was going to be and, because of that, winning there was as pleasing as any victory we’ve had all season.”

With what is at stake when Aston Villa visit Old Trafford, victory tonight would be the sweetest of them all.

Indeed!