[Brother Leon]

Funnn how Carrick gets snubbed when he is in great form and gets called up when he's fell off abit.

[bbfan1991]

Apparently SAF was scouting Robert Lewandowski last night, we have enough Strikers as it is at the moment but RL has been linked to us for ages.

Tom Ince is linked to us now, some rumours going round that he might join us in January. Another Winger?

Kevin Strootman from PSV is going to be available in January and that is the type of player United need, someone who can play in CM or as a CDM. He is only 22 and could develop at a club at United.

[Brother Leon]

Just think he was there to laugh at the joke that is Man City tbh

[bbfan1991]

True.

[bbfan1991]

Happy with the United win and performance yesterday at Newcastle, plus the fact that we got a clean sheat too.

We actually scored from two corners and they finally got past the first man, as normally our corner kicks are dire.

Glad that Evans and Evra scored, although Clevz goal was class!

Match Report:

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

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex hails emphatic win

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed “an absolutely brilliant performance” after Manchester United swept Newcastle United aside to seal an impressive 3-0 win at the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday.

The manager watched with delight as goals from Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra and Tom Cleverley capped a fine display in the north east, where the Reds were disappointed to lose by the same scoreline in January last season.

“It was a great result to come here and win 3-0 against a very powerful and aggressive Newcastle team,” Sir Alex told Sky Sports. “You have to really perform and make sure you keep control of the game and I think we did that for most of the time.

“We were terrific in the second half against Tottenham, it was an absolutely brilliant performance but the first half spoiled the whole day. Whereas today we were really on top of our game in terms of concentration, determination and all of the things you want to see in a team that is going to win.

“I think concentration is important at this level and we concentrated on the way we played in the first 20 minutes. It’s strange that we played so much good football and made good openings, but we scored from two setpieces which is unusual for us.

“Patrice Evra has only scored four goals and I think Jonny Evans has only got two goals. But you take it because winning these games is important and all in all, I thought the football was really good and the concentration was terrific and the determination was there.

“I think there was pressure [on us] because you don’t want to fall too far behind. If we hadn’t won today we would have been seven points behind Chelsea. We are in the frame and we are still there. Obviously, every game is important now because we want to stay up there and hopefully we can do that.”

Although the Reds dominated most of the match, Newcastle had several promising spells and perhaps should have scored when Papiss Cisse’s header was adjudged not to have crossed the line, after David De Gea did well to parry the ball away.

“I had a look at it and the replay is inconclusive,” the boss remarked. “The whole ball was not over the line but I would be disappointed if we didn’t get the goal ourselves if we were in that situation.

“Our goalkeeper has done fantastically to get to it, but if the rule is that the whole ball has to be over the line then it is not a goal. I would have been disappointed though because I thought enough of the ball was over.”

[bbfan1991]

Cleverley meant super strike

Tom Cleverley insists he meant his first Barclays Premier League goal for the club - an incredible shot from the left flank that found the top corner of Steve Harper's net.

The midfielder broke his duck at senior level for the Reds against the Magpies in the recent Capital One Cup tie and followed it up with the strike that wrapped up the three points on a memorable afternoon in the North East.

When asked if it was his intention to go for goal, he replied: "Yeah, I meant to put it in that far corner. I looked to the far corner and, whether it's a good cross or obviously a good finish, luckily it's found the net.

"The ball's come back and I've seen the goalkeeper a little bit off his line so I've hit that area. Whether Welbz [Danny Welbeck] gets across and puts his head on it or the ball goes straight in, so I'd say it's a good finish."

Sir Alex Ferguson disagreed, joking: "I think it was a cross but he says it was a shot!"

Cleverley, who heads off on England duty for the World Cup double-header against San Marino and Poland, was quick to pay tribute to the defenders for their part in the 3-0 success.

"We all knew it was going to be a tough game," he conceded. "Starting like we did was fantastic for us – not just the goals but we were playing really well. I think it took them 20 minutes to cope with us and we were 2-0 up by then and in control. We hit them on the counter-attack times and I thought we really controlled the second half.

"Away from home, any clean sheet is massive. Despite all the balls Newcastle put into the box, the back four and keeper were fantastic and fully deserved the clean sheet.

"We know we've got goals in the team and we've got players who can assist goals from everywhere. Welbz and Wazza [Wayne Rooney] were two of our main goalscorers last season and they've not scored yet so, when everyone clicks, I'm sure we can go on a run."

Cleverley felt the diamond formation worked well again and is hopeful he can continue to find the net after getting off the mark for the Reds this season.

"We played it [the new formation] against Newcastle in the Cup and Cluj and have won all three games," he explained. "It's a good system and something else we can use against teams. We've got plenty of plan Bs and plan Cs.

"My two goals have both come against Newcastle but, in general, I think I'm gettnig into goalscoring positions now. At the start of the season, it just wasn't going in. I had one cleared off the line at Everton and for England so, fortunately, I'm finding the back of the net now and hopefully I can go on a run.

"We said last time [there was an international break] when we managed to win at Southampton that it would've been horrible having no game for two weeks and having a defeat. With all our main competitors winning, we really had to get the three points and thankfully we did."

[Brother Leon]

There is no Paul Scholes replacement tbh.



Rooney will probably end up doing what he does now for us in the future.

[bbfan1991]

Rooney voted star man

Wayne Rooney's performance in Manchester United's Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle has earned him ManUtd.com's Man of the Match accolade.

The Reds striker has been in excellent form since returning to the side against the Magpies in the Capital One Cup and he impressed again on Sunday in a deeper midfield role behind front-runners Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck and claimed two assists. A left-wing corner allowed Patrice Evra to grab a rare goal while it was his pass that preceded Tom Cleverley's second-half wonder strike.

Rooney's commitment to the cause and selflessness helped earn him 55 per cent of the vote, ensuring he was the clear choice as the fans' star man on Sunday.

Cleverley, who followed up his Old Trafford goal against Alan Pardew's side with a long-range effort to make it 3-0, came second with a healthy 21 per cent while Evra took third spot after a splendid showing at left-back, including the unstoppable header past Steve Harper.

The other three nominees were Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael but there were encouraging performances throughout the side ahead of the international break.

Well deserved.

[bbfan1991]

Tom bemused by Rio critics

Tom Cleverley admits he is baffled by some media criticism aimed at Rio Ferdinand after the defender produced another polished performance at Newcastle.

The centre-back was harshly highlighted in some quarters after Gareth Bale used his exceptional pace to score for Tottenham in the 3-2 win at Old Trafford but has been in top form this term.

Following a superb display at Liverpool in the Reds' previous Barclays Premier League trip on the road, Ferdinand was at his vintage best again at the Sports Direct Arena.

"People were doubting Rio but he's had one bad game in about six months," Cleverley told MUTV. "He was fantastic along with Rafael, Patrice [Evra] and Jonny [Evans] for anyone doubting our defence.

"We have conceded a few goals due to some small mistakes this season but that's a team thing - not just the defence. I couldn't believe some of the stuff I read about Rio in the week. It's definitely not deserved is that."

Evans, Ferdinand's partner on Sunday, was also full of praise for the former West Ham and Leeds stopper.

"The thing with Rio is that he is so experienced," the Northern Irishman told MUTV. "He cruises through games.

"He comes off at the end and there is not a bit of sweat on him, he could probably play on and on. But that just shows the quality he has got and the experience."

Same Tom, Rio for me still has it.

[bbfan1991]

Fletcher eyes league chance

Darren Fletcher is looking forward to getting back into Barclays Premier League action but is willing to bide his time.

The Scotland international, who is away with Craig Levein's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, has made great strides in coming back to football after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

Although figuring in both Champions League ties and the Capital One Cup win over Newcastle, the last time the 28-year-old was on the pitch in the league was back in November 2011 when he came on as a substitute at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

"It's what it's all about," he told MUTV. "Getting as many games as possible.

"I know the manager has got such a big squad now, especially in the midfield area, and there is a lot of competition for places. I have to be patient and wait for my chances but, hopefully, one will come around sooner rather than later.

"I think my general fitness is fine, it's just match fitness - the sharpness, reaction times, things in your head and things like that. The positional sense, when you're a little bit older, comes back to you fairly quickly."

Fletcher also has some Under-21 and behind-closed-doors matches under his belt as he aims to become a regular again in Sir Alex's side.

"To get as many 90 minutes as possible is great just now," he admitted. "After not playing for a long time, it's important to get games back into your legs. Fortunately, I've had quite a few games for the Reserves as well.

"I was just desperate to get back involved in any way, shape or form. For me, firstly playing for the Reserves was massive and a great achievement. Going into every game, I treat them the same. It doesn't matter where it is - the Reserves, Capital One Cup, back in Scotland - every match is the same when you get across that line and just want to get back to winning ways."

Glad to see him back for us.

[bbfan1991]

Rafael could land double

In-form Rafael could be on the verge of an awards double thanks to ManUtd.com's readers.

The popular Brazilian impressed the website's readers enough to edge out Paul Scholes as the September's star man. In doing so, the right-back became only the third defender to win the award since its 2007 inception.

"I’m very happy to win this award, especially since I found out that defenders never win it," Rafael laughed. "It’s just an honour to win, especially to beat Paul Scholes, and I’m very proud.

"It was a good month for me, very consistent, playing many games and of course scoring the goal at Liverpool was the high point for me. I think scoring at Anfield probably helped a lot with the voting!"

Furthermore, that stunning strike on Merseyside is very much in the running for our Goal of the Month accolade and the South American went close to netting for a third time this term with a thumping drive that flew inches wide at Newcastle on Sunday.

Now 22 and approaching a century of appearances for the club, Rafael revels in the relationship he has built with United supporters since arriving from Fluminense.

"It’s great to win something voted by the fans," he continued. "The supporters have helped me since I came here and I’m very happy with that.

"Since I arrived here, the fans have been amazing, singing songs for me or stopping me and telling me I’m a true Red! I’ve been coming here to training since I was 15 years old, a long time, so I feel like I am a true Red."

Nice one Rafael. He is so likeable!

[Brother Leon]

Smalling & Jones back in training.

HUGE news.

[Alf]

give us a match report on the first game of the season when you were played off the park by everton, and didn't have a clue how to handle fellaini.
your glory days are over, the futures blue, the futures everton

[Alf]

cant believe you didn't go in for fellaini from everton, he's a domminant midfield player, which is something you seem to be lacking at the moment.

[Brother Leon]

Well if you come into The Man United thread you can expect news stories on Ma United.


Like it or lump it

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Well if you come into The Man United thread you can expect news stories on Ma United.


Like it or lump it

their name's Manchester united to their real fan's

[bbfan1991]

Kagawa out for weeks

Shinji Kagawa will be sidelined for a few weeks after a knee injury forced him to miss the second half of the midweek win against SC Braga in the Champions League.

The former Borussia Dortmund star is out of Sunday's top-of-the-table encounter at Chelsea and it is likely to be "three or four weeks" before he is playing again, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It's a knee injury similar to the one Ashley Young had but not as bad," revealed the boss. "I think playing on with the injury did not help the situation for him, even though he did well to play on with it. It's disappointing for him."

More positive news is that defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones continue to make progress in their bid to return to first-team action.

"Smalling is back training on the football side of things," added Sir Alex. "Phil Jones will hopefully start full training a week on Monday so things are getting better on that front.

"Certainly getting Smalling back is a big bonus for us. Other than that, everyone else is available for Sunday's game."


Gutted. I hope he makes a speedy recovery!

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex tackles striker problem

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the only problem posed by having four in-form strikers to choose from “is having to tell one or two of them they're not playing”.

The manager has a major selection headache ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League, after Javier Hernandez scored twice in midweek to stake his claim for a starting place alongside either Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie of Danny Welbeck.

“It’s a good problem to have” said Sir Alex. “I don’t always enjoy it [telling players they’re not playing] but it has to be done. In fairness to all the players they've accepted it well and adapted to it. I don’t have any great problems other than having to tell one or two of them they're not playing.

“Chicha was tremendous the other night. He’s a really terrific player and such a dedicated footballer and professional in every training session. He’s improving – that’s the good thing about him.

“The thing that is making the difference to him is he got a proper rest in the summer. It was exhausting in the way it had been in the previous three years for him. That’s helping him.”

United travel to Stamford Bridge with a disappointing record and have not won a single Premier League match there since the 2001/02 campaign, losing or drawing the 10 fixtures that followed - an irregular streak of results that was almost broken on several occasions.

Last season, the Reds climbed off the canvas at the home of the Blues to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw, coming from three goals down to claim what had seemed an unlikely point and narrowly miss out on what was almost a deserved victory.

“It’s an amazing record but it’ll change, sometime - hopefully on Sunday. Last season we were actually very unlucky. In the main I don’t think we’ve played badly. The games that we’ve lost, not last year, but in the years before that, we actually played well in only to get bad decisions against us.

“Last season we did really well to rescue it after being 3-0 down. I think we scored three goals in about eight minutes or something like that. We should have won it really. We were the better team in the first half yet we were 3-0 down just after half-time.

“It was amazing. Apart from last season if you look at the last six or seven seasons before that it was always us and Chelsea vying for the title so that gives you an idea of how we’ll approach this game on Sunday – it’s going to be hard one.”

[bbfan1991]

Sir Alex eyes Blues threat

Sir Alex Ferguson admits United must contend with Chelsea's fluid formation at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The European champions have only dropped two Barclays Premier League points all season and sit proudly at the summit, four points clear of the two Manchester sides.

With Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar all impressing with their clever play, it promises to be a real test for the Reds.

"It’s always a very difficult game at Chelsea for both sides," explained Sir Alex. "You’ve got two good teams. They’re top of the league after a great start to the season – they’ve done really well. They've played an interesting formation and it’s something we have to deal with.

"They've brought Oscar and Hazard into the team – they’re similar types of players, I think. They're adapting to having players like Mata also in the same position - there is a situation where they're in behind the front player all the time. It’s not an easy system to deal with, but we just have to find a way.

"They’re all similar players, they play in behind the main striker. Of course they don't have Didier Drogba so their game had to change anyway. They always had that alternative route of playing with Drogba up front – they could play it long or they could play it through midfield. Now it’s straightforward, it’s through midfield all the time."

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by wannashag

their name's Manchester united to their real fan's

Don't belittle me about real fans. I've paid and travelled to see them in places from Amaterdam to Portugal. Acting like I called them Man U or something.



Anyway. So excited to see Ruud again. We were such a one man team is his days.

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has shutdown talk of a move to Real Madrid.

De Gea, 21, has a fight on his hands with United’s No 2 Anders Lindegaard.

But, ahead of today’s crucial trip to Chelsea, De Gea told The Sun: “I am happy at United and not thinking about a return to Spain.

“I’ve accepted the challenge to learn and improve as a professional.

“And fighting for my place gives me a bigger incentive to play well.”

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie cannot split Sir Alex Ferguson and his former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Van Persie will face his former club for the first time since defecting to Manchester United in the summer when the Gunners go to Old Trafford on Saturday.

RVP said: “I am the only player who can judge what it’s like working with Arsene and Sir Alex.

“It is an absolute privilege to say that in my career I have had both these managers at the clubs I have played for. They are both icons as managers in football. They are both world class, one not more nor less than the other. I purely look at this comparison as a footballer. I look at the way they both work on the pitch, in training, at the club and off the field.”

Van Persie added: “I had a fantastic time with Arsene. I enjoyed training, playing, talking and all the other times I spent with him. I love it that I now experience the same with Sir Alex.

“But what I love about both managers is that they came to their clubs for a good cause.

“They both wanted to be at the club for a really long time.”


He has forgotten Mikael Silvestre.

[Brother Leon]

David

[bbfan1991]

He is going to be world class, it will take time but he will prove his critics wrong. Class performance against Chelski.