Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

Ash and Chicharito sink Ajax

Goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a 2-0 win at Ajax in Thursday's Europa League last-32 first-leg tie.

Young's first United goal since September set the Red Devils on their way to a comfortable victory in Amsterdam.

The last time the England winger found the net was a last-gasp face-saver against Basel at Old Trafford, in a match which Sir Alex Ferguson still looks back on as the draw that cost his team their place in the Champions League.

And, after a poor first-half, the visitors roused themselves after the break and Young's 59th-minute strike came at the end of their most threatening spell, the former Aston Villa man tucking home after Nani's cross had been deflected into his path.

Hernandez added a second five minutes from time to secure a result that will allow Ferguson to take a pragmatic approach to next week's second leg, which, unlike Thursday evening, will be followed four days later by a crucial Premier League game, against high-flying Norwich at Carrow Road.

As Tom Cleverley was handed his European debut after playing just twice since the beginning of September and not at all for over three months, Nani and Phil Jones back after four match absences and Young only just returned from a pre-Christmas injury, it was perhaps no surprise United were so far off the pace.

Too many first touches and passes went astray.

Crossing was a particularly bad area.

Nani sent one corner straight out for a goal kick, failed to pick out a team-mate with one obvious cross and then smashed a shot into the side-netting from an impossible angle as Wayne Rooney and Hernandez screamed for a pass.

On the other flank, Young fared only marginally better and though Cleverley flickered, he could not sustain his impact for any length of time.

As usual then, Rooney was the visitors' main threat, although his 25-yard effort lacked the venom to beat Kenneth Vermeer with the best chance of that tepid opening period.

Ajax played the kind of free-flowing passing football for which Holland is renowned.

Christian Eriksen may be a Dane but it was easy to see why he chose Holland to learn his trade rather than expose himself to the physicality of the Premier League.

Eriksen prodded and probed and tested David de Gea with a couple of pot shots.

Siem de Jong came closest to breaking the deadlock though, also from long-range.

The wide-man's shot was on target though and De Gea needed to stretch to keep it out.

When United last appeared in a European game outside the Champions League, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was amongst the scorers.

De Gea never contemplated emulating the great Dane. His stock is starting to rise though and Ajax refused to reduce themselves to pumping their opponents' box with crosses in an effort to expose the Spain star's weakeness under a high ball.

That there was no injury-time reflected a general lack of first-half excitement.

There as a talking point in the final minute though when Miralem Sulejmani went down under Rio Ferdinand's challenge.

Ajax were convinced it was a penalty. Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi decided otherwise, leaving Ferdinand to hobble down the tunnel for his break.

Stand-in skipper for the night in place of an emotionally drained Patrice Evra, Ferdinand was able to return for a second-half United began with far more zip than they had shown previously.

Jan Vertonghen was at full stretch to prevent Young's cross reaching Jones at the far post and Vermeer and Vurnon Anita combined to snuff out an opening that seemed to be presenting itself to Hernandez.

United were definitely turning the screw though and it was no surprise they broke the deadlock just before the hour.

So frustrating so often, Nani for once managed to find a team-mate with a cross that flicked off an Ajax defender.

Young steadied himself after beating Anita, eventually drilling a low shot through a crowd of bodies.

It was Young's fourth goal since his £18million summer move to United from Villa and was followed immediately by Cleverley's departure for Paul Scholes, in the absence of Ryan Giggs the only remaining member of that 1995 UEFA Cup team.

Antonio Valencia's introduction for Young provided the South American with enough time to begin a move that ended with Hernandez exchanging passes with Rooney before slotting home his third goal in as many games and ninth of the season.

Valencia was instantly replaced after taking a knock in the build-up, although it only appeared to be a precaution.

Ajax was weak! I don't find them threatening at all. All their shots went directly to De Gea, easy saves for him except for one curler which De Gea made a spectacular save.

Glory Glory Man Utd!

[BeCkHaM_]

MU won by fine goal keeping from De Gea

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

Ajax was weak! I don't find them threatening at all. All their shots went directly to De Gea, easy saves for him except for one curler which De Gea made a spectacular save.

Glory Glory Man Utd!

Originally Posted by BeCkHaM_

MU won by fine goal keeping from De Gea

de gea has played well in the recent games vs chelski, pool and ajax. let's hope this gives him a much needed confidence boost.

a good start to the so-called "2nd tier" european games. only setback is the hamstring injury suffered by our in-form winger valencia. he will be out for a month.

but it's great to see nani, young and especially cleverley back from injuries!

[mr_missile]

Valencia injury blow for United

Antonio Valencia is set to be sidelined for around four weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in Manchester United's 2-0 win at Ajax.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed United winger Valencia's injury after Thursday evening's Europa League round-of-32 tie in Amsterdam.

Valencia had only been introduced as a second-half substitute and helped set up Javier Hernandez's match-clinching goal, United's second.

However, the South American was injured in the build-up and was immediately taken off by manager Ferguson.

"He has a hamstring injury unfortunately," Ferguson said. "It will be four weeks."

Ferguson admitted it was a significant setback given the brilliant form Valencia has been in recently.

"It is a bad blow for us," he said.

If there was a positive from Valencia's injury, which will rule him out of the key Premier League showdown with Tottenham at White Hart Lane on March 4, it was that Nani and Ashley Young were amongst those to return to action.

Young marked his first appearance since Christmas with his fourth goal of the season, breaking the deadlock after a dismal first-half display.

"It was Ashley's first game in two months," said Ferguson.

"Nani came back as well, Phil Jones has played a full game, which is good for us and Tom Cleverley has played a bit of football too so bit by bit we are getting stronger."

With Hernandez adding to Young's effort, United can now hit the cruise button for next Thursday's Old Trafford return, which is followed by a trip to Norwich four days later.

However, Ferguson admitted the outcome did not look likely at the interval.

"The result was better than the performance," he said.

"The first half was disappointing. We found it difficult to get rhythm and speed to our game. Ajax pressed the ball very well and played nice football.

"We had to waken up in the second half because we were making it difficult for ourselves.

"The second half improved and we made some good opportunities. We deserved to win and you can't complain too much when you win 2-0 away from home."

Providing they avoid an unexpected disaster next week United will face either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao for a place in the last 16.

The Russians hold a narrow 2-1 lead after the first leg, raising the potential for a lengthy trip to Moscow in between key Premier League fixtures against West Brom and Wolves.

It is the kind of draining schedule that has caught out so many other teams in the past.

However, Ferguson is hopeful United have the strength to meet the demands.

"Hopefully we have the squad to cope with this competition," he said, contemplating a rare weekend off as United are out of the FA Cup.

"Of course, it is difficult to say because we have never experienced it.

"But there are some very good teams in it, so there is no lack of incentive.

"Winning is a habit too and we are in a good spell just now."

Meanwhile, Hernandez has warned his United team-mates that their progression is not yet assured.

"We know it is a leg of two games. We wanted a great result and thankfully we got the two goals," he told Channel Five.

"We know Ajax is a difficult team, they have history in the European cups.

"We know there is 90 minutes more.

"We can't say we are through yet."

In his TV interview, Ferguson said he was disappointed with his side's performance, but was pleased with the result.

"I'm delighted with the scoreline," he said.

"It was a very ordinary performance from us though. We didn't hit any great heights.

"We improved in the second half and probably deserved to win it in the end.

"I know Ajax can make it difficult with the system they play, but we didn't get any tempo into our game.

"It was not a brilliant performance, but good enough.

"It gives us a good opportunity, but we won't take it for granted.

"But at home at Old Trafford we have a good opportunity to get through."

Ajax coach Frank de Boer was proud of his side's performance but felt small details had gone against them, including Rio Ferdinand's challenge on Miralem Sulejmani at the end of the first-half, which he was convinced should have been a penalty.

"To beat a team like Manchester United, everyone needs to play at 100% and you also need a bit of luck," said De Boer.

"That was not the case tonight.

"The big difference between us and the big European teams is that they only need a small chance to score. We had chances and didn't score.

"I am realistic. I don't think we are going to make it at Old Trafford. But we will go there for the experience and hope to have a fantastic evening."

De Boer also felt star youngsters Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen had come through a very important examination in their development.

"They will definitely reach the level of teams like Manchester United in the coming years," he said.

"They are close now and hopefully we can keep hold of them for as long as possible."

[kiko]

Actually i feel Pique is a good player at barcelona, i wonder why Ferguson sells him.. can any bros here share ?

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by kiko

Actually i feel Pique is a good player at barcelona, i wonder why Ferguson sells him.. can any bros here share ?

gerard pique has definitely established himself as more than a fine player at barca now.

when he was still at old trafford, he was behind the 1st choice central pairing of vidic and ferdinand. he and johnny evans were being groomed to take over vidic and ferdie. but then his old club barca came calling and fergie could not hang on to him.

now we have young stars jones, smalling and evans to vie for the central defensive roles to take over from vidic and ferdie. not too bad choices lah.

[badboynani17]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

gerard pique has definitely established himself as more than a fine player at barca now.

when he was still at old trafford, he was behind the 1st choice central pairing of vidic and ferdinand. he and johnny evans were being groomed to take over vidic and ferdie. but then his old club barca came calling and fergie could not hang on to him.

now we have young stars jones, smalling and evans to vie for the central defensive roles to take over from vidic and ferdie. not too bad choices lah.

Pique got the opportunities to play in first-11 while at Barca, so he could developed further. If he remained in Utd, if Vidic and Ferdinard are not injured then he has no chance to play. He will be 2nd fiddle to them.

Smalling and Jones are promising young chaps. As for Evans, I think he is still not that reliable during big games, more often making stupid mistakes and get himself sent off. But I can see he is improving.

For permanent replacements for Vidic-Ferdinand pairing, my take will be Smalling-Jones.

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by badboynani17

Smalling and Jones are promising young chaps. As for Evans, I think he is still not that reliable during big games, more often making stupid mistakes and get himself sent off. But I can see he is improving.

For permanent replacements for Vidic-Ferdinand pairing, my take will be Smalling-Jones.

pique definitely used his chance at barca well. there are rumours that united are trying to lure him back to old trafford. but i personally think that this is very unlikely to happen.

evans is still improving. with vidic out for the season, he is given the chance to prove to saf he is capable of keeping the central defensive role.

i do agree with u that a smalling-jones partnership may be better. both are younger, tougher and more skilful on the ball. but jones may be groomed to be the next "captain marvel" aka robson. so maybe it will be a smalling-evans partnership.

don't be surprised if sir alex go out and buy an additional defender subotic from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season though.

[yinyang]

21 February 2012 Last updated at 13:55 GMT

Manchester United boosts revenues and cuts its debt

Manchester United says its revenues for the last six months of 2011 increased to £175m, as it released its latest financial figures.

It is an increase of £18.5m on the Old Trafford club's revenues for the same period last year.

The Premier League club said debt was £439m at the end of 2011, less than the £508m reported 12 months previously.

Last year, United said it would partially float on the Singapore Stock Exchange, but that has yet to happen.

The team, currently second to rivals Manchester City in the Premier League, are also competing in the Europa League.

Match day revenues (up from £52.4m to £54.5m), media revenue (up from £53.7m to £60.9m) and commercial revenue (up from £50.4m to £58.6m) were all ahead.

United were taken over by the Glazer family in 2005 and have had a rocky relationship with many of the fans since then over the level of debt at the club.

A buyback of bonds, sold as part of a £500m refinancing operation two years
ago, helped bring down the latest debt figures.

However, total operating costs - up from £96.9m to £110.8m - and net player capital expenditure - up from £11.7m to £47.9m - both rose.

The latter's rise was due to a summer outlay on players David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson set about freshening up his team.

Other figures show a bank balance of £50.9m and a £10.4m rise in general capital expenditure, mainly due to upgrading hospitality areas.

Without the lucrative revenue streams garnered from competing in the Champions League, the club is expected to see a decline in income over the next half-year.

[yinyang]

EUROPA LEAGUE - LAST 32
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Thursday, 23 February Kick-off: 2005 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live

MATCH PREVIEW

Striker Wayne Rooney will miss Thursday's Europa League second leg tie with Ajax due to a throat infection.

Rooney turned up for Wednesday's training session with the club, but was sent home due to the illness.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was resting the 26-year-old in the hope he will be available for Sunday's Premier League game at Norwich.
Tom Cleverley is expected to be fit to play 90 minutes after recovering from an ankle injury.

"He has a really bad throat. There were traces of it in Amsterdam and we gave him some medication but it got worse," Ferguson said of Rooney.
"He has been in bed over the weekend and came in today for the first time and we are trying hard to get him right for Sunday."
United go into the game defending a two-goal goal lead over the Amsterdam club from the first leg.
But Ferguson, who watched his side blow a two-goal advantage against Basel at Old Trafford in their doomed Champions League campaign, has refused to take anything for granted.
He said: "The experience we had against Basel, where we were 2-0 up at half-time, that's in our memories.
"I don't think we'll be casual or careless about what we're trying to achieve tomorrow but it's a good lead. You can't dispute that."

[talkanythingsg]

wow...din know so many MU expert here...
Glory Glory Man Utd....
and we going ..marching...on on on....

[shysaint]

Must come here often to check it out

Once a Devil always a Devil ...

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by talkanythingsg

wow...din know so many MU expert here...
Glory Glory Man Utd....
and we going ..marching...on on on....

Originally Posted by shysaint

Must come here often to check it out

Once a Devil always a Devil ...

welcome to the united thread bros! do feel free to contribute your comments. i won't say we are experts. but i dare say we are true united supporters.

glory glory man united!

[shysaint]

Man Utd sneak through.

Ajax Amsterdam bravely fought back from a goal down to beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford but still went out of the Europa League, losing 3-2 on aggregate.

Javier Hernandez gave United the perfect start in the last-32 tie when he scored from an inch-perfect pass from strike-partner Dimitar Berbatov to give his side the lead after just six minutes.

But Ajax never looked like giving up and fought back in a pulsating end to end match. Aras Ozbiliz equalised just before half-time to give the Dutch side hope and the visitors maintained their momentum after the break.

Nani hit the bar for United before Ozbiliz turned provider for Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld with three minutes left to play. One more goal would have made it 3-3 on aggregate and sent the Dutch side through on away goals, but United held on.

Ajax became the first Dutch side to win at Old Trafford but United go through and will play Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the last 16.

Europa League draw : Games to be played on March 8 and 15.

Metalist Kharkiv v Olympiakos

Sporting Lisbon v Manchester City

FC Twente v Schalke

Standard Liege v Hannover

Valencia v PSV Eindhoven

AZ Alkmaar v Udinese

Atletico Madrid v Besiktas

Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao

[badboynani17]

Chicharito was sharp and effective in the 1st half and his early 6-min goal said it all! But he was poor in the 2nd half, made quite a handful of mistakes and losing possession unnecessarily. Paul Scholes also made a blunt tackle, rsulting in the 2nd goal from a set-piece.

Other than the assist for Chicharito to score the home side's opening goal, Berbatov was disappointing. He lacked the pace and not really a threat to the Ajax back 4. You see the difference when Welbeck came on, the attack was fast and furious... I just feel that Berbatov does not fit into the system anymore. Rather sad, given his talent and wizardy capabilities...

I wonder y Ashley young played so deep in our own half while Fabio was more often the one speeding up to join the attack. New tactic by SAF???

What you guys think?