Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

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Papers: Reds to splash out

Fergie's £50m War Chest
Sir Alex Ferguson will be handed £50million to strengthen his Manchester United squad this summer after steering the club to their first Premiership crown in four years. Fergie will use the huge transfer kitty to land Owen Hargreaves, Spanish striker Fernando Torres, Gareth Bale from Southampton and Portuguese prodigy Nani - while Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Reading's Steve Sidwell are also on the United manager's wanted list. Despite beating Chelsea to the title, Fergie admitted the limitations of his United squad were exposed by a clutch of injuries towards the end of the season, and he has vowed to bolster his personnel to ensure there is no repeat of that potential crisis.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

The Sun claims United have pulled out of a deal for Owen Hargreaves, after Bayern Munich allegedly upped the midfielder's price tag to over £20million.

In the same paper, David Beckham tips Ryan Giggs to equal Phil Neal's record of 17 winner's medals, having clinched his 16th in United's weekend title triumph.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims his newly-crowned Premiership champions will only get better, but he expects renewed challenges from Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool next season.

The Mirror says Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will miss the FA Cup Final against United after undergoing a hernia operation.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex hit out at Manchester City defender Michael Ball for his stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo during Saturday's derby win, saying: “I don’t know what got into him."

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Rumour: United boss to be handed £50m warchest

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to celebrate the clubs first title victory in 4 years by splashing up to £50 million during the summer transfer market.

Ferguson looks set to be handed the bumper transfer kitty by American owner Malcolm Glazer as the club aim to establish themselves as the main power in the Premier League.

Now the Scottish boss looks set to up the chase for the likes of Gareth Bale, Owen Hargreaves and Micah Richards.

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Originally Posted by Sayangku

Not sure Hargreaves is a good signing, he's the same as Carrick, Barbatov is a good target for Man U, very classy and can score goals.

Will need a playmaker or a defensive midfielder (Gattuso pls) to hold the ball and distribute it to the front or to the wings.

I think we are ok with defences and forwards, go Man U

i think Gattuso is better than makelele....with him around, e strength of our defence will; be doubled.....

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Ferguson looks to Hammers game

8/ 5/2007

SIR Alex Ferguson is prepared to risk title winners Manchester United getting beaten by Chelsea in order to preserve a sense of fair play in the relegation battle.

Scrapping it out at the bottom is a concept alien to Ferguson apart from one very brief flirtation with danger during his early days as Reds boss.

Yet he is acutely aware all eyes will be on Old Trafford this weekend when United entertain a West Ham side looking for the point that will guarantee their safety.

Ferguson's long-time friendship with Alan Curbishley extends to the Scot presenting the Hammers boss with a return air ticket to New Zealand at the end of last season so his Premiership rival could see his sister after announcing he was stepping down as Charlton manager.

But Ferguson is eager to make it clear Curbishley can expect no favours this weekend, with Sheffield United and Wigan also scrapping for their lives.

And the United chief's determination to ensure he has a full strength side available to face the Hammers means he will rest a number of key man at Stamford Bridge as his team head south to meet the side they have just deposed as champions.

"The West Ham game is a very important issue," said Ferguson.

"We have to respect our reputation.

"Alan Curbishley is a good friend of mine but he understands we have to respect the wishes of other managers.

"I get on very well with Paul Jewell and Alan Pardew as well. They deserve our best attention to the game and I will be picking a team to win on Sunday.

Changes

"I don't know what my team will be at Chelsea but there will be a lot of changes, simply because the players are so tired."

In fact, Ferguson revealed even if Chelsea had beaten Arsenal on Sunday to prolong the title battle, he was considering fielding a less than full-strength side at Stamford Bridge in the belief that a fully fired-up United could have collected the point required to lift the trophy against West Ham four days later.

"I know it would have been controversial but when you consider Chelsea's home record in the last few seasons, I could have played my best team and still lost," he admitted.

"I could have played all my youth team and kept my first-choice one for Sunday.

"In the event, I am glad we are going there as champions. It would have been some game if we weren't."

Among those likely to miss out are Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Edwin van der Sar may also get a rest, while Ferguson will assess the fitness of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic very carefully, reluctant to take any risks with two of the men he believes have been key to United's success this season.

Although Ferguson has had some excellent central defenders in his ranks, until now none have threatened to forge a partnership as effective as the one Steve Bruce enjoyed with Gary Pallister at the start of United's title-winning sequence in 1993.

However, in the teak-tough Vidic and stylish Ferdinand, Ferguson now has exactly the right blend again.

"Everyone saw the difference it made to us defensively when Vidic and Ferdinand were back together at Manchester City on Saturday," said Ferguson.

"They were absolutely peerless. We have been looking for that foundation of strength in central defence for a long time.

"We have had some combinations but they have not lasted as long as Pallister and Bruce but we hope these two do."

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PSG STARLET CLAIMS UTD INTEREST
By Laurent Picard - Created on 8 May 2007

Paris Saint Germain starlet Youssouf Mulumbu is content with life at Parc des Princes, despite claiming that Manchester United have been in contact with him.

The 20-year-old - who is playing in his first season as a professional - has emerged as a promising prospect for Paul Le Guen having played 15 times this term.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the versatile performer, according to Mulumbu himself, along with European giants Juventus and Valencia.

However, PSG's DR Congo-born midfielder admits he is happy with the chance handed to him by the French club ahead of proposed talks over his future.

"It is always nice to play regularly for every club, but it is more encouraging when it is for PSG," Mulumbu told But.

"It is not easy to trust youngsters here, so I can't show bad performances like I did at Toulouse.

"Manchester United, Juventus and Valencia are still following my performances, they keep on contacting me.

"But they know that since I signed a professional contract, it is more difficult for them.

"Regarding my future I don't know what I will do. We will sit down and discuss it with my agent and the coach. It is really encouraging to be followed by such clubs.

"The most important thing for me is to play, and I can't complain because I have played nearly 20 times and it is only my first pro season. I am proud."

Meanwhile, PSG will be without Pierre-Alain Frau for the remainder of the season after the striker suffered a muscle injury in his foot.

The capital club are currently seven points clear of the danger zone with three games to go, but Frau will be unable to assist their bid for salvation after an MRI scan confirmed he will be sidelined for a month.

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Giggs integral to Fergie's plans

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised Ryan Giggs he will remain an integral part of Manchester United's squad next season.

Giggs will collect his ninth Premiership winners' medal after Sunday's seasonal finale against West Ham at Old Trafford, eclipsing the previous best of eight jointly held by Liverpool duo Alan Hansen and Phil Neal.

At 33, the Wales skipper may not have the blinding pace of old but he has still been a major influence behind United's success this term.

And, ahead of Wednesday's encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the veteran winger is now just 45 appearances behind Sir Bobby Charlton's club record 759.

And while Ferguson accepts the influence of his longest-serving player is bound to wane at some point in the future, the Red Devil boss is convinced Giggs will be around for a while yet.

"Ryan will be part of my team next season, there is no question about that," said Ferguson.

"You look at the way he has played this year and there is no sign of him going over the top.

"Nine titles is a fantastic achievement. No-one else in English football has won so many and all the players have been giving him special attention because of it.

"I don't know if anyone else will do it. I hope another Manchester United player can but it won't be in my time.

"He may be 33 now but he looks after himself and doesn't carry any weight, which is bound to help. But you do start to look at players and wonder how long they can go.

"You have to keep an eye on them because you have to be aware that at some point they will no longer be able to do it because of age. It is very difficult."

Giggs has become by far the most decorated player in his club's history and should he go on to play some part in an eventual FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea on May 19, he would become the first player since the 19th century - and only the fourth ever - to record five wins in the world's oldest domestic cup competition.

Fergie added: "Players with intelligence can change their games. Ryan has always utilised his change of pace.

"He is obviously not as quick as he was 10 years ago but he is still quick."

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United keep powder dry for FA Cup final against Chelsea

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Manchester United's clash with Chelsea on Wednesday will be no dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final, with United manager Alex Ferguson set to rest several key players after their title success.

The fact that United wrested the Premier League crown from Chelsea last weekend means there is nothing riding on the game at Stamford Bridge, which comes 10 days before the two sides meet again in the cup at Wembley Stadium.

As he prepared for Wednesday's fixture, Ferguson told reporters: "I'm glad we are going there as champions. It would have been some game if we weren't.

"The fact that we have won it means there is no need to be demanding of our players. We can now prepare for the final.

"I will just spread my squad the best I can. Obviously the ones who need a rest will get a rest... There will be a lot of changes simply because the players are tired."

"The ones who played on Saturday were running on empty. They gave their last drop."

Ferguson will take the chance to give some players, possibly the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, a breather against Chelsea as he is committed to selecting a strong side for United's final league game.

United face West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday in a match that will have a bearing on who is relegated, with West Ham hoping to survive and send down either Sheffield United or Wigan - who play each other - with Watford and Charlton Athletic.

"The West Ham game is a very important issue. Obviously we have to respect our reputation," Ferguson said.

"Alan Curbishley (West Ham's manager) is a good friend of mine but he understands we have to respect the wishes of other managers.

"They deserve our best attention to the game and I will be picking a team to win on Sunday."

UNITED HONOURED
Before that, United can enjoy their first match as champions at the home of the team they deposed, with Chelsea set to give United a guard of honour in a reversal of the roles the two teams played out at Old Trafford in May, 2005.

"I'm pleased at that," said Ferguson, whose relationship with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho appears to have survived one or two verbal jousts during the season.

"He was very complimentary in his post-match interviews (on Sunday) and I expected that.

"I am sure he understands that winning and losing are twins, in a way, and you have to deal with it the right way and the same way."

"If you win you don't need to gloat and if you lose you don't have to go bananas about it. You have to accept defeat is defeat. We all get it and I think he has done that this time."

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Ball admits Ronaldo stamp in Manchester derby

Michael Ball, a former Liverpool trainee, has admitted a charge of violent conduct by the Football Association.

Ball told his club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "I deeply regret what I did and have accepted the FA's charge without hesitation. I have also sent a personal apology to Cristiano.

"My action should not be seen on a football pitch and I know we have a responsibility at Premier League level to set a good example to the whole football community.

"I am proud of my disciplinary record and have never been sent off in my professional career."

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Manchester United’s 3 summer targets are …
Written by Ahmed Bilal. Tagged: Transfer Rumours & News - Manchester United

I’ve yet to see an intelligent analysis of who United’s ‘reported’ 3 summer targets will be. Everyone’s speculating blindly on rumours, latching on to the Berbatov story in a sickeningly predictable way.

Here’s the real story - who Ferguson has (probably) asked for, and why.

United’s Transfer Targets

1. Owen Hargreaves

A no-brainer, considering that Manchester United have been after him since last summer. Reported price is 18-20m, could come for less. United will pay what it takes to get him, but expected a tiered deal like Carrick’s (so the basic deal could be 15m but rising to 22m depending on circumstances).

2. Nani

Surprised that no one has mentioned him. Manchester United need a second winger, Nani is a comparatively cheaper option, has the Portuguese connection and Sporting and United have club ties as well. If this was Arsenal chasing a kid with these circumstances, fans would have locked this in as a done deal. But we’re hung up on Torres and Berbatov, which is a bit sad.

3. Ribery

There’s a nagging thought at the back of my head which says that Manchester United will go after Ribery first, just to test the waters and see where he stands. Ferguson has talked about competition, and because of that I think Manchester United could be talking to Marseille over the summer.

4. Bale

The left-back was being chased by United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham. Looking at relative league positions, only Tottenham and United seem likely options (Arsenal will have other priorities, IMO).

It could all come down to how Southampton do in the playoffs. If they come through to the Premiership, Bale will probably stay.

5. Berbatov

After just one season, you can be sure that Berbatov is not thinking of leaving. He’ll be offered a wage hike and Tottenham will bring in reinforcements to push for 4th spot next season. There is the thought that because Tottenham only have an outside chance of breaking into the top 4, Berbatov may never play Champions League football with the Spurs and that could push him to Chelsea or Manchester United.

Baseless, pointless speculation by the tabloid hacks. This is what happens whenever a striker does well. They were after Torres for almost two years but came off it after he repeatedly told the press that he was going to stay at Atletico Madrid forever. They were after Villa as well, and will probably go after him again, but I doubt that Valencia will let him go cheaply.

A minimum of 25m for Berbatov, considering that Tottenham don’t want to sell. I think Berba will stay at Tottenham for one more season because neither Chelsea nor Manchester United will be willing to throw crazy money their way.
My Picks

1. Hargreaves
2. Ribery (if we can get him) otherwise Nani
3. Nani (United will go for two wingers / attackers)
4. Bale (if Southampton don’t qualify for the Premiership) - outside chance

United need to replace Giggs and Scholes. They already have Danny Simpson and Wes Brown to replace Gary Neville. They’ve shown that they probably don’t need to replace Ruud if Rooney / Saha / Smith / Rossi work out, with Ole / Dong as backups.

I think we’ll go for two wingers / attacking midfielders. The ideal grab would be Joe Cole but Ribery isn’t bad either, probably better on a technical level. Him and Nani can play on both wings if needed and United will need backup for Ronaldo as well.

Bale if we can get him, but he’s not a priority. Neither is a striker or defender or keeper (EVDS is here for another year, Foster will be tested more often next season and so will Kuszczak).

Now it’s your turn. Speculate.

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Man Utd confident Asian Tour will go ahead

LONDON, May 8: Manchester United officials are confident the club's planned summer tour of Asia will go ahead, despite being told they will not be welcome in Malaysia during July because of fears their visit will distract attention from the finals of the Asian Cup.

The newly-crowned English champions, who have a massive fan-base across Asia, are due to play matches in the Chinese territory of Macau, Japan and South Korea, and had been scheduled to end their tour by facing a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 27.

The final leg now looks as if it will have rescheduled or cancelled after local football chiefs caved in to pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and said they would not sanction the match taking place in July.

“We are currently attempting to clarify with our tour organisers what the situation is in regards to Malaysia but we are confident that the rest of the tour will go ahead,” United spokesman Phil Townsend told AFP.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter revealed earlier on Tuesday that he was liasing with England's Football Association to try and get United to change their tour plans out of respect to the Asian Cup finals, which are being held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from July 7-29.

“You are welcome but please come at a time that is acceptable to the whole football family,” Blatter said at the AFC Congress in the Malaysian capital.

“As FIFA president I appeal for your solidarity.

“If a big club is touring we appeal for a minimum of respect when they plan to travel to the region when the Asian Cup is being played.”The vice-president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tengku Abdullah Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah joined AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam in calling for United's entire pre-season tour to be called off.

“If they want to come (to Malaysia) during that time they can't,” Tengku Abdullah told reporters. “The sanction has not been given by the AFC and we have to follow it. Manchester United cannot come to Malaysia during the Asian Cup. They will have to rearrange their schedule.”

Bin Hammam had described United as “disrespectful” for scheduling a tour during Asian football's showpiece event and warned that, if the Kuala Lumpur match went ahead, the FAM would be in breach of a contractual commitment not to organise other games during the tournament.

[Sayangku]

Pirlo (a playmaker) and Gattuso (defence midfield) were Sir Furgeson's target before, just bring 2 of them is enough for a championship next season. Bring back Rossi, Dong and Pique, that should cover the defence and the forwards, Man U dun need a winger, Evra (wingback), Ronaldo, Giggs, and Park should be enough.

Will need a protege for Scholes, really really need to find someone to replace him soon ....

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Fergie 'certain' Milan will triumph in Champions League final

LONDON, May 9, 2007 (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson, whose Manchester United side lost to Champions League finalists AC Milan in the semi-finals, said in comments published Wednesday he is "absolutely certain" the Italian side will defeat Liverpool in the Athens final in two weeks.

"I'd bet for sure that Milan will win the Champions League," Ferguson said in The Sun tabloid.

"I'm absolutely certain of it."

Milan and Liverpool will clash in a repeat of the 2005 Champions League final which the English side won on penalties, after overcoming a 3-0 deficit at half-time.

Ferguson said that he plans to acknowledge Milan's victory with a bottle of wine presented to him by Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti after Ferguson's side was defeated in the semi-finals.

"I said to Carlo at the end of our semi-final that there is no way he can now not win this competition ... Carlo gave me a magnificent bottle of wine," Ferguson said.

"But I immediately told him I would only drink his wine once I see him lifting the Champions Cup."

Manchester United won its ninth Premiership title with Ferguson as its manager, and its first since 2003 on Sunday.

Damn...Sir Alex forgot to add Milan may not win it if the scums play the kiasu and kiasi football for another lottery penalty shootout again.

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United make Owen number one transfer target

NEWCASTLE United striker Michael Owen will be the first target for Manchester United this summer with the new Premiership champions eager to take advantage of a clause in the player's contract that will make him one of the summer's best bargains.

Owen should be available to leave St James' Park for around £9million. Should a deal be struck, there is understood to be no major objections from the man himself about joining the oldest rivals of his first club Liverpool who passed up the chance to re-sign him in 2005 when he left Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old found his old club outbid then by Newcastle but he will be able to leave for much less than the £17m paid for him two years ago.

United have explored the possibility of signing Dimitar Berbatov but, having agreed a deal of up to £18.6m for Michael Carrick last year, have been told that on this occasion Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to price the Bulgarian international out of the market.

Owen fits the bill for Old Trafford in more than one way, he brings the guarantee of goals and he comes cheaper than usual for a former European footballer of the year.

As usual, any reports of Owen leaving Newcastle, where injury has prevented him playing more than 13 games in two years, are likely to be met with a firm riposte from St James Park but there is no question that United are interested.

The Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd is yet to appoint a new manager since Glenn Roeder's departure and Owen's future is likely to play a significant role in that deal.

However, regardless of the bad luck Newcastle may have had with Owen's metatarsal injury last year, and this season's cruciate, the original release clause was there for just this kind of move. It would not play well with the Newcastle public, but they might wish to question why such an agreement was brokered in the first place.

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Rio: We had injuries too

Rio Ferdinand has slammed claims that Manchester United's title triumph was a result of Chelsea's injury problems this season. The England defender claims his champion team has suffered equally. 'I think we're more than worthy winners,' he said. 'Our last seven games we've had some horrendous injuries.'

Park JS, Louis Saha, Vidic, Gary Neville, Evra, Mikael Silvestre

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Originally Posted by qbdp

However, regardless of the bad luck Newcastle may have had with Owen's metatarsal injury last year, and this season's cruciate, the original release clause was there for just this kind of move. It would not play well with the Newcastle public, but they might wish to question why such an agreement was brokered in the first place.

i dont think owen will leave newcastle, he has some paying back to do.