Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

Reds moved early for Nani

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would have liked Nani to spend one more year in Portugal before his move to United.

Nani, along with fellow new signing Owen Hargreaves, were officially unveiled at United's Carrington headquarters on Monday lunchtime.

While the capture of Hargreaves from Bayern Munich represents the end of a 12 month chase, Nani's journey to Old Trafford has taken place a year ahead of schedule, with Ferguson forced to move quickly for the Portugal Under-21 star who, like Cristiano Ronaldo, developed a big reputation at Sporting Lisbon.

"We have been monitoring Nani for almost as long as Cristiano," said Ferguson.

"In a perfect world, he would have stayed in Portugal for another year but circumstances forced us into action.

"He is different to Cristiano in that he can play on both sides of the pitch but also in the middle. He is quick, has a terrific engine and I know we are getting a very talented, flexible player."

[qbdp]

Hargreaves fulfills his dream

Despite emerging as one of England's standout players, Canadian-born Owen Hargreaves has never played league soccer here.

Now the 26-year-old Calgary native hopes his experience from playing a decade in Europe will help Manchester United defend its league title — and win a coveted Champions League trophy.

"The Premier League is a very unique league, it is played at such a high pace," Hargreaves said Monday after being officially introduced by the club. "I look forward to adapting as soon as possible to the style of play."

Hargreaves signed in May from Bayern Munich and was introduced to reporters Monday, along with newcomer Nani from Sporting Lisbon.

"I've always wanted and expected I would play in England, I just never expected it would be via Germany," Hargreaves said. "I had the opportunity to play Champions League football for seven seasons and those are the experiences a lot of players wouldn't have had playing in England."

United has never announced the transfer fee it paid to acquire Hargreaves, but British papers suggested it was about 17 million pounds (C$36.3 million).

Hargreaves is not the first Canadian-born player to play for United. Jimmy Nicholl, who was born in Hamilton but grew up in Belfast, played for United from 1974 to 1982, scoring six goals in 247 games.

Roy Killin, who was born in Toronto but raised in Manchester, signed with United in 1947.

Like Hargreaves, Nicholl chose to play for the country of his father's birth, rather than Canada. Nicholl won 73 caps for Northern Ireland.

Hargreaves left Canada at the age of 16 to join Bayern Munich.

Now, Hargreaves will be a key asset as United sets its aim on a Champions League title, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

"Last season was the third (Champions League) semifinal we've failed in and we don't like that. I think we should have been doing better," said Ferguson, whose team also lost May's FA Cup final to Chelsea. "(Hargreaves) brings real speed to the midfield and real energy.

"Playing for seven years in the Bundesliga brings us a different type of experience."

Playing abroad, Hargreaves struggled for years to find support from England fans. But they voted him player of the year in 2006 after a strong performance in the World Cup — thanks largely to the continued confidence from then England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"I appreciate (Eriksson's) support in me along the way when other people possibly at times didn't agree," Hargreaves said. "He showed faith in me because he believed in me as a player and I tried to repay that back at the World Cup."

But he won't extend that gratitude to upcoming Premier League clashes with rival Manchester City, where Eriksson is now the manager.

"They are two very different clubs and the ambitions of both clubs are very different so I think Man United is in a league of its own," Hargreaves said. "Obviously him joining City there is great potential, but obviously there's a lot ahead of him."

Hargreaves is expected to team with Michael Carrick in the central midfield, as well as provide cover to the defence.

"Every player brings his qualities and mine are in the defensive midfield area," he said. "Hopefully I can win some tackles, keep a clean sheet for the back four and get the ball to the fantastic offensive players."

[Theme1]

Football: Fergie seeking rotation route to European glory

MANCHESTER, England, July 10, 2007 (AFP) -

Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to rotate his squad like never before as the Manchester United manager looks to make up for missing out on European glory last season.

Despite masterminding another Premiership title triumph, Ferguson was bitterly disappointed with United's failure to win the Champions League and has vowed to use as many players as possible to achieve success in England and on the continent.

Ferguson, speaking at the unveiling of new signings Owen Hargreaves and Nani, also aimed digs at rivals Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, the respective managers of Chelsea and Arsenal who have both played second fiddle to United and Liverpool in the transfer market during the close season.

"I thought there would be more spending," said Ferguson, who has invested nearly 50 million pounds (100 million dollars) on new players this summer.

"There is a lot of money in Premier League because of the television so I probably expected more to be spent.

"The thing about doing the business with two young players like Nani and (Brazilian midfielder) Anderson is great timing for us. They will now have time to adapt to the way of our club.

"They won't play every game next season, but they will play a lot of games and it gives us a future." No one, said Ferguson, will be immune from his chopping and changing next season.

"In the 90s we rotated our squad very well," he added. "Last season we were involved in the three tournaments - the final of the FA Cup, the semi-final of the European Cup as well as the league.

"We had a great opportunity (to win the treble) but we just didn't have enough bodies to stretch our squad out and save legs where we could have saved legs. We got a lot of injuries all in the space of a few weeks.

"In that situation I sorted of regretted allowing the young players to stay out on loan. If I had been selfish and kept them we would have had a far better chance - a terrific chance - of getting to the final of the European Cup and a good chance of winning the FA Cup.

"Without question when talking about the profile of this club we should have done better in Europe.

"Last season was the third Champions League semi-final we have failed in. We don't like that. We think we should be doing better and signing these players does give us a bigger chance.

"But now we have a very strong squad and the evidence of last year tells us that we need a stronger squad with the number of games there. Yes, it's going to take management. But I think players understand today quite clearly that in order to challenge for everything you do need a strong squad and it means that they don't play all the games.

"No one will play all the games next year and hopefully they accept that and move on to the business of trying to achieve success for us."

Hargreaves intends to use his move from Bayern Munich to United to further enhance his England credentials.

But the midfielder has played down comparisons with Roy Keane.

"I think he is one of the legends of this club," said Hargreaves. "To be part of this club is a dream come true for me and I'm looking forward to making a name for myself and not trying to emulate anyone player in particular.

"It is a good opportunity. I'm 26 and have spent 10 years at a great club like Bayern Munich and had a lot of success as well. Now I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career and have the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest."

[yinyang]

Mid week trivia...(extract from EPL gossip, for MU bias)

Everton are ready to bid £3m for Manchester United and England winger Kieran Richardson. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United are ready to call in Fifa and the Football Association to force through their signing of West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. (Various)

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho has stirred the tension with Manchester United by questioning United's summer spending spree. (Various)

And latest on Tevez saga, we are not out of woods yet...

Man Utd face further Tevez delay

Tevez has his heart set on a move to Manchester United
Manchester United may be further frustrated in their attempts to unravel the complicated transfer saga involving West Ham striker Carlos Tevez.
BBC Radio Five Live understands Tevez, 23, and his management team wrote to the Premier League and West Ham asking them to terminate his Hammers contract.

The Premier League refused and has suggested West Ham do the same.

If Fifa or the Football Association cannot help manufacture a breakthrough, the matter could end up in the courts.

Tevez's proposed move to Old Trafford has been put on hold after the Premier League ruled West Ham must receive the vast majority of the reported £30m-plus fee.

But West Ham are not in a position to handle the transfer because Tevez's economic rights are owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian.

Manchester United have agreed terms with Tevez and Joorabchian and hoped to have everything tied up last week - but the deal has now reached an impasse.

BBC Five Live Sport football correspondent Jonathan Legard said: "Sir Alex Ferguson the Manchester United manager was saying, 'Why hasn't this gone through?'

"He may think the Premier League are causing the problem.

"Well the Premier League would say we have our rules, and in terms of the FA being involved the Premier League would say it's our rule, it is unique to our league and therefore we should have sole jurisdiction."

It is believed some of those involved in the negotiations believe the Premier League can no longer act as independent arbiter in the case.

That means Tevez's representatives are set to request help from the FA and Fifa - the two bodies who oversee transfers at a domestic and international level.

According to the Argentine's representatives personal terms were agreed with United last week.

Tevez, who is currently with Argentina in South America for the Copa America, has made no secret of his desire to move to Old Trafford.

[gaia]

Hope SAF wont over rotate his squad.......

[imom]

Originally Posted by gaia

Hope SAF wont over rotate his squad.......

Dun worry, his name is SAF, not Rafa.....

*fingers crossed*

[et911]

Originally Posted by gaia

Hope SAF wont over rotate his squad.......

Few core players will still play more games. I am wondering how is he going to rotate the defence..

We are having much more firepower, but defence still relying on Vidic Ferdinand Neville (never liked him) and Evra (or Heinze), not many options to rotate.

[mr_missile]

Cut and paste story.

BERBATOV DISMISSES UNITED TALK

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has again laughed off speculation linking him with a £40million move to Manchester United this summer.

The Bulgarian was stunned when Spurs forked out £11million to sign him from German club Bayer Leverkusen last summer and insists reports suggesting he is now worth almost four times that figure are "abnormal".

And when questioned about the United link, Berbatov maintained he was happy to stay at Spurs after the club made him feel so welcome after his arrival in England.

He told The Sun: "Look, last summer when Spurs told me they were willing to pay £11million for me, I asked them if they were off their heads.

"Now the word seems to be that my value is £40million and that's simply an abnormal sum of money.

"The paradox is that I scored more goals and played even better when I was with Leverkusen but no way was I valued this highly.

"The truth is everyone in the world of English football seems to look at things quite differently to what I am used to.

"With regards to the whole Manchester United business, I just have to say that I'm very happy at Spurs.

"Even more importantly, I recognise that Tottenham has given me everything in order to make my time in the Premier League a success and I feel stupendously grateful to them. So I'm happy where I am."

[High till Dry]

Originally Posted by et911

Few core players will still play more games. I am wondering how is he going to rotate the defence..

We are having much more firepower, but defence still relying on Vidic Ferdinand Neville (never liked him) and Evra (or Heinze), not many options to rotate.

Neville too rash. Always made blunders like Scholes...

[mr_missile]

LATEST UPDATE ON THE TEVEZ SAGA

TEVEZ SET FOR UNITED MEDICAL

Carlos Tevez will fly to Britain on Tuesday to undergo a medical at Old Trafford with a view to completing his transfer to Manchester United.

The Argentina striker has been at the centre of a contractual wrangle which had delayed his proposed move from West Ham.

But Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian released a statement confirming the transfer will go ahead.

It read: "On Tuesday Carlos Tevez will fly to Britain for a medical at Old Trafford as part of the process of his transfer to Manchester United.

"It is our understanding that all parties involved in the transfer are now satisfied the administrative issues will be settled in the next few days.

"We will not be adding further to this statement at this time."

It is understood the parties being referred to are Manchester United, MSI - the company headed by Joorabchian who claim to own Tevez's economic rights - and West Ham.

Manchester United have already agreed terms with Tevez and Joorabchian and had hoped to have everything tied up last week.

The deal stalled after the Premier League insisted West Ham had to receive the majority of the ?0million-plus transfer fee.

But while the Upton Park club hold Tevez's registration, his economic rights are owned by Joorabchian.

Sources close to Joorabchian are confident they are on sound legal footing to go ahead with the transfer.

But the deal must still be approved by the Premier League - and their position has not changed.

It would appear the matter is set for the courts.

The Premier League tonight warned Joorabchian that Tevez's registration will not be transferred unless they are satisfied West Ham conducted the transfer.

A spokesman said: "Any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham United.

"They hold the registration and we will not transfer the registration unless a deal is done directly with the club."

Sir Alex Ferguson added on Sky Sports News: "I think we have got the player - we think he is our player and are very hopeful.

"The Premier League seem to be holding back, I think they probably want to make sure everything is transparent.

"We want that to be the case - we don't want a bad taste surrounding the transfer, we want it done cleanly.

"But as far as our club are concerned, everyone was excited when we thought we could get Tevez.

"He's exciting, his form his fantastic and at 23 he can get better - I think he kept West Ham up."

[qbdp]

The Tevez Affair is another situation where double standard is applied when it involves Manchester United.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by gaia

Hope SAF wont over rotate his squad.......

Originally Posted by imom

Dun worry, his name is SAF, not Rafa.....

*fingers crossed*

Squad rotation is essential in the modern game. Tiredness contributes to players injuries and in return will harm our club's silverware chances.

I believe Sir Alex will rotate the squad sensibly.

[tenggiri]

Originally Posted by qbdp

The Tevez Affair is another situation where double standard is applied when it involves Manchester United.

Looking further beyond the Tevez transfer case, i believe West Ham should be deducted points for the coming season; the Premier League apologise to faultless parties involved (eg Tevez, Kia n Manu) if they are found so; and Sh. Utd to be monetarily compensated if they choose to accept the amount offered.

From what has been printed so far, i think the main culprits are WH and the PL. So they should just wake up and not disturb the world from revolving.

[et911]

Originally Posted by qbdp

The Tevez Affair is another situation where double standard is applied when it involves Manchester United.

I agree fully with you. It is always one set of rules for Man U and another set for the rest.

Actually I feel the situation is at it is now because the Premier League people trying to save their own ass. They sided West Ham when they pass down the fine, so Sheffield United drop. Now if they allow the transfer of Tevez (I would love to see him run other defence ragged if he joins Man U), they are opening their backside to S.U.'s legal claims. West Ham could be relegated for fielding illegal players, and thus, would definitely not want to endorse the move.

Everything happened because of the silly PL, if they would have taken a much firmer stance on West Ham, dock them points and let them relegate, then it would not be as messy as now.

Lets see what will happen next, I still crossing my fingers for Tevez to be the bull raging at opposition next season.

[CibLover]

Originally Posted by qbdp

The Tevez Affair is another situation where double standard is applied when it involves Manchester United. ..

Fully agree. How come when it comes to Man Utd, the FA will always have a different set of rules? Remember the Rio saga?? Forgot to piss, ban 8 months.. even when Man Utd submitted hair test on Rio showing negative results for drugs. But only ban someone (forgot which idiot) who tested positive for drugs lesser months.

Now Tevez cannot be loaned out but what about Javier Mascherano's deal????? Although Man Utd programmed the deal to be the same as Liverpool's!!! Sighhhhh.....

Anyway, hope that the deal does go thru... he's a quality player. With him on the pitch, Argentina definitely produce better attacking prowess.

Can't wait for August to come!!!

Glory, Glory Man Utd!!!