The transfer window may have long since slammed shut but still the rumour mill touts players for a future move to Manchester.A link with Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni follows the more-publicised speculation surrounding Lyon striker Karim Benzema and his team-mate in midfield Hatem Ben Arfa.Watch this space for more rumours as the season enters its final phase...
Silvestre to stay at Old TraffordBordeaux have conceded defeat in their bid to sign Mikaël Silvestre. The Manchester United defender had been strongly linked with a move back to France. But Les Girondins president Jean-Louis Triaud admits the lure of a lucrative testimonial for the 30-year-old has put the brakes on the switch.Staff Reporter, The Independent.Meanwhile, The Daily Mirror claim that Real Madrid have named July 7 as the day they will sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
New Blackburn Rovers boss and former United midfielder Paul Ince will apparently tell Sir Alex Ferguson to clear off if he tries to sign Roque Santa Cruz. “If he comes on asking about Santa Cruz then I’ll just tell him he’s not having him,” Ince told The Sun. The former Reds player also believes United will have to grant Cristiano Ronaldo’s wish and sell him to Real Madrid.
August 16th K.O.time
cheers tony:)
Ronaldo will be there
cheers tony
Today at the theatre of dreams.
Manchester United v Newcastle United 4.00p.m.
I will be there.
cheers tony.
Well after the 1-1 draw to Newcastle.(AT HOME)
Its now Portsmouth tonight bank holiday Monday at 8.00p.m.
Its on Sky i think!
The Reds' sensational Double success of last season could lead to more honours this week at the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year awards.United are the best-represented club with no fewer than six players shortlisted as the best performers in their positions for the 2007/08 campaign.Edwin van der Sar is up for the best goalkeeper award while Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are in contention for the defender gong. Paul Scholes’ name is in the hat for the midfielder prize while front men Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will be vying for the forward of the year honour. All six Reds could also win the overall Club Footballer of the Year award.The shortlists reflect the Premier League’s dominance of the Champions League last season, with 17 of the 20 candidates for the awards plying their trade in England. Added to United's six are five from Chelsea (Peter Cech, John Terry, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba), four from Liverpool (Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres) and two from Arsenal (Manuel Almunia, Cesc Fabregas).The three nominees from outside the English game are Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Barcelona defender Carles Puyol and his team-mate, forward Lionel Messi.Coaches of the 16 teams that reached the knockout phase of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League were invited to cast their votes. The award winners will be announced at the draw for this season's group stage on Thursday 28 August – the day before United face UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Super Cup final at Monaco's Stade Louis II.
More than 8,500 fans turned out to watch the first team take part in a full training session at Old Trafford on Saturday morning.
On a day of glorious sunshine, Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff put the squad through their paces in an event to raise money for the Manchester United Foundation.
The 80-minute session, which was shown live on MUTV, began with dribbling, passing and shooting drills before moving on to a 10-a-side match and finishing with a warm-down.
For many fans it was a rare chance to see the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs show off their skills and the players' every move – one thunderous Carlos Tevez volley in particular – was greeted with rapturous applause.
Stadium announcer Alan Keegan presided over the day's entertainment, which also included penalty shoot-out competitions, coaching sessions and fairground rides.
The event is expect to raise more than £30,000 for the Foundation and the projects it supports in the local community.
Foundation chief executive John Shiels said: "We would like to thank Sir Alex and the team for taking part in the event and of course we would like to thank all fans for their support.
"The money will be used to support our work with young people and to help us develop our community projects in Trafford, Manchester and Salford."
Bruce's former United team-mate had more success in his Sunday fixture - Mark Hughes claimed his first win as Manchester City manager, 3-0 at home to West Ham. Brazilian striker Elano bagged two after Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring in the 65th minute at Eastlands. The Hammers had by then had Mark Noble sent off for two bookable offences.The weekend also saw first wins of the season for Roy Keane's Sunderland (2-1 at Tottenham), Newcastle (1-0 at home to Bolton), Everton (2-1 at West Brom), Fulham (1-0 at home to Arsenal) and Stoke City, who achieved their maiden victory in the Barclays Premier League with another 94th-minute goal - a la Steven Gerrard - from Mamady Sidibe. Aston Villa were on the wrong end of the 3-2 thriller in the Potteries.The only draw in the Barclays Premier League this weekend was at Blackburn where Hull held Paul Ince's side 1-1.
Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful that his squad will be boosted by the return of a handful of key players in time for Monday evening's trip to Portsmouth.Carlos Tevez, who missed last weekend's draw with Newcastle after a family bereavement, will play after featuring for Argentina on Wednesday, giving United a vital extra body in attack.There is also a chance that Owen Hargreaves and Ryan Giggs could be in contention after training this week, while Anderson will return this weekend from Brazil's Olympic team.Ji-sung Park has also taken great strides in recent days, and has played a full part in training all week, but the trip to Fratton Park will come too soon for him."Tevez is back," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "He’s available. Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park both trained with the first team this week, I’m delighted with that. Ji won’t be considered, Hargreaves we’ll assess on Sunday to see if he can play a part.
"Anderson will be back on Sunday, so that’s an extra body. Giggs has trained the last couple of days, plus all the players have come back from internationals fit, which is a bonus, so we’re ok in that respect."The United manager also confirmed that Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo are on schedule for their own returns from injury - three weeks and three months respectively.
THE JOURNO - Under 2.5 goals (8/11)ManUtd.com's Steve BartramPortsmouth had their pants pulled down at Chelsea and would snatch your hand off if you offered them a point now. Ally that to our attacking absentees, and I think goals will be at a premium.THE BOOKIE - United to win 1-0 (6/1)Betfred chairman Fred DoneGames against Portsmouth are always tight and despite their mauling at Chelski last weekend I expect them to play much better in front of their own fans.THE STAT MAN - Draw (12/5)United Review's Nick CoppackThe Reds have won just once in the last five trips to Fratton Park. I hope I'm wrong, but I can't ignore the stats here…THE LEGEND - United to win 1-0 (6/1)Ex-United player Lou MacariWe were a little shot-shy against Newcastle, understandably with Tevez and Ronaldo absent. But we need a win on Monday, however we play.THE TIPSTER - United to win 3-1 (12/1)MUTV presenter Mark PearsonI've gone for the same score as our last win at Fratton Park in 2006. Newcastle was a blip, the goals will come!Bet on the above - or go your own way - at www.manutd.com/bet.
ManUtd.com assesses a first-team stalwart, with the help of a former United player…For the unwaveringly driven Ryan Giggs, the hunger to play and desire to be successful has never dimmed.You could ask: what is there left to achieve for a player who last season ended a nine-year wait for a second Champions League trophy and clinched a tenth league title? But if you’ve followed the Reds’ recently, you’ll know United’s no.11 is as fit as anybody at the club. He’s perhaps no longer the “cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind”, as Sir Alex so succinctly put his first sighting of a young Giggs. But none of the gusto has gone. He’s cannier with his movement, and wiser at conserving energy. Ryan turns 35 in November, but ex-Red Lou Macari says there’s no stopping this force of nature.“Each season you look for a sign that Ryan has lost a bit of movement or quality in his play,” says Lou. “But it never ceases to amaze me, there’s very little change at all. We’ve been privileged to watch those electric runs down the wing for a long time. There’s no denying that you slow down as you get older but, I have to say, Ryan’s not slowing down as quickly as most. I don’t know what his
Appearances / GoalsPremier League 469(66) / 101FA Cup 55(7) / 10League Cup 25(5) / 7Europe 107(11) / 25Others 14(1) / 1Total 671(90) / 144Honours10 Premier League titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008)4 FA Cups (1994, 1996, 1999, 2004)2 League Cups (1992, 2006)6 Charity/Community Shields (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007)1 Intercontinental Cup (1999)1 European Super Cup (1991)
secret is, but if you could buy it he’d earn a fortune!“There is a secret there, and it may be as simple as dedication and hard work. I hope that’s the case because it’s an inspiration to any young footballer; with dedication, desire and commitment, you can be a top player for a long time.”In his 19th professional season, Giggs’ influence is as crucial as ever, especially given the injuries and suspensions that have blunted United’s attack. “Ryan will be vital now,” opines Lou. “But he’ll be needed throughout another long campaign. There’s the defence of the title and Champions League, then there’s the two domestic cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup… you need everyone fit.“He’s also willing to play anywhere the manager asks him to. That adaptability is all credit to Ryan. It’s what makes him a model professional. When you see how many games he’s played, how many goals he’s scored, the records he holds and medal’s he’s won, it’s a career I don’t think will be equalled for a long time. Long may that continue.”
YES TRUELLY REMARKABLE,redtony