Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Nemanja Vidic is a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League showdown at Chelsea.
The Serbian defender missed Wednesday night's draw in Barcelona with a stomach bug and, although he is on the road to recovery, the United boss is not hopeful of having Vidic available at Stamford Bridge.
"I think he’s doubtful, but we’ll do our best," said Sir Alex.
"He’s back at the hotel, he’s taking plenty of fluids, he had a bit of soup this afternoon for the first time in 36 hours - that’s promising, I suppose.
"Let’s hope we can get him there on Saturday morning - we’ve only got 72 hours to do that, but he’ll want to have a go. He’ll be desperate to play and if we do get him, it’ll be a bonus to us."
Wes Brown deputised in central defence against the Catalans, with Owen Hargreaves excelling as a makeshift right-back.
With Gerard Pique, John O'Shea, Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre all fit, however, Sir Alex has no shortage of options if he opts to shuffle his pack.Sir Alex was talking to Sky Sports.
"I think he’s doubtful, but we’ll do our best. Let’s hope we can get him there on Saturday morning – we’ve only got 72 hours to do that, but he’ll want to have a go. He’ll be desperate to play and if we do get him, it’ll be a bonus."- Sir Alex Ferguson
Goals from Chris Eagles and Federico Macheda saw United come from behind to overcome 10-man Bolton Wanderers, and book a spot in the Lancashire Senior Cup final.The Reds will face either Liverpool or Accrington Stanley in the showpiece final, but were made to work for their victory by a plucky Wanderers side, reduced to 10 men just after the quarter-hour mark when Macheda's run was halted illegally by defender James Sinclair.Not that the decision had a negative effect on the hosts, however, as they drew first blood after 20 minutes. Reds goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler was given no chance by a cracking drive from Bolton's Rob Sissons.Just as the script was being written for a backs-to-the-wall effort from the hosts, United drew level when Eagles converted the rebound from Danny Drinkwater's parried shot.United moved into the lead six minutes later, as David Gray drilled in a wicked cross which left Macheda the simple task of planting the finish in from close range.The hosts were understandably deflated by their quickfire collapse, and United were able to retain control of the game for the remainder of the match.Substitute Danny Galbraith came close to extending the Reds' lead, but could only drag his shot wide after some neat skill.Macheda's strike proved the difference in the end, and United can now start planning for appearances in two cup finals, having already sealed a berth in the Manchester Senior Cup final.
UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg, Manchester United v Barcelona, Old Trafford, Tuesday 29 April, kick off 7.45pmSeason Ticket Holders / One Year Season Ticket holders / One United Members All tickets have been sold.
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got my ticket £48 what a game it will be!
Where are you nick?
cheers tony
If United can earn three points at Stamford Bridge the Reds will all but secure the Barclays Premier League title...
Form guide: While Sir Alex's men haven't lost in the league since February, the Reds' last three league matches have yielded just five points from a possible nine. A come-from-behind win over Arsenal was sandwiched between draws at Middlesbrough and Blackburn, leaving United three points clear of Chelsea going into this fixture. Chelsea's recent league form has been marginally better, but it's the Blues' home form (80 league games without defeat) that's most worrying.Ins and outs: Nemanja Vidic missed the game against Barcelona in midweek with a stomach bug and is doubtful for Saturday, while Louis Saha is also expected to sit out the clash with a hamstring injury. Chelsea's Frank Lampard is unlikely to play following the recent death of his mother.Star men: With Vidic likely to be sitting out Saturday's clash, Rio Ferdinand's role in the heart of United's defence will be key. He'll need to keep Didier Drogba quiet, but it's midfielder Joe Cole who's the real creative heartbeat of Avram Grant's side. A skilful, speedy player, Cole can play on either wing and deliver dangerous balls into the box.What are the odds? 11/1 United to win 2-0. (www.manutd.com/bet)
This is 12.45 p.m. k.o.on Saturday .Showdown time again.
cheers tony:)
Sir Alex Ferguson says the incentive of all but securing the title against Chelsea on Saturday will lift his players after a tiring trip to Spain.The Reds stayed in Barcelona after Wednesday's 0-0 semi final first leg draw at the Nou Camp, before flying straight to London on Thursday evening in readiness for Saturday's crunch lunchtime clash at Stamford Bridge."There is a great incentive for us," Sir Alex told MUTV. "What we have had to do is get the players recovered from Barcelona."We've had the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course. We will do our best. We will get the players rested and hopefully we will be all right for Saturday."United cannot win the Premier League title on Saturday, but victory would put them six points clear with two games to go, with a goal superior difference that would take a gargantuan effort for Chelsea to close.
This is part 1 of Fergies thoughts
And a win for the Reds would also see them bring the Blues' 100-game unbeaten home record in domestic competitions to an end.
"Records are there to be broken and I'd be delighted if we did that," added Sir Alex. "I said in December that I was looking over my shoulder at Chelsea because I thought they would be a big threat to us, and I've been proved right.
"They're a strong and experienced powerful side and never at any stage in the season did we dismiss them.
"We showed good concentration levels against Barcelona and we'll need to produce the same again on Saturday. I've got a good bunch of lads and I'm confident they'll be ready."
part 2 of fergies thoughts.
Vidic ready for BridgeUnited received a welcome boost last night with the news that Nemanja Vidic is expected to be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow lunchtime as the club prepare for the first of two matches in four days that will define their season. Vidic missed United’s goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday after being admitted to hospital with a stomach infection, but the club are confident that he will be available to play in the potential title decider against Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League and the return leg against the Catalan giants at Old Trafford on Tuesday.James Ducker, The TimesAhead of the game, Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Chelsea that United are determined to win the title tomorrow and prove they are back as English football's No.1 team. However, Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has different ideas. He's compared the Premier League title race to the Tour de France - and claims the wheels are about to come off United's season. Carvalho is convinced Chelsea can blow the championship wide open by beating the Reds at Stamford Bridge.In other news, Nani reveals admits he had to pick Cristiano Ronaldo up off the floor following his Champions League penalty blunder. “I had to comfort Cristiano in the changing room after the game as he was very down after missing the penalty," revealed the winger.Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told United: We’re going to turn the Theatre of Dreams into your worst nightmare. Laporta taunted Sir Alex men by claiming the Catalan giants have more quality, talent and class.
Dickie Best, father of United legend George, has passed away, aged 88.He had been in hospital for the past four weeks and his family were with him when he died at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, Northern Ireland.In a club statement, United expressed sadness at Dickie's passing."Dickie was hugely proud of his son George’s achievements at Manchester United and was always a welcome guest here at Old Trafford," read the statement."Everyone at the club was saddened to hear the news of Dickie’s sad passing and we send our condolences to the Best family, as do, we’re sure, United fans all around the world."Reds' legend George Best died in 2005, but he is still fondly remembered at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson says the incentive of all but securing the title against Chelsea on Saturday will lift his players after a tiring trip to Spain.The Reds remained in Barcelona after Wednesday's 0-0 semi final first leg draw at the Nou Camp, before flying straight to London on Thursday evening in readiness for Saturday's crunch lunchtime clash at Stamford Bridge."There is a great incentive for us," Sir Alex told MUTV. "What we have had to do is get the players recovered from Barcelona."We've had the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling. We'll do our best. We'll get the players rested and hopefully we will be all right for Saturday."United cannot win the Premier League title on Saturday, but victory would put the Reds six points clear with two games to go and a far superior goal difference.
part1
"Records are there to be broken and I'd be delighted if we did that," added Sir Alex. "I said in December that I was looking over my shoulder at Chelsea because I thought they would be a big threat to us, and I've been proved right."They're a strong and experienced powerful side and never at any stage in the season did we dismiss them."We showed good concentration levels against Barcelona and we'll need to produce the same again on Saturday. I've got a good bunch of lads and I'm confident they'll be ready."
this part 2
Yes they are Moscow Bound.
cheers Tony
well its this sunday whos top dog.
then the 21st may in moscow who is top dog again.
cheers tony .
notice no liverpool or arsenal
cheers tony again
Sir Alex has praised Rangers manager Walter Smith ahead of next Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final.The Scottish champions meet Russian side Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium on 14 May after defeating Fiorentina on penalties in the semi-final.“It’s a fantastic achievement and I don’t know how Walter’s done it,” Sir Alex told Manchester United Radio.“I think most people would agree that this isn’t the greatest Rangers team but Walter’s got them into the final of the UEFA Cup and they can still win four trophies.“He’s managed to build a team that’s organised at the back and they have great team spirit. Those two qualities will get you a long way in football.”Sir Alex, who played for Rangers between 1967 and 1969, will undoubtedly be cheering on his former side, but he expects Zenit St Petersburg to offer stern resistance.“I couldn’t believe the other semi-final, with Zenit beating Bayern Munich 4-0. It’s going to be a very tough task for Rangers, but they’ve already knocked out some good teams like Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina.”
Wes Brown made his United debut ten years ago this week, and a decade on the Longsight-born defender is enjoying his best football. Now for the trophies to cap it all off…For me, this season, it’s been amazing to be playing. I’ve not been injured and I’ve been getting games under my belt and getting used to playing week in, week out. It has been great to play so many matches and I think I’ve done OK. It was only really because Gaz [Gary Neville] got injured that I’ve been a regular this season, but playing every game helps you improve and gives you more confidence – I’ve definitely discovered that this season.The back line this year is one of the most solid defences I’ve been part of. As a back five we’ve played a lot of games together and when you do that you form an understanding, not just between yourselves, but with the midfield lads as well. Individually we’ve done well, and as a group we’ve helped each other and that’s shown in our results.There’s a great set of the lads in the dressing room and the boys that have come in have settled in well on and off the pitch, and brought a lot of quality to the team.Cristiano [Ronaldo] has been unbelievable –
"The Treble season seems such a long time ago. It was amazing to be a part of such an achievement. If we could achieve something like that again during my time here, it would be unbelievable."- Wes Brown