The greatest fans in the world...

The biggest derby of all time?

Komen Penulis : Perlawanan yang akan menentukan Juara BPL 2011/2012

Andrew Cole Gallery

Ferguson keeping tabs on Hazard

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he has been keeping an eye on Lille winger Eden Hazard.

The 70-year-old attended the French side's recent 2-1 defeat against Lyon, with the Scot admitting a number of players were the focus of his attention, but he was particularly impressed with the Belgium international.

"I came to watch Lille play Lyon and followed Hazard of course, along with other players," Ferguson told RMC.

"He is a very good player who has many qualities. He is particularly fast over the first 10 yards.

"Being Manchester United manager is exhausting work, that requires a lot of energy.

"But it is the club that meets all my expectations and allows me to meet all the challenges.

"There is a stable family atmosphere. In short, I thrive there."

The Red Devils boss was also questioned about France manager Laurent Blanc, a former United player who has been linked as a potential successor to the Scot at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: "I get asked this question very often.

"When he played in Manchester (2001-03), he followed very carefully our training methods. He is a very clever. He has qualities as a coach needs since he made 'les Bleus' a winning team again."

United have been dragged back into a Premier League title battle with Manchester City following their 4-4 draw with Everton on Saturday, and Ferguson was asked how much on an impact their local rival's new wealthy status has had on the level of competition at the top of the table.

"That's not really accurate. I don't agree with that," he said.

"It's true that Manchester City became rich in a pretty incredible way, but it's not the fact that there is a new owner and new ambitions which necessarily change things.

"The difference is perhaps that we're trying to build with youth."

Sumber : Soccerway

Komen Penulis  : Ni rupanya mamat ni

 

Ferguson: City clash will decide title

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the match against Manchester City on April 30 at the Etihad Stadium is now a Premer League 'decider'.

Ferguson also claimed it was the most important derby of his career at Manchester United after the club dropped two points at home to Everton on Saturday.

United let a two-goal lead slip with only seven minutes remaining on the clock, having led 4-2 after a Wayne Rooney double and goals from Danny Welbeck and Nani. But after late strikes from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar, the game against City carries even greater significance.

"We've given (Manchester City) the initiative, there's no doubt about that," he told Sky Sports.

"It makes the game at the Etihad a real important game. It's the decider really. We make it hard for ourselves as we normally do. But we have to go there knowing that we're capable of getting a result.

"We need to get a result now at the Etihad, there's no question about that. We need to perform. There's no reason why we can't do that but there's almost an expectancy from City that this could be their decider, but it's our decider too.

"There will be a reaction, alright, there's no question about that. Next Monday against City, it's always a derby game of the highest proportions, and this won't be any different. Yes, [it's] definitely (the most important of my career). Game on."

Ferguson was disheartened by the way his team had defended, gifting some soft goals to the visitors that he said erased the hard work and good football that they had played, with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck's link-up play earning praise.

He continued: "It was a throwaway, an absolute giveaway. We just needed to see the game out, and it's a travesty because some of our football was fantastic.

"The goals we scored were great. To give away four goals at Old Trafford in a home game that's so important…I just can't believe it.

"I think it was defensive lapses. The goals were really soft goals. We've created goals by really good football, but I think [Everton] got their goals easily.

"I think today was a bad performance (defensively). In previous games we've defended very well. It was a real work for us to have defending like that.

"(Welbeck and Rooney) were a real threat today. Their combination play and understanding of (each other's position) was terrific. They should have got more out of the game than they did."

Sumber : Soccerway

Komen Penulis : Nak salahkan sapa, defend kot... kalau tidak dah boleh enjoy awal..

Dwight Yorke Gallery

Rooney ´disappointed´ despite goal double

Wayne Rooney says he was disappointed with his performance in Manchester United's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday despite scoring twice.

Rooney shared Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson's view that he was too 'casual' in the comfortable Premier League victory.

"It was nice to score two goals but I didn't think my performance was good enough," Rooney said.

"The rest of my play wasn't great. I am disappointed with that and I will be working hard to put it right."

Sunday's double brought Rooney’s goal tally to 31 for the season and the striker finds himself only three away from beating his personal best of two seasons ago.

The 26-year-old is also just one short of notching his 179th goal for the club, which would take him level with United legend George Best.

But, while the former Everton man admits matching Best's record is an additional incentive, he said ensuring United maintain their lead at the top of the league is more important.

"It would be great to equal that record and hopefully surpass it," Rooney said. "I would be proud of that achievement but I can't really look at it just at the minute.

"If it happens then great but it's the points that are important at this time of the year and if I can score the goals that get those points then I'll be pleased."

After United were surprisingly beaten by Wigan, rivals Manchester City have stepped up the chase for the title, scoring 10 times in their last two matches - and Rooney is aware that his side must win their next match, against Everton, to see off their challengers.

"A month or six weeks ago, if somebody had told me that we would be five points clear at this stage of the season I would have been delighted," he said.

"Next week against Everton is another massive game for us. We need to get three points there to make it an interesting night against Manchester City."

Sumber : Soccerway

MU 4 - 0 Villa

Ferguson: Young played for the penalty

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson conceded Ashley Young played for the penalty he earned in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
Young was brought down by Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and the home side's manager has said that while there was a connection, it was a soft penalty.
Ferguson told Sky Sports: "(Young) played for the penalty. The player decides to leave his foot in and takes the contact from the challenge.
"It was a dramatic fall, but it was definitely a penalty, no doubts about that."
The Red Devils's manager was full of praise for his team’s performance in the game, which they won thanks to two goals from Wayne Rooney and one apiece from Danny Welbeck and Nani.
"It was a good result and a good performance, the first half in particular," Ferguson said.
"In the second half, we were more careless, but the third goal killed the game, and made sure of the result."
However, Ferguson has refused to say that the title race between both Manchester sides is over, despite the five point gap over their city rivals.
He said: "There could yet be twists and turns, we just need to keep enjoying ourselves and keep playing alright and picking up points.
"We won't be getting too confident, as my experience tells you that there is always something that can come back and bite you in the bum.
"We'll just keep earning points, and that’s all we can do."
Villa boss Alex McLeish agreed with Ferguson that Young had made the most of the contact and believed the referee's decision turned the match.
"I didn't think it was a penalty. Ashley has thrown his leg toward Ciaran and Ciaran tries to pull his leg away," McLeish told BBC Sport.

"We know what Ashley is like in trying to sell the dummy, maybe we should have done better. That set us back because we started pretty well."

Sumber : Soccerway

De Gea: Freidel is my idol

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea wants to copy Tottenham keeper Brad Freidel's long career.

United face Harry Redknapp's men on Sunday, with the champions undefeated against the north London side in 26 matches across all competitions.

Ahead of the meeting with his opposite number at White Hart Lane, the Spaniard said Friedel has always been someone he looks up to.

"I always valued his work and had heard good things about his performances in the Premier League and with the American team," de Gea said.

"I've watched him on video because it is interesting to compare yourself to other keepers."

"He is excellent in one-on-one situations and also when faced with free-kicks. Watching him makes me want to play for United when I'm 40!"

"That's not easy and Friedel deserves great credit still to be playing. Keepers improve as the years go by but, at the moment, I'm still a baby."

The 21-year-old is beginning to show more consistency for United and earned the man of the match award against Norwich City last weekend.

However he has come in for criticism this season and while the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper admits he needs to work in some areas, such as bossing about more experienced players, he reveals that his manager has been a big help.

"I know I failed in some matches, but that has helped me learn - and the key was the manager's support," de Gea said.

"I am working on my athletic ability every day to improve my agility and jumping. English football is very hard for keepers and I need to be the boss of my own area."

"To order men like Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic around is not easy for a rookie like me."

"But they are very professional and tell me the goalkeeper is the owner of the area and accept what I say."

"Sir Alex is a big influence. He has helped me cope with the pressure. I am not surprised by the pressure and I try and turn this into a positive."

Sumber : Soccerway

Two legend

Ronaldo keeps United return open

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to rule out the possibility of a return to Manchester United in the future.

The Portugal international broke the world record transfer fee in 2009, when he joined Madrid from Manchester United in a 94-million-euro deal after helping Sir Alex Ferguson's men win three Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, among other trophies.

Spanish TV show Punto Pelota found a video made by former team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who had a short conversation with the 27-year-old after Madrid's 4-0 victory against Racing Santander on Saturday.

Questioned by Ferdinand on a return to Old Trafford, Ronaldo said: "You never know, my friend."

The former Sporting Lisbon talent also stated that he is determined to break the record for the most La Liga goals in a single season, which he holds after netting 40 times in the competition in 2010-11.

"Will I break my record? Of course, man," he said.

Sumber : Soccerway

Europa League wrap: Man Utd through despite Ajax loss

Manchester United survived a scare against Ajax to progress through to the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday.

The English Premier League outfit won the first leg 2-0 in Amsterdam and they were expected to progress comfortably at Old Trafford.

But despite Mexican Javier Hernandez' sixth-minute strike, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were outplayed and slumped to a 2-1 home defeat.

It mattered little as they won 3-2 on aggregate, but goals from Aras Ozbiliz and Toby Alderweireld ensured a nervy finale for the hosts.

The news was not as good for fellow Premier League side Stoke City, who saw their European adventure come to an end after a 1-0 defeat at Valencia.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis named a second-string side for the trip to Spain after they lost the first leg 1-0, but the Spaniards did not have it all their own way.

Brazilian Jonas scored the only goal of the match with his 11th strike of the season on 24 minutes enough to seal their progression.

Elsewhere, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a hat-trick as Schalke overcame Viktoria Plzen 3-1 in extra time.

The tie finished 1-1 after regular time, with a late goal from Frantisek Rajtoral canelling out Huntelaar's eighth minute opener.

The Dutch ace scored twice more in extra time though, taking his season tally to 33 goals in all competitions, as the Germans went thorugh 4-2 on aggregate.

Last season's Europa League finalists Braga were knocked out of the competition despite winning 1-0 at Besiktas, but wins by the same scoreline was enough for Olympiakos, Athletic Bilbao, AZ Alkmaar, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon to qualify against Rubin Kazan, Lokomotiv Moscow, Anderlecht, Lazio and Legia Warsaw respectively.

Serie A high-flyers Udinese won 3-0 at PAOK Salonika to win by the same scoreline on aggregate.

Danilo, Antonio Floro Flores and Maurizio Domizzi scored the goals for Francesco Guidolin's side.

Meanwhile a goalless draw in Belgium was enough to send Standard Liege through on away goals against Polish outfit Wisla Krakow.

Slovenian forward Tim Matavz bagged a double in PSV's 4-1 win over Trabzonspor that sealed a 6-2 win over the two legs, while Hannover, Twente and Athletic Bilbao won their ties after 1-0 wins over Club Brugge, Steaua Bucharest and Lokomotiv Moscow respectively.

Metalist Kharkiv scored four goals against Red Bull Salzburg for the second time in a week as they claimed an 8-1 aggregate victory.

Sumber : Soccerway

Ferguson admits to selection mistakes

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he made selection errors as Manchester United progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League despite a 2-1 loss to Ajax.

United went ahead early in the game thanks to Javier Hernandez, as they pushed to a 3-0 lead on aggregate after last week's 2-0 win in Amsterdam.

But Ajax drew level on the night thanks to a contentious goal from Aras Ozbiliz after Nicolas Lodeiro appeared to handle the ball.

The visitors then grabbed a late goal through Toby Alderweireld and Ferguson admits he picked too many young players, particularly in defence.

"(I'm) disappointed," Ferguson told Channel Five. "I've got to accept that I'm responsible for picking the team and tonight there were just too many young players in the back four positions."

"They were all 19-21 years of age, so that was a big problem in terms of experience in the back four positions. It was a big risk we took."

"Ajax are a fantastic football team in terms of keeping possession of the ball. You don't expect them to take you apart at any time. Their first goal was a bit of a break for them. I thought it was a handball and (Ozbiliz) gets a shot."

"They had a lot of possession but never really looked like scoring. But to get the goal gave them encouragement and in the second half they played very well. We only had one shot at goal in the second half and I thought we were very disappointing in that half."

Defender Phil Jones donned the captain armband for United, but slammed his side's performance as "nowhere near" good enough.

"I don't think we were at our best tonight, everyone can see that. We got off to a great start, Chicha’s (Hernandez) scored a great finish and we were in control of the game," Jones said.

"A little bit of complacency crept in and it has cost us. We should have won the game."

"We’ll probably review our performances tomorrow, then take it from there. It wasn’t good enough in the second-half, nowhere near."

Sumber : Soccerway

Hernandez praises newcomer Welbeck

Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez has hailed the impact of team-mate Danny Welbeck on the English Premier League champions.

Welbeck spent last season on loan at Sunderland, impressing throughout his spell at the Stadium of Light, and earning an England call-up.

Mexico international Hernandez has found himself out of the first team at times this season due to the emergence of Welbeck, but does not begrudge his fellow centre-forward such success.

"Danny Welbeck is a brilliant player," he said.

"He is only young but he went to Sunderland and did great things there. Then he came back here and has been unbelievable."

"That doesn't upset me, competition is normal at a club like this. You need to be at your best to help the team. That is the most important thing."

Hernandez said United were aiming to win the Europa League after dropping into the second-tier competition from the Champions League.

"The history of Manchester United is such that it doesn't matter which competition you are in, we want to win it, no matter who else is in it, or whether it is an important trophy for other teams," he said.

"We need to get used to the fact we are not in the Champions League this season."

United meet Ajax in the first knockout stage of the competition, with the first leg away in Amsterdam on Thursday.

"Both teams have come out of the Champions League and they both have a great history," he said.

"We have won a lot of European Cups between us, so it will be a very interesting game."

Sumber : Soccerway

Taibi rues Ferguson´s lack of faith

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi has compared his failed spell at Old Trafford to the start made by David de Gea.

Taibi arrived at United in 1999 for 4.5 million pounds, but made just four appearances in his only season with the club, and was moved on after a string of calamitous errors.

Spanish shot-stopper De Gea has also been guilty of several high-profile mistakes following his signing, for a reported fee of 17.6 million.

Taibi can see similarities between his struggle and De Gea's problems, but said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has shown a faith in the newcomer which he was never afforded.

"In a sense I see a little of myself in De Gea, who initially had problems, but now he is being shown more confidence - something which I was not granted," Taibi told Goal.com

"As a result, he is now starting to prove his worth."

Italian Taibi made his debut in a 3-2 win over Liverpool, and was named man of the match after recovering from an early error.

However, a disastrous display against Chelsea saw Taibi concede five goals in a single match.

He left United at the end of the season, returning to Italy with Reggina.

"It was an important, if short, spell for me at Manchester United," he said.

"I learned so much, to live football in the most authentic manner, differently from how one lives in Italy, but I was put on the bench after I'd played only four games. Two of those were excellent but also two were negative."

"Ferguson didn't believe in me enough and gave me no time to prove my worth. I needed a period of acclimatisation, and instead there I was given none."

"I arrived in the August and was immediately picked to play, even though I didn't know the language or my team-mates well."

"The Premier League is unique, totally different from other European leagues. The biggest regret was that I didn't prepare with the rest of the team and I wasn't able to play in the Champions League. Certainly things could have been different."

Sumber : Soccerway

Cute Picture Chicharito & Ji Sung Park

Europa League preview: New challenge for Manchester clubs

Manchester United's bid to win the Europa League begins in the Netherlands on Thursday when they travel to Ajax Amsterdam.

Last season's Champions League finalists failed to make it out of Group C after an embarrassing 2-1 loss at FC Basel of Switzerland on the final match-day.

Ajax were unlucky to miss out on the group stage themselves as Lyon's freak 7-1 win against Dinamo Zagreb tipped them out of Europe's top-tier competition on goal difference.

This match-up pits two of Europe's most famous football clubs together, with Ajax having won four Champions League titles and one UEFA Cup in their illustrious history.

Manchester United have three Champions League titles in their trophy cabinet but they have never won Europe's second-tier competition before.

Manchester United - who sit second on the English Premier League table - are joined by cross-town rivals Manchester City in the competition after they failed to make it through a group containing Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal.

City kick off their campaign with a tricky away leg at Liga Sagres outfit Porto, who won the Europa League last year and are unbeaten in their last seven home games in Europe.

Atletico Madrid, the 2010 Europa League champions, are away at Serie A outfit Lazio, while 2011 finalists Braga welcome Turkish side Besiktas.

Eredivisie table-toppers AZ Alkmaar play host to Belgians Anderlecht while another Dutch side, FC Twente, are on the road to Romania to play Steaua Bucharest.

Udinese have performed well this season in the Serie A and will fancy their chances against PAOK Salonika of Greece and Premier League side Stoke City face the biggest test of their continental season when they host La Liga giants Valencia.

Wisla Krakow's last minute draw at Fulham was enough to book them progression into the round of 32 and they are at home to Standard Liege, while their Polish counterparts Legia Warsaw welcome Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.

German side Schalke qualified for the Champions League semi-finals last season and will feel confident of progressing against Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen, while PSV Eindhoven tackle Trabzonspor of Turkey.

Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg are at home to Ukraine's Metalist Kharkiv, Rubin Kazan of Russia play Greek side Olympiakos, Rubin's compatriots Lokomotiv Moscow host Athletic Bilbao and Bundesliga side Hannover welcome Belgians Club Brugge.

Sumber : Soccerway

Rooney puts hand up for England captaincy

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has admitted he would like to be England captain.

But the star striker reckons Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is the 'perfect choice' for the job.

The Three Lions are currently searching for a new skipper following the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the armband after it was revealed that his court case for allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand had been adjourned until after Euro 2012.

"For everyone asking i would love to be england (sic) captain. But thats (sic) up to new manager to decide. Gerrard is perfect choice for me," Rooney wrote on Twitter.

The 26-year-old has captained his country on one occasion before, leading an injury-hit side to a 1-0 friendly defeat against Brazil in Doha in November 2009.

Despite England still being without a permanent manager following the resignation of Fabio Capello, Gerrard is favourite for the captaincy, with Scott Parker and Joe Hart also suggested as potential candidates.

Sumber : Soccerway

Ferguson lambasts Suarez conduct

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Luis Suarez should never play for Liverpool again after refusing to shake Patrice Evra's hand.

A brace from Wayne Rooney, before a late consolation from Suarez, handed United a 2-1 victory in a match that was overshadowed by the tension between Suarez and Evra at Old Trafford.

Suarez was fined and banned for eight matches after allegedly racially abusing the United left-back in October, and the Uruguayan refused to shake Evra's hand in the customary pre-match exchange on Saturday.

"I couldn't believe it," Ferguson told Sky Sports after the match. "I just could not believe it."

"I had a chat with Patrice this morning and he said 'I'm going to shake his hand. I've got nothing to be ashamed of and I want to keep my dignity.' And then he (Suarez) refuses - he's a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club."

"That certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. With the history that club has got, and he does that in this city today - he could have caused a riot."

"I was really disappointed in that guy. It was terrible what he did. It created a tension - you've seen the referee, he didn't know what to do about it."

"It caught him off-guard, and it was a terrible start to the game. There was a terrible atmosphere created."

A scuffle reportedly broke out between both sets of players outside the dressing rooms during the half-time interval, with police intervention required.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said he was unaware Suarez had declined to shake Evra's hand.

"I never knew he never shook his hand," the Scot told Sky Sports.

"I'll take your word for it, but I don't know. I wasn't there. I never saw it. That is contrary to what I was told."

Dalglish, whose side conceded twice in four minutes earlier in the second half, said it was wrong to hold Suarez responsible for what transpired in Manchester.

"I think you are very severe and are bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today," he said.

Sumber : Soccerway