Friday, August 21, 2009

Wigan v United - Time for United to bounce back


United received a shock result on the first week of the Premier League and it is time for the Champions to show their real strength when they travel away from home to Wigan. United are missing Ronaldo and it will be felt for some more time in their play. Robbie Blake's volley stunned the reigning champions on Wednesday night before Michael Carrick blew a chance to equalise by missing a penalty.

United boast a 100% record against Wigan having won all previous eight league meetings between the clubs. Wednesday's slip-up at Burnley was United's first defeat to a newly-promoted side in four years. For the last two seasons the champions have managed only one win in their opening four league matches and still gone on to win the title, but Ferguson will be keen to avoid a second slip-up in four days.

The Latics are also looking to rebound from a disappointing loss as they play at home for the second time in four days.New manager Roberto Martinez was blessed with the perfect start to his reign when his side defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on the opening day.But newly-promoted Wolves brought them back down to earth on Wednesday when Andy Keogh inspired Mick McCarthy's team to a 1-0 away win.

Nemanja Vidic looks set for his first Manchester United appearance of the season after overcoming a calf injury.Antonio Valencia is expected to start against his former club .
Wigan could name an unchanged line-up for the third game running.Charles N'Zogbia's fitness is rated at 50/50 but other than long-term absentee Olivier Kapo, Wigan have a clean bill of health.

Ferguson rules out transfers


Sir Alex Ferguson will not go back into the transfer market to solve Manchester United's early season scoring problems.

The United boss surprised many observers this summer when he revealed his intention to use Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck as back-up to experienced trio Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen.

A return of just one goal in the champions' first two fixtures, including Wednesday's shock defeat at Burnley, has led to suggestions that Ferguson could scrap his initial plan and make a move for one of Valencia's outstanding pair, David Villa and David Silva.

However, Ferguson has insisted that will not happen.

"Did I say we wouldn't make any more signings?" he responded when quizzed on the subject this morning.

"That is it. I have already made the point - and I am sure of it. This is a great group of players."

The news might come as a disappointment to United fans, who are still struggling to adapt to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Yet Ferguson's faith in his current crop of players is undimmed, even if he does have a problem in central defence where Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a thigh injury.

Ferdinand suffered a slight tear during training last week ahead of the Premier League opener against Birmingham.

Initially Ferguson felt that Ferdinand would only be sidelined for a couple of weeks. However, that estimate has now been revised.

"Rio is going to be out for three to four weeks," said Ferguson.

It means Ferdinand will miss Saturday's trip to Wigan, plus next weekend's eagerly anticipated encounter with Arsenal.

In addition, Ferdinand now seems certain to miss the next two England games, starting with a friendly against Slovenia on September 5, then a World Cup qualifier against Croatia four days later, when victory would book the Three Lions' place in South Africa next summer.

It also raises concerns over Ferdinand's general fitness given the £29.1million defender suffered a back injury and a calf problem last season that kept him sidelined for extended periods.

There is some good news on the injury front for United though as Ferdinand's central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic is set to make his first start of the season at the DW stadium on Saturday as United look to bounce back from Wednesday's shock defeat at Burnley.

"Nemanja has trained with us for 10 days and he is ready for the game," said Ferguson.

"Hopefully he will be okay by tomorrow."

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Burnley stuns United


Burnley stunned Manchester United as they won 1-0 at Turf Moor to claim their first top-flight victory in 33 years.

United had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the opening two minutes through Michael Owen, but Burnley soon started to apply the pressure and they had their reward when Robbie Blake rifled home a volley in the 19th minute.

The visitors struggled to make any headway in the aftermath, but they were presented with a penalty just before half-time when Blake clumsily up-ended Patrice Evra.

However, Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen managed to turn away Michael Carrick's spot-kick to leave his side 1-0 up at the interval.

United were able to create more attacking opportunities in the second half, but a superb performance from Jensen kept the champions at bay.
Changes

As expected, Ferguson had rung the changes, recalling Carrick, Park Ji-sung and Anderson, as well as handing Michael Owen his first start.

The United boss was buoyed by Jonny Evans declaring himself fit to partner Wes Brown in central defence, which at least gave the Red Devils back line a more durable look.

Not that it seemed as though they would need it as Burnley rocked badly in the opening stages, struggling to get their bearings on a Turf Moor pitch that has waited so long to host top flight action.

Owen should have done better when Patrice Evra's left-wing cross flashed past him at the near-post and, with Park, Carrick and Wayne Rooney all finding space, it seemed only a matter of time before United broke the deadlock.

Yet the opening goal did not come and, as time ticked by, Burnley visibly gained in confidence.

Martin Paterson and record signing Steven Fletcher were both starting to cause problems when The Clarets launched a concerted raid on the visitors' goal.

Paterson thought he was going to score when he sprang the United offside trap, only to find Ben Foster there to make the block, and Carrick followed suit as Blake tried to turn home the rebound.

United could not relieve the pressure though and, when former Manchester City full-back Stephen Jordan drifted a cross to the far post, Blake was on hand to let fly with a superbly-struck volley that was past Foster before he had a chance to react.

United tried to find a response but, in front of Fabio Capello, Owen completely missed his intended header when Brown curled over a near-post cross that found the striker unmarked.

Penalty

The odds must have been on Owen taking the penalty when Evra was fouled by Blake as he nicked the ball towards Burnley's goal.

Instead, Carrick took responsibility - and Jensen emerged the hero, just as he did last season when his spot-kick saves turfed Chelsea out of the Carling Cup.

Jensen must have expected to be kept busy after the interval but, although United dominated possession, they still had surprisingly few clear-cut chances.

A long-range effort from Rooney that sailed harmlessly over was the best they could manage until Park created a bit of space for himself and forced Jensen into a fine full-length save, with Jordan hammering away the rebound.

Substitutions

By that time, Antonio Valencia and Dimitar Berbatov had been introduced; Owen making way after another disappointing contribution.

The pair made a difference, but Burnley were not to be denied, throwing themselves in the way of any United threat.

Jensen was a rock behind a sturdy defence and the final whistle ended a run of 17 straight wins for United against newly-promoted sides.

More importantly, it marked Burnley's return to the elite.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Premier League Preview Burnley v United


United travels to Burnley in their second match of the league campaign . Top flight football returns to Turf Moor after a 33-year absence, with a full house expected for the visit of champions Manchester United. The Clarets began the season with defeat at Stoke but are a different proposition at home, where they have won their last six league games.

United were not their free flowing best on last Sunday still they produced number of chances . Ronaldo's absence will be felt in the side for sometime .Rooney is the main weapon of United and he is ready to take the centre stage for United which he claims for England.he looks likely candidate, following up his strike in the Community Shield with the only goal against Birmingham on Sunday. Defensively United are weakened but whatever team Sir Alex put on field will have match winners all over the park .

Owen Coyle's side also proved their pedigree by beating Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham and West Brom in cup competitions last season.

Wes Brown is standing by to replace Jonny Evans .With Nemanja Vidic (calf) and Rio Ferdinand (thigh) already ruled out and Evans a major doubt, Brown is set to partner John O'Shea in central defence.Michael Carrick and Anderson are set to make their first appearances of the season, while Michael Owen could be included after being introduced as a substitute in Sunday's win over Birmingham.

Burnley have defensive problems with captain Steven Caldwell unlikely to recover from a groin problem in time and Michael Duff (ankle) ruled out.David Edgar is back from suspension and could make his debut alongside Andre Bikey, who has joined from Reading.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Defensive headache for Fergie


Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive problems refuse to go away, with Manchester United down to the bare bones in that department.

Just one game into the 2009/10 campaign and the reigning Premier League champions have already seen their resources stretched to breaking point.

The Red Devils have endured countless injuries to key members of their back four in recent times, and this season is proving to be no different.

Rio Ferdinand is the biggest miss for United at present, with the England international set to undergo a scan in order to determine the full extent of a his thigh strain.

He is by no means the only one carrying a slight knock at present, though, and Ferguson will be forced to shuffle his pack once again when United go to Burnley on Wednesday.

"Ferdinand will be out for two weeks - the next two or three games I would think," the Scot said following the Red Devils' 1-0 victory over Birmingham on Sunday.

"(Nemanja) Vidic is training so, hopefully, we'll have him back for next Saturday at Wigan.

"Jonny Evans is injured again, Gary Neville has just resumed training and Rafa da Silva is still out with a dislocated shoulder.

"We've had a hard time with defensive injuries over the last two years but have good replacements who have experience."

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Fergie: United will find new stars

Sir Alex
Sir Alex Ferguson insists new heroes will emerge at Manchester United following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

United begin life in the Barclays Premier League without the FIFA world player of the year when they face Birmingham.

There is bound to be some trepidation among supporters as they head into the unknown, if only because it is difficult to see how United will make up for Ronaldo's incredible goals output.

But Ferguson has attempted to calm the anxiety by pointing out a number of occasions when events did not quite turn out the way fans wanted, only for their team to profit as a result.

"The important thing is not to get too upset when a player leaves you," he said.

"This club can produce players all the time and we will go on.

"We almost had Ronaldinho signed in 2003 and two months later we have bought Ronaldo.

"Before that we thought we had Paul Gascoigne but didn't get him and we got Paul Ince and Roy Keane.

"We had a chance to get David Hirst and then Alan Shearer. Instead we got Eric Cantona. It happens that way."

The difference this time is more like 1995 when Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis and Mark Hughes were allowed to leave during a single summer.

Ferguson's entire tenure was questioned in some quarters, only for the famed 'Class of 92' to emerge and carry the Old Trafford outfit to even greater glory.

And once again, the United boss is looking to players within his own ranks to emerge.

"We are searching to improve ourselves but this time the improvement will come from within," he said.

"We will miss Ronaldo. He was always a threat and his stats were fantastic, he is the best player in the world.

"But he was part of a good team. Everything you set out to do is about the team.

"We won't forget what he did for us but we have players who can make the same impact."

The most obvious examples are £17million new-boy Antonio Valencia and Ronaldo's fellow Portugal international Nani.

Also signed from Sporting Lisbon, Nani enjoyed a decent debut campaign but was poor last term, to the extent that many felt Ronaldo would have company on his way out of Old Trafford.

Ferguson thought otherwise and was vindicated with a performance he felt merited the man-of-the-match award during Sunday's Community Shield defeat to Chelsea.

"Nani seems far more settled," Ferguson said.

"I was surprised when they gave the man of the match to Ricardo Carvalho last Sunday. They obviously weren't watching the game.

"Nani had a terrific game.

"I don't think he was overshadowed by Cristiano. He was very friendly with him and he looked up to him.

"But maybe he sees this as his big opportunity."

To Ferguson's surprise, Nani was able to shrug off the effects of a dislocated shoulder and make a 17-minute appearance for his country against Liechtenstein on Wednesday.

That could be enough to get him into a United side that includes Wes Brown when the Red Devils open their title defence at Old Trafford.

Brown has trained all week after a recent thigh problem so, with Jonny Evans unlikely to play as he nurses an ankle injury aggravated on international duty with Northern Ireland, the England star may line up alongside Rio Ferdinand.

United have opened the last two domestic campaigns with goalless draws against two sides - Reading and Newcastle - who went on to get relegated.

Ferguson would be unhappy if his team suffer a third successive opening-day setback as they chase a fourth successive championship, if only because he expects the title to be a tightly-fought affair.

"You could put a blanket over ourselves, Chelsea and Liverpool," he said.

"What may decide it is if one club gets a run of injuries, or a lot of them at one time.

"We have more experience because of winning the titles but it doesn't make that much difference in terms of the competition we are going to get into.

"To win four in a row would be fantastic. But this is a difficult league to win and rather than look to May I am looking at Sunday."

United starts their Title defence with win

Wayne Rooney scores the only goal
United started their campaign with win over new boys Birmingham . It was not a very convincing one but they created plenty of chances . It was Wayne Rooney who is expected to fill the gap created by the departure of Ronaldo was in the thick of action and scored the only goal .Young United keeper Ben Foster has shown why he is rated so much by Sir Alex by producing a wonderful save to deny Christian Benitez.The void left by Ronaldo was visible in the play.Ronaldo's absence will be felt for some time. There was none of that magical trickery the Portugal superstar has provided for the Old Trafford faithful for six stellar years and none of that edge-of-your-seat anticipation either.


United applied all the early pressure and they eventually made a breakthrough when Wayne Rooney turned the ball home in the 34th minute after his initial header had struck the post.

Birmingham could have been level almost instantly as Cameron Jerome and Franck Queudrue both went close, and United had a chance of their own as Darren Fletcher passed up a glorious opportunity on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Dimitar Berbatov saw an effort cleared off the line as well as a penalty appeal rejected.Substitute Michael Owen did have the ball in the net once, only to be flagged offside. He was most certainly on when he raced onto Rooney's chested through ball in stoppage time.This time, Hart made the save.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A new season begins



A new era is beginning in the Premier League without the Portuguese superstar who has thrilled the crowds for the last 6 years and it is a real test for United as they have heavily depended on him for goals and Sir Alex has not bought any super star replacement .


But it's United they have experienced similar problems before and they have created new superstars.United remain the team to beat as they bid to make history on two fronts in becoming the first team to be crowned champions four years on the trot, and overtake fierce foes Liverpool as the most successful side in the English league.

For Birmingham, an opening weekend trip to Old Trafford represents the toughest possible examination of their top-flight credentials having secured promotion from the Championship.And their Premier League record at the home of the Red Devils leaves much to be desired, with no points and no goals from their five previous visits.

Man Utd have defensive problems despite Wes Brown's recovery from a thigh problem, with Jonny Evans doubtful and Nemanja Vidic and Rafael ruled out.

Ben Foster (knee) or Tomasz Kuszczak will deputise for Edwin van der Sar, while Nani (shoulder) could feature after playing for Portugal in midweek.

Birmingham are also short of defenders, with Martin Taylor and Liam Ridgewell long-term absentees.

Roger Johnson will make his debut but midfielder Lee Bowyer is suspended.