Apna Football - Man Utd

Fergie slams lacklustre United

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:35:25 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to wield the axe after admitting he was shocked by Manchester United's abject performance against Leeds.

Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal not only gave Leeds a famous 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, it also consigned United to their first third-round FA Cup exit, and their first defeat by lower league opposition in the most prestigious domestic cup competition, since they were beaten by Bournemouth in 1984.

Ferguson could offer up no excuse, or explanation, for his side's defeat. However, having declared he would rely on many of the younger players involved on Sunday afternoon for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday, the Scot has had an immediate change of heart.

"We have a semi-final on Wednesday night and a lot of these players won't be playing," he said. "You have to view that performance in its right light.

"I am shocked by the performance because our preparation for the game was very good. But we never got going. The quality of the passing and whole performance was bad."

Ferguson could not resist a dig at referee Chris Foy, adding: "The referee gave five minutes. That is an insult to the game and the players out there."

Red Devils humbled by courageous Leeds

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:39:07 GMT

Leeds emerged from five years of hurt to inflict some pain of their own as Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory over old enemies Manchester United at Old Trafford.

It is six years since Leeds' loyal fans have made this particular trip - and not since 1981 have they returned across the Pennines celebrating victory.

But in manager Simon Grayson they have a man with the club in his heart, and in Beckford they have a striker capable of shooting them to better things.

The Whites impressed from the first minute to the last and took the lead when Beckford latched onto a delightful 60-yard pass from Jonny Howson before sliding the ball under Tomasz Kuszczak, who appeared slow to react following the forward's heavy first touch.

Wayne Rooney saw a shot scrambled off the line by Jason Crowe as the hosts looked to fight back, while Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren made a number of fine saves to keep his side ahead.

United's game never rose to any great heights, but there were certainly moments when it looked like fate was against them. Every individual was off colour and Rooney and Owen both wasted guilt edged chances.

In the first half, Wellbeck and Obertan were both guilty of being wasteful in possession on the flanks. Both were duly replaced in the second half, with Giggs and Valencia. Anderson also made way for Owen in the last 20 minutes.

However, although United piled on the pressure in the closing stages, Leeds came close to extending their lead as Beckford fired inches wide and substitute Robert Snodgrass struck the angle of post and bar with a delightful free-kick.

The 5 minutes of extra time saw ever more pressure but the finishing remained indifferent and Man United will have to take stock tomorrow - and knowing Sir Alex Ferguson's philosophy, heads will roll.

Sir Alex's Post Match Comments

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to wield the axe after admitting he was shocked by Manchester United's abject performance against Leeds.

Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal not only gave Leeds a famous 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, it also consigned United to their first third-round FA Cup exit, and their first defeat by lower league opposition in the most prestigious domestic cup competition, since they were beaten by Bournemouth in 1984.

Ferguson could offer up no excuse, or explanation, for his side's defeat. However, having declared he would rely on many of the younger players involved on Sunday afternoon for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday, the Scot has had an immediate change of heart.

"We have a semi-final on Wednesday night and a lot of these players won't be playing," he said. "You have to view that performance in its right light.

"I am shocked by the performance because our preparation for the game was very good. But we never got going. The quality of the passing and whole performance was bad."

Ferguson could not resist a dig at referee Chris Foy, adding: "The referee gave five minutes. That is an insult to the game and the players out there."

"Leeds had far bigger appetite than us. Human beings can always surprise you but we didn't expect that today. We didn't start right, Leeds got their goal and it was something to hold onto. We spoke about Beckford's pace up front and we were caught napping."

"I don't think any of them can say they had a good day. It took us 10 minutes to find him but only Valencia can say he had a good performance. You have to get over these kind of results quickly. We have to make sure we are ready for Wednesday."

Old guard return for United

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:36:33 GMT

Veteran duo Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are expected to return as Manchester United face Roses rivals Leeds for the first time in six years.

Neville has now recovered from a groin injury and Scholes is also over a hip complaint, so Sir Alex Ferguson is set to pitch both men into a white-hot atmosphere, aided by 9,000 travelling fans.

Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown should continue in central defence, while Wayne Rooney will be looking to add to his 15-goal tally for the season.

Ferguson relishing cup clash

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:41:33 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson misses Manchester United's annual showdowns with Leeds United.

The Roses rivals lock horns in the FA Cup on Sunday, their first meeting in nearly six years since Leeds tumbled into the Championship.

With 9,000 fans travelling across the Pennines, the West Yorkshire outfit are guaranteed a noisy following that will further fuel an atmosphere Ferguson expects to be tinged with hostility.

It was always the same at Elland Road, a ground Ferguson once described as the most intimidating venue in Europe. But those are the atmospheres the Scot loves the most.

"I used to enjoy the rivalry," he said. "It makes you perform. There have been some fantastically feisty occasions over the years and there was always a tinge of hostility.

"We always told the players to make sure they behaved properly on the pitch because we didn't need to add to the problems off it. Leeds are bringing 9,000 fans, so it will be a busy day for the police. But it will be an absolutely brilliant atmosphere and should be a good cup tie as well."

Fletcher relieved as defenders return

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:01:33 GMT

Darren Fletcher is happy to help out anywhere in the Manchester United cause - but the Scotland star is hugely relieved the Red Devils are starting to get some defenders back.

With up to eight men injured at times over the past six weeks, Fletcher was one of the men Sir Alex Ferguson called on to help ease United through the crisis.

An appearance at right-back was not entirely unusual given Fletcher did the job for a short while. But when it came to occupying one of the positions in a three-man defence that also included Michael Carrick and rookie Ritchie De Laet at Fulham, Fletcher's lack of experience was exposed.

The demolition at Craven Cottage that day was viewed by many as the end of United's title hopes. Instead they managed to get Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic on to the pitch at Hull and again on Wednesday when they featured against Wigan and the impact was immediate.

Successive wins have cut Chelsea's lead at the top to two points, slashed the Blues' goal difference advantage by seven and restored a feeling of optimism to Old Trafford.

"I am glad the defenders are back," said Fletcher. "We were desperate for that. "It is okay in one-off games to have midfielders playing out of position. When it goes to a run of four or five games it is inevitable that mistakes are going to happen because it is not natural."

Ferguson to stick with youth

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:06:33 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to stick with his youngsters for next Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

The Manchester United manager has used the competition to give the less experienced members of his squad some much-needed experience in recent years and that trend has continued this term.

Yet, a draw which pitched United into direct confrontation with a club whose 33 years without a trophy is immortalised on the Stretford End with a banner that ticks on one with each passing season, might have prompted a change of heart.

Most Red Devils fans would gladly accept losing to either Blackburn or Aston Villa at Wembley on February 28 if it meant City being denied a big day out.

But Ferguson refuses to be deflected from his original aim, so the likes of Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck can expect to start at Eastlands.

"I will stick with the principle of picking young players on Wednesday," said the United chief. "That is what we have done in the Carling Cup and we are not changing that."

Ferguson reveals O'Shea fears

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:05:27 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson has raised the possibility that John O'Shea might be sidelined for two more months.

The Manchester United utility-man suffered a thigh injury during the Republic of Ireland's shattering World Cup exit in France last month that Ferguson initially felt was nothing more than a dead leg.

However, O'Shea has not played since. And while Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans are inching towards their returns from injury and Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown have already made it back to the Red Devils` first team, for O'Shea the delay goes on.

"There is no sign at all of recovery for John," said Ferguson.

"It is his first injury at the club and he is a big loss because he is such a versatile player.

"We just want to get him back but it could be a couple of months yet."

Rooney sets goal target

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:35:31 GMT

Wayne Rooney admits he would be stunned if he failed to eclipse his best seasonal goal tally of 23.

Rooney found the net for the 15th time this season as he scored the first goal in Manchester United's 5-0 hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford.

The result took the Red Devils to within two points of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea heading into 2010, just as Sir Alex Ferguson demanded.

In addition, United have clawed back Chelsea's massive goal difference advantage. Now they trail by just two, with Rooney certain he is going to get a few more.

"I would hope to beat my best total," he said. "If I don't get another eight goals from now until the end of the season there is something seriously wrong.

"I hit the post before I scored and the bar afterwards. I am doing well and I feel fit. Hopefully that will continue."

Fergie makes case for the defence

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:35:27 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown as the key to Manchester United's five-goal hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford.

After a month of trying to patch up his threadbare defence, Ferguson finally has two recognised central defenders available.

And the improvement has been clear to see as United followed up Sunday's victory at Hull by turning in a five-star show against the Latics that allowed United to reach 2010 just two points adrift of leaders Chelsea and scenting another Barclays Premier League title.

"The key to both the Wigan game and Sunday was having the two centre-halves back," said Ferguson, who celebrates his 68th birthday on Thursday.

"Brown and Vidic were magnificent, as they were at Hull. If we get the rest of them back we have a magnificent chance because we are in great form."

As Jonny Evans is in contention to face Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday and Rio Ferdinand is not far behind the Northern Ireland star as he plots a comeback from a back injury, Ferguson could soon have his usual squad to choose from.

Rooney stars in United romp

Apna Football — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:34:04 GMT

Wayne Rooney delivered another masterclass as Wigan meekly surrendered to Manchester United for the second time this season in a 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson has argued for years that if his side are within touching distance of top spot on New Year's Day they will take some stopping.

And not only are they only two points adrift of Chelsea, they have almost achieved parity in the goal difference column too after another five-goal mauling of the hapless Latics, who seem ill equipped to survive a relegation scrap.

United dominated the opening exchanges and Wigan struggled to hold out until Rooney's opener in the 28th minute. The England forward stole in at the near post to meet Rafael Da Silva's cross and steer it past Chris Kirkland to break the deadlock.

Michael Carrick swept home the second three minutes later following a neat cut-back from former Wigan winger Antonio Valencia and Rafael made it three in first-half injury-time, showing nimble feet to create space on the edge of the area before drilling past Kirkland.

Mike Pollitt replaced the injured Kirkland at half-time, but the substitute goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Dimitar Berbatov stabbing home a fourth, before Valencia rounded off the scoring with a neat chip in the 76th minute.

Wayne Rooney produced another stunning display of driving, creative and attacking football, and if anything the scoreline flattered Wigan as United attacked from start to finish. Rooney hit the post twice. Once from the left he collected a throw in, nutmegged Melchiot cheekily and from a narrow angle beat the goalkeeper but hit the far post. Then, late in the game, a swift, one-touch move involving Park, Berbatov and Carrick, a snap header hit the cross piece.

Valencia also had an excellent game against his former club and most of United's great moves came from the right flank. He duly finished off a good night's performance with a goal and Wigan found it hard to contain him .

One of the highlights of the evening was Rafael scoring and then running towards the bench to celebrate with his twin brother, Fabio. The goal was brilliant, the celebration, heartwarming.

With this win, United have managed to stay within touching distance of Chelsea. They have also managed to beat Wigan twice by the same scoreline this season. And Sir Alex Ferguson will certainly be happy that the scoring load is being spread across the team. 5 different players scored today and Vidic had a shot saved off the goalline by Scharner.

It's a 3 horse race for the title, and United are looking good for the second half of the season.