26 May 2009

Cantona wants to manage either Man Utd or England

Eric Cantona has said that he has ambitions to manage Manchester United one day, and if he doesn't get that job, then he'd like to take over as England boss.

The 43-year-old may be coach of the French beach soccer team, but is in no doubt his destiny lies at the helm of one of the world's biggest soccer teams. "I don't know in how many years' time, but my name is already written on the Manchester United bench," he said in an interview in Monday's La Gazzetta dello Sport. I'm not saying (Alex) Ferguson will go. I hope with all my heart that he has eternal life with the Reds."

But Cantona's alternative is no less ambitious, as he harbours hopes of graduating to manage a national side. "The only alternative possible for me is the English national team," he said. "I like Fabio Capello a lot, as a man and a motivator. He's tough, precise and attentive to details.
"But I assure that sooner or later you will see me at the helm of England because I'm part of the history of Manchester (United). I'm number one."

25 May 2009

Newcastle, Middlesbrough, West Brom relegated

Newcastle United have been relegated from the Premier League after a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Gareth Barry's 38th minute shot deflected off Damien Duff and wrongfooted Steve Harper for the only goal of the game.

Middlesbrough fell 2-1 at Upton Park as their drop to the Championship was confirmed. Goals from Carlton Cole and Junior Stanislas came either side of a Gary O'Neil effort.

WBA was already relegated before the last match.

Hull 0 Man Utd 1

Hull escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth despite slumping to a 1-0 defeat against an under-strength Manchester United.

United made 10 changes as Sir Alex Ferguson rested his biggest names ahead of the Champions League final on Wednesday but the final score meant there could be no complaints.
Their starting XI had an average age of just 23, a figure boosted by the return of veteran club captain Gary Neville, 34.

United scored in the 24th minute with a ferocious strike from Gibson. The 21-year-old let fly from 25 yards with a powerful shot across goal that flew past Myhill into the top corner.

23 May 2009

Man Utd News: Champions League, BPL Final Game

The Sun claims Manchester United will field the same team which secured a place in the Rome final with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and that means Sir Alex will opt for the industry of Ji-Sung Park over a second striker. The only change to the starting line-up will be an enforced one with Darren Fletcher suspended for the red card he picked up against the Gunners and Ryan Giggs replacing him. Cristiano Ronaldo will again be deployed as a striker, with Wayne Rooney out on the left, as Sir Alex hopes to utilise the pace of the Portuguese star against a suspect Barcelona defence which is without Daniel Alves, Rafael Marquez and Eric Abidal. This also suggests that the Red Devils' boss has already decided skipper Rio Ferdinand will be fit enough to play, regardless of whether he gets a run-out against Hull City in Sunday's pivotal final Premier League game.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reassured the Premier League's relegation strugglers that Hull City will face no easy game on Sunday. Sir Alex has assured the side he chooses will be a determined one. "We have a league that has the best integrity in the world and we will play our part in that,'' he said. "No matter which team I play, it will represent Manchester United in the normal way. We are expected to win. We will go to win. That is the responsibility we always have.''

22 May 2009

Man Utd Updates: Ronaldo, Ferdinand, Tevez

Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped the clearest hint yet that he intends to reject a summer move to Real Madrid by insisting he "only cares what happens next season at Manchester United". He mentioned that all his attention is fully focused on Wednesday's clash with Barcelona in Rome. "At the moment I am only thinking about the Champions League final independently of what will happen to me or my team-mates next season."

Rio Ferdinand is confident of being fit for the Champions League final on Wednesday despite Sir Alex Ferguson casting doubts over his chances of making the match. The skipper has already started ball work and feels he is completely on track to play in Rome against the Spanish champions.

Tevez's Old Trafford future has been the subject of intense debate, with United chief executive David Gill confirming last weekend that he expects some kind of closure on the Argentina star's two-year loan deal in June. His chances of remaining at Old Trafford seems low, as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all continue to be linked with the forward, while Real Madrid are among the giant continental clubs keeping an eye on developments.

20 May 2009

Man Utd News

THE SUN: Tottenham were reeling last night after being told Liverpool are willing to shell out £50million for Carlos Tevez. Also: Manchester United were last night sensationally warned: Play a weakened side against Hull and we'll sue you.

DAILY MIRROR: Sir Alex Ferguson risks one hell of a row by blooding up to four rookies at Hull on Sunday.

THE TIMES: Some of the most famous streets in Rome will be turned into no-go areas next week to protect more than 30,000 Manchester United supporters who are expected to descend on Italy's capital for the Champions League final.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Manchester United have an exclusive player trading deal with a Brazilian team owned by a company which has interests in scores of footballers on terms similar to the third-party arrangement covering Carlos Tevez.

19 May 2009

Vidic won United Player of the Year award

Well done, lads.

Nemanja Vidic completed a personal double on Sunday night as he was named Manchester United player of the year by both fans and his fellow players. Vidic picked up both awards after a season in which his formidable partnership at the back with Rio Ferdinand has played a major part in helping United retain their Barclays Premier League title.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who won both awards last season, did not end the night empty-handed as he once again received the goal of the season prize for his stunning effort at Porto in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Seventeen-year-old Federico Macheda, who burst onto the scene with the winner against Aston Villa on his debut, was named academy player of the year and James Chester clinched the reserve team prize.