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Dodomeki
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Manchester United Season 2010-11
- Thread starter Alamaking
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Dodomeki
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Bebe is a little like Nani when he first joined Man Utd.Didnt watch the last few matches, is Bebe really that bad?
Pacey, alert, enthusiastic and skilful player, but with poor final ball and decision making.
There's still hope.
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Dodomeki
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Edwin Van der Sar: negative Manchester City only interested in earning a point against Manchester United
Manchester United emerged from Eastlands claiming that Manchester City were interested only in avoiding defeat after a dismal 156th Manchester derby ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
It was stale, mate: Edwin Van der Sar converses with fellow Dutchman, Manchester City's Nigel de Jong Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Mark Ogden 7:00AM GMT 11 Nov 2010
United extended their unbeaten run to 25 games, stretching back to last April’s 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, as City ended a four-game Premier League losing streak against their neighbours. But United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, whose only duty was to save a first-half free kick from Carlos Tévez, claimed City’s negative approach was denied purely to earn a point for Roberto Mancini’s team.
Van der Sar said: “The game was quite one-sided and City did not really come forward and leave their defensive position. “They were clearly aiming for a point whereas we really wanted to win and we played like that. “They were more defensive and I didn’t have much to do apart from a free kick. If the game had lasted longer, we might have got more from it and I don’t think it was a good point for us.
Rio Ferdinand insisted that United ‘dominated the game,’ but manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that the pre-match tension surrounding the game contributed to the result. Ferguson, who will assess injuries to defenders Patrice Evra and Rafael on Thursday, said: “There was probably too much tension to make it as open a match as people thought it would be.
“But City are difficult to beat on their own ground and that was obvious from the way they set their stall out in the second-half. “Chelsea came here and lost and if City had not had a man sent-off early on against Arsenal, things could have been different in that game. “Our target was to win the game and we had enough possession to do that. But creating that opening to win the match was beyond us.”
Mancini defended his team’s tactics, however, and insisted the result shows that City are now on a level footing with United. He said: “It’s not important for me if I get criticised. For us and them, it was most important not to lose. “United are a strong team and defend very well and there weren’t many chances to score.
“But I think this proves City are at the same level as United at the moment. For me it is a good point. We are improving from last season. “This season we got one point and last season we got zero points, but we still tried to win.”
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Dodomeki
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Wayne Rooney braced for United fans' reaction when he takes his place on the bench
The bridge-building begins at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Welcome home: Wayne Rooney could be back on the field for Manchester United against Wigan Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Chris Brereton 11:00PM GMT 19 Nov 2010
Wayne Rooney is expected to come off the substitutes' bench for Manchester United on Saturday against Wigan Athletic to make his first appearance for the side since his controversial contract discussions last month, which so provoked the ire of the club's fans.
Rooney came within 24 hours of leaving the club, who have nurtured his prodigious talent since he signed as an 18 year-old in 2004, as he intimated that United did not match his own ambitions in the pursuit for domestic and European success.
Led by agent Paul Stretford, Rooney eventually performed a U-turn by signing a new £160,000-a-week deal and the England international acknowledged at the time that he had an enormous amount of making up to do with United's fans.
He has not had the opportunity to do that thus far because of the ankle injury which prompted United to send him to Nike Town in Portland, Oregon, earlier this month for a week of conditioning work. However, he is now back and Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, wants to give him an opportunity against Roberto Martinez's side so he can fine tune his game ahead of next week's Champions League tie with Rangers.
Whether United's fans will be as forgiving as Ferguson remains to be seen and Rooney himself will not know until he returns to the field. "I don't think he'll start tomorrow," Ferguson said. "Maybe he will reach the bench. But he will certainly play on Wednesday against Rangers." Ferguson is not keen on starting with Rooney because the rehabilitation work he has undergone has not been football specific.
"Wayne's done a week of intense work, so he's not done a lot of football work. We need to assess that a little more closely. He could make the bench, but I don't think he'll start. "We sent him to America to isolate him in an intensive situation so the concentration was purely on the training." United's results indicate that Rooney has been sorely missed. Ferguson's may be the only undefeated team in the Premier League but that currency has been debased by the fact that seven of those undefeated fixtures have been draws.
That niggle has been further compounded because draws against Fulham, Everton and West Bromwich Albion should all have been victories. "People make a story about us being undefeated, but we've thrown points away," Ferguson added. "Last week [against Aston Villa] we stole one, so maybe that balances itself out. "But we are still angry at ourselves at losing late goals. We have got this great record of scoring late goals, but we have suffered from it on the opposite side this season."
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Another awesome weekend for United fans.
Good win and with losses for Chelski and ArseWipe
this have became the perfect weekend.
Playing badly but still unbeaten.
Without Rooney for much of the season
but still joint top.
It couldn't have gone much better for Sir Alex's team.
So farking happy right now!!
Now who is the dipstick who said
this is Chelski's year?!
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yo....Man U equal on points with Chelski only...with inferior goal difference.
Chelski lost bcos they have too many key players injured. Man U won becos Wigan has 2 men sent off (and playing at home)....
i wouldn't be too happy...their defense is suspect this season. The used to be formidable partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic is leaky....
As I din watch the matches tis season (tks to Singtel), I cannot comment more. But if we could be drawing games when we shld be winning. And we cannot hold onto lead...it spells a problem.
Chelski lost bcos they have too many key players injured. Man U won becos Wigan has 2 men sent off (and playing at home)....
i wouldn't be too happy...their defense is suspect this season. The used to be formidable partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic is leaky....
As I din watch the matches tis season (tks to Singtel), I cannot comment more. But if we could be drawing games when we shld be winning. And we cannot hold onto lead...it spells a problem.
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Berbi to go, in spanish duo?
Really? Probably that's what tabloids do
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/1...atov-to-help-fund-incredible-double-transfer/
Really? Probably that's what tabloids do
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/1...atov-to-help-fund-incredible-double-transfer/
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Re: Berbi to go, in spanish duo?
Berbatov was left out of the squad to play Wigan and Fergie would usually give some bullshit excuse when he leaves out a key player, but this time, he just said that he was left out.
Btw, Martinez and Llorente are 2 really good players but Spanish players once they are established usually move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Except Torres of course.
The tabloids are as usual speculating, but this one could turn out to be true.Really? Probably that's what tabloids do
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/1...atov-to-help-fund-incredible-double-transfer/
Berbatov was left out of the squad to play Wigan and Fergie would usually give some bullshit excuse when he leaves out a key player, but this time, he just said that he was left out.
Btw, Martinez and Llorente are 2 really good players but Spanish players once they are established usually move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Except Torres of course.
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Dodomeki
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Rangers 0 Manchester United 1: match report
Rangers 0 Manchester United 1: match report
He's back: Wayne Rooney breaks the deadlock with an 87th minute penalty Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Mark Ogden 9:51PM GMT 24 Nov 2010
Wayne Rooney resisted the temptation to kiss the Manchester United Rangers, but relief was clearly bursting out of the 25-year-old as he sprinted towards the supporters who no longer chant his name. badge after converting an 86th minute penalty to secure victory against
The fallen hero of Old Trafford insisted prior to this game that his commitment to United is long-term following his decision to abort plans to leave the club in order to sign a new contract last month.
Actions, rather than words, are what will repair the bridges broken by Rooney’s stand-off with his employers, but his Ibrox penalty may ultimately prove to be the foundation stone in his new relationship with the club and its supporters.
By grabbing the loose ball once Swiss referee Massimo Busacca had pointed to the spot following Steven Naismith’s clumsy foul on Fabio da Silva, Rooney made his intentions crystal clear. He was not going to pass up the opportunity to score the winning goal. The risk of missing and allowing himself to be tormented by almost 47,000 Rangers supporters did not enter his head.
His confidence was justified. Rooney clinically sent goalkeeper Allan McGregor the wrong way with his penalty before racing over to the corner housing the 3,000 United supporters. Rooney slid to the ground before being joined by his team-mates and one enthusiastic supporter as he took a giant stride on his personal road to redemption.
The penalty not only secured victory, but ensured that United will now face Valencia next month knowing that top spot in Group C will be their if they avoid a two-goal defeat against the Spaniards. When United last visited this corner of Glasgow, in Oct 2003, Ferguson’s insistence that his team must first silence the Ibrox bearpit was answered with Phil Neville’s fifth minute goal in the English club’s 1-0 victory.
But if Ferguson had delivered the same pre-match instruction on this occasion, he had no need. Rather than being subjected to a hostile Glaswegian welcome, United trooped out to a muted stadium which appeared to be cloaked in an air of resignation and acceptance that Walter Smith’s team had little chance of emulating Celtic’s 2006 victory over Ferguson’s men.
The home side’s five-man back-line highlighted their limited ambition and the goading banner which read, ‘Ibrox - Theatre of Champions,’ rang hollow.
Rangers might be kings of their patch, but United, with Rooney starting his first game for two months, were afforded acres of time and space to pass the ball around Smith’s players in the first-half.
Not for the first time this season, however, United dominated possession and ended up with precious little to show for it. At times, Rangers could not get close to Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick as they sprayed the ball around Ibrox’s wide open spaces, but McGregor was barely troubled in the first-half.
Rooney, booed vociferously by the Rangers supporters whenever he touched the ball, looked way short of his best, despite a glancing header from Fabio’s 40th minute cross which bounced off the top of McGregor’s crossbar. Kenny Miller, the Rangers forward, wasted the best chance of the first-half when he inexplicably headed wide from six yards after Kirk Broadfoot had directed Steven Davis’s free-kick into his path.
Miller was then denied by the legs of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar on 42 minutes after he sprung the offside trap before attempting to score from a tight angle. United began the second half with more purpose and they carved out three clear goalscoring opportunities before the hour mark. Ryan Giggs, who had been subdued in the first-half on his first appearance since October following a hamstring injury, picked out Berbatov with a pinpoint cross eight minutes into the second period.
But the Bulgarian showed just why he has failed to score since his hat-trick against Liverpool nine weeks ago by slicing his attempted volley and sending the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, McGregor was forced into his first real save of the game when he denied Carrick after the United midfielder had been released followed neat interplay between Rooney and Berbatov.
It was a clear chance and Carrick should have dome better, but McGregor’s block was impressive and crucial nonetheless. The Rangers number one certainly enhanced his reputation against United and he produced another save to keep the home side on level terms when he rebuffed Berbatov’s crisply struck shot on 59 minutes. But just as McGregor appeared on course for his second shut-out against United this season, Naismith foolishly clattered into Fabio.
Busacca had little option but to point to the spot and Rooney gleefully took the opportunity to score only his second goal of a turbulent season. With Valencia routing Bursaspor 6-1 in the Mestalla, Rangers already knew they were destined to finish third in the group, but Rooney’s penalty ensured that they were sent spinning into the Europa League with a defeat.
Rangers 0 Manchester United 1: match report
He's back: Wayne Rooney breaks the deadlock with an 87th minute penalty Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Mark Ogden 9:51PM GMT 24 Nov 2010
Wayne Rooney resisted the temptation to kiss the Manchester United Rangers, but relief was clearly bursting out of the 25-year-old as he sprinted towards the supporters who no longer chant his name. badge after converting an 86th minute penalty to secure victory against
The fallen hero of Old Trafford insisted prior to this game that his commitment to United is long-term following his decision to abort plans to leave the club in order to sign a new contract last month.
Actions, rather than words, are what will repair the bridges broken by Rooney’s stand-off with his employers, but his Ibrox penalty may ultimately prove to be the foundation stone in his new relationship with the club and its supporters.
By grabbing the loose ball once Swiss referee Massimo Busacca had pointed to the spot following Steven Naismith’s clumsy foul on Fabio da Silva, Rooney made his intentions crystal clear. He was not going to pass up the opportunity to score the winning goal. The risk of missing and allowing himself to be tormented by almost 47,000 Rangers supporters did not enter his head.
His confidence was justified. Rooney clinically sent goalkeeper Allan McGregor the wrong way with his penalty before racing over to the corner housing the 3,000 United supporters. Rooney slid to the ground before being joined by his team-mates and one enthusiastic supporter as he took a giant stride on his personal road to redemption.
The penalty not only secured victory, but ensured that United will now face Valencia next month knowing that top spot in Group C will be their if they avoid a two-goal defeat against the Spaniards. When United last visited this corner of Glasgow, in Oct 2003, Ferguson’s insistence that his team must first silence the Ibrox bearpit was answered with Phil Neville’s fifth minute goal in the English club’s 1-0 victory.
But if Ferguson had delivered the same pre-match instruction on this occasion, he had no need. Rather than being subjected to a hostile Glaswegian welcome, United trooped out to a muted stadium which appeared to be cloaked in an air of resignation and acceptance that Walter Smith’s team had little chance of emulating Celtic’s 2006 victory over Ferguson’s men.
The home side’s five-man back-line highlighted their limited ambition and the goading banner which read, ‘Ibrox - Theatre of Champions,’ rang hollow.
Rangers might be kings of their patch, but United, with Rooney starting his first game for two months, were afforded acres of time and space to pass the ball around Smith’s players in the first-half.
Not for the first time this season, however, United dominated possession and ended up with precious little to show for it. At times, Rangers could not get close to Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick as they sprayed the ball around Ibrox’s wide open spaces, but McGregor was barely troubled in the first-half.
Rooney, booed vociferously by the Rangers supporters whenever he touched the ball, looked way short of his best, despite a glancing header from Fabio’s 40th minute cross which bounced off the top of McGregor’s crossbar. Kenny Miller, the Rangers forward, wasted the best chance of the first-half when he inexplicably headed wide from six yards after Kirk Broadfoot had directed Steven Davis’s free-kick into his path.
Miller was then denied by the legs of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar on 42 minutes after he sprung the offside trap before attempting to score from a tight angle. United began the second half with more purpose and they carved out three clear goalscoring opportunities before the hour mark. Ryan Giggs, who had been subdued in the first-half on his first appearance since October following a hamstring injury, picked out Berbatov with a pinpoint cross eight minutes into the second period.
But the Bulgarian showed just why he has failed to score since his hat-trick against Liverpool nine weeks ago by slicing his attempted volley and sending the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, McGregor was forced into his first real save of the game when he denied Carrick after the United midfielder had been released followed neat interplay between Rooney and Berbatov.
It was a clear chance and Carrick should have dome better, but McGregor’s block was impressive and crucial nonetheless. The Rangers number one certainly enhanced his reputation against United and he produced another save to keep the home side on level terms when he rebuffed Berbatov’s crisply struck shot on 59 minutes. But just as McGregor appeared on course for his second shut-out against United this season, Naismith foolishly clattered into Fabio.
Busacca had little option but to point to the spot and Rooney gleefully took the opportunity to score only his second goal of a turbulent season. With Valencia routing Bursaspor 6-1 in the Mestalla, Rangers already knew they were destined to finish third in the group, but Rooney’s penalty ensured that they were sent spinning into the Europa League with a defeat.
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Dodomeki
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Skybet offering odds of 50-1 that Man United will avoid Premier League defeat yet still fail to win the title.
Manchester United close in on top spot in Premier League despite Sir Alex Ferguson's men lacking any real sparkle
Such has been the unconvincing nature of Manchester United’s unbeaten start to the season that bookmaker Skybet is offering odds of 50-1 that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will avoid defeat throughout the entire Premier League campaign, yet still fail to win the title.
Hanging tough: Sir Alex Ferguson's team remain unbeaten in the Premier League Photo: GETTY
By Mark Ogden 10:00PM GMT 26 Nov 2010
Put simply, United might be hard to beat, but they are finding it just as difficult to secure the victories that define the difference between nearly men and champions.
United will secure top spot – for 24 hours at least – for the first time this season if they stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to 29 games with victory against Blackburn at Old Trafford on Saturday, but how have they managed to move to within touching distance of the summit after such an indifferent start to the campaign?
Is their unbeaten sequence a mark of United’s quality, tenacity and durability or merely a reflection of the once mighty beast of the Premier League becoming a toothless tiger? Where is the wow factor?
Throughout their unbeaten run, which dates back to the 2-1 league defeat at home to Chelsea on April 3, United have rarely, if at all, produced the marauding football that has defined their success under Ferguson. In 2010, United do not possess the flair of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ or the destructive power of Ferguson’s elite from two years ago.
It has been all substance and hardly any style, but maybe that is sufficient in a Premier League that is arguably on a downward trajectory from the peak of United’s Champions League final win against Chelsea in 2008. Just as in the World Cup, the smaller teams are becoming better organised and defensively astute, yet the difference in the Premier League is that the unfancied outfits have discovered that a bolder approach can work, such as in West Brom’s draw at Old Trafford and victory at Arsenal, plus Sunderland’s win at Chelsea.
United have avoided the humiliating home defeats suffered by their powerful rivals, however, and that is why they can snatch top spot today. But within their 28-game unbeaten streak, there have been nine draws, and costly points dropped through the concession of late goals. Wayne Rooney has been involved in just 13 games since the Chelsea defeat, while Dimitar Berbatov has gone 13 hours without scoring.
Yet United, somehow, have overcome the poor form, loss of key players and blunted cutting edge to prolong their run without defeat which has, typically, included crucial late goals against Bolton, Valencia, Wolves, Aston Villa and Rangers. The late goals provide the one thread that has run through every United team under Ferguson.
United’s fitness coach, Tony Strudwick, explained: “Typically, teams have to work physically harder against us than we will against them. When they’re chasing the kind of players we have, with the movement they have and the way they do things, it will take its toll towards the end of games. "We don’t train for 90 minutes because we want to be fresh for the games. We train and play in a way that helps players exert their influence on a game over 96 minutes.”
Ferguson’s current team are not comparable to the 2008 squad, a fact surely borne out by last week’s front two against Wigan comprising of Federico Macheda and Gabriel Obertan. But while Manchester City have spent in excess of £350million on new players since then, they still remain short of matching United on the pitch. Tottenham, for all their glory nights in Europe, slumped to defeat at Old Trafford last month.
United’s Premier League rivals might be closing the gap, but it was pretty wide to begin with and, despite the reduced investment in the team since the £30.75million purchase of Berbatov in September 2008, the priceless commodities of experience and nous remain well stocked. It is the intangible assets that are sustaining United and Ferguson does not hide from that reality. He said: “We should have lost by six at Aston Villa and somehow got a point out of it. That says a lot about the character of the human beings I’ve got.
"At least I know I’ve got players who are prepared to do something — and did something — about that situation at Villa Park. It’s a quality that’s part of our history. That’s the nature of the club.” Next month’s encounters with Arsenal and Chelsea will prove a stern test of United’s state of health, but maybe the game has changed and perhaps, in an age of austerity, they are reflecting the new reality.
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Dodomeki
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Manchester United and Wayne Rooney’s season defining fixtures between now and Christmas
After Wayne Rooney finally said sorry to Manchester United’s fans he can return his attentions to matters on the pitch, with the club facing a number of key fixtures in the coming month, both domestically and in Europe.
Red alert: Wayne Rooney showed signs of his old swagger in his goalscoring return to the Manchester United side against Rangers Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Rory Smith 8:05AM GMT 26 Nov 2010
Nov 27, Man Utd v Blackburn (Premier League)
Rooney will be looking to keep up the good work started against Rangers in a game United will expect to win.
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Nov 30, West Ham v Man Utd (Carling Cup)
Sir Alex Ferguson's side are looking for a hat-trick of Carling Cup wins and will fancy their chances against Avram Grant's struggling team.
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Dec 4, Blackpool v Man Utd (Premier League)
On paper, another league game for Rooney and his team-mates to rediscover their touch. In practice, Blackpool have proved themselves to be anything other than compliant.
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Dec 7, Man Utd v Valencia (Champions League)
A point would be enough to ensure Ferguson's side top spot in Group C and earn a more favourable draw in the last 16.
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Dec 13, Man Utd v Arsenal (Premier League)
Prior to Christmas, United face two games in six days which will define their season. The first, against Arsene Wenger's unpredictable side, they would hope to win.
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Dec 19, Chelsea v Man Utd (Premier League)
The second, against current league leaders Chelsea, they know they must not lose, given how close the title race is likely to be. It is in these games, rather than the lesser fixtures which precede them, that United's fans will be able to see whether Rooney is back to his best.
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Dodomeki
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United sign Danish ´keeper
United sign Danish ´keeper
27 November 2010
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has signed a three-year deal with Manchester United worth about three million pounds. The deal to sign the Denmark international has lifted the pressure on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson had made the search for a successor to veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar a major priority this season. Van der Sar, 40, could hang up his gloves as soon as the end of this English Premier League season. "We've got to prepare for the day when Edwin finally bows out," Ferguson told the club's website. "I think that's the main reason (we've signed Lindegaard now); to protect us for the future."
"We've completed that deal. All the negotiations are over and he'll join us in January." Lindegaard, who plays for Aalesunds FK in Norway, has agreed to personal terms and passed a medical in Manchester on Friday. The 26-year-old will train with United next month, but will be ineligible to play for the club until the transfer window opens in January. "Anders is one of the brightest young keepers in the game," Ferguson said.
"The challenge at Manchester United is always to look to the future and in Anders, we have signed a goalkeeper of great presence and even more promise." "Having the time to train with him before he is registered will be an important period for him - almost like a pre season to get him integrated with the other players."
Lindegaard is delighted with the transfer.
"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said. "The club is such an institution in Denmark, it's an honour to come here." "I'm looking forward to playing and training alongside some of the great players in football today." "I can't wait to be part of this team and to make my contribution to keeping the team at the top of the game."
United sign Danish ´keeper
27 November 2010
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has signed a three-year deal with Manchester United worth about three million pounds.
Ferguson had made the search for a successor to veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar a major priority this season. Van der Sar, 40, could hang up his gloves as soon as the end of this English Premier League season. "We've got to prepare for the day when Edwin finally bows out," Ferguson told the club's website. "I think that's the main reason (we've signed Lindegaard now); to protect us for the future."
"We've completed that deal. All the negotiations are over and he'll join us in January." Lindegaard, who plays for Aalesunds FK in Norway, has agreed to personal terms and passed a medical in Manchester on Friday. The 26-year-old will train with United next month, but will be ineligible to play for the club until the transfer window opens in January. "Anders is one of the brightest young keepers in the game," Ferguson said.
"The challenge at Manchester United is always to look to the future and in Anders, we have signed a goalkeeper of great presence and even more promise." "Having the time to train with him before he is registered will be an important period for him - almost like a pre season to get him integrated with the other players."
Lindegaard is delighted with the transfer.
"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said. "The club is such an institution in Denmark, it's an honour to come here." "I'm looking forward to playing and training alongside some of the great players in football today." "I can't wait to be part of this team and to make my contribution to keeping the team at the top of the game."
D
Dodomeki
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Premier League: Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1
Premier League: Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1
28 November 2010
Wayne Rooney's first start for over a month was overshadowed by Dimitar Berbatov as Manchester United thumped Blackburn 7-1 at Old Trafford. The Bulgarian striker claimed the matchball after hitting five goals past Paul Robinson in the Blackburn goal, as United broke down a usually resolute Blackburn with devastating ease.
Two Berbatov goals, either side of a fine effort from Ji-Sung Park, handed the home side a 3-0 half-time advantage. And they shifted through the gears after the interval, with Berbatov completing his hat-trick within two minutes of the break and Nani making it five just seconds later.
Berbatov, who before the match had just six English Premier League goals to his name, capped an unforgettable afternoon by adding his fourth and fifth of the day just after the hour mark. Chris Samba nodded home a Blackburn consolation, but there was barely a cheer among the visiting team. Rooney, despite not scoring, looked sharp throughout and he rose brilliantly to flick on to Berbatov, who turned home past Robinson after three minutes.
Rooney was at it again just before the half-hour mark, sliding a perfectly-weighted through-ball to Park, who dinked a delightful finish over the keeper. Things went from bad to worse for shell-shocked Blackburn as Pascal Chimbonda rolled a sloppy back-pass into the path of Berbatov for the Bulgarian to slam home his second and United's third.
That blistering start to the first half was repeated in the second, with Berbatov grabbing his hat-trick after a slick counter-attack. Nani glided past his marker and laid the ball off to Berbatov, who swept his finish past Robinson expertly. Nani then grabbed a goal of his own within a minute after another breathtaking piece of skill bought him enough space to curl a fine strike into the net.
But after that brief intervention by the Portuguese, Berbatov once again assumed centre stage by lashing home his fourth of the afternoon after Park's effort was blocked. The Bulgarian striker rounded off his five-star performance by taking advantage of a loose ball in the box and angling a fine effort past Robinson, before Samba grabbed a consolation for Blackburn with a looping header seven minutes from time.
Premier League: Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1
28 November 2010
Wayne Rooney's first start for over a month was overshadowed by Dimitar Berbatov as Manchester United thumped Blackburn 7-1 at Old Trafford.
Two Berbatov goals, either side of a fine effort from Ji-Sung Park, handed the home side a 3-0 half-time advantage. And they shifted through the gears after the interval, with Berbatov completing his hat-trick within two minutes of the break and Nani making it five just seconds later.
Berbatov, who before the match had just six English Premier League goals to his name, capped an unforgettable afternoon by adding his fourth and fifth of the day just after the hour mark. Chris Samba nodded home a Blackburn consolation, but there was barely a cheer among the visiting team. Rooney, despite not scoring, looked sharp throughout and he rose brilliantly to flick on to Berbatov, who turned home past Robinson after three minutes.
Rooney was at it again just before the half-hour mark, sliding a perfectly-weighted through-ball to Park, who dinked a delightful finish over the keeper. Things went from bad to worse for shell-shocked Blackburn as Pascal Chimbonda rolled a sloppy back-pass into the path of Berbatov for the Bulgarian to slam home his second and United's third.
That blistering start to the first half was repeated in the second, with Berbatov grabbing his hat-trick after a slick counter-attack. Nani glided past his marker and laid the ball off to Berbatov, who swept his finish past Robinson expertly. Nani then grabbed a goal of his own within a minute after another breathtaking piece of skill bought him enough space to curl a fine strike into the net.
But after that brief intervention by the Portuguese, Berbatov once again assumed centre stage by lashing home his fourth of the afternoon after Park's effort was blocked. The Bulgarian striker rounded off his five-star performance by taking advantage of a loose ball in the box and angling a fine effort past Robinson, before Samba grabbed a consolation for Blackburn with a looping header seven minutes from time.
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Dodomeki
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Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1
So Wayne Piew, super kelong right?
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Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1
So Wayne Piew, super kelong right?
Hello, what kelong?
Blackburn are in decent form and
usually are well organised defensively.
7-1 is a nice result,
really sends out a message
to all those dipsticks who said this
could be Chelski's or ArseWipe's
title this season.
Ancel-Roti looks screwed,
3 league games without a win.
Like our great SM Goh,
i can feel the "19th" in my bones now.
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- Jul 14, 2008
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- 18,032
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- 113
relac....7-1 to Blackburn so?
lets wait until man U play Chelsea or Arsenal then we tok. Shld be by New Year.
i still say the same, tis Man U team is not reliable..they can remain undefeated but still lose out on the title.
lets wait until man U play Chelsea or Arsenal then we tok. Shld be by New Year.
i still say the same, tis Man U team is not reliable..they can remain undefeated but still lose out on the title.
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- 0
Manchester United has been drawing too many games. An outburst of a heavy win is still worth just 3 points. If the 7 goals were spread over 7 draws turning them into wins, that's worth extra 14 points (21 total less 7 already earned for the draws) and the seaon's wrapped up. That's the value of consistency. Of course, that's hindsight best scenario and not so realistic, but the points lost to draws could have been limited to less. I can't recall any club undefeated and yet failed to win the league. Not a good record to break and hold anyway. On the brighter side for MU, the table leadership and goal difference have been restored.
D
Dodomeki
Guest
West Ham knock out United in League Cup shock
League Cup
West Ham knock out United in League Cup shock
West Ham United 4 Manchester United 0 : match report
Snow joke: Carlton Cole celebrates his first goal against United Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Hammer time: Jonathan Spector celebrates his first goal with Victor Obinna Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jason Burt 9:30PM GMT 30 Nov 2010 Jason's Twitter
Manchester United were haunted by a spectre – or rather a Spector – as their former player Jonathan scored twice in an astonishing performance that summarily dumped the holders out of the Carling Cup and also inflicted their first defeat of the season.
It was all the more amazing given West Ham United’s travails this campaign but also because the 24-year-old American has never before scored in English football – 97 appearances - and has, until now, been a bit-part player a fate sometimes ascribed to their other goal-scorer, Carlton Cole, who also struck twice to complete the rout.
West Ham supporters must have feared they were going to get a Scott Parker-lite display from his stand-in. Instead, with Parker rested, they got the real deal from Spector and with it an unlikely semi-final place. In the swirling snow, United hit a blizzard of West Ham determination and were overwhelmed.
The changes rang out for United, 10 in all, from the destruction of Blackburn Rovers at the weekend and yet this was no bunch of kids sent out by Sir Alex Ferguson, led as they were by Ryan Giggs. There was almost an early lead garnered by Gabriel Obertan who was afforded space, by Matthew Upson, to drive a low right-foot shot which Robert Green, superbly, tipped against a post.
As Javier Hernandez lurched forward to reach the rebound, it was scrambled clear. Soon after, Obertan's cross-cum-shot slid across the goal-mouth. The conditions dictated the pace would be brisk — the players would freeze otherwise — and West Ham, too, upped matters with Victor Obinna wriggling free down the left and Radoslav Kovac eventually shooting over.
He was watched by Parker on the bench, despite his chest infection, which perhaps should have afforded him the evening off given his importance. Soon after and West Ham had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out, correctly, as Obinna’s 20-yard shot deflected off Spector, who had started the move and was clearly offside.
The mood inside the ground wasn’t helped, however, by the minute's delay for referee Mark Clattenburg to consult with his assistant Mike Bull. The latter, a late stand-in because of the snow, had raised his flag but did so belatedly - so late, in fact, that the stadium announcer had already claimed a goal had been given. A peeved Avram Grant was warned after hurling the ball back onto the pitch.
Remarkably, in their next attack West Ham found the net again and this time it was given. Carlton Cole held the ball up inside the area, and laid a pass to Obinna who dinked a clever cross which Spector, stealing in front of Darren Fletcher, headed beyond Tomasz Kuszcak. It was also their first goal in six encounters against United, who had been caught flat.
Incredibly, West Ham scored again. Still more incredibly, it once more came from Spector, who launched another Parker-style run from just inside the centre circle before picking out Obinna. The striker was challenged and the ball ran free for Spector to continue his run and slam a shot beyond Kuszczak.
By now West Ham were rampant and, soon after, Kuszczak did well to push away Obinna’s fierce low drive before, at the other end, Green pushed out a deflected cross from under the bar. The woeful Bebe was replaced and there was more fire about United after the interval, who almost profited as Green’s goal-kick cannoned of Federico Macheda.
However, that fire was extinguished. Obinna, again a whirling threat, was picked out through a quick free-kick from the spiky Luis Boa Morte - with Rafael napping - and his cross was headed in by Cole, with Jonny Evans also caught out. Cole was not finished there and neither was Obinna. The latter teased Rafael, who was befuddled in the conditions, crossing low for Cole who twisted past Evans and stroked his shot across Kuszczak.
Unsurprisingly Ferguson soon withdrew both defenders, who had produced shocking displays. Obinna went close with a free-kick and Zavon Hines almost had his shorts ripped off by John O’Shea – but no penalty was given. No matter, United still suffered their biggest loss since conceding four to Liverpool in March last year. But at least they scored that day.
League Cup
West Ham knock out United in League Cup shock
West Ham United 4 Manchester United 0 : match report
Snow joke: Carlton Cole celebrates his first goal against United Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Hammer time: Jonathan Spector celebrates his first goal with Victor Obinna Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jason Burt 9:30PM GMT 30 Nov 2010 Jason's Twitter
Manchester United were haunted by a spectre – or rather a Spector – as their former player Jonathan scored twice in an astonishing performance that summarily dumped the holders out of the Carling Cup and also inflicted their first defeat of the season.
It was all the more amazing given West Ham United’s travails this campaign but also because the 24-year-old American has never before scored in English football – 97 appearances - and has, until now, been a bit-part player a fate sometimes ascribed to their other goal-scorer, Carlton Cole, who also struck twice to complete the rout.
West Ham supporters must have feared they were going to get a Scott Parker-lite display from his stand-in. Instead, with Parker rested, they got the real deal from Spector and with it an unlikely semi-final place. In the swirling snow, United hit a blizzard of West Ham determination and were overwhelmed.
The changes rang out for United, 10 in all, from the destruction of Blackburn Rovers at the weekend and yet this was no bunch of kids sent out by Sir Alex Ferguson, led as they were by Ryan Giggs. There was almost an early lead garnered by Gabriel Obertan who was afforded space, by Matthew Upson, to drive a low right-foot shot which Robert Green, superbly, tipped against a post.
As Javier Hernandez lurched forward to reach the rebound, it was scrambled clear. Soon after, Obertan's cross-cum-shot slid across the goal-mouth. The conditions dictated the pace would be brisk — the players would freeze otherwise — and West Ham, too, upped matters with Victor Obinna wriggling free down the left and Radoslav Kovac eventually shooting over.
He was watched by Parker on the bench, despite his chest infection, which perhaps should have afforded him the evening off given his importance. Soon after and West Ham had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out, correctly, as Obinna’s 20-yard shot deflected off Spector, who had started the move and was clearly offside.
The mood inside the ground wasn’t helped, however, by the minute's delay for referee Mark Clattenburg to consult with his assistant Mike Bull. The latter, a late stand-in because of the snow, had raised his flag but did so belatedly - so late, in fact, that the stadium announcer had already claimed a goal had been given. A peeved Avram Grant was warned after hurling the ball back onto the pitch.
Remarkably, in their next attack West Ham found the net again and this time it was given. Carlton Cole held the ball up inside the area, and laid a pass to Obinna who dinked a clever cross which Spector, stealing in front of Darren Fletcher, headed beyond Tomasz Kuszcak. It was also their first goal in six encounters against United, who had been caught flat.
Incredibly, West Ham scored again. Still more incredibly, it once more came from Spector, who launched another Parker-style run from just inside the centre circle before picking out Obinna. The striker was challenged and the ball ran free for Spector to continue his run and slam a shot beyond Kuszczak.
By now West Ham were rampant and, soon after, Kuszczak did well to push away Obinna’s fierce low drive before, at the other end, Green pushed out a deflected cross from under the bar. The woeful Bebe was replaced and there was more fire about United after the interval, who almost profited as Green’s goal-kick cannoned of Federico Macheda.
However, that fire was extinguished. Obinna, again a whirling threat, was picked out through a quick free-kick from the spiky Luis Boa Morte - with Rafael napping - and his cross was headed in by Cole, with Jonny Evans also caught out. Cole was not finished there and neither was Obinna. The latter teased Rafael, who was befuddled in the conditions, crossing low for Cole who twisted past Evans and stroked his shot across Kuszczak.
Unsurprisingly Ferguson soon withdrew both defenders, who had produced shocking displays. Obinna went close with a free-kick and Zavon Hines almost had his shorts ripped off by John O’Shea – but no penalty was given. No matter, United still suffered their biggest loss since conceding four to Liverpool in March last year. But at least they scored that day.
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