Manchester United: Welcome To The World Of The Red Devils

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2005-11-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

We thank you for your support,fans of manchester united for the past two month or so since this site started. We hope this site has been a great source of news for you, unfortunately, due to work commitements, i am unable to find the time to run the site anymore. Therefore if anyone is interested in taking over the running of the site, you can e-mail me at manutdworld@gmail.com

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United defeat Chelsea In Tense Showdown

2005-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Manchester United bounced back from their week of crisis by ripping Chelsea's 40-game unbeaten Premiership run to pieces at Old Trafford. Darren Fletcher's looping header just past the half hour mark gave the hosts an interval lead after a thrilling encounter in which Didier Drogba went closest for the visitors.

Sir Alex Ferguson was enduring one of the most difficult weeks of his managerial career but fittingly it was one of Roy Keane's targets for abuse, Darren Fletcher, who helped The Red Devils alleviate some of the gloom around Old Trafford.

Chelsea had lost their last Premiership game to another Manchester side, City, over a year ago, but continued their recent lacklustre run of form despite an enthusiastic, and increasingly desperate, second half performance.

United started like they had a point to prove and had the first shot at goal as the lively Cristiano Ronaldo showed good close control to evade Paulo Ferreira and Claude Makelele as he skewed a high-velocity shot high and wide.

Chelsea were struggling to dominate in the manner in which they have been accustomed to, but Didier Drogba demonstrated their constant threat as he collected magnificently from a long ball ahead of Rio Ferdinand, and saw his attempted lob held by Edwin van der Sar.

Spanish full-back Asier Del Horno also went close as he lost Fletcher at the back post to nearly test van der Sar from a Damien Duff set-piece, whilst Michael Essien's finishing was wayward as he headed well wide from another dangerous ball from the Irishman.

At the other end Wayne Rooney attempted an ambitious long range effort after teeing up Paul Scholes for a trademark first time blast from the edge of the box that whistled just wide of Petr Cech's left-hand post.

United then alleviated some building pressure from The Blues as Fletcher responded to Keane's criticisms in the most effective fashion by heading his side into the lead on 31 minutes.

Rooney found Ronaldo wide on the left, and, after ducking inside, the Portuguese winger delivered a high cross to the far post which Fletcher stretched every sinew to meet as he looped a high header back over Cech to the delight of the vociferous Old Trafford crowd.

Mourinho's men responded and upped their efforts, although William Gallas saw his shot blocked before John Terry's header across the face of goal proved too high for Drogba.

The Ivorian was unable to add to his six Premiership goals in the first half as he took one touch too many before blasting Joe Cole's incisive through ball into the side netting on 41 minutes, while the impressive Alan Smith saw a dangerous looking volley blocked by Makelele at the other end.

With just minutes to go of the first period, Frank Lampard passed up the chance to test van der Sar with a dangerously placed free-kick as he drove wide after a muddled set piece routine from The Blues.

A high tempo start to the second half saw both sides denied penalty shouts for hand-ball, and Chelsea begun to exert more pressure on their under-fire opponents as the ever-dangerous Lampard had one shot blocked and another volley from the edge of the box deflected wide.

As the game begun to open up both sides spurned fantastic opportunities in front of goal, with Ruud van Nistelrooy first guilty of poor finishing as he fired over on the turn from six yards out when collecting Fletcher's square pass.

The Blues then saw their best opportunity of the game squandered as substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen's cross was inexplicably missed by Duff as he kicked at thin air. Drogba was also unable to find the target as he followed up and hooked wide after being brought to the ground by John O'Shea.

Mourinho's side had not gone 40 games unbeaten before this crunch clash for nothing, and they looked the most threatening side as a succession of chances from Drogba, Cole and Del Horno went awry.

A spate of four yellow cards in as many minutes threatened to spoilt the tempo of the game, but Chelsea's determination to draw level ensured their opponents suffered an onslaught.

Lampard was denied by a fantastic close range block from van der Sar after collecting the ball from Drogba, and, just two minutes later, an arriving Del Horno volleyed over after being found in acres of space by a high Duff cross.

Cole then attempted to employ his mercurial talents with an acrobatic twist and volley, before Smith showed great awareness to steal in and deny Drogba after Lampard's cut-back in the penalty area.

English youngsters Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole were thrown into the fray as Mourinho upped the attacking ante, and the former threatened the United goal with a swerving long ranger drive that van der Sar stopped to smother at his near post.

However Ferguson's side nearly wrapped things up in the 84th minute when substitute Park Ji-sung challenged Terry in the air. As the loose ball fell to Rooney the young superstar saw his first time effort deflected wide by Ferreira with the goal at his mercy, and later earned Makelele a booking when brought down by the French star.

Chelsea grew increasingly desperate and Lampard could only offer a weak free-kick before Ferdinand cleared from a Gudjohnsen cross, and United held on to record a victory that will brighten their spirits and those of the rest of The Premiership as Jose Mourinho's juggernaught was brought to a halt.

Rio:I have become stronger after critiscm

2005-11-07T04:46:00.000-08:00

REDS defender Rio Ferdinand believes the criticism he has endured recently will end up making him a stronger player.

Ferdinand looked back to his best against Chelsea as United's defence dealt with Chelsea's surprisingly lacklustre attack.

It was a stark contrast to the recent performances which saw him slated by fans - and, reportedly, by skipper Roy Keane.

But after receiving the backing of England boss Sven Goran Eriksson over the weekend he turned in the sort of performance that built his reputation as one of the best defenders in the Premiership - and says the abuse he's received has only served to improve his game.

"Keep criticising me, I love it," he told Sky Sports News.

"When you want to play football and go out there and do the best you can, people will criticise and people will give you plaudits.

"That's part and parcel of being a footballer. You have got to take the rough with the smooth and it makes you stronger.

"The best players all come through bad periods and you've seen that throughout football down the years.

"Hopefully, this is a step forward in doing that."

The win over Chelsea brought to an end the champions' 40-game winning streak in the Premiership.

The Manchester sides have been the only clubs to claim Chelsea scalps under Mourinho's reign so far, but Ferdinand said he hoped the result would inspire the rest of the Premiership to start fighting back.

"Chelsea are a quality side but the message has gone out there to say 'if you play your football, you've got a chance of winning against them'," he said.

Ferguson looking at Duscher In January

2005-11-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

REDS boss Sir Alex Ferguson could be looking to add some steel to the United midfield with a move for Aldo Duscher.

The Argentine hardman is the latest player to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford as Ferguson gets ready to strengthen his side in the transfer window.

The 26-year-old midfielder, currently at Deportivo La Coruna, is rated at £2m, but would bring a steely edged experience to the youthful Reds midfield.

United fans have already seen for themselves the impact Duscher can have - after the midfielder's tackle broke then Reds star David Beckham's metatarsal ahead of the World Cup in 2002.

Duscher told the News of the World he had already had contact with United - and wanted a move sooner rather than later.

"I've receved some phone calls from Newcastle and United," he said.

"They both said they would like to have me when the transfer window opens."

Miller goes on Loan,Bardsley Sign till 2009

2005-11-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

UNDER fire Reds midfielder Liam Miller has joined Leeds until the end of the year.

The 24-year-old has found his first-team chances limited at Old Trafford since joining from Celtic last July.

And after featuring in Thursday night's reserve side win over Wigan the Irishman - who was one of the players reportedly heavily criticised by Roy Keane in his MUTV interview - has agreed to join the Championship side until the end of December.

ROOKIE Reds full-back Phil Bardsley has committed his future to United until 2009.

The 20-year-old Salford-born defender has impressed on his recent introduction to the Red Devils senior squad after a year out with a serious knee injury.

Although United have been struggling for form, Bardsley's confident manner has earned him many favourable reviews and Old Trafford officials believe him to be the automatic successor to long-serving Gary Neville.

A member of United's 2003 FA Youth Cup winning side, Bardsley has so far made eight senior appearances for the club and is expected to be on the bench for Sunday's key Premiership encounter with Chelsea.

"I'm really pleased to extend my contract with United," he told www.manutd.com.

"It's been great having the opportunity to be involved with the first team this season and to be a part of Manchester United. I want that to continue."

Vieria Slam United players in new book

2005-11-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

Patrick Vieira has slaughtered Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy in an astonishing attack.

In his new book, which is being serialised, Juventus star Vieira said: "Ruud van Nistelrooy is a cheat and a coward who is sneaky in the way he goes about fouling other players.

"Everyone thinks he is a nice guy but, in fact, he's a son of a bitch. He has a history of incidents that all too often have gone unnoticed.

"He has punched Freddie Ljungberg and elbowed Lauren. At Arsenal, we hated him and had real reason to do so.

"I can't stand the sight of Van Nistelrooy. He's a great player and has proved himself time and time again - but everything about him annoys me. He's always complaining and whingeing."

He also said: "In September 2003, I was sent off at Old Trafford after a second yellow card as a result of an incident with him.

"I got shafted. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

"He tried to stamp on me and then he made more of the challenge than he should have done. I am not blaming the referee. He got shafted, too.

"I never intended to touch Van Nistelrooy and did not deserve a red card. The way he laid it on annoyed me even more.

After the game, I was standing with a friend in the tunnel when Van Nistelrooy walked past. We looked at each other. He tried to talk to me and I told him that it was finished and I had nothing more to say.

"But he persisted. So I asked if I had touched him. He simply replied: 'You have no class.' That was the icing on the cake. He was trying to convince himself that he had not cheated, which just showed he did not have a clear conscience.

"I said: 'Watch it, or I'm going to land one on you.'

We were on the verge of fisticuffs but Mikael Silvestre, Fabien Barthez and Robert Pires got there just in time and intervened. This altercation confirmed my view that not only is Van Nistelrooy a cheat, he lacks courage."

Juventus star Patrick Vieira has lifted the lid on his tunnel bust-up with Manchester United captain Roy Keane last season.

Vieira explained: "Every time we played United, Gary Neville acted tough. We were always on the receiving end and his behaviour towards Jose in October had been unacceptable.

"So that night I said to him: 'Every time you foul the guys, I'm going to be watching you. If you do it, I'm going to sort you out.'

"Yes, it was intimidation - but I hadn't planned to say it. Roy Keane got involved, which did not surprise me. He is their captain, so his job is to defend their players.

"He told me to leave Neville alone and that if I had a problem, I should talk to him. I didn't have a problem with him. Keane was the toughest midfielder I did battle with in England.

"When you compare his courage and behaviour on the pitch with Van Nistelrooy and Neville, it's like night and day."

Stats For The Match

2005-11-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

Manchester United Team Statistics Chelsea
1 Goals 0
1 1st Half Goals 0
1 Shots on Target 3
5 Shots off Target 12
3 Blocked Shots 11
5 Corners 9
20 Fouls 14
2 Offsides 3
3 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 0
68.7 Passing Success 73.6
25 Tackles 18
80.0 Tackles Success 72.2
46.2 Possession 53.8
51.1 Territorial Advantage 48.9

Key Moment Of The Showdown At OT

2005-11-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

8 minutes: Didier Drogba gets a good first touch after a long ball from Frank Lampard but Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar makes the block.

15: Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno fires wide from an acute angle after getting goal side of Darren Fletcher.

18: Paul Scholes sends a powerful shot from the edge of the area the wrong side of the post following a fine cross from United's Wayne Rooney.

22: Chelsea launch a counter attack and Michael Essien heads wide after a neat delivery from the left by Damien Duff.

30: Duff whips in another good cross but Rio Ferdinand diverts it to safety at the near post.

31: Fletcher makes the breakthrough sending a looping header from Cristiano Ronaldo's delivery over Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech for the only goal.

37: Frank Lampard picks out John Terry with a long free-kick but his header goes past Van der Sar's post.

41: Alan Smith tries his luck on goal only to see his effort blocked by Chelsea's Claude Makelele.

54: Ruud Van Nistelrooy squanders a great chance, sending his shot from inside the six-yard area over the crossbar following good work from Rooney and Scholes.

57: Drogba's effort takes a deflection and goes the wrong side of the post as Chelsea hit back.

68: Marvellous block by United goalkeeper Van der Sar from Lampard as the leaders begin to turn the screw in their search for the equaliser.

70: Del Horno sends a chip over the top from close range for Chelsea.

84: Rooney goes close to adding a second goal for United, Cech turning his shot around the post.

90: United celebrate ending Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten league run.

Glazers sticking with Ferguson long term

2005-11-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's job is not in danger.

American tycoon Malcolm Glazer insists the manager's position is not up for discussion - even if the team's dismal run continues today against Chelsea.

A source said: "It is nonsense to suggest that there has been any change at all in the Glazers' attitude towards the club or the manager.

"They view their purchase of United as a marathon not a sprint and we are four months into their ownership. There has been lots of talk about business plans and financial deadlines but there are none.

"There is no need to panic. They are quite relaxed about the situation and have no plans to fly over for talks."

Ferguson:Give young players a chance

2005-11-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears barracking from fans could affect his young players.

"We cannot allow Manchester United players to be demolished by criticism from the fans," said Ferguson.

"Everyone has their own impressions and assessments of individuals but we have to be careful, especially with young players, that their performances are not influenced by what people think of them.

"Over the years, our supporters have had their favourites and others who were not. But if you look at someone like Brian McClair, he was never the most stylish, yet he was a magnificent team player and I still regard him as one of the best this club has ever had.

"I truly don't think the crowd will let us down. If we get off to a good start and the fans really get going, our lads are a formidable lot."

He added: "The boys are working hard and trying their best, but they are a quiet team. The young lads don't shout and bawl and we must nurse them through this situation.

"I would be concerned if I felt they were not good enough - but they are. There is plenty of ability there but we have to accept sometimes these younger players are going to make mistakes. That is what happens."

"I heard last week that Wayne Rooney should be the leader of the team. He does lead the way in many things, he's a phenomenal player," said Ferguson, "but you can't expect him to lead in the sense of pulling round other players when they are having bad spells in matches.

"A young player is trying to sort out his own game, trying to develop himself. He can't give confidence to anyone else."

Ferguson declined to say whether he considered Arsene Wenger a "voyeur", as claimed by Mourinho last week.

He laughed: "I'll tell you what he is and it's nothing to do with vision! I like Mourinho. His observations are quite amusing.

"He is also the type of manager that will have a drink with you after a game no matter what the result."

Ferguson and Ruud start war of words before showdown

2005-11-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy says they'll stop Chelsea's Premiership run just as they did to Arsenal last season.

Unietd face Chelsea tomorrow and Van Nistelrooy said: "We have to draw on the experience of what we did to Arsenal last season and, hopefully, it will have the same result.

"They came to Old Trafford going for their 50th unbeaten game. They were champions and favourites. But we beat them and it proved to be a very big result.

"This is a massive game too in the same vein and we have to win it."

Chelsea arrive at Old Trafford unbeaten in 40 league games. United boss Alex Ferguson believes the Red Devils can repeat what they did to Arsenal but reckons Chelsea will be a tougher prospect than Wenger's Invincibles.

Fergie said: "We stopped Arsenal on 49 games. We made sure of that.

"There are similarities with this match. But I think Chelsea are made of sterner stuff. We need to start well and make them think a bit."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Chelsea long-ball merchants ahead of tomorrow's showdown.

Fergie said: "We know they're a side that will defend to the death.

"They're always hard to break down, they play a lot of long balls and hope you make mistakes at the back. This is our a big chance. A chance to show other people they can be beaten."

United's first team have scored only twice in four games and in only one of seven Champions League games - a problem that started last season when they had their lowest goals tally in a decade.

Fergie admitted: "It happened too many times last season and if we let it surface again we'll end up with the same disappointments.

"It is nothing to do with coaching, systems or anything else. It is a player's responsibility to hit the target.

"I'd far prefer the Chelsea method - create two or three chances in a game and score two rather than make heaps and take none of them."

Ferguson confirms January Action Possible

2005-11-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

REDS boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to start dealing in the January transfer market in an effort to salvage United's season.

Damaging defeats to Middlesbrough and Lille over the past seven days have led United to the point of no return in the Barclays Premiership and Champions League, while injuries have exposed the thinness of the usually talent-rich United squad.

Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Gabriel Heinze, Louis Saha and Quinton Fortune have all been ruled out for extended periods already this season, forcing Ferguson to place his faith in a group of talented but raw youngsters - and ones whose confidence has taken a battering this season.

Now the manager admits he will have to consider bringing in fresh faces during the transfer window.

"We would like to bring some players in simply because the numbers game is going against us," he told MUTV.

"As we all know, it is not easy bringing players in during January but we are addressing the situation, so who knows."

Ferguson Air Keane Interview In Private

2005-11-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Manchester United's players have seen Roy Keane's video nasty on orders of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The controversial interview saw Keane reportedly slate several of his teammates after their 4-1 drubbing at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Ferguson yesterday showed his first-team squad the tape of Keane criticising them on MUTV.

Manchester United boss Fergie acted in a bid to fire-up the players - and end any confusion as to what Keane actually said.

UNITED'S stars have been made to watch a tape of Roy Keane's controversial MUTV interview, according to reports today.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson forced his players to watch the tape in an effort to end speculation over the skipper's comments in the axed interview - and fire up his off-form side.

Newspaper reports this morning claim that the players watched the tape, before a 90-minute private session with Keane to discuss the current situation.

Keane is reported to have slammed six players in the interview, which was pulled from MUTV on Monday.

Liam Miller, Alan Smith, Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Kieran Richardson and £120,000 a week defender Rio Ferdinand were all supposed to have been slated in the interview.

The interview came in the midst of a horror week for United that saw them surrender 4-1 to Boro at the Riverside before being dismissed 1-0 at the Stade de France by Champions League rivals Lille.

Keane is believed to have walked out during yesterday's private screening of the interview, in which he criticises several of his teammates. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have shown his players the interview in full.

While brutally candid about some of his team-mates' failings, Keane is also angry that various comments have been attributed to him without foundation. He claims that he never mentioned Liam Miller, allegedly one of the targets of his ire, and that he did not make any reference to Rio Ferdinand's £100,000-a-week salary.

Keane Had another banned Interview

2005-11-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane is reportedly seething at the club's handling of his MUTV interview controversy.

Keane is believed to have walked out during yesterday's private screening of the interview, in which he criticises several of his teammates. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have shown his players the interview in full.

While brutally candid about some of his team-mates' failings, Keane is also angry that various comments have been attributed to him without foundation. He claims that he never mentioned Liam Miller, allegedly one of the targets of his ire, and that he did not make any reference to Rio Ferdinand's £100,000-a-week salary.

A second Roy Keane tape has been uncovered in which he allegedly slates Manchester United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

A new story going around is that United are secretly hiding a second MUTV interview with Keane in which he criticised Solskjaer with such venom that Sir Alex Ferguson ordered it should never go out on air.

The interview was held during the 2002/03 season. This was the first time Keane named names and the worst abuse was directed at Solskjaer, who scored only two goals in his opening 20 league appearances that season.

On Ferguson's orders, the tape is now thought to be under lock and key at MUTV's offices.

At the time, Keane was said by a source at the club to have "gone ballistic" when the broadcast was not aired.

Update on The Glazers Reaction to Crisis Talk

2005-11-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Glazers have ordered Manchester United chief David Gill to sort out the turmoil gripping Old Trafford.
The Glazer family yesterday ordered a crisis meeting with players in an attempt to quell the growing unrest at the club.

Normal training was cancelled and the players were called in by Ferguson for a heart-to-heart talk after the latest Lille setback put them on the brink of an early Champions League exit.

Supremo Gill - under orders from the worried Glazers, who fly into Manchester today - made a rare dash to the Carrington HQ to speak to the players and then have a talk with Ferguson and his staff.

Gill also had a working lunch with Ferguson and his coaching team. There is no deadline for a turn-around, but going out of Europe would be a devastating blow.

Another report going around is that The Glazer family aren't panicking despite a week of turmoil at Manchester United.
"The idea they are disillusioned with what is going on, or they have emergency plans to swing into operation is incorrect.

"They have always understood that, in football, there are good weeks and bad weeks, good seasons and bad ones. They are incredibly philosophical and the way the season has started has not changed their thinking at all."

Neither Glazer nor his sons - Joel, Avi and Bryan - have been involved in the club's day-to-day running since buying United for £790million in May.

The insider added: "They have been quite clear all along the running of the club is the responsibility of chief executive David Gill and the manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"They are happy to take advice from them and they expect to still be owners of the club in 10 years.

"So speculation there will be some Hearts-style bust-up is wrong.

"The Glazers have been quite pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the fans at Old Trafford.

"And on the business side, season ticket sales were up at the beginning of the season so they are certainly not panicking at the moment."

The future of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson depends on his team winning a trophy this season.

That's the view of former Tampa Bay NFL coach Tony Dungy.

He was axed by the Glazers in 2001 despite being the team's most successful coach ever. Losing in the NFL play-offs two years in a row finally cost him his job.

But Dungy said: "It wasn't a sudden thing.

"The bottom line for me was getting the team to the Super Bowl.

"We got close in those last two seasons, but going close isn't what the Glazers are about."

Ferguson want fans to stand by the club

2005-11-04T03:04:00.000-08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United's disillusioned supporters will stand by the club in their hour of need.

The 5,000-strong following at the Stade de France made their feelings plain on the current crisis afflicting United by continually bellowing Roy Keane's name during the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Lille.

Keane's reported assault on his own team-mates may have been too stinging to be shown on MUTV, but the sentiments certainly struck a chord and a general V-sign response when the United players went to applaud the fans does not bode well for a harmonious relationship in the future.

Of the playing members of United's squad, only Ruud van Nistelrooy was singled out for praise as he stood before the masses, arms open as if to say 'What more can I do'.

The problems go much deeper than Van Nistelrooy's failure to score in his last four outings for the Red Devils and the air of rebellion hangs ominously over the Theatre of Dreams ahead of Sunday's encounter with Chelsea.

Radio phone-ins and internet chatrooms have been besieged by angry United fans demanding wholesale changes, with many thinking the time has now come for Ferguson's near 19-year stint as manager to be brought to an end.

Ferguson has already been subjected to widespread jeering from his own fans this season after the 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn.

But the Scot remains confident there will be a show of solidarity in the stands this weekend.

"Our fans have followed us through thick and thin and they will do so again," he said.

"That is what real fans do.

"In 1986, when I came to this club, it was exactly like that. We had not won the title for 20 years, yet we were the best supported club in Britain."

Update On Ferguson

2005-11-04T02:59:00.000-08:00

REDS boss Sir Alex Ferguson has threatened to pull his United stars out of England's friendly with Argentina next week as he tries to prevent United's injury crisis deepening.

With United missing key players such as Roy Keane, Gabi Heinze and Gary Neville, Ferguson has already been forced to draft in rookie replacements from his reserve side.

Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith are all expected to be in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad, which will be named after the Premiership clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

It is the first of only four internationals England will play before they head to Germany next June and Eriksson sees it as a vital part of the preparation process.

But with his team struggling badly and a must-win Champions League clash against Villarreal looming just 10 days after the international, Ferguson has warned he does not want to see his players put at risk.

"I have never had a problem with competitive games but I will not risk my players in a friendly,"

"I do not like the friendly internationals. England have one this month and you can bet that Chelsea and Arsenal will be pulling their players out.

"And if I have the injury problems I have at the moment, I will be too."

Radio phone-ins and internet chatrooms have been besieged by angry United fans demanding wholesale changes, with many thinking the time has now come for Ferguson's near 19-year stint as manager to be brought to an end.

Ferguson has already been subjected to widespread jeering from his own fans this season after the 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn.

But the Scot remains confident there will be a show of solidarity in the stands this weekend.

"Our fans have followed us through thick and thin and they will do so again," he said.

"That is what real fans do.

"In 1986, when I came to this club, it was exactly like that. We had not won the title for 20 years, yet we were the best supported club in Britain."

January Transfer/Loan Recall Possible For United

2005-11-04T02:54:00.000-08:00

UNITED could look to shore up their defensive problems with a move for Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio.

The 26-year-old Valencia defender is being looked at by Sir Alex Ferguson as a replacement for injury-crocked Gabi Heinze.

Neither John O'Shea nor Kieran Richardson have managed to successfully replace the Argentine defender since he was ruled out for the season with ligament damage.

And with United's defence coming under the microscope, rumour is that Ferguson is ready to move to bring in the player in the January transfer window.

His contract expires in the summer, and Valencia could be convinced to let him go for a cut-price deal rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season.

Aurelio, who has dual Spanish-Brazilian nationality, told the paper: "My agent is takeing the offer very seriously.

"United are a great club and any player would want to join them."

Manchester United are considering a recall for David Jones from his loan at Preston North End.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form during his stint with Preston, and North End boss Billy Davies is desperate to keep hold of him.

"David has been excellent. He has shown what a magnificent talent he is since joining us at the start of the season," admired Davies.

"He has settled into the dressing room extremely well and is a first class professional.

"But we haven't looked at the situation with him at the moment.

"The most important thing is he is playing games for us. Once we get nearer Christmas we will have a look at it.

"But he is certainly a player we admire greatly and a player we would love to see at Preston all season."

Jones is on a season-long loan at Deepdale, but the deal includes a recall clause for United.

Ruud:I'm not quitting at this difficult period

2005-11-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy says he won't quit the club.

Van Nistelrooy is not about to bail out of United. And he has assured the club's suffering faithful he will do everything to try and turn things round.

He said: "When I joined this club I thought we were unbeatable and I enjoyed the good times. Now we are going through the bad times I'm not going to just give up on the club.

"I am going to give it my all to get United back to where our fans want to see us. Over the coming years it is personal to me to bring the club back to where I want to see it."

The first stage in that quest is to help them through to the next round of the Champions League. United are third in their group with leaders Villarreal next at Old Trafford followed by a trip to Lisbon to face Benfica in their final game.

Van Nistelrooy believes it is time to throw caution to the wind.

He said: "We must win at home to Villarreal. We have to go out there and go for it. Sometimes we hold back but now we can only go for it."

Van Nistelrooy claims the squad is united, although the criticisms from Keane this week will have rocked the club.

He said: "Yes we are definitely united. It's the natural reaction when a team aren't doing well, to stick together even more. Each of us knows within ourselves what needs to be done."

Van Nistelrooy is keeping his fingers crossed Chelsea's Sunday visit can turn things round for the Reds.

But he accepts United have no chance of winning unless they get back to attacking basics.

Van Nistelrooy said: "Football is a strange game and your fortunes can turn very quickly.

"We have to believe that but we have to do it with good football, that is the difference. That is where we must start.

"United have always been about good passing football, possession and creating lots of chances.

"They are basic things at Manchester United and we have got to get back to that."

Ruud van Nistelrooy says this is the most difficult time he's experienced at Manchester United.

Van Nistelrooy admitted: "This is the most difficult time I can remember at the club. We are not playing well. We have difficulty just keeping the ball. We are not fluent in passing the ball from player to player.

"We don't seem to play in the opposition's half, win the second ball or put teams under pressure."

The tactics imposed by No 2 Carlos Queiroz have been blamed for the lack of chances being created.

And Van Nistelrooy admitted he was not getting the opportunities he once did. He said: "When I joined the club I used to get four or five chances in every game.

"There used to be a constant stream of service. Our attacking play used to be great and I enjoyed it. Now it is different.

"The question is, can those old days come back? It's what we all want. And the question is, how are we going to do it? That's the most important thing."

Ruud van Nistelrooy has backed Roy Keane's criticisms of Manchester United's players this week.

The Dutch ace was captain for the night in Paris as United stumbled to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat against Lille.

The team were booed off by fans who also chanted Keane's name in support of his attack on the players which the club banned from being shown on MUTV.

But Van Nistelrooy said: "It is good to have people who say what they feel because they care about the club. When criticism is there you can be angry about it or think about it and whether it is true or not.

"Then you take something from it and use it."

The fans made gestures at the players at the final whistle after Wednesday's shambolic display.

Van Nistelrooy tried to placate them, going over to the 5,000-strong United section after the game.

He said: "I wanted to show them I am hurt about what is happening as well. They feel it and I feel it."

Details On Keane Banned Interview

2005-11-03T23:35:00.000-08:00

KEANE ON: EDWIN VAN DER SAR
Analysing the first goal United condeded against Middlesbrough, when Edwin Van der Sar let slip a 30-yard shot... He should have saved that. That was saveable

KEANE ON: JOHN O'SHEA
He's just strolling around when he should have been busting a gut to get back

KEANE ON: RIO FERDINAND
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink robbed Ferdinand for the second goal... I have seen that happen to Rio before. It is poor defending

KEANE ON: DARREN FLETCHER
I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher

KEANE ON: KEIRAN RICHARDSON
On the penalty Richardson gave away.... He is a lazy defender who deserved to get punished.. he wasn't doing his job

KEANE ON: ALAN SMITH
What is he doing there? He is wandering around as if he is lost. He doesn't know what he is doing

KEANE ON:THE TEAM
"Just because you are paid £120,000-a-week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham, you think you are a superstar.

"The younger players have been let down by some of the more experienced players. They are just not of characters in the team. It seems to be in this club that you have to play badly to be rewarded.

"Maybe that is what I should do when I come back. Play badly."

"I wasn't surprised by the result I had been expecting one like this.

"The players have been asked questions and they are just not coming up with the answers.

"I am sick of having to say it and they are sick of listening to me.

"They have let down the club, the manager, and the fans.

"When they sign the contracts, they think they have made it. They owe it to the manager, the staff and the fans."

"There is talk about putting this right in January and bringing players in,"

"We should be doing the opposite - we should be getting rid of people in January."

Roy Keane's angry blast at his Manchester United teammates had been building for over a week, it has been revealed.

The United captain's scathing assessment of six of his teammates on MUTV was pulled off air by chief executive David Gill this week.

Keane's frustrations had been building for over a week leading up to Saturday's dismal performance at Middlesbrough.

Keane, who is out injured with a broken foot, has not concealed his anger at what he perceives as a management failure on the part of United.

During the last home match, against Tottenham, he sat by himself in the directors' box and made known his views about his team's performance - they were fortunate to get away with a 1-1 draw - before leaving some time before the final whistle.

Roy Keane is believed to be furious with Manchester United's decision to pull his controversial assessment of his teammates off of MUTV this week.

Keane was last night said to be "unrepentant" over the interview but is angry at the way he has been treated.

Sources close to fiery Irishman Keane last night revealed the 34-year-old's fury at not being informed until late on about the decision to pull his interview because of its controversial content.

Chief executive David Gill gave the order after viewing the tape. United's players are contracted to appear on MUTV and air their views on matters at Old Trafford, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson happy in the past for his captain to act as his mouthpiece.

It's been suggested United's desire to preserve harmony within the squad may see his leaving date brought forward to the January transfer window.

Despite his explosive non-aired interview with MUTV this week, his representatives said that they expected discussions about a new contract to begin shortly with the United chief executive David Gill and that, assuming the terms were acceptable, Keane would sign for another season. It would be his 14th at Old Trafford.

Poll Result In

2005-11-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

Who can replace Roy Keane?

Votes
Michael Ballack 35% 6
Alan Smith 6% 1
Didier Zokora 6% 1
Thomas Gravesen 6% 1
Gennaro Gattuso 12% 2
Darren Fletcher 6% 1
Maniche 12% 2
Mahamadou Diarra 12% 2
Nobody 6% 1

17 votes total

New Poll:Is Fergie still the right man For Man United?

Youngster Interview

2005-11-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi have got more in common than being born just a day apart.

The two 18-year-olds are not only great friends, they are great prospects who, in just over a year, have done more than enough to suggest they have what it takes to excel on the Old Trafford stage...

Looking back over your first year at the club, have you achieved all the targets you set yourselves when you arrived here?
Rossi: I've certainly learnt a lot over the last twelve months and training and playing with the senior players has been a great experience. It's always been my dream to become a top professional footballer and although I'm still at the beginning of my career, being at United is the way to get there. I need to keep working hard and hopefully I can get some more chances in the first team.

Pique: When I first joined United I didn't set myself any particular targets. My main aim was to get into the first team whenever I could, no matter whether it was two or three years down the line. At the moment I think we're both doing well and we're on our way towards the first team. If things keep going like this I think we're in a great position to stay in the squad.

What did you both make of your Premiership debuts at Sunderland and Giuseppe how did it feel to mark your debut with a goal?
Rossi: I've been dreaming about playing in the Premiership for a long time and to score on my debut is something that I'll never forget. I don't remember much about the goal itself; my most vivid memory is of everyone jumping on top of me afterwards! It was such a special moment and I was just really happy to share it with the other players.

Pique: It was a great day for me because playing in the Premiership has always been my dream. You can't put into words how it feels when you step onto the pitch; not a lot of people get the chance to do that and it's a great privilege to have that opportunity. I have to thank Giuseppe for making sure I made my Premiership debut! I was getting ready to come on when we 2-0 up but when Sunderland scored the boss told me I probably wouldn't be going on because the game was too tight. But when Giuseppe got his goal it meant I was able to come on and I celebrated like crazy with Ruud on the bench!
Rossi: Yeah, I heard Ruud wanted to come onto the pitch to celebrate when I scored...
Pique: Oh he did but the fourth official had to stop him going on otherwise he would have got booked!"I've dreamt about playing in the Premiership and to score on my debut is something I'll never forget."

Which players have you learnt the most from and have any of the first team given you any guidance in dealing with things on and off the pitch?
Rossi: I think you always look up to the players who play in your position, so for me, Ruud van Nistelrooy is the one I look to. He's one of the best goalscorers in the world and I'm learning things from him all the time. I just want to do what he does and hopefully one day I can follow in his footsteps.
Pique: It's the same for me with the likes of Rio, Mikael, Wes and Sheasy. They always try to help me particularly Wes and Sheasy who both came up through the ranks at United. All the players have a lot of experience and they teach you how to handle certain situations which, as a young player, is very important. They look after you because they want you to become as good as they are.

What's it like to train and play with Rooney and Ronaldo; do the pair act as an inspiration to you both?
Rossi: I believe they are the best young players in the world and they have everything in their game to ensure they become the best players in the world in a few years time. Like us they are still young but the difference with them is they have a lot of experience; at the moment we do not have that experience. We watch them live their lives everyday and we try to observe what they do so we can follow their example.
Pique: It's difficult to believe they are only a little bit older than us. The quality and skills they possess are unbelievable and sometimes in training we can't understand how Cristiano is able to do some of his tricks! I think they are improving everyday and it won't be long before they become the world's best players.
"I just want to keep showing the other first team players I'm capable of playing with them."

Describe each other's best attributes...
[A big grin spreads across both players' faces!]
Rossi: Gerard is a very strong defender who wins virtually everything in the air. He's very calm on the ball and you know that when you pass the ball to him he rarely gives it away. Overall, all of us have great confidence in him.
Pique: To be honest it's difficult to think of one for Giuseppe! Seriously though he continues to impress me and you know that wherever he strikes the ball from there's always a good chance he'll score. His goal against Sunderland is a prime example of that.
Rossi: Oh thanks Gerard.

Finally, what targets have you set yourselves for the remainder of the season?
Rossi: My main aim is to continue playing with the first team and perhaps get a few more games under my belt. I'm going to keep working hard in training because that's where it all starts; doing well in training helps your chances of playing in the first team and hopefully I can get a few more goals as well.

Pique: Like Giuseppe, I just want to keep showing the other players I'm capable of playing with them. It's also very important to enjoy your football because if you enjoy it, you definitely play better. We are very lucky to be doing what we doing; most people have to work to earn a living and don't always like what they do, whereas we work in a job that we love. That's something you can't buy so it's important to enjoy it and do your best.

The lack of hunger in MAN U

2005-11-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

In the town where the tram is king, a street-car named desire needs to get rolling again. Sir Alex Ferguson's ability to motivate his Manchester United players is being questioned by all and sundry yet the real question needing answering is this: how much additional motivation does someone who receives handsome reward for wearing United's distinguished blood-red actually require?

The character of men like the benighted Rio Ferdinand, a £27 million defender culpable for two of Middlesbrough's four goals at the weekend, is the problem at United, not the knighted Ferguson. The Scot undeniably suffers from serious flaws, notably over tactics, purchases and loyalty to Carlos Queiroz. His stewardship of a formidable footballing institution may indeed pass to someone of Martin O'Neill's calibre next summer, yet the hunger of a heavyweight who could start a fight in an empty house has never, ever been under valid scrutiny.

The bailiffs of footballing credibility hammer at Ferguson's door, yet they would do better to chase payments down the corridor from a shamed dressing room. Inside they would find under-achievers raking in £5 million a year, basking in the prestige of representing the most famous club in the world after Real Madrid, rehearsing in the most impressive training facilities around and granted the chance to perform in front of 65,000 people. Life's lottery smiles on Ferdinand and company.

And when such stars fail to turn up for a routine dope test, their manager still stands by them. And when they fail to mark properly against middle-ranking opponents like Middlesbrough, the heat gets turned up on their manager. Crazy. Ferdinand truly is laughing all the way to the bank while Ferguson grimaces at the thought of money-men in the Everglades growing ever-impatient.

The frustration for all those who hold United dear is that the level of technical expertise at Old Trafford remains impressive. For all his faults in concentration, Ferdinand is more comfortable in possession than many midfielders. In Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, United boast two of the most precocious talents in Europe, with the Englishman needing to add only self-control to his marvellous ball-control to mature into a legend.

Ruud van Nistelrooy? A predator supreme. Giuseppe Rossi? A hit-man shedding his L-plates. Talent abounds at Old Trafford. The maelstrom of criticism that United currently endure is triggered by a heated debate over attitude, not aptitude.

United's painful presence under the microscope of public scrutiny is exacerbated by the sight of Chelsea disappearing over the Premiership horizon, trailing the roubles of Roman Abramovich and the vapour trails of such class acts as midfielders like Frank Lampard and a manager in Jose Mourinho. Ferguson, like Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, cannot be held responsible for Abramovich turning oil from Siberia into Premiership gold and Lampard and Mourinho profiting.

What Ferguson needs is for players like Ferdinand to be angered by the sight of friends like Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole lording it over the land. If Ferdinand exuded a quarter of Ferguson's hunger, United might have a chance.

Even those erecting tumbrils for Ferguson would accept that it was no coincidence that United's travails run in tandem with ill-timed injuries to Gary Neville and Gabby Heinze, such full-throttle full-backs.

Ferdinand should look at Wigan Athletic, assembled for a fraction of his cost and flying above United because they have been written off as possible Premiership survivors, or cast-offs like Arjan de Zeeuw, one of the players of the season.

Ferdinand should look at Lampard. These Chelsea boys radiate hunger and, like Oliver Twist, keep coming back for more. That is down to the inspirational Mourinho, to the situation at the billionaire's club where fading lights can be replaced with the ease of a janitor changing a broken bulb, but ultimately also to the character of team leaders like Lampard, Terry and Claude Makelele. Ferdinand encounters such passion-players on Sunday. He had better be ready. The driven Ferguson will be.

Has Fergie lost it?

2005-11-03T10:20:00.000-08:00

As usual, it took Roy Keane to cut through the crap and deliver a damning and entirely valid verdict on the dramatic demise of Manchester United. In fact, there was only one problem with Keane's MUTV rant - it didn't go far enough. If Keane was truly uncensored, it would be fascinating to get his views on the influence of failure specialist Carlos Queiroz, who has neutered United's attacking elan. And what would really boost MUTV's dismal ratings would be Keane's views on his manager.

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Keane has been his master's voice for the past decade, and now he is barking against Ferguson. The United manager, under fire from all corners, will feel the harsh bite of his captain's criticism more than the rest combined. When United won the Premiership in 1999, the first part of the Treble, Ferguson charged giddily onto the pitch and went straight to embrace one man: Keane. When, a few weeks earlier, Keane and Paul Scholes received yellow cards in Turin that would rule them out of the European Cup final, Ferguson spoke of Keane's "tragedy" and his desire to appeal the decision. He didn't even mention Scholes's name. This was love as its most unconditional.

Ferguson and Keane have had as close a relationship as any between manager and player in football history. They saw in each other a mirror image of themselves. Ferguson cut Keane slack for his misdemeanours; Keane gave Ferguson the most influential and talismanic footballer since Maradona, a man without whose iron will a team of superstars just could not function. Now, as then, Keane was at the centre of all that is going on Old Trafford: it is he for whom Ferguson changed his system to the hated 4-3-2-1 last season; it is he who United look so rudderless without; and it is he who, after months of everything being brushed assiduously and patronisingly under the carpet, has finally told it like it is. United are an absolute shambles at the moment, and nobody else at the club seems willing or able to face that fact.

Unsurprisingly, Keane's comments were vetoed by Ferguson. It is not the first time they have fallen out (there was a much-publicised contretemps in Portugal this summer) and the thawing of their relationship is symbolic of Ferguson's demise. Keane's values - the remorseless pursuit of excellence at all costs; the bristling intolerance of the bullshit and excuses of modern sport - have not changed. Ferguson's have. He has become resigned to and tolerant of a mediocrity that Keane cannot countenance.

Ferguson, of course, has always been sensitive to criticism. The BBC are currently being ignored, and if he had his way he wouldn't do any press conferences. He has even taken to saying "Well done" at the end of pre- and post-match TV interviews to the startled interviewer, presumably for not asking any difficult questions. Why did you sell Jaap Stam, Sir Alex? No, really, Sir Alex - why did you sell Jaap Stam? What does Liam Miller do to earn more per week than most of your supporters earn per annum? Why are you earning £4m per year if, as Ryan Giggs says, you have given Queiroz "the responsibility to train us, prepare us for games, organise the team and decide the things we need to work on"?

The culture of fear duly created, Ferguson has been able to get away with doing as he pleases. The consequence is that only in the underground world of fanzines and pub talk is the truth that dare not speak its name being spoken: Sir Alex Ferguson has demonstrably, irrefutably lost the plot.

Most United fans have had enough. They have had enough of 4-3-2-1; of an abuse of the heritage of the club that has not occurred since the Sexton years; of the moronic twitter of the man they lovelessly call Carlos Queirozzzz; of the fact that only a Scouser, a sub-standard Leeds fan and a Portuguese pretty boy show the requisite desire; of a gaping chasm where once there was the best midfield in Europe; of the apathy of Lord Chav Rio Ferdinand; of Sir Alex Ferguson.

This should not be confused, as it has by Arsène Wenger among others, with a lack of respect for Ferguson, or gratitude for what unprecedented happiness he has brought to the club. "Every single one of us loves Alex Ferguson," is a song that will be heard around Old Trafford for years to come, and the joy Ferguson has brought imbues the failure of an essentially decent man with a brutal poignancy. But if you love someone you have to set them free and, based on the unforgiving demands of modern football, and his performance over the last five years, Ferguson does not deserve to be manager of Manchester United. Reputation and gratitude are not enough.

In United's glory years, Ferguson told of a trick he would use at the start of each season to keep his players on their toes. He would assemble the squad and show them an envelope, in which, he said, were two or three names of players he felt had taken their eye off the ball, and who he was keeping an eye on. In reality, the envelope was empty (although Paul Ince and David Beckham were sold for precisely that reason). But if Ferguson opened it now, he might get a seriously nasty surprise.

The problems go back to the summer of 2001, when he sold Stam, paid £28.1m for the curse known as Juan Sebastian Veron and killed a golden goose that was delivering a Premiership every year in pursuit of a farewell European Cup at Hampden Park. Since then, he has made some desperate mistakes. These are not borderline errors of judgement; they are decisions that fly in the face of all rhyme and reason.

There is his record in the transfer market, with at least three Klebersons for every Gabriel Heinze and the shocking failure to address the decline of a once-majestic midfield; the delegation of significant power to the ruinous and incessantly negative Queiroz, which has made United neither successful nor entertaining, despite Queiroz's belief-beggaring proclamation that: "We are producing the most exciting, attacking football in the league".

Then there is the inexplicable persistence with a phalanx of incompetents. Like John O'Shea; once referred to as looking like a thin Peter Kay, now he just looks like Peter Kay. Like Alan Smith who, for all his admirable endeavour, has more chance of being the new Eminem than the new Roy Keane. Like Scholes, who has been rewarded for a season of sleepwalking with the captaincy. Like Ruud van Nistelrooy, who surrenders possession time after time after time and then falls over. Like Darren Fletcher, a teacher's pet in the McClair mould who is, at this stage of his career, simply not good enough.

Then there is the incessant tinkering - Fletcher ahead of Ronaldo for the last two, must-win league games; dropping Ronaldo, Scholes and Wayne Rooney to derail United's title charge at Crystal Palace last season. In the summer, with that match in mind, Stubborn of Govan said he would no longer rest players in league matches. That lasted about a month.

Nor is it the only strange comment Ferguson has made of late. Previously he has always related to the fans; now he seems to have contracted Queiroz's contempt for the people who pay him £4m a year. Take his recent declaration that United only know how to attack, or his pathetic, hair-splitting assertion that United were playing 4-4-1-1 and not 4-4-2 after they scored three whole goals in one half at Fulham last month. Most insulting of all was his suggestion that disgruntled United fans could go and watch Chelsea.

Now, if reports are to be believed, Ferguson is ready to bite off his purple nose to spite his face and let Keane go. If he does, it will be the final proof: Sir Alex Ferguson has demonstrably, irrefutably lost the plot.

Post Lille Match Interview With Fergie/Ruud

2005-11-03T04:32:00.000-08:00

REDS boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes his under-fire side deserved something against Lille - but has warned his team not to start feeling sorry for themselves.

United's week from hell continued at the Stade de France with a poor performance against the French side, who capitalised on miscommunication among the Reds to grab the winner.

It was hardly the ideal warmm-up for this weekend's clash with Chelsea but, although Ferguson accepts confidence in the camp is low, he will not let his players walk around with their heads down.

"Losing matches does not help confidence, that is for sure," he said.

"But we cannot afford to start feeling sorry for ourselves.

"We tried our best against Lille and while I don't think we did enough to win the game, we didn't deserve to lose either.

"It is hard for the young players. We cannot expect them to show the same experience the older ones have.

"We just have to see it through. It is not a problem. We just have to trust them."

Although Ferguson refuses to accept there are fundamental problems with his team, the alarm bells will really be ringing if they suffer a repeat of the 3-1 Old Trafford defeat they suffered at Chelsea's hands last term.

United were a clear second best on that occasion and with Jose Mourinho's side desperate to emphasise their current superiority, there must be a genuine fear of another heavy defeat.

Typically though, Ferguson is relishing the prospect of battle.

"I feel okay about Sunday," he said. "Obviously, we have a very difficult task playing a team in outstanding form who are top of the league.

"There are two things that help us; firstly we have the ability to play against anyone and secondly, the pitch will be much better than last night and that is bound to help us."

REDS stand-in captain Ruud van Nistelrooy insisted United's players gave their all without exception after their damp squib defeat in Paris.

Fans were quick to make their criticism of the team known after seeing United lose by a single goal to Lille at the Stade de France as United's week went from bad to worse.

The Dutchman was United's on-field leader in the absence of the injured Roy Keane, whose criticisms of the 4-1 weekend defeat to Middlesbrough were deemed too strong to broadcast by MUTV.

But, despite the result, Van Nistelrooy said: "Everyone goes out there and gives it all and there is no exception in that.

"Now it's a matter of forgetting this, in the sense we must do things better."

Acimovic's winner was described as a defensive error by the Holland striker, although he admitted the team had also failed to threaten the Lille goal.

"We wanted to bounce back and it was one defensive mistake which cost us the game," added Van Nistelrooy on Sky Sports News.

"The few opportunities we had didn't really fall for us.

"It was good play from them as well. They outplayed us really and it went in."

Saha/Ole Near Return

2005-11-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

REDS injury jinx victim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could hand United a welcome Christmas present by returning before the end of the year.

Solskjaer has been sidelined for more than a year through recurring knee problems, but has never given up hope of returning to the first team - despite fears he would be unable to overcome his injury problems.

And he could give United a major boost next month by returning to the line-up and bolstering the Reds' misfiring forward line.

"I have learned from experience not to put a date on my return, but I'm hoping to be back playing in the first team some time around Christmas, so I obviously I hope to be in full training well before then," he told United magazine.

"I'm just taking it one day at a time. One day it might be a bit sore, but the next day I feel great again, so you just have to take it as you go really."

European Cup hero Solskjaer remains a fans favourite, and has received nothing but goodwill from the Reds faithful since his last appearance for United, during the FA Cup final win over Millwall.

And the Norwegian striker hopes to repay them once he's back on the field after more than a year spent dreaming of his return.

"It'll mean everything to me to wear that red shirt again," he said.

"That's all that matters to me. And I have seen myself playing again on many nights... but then I wake up."

INJURY jinxed Reds striker Louis Saha will return to training this week as he looks to put his season back on track.

The Frenchman has yet to feature in the first team this season after a knee injury sustained during the summer.

A planned comeback in the Carling Cup was shelved after he broke down beforehand, but the player is now ready to return to training and get back to his best.

"I will resume training sessions on Thursday," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"I feel better but this time the coach was scared, and so he told me to take my time.

"I have a huge desire to come back but I have so much desire that I don't want to play a match and get a new injury because I have rushed to come back.

"I just know I am not far away any more."

Keane critical past

2005-11-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

THE impression of United as a club in crisis gained further credence when Roy Keane's blunt assessment of the Reds' performance at Middlesbrough was pulled off the MUTV schedule. Here is a look at some of his high-profile outbursts.

1999 - KEANE "ANNOYED" BY CONTRACT OFFER: Keane admitted his unhappiness with the first new contract offer he received from Manchester United. He said: "I was a bit annoyed with the first offer put to me. Deep down they must have known it wasn't something I could sign. Our dealings have to be realistic. I am not naive enough to settle for anything less than a reasonable valuation of my worth."

2000 - KEANE FURIOUS WITH LETTER TO FANS: Keane branded United's decision to blame his £52,000-a-week wages for a hike in season ticket prices as "a stupid mistake". The club sent a letter to fans claiming that one of the reasons for the ticket increases was Keane's wage rise. "I'm not one for holding grudges but this was a stupid mistake, a bad public relations exercise and something that should never have happened. I'm still waiting for my apology but I could be waiting a long time."

2000 - THE PRAWN SANDWICH AFFAIR: Keane hit out at sections of Manchester United's support for what he felt was a poor atmosphere during a Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev. He said: "Sometimes you wonder, do they understand the game of football? Away from home our fans are fantastic, I'd call them the hardcore fans. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch. I don't think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, never mind understand it."

2001 - SIGNS OF THINGS TO COME: Keane hinted he might quit the international stage if Republic of Ireland officials continue to treat the squad like second-class citizens. "Where we trained last Monday, in Clonshaugh, was abysmal and it has been for as long as I've known it," he said. "I was fairly critical about our seating arrangements on the flight out here, when the officials were sitting in the first-class seats and the players were sitting behind."

UNITED ARE "NOT GOOD ENOUGH": Keane claimed it may be time to break up the Manchester United team in the wake of a Champions League exit against Bayern Munich. United lost 2-1 in the Olympic Stadium to complete a 3-1 aggregate defeat in the quarter-finals and Keane said: "The players gave it their all tonight but we are just not good enough and maybe it's time to move on. Maybe it's the end of the road for this team."

PLAYERS ARE "PIECES OF MEAT": Keane voiced his anger what he believed was poor treatment of players by clubs. Referring to the shock £16.5million transfer of team-mate Jaap Stam to Lazio, Keane said: "Contracts mean nothing. He (Stam) has discovered that, to football clubs, players are just expensive pieces of meat. The harsh realities remain and when a club decide they want to sell there is little you can do once the wheels are in motion."

2002 - UNITED BLOW IT AGAIN: Following another Champions League exit, this time at the semi-final stage to Bayer Leverkusen, Keane was again brutally honest, saying: "We blew it. This club deserves to win European Cup finals and we blew it. It's as simple as that. We had a great opportunity and these sort of chances don't come along very often."

PLAYERS LACK DESIRE: Keane questioned the desire of some of his team-mates and warned - prophetically as it turned out - the Red Devils could end the season without a trophy. Keane said: "There are a lot of cover-ups sometimes and players need to stand up and be counted. I'm not sure that happens a lot at this club. That's the least we should do. We shouldn't have to demand it from the players - they should be proud to play and give 100%. We're not asking for miracles."

THROWN OUT OF WORLD CUP: An exasperated Keane announced he would quit international football after the World Cup as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the Republic's preparations. But when clear-the-air talks with Mick McCarthy descended into a "slanging match", the Republic boss promptly sent his best player home. "You've seen the training pitch and I'm not being a prima donna. Training pitch, travel arrangements, getting through the bloody airport when we were leaving, it's the combination of things. I would never say `that's the reason or this is the reason', but enough is enough."

2004 - YOUNGSTERS `SLACKING': As United lost their grip on the Barclaycard Premiership title, Keane rounded on unidentified younger players, accusing them of not pulling their weight. "We have one or two young players who have done very little in the game," he said. "They need to remember that and not slacken off. They need to remember just how lucky we all are to play for Manchester United and show that out on the pitch."

2005 - NOT A HOLIDAY CAMP: Keane was reportedly angered that players were allowed to take their families to United's pre-season training camp in Portugal having cut short a holiday to attend. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson the pair had rowed but insisted his absence from the Far East tour was due to injury, not disciplinary reasons.

Is keane right or is he over critical? have your say in the shoutbox.

Ferguson:We have to enjoy playing to win

2005-11-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

Stung by the shocking 4-1 reverse at Middlesbrough, and amid reports that Roy Keane has criticised a number of his team-mates, Ferguson was reluctant to discuss the thoughts of his injured captain.

However, the Scot - in a relaxed mode as he arrived at Manchester Airport this morning - refused to answer a direct question about Keane and instead preferred to focus on the need to rediscover top form after the weekend Barclays Premiership mauling at Middlesbrough.

Aware that the ability of some of his players is being brought into question, the United manager suggested the younger stars will learn from the depressing experience at The Riverside.

"I've got nothing to say about it all [Keane's criticisms]," he said. "We're preparing for a game tomorrow.

"That's our stance on it. It's a very important match for us, we're going to need all our concentration and preparation to make sure we get the result we want. So there we are.

"I think the nature of our club, it's probably in the make up and history of it, that we generally do that [bounce back from adversity]. But we don't think we should be taking it for granted.

"First of all, we have to set the tone for a match like tomorrow. Work ethic comes into it usually and other things we'll prepare on but it's happened in the past, something that will stop us in our tracks and we are conscious of the need to win."

Ferguson insisted he was not feeling any extra pressure despite the problems engulfing the Old Trafford outfit.

"I dont think's the pressure of managing at our club is any different to 19 years ago," he opined. "The need to win has always been there.

"No, morale is not a problem. I don't think so.

"When you lose a game, everyone is disappointed. It's always the case for every footballer to do some soul-searching when you have a bad match or bad result. I don't think our players are different to anyone else.

"They have their pride and wouldn't be playing here if they didn't have their pride. Probably through to Sunday, they're the same as myself - analysing every kick of the ball, watching the video, thinking about it again. That's what you do when you lose, you don't take it lightly.

"I think winning the match [is imperative]. Also the most important thing is for players to go out and enjoy it tomorrow. It's still the greatest stage of all. We've based a lot of our history on European football althogh we've only won it twice. We've had some fantastic campaigns over the years and want to win it more. There's a desire within the club.

"I think I will be trying to get the enjoyment part. Playing football, when we started as kids, was about enjoying ourselves. It should never leave you - the ability to express yourself comes into it and I think all good players can do that. Tomorrow, I hope you see the Manchester United we know."

Ferguson admitted the side is lacking some of their experienced figures such as Roy Keane and Gary Neville.

"You can over-motivate you know," he explained. "Sometimes some players are self-motivated and well prepared themselves.

"There's been a few over the years like that.

"For some young players, motivation is not something they're used to.

"Technically, tactically and physically you can bring them up but the mental part is usually at a later stage. Sometimes you do need motivation.

"Suffering defeats like Saturday is a big step for a lot of them because they're young. Over the years, we've depended on experienced players in the dressing room - Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson. They played a great part in the dressing room, plus myself and the coaches. Part of that is done by preparation at youth level in the sense of preparing to play on a stage and never being afraid to take the ball and experience themselves.

"The experience they're having at the moment is good for them in the long run.

"We have a young squad, unfortunately our experienced players are injured at the moment. It's not the easiest to handle.

"We know that young players, what they do at our club, is learn. The learning process is usually good. There's no problem with ability.

"To go to the Stade de France tomorrow will not affect anything. Temperament wise, it's okay. They've got to pick up the resilience and substance of Manchester United teams in the past. We're asking young players who have only been at the club a year or so to do that.

"We're missing the support of experienced players like Gary Neville, Gabriel Heinze, Roy Keane and Quinton Fortune. It's a big miss that."

Under-fire central defender Rio Ferdinand was part of the squad which headed out to the French capital looking for a far more positive result than the 0-0 draw against Lille at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

Ferguson and his team know that anything other than victory will not only leave his team's chances of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread, it would raise serious concerns over United's chances of even giving Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea a game on Sunday.

RUUD van Nistelrooy will captain United for the first time in their Champions League match with Lille.

The issue of who skippers the Red Devils has been the subject of debate ever since Paul Scholes was sent off in the first meeting with the French side a fortnight ago.

With Scholes suspended and Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville all injured it had been suggested that out-of-form Rio Ferdinand could take over the captain's armband - even though it is an honour he has not been given by Sir Alex Ferguson since his much-publicised contract dispute erupted at the back end of last season.

However, even though Ferdinand will play at the Stade de France, Ferguson will make Dutch international striker Van Nistelrooy his captain, overlooking the obvious claims of compatriot Edwin van der Sar, who captains the Holland striker at international level.

O Shea:We have let down the fans

2005-11-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

JOHN O'Shea has admitted Manchester United owe their fans a night to remember in the Stade de France.

The Red Devils head into their crucial Champions League qualifier with Lille reeling from the weekend hammering at Middlesbrough.

More than 5,000 United fans are expected in Paris as Sir Alex Ferguson's men look to consolidate their place at the top of Group D and gain a much-needed confidence lift ahead of Sunday's showdown with runaway Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea.

Ferguson has already warned his team any repeat of the shambolic display at the Riverside will put their European place at risk and O'Shea declared the intent of his United team mates to right a few wrongs.

"We owe it to everybody involved in the club to get a win tomorrow, the fans, ourselves and the coaches," said the Ireland international.

"When you lose a game like we did on Saturday, you are going to get criticised, so you have to take it on the chin, get on with it and bounce back.

"We are fortunate to have a game tomorrow where we can put it right. Not only that, it is important we win tomorrow because it would put us in such a strong position in the group."

Dramatic

O'Shea followed his manager's lead by refusing to enter discussion over Roy Keane's controversial MUTV interview, which was dramatically withdrawn from the schedules last night.

It has been reported the 24-year-old Waterford-born defender was one of the men in the firing line for personal criticism by Keane and it is certainly true O'Shea was one of United's poorest performers against Middlesbrough, with chronic distribution a particular problem as well as a failure to put Aiyegbeni Yakubu under pressure in the build up to the home side's fourth goal.

One of the more considered members of the current United squad, O'Shea knows his display was not up to the standard required and he revealed the depth of his weekend misery.

"Every player has their own personal pride and we were hurt after Saturday's game," he said. "Since I got into the first team four seasons ago, there has always been so much criticism of certain players, the team and individuals.

"But you just have to take it because it is part of being at such a successful club. We are just thankful we have an immediate chance to rectify the situation.

Edwin:Morale is low

2005-11-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar admits spirits are low amongst the players.

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Although he has not been at Old Trafford long, Van der Sar knows far more is expected of United than they produced at Middlesbrough and the ashen looks on the faces of the players as they began their long journey home told its own story.

"It hurts quite a lot," he said.

"It is a team game but we made a lot of individual errors and that cost us dearly.

"There is not much we can say, and I don't have to tell you what the manager was like after the game. It is quite obvious how he and the players feel.

"We are not in the greatest spirit at the moment but we have to analyse what went wrong and somehow start to focus on Wednesday's game against Lille.

"Hopefully we can pick up something from that game which we can take into the Chelsea match."

Keane furious about censored interview

2005-11-02T03:08:00.000-08:00

Manchester United captain Roy Keane was reportedly "livid" after his scathing assessment of his team's performance at Middlesbrough was dropped by MUTV last night.

He was informed of United's decision to pull the interview last night and was said to be "livid" at the situation, accusing the club of being afraid to accept the realities of their current failings.

United's switchboard was jammed with MUTV viewers demanding to know why the post-match inquest with Keane had been pulled from the schedule and replaced with a repeat of a reserve game.

Keane turned on six teammates in his attack - with John O'Shea, Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson, Darren Fletcher, Liam Miller and Rio Ferdinand all believed to have been in his sights.

The United skipper, out injured, said Smith, who is currently deputising for him in central midfield, was not suitable for the role.

Keane did not hold back with his withering criticism of Richardson, who gave away a penalty against Middlesbrough, and is alleged to have slammed the young England star's approach.

Fletcher and Keane's fellow Irish international Miller were also included in his fierce outburst, the young midfielders being told they were not up to the standard expected at United.

And Rio Ferdinand, who was hauled off in humiliating fashion with four minutes left after an abject display, was also alleged to have been criticised by Keane for his part in the goals United conceded.

Keane mad outburst open possible exit door

2005-11-01T22:34:00.000-08:00

UNITED'S troubles continued after skipper Roy Keane's blunt assessment of the Reds' rout at Middlesbrough was pulled from MUTV without explanation.

Manchester United captain Roy Keane could be sold in the January transfer window after his amazing attack on his teammates.

BECOME SOMEWHAT inevitable for Roy Keane to castigate his Manchester United team-mates in the wake of a disastrous performance and, more often than not, it has had the desired effect.

Criticising a team that knows only success for a heavy defeat is one thing, but condemning a once successful one short on confidence and dogged by self-doubt is another matter altogether.

Keane prides himself on winning at all costs — and United certainly need more leaders like him, as the 4-1 capitulation at the hands of Middlesbrough on Saturday proved — but after the club opted to pull the plug on an explosive interview the irascible Irishman conducted with MUTV, their in-house television station, it seems fair to ask whether the captain has finally overstepped the mark?

The colleagues Keane apparently identifies as the culprits for United’s deepening malaise will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief this morning that they have been spared a public humiliation, but the knowledge alone that their captain has condemned them could be enough to cause divisions in a team that, as Edwin van der Sar put it yesterday, is “not in the greatest spirits”.

Sir Alex Ferguson has always turned a blind eye to Keane’s blasts in the past, but as United prepare for two matches that threaten to make or break their season, even the man famous for giving players the “hairdryer” treatment might admit that now is the time for a little unity.

You do not become a United player by crumbling under pressure, but there are still “confidence” players in that squad, especially some of the younger ones, who could do with, if not an arm around their shoulder, certainly a few words of encouragement or reassurance.

Keane’s last real outburst came after the 2-0 defeat by Norwich City in April, when he questioned the commitment of a host of the United players.

After the 4-1 defeat by Manchester City in March last year he suggested “the futures” of some were at stake, and most famously, after the Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich in April 2001 he branded United an average team that had reached the end of the road.

Now, after naming five United players as not good enough for the club, his position at Old Trafford is almost untenable.

Keane targeted Alan Smith, John O'Shea, Kieran Richardson, Liam Miller and Darren Fletcher - and all will be furious with the Irishman when this information gets out.

They were named on an MUTV programme called Roy Keane Plays the Pundit in which he was asked to assess the humiliating 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

ALAN SMITH: He, in particular, will be dumbfounded at being singled out.

The ex-Leeds striker, 25, has been moved into Keane’s own midfield holding role in the captain’s absence.

His performances and application have been praised by the manager but Keane clearly feels that, while he can play a role for the club, it should not be as the next Keane.

JOHN O’SHEA: The utility defender, 24, will have previously put himself down as a friend of Keane’s as they were in the Irish squad together.

Undoubtedly, he has dipped from his first full season in 2002-03.

KIERAN RICHARDSON: The England wing ace, 20, is one of the bright young stars coming through at United.

He was sent out on loan to West Brom last season and was instumental in helping them stay up.

Ferguson was so impressed he blocked his ex-captain Bryan Robson from signing him permanently and recalled him. But Keane says Richardson’s attitude is wrong and he should have been sold to the Baggies.

LIAM MILLER: Is also an ex-Ireland team-mate of Keane’s. The midfielder, 24, was bought as a possible long-term replacement for the captain.

But he has been a disappointment starting only 10 games. In this case, Keane was only saying what many fans have been thinking.

DARREN FLETCHER: The Scotland midfielder, 21, also been singled out for praise by the manager of late.

But the jury is still out on whether he has the talent for United. Keane has clearly delivered his verdict — No.

Fergie himself has never been one to single out individuals for criticism.

Indeed, he has emphasised the team ethic since he walked through the doors of Old Trafford exactly 19 years ago. Admittedly, he was furious with Saturday’s display at The Riverside.

Ferguson locked the players in the dressing room for 40 minutes after the Boro defeat and tore into them.

In the past he has been happy for Keane to then go one step further by being his public mouthpiece. But this latest blast was too much for the boss.

United are now in disarray both on and off the field.

The rot started to set in last season. Indeed in their last 20 league games, going back into last season, they have dropped 27 points.

They are now 13 points behind Chelsea with no hope of contending for the title and they face Lille in Paris tomorrow with their Champions League future hanging in the balance.

They have drawn two and won one of their group games and have tough matches against Benfica in Lisbon and at home to Villarreal also to come.

Their performance in the 0-0 home draw with French club Lille was viewed by many as one of their worst European performances at Old Trafford in the club’s history.

This latest Keane controversy will now shake what were already unstable foundations at the club.

And all this with Chelsea the next Premiership visitors on Sunday.

The Glazers must be wondering what they bought.'

The show was recorded yesterday afternoon but was so strong in its criticism the station decided to show it to manager Alex Ferguson. He immediately blocked the programme, scheduled for a 5.30pm slot, from being shown.

Keane is currently injured with a broken foot and is understood to have watched the game on a short break in Dubai with team-mate Ryan Giggs, who is also out injured.

Still fuming, Keane flew back primed and ready to keep his appointment with the TV channel.

In the past, Keane has criticised some of the young players over their focus and hunger.

But this outburst went way beyond anything he has come out with before.

The injured Irishman was called upon to analyse the horror show during the regular 'Plays the Pundit' programme, and filmed the programme at United's Carrington training ground on Monday lunchtime.

It is thought the veteran Irishman, currently sidelined with a broken foot, offered his usual blunt assessment of United's tepid performance, widely acknowledged by supporters to be the worst since the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City four years ago after which Sir Alex Ferguson famously threatened to throw open the dressing room doors so fans could tell his players what they thought.

But it appears Keane's condemnation was too vicious for some senior members of the Red Devils' hierarchy, who ordered the half-hour programme to be scrapped.

Instead, MUTV executives were forced to show academy action, offering no explanation for the precise reason behind the swift programme change.

United officials offered no comment either, while sources close to Keane claimed no knowledge of the editorial decision.

According to those who were present, it became obvious within 10 minutes that the interview would be "explosive even by his standards" and beyond editing.

On numerous occasions he was invited to tone down his words but the man who once claimed there was nobody in the Old Trafford dressing room whom he considered a friend continued to condemn Ferguson's players. He accused individuals of playing with their reputations, of not trying and of not understanding the principles of the club. "His attitude stinks" is a phrase that was apparently used. Ferguson's use of Smith in midfield was also thought to have been questioned.

It remains to be seen how Keane, currently recuperating from a broken foot, will react to the interview being pulled when he clearly wanted his feelings to be known. Gill is thought to have tried to contact the United captain to explain his reasoning.

Although Keane has been outspoken in the past, he has always argued that his criticism of players is constructive. It could be more divisive in terms of dressing-room morale that his colleagues will now be wondering what has been said about them.

United's hierarchy, in turn, are appalled that the club captain could be so condemnatory of his colleagues and willing, apparently, to create the impression that the club is in disarray.

They believe his tirade would have done more harm than good and there was no way they could allow the screening an interview that effectively amounted to a calculated attack on attitude, morale and work ethic. The club desperately wanted to keep the matter from the press and MUTV officials have been ordered to make no comment.'

Other than criticising Ferguson or new owner Malcolm Glazer, it is difficult to imagine what ground Keane could have covered which he has not done before.

He has previously used the MUTV platform to condemn the attitude of some younger members of the United squad, while in a recent live phone-in, he stated his belief this season would be his last at Old Trafford.

Such an obvious silencing is not likely to enhance the prospects of Ferguson persuading his influential skipper to sign a one-year extension to his current deal, which expires in the summer.

Instead, it was striker Ruud van Nistelrooy who was left to offer their verdict on the miserable performance on Teesside, which came just four days before the Champions League encounter with Lille and eight days ahead of the crucial Old Trafford showdown with runaway leaders Chelsea.

"There is a very negative feeling after Saturday," Van Nistelrooy told MUTV.

"You can talk about what went wrong for hours and that's what we've done with everybody involved. We've watched the game back and I think we just have to look forward to Wednesday now.

It doesn't matter what people write [in the papers] we know we have to perform week in, week out. We all win together and we all lose together.

We must prove the Boro game was a one-off incident and we've got the opportunity to do that against Lille. We can't change what happened [at Middlesbrough].
We were all disappointed and it was a bad performance.

We didn't do ourselves or the fans justice and overall it was a bad day. We have to prove it was a one-off incident and we've got the opportunity to do that on Wednesday and I think everyone's ready to show that.

The Lille match is a massive game for us and we have to make sure we do things better than on Saturday. We know we've been without a lot players [through injury] but their absence means other players have the chance to prove they're part of a good United team and we'll all be trying to do that on Wednesday."

Gordon:Rio will bounce back

2005-11-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

FORMER Reds star Gordon McQueen insists the Premiership crunch with Chelsea provides the ideal opportunity for under-fire Rio Ferdinand to bounce back to form.

There has been talk of Ferdinand losing his place in the United side following his woeful display at Middlesbrough.

Sir Alex Ferguson's £29.1million record signing was at fault for Boro's second and fourth goals as United crashed to a 4-1 defeat that leaves them 13 points adrift of Jose Mourinho's men ahead of next weekend's Old Trafford encounter.

A chronic lack of obvious alternatives suggests Ferdinand will be in the side that attempts to redeem some of their shattered reputation by beating Lille on Wednesday.

And if the 27-year-old comes through that test unscathed, McQueen reckons Ferdinand should look forward to Chelsea's visit with relish.

"Rio is suffering from a clear lack of confidence," said McQueen, who made 228 appearances during a seven-year stint with the Red Devils.

"I know he is a laid-back character but I am sure he will be hurting inside but what better game to try and start to turn things round than Chelsea?

"If he can go out and have a really strong game against them, it could really have an impact on his overall performances. I truly believe it is a great game for Rio at this moment in time."

Status

Although he accepts Ferdinand is not having the best of times just now, McQueen believes some of the criticism directed at the England star is over the top and mainly due to his status as one of the highest earners in United's squad.

The former Scotland centre-half is adamant there is nothing significantly wrong with Ferdinand's game, but he does feel the Londoner would be well advised to adopt a more orthodox approach to his defensive duties until he emerges from his current trough.

"Rio needs to get back to basics," said McQueen.

"We all know he is the type of defender who likes to read a game, then try and nick the ball away from a forward.

"But when things are not going well for you, you just need to concentrate on clearing your lines, then you can set yourself again.

"It seems to me he is bearing the brunt of a series of poor performances by Manchester United, probably because he is high profile and earns big money.

"But people have to recognise those two things do not make you immune from a loss of confidence."

Changes

While McQueen does have some sympathy for Ferdinand, it does not extend to being able to cite numerous defensive changes this season as a reason for his poor form.

Long-term injuries to Gary Neville, Gabriel Heinze and Quinton Fortune, the shorter term absences of Mikael Silvestre and Kieran Richardson, plus the departure of Phil Neville for Everton have left Ferguson swapping his rearguard on almost a game-by-game basis since the season began.

"It is not easy when a defence is being changed all the time like that but you can't use that as an excuse and I am pretty sure Rio wouldn't either," said McQueen.

"After all, it is only a year since his partnership with Mikael Silvestre was being compared to that of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister."

Instead, McQueen believes problems in the Old Trafford camp which see United languishing outside the top five are being heightened by Chelsea's remarkable start.

"Let's face it, if it wasn't for Chelsea, people would be talking about this season being the best in Premiership history," he said.

"But, after all the success they have had, Manchester United fans find it hard to take that their side is clearly second best, and maybe not even that."

Best condition Improving

2005-11-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Manchester United hero George Best is able to leave his hospital bed and speak to family and friends as his surgeon said his condition was "greatly improved".

Professor Roger Williams said Best was "out of bed and sitting up talking" but would remain in intensive care for at least several days.

Best's manager Phil Hughes added that the star was in "incredible pain".

The 59-year-old is trying to recover from life-threatening infections that spread to his kidneys and other organs.

Professor Roger Williams, who oversaw his liver transplant three years ago, earlier said he was pleased with his progress and remained hopeful.

"[It's] a big move forward from yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before, so all in all its going very well," he said.

"The kidneys are working reasonably well. To sit him out of bed after the last few days... is a measure of just how much he has improved.

"If he goes on like this, without any setbacks or new complications, we really are very hopeful."

Edwin:It was my error

2005-11-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

REDS stopper Edwin van der Sar has accepted the blame for Middlesbrough's opener in United's Riverside horror show.

The giant Dutchman has performed superbly since arriving at Old Trafford from Fulham in a £2million deal this summer, making a string of key saves.

But the 34-year-old admitted he blundered in his attempts to keep out Gaizka Mendieta's long-range strike just two minutes into the 4-1 hammering, a mistake which set the tone for a truly awful performance.

"The ball swirled a little but I should have saved it," said Van der Sar.

"That is not a good situation to start with and it all started to go wrong from that goal."

Hurts

United's patchy form could have been far worse were it not for the Dutchman's intervention this season - but after Saturday's defeat, he admitted United's players are hurting from the result.

"It hurts quite a lot," he said.

"It is a team game but we made a lot of individual errors and that cost us dearly.

"There is not much we can say, and I don't have to tell you what the manager was like after the game. It is quite obvious how he and the players feel.

"We are not in the greatest spirit at the moment but we have to analyse what went wrong and somehow start to focus on Wednesday's game against Lille.

"Hopefully we can pick up something from that game which we can take into the Chelsea match."

Ferguson convinced He Will Manage Rooney for another three years

2005-11-01T02:08:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists he's the best man to get the most out of star striker Wayne Rooney.

Rooney's temper has exploded again recently but the Manchester United boss is backing the youngster to come through it.

He said: "He has forgotten about being an idiot, but we will have to wait to know what his true destiny will be.

"I am giving myself another three years to have a precise idea of that.

"Wayne is like Keane, Cantona, Hughes, Ince and Robson. He is a warrior, and warriors boil over at times.

"It will take time for him to handle his progress towards maturity.

"He belongs to the family of those who are 'alone against the rest of the world'. For him, the world is black or white. He must understand that injustice is part of life at times."

That is where Fergie, who started his working life in a Glasgow shipyard, believes he is just the man to fashion Rooney's thinking.

He explained: "A Liverpool docker who cannot find work, isn't that an injustice? Through my own social origins, I can perhaps understand Wayne a little better.

"But that does not mean I will indulge him. He will get no favours here.

"I will never punish a player because of red cards received for hard tackles. On the other hand, elbows, insults and losing control - then that's another matter.

Ferguson looking at Duscher In January

2005-11-01T02:05:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to splash out on Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Aldo Duscher.

The People says Ferguson is convinced Argentina international Duscher is the holding midfielder he needs and will move for him in the January market, says the People.

Duscher is available for £6 million from Depor as president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro seeks to raise cash to fund a striker swoop for coach Joaquin Caparros.

Newcastle have also been linked with Duscher, who has claimed to have already spoken with Toon representatives.

Ferguson In Sack Crisis

2005-11-01T02:02:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a massive test to hang onto his job.

Ferguson has never seen a greater danger of staying in charge at United since 1990.

His greatest burden is that he has no clear exit strategy, other than regaining the European Cup and then riding off into a livid sunset.

It's reported that Ferguson enjoys less support on the Stretford End than he did when threatening resignation four years ago, but it would be wrong for the board to believe any move to sack the Scot would be greeted favourably.

Ferguson has ruled out a role 'upstairs' as a football director, which would also limit the club's search for his successor. But he has expressed interest in an ambassador's role, travelling the world to promote the club.

'Sir Alex Ferguson thought he had completely withdrawn his resignation in 2002 but it has really lain in the pending tray of public opinion ever since. Once the Manchester United manager had opened the question of the Old Trafford succession he could not close it down again. With just one Premiership title in the past four seasons there has been no way to restore the hush of dumbstruck respect. Now the volume of the debate has been turned up by the 4-1 strafing of his team at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

He was stolid on the bench but this was probably the restraint of a man scared to let loose a ravening anger before the cameras. He confined himself later to formulaic words about the reaction expected against Lille in Paris tomorrow evening. The time for such simple answers, however, is long gone. Should Ferguson's side win this Champions League group fixture the level of faith in United will barely ripple at all.
He must know what is happening because he presides over a situation remarkably similar to the one he inherited when he got the job in 1986. Then, as now, some extremely good footballers were sprinkled through a squad that could not be trusted to win with any regularity. Then, as now, a dilettante air suited the side to the knockout tournaments. This, too, was an era when a United manager could at least stave off the sack with that sort of trophy, as Ron Atkinson proved for a while.

Ferguson, always a student of football history, will be unable to stop himself from seeing the parallels between his present team and the FA Cup winners of 1985. For Wayne Rooney, Atkinson had Norman Whiteside, the 20-year-old scorer of a ravishing extra-time winner against Everton in the final. Roy Keane, bombarded by injury, can be treated as a counterpart to Bryan Robson, whose dislocated shoulder was a major topic on the sporting scene when Ferguson was appointed.

The Scot had to rid the club of some dazzling yet rogue talents and merge those who could be trusted with worthwhile newcomers he had unearthed. Ferguson must reflect, too, how perilous an exercise it was as his career came close to tumbling into a ravine during the wild ride on hairpin bends to the 1990 FA Cup success. If the Glazers permit him to keep his post, he will have to do it all again, and this time, with Chelsea around, it is bound to be an even more taxing project.

There might be no one at all in the football world who can pull off that mission, and Ferguson, at 63, cannot possess the galvanic energy of his youth any longer. Despite the protestations that he is as engaged as ever, it is hard to accept that he would always have delegated as much power to previous assistants as he has vested in Carlos Queiroz. Ferguson should have misgivings, too, because the current difficulties are arising after he has already spent much time and money on reshaping the squad.

The manager has had his misfortunes but he cannot count on ever again having a dependably healthy Keane in the line-up and, outstanding as they are, Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze will not be able to transform results from full-back when they return. The greatness of Ferguson had already been established at Aberdeen, with victory over Real Madrid in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final, but the revitalisation of United also tapped into a vein of good luck.

No amount of diligence guarantees the emergence of the sort of brilliant generation that included David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. The tale of the past few years has been composed of Ferguson's efforts to purchase players who could replace them or lighten their load. The results are patchy. Juan Sebastián Verón, Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba have all been discarded and, at present, there is a crater where the midfield should be. Fielding Alan Smith there ought to be a pet project reserved for sleepy nights in the Carling Cup, but Ferguson desperately needs to see it work immediately in the big-time.

There is scant proof that the Glazers, having raised some £790m for their takeover, can afford a sustained additional investment in fresh players. No manager can even count on the intangible benefits of goodwill since the world at large will watch United being crushed by an even more materialistic Chelsea and reckon they had it coming to them. The likelihood grows that the manager, amid a flurry of euphemism, will be removed next year.