MANCHESTER UNITED...the RED DEVILS march on !!!

[kueytoc]

Rooney facing toughest decision of career

Reuters - Thursday, October 21

By Martyn Herman

LONDON - From the moment he curled in a sensational winner for Everton against Arsenal five days before his 17th birthday in 2002, Wayne Rooney's life changed forever.

Desperate for another match-winner in the mould of Paul Gascoigne, fans and pundits alike immediately hailed him as the future of English football, and over the next few years in which he moved to Manchester United he did not disappoint.

Unlike the carefully manicured image of David Beckham, Rooney was raw and wild at times and played football as if he was still on the streets with his pals in Merseyside.

Eight years on, after the worst period of his career on and off the pitch, Rooney appears to be disenchanted with the game and has reached a self-inflicted crossroads.

His next decision will be the most important of his life.

Tuesday's extraordinary news conference by shell-shocked Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in which the Scot spoke candidly about Rooney's desire to quit Old Trafford sent shockwaves around the footballing world.

Rumours of huge wage demands immediately pointed the 24-year-old's likely future towards United's mega-rich rivals Manchester City -- a move that were it to happen would turn him into a pariah in the red half of town.

"If he thought he already lived in a goldfish bowl then that would be nothing compared to if he went to City," Sammy McIlroy, who played for both club, told the BBC Wednesday.

"It's an unbelievable situation. Carlos Tevez has done the same thing and at the moment has done very well.

"But to go just across the water with the fans at United loving him, he could be in for a rough ride."

Tevez made the move from United to City in 2009 but was largely forgiven by United fans, who realised the Argentine's hand had been forced by the Old Trafford money-men.

If Rooney were to defect, he would have no such sympathy and any flirtation with who Ferguson once described as the "noisy neighbours" down the road would make the next few months almost impossible for him at Old Trafford.

ROONEY'S CALL

City manager Roberto Mancini insisted there had been no contact with Rooney Wednesday but the speculation will multiply before the January transfer window unless the player either pledges himself to United or spells out his wishes.

Ferguson cleverly left the ball firmly in Rooney's court on Tuesday and the striker will have to make his intentions clear, sooner rather than later.

Paul Ince, another former United midfielder who discovered that you cross Ferguson at your peril, believes Rooney was not interested in the 200,000 pounds per week pay packet City could offer and may just be fatigued at carrying the hopes of his country and his club on his shoulders.

"I think there is more to it than money," Ince, who left United to join Inter Milan and later played for Liverpool, told BBC Radio. "It's never been about money with Wayne, it's been about his hunger for the game.

"We as a nation put a lot of pressure on Wayne Rooney leading up to the World Cup.

"We forget he's only 24 and that is a lot of pressure to take. Maybe he feels the best thing to do would be to go another country and start another life.

"I for one went to Inter Milan and it was the best thing I ever did to be away from everyone and concentrate on my family and my football."

"He's having a tough period at the moment but he's still a great player and he's not even reached his peak yet."

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Papers: What ya gonna Roo?

Wed, 20 Oct 09:30:00 2010

It's a predictable Roo-fest in today's papers as the British press wonder what the next step is for Manchester United - and Sir Alex Ferguson - following the inevitable exit of Wayne Rooney.

You don’t have to be interested in football to know that - off the back of a rotten World Cup - the out-of-form, half-fit Rooney has asked to leave Old Trafford.

Following Fergie’s agreement to an exit provided there was "no nonsense from the lad" there has indeed been nonsense, with Rooney on the pitch in name only and publicly questioning his manager off it, leading the wily old Scot to explain that he asked to quit the club as early as August 14.

The left-wing Daily Mirror tabloid has gone so far as to make it the front-page lead, which is strange given a double Tory whammy of sweeping budget cuts and a hospitalised Maggie Thatcher.

"Roo Greedy Fool", it yelps, adding that the England striker has "no Roospect" as he engineers an £80 million transfer.

The Daily Star speculates that the split could lead a "shattered and emotional" Sir Alex to quit management after realising that the gaffer is no longer number one - even at Old Trafford.

An "out of control" Roo thinks he’s "above the law" and has "betrayed" United, according to Star columnist Brian Woolnough. He "owes them an explanation" after provoking an "irretrievable split".

All the above griping skirts over the fact that exactly the same thing happened when Rooney left Everton for United a few years back. Karma has a funny way of nipping away at you, and if Rooney does indeed buy his contract out for £5m using the Webster-Arrest clause then United will have been well and truly bitten.

So, what next?

First off, who to sell him to? Pretty much every rag has trotted out the usual suspects of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Internazionale and (gulp) Manchester City as, frankly, only they can afford them, although realistically Inter cannot compete because they lack the sugar daddy of City or Chelsea, or the tax-breaks given to foreign players in Spain.

We can discount Harry Redknapp’s cheeky coveting of the player, while whispers of Liverpool’s new owners preparing a headline-grabbing coup are nothing short of ridiculous given their footballing predicament.

The Star claims that Rooney has already decided where he wants to go - City - while the Daily Mail reckons Chelsea will loosen the purse-strings once more with Roman Abramovich ready to make him the world’s highest-paid player.

The concern that he may switch to United’s bitter city rivals is raised by the Daily Express too, which claims they will give him £250,000 a week (a quarter of a million!!) over five years.

The Mirror sagely points out that, while the Eastlands club may be able to double or triple his wages, his strength as a brand and therefore his overall earning power will be damaged, meaning he will make less overall - a posh-sounding sponsorship guru called Rupert said so.

If indeed it’s all about cash, he would best be served by a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid, because foreign executives (including footballers) pay half the income tax they would in the UK or indeed anywhere else in the civilised world.

This means that Madrid, for example, would only need to offer him £150,000 a week to match City’s £230-250k, and that’s without the bumper image and sponsorship cuts he will get at the world’s biggest club (sorry United).

The Sun agrees in part, pointing out that Jose Mourinho’s claim that Rooney would stay at United was tempered by a cheeky aside to call him if things don’t work out.

The same paper’s famed United 'insider' also claims that "we'll do everything possible to stop (a sale to City)", adding that - despite having the likes of David Villa and Lionel Messi at the club - Barcelona could be in for Rooney after Pep Guardiola hailed him as "one of the greatest players in the world". They seem to forget though that Barca are in a similar cashflow position to United, and are in the process of suing the former board over financial mismanagement. Oops.

The Mail also reckons that Fergie is keen to drive the transfer to Madrid or Barca so as to prevent a Premier League rival exploiting his loss. Their resident sage, the ever-wise Martin Samuel, fires a warning shot to Rooney about joining City.

"Sol Campbell was not out and about in North London at the time he exchanged Tottenham Hotspur for Arsenal. He could disappear to a part of the city where nobody cared what colour his shirt was. Manchester-based players, like those in Liverpool and Glasgow, do not have this option."

Our conclusion? A head-to-head between City and Madrid, with Madrid offered a discount to shoo City away while Garry and the Arabs throw in a private security team as part of their deal.

Secondly, who would replace him? Assuming United get the £70m+ mooted by most papers, whoever the heck Fergie wants.

A factor favouring a Madrid move is that they have additional collateral - top players - that would sweeten a transfer (Mail).

United have always liked bench-warming France striker Karim Benzema, while Gonzalo Higuain would be the man who makes way for Rooney in the first XI.

They could also ask for Kaka, with Ferguson keen for some creativity in a midfield over-reliant on the flagging legs of Paul Scholes.

The thing is though that United far prefer signing relative unknowns for smaller fees and developing them into big stars, getting value prospects and coaching them into greats.

And with £70m (minus the £10m commission paid to Everton) they could create a whole new generation at the club.

That’s enough of Rooney for now.

As if further evidence was needed that City’s owners like to burn money, Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson could be headed for Eastlands in a £15m deal (Mirror). United also want the England U21 winger, and will offer the permanent signing of on-loan striker Danny Welbeck or even out-of-favour midfielder Michael Carrick, which seems unlikely.

[kueytoc]

Not so soonzzz rascal.

End of an era for United

Wed Oct 20 09:03AM

This feels like the end.

The end of Manchester United's mastery of English football. Wayne Rooney is only one player, but his desire to leave the club is laden with far greater significance.

These things creep up on you. There was no precise moment at which Liverpool's era of dominance was declared over.

But one morning they woke up and it was five years since they had won the league. Then 10. Soon it will be 20.

Arsenal's Invincibles did not stage a farewell gig, but slowly drifted away. Suddenly you looked at the team sheet and there was no Henry, no Pires, no Vieira. In fact, none of the players who starred in that magnificent side. And no silverware on the sideboard.

Look, we all know about how Ferguson cut ties with Paul Ince, David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy, and emerged triumphant into an even more trophy-filled future.

But this time it feels different. Rooney is far and away United's best player. Or at least an in-form Rooney is.

After him, who are United's most influential players? Ryan Giggs (36), Paul Scholes (35), Edwin van der Sar (39) and Rio Ferdinand (31). (Incidentally, by some freak of the calendar, all four players have their birthday in the next six weeks.)

Whether or not Rooney goes, they have some serious rebuilding to do.

Lose their talisman, and they will be without a world class player they simply do not have the clout to replace.

They might get £50 million for Rooney, but what use is that when you cannot spend it?

Let us not forget United swear blind they still have the £80m from the Cristiano Ronaldo sale to splash out when the right player comes along.

That money remains untouched - which means we can only conclude none of their prospective big-name targets wants to join them, or their clubs are charging a prohibitive fee.

United were criticised for not getting in the game when Mesut Ozil became available. But when Real Madrid registered their interest, was he really going to go anywhere else?

There is cash in the bank. The unpalatable truth for fans is that if United had the wherewithal to sign Kaka, Ribery or Sneijder they would already have done so.

So what is left? Well, they might get Karim Benzema, a wayward youth with a bad attitude and prostitute-related personal issues. Sounds familiar...

That is why United must put their anger and sense of betrayal to one side and try to thrash out a deal with Rooney.

He might have been presented as treacherous and unprofessional, but he only needs to put pen to paper and all will be forgiven, if not forgotten.

Anyone surprised by Fergie's lack of righteous fury in yesterday's statement to the press hasn't been paying attention.

He can be ruthless, no doubt. But only when it suits him.

Ince was axed to make way for Paul Scholes, and Beckham for Cristiano Ronaldo. Both upgrades.

There was no replacement for Stam beyond an ancient Laurent Blanc, and the consequence was a disastrous season. Ferguson learned his lesson, and the following summer bought Ferdinand.

Keane and Van Nistelrooy were both past their peak, and had become disruptive. Theirs was no great loss.

Much less well documented have been the occasions when Ferguson has opted for reconciliation.

After the triumphant 1998/99 treble-winning season, Keane ('Players are pieces of meat, that's how I look at it') openly considered a lucrative move to Juventus or Bayern Munich.

Fergie broke the bank - and the club's wage structure - by handing his captain a massive £52,000-a-week contract. Although United exacted a small measure of revenge by blaming Keano for the hike in season ticket prices.

And what about when Ferdinand returned from his eight-month suspension for missing a drugs test armed with demands for a massive £120,000-a-week contract?

A messy dispute played out, Ferdinand was booed, but Fergie - chastened perhaps by the Blanc shambles - acquiesced and settled for a £100,000-a-week deal which means he is still the club's highest-paid player.

2000 Keane and 2005 Ferdinand were too important to let go.

And it is hard to argue that 2010 Rooney - the one who scored 18 goals in 14 games before that fateful ankle tweak in Munich - is not more important than both.

And how about Cristiano Ronaldo, whose interminable flirting with Real Madrid became a colossal distraction?

Fergie did not cut his star man adrift. Instead he cut a deal in 2008 that ensured Ronaldo got the move he wanted and United got the right price, plus another year's service into the bargain.

Even though their player wanted out, United stayed in front of the problem, kept him happy enough and reached an outcome that worked for all parties.

That is obviously not the case this time. Rooney's announcement has come out of the blue.

Or rather, it came out of the blue in August - incidentally, five days before Rooney's representative told the Daily Telegraph's Paul Kelso talk of a move to City was "complete bollocks".

Rooney's motive has not yet been properly established, which may be the most depressing thing of all for United.

Maybe he doesn't need a motive. Gareth Barry and James Milner didn't need motives to leave Aston Villa for Manchester City.

Maybe Rooney and his advisors have simply looked at the next five years and asked themselves which team offers the greatest potential for earning money and winning trophies.

Maybe United have rejoined the ranks of normal clubs.

They remain a money-making machine, but their crippling debt and payments relating to a bond issue turned a £100m profit into an £80m loss this year.

And if they stop winning things, they will stop making money. And if they stop making money, how will they spend enough to win anything?

Manchester United are at risk of spiralling down a vortex that could end their unprecedented run of glory.

Ferguson may never fully knock Liverpool off "their f***ing perch", as the two clubs remain level on 18 league titles each.

It may be decades before somebody breaks the tie.

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Rooney: What the managers say

Wed, 20 Oct 09:51:00 2010

Who is interested in buying England striker Wayne Rooney after he told Manchester United he wants to leave Old Trafford?

Responses from top managers:

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid: "He belongs to Manchester United. He belongs to Old Trafford. If at the end of the day Manchester United decide he wants to leave, give me a call. I like him, I like Sir Alex. I think the best thing for him is to stay there for life. He will stay at Old Trafford for sure."

Pep Guardiola, Barcelona: "He is one of the greatest players in the world as there are very few players with his qualities. He's a player I admire very much."

Roberto Mancini, Manchester City: "Rooney is a great player but I think he'll stay at United. He's an important player for United. He is a United player. It's not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for (Alex) Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players. It's not my problem. I'm City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It's important for me to focus on tomorrow's game. He is a strong player like (Fernando) Torres, like (Lionel) Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like (Mario) Balotelli. This is my opinion."

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal: "Has somebody opened the transfer window? We are not in the transfer market at the moment and we are not interested in buying anybody. We have plenty of players. It's a story I'm happy to read in the newspapers but I'm happy to keep out of it. That means we are not buying anybody, we have enough strikers."

Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur: "I'm going to speak to my chairman to see if we can get Rooney to Tottenham but I doubt very much whether that will happen. These things need to come out into the open sometimes. The game belongs to the people and the people should know what happens more in football."

Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea: "I probably will have to answer this question a lot in the future so I want to make it clear now. I don't want other coaches talking about my players and I have a lot of respect for Manchester United and their manager Alex Ferguson that prevents me from discussing Rooney's situation."

Reuters

[kueytoc]

Rooney should not move across town, say Man City fans

Wed, 20 Oct 17:47:00 2010

Wayne Rooney wants to leave Manchester United but fans of big-spending rivals Manchester City are unlikely to lay down the welcome mat for the England striker at Eastlands.

City, thanks to their mega-rich owners, are one of few clubs in the world with deep enough resources to buy Rooney, or afford his wages.

City coach Roberto Mancini said he has had no contact with United about bringing their unsettled forward across to the blue half of the city and many fans are hoping it stays that way.

"We don't need to spend anymore, we need this team to settle," Jacqui Grant, who was shopping in central Manchester wearing a City sweatshirt, told Reuters on Wednesday.

The world's richest club have spent more than 300 million pounds ($471.7 million) building a team since being taken over two years ago, bringing in the likes of forwards Emmanuel Adebayor, David Silva and ex-United striker Carlos Tevez.

"Rooney shouldn't come to City, we got away with it with Tevez, but this could cause a lot of trouble, a lot of unrest in the city of Manchester," added Grant.

"I don't like him as a guy, he can't play at the moment, he had a bad World Cup, he's not going to help us."

Her 16-year-old daughter Beth is a United fan and even she did not want Rooney to stay at Old Trafford after a poor start to the season.

"He's rubbish, nobody wants him. He should play in the reserves after saying he wants to leave. I won't be cheering him if he wears the shirt for the first team," she said.

"What's the point in buying an out of form player with personal problems for what will probably end up being a record transfer fee?" said office worker Paul Davis. "We don't want him and we don't need him."

After a miserable World Cup as well as allegations about his private life splashed across the newspapers week after week, Rooney's stock has fallen although his class is not in question after a 34-goal season last year.

"He's not as good a player as last season. He thought he was bigger than the club and that doesn't work here," said Pedro, a United fan who declined to give his second name as he walked past Old Trafford heading for a few pre-match drinks before Wednesday's Champions League match against Bursaspor.

"He has played himself into a transfer that he wanted -- he's been putting in some dreadful performances this year.

"Alex Ferguson is right not to let him get away with it. It all goes a way to explaining our start to the season."

Amid all the talk of Rooney heading for the Old Trafford exit, there were a few fans who think it will not come to that.

"I don't think he will leave," said Samuele Omiecceoli, who had flown from his home in Italy to watch Wednesday's game.

"He will stay at United because many times there have been offers from big clubs like Real Madrid and he hasn't gone."

[kueytoc]

Why Rooney really wants out

Wed Oct 20 12:52PM

Well no one saw that coming. When the football hacks gathered yesterday for Sir Alex Ferguson's Champions League press conference they expected the brush off. Any inquiry about Wayne Rooney they imagined would be dismissed with a curt sneer, an angry glare and the inevitable ban from future contact with the manager. Instead they got a six-minute confessional.

Fergie, calm, dignified, polite, explained with unprecedented openness precisely what was going on in Wayne's world. At times bewildered, at times disappointed, he bore the air of a father fundamentally let down by an errant offspring. It was a command performance of epic dimension. And like most great shows, it was beautifully deceptive.

Ferguson does not do anything by chance. And his pitch-perfect seizure of the moral high ground yesterday was played out across all the newspaper headlines this morning exactly as he would have wished. Until now, we were not sure who was to blame for the pain with Wayne.

Had Ferguson gambled once too often and jeopardised his legacy at United by confronting the fulcrum of his team? Surely a student of psychology as astute as he should be able to extract the best from such a talent without alienating him to the point of departure? Were the Glazers to blame for being too tight to meet his financial demands? Well, now we knew, it was none of the above: it was all the fault of Rooney and his shady advisers. Treachery was the common word in the headlines. And greed. And ungratefulness.

This is, however, thanks to Ferguson's candour, another way of looking at it. We now know Rooney wanted away as early as August 14, long before his exposure as an enthusiast for the services offered by world's oldest profession. Maybe, it is plausible to suggest, what happened then is that Rooney - far brighter than common misconception gives him credit - took a look round what was going on at Carrington and saw only the writing on the wall. No big signings had come in. Mesut Ozil and Rafael van der Vaart had gone elsewhere. The only newcomers into a squad in dire need of surgery he could see were Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez. Plus Bebe, for God's sake.

If you want to know what worried Rooney, it is all here on paper. In the Champions League final of 2008, the red front six was Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Hargreaves, Scholes and Carrick. Tonight against Bursaspor, the front six is probably going to be Berbatov, Hernandez, Nani, Fletcher, Park and Carrick. Anyone who suggests that is a mark of progress is clearly bonkers.

From his position on the inside, Rooney saw what was happening: United, their financial priorities entirely focussed on paying off debt, were no longer able to compete at the top. Simple as that. Even to utter the phrase Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez is to send a shiver of discomfort down the spine of any United fan. This should have been the core of their team for years to come, a trio to be mentioned in the same breath as Law, Best and Charlton. By January, all three will have gone. To lose one might be considered unlucky, two careless, but three is a woeful dereliction of duty. And it is not hard to see how it happened.

Sure Rooney is greedy. Sure his advisers give new definition to the term unscrupulous. But the critique inherent in his actions is clear: in today's game where loyalty has absolutely no traction, what holds a player to his club is its ambition. Rooney saw United's had dissipated in face of the priorities of feeding the debt. He didn't want to carry an ailing, diminishing side for the next five years. He wanted to win all that is going. And clearly he felt that he wouldn't do that at United. So he kissed the badge goodbye, a very modern morality tale.

And boy how he will be missed in the stands at Old Trafford. Without the white Pele what is there left to support? Apart from someone else's growing pile of debt, that is.

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Rooney: I'm leaving to win trophies

Wed, 20 Oct 17:41:00 2010

Wayne Rooney has cited Manchester United's lack of ambition as the reason why he wants to leave the club.

Rooney has released a statement in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's comments on Tuesday, with the striker reiterating his desire to leave Old Trafford in pursuit of silverware.

"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad," Rooney said in the statement.

"I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."

Rooney admitted he was surprised by the extended revelations provided by Ferguson, and sought to explain his reasons for wanting to depart the club.

The striker said he remains an admirer of the United boss, but is disillusioned by the future direction of the club.

"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it," he said.

"It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

Eurosport

[kueytoc]

Please shut the door behind you, Wayne

By Ewen Boey – October 21st, 2010

COMMENT

Loyalty, or the lack of it, has a funny way of biting you back in the behind.

Back in 2004, when Manchester United fans – me included – were celebrating the arrival of wonderkid Wayne Rooney, a Liverpool-supporter friend of mine made a remark that, at the time, seemed a little cryptic and tinged with jealousy.

“He wore a T-shirt that said ‘Once a Blue, always a Blue’, and yet he still left Everton,” he said.

Now, I have no choice but to bite the bullet and agree with him regarding Rooney’s back-stabbing ways.

I’ve been a long-time admirer of the England striker and his passion for the game has been a constant inspiration to fans the world over. By no means an angel off the field, his hard-running, badge-kissing celebrations and play-till-you-drop spirit made him a fan favourite throughout his past six years at Old Trafford.

But his reason for wanting to quit the club, pardon my French, stinks to high heaven.

Rooney’s declaration that “for me, it’s all about winning trophies” and his waning confidence in “the continued ability of the club to attract top players” is complete hogwash.

His bitterness is not something that developed overnight. After all, this is a player who just had the most prolific season of his career in the 2009/10 season.

If he was feeling so disgruntled about the club’s inability to attract top players, he should have just issued a “come-and-get-me plea” in the summer, saving the team and its fans the ongoing emotional turmoil right in the middle of the season.

The “ankle-gate” fiasco in which Rooney and his manager Sir Alex Ferguson both give contradicting accounts of the striker’s fitness in recent week? Mere smokescreen.

My guess as to the real reason why Rooney wants to leave — he had a bad, bad bust-up with Sir Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ask previous United players like Paul Ince, Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham – cross “headmaster” Fergie once and you’re out the door.

What caused the bust-up?

Are you kidding me? His cussing, smoking, whoring, hard-drinking and philandering behind his pregnant wife — pick any one or even combination of factors.

His rejection of the astronomical 150,000 (S$300,000) pound-a-week contract tabled before him at the start of the season could, just maybe, have been the final straw.

I’m not the only one disgusted by the once-a-hero, now-a-zero Man United superstar. Make no mistake, I really like the player, but the man is another matter altogether.

A sudden 180-degree turn in loyalty, an overflowing ego (even during a period of poor form), and greed that is becoming ever more apparent – Rooney’s questionable character is now clear for all to see.

“United have always traditionally relied upon bringing through youth players as well as investing in exciting young talent,” said my friend and fellow Red Devil of 16 years, Gregory Loo.

“Rooney and Ronaldo are products of that system and suggesting that the club hasn’t invested in big names is a hollow reason that spits in the face of those honoured traditions,” said the 26-year-old.

Online producer and another Man United supported, Benjamin Tan, 26, also feels betrayed.

“I feel betrayed. Of all the players, I thought Rooney played football for the pure love of the game, but right now, he isn’t any different from the next money-grabbing player who would jump ship for a greater fortune.”

Another Man United fan Nicholas Lee, 24, an educator, said, “I just think that under Fergie’s management, no player is allowed to be bigger than the team, and he had it coming with his ego beginning to play a part in everything. I think that given his poor form, the manager didn’t see that it was right for him to play, but he probably saw it as treading his ego as he thinks he is better than the rest.”

So what now?

As much as I don’t wish to see our star player leave, the man has lost all credibility, and his situation has now become untenable. Regardless of what the truth is, Rooney must leave the club pronto.

With a long line of clubs, from Barcelona and Real Madrid to Chelsea and Manchester City, there will be no shortage of suitors once the January transfer window opens.

But as another Red Devil, civil servant Lim En En, 26, so eloquently puts it, there will be no turning back.

“We’ll always warmly welcome back Beckham and even Ronaldo. But Rooney? Never. He messed up his own life and blamed the club for it. The fans won’t forget this.”

[kueytoc]

Rooney's explanation puts heat on United owners

Reuters - Thursday, October 21

MANCHESTER - Wayne Rooney turned the spotlight firmly on Manchester United's American owners on Wednesday when the striker blamed the club's lack of clout in the transfer market for his desire to quit Old Trafford.

A day after manager Alex Ferguson's candid news conference revealed that the 24-year-old wanted to leave, Rooney issued a statement explaining his reasons.

"I met David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad," the England striker said. "I then told him I would not be signing a new contract.

"For me it's all about winning trophies, as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified."

Ferguson responded to Rooney's statement by saying he would meet Gill on Thursday morning in a bid to avoid the whole issue dragging on.

"David has spoken to the owners tonight which is important. What is really important is for us to put it to bed, we don't want it to become a saga," Ferguson told a news conference after United's 1-0 win over Bursaspor in the Champions League.

Like the deposed Tom Hicks and George Gillett at Liverpool, the Glazer family are deeply unpopular among United's hardcore fans who blame the huge debts the Americans have amassed to buy the club for the steady stream of top players leaving.

Cristiano Ronaldo was followed by Carlos Tevez and Ferguson's replacements have not been of the same calibre.

FREE TRANSFER

The only strikers the Scot has bought in the last couple of years are Michael Owen on a free transfer and the unproven Mexican Javier Hernandez.

United have a gross debt of 522 million pounds and fans have mounted an ongoing protest against the Glazers, citing a lack of investment in the squad and rising ticket prices.

A protest march is planned before United's home match against Tottenham Hotspur next week while the Manchester United Supporters Trust issued a statement after the Rooney bombshell was announced.

"The contrast could hardly be starker between the owners at Manchester City who are pumping millions into their club while the Glazers are leaching huge amounts out of ours," their statement said.

"People talk about players being greedy with multi-million pounds contracts but those figures pale into insignificance compared with the hundreds of millions the Glazers have extracted from Manchester United through their takeover."

Rooney's statement was loaded with praise for Ferguson despite reports of a fall-out between the pair.

"I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18," said the striker whose contract runs out in June 2012.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one-off and a genius."

Rooney has scored only one goal for United this season, from the penalty spot, and his general form has been poor while allegations about his private life have filled the tabloid newspapers.

He also suffered a below-par World Cup in South Africa in June.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC," added Rooney in his statement.

"How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?"

[kueytoc]

Man Utd prepare crisis meeting over Rooney 'saga'

AFP - Thursday, October 21

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was preparing for a crisis meeting with club officials on Thursday, seeking a swift end to the saga of Wayne Rooney's departure.

Ferguson was due to meet United chief executive David Gill at 10:00 am (0900 GMT), one day after superstar Rooney confirmed his intention to quit the English football giants.

On Wednesday, Rooney, 24, said he was leaving because he believed the club was no longer able to match his ambition by being able to compete in the transfer market for the world's best players.

Rooney's comments effectively slammed shut any chance of the striker being able to settle his differences with club after Ferguson said on Tuesday the door was still open to a solution.

A furious Ferguson reacted by telling reporters following United's 1-0 Champions League victory Bursaspor that the club had called a meeting in order to "put the issue to bed."

"We don't want it to carry on. We don't want it to become a saga. We've got the team to consider," Ferguson said.

"That's going to be the end of it tomorrow (Thursday). We'll carry on and dismiss everything else. We'll put it to bed tomorrow."

Ferguson said Gill had spoken to United's American owners, the Glazer family, ahead of the meeting.

"David (Gill) has spoken to the owners tonight, which is important," Ferguson said. "And what is really important is for us to put this to bed."

Ferguson did not speculate on what course of action he may take but it now seems likely that Rooney has played his last game in a United shirt and that the club will seek to sell him as soon as the January transfer window opens.

Rooney, the figurehead of the United team and one of the world's most talented footballers, had stunned his employers by breaking off negotiations over a new contract and informing them he wished to leave.

With only 18 months left to run on his current 90,000-pounds-per week deal, United are now likely to offload Rooney as quickly as possible before his value, around 50 million pounds, begins to depreciate. Rooney would be able to leave United for free if he saw out the remainder of his contract.

Most reports have said that Manchester United's hated local rivals, Manchester City, are the favourites to sign Rooney.

City, owned by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, would comfortably be able to pay both the 50 million pound transfer fee and Rooney's salary demands, expected to be more than 200,000 pounds ber week.

Ferguson also warned Rooney that any move to a new club was unlikely to be an improvement on United, where he has already accumulated eight major trophies in the six years since he signed from Everton as a teenager in 2004.

"Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think its a better cow than the one youve got in your own field," Ferguson remarked.

"And it never really works out that way. Its probably the same cow or not as good as your own cow. Some players like to think that it's better somewhere else. It never really works."

[kueytoc]

Angry Fans Hold Protest At Rooney's House

3 hours 38 mins ago

© Sky News 2010

Wayne Rooney has been forced to call police after up to 30 fans gathered outside his house to protest his attempt to quit Manchester United.

Rooney contacted officers after the crowd gathered at his home in the village of Prestbury, Cheshire.

Police attended and sent the group on their way.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said the protesters "dispersed peacefully" and confirmed no offences had been committed.

The unrest came barely hours after United asked fans to be patient as they thrash out the future of the want-away striker.

An announcement was expected after talks between manager Sir Alex Ferguson, chief executive David Gill and the player's agent.

But the Old Trafford club has said there are "no developments of note to report".

On Tuesday Ferguson told reporters he wanted to "put the matter to bed" as soon as possible.

Instead, after a frantic day of comings and goings, United released a statement which only added to the confusion.

"We are aware that there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment, but there are no developments of note to report today," the statement said.

"I can confirm a number of meetings have taken place today, including with the player's representative.

"The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future. In the meantime, fans are asked to be patient."

Rooney has confirmed he will not be extending his contract at Old Trafford despite an offer to make him the highest-paid player in United's history.

He has reportedly been offered a new £150,000-a-week deal but turned it down, saying the club lacks ambition in the transfer market.

Ferguson has said he would like to keep the 24-year-old but a move to mega-rich Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona now seems likely.

Rooney's decision to quit Old Trafford follows a disappointing World Cup and lurid revelations about his private life.

His team-mates have said they will miss him - but will cope with his loss as they have with others in the past.

"There's been a few instances of big players leaving Manchester United but Manchester United goes on," said midfielder Darren Fletcher.

"It's the biggest club in the world. So you have to keep going and respond. The fans don't let you settle for anything other than winning."

Rooney has been a huge hit since joining United six years ago from Everton for £27m.

He has won international acclaim as well as numerous trophies and is the current PFA and football writers' Player of the Year.

[kueytoc]

United Patrol Rooney's Home After Protests

2 hours 14 mins ago

© Sky News 2010

Manchester United have sent a security team to patrol Wayne Rooney's house through the night after police were forced to break up a fans' protest outside his home.

private guards told Sky News officers will also make regular checks, hours after a crowd of up to 30 people had been cleared from the property.

Rooney called in police to deal with the group which had gathered in front of the electric gates entrance to his home in the village of Prestbury, Cheshire.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said the supporters, who are angered at the striker's attempts to quit the club, "dispersed peacefully" with no offences committed.

Ten private security officers have since been sent by United and, though quiet, lights remained on in the property's large front garden shortly before midnight.

It comes barely hours after the club urged fans to be patient as they thrash out the future of the want-away striker.

That advice clearly fell on deaf ears among a minority of the support.

Fans had expected some form of resolution after discussions between manager Sir Alex Ferguson, chief executive David Gill and Rooney's agent.

Sir Alex had spoken of his desire to "put (the matter) to bed", but the only statement issued from Old Trafford confirmed "no developments of note to report" after the talks.

After a frantic day of comings and goings, United's admission only added to the confusion.

"We are aware that there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment, but there are no developments of note to report today," the statement said.

"I can confirm a number of meetings have taken place today, including with the player's representative.

"The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future. In the meantime, fans are asked to be patient."

Rooney has confirmed he will not be extending his contract at Old Trafford despite an offer to make him the highest-paid player in United's history.

He has reportedly been offered a new £150,000-a-week deal but turned it down, saying the club lacks ambition in the transfer market.

Ferguson has said he would like to keep the 24-year-old but a move to mega-rich Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona now seems likely.

Rooney's decision to quit Old Trafford follows a disappointing World Cup and lurid revelations about his private life.

His team-mates have said they will miss him - but will cope with his loss as they have with others in the past.

"There's been a few instances of big players leaving Manchester United but Manchester United goes on," said midfielder Darren Fletcher.

"It's the biggest club in the world. So you have to keep going and respond. The fans don't let you settle for anything other than winning."

Rooney has been a huge hit since joining United six years ago from Everton for £27m.

He has won international acclaim as well as numerous trophies and is the current PFA and football writers' Player of the Year.

[kueytoc]

Rooney signs new deal in shock U-turn

By yahoosingapore – October 22nd, 2010

Agence France Presse

LONDON (AFP) – – Wayne Rooney performed a shock u-turn Friday by signing a new five-year contract with Manchester United just days after appearing to be on his way out of Old Trafford.

Rooney had rocked United on Wednesday by revealing that he wanted to leave the Premier League club because they no longer had enough ambition to compete for major honours.

However United reopened talks with Rooney’s agent and announced on Friday that the player had made an astonishing u-turn and opted to commit his long-term future to the club.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-year contract to stay at Manchester United until at least June 2015.

“The agreement follows intensive discussions between the Club and the player’s representatives and means that by the end of his contract Wayne will have been a Manchester United player for 11 years.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had already revealed earlier in the week that contract talks with Rooney had broken down in August and it seemed certain the former Everton star would be sold.

Ferguson said Friday he was delighted with Rooney’s decision: “It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.

“I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.

“I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”

Rooney had been increasingly linked with a move to arch local rivals Manchester City, prompting an angry reaction from fans.

One group protested at his house on Thursday and had to be moved on by police.

[kueytoc]

Wenger surprised Rooney remained at United

AFP - Saturday, October 23

LONDON (AFP) - – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he was surprised to hear that Wayne Rooney had agreed a new contract with Manchester United.

Rooney made a shock u-turn on Friday as he agreed the five-year deal just days after making it clear he wanted to leave United due to what he saw as the club's lack of ambition.

When United manager Sir Alex Ferguson went public with the club's dispute with Rooney, Wenger though the England striker was likely to be sold when the transfer window re-opened in January.

"Once the club came out and said that they couldn't find an agreement it was a message that they wanted to sell," Wenger said.

"Certainly Rooney has got the guarantees he wanted - you can translate that like you want, but that's it."

Wenger insisted that, unlike the rest of the football world, he was never fascinated by the saga.

"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was of no interest to me. When I saw the headlines I just turned the page," Wenger said.

"I was never really interested in that story because what happened with Wayne Rooney happens to every club, every year - plenty of times.

"Just because he has a different name it was certainly a story, but it is a super-classical story which happens in every club, every week, so I could never understand what was really special in this case."

Chelsea had been linked with a move for Rooney when news of his discontent first broke, but Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed he never expected the player to leave United.

"I'm not surprised," Ancelotti said. "Manchester United are happy to keep a fantastic player. I think that Rooney did a fantastic job for Manchester United and, in the future, I think he will do the same."

Meanwhile, former United midfielder Lou Macari believes Rooney will have to work hard to rebuild relationships with his team-mates.

"I'm shocked," Macari told Sky Sports News. "His statement was undermining the players, was undermining the manager.

"Saying that the manager's got no ambition and the clubs got no ambition and all that. You're pointing the finger at everyone at Manchester United, not just the owners in America.

"So there's a bit of rebuilding to be done. I think supporters hold the key to how well Wayne does in the future, whether they're going to forgive him and accept him back."

[kueytoc]

Carling Cup - Hernandez United's hero again

Tue, 26 Oct 22:05:00 2010

Javier Hernandez came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner and give Manchester United a 3-2 win over Wolves in the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.

All the action came in a thrilling second-half in which Bebe and Park Ji-Sung twice put United into the lead only to be pegged back by almost instant replies from George Elokobi and Kevin Foley.

With the clock ticking down and extra-time looming, substitute Hernandez, who score twice at Stoke at the weekend, stole the headlines once again with a classy run and fine finish and this time Wolves had no answer.

The result moves United into the quarter-finals of a competition that they have won three times in the last five years, though it was harsh on a Wolves side that showed not just admirable spirit, but no little lack of talent, with the jinking runs of Matt Jarvis in particular catching the eye.

Michael Owen's anticipated return from injury failed to materialise, so much of the pre-match interest centred around Portuguese striker Bebe, who was handed his first start for United since his £7.4m move in the summer.

He proved one of the liveliest, most-impressive performers in a first half that was admittedly badly lacking in inspiration and quality. Neither goalkeeper was genuinely tested, though Federico Macheda's 20th minute toe-poke through a defender's legs did at least warm the palms of Wayne Hennessey.

Perseverance and strong running from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher earned Wolves a succession of free-kicks around the area, though poor delivery let the hosts off the hook every time.

As if to make up for a yawn-inducing first half, the game exploded into life after the break, with both sides suddenly finding the way in behind each other's defences.

First Macheda curled a shot inches past the far post, before Darron Gibson struck a fierce free-kick from all of 35 yards that Hennessey could only gather at the second attempt.

Ebanks-Blake then drove a shot straight at Jonny Evans when left unmarked in the area, before United opened the scoring on the following attack through Bebe. The Portuguese winger once again forced his way past Elokobi on the right, before seeing his shot deflect over the stranded Hennessey. Foley raced back to head clear, though the assistant referee signalled that the ball had already crossed the line.

The lead lasted just three minutes however, as United's defence were twice caught napping. First Fabio da Silva managed to get his leg in the way of a Stephen Hunt drive after the Irishman was left totally free in front of goal, though there was no let off from the resultant corner, when Elokobi rose unchallenged to head home David Jones's corner.

With both defences all at sea, Hunt had another chance to get himself on the scoresheet after being expertly teed-up by Jarvis, though he could only skim his shot off the top of the bar, before Macheda blazed over on the half-volley from Bebe's cross moments later at the other end.

Park put the home side back into the lead, with a fine left-foot finish. The Korean was fortunate to see his pass to Macheda rebound back into his own path after a strong run at the Wolves defence, though his finish from just inside the area left Hennessey rooted to the spot.

Once again Wolves wasted no time in fighting back. Ebanks-Blake and Fletcher combined well to spread the ball to Foley on the right hand side of the area, and though the Irishman was forced to check his run, he turned expertly before finishing low past young United keeper Ben Amos.

Sir Alex Ferguson responded by throwing on Hernandez in place of Bebe, and the Mexican's impact on the game was instant, and almost decisive. He threaded a wonderfully measured through-ball into the path of the marauding Gabriel Obertan on the right, only for the Frenchman's shot to be well-blocked by Hennessey.

With the clock ticking down, Hernandez made the difference for his side once again. He latched onto a measured pass from Michael Carrick and ran straight at the Wolves defence, drew a challenge from Steven Mouyokolo, before shifting the ball onto his left foot and beating Hennessey with a cool chipped finish.

Michael FitzGerald / Eurosport

[kueytoc]

Don't generalise players - Owen

Wed, 27 Oct 12:32:57 2010

Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes professional footballers are increasingly at risk of being viewed unfavourably by the public.

The past few months have seen English football overwhelmed by a slew of negative headlines regarding the behaviour of some high earners in the Barclays Premier League. The enormous salaries commanded by players has also provoked the ire of the media and fans, with some commanding weekly wages in excess of £200,000 a week.

But Owen insists the sweeping generalisations are unfair on many professionals and he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "People like to judge footballers as a whole but I think that's pretty unfair."

Against the backdrop of the government's recent spending review, footballers have become an easy target for critics, with some quick to brand them as being out of touch with the rest of society.

Owen added: "Everyone's different. I've met some footballers that are absolutely fantastic people, are always visiting sick kids, they do things for charities, but they don't ask for any press coverage.

"They just go about it because they want to do it. Some don't, but that's not to say they're bad people. I think it's dangerous if you generalise and say 'all footballers are this, all footballers are that'.

"We're all individuals, we all do our different things, and the common thing is we all go out on a Saturday afternoon and play on the football pitch. But apart from that every footballer's different."

Owen also revealed he has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.

The striker was due to return for Tuesday night's Carling Cup fixture with Wolves at Old Trafford, but a hamstring tear is set to sideline him for a few more weeks.

He said: "I had a tight groin quite a while ago and then I trained for a week in preparing for the game (against Wolves), but had a setback in training with a different muscle injury, so unfortunately that ruled me out and is going to rule me out for a few weeks as well."

[kueytoc]

United keep reputation intact

Mon Oct 25 04:28PM

In his latest exclusive interview with Eurosport, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger discusses how important it was for Manchester United to keep hold of Wayne Rooney, and what would have been at stake for the club if he had left.

Were you surprised that Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United after the media talk?

It is a bit surprising because when you say publicly that your player is likely to leave, it means you have accepted the idea that he will do so.

A message to say: 'Come around the table, we are ready to sell the player.' So it is a bit surprising that they changed their mind.

It seems that United became aware of the consequences for the fans and the atmosphere inside the club if he did leave - especially considering the rise of Manchester City. It would have given them the reputation of being a declining club in comparison to the upwardly-mobile Citizens.

Afterwards, they had to take into account the impact signing Rooney to a new contract would have upon them, because it is going to be a big financial change. It means they have let Rooney have what he wants - and they are also going to be in trouble when it comes to renewing the contracts of the other players.

So the club's reputation was at stake?

When you let everybody know that you allowed your best player to leave at 25 years of age, rather than 30, it means that somehow there are clubs stronger than yours.

When you sell a player, you must consider what you are losing; the player himself, of course, but in addition all the consequences for people who follow the club. By that I mean the media, fans, the club's reputation and the indirect effect upon the other top players at the club, who may think: 'If the best players are leaving, what we are going to do now?'. So everyone at the club could start worrying.

Could the deal have been done in order to sell him for more money next June?

That is a really good question. However, if they sign him to a new contract for five years then sell him in June, it will be worse than if they had let him go now.

Were you convinced he was going to leave?

Yes, because when the club said they would talk about a transfer, I assumed they were ready to sell him.

If he had left, do you think it would only have been for another English club?

No, I think he might have moved anywhere in the world. Surely they would have been more open to a foreign club coming in for him than an English one - because the only domestic rival who could afford to buy him was their neighbour.

Do you think that he had to leave, considering the public opinion about his problems outside of football?

No, because people are focused on what happens on the field. What happens in a player's private life only feeds the scandal pages of the newspapers.

If you are 12 years of age, you only look at his performances on the pitch. You like him because he is able to do things you cannot do - and you want to copy him. You don't care about how he is living off the pitch.

Can he change the opinion of United fans?

Trust me: in this job, the only thing which changes everything is your performance on the pitch.

You could be the nicest, most elegant and polite guy in the world off the pitch - but if you are bad on it, everybody is going to hate you.

You can be unpleasant off the pitch, but if you are an extraordinary player, people will forgive you anything. It may not be fair, but it is the reality. People pay to see special things, and if you manage to give it to them, they enjoy it.

Would you have liked to sign him for Arsenal?

We never thought about it because we have enough people able to play up front. Moreover, if Manchester United are not able to pay his contract, Arsenal cannot even think about it.

So it means that he will keep scoring against you as he did in the past?

No, it doesn't mean he will keep annoying us - it just means that he will keep trying to annoy us. We will try to prevent him.

He likes to score against Arsenal.

Yes. He is world class player.

[kueytoc]

Tottenham suffer Van der Vaart blow

AFP - Sunday, October 31

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - – Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp labelled Manchester United's second goal "scandalous" as Rafael van der Vaart was ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League match with Inter Milan.

Netherlands international Van der Vaart suffered a hamstring injury during his side's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday and will not feature when the European champions visit White Hart Lane.

But it was the controversial decision by referee Mark Clattenburg not to disallow Nani's goal, which doubled the lead after Nemanja Vidic had given United the lead, that left Tottenham incensed.

Portugal international Nani, who moments earlier thought he should have won a penalty, sealed victory after tapping the ball into the net after Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes had rolled the ball out believing he had been awarded a free-kick.

"It was a scandalous decision to give it," said Redknapp.

"The referee should have disallowed the goal. How can you give a goal? He's (Nani) handled the ball.

"If he handles the ball he should be booked to start with - and it's a free kick. So Gomez has put the ball down for a free kick.

"If you look at Darren Fletcher, he's telling Nani to get back into position because he thinks we're going to counter-attack from the free-kick.

"Gomes has put the ball down to take a free-kick. It's obvious. Why would he stand there and leave the ball there?

"Everyone saw him handball it except the referee. He'll probably say now he did see it. Well if he did, why didn't he book him? It's deliberate handball. What a farcical way to finsh the game."

Redknapp must now pick up his players ahead of Inter Milan's visit to London. But he will be without the influential Van der Vaart, who was denied a goal by the woodwork, at Old Trafford.

"He's picked up a hamstring injury," added Redknapp.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted it was Gomes who was to blame for the controversial goal.

"You can look at the referee and you can look at the linesman and blame them, but the goalkeeper should know better," said Ferguson.

"He's an experienced keeper and I thought he made a mess of it.

"The referee played on because the keeper was in possession of the ball. He went to take a free kick thinking it was a foul, so he's made an error.

"It was bizarre. No one knew at the time what was wrong. The goalkeeper was in possession of the ball, he had it in his hands and the next minute it's in the net."

Ferguson is now urging his side to "kick on" after their third successive league and cup win.

United, who face Turkish champions Bursaspor in the Champions League on Tuesday, are five points behind leaders Chelsea with a quarter of the season gone.

"As I said in my programme notes, we have to kick on," added Ferguson.

"We can't keep throwing games away. Last Sunday at Stoke when we lost a goal, glavanised ourselves, and won it.

"Today we didn't have to worry about it because a two-goal cushion gave us a bit of comfort."

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Solksjaer swaps United for Molde

Tue, 09 Nov 10:00:00 2010

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been installed as the new manager of Molde, severing a 14-year tie with Manchester United.

The ex-Norway international scored 126 goals for United before retiring in 2007 due to a knee injury. He then moved on to the coaching staff at Old Trafford and has been in charge of the reserve team.

"I always said I wanted to go home and properly start my career as a manager," said the former "baby-face assassin" who remains youthful-looking at 37.

Solskjaer added that he took the job at Molde, where he played for a year and a half in the mid-1990s, with the aim of lifting them from mid-table and eventually winning silverware.

"From United I've brought knowledge about how a club should be run including the importance of the youth division," he said.

United manager Alex Ferguson said it was the right time for Solskjaer to take the plunge and become a first-team coach.

"Ole leaves with our best wishes. He's been a fantastic servant and he's contributed to the development of our young players," said Ferguson.

"I think his career as an outstanding professional footballer gave him a foundation to get into coaching. He's had a great introduction with our reserves and this is the right time for Ole to take up his first managerial position.

"Ole will do well at Molde. It's a good start for him," added Ferguson.

Molde finished 11th in the 16-team top-flight last season, 28 points adrift of champions Rosenborg Trondheim.

Reuters

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Fergie: City will buy title

Mon, 08 Nov 13:14:00 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester City will keep on spending until they have won something and admits Roberto Mancini's side are genuine title contenders.

Ferguson's Manchester United side, the only unbeaten team in the top flight this season, face City at Eastlands on Wednesday with a three-point lead over their rivals.

The United manager said the fact both clubs are now challenging for the title will add extra spice to the contest.

Ferguson told Inside United: "It does put an edge on (the game). I don't believe there's any question about that. We know the kind of money they're spending - they've bought another five or six players in the summer and they'll keep doing that until they win something.

"You know that's going to be the way it is and you have to deal with it as it comes along. They're up there (challenging for the title), and you can't wait until tomorrow when there's something there today. I'm sure they're thinking that way themselves."

Ferguson has worries over injuries to Nani (groin) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring) ahead of the match.

PA Sport

[kueytoc]

Premier League - Evra taunts City; Giggs ruled out

Tue, 09 Nov 11:07:00 2010

France defender Patrice Evra claims it will be nothing special for Manchester United to beat Manchester City on Wednesday - because they have bigger ambitions than getting the better of their local rivals.

The teams go head to head in the Premier League at Eastlands with the visitors only three points above their wealthy hosts.

Quoted in several newspapers, Evra said: "If we win it's a good result for Manchester United. But it will be normal - it will not be so special. We need to win every game now. We don't just need to win against City - we are looking to win the league."

He added: "When we start the season we think about winning every game.

"I can say it would be nice to beat City because it's a special game. It's the derby and everyone wants to win.

"But it's not the priority. The priority is to win the league but make sure we don't lose the derby."

Evra claims City are all talk and need to prove themselves on the pitch.

"They always say that [they are bigger than us] and they never beat us," added Evra of City, who have spent more than £250million on players since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in September 2008.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he expects Owen Hargreaves to be out of action for up to five weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wolves on Saturday - and also ruled Ryan Giggs out of the derby.

As soon as Hargreaves came off on Saturday, Ferguson knew he would play no part against City, but the loss of Giggs is a major blow.

The veteran Welshman was hoping to make a record 34th derby appearance at Eastlands but after feeling the hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines for all but one of United's last nine games in a session just prior to Saturday's win over Wolves, Ferguson has reluctantly ruled Giggs out of his plans.

"Ryan is out," said the Scot.

The news on Nani was not much better either.

Although there is an outside chance the Portugal winger may recover from the groin injury he suffered in last week's Champions League triumph over Bursaspor, Ferguson is dubious about Nani's prospects of facing City.

"Nani is doubtful," said Ferguson. "At this stage it doesn't look as if he will make it.

"It is not a great position for us to be in. We are counting heads at the moment."

PA Sport

[kueytoc]

United late show salvages dramatic draw at Villa

AFP - Sunday, November 14

LONDON (AFP) - – Manchester United staged a dramatic fightback with two goals in the last nine minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team looked set to suffer their first league defeat since April when Ashley Young's second-half penalty was followed by a Marc Albrighton strike for Villa.

But United substitute Federico Macheda reduced the deficit with a superb strike nine minutes from full-time and Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic dived in to head the equaliser from Nani's cross four minutes later.

Although United were understandably delighted to escape Villa Park unscathed, Ferguson's second-placed side, who are now three points behind Chelsea, will still be left to count the cost of a sloppy display if the leaders open up a six-point gap by beating Sunderland on Sunday.

"In the second half I just think it was carelessness on our part. Our passing was poor. Normally we can control the match. We didn't control it," Ferguson said.

"We are a club, though, that never says there is no way back. We brought people on and they changed the game in fairness to them.

"Macheda scored a great goal and with another five minutes we would have won the game."

Manchester City fans turned on Roberto Mancini after the Italian's side were held to a dour 0-0 draw by Birmingham at Eastlands.

City boss Mancini, whose team have failed to score in their last three home games, provoked a furious response when he decided to replace Argentine forward Carlos Tevez with midfielder Gareth Barry as the hosts tried in vain to break down a stubborn Birmingham defence.

Tevez earlier had a goal disallowed for handball and fourth-placed City were unable to close the gap on Chelsea.

"If you play with four strikers it doesn't mean you score four goals," said Mancini.

"Football isn't like that. I must think like a manager, not a supporter."

Gareth Bale was in fine form as Tottenham beat Blackburn 4-2 at White Hart Lane.

Wales winger Bale was linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs after his recent performances against Inter Milan in the Champions League and he underlined his growing reputation with another dominant display.

He opened the scoring in the 16th minute when he headed home Rafael van der Vaart's corner.

Harry Redknapp's side squandered a golden chance to increase their lead as Roman Pavlyuchenko smashed a penalty wide after Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson fouled Peter Crouch.

But Russian striker Pavlyuchenko made amends for that howler in the 42nd minute as he headed Bale's cross past Robinson.

Crouch netted Tottenham's third with a 69th minute tap-in before Bale struck again six minutes later.

Ryan Nelsen netted for Blackburn in the 80th minute and Gael Givet added a second in the 90th minute.

Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan said: "At the moment Bale is a provider and he is also scoring goals.

"He is so positive going forward but he also does a shift when we have not got the ball. He has got the energy to do that."

Bolton moved into fifth place in the table with a 3-2 win at struggling Wolves.

Owen Coyle's side were ahead after just 45 seconds as Richard Stearman, under pressure from Matt Taylor, could only turn the ball into his own net.

Johan Elmander increased their lead in the 62nd minute and Stuart Holden put Bolton in total control in the 67th minute.

Kevin Foley's reply for second-bottom Wolves moments later was followed by a 77th-minute strike from Steven Fletcher.

Victor Moses fired Wigan out of the relegation zone as his 70th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the DW Stadium.

West Ham remain bottom of the table after Blackpool's first-teamers returned for a 0-0 draw at Upton Park.

Newcastle dropped to seventh after a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham.

[kueytoc]

Time to get real Wayne

Fri Nov 19 11:42AM

By Jim White

There is every chance that England's most elusive over-paid non-performing footballer might actually be seen in action at some point this weekend. And no, we're not talking about another abortive return for poor old Owen Hargreaves.

Apparently someone called Wayne Rooney might deign to play some part in Manchester United's game against Wigan tomorrow. About time, you might say, given that, thanks to his new humungo contract, he has banked something approaching £1 million since he last managed to lace his boots for competitive action.

Speaking in Doha this week as part of his well-remunerated support for Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid, Sir Alex Ferguson suggested that Rooney should be cut a little slack by the fans. The player was guilty of nothing more than making a mistake during his recent contract shenanigans, the manager insisted, a mistake he quickly rectified.

What's more, Ferguson added, that mistake was merely listening to his agent. It is a point of view. Though you wonder how insensitive a footballer must be not to see the clear and obvious dangers inherent in the course his agent advised. Playing like a drain, Rooney was seen to be demanding an enormous hike in his already massive wages at precisely the moment many of those whose affiliation pays his salary were facing the possibility of hardship as the government announced its austerity programme.

Not only was his timing shocking, but in his negotiations, he managed to exploit his colleagues and the fans, whose legitimate fears about the future of their club he hijacked to mask his own greed. You would have to be pretty blinkered not to spot it was hardly the most tactful of negotiating positions his agent was promoting.

Of course, it could be argued that it worked brilliantly and he emerged with a much more substantial contract at the end of it. Well, financially that may be true. But the other contract, the unwritten one between him and the followers of his team, has been tarnished, perhaps beyond repair. At United's game with Stoke recently, hardcore red fans were heard in the under-stand bars chanting about the player whose very name they had previously worshipped "once a greedy bastard, always a greedy bastard". And I paraphrase wildly to protect sensitive dispositions.

The fact is, Rooney has an awful lot of work to do to repair the damage his contractual dispute wrought. A few goals, a couple of man-of-the-match performances, some sweat on the shirt, is the minimum start. More important than that is a rediscovery of his focus. The noises coming from Manchester for the past year had been of a player beginning to be blinded by the money, the fame, the adoration.

His nocturnal behaviour might be something best left to him and his wife to discuss, but he was hardly discreet. The tales had been spinning round town a long time before they were confirmed by the newspapers. Giving it the swanky alpha male might be tolerated when the goals are banging in, but when he looked a painful parody of what he once was, patience was less easily won. Now, the moment he actually returns to the team, it will be tested to the edge of its resistance.

The official line from Carrington insists the player is up for the challenge. He has returned from his trip to Nikeworld fit and raring to go, so the spin goes. There was talk of half a stone being lost. Which makes you wonder how United's own conditioning staff had not noticed there was excess in need of being shed. The question that haunts him, however, is not to do with his body mass index. It is to do with his head.

Seemingly that was all over the place in the latter part of last and the early bit of this season. The claim was that it was a combination of contract and marital worries that was scrambling his concentration. Well, if he wants to return to the position of reverence he was once afforded in the Old Trafford stands, he needs to have restored his mental equilibrium. What counts now is not the noughts on the end of his pay cheque, it is the goals in United's for column. The work, Wayne, starts here.

[kueytoc]

Rooney marks return in winning Champions League style

AFP - Thursday, November 25

GLASGOW (AFP) - – Manchester United clinched a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a Wayne Rooney penalty three minutes from time on his return to the starting line-up for the first time since October sealed a 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox here on Wednesday.

The English international had rattled the crossbar with a header and Allan McGregor saved well from Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov as the home side, whose squad was ravaged by injuries, looked to hold on for a point.

However, they will have to settle for the Europa League as Valencia ensured they finished in the top two with victory over Bursaspor.

However Steven Naismith's foul on Fabio late on presented Rooney with a spot-kick which he smashed past the keeper as the Old Trafford side claimed their fourth win in a row and fifth clean sheet of Group C.

Before the match Walter Smith had promised Rangers would adopt a more attacking approach but a host of injuries to first team stars resulted in a return of the more familiar 5-4-1 formation.

Youngster Kyle Hutton was handed his Champions League debut in a Rangers side that could only field six substitutes.

Rooney returned to partner Berbatov up front as Sir Alex Ferguson made eight changes to the side which drew with Rangers in the first game of the group.

Steven Davis, in an unfamiliar role at right-back, was involved in an early scare for the home side when he appeared to clatter into the back of Berbatov in the box but referee Massimo Busacca waved away his protests.

Minutes later Berbatov was presented with another chance but the Bulgarian's header from a Fabio cross was straight to McGregor.

Opportunities at the other end were few and far between but Kenny Miller should have done better when David Weir's knock-on found him at the back post but the Scotland striker headed wide.

A neat passing move saw Carrick play in Nani but the Portuguese international's shot was high and wide before Rooney silenced the home crowd when his header from a Fabio cross rattled the bar.

Miller blew a golden chance to fire Rangers ahead in the 42nd minute. Naismith sent him clear down the right channel but with Vladimir Weiss lurking at the far post Miller opted to shot from a tight angle which Edwin van der Sar blocked with his legs.

Rooney sent a curling free-kick from 25 yards wide and Berbatov sliced a volley straight to McGregor from a Ryan Giggs cross as the Old Trafford stars began the second-half with an attacking onslaught.

A clever flick from Rooney made room for Carrick but the Englishman's low drive was well saved by the keeper. The game became to open up and chances fell at both ends.

United failed to deal with Richard Foster's ball into the box allowing Naismith to poke a shot goal wards but van der Sar made an instinctive fingertip save. Seconds later Berbatov found room in the box but his shot was smartly saved by McGregor.

The Bulgarian then saw a fierce strike blocked by Davis and as Giggs put the ball back into the box Rooney sent a diving header wide from six yards out.

It looked like it wasn't going to be the Englishman's night until he put them ahead from the spot in the 87th minute.

Naismith was penalised for a high kick on Fabio and Rooney, plagued with off-field problems this season, stepped up to smash a kick low to the left to send McGregor the wrong way.

[kueytoc]

Champions League - Fergie hails Rooney 'courage'

Wed, 24 Nov 22:41:00 2010

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson commended Wayne Rooney's bravery to take the penalty that put his team into the Champions League last 16.

In his first start since signing a new contract last month, Rooney stepped up to take an 87th-minute spot-kick that ensured United qualified from Group C, three points clear of Valencia, who also went through after a 6-1 hammering of Bursaspor.

"It took a lot of courage to take the penalty kick," Ferguson said on ITV1, before admitting that Rooney was still short of match fitness.

"It was not an easy night, he missed a couple of chances but that's what you expect with the rustiness in his game. We are pleased for him.

"Every time he scores a goal he wants to celebrate with the fans and players."

If United draw or lose by one goal at home to Valencia they would win Group C, although anything more than a one-goal win for the Spanish side would see Los Che top the standings on the head-to-head rule.

"We want to go and win the group," Ferguson added. "We've got Valencia at home, we can look forward to that."

Rangers boss Walter Smith was unhappy at the manner of defeat, with the penalty awarded for a clumsy tackle by Steven Naismith on Fabio.

"Little bit disappointed to lose out to that type of goal. I don't think there was any great intent in Steven Naismith's challenge," Smith said.

"We are happy on one respect that we do have European football after Christmas," added Smith, referring to Rangers’ qualification for the Europa League knockout stage.