Fergie Has Never Had One Bid For Paul Scholes

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed he has never had a single enquiry for midfielder Paul Scholes during his time at the club.

Scholes is set to make his 600th outing against Portsmouth tonight, with only Bill Foulkes, Sir Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs having played more games.

Ferguson said: " We have never had one enquiry for Paul Scholes - because they all know he will never leave."

Scholes was born in Salford and grew up as an Oldham Athletic supporter, but has trained with Manchester United since the age of 14. He then later joined as a trainee upon leaving the Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School, Middleton, Greater Manchester in the summer of 1991. In his final term at school, he was selected to represent Great Britain National Schools in football.

Scholes was not a member of Manchester United's 1992 FA Youth Cup-winning squad that included future senior team mates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, but he was part of the youth team that reached the final in the following season, alongside Phil Neville . Scholes turned professional on 23 July 1993, but did not make his breakthrough into the senior squad until the 1994–95 season, when he made seventeen league appearances and scored five goals. His debut came on 21 September 1994, where he scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Port Vale F.C. in the Football League Cup. Scholes came on as a substitute in the 1995 FA Cup final against Everton, which United lost 1–0.

In 1995–96, after Mark Hughes moved to Chelsea, Scholes had even more first-team opportunities. He stood in for the suspended Eric Cantona as Andrew Cole's strike partner for the first two months of the campaign. Scholes scored fourteen goals in all competitions as United became the first English team to win the double twice. He picked up another Premiership medal in 1996–97, but was restricted to three goals in sixteen league games.

Scholes moved to the midfielder and forward attack positions in the 1997–98 after Roy Keane suffered a knee injury in late September and did not play again that season. United finished the season without a major trophy, only the second time in the 1990s that this happened.

In 1998–99, Scholes was a key player in Manchester United's Premiership title, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League Treble success. He scored one of Manchester United's two goals against Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also scored an away goal against Internazionale in the CL quarter-final, but was ruled out of the final victory over FC Bayern Munich through suspension.

Scholes netted a career-high twenty goals in all competitions in the 2002–03 season, a number that dipped to fourteen the next year, despite a career-best four FA Cup goals in comparison to his total of five in his first nine seasons. He was ruled out for the second half of the 2005–06 campaign with blurred vision. The cause of this was initially uncertain, sparking fears that it could end his career. He overcame this problem through the beginning of the year and he appeared in Manchester United's final game of the season against Charlton Athletic. Reportedly, Scholes' vision has not completely recovered.

On 22 October 2006, in the 2–0 Premiership victory over Liverpool in which Scholes also scored, twelve years after marking his Red Devils debut with a League Cup brace against Port Vale, Scholes became the ninth United player to play in five hundred matches, joining Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Denis Irwin, and current teammates Giggs and Gary Neville.

Scholes was dismissed during Manchester United's 1–0 away victory over Liverpool F.C. on 3 March 2007, for swinging an arm at Xabi Alonso. It marked his first league expulsion since April 2005. A month later, he was sent off in the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League quarter final at A.S. Roma. On 23 August, he was shortlisted for a spot in the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, which ultimately went to Dennis Bergkamp.

Scholes suffered knee ligament damage during a training session the night before Manchester United's Champions League Group F matchup with Dynamo Kiev on 23 October, and was out of action until the end of January 2008. He returned as a substitute in Manchester United's 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup. On 23 April, Scholes made his hundredth Champions League appearance in a semi-final 0–0 draw at FC Barcelona, and scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory in the second leg that sent United into the final, during which he suffered an injury and a yellow card after a clash with Claude Makélélé. He returned until he was substituted by Giggs in the 87th minute, and did not take part in the penalty shoot-out that was won 6–5 by United after a 1–1 extra-time draw.

Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in September 2008. In a December 2008 interview with The Daily Mirror, he said he planned to retire from football completely in two years. "I think I've got two years left at the most. I'm looking forward to finishing and everything that goes with it."

On 24 January 2009, Scholes scored his first goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. His shot from out-side the box in the 34th minute deflected in off Tom Huddlestone to bring the game to 1–1, while United would go on to win 2–1. On 18 February, Scholes scored his first Premier League goal in over a year in a 3–0 win over Fulham, a swerving volley that hit Mark Schwarzer and rebounded in.

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Sir Alex Set To Make Wholesale Changes For Everton

Alex Ferguson is expected to make wholesale changes to the team that beat FC Porto on Wednesday night saying "anyone believing I could play the same side that defeated FC Porto is “off their heads”. I remember last year as he sent a weakened team to Barcelona with the sole intent of coming home with a draw, and remarkably, almost coming home with a win. That was a stroke of genious as far as I am concerned, but on a certain Manchester United forum I was on at the time, they were whining and whinging about Fergie's decision to do that. These same people were there at the end though basking in the glory of another Champions League win.

Despite the enormity of their meeting with Everton, Manchester United will be virtually unrecognisable from the team that started in Portugal. Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick are all expected to stand down, with Edwin van der Sar and Dimitar Berbatov possibly joining them, although some will be on the bench in case of emergency.

The move may not sit well with traditionalists, however Ferguson insists he has no other choice.

“When I pick my team, no matter what it is there will be critics voicing a concern about me not playing my strongest team, not everyone agrees with changes. There are some supporters who want me to play my best team every game. That is impossible. If you look at Wednesday’s game you are off your head to think I could play the same team again."

The sheer energy expended in United reaching the last four of Europe’s number one club competition for the third season in a row means the men asked to do the bulk of the running will not be asked to put their bodies on the line again. It means Rooney is set to miss out on an emotional last four meeting with his former club, with Ronaldo due to sit the game out as well having toiled on his own up front for the last half hour.

“I am in a difficult position because we have got so many hard games coming up, Somewhere along the line I have to make changes. The speed of the game has changed. Look at how fast the Premier Division is. The intensity of the matches is the reason English teams have a head start in Europe.”

Yet Ferguson also denies he is devaluing the FA Cup. Replacements such as Park Ji-sung, Darren Fletcher and Carlos Tevez are all senior internationals who have been integral figures in United’s pursuit of an unprecedented quintuple this term. It is easy therefore for Ferguson to reject the theory he is playing a weakened team.

“Hand on heart, the FA Cup is important, we don’t want to have a defeat at this time of year. No matter what the defeat is, we have to answer for that.”

There is also the little matter of Ferguson’s impeccable record in semi-finals, which dates back to 1990 and currently stands at eight. Nevertheless, United will not start quite the red-hot favourites they were expected to be, with their manager placing his trust in a defence which, with Rio Ferdinand back alongside Nemanja Vidic, kept its first clean sheet in six matches on Wednesday night.

“Defensively we did really well on Wednesday, we were back to something like our best which is what we need now. We can take encouragement from it but we can also take the understanding of what that partnership at the back means. ”

As individuals, Ferdinand and Vidic are outstanding, both on the six-man short-list for the PFA player of the year award. However, as a pair they are even better, standing alongside Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister as the best partnership of Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford.

“Experience is important at this time of year, it allows you to be composed under pressure and gives you a presence. But it is more than that. It is the partnership. I keep on about Bruce and Pallister, who were together for seven years and hardly missed a game. Through that they got a consistency and an understanding and knowledge of each other’s capabilities. Now it is the same with Ferdinand and Vidic.”

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Fergie Points Out Rafa's Arrogance

Sir Alex has once again had a swipe at The Fat Spanish Waster, Rafa Beneathus. Rafa seems to think he and his team are a cut above the rest and showed complete disrespect and contempt toward Sal Allardyce and Blackburn Rovers last Saturday. Rafa really needs to think before he speaks as on several occassions this season he has made himself and his club look like a bunch of amateur clowns to be perfectly honest. His attempts at 'mind games' are baffling, often resulting in bad results for his team. He really should learn to button it from now on and let his team (try) and do the talking.

Fergie spoke about David Moyes and his excellent Everton team who are a challenge for anyone as they play at the moment.

"Moyes has a young squad that will get better. The young players he has in the team, allied to the ones he has brought in, have a good future. He’s done a great job. Moyes has been there for five years now and he has built a good football club. Irrespective of what Rafael Benitez says – he called them a small club – they are a big club. But that just points to [Benitez's] arrogance. There’s one thing about the arrogance he has shown. But one thing you can’t forgive is his contempt for [Blackburn Rovers manager] Sam Allardyce last week. When Liverpool scored their second goal against Blackburn; he made a gesture which suggested the game was finished. It was absolute contempt and I don’t think Sam Allardyce deserved it. Sam is a guy who has worked so hard for the League Manager’s Association and looked after young players in the game. He didn’t deserve that. He had to play a team that was weakened, and to get that kind of contempt… I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would have done that."

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Fergie Signs Antwerp Youngster

Sir Alex Ferguson has successfully completed a swoop for highly-rated 15-year-old striker Charni Ekangamene. The striker, who is of Congelese descent, has been training with Belgian club Royal Antwerp with whom the reigning European champions have a close relationship. Fergie got in just ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea and Ajax, who were also keen on him.

The starlet will sign professional terms at Old Trafford when he turns 16 but until then he will stay with Antwerp.

Manchester United use Antwerp as a 'feeder' club, often sending their own players there to learn their trade, the likes of John O'Shea and Darron Gibson to name but two.

"He is a great talent," Antwerp youth director Alex Vervecken told HNB. Antwerp have confirmed the deal on their website, stating that they are happy to have agreed terms with United.

Whether or not he makes it in the Premier League are another story. I have never heard of the guy before now but having said that, aged 15 he wont have done too much yet anyway. I just hope he is not another Manucho, I fail to see the reasoning behind signing Manucho personally......Back To Home Page...

Sir Alex - What A Friend

What is it with Sir Alex and these horses he keeps getting involved with. After the "Rock of Gibralter" incident where he fell out with United's joint owners John Magnier and JP McManus over the rights to who won what with the animal, I thought he would have steered clear of joint ownership plans. Now he has another half share in a nag called "What A Friend" - this should be Rafa's horse. "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" as he prays for United to do a Newcastle and surrender the title limply with little resistance.

Anyway, the fact is Fergie's horse is booked to race in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Nicholls' charge was, as expected, among the 19 entries declared yesterday for next Wednesday's big race. However, on the very same day Fergie has a date with Inter Milan at Old Trafford so I do hope he leaves the horse to get on with it. He can tune in on the radio and listen.

If you fancy having a bet on Fergie's nag, it is running on 10th March in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and it is currently 5/1 second favourite, 1/4 the odds each way. Carly's tip - do what Fergies going to do and watch United instead as gambling is not good for you.... Back To Home Page...

Sir Alex Stressed About His Injury List Ahead Of Spurs Game

Sir Fergie has announced he is not a happy chappy with regard to injuries etc etc in the days before Manchester United's trip to White Hart Lane. Their last Premier League game before jetting off to Tokyo for the World Club Championship.

He was seen to be shuffling his team around for the midweek draw with Aalborg on account of injuries and just to add insult to injury, Rio Ferdinand suffered a setback. Former Tottenham stars Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov are doubts too for the game. However, Sir Alex is hopeful he has the squad to contend with the issues.

Speaking to Setanta Sports News Sir Alex said: "Berbatov is still a problem, Michael Carrick has a thigh injury and we are hoping he will be alright, that’s why I wasn’t prepared to risk Fletcher tonight. The plan was always to play Ryan for 45 minutes because I don’t know what my midfield options are going to be on Saturday. I brought Scholes on at half-time to give him 45, I don’t think he is ready to play 90 minutes at the moment. I had these issues about the midfield area as I don’t know if Carrick is going to be fit, I don’t know if Berbatov is going to be fit. Rio Ferdinand picked up a back spasm again, so that is a concern for us too. With the squad we’ve got I hope we can cope but I’d rather not have them.”.....Back To Home Page...

United To Face Celtic Again

Champions League holders Manchester United
were drawn with Scottish champions Celtic in
the group stages of this year's competition.

The British pair will also face Spaniards Villa-
rreal and Danish side Aalborg in Group E.

The four English sides were guaranteed to be
kept apart after being made top seeds, but

Celtic could have faced any one of them after being drawn in the third pot of clubs.

They will get their chance to test themselves against the English champions in two mouthwatering clashes.

The fixtures will pit Celtic manager Gordon Strachan against his one-time boss
Sir Alex Ferguson.

The pair met in the Champions League group stages in 2006/07, with Celtic
winning 1-0 at home but Manchester United edging the return fixture 3-2
at Old Trafford.

"It was a great event the last time we played," said United chief executive
David Gill. "Both clubs have passionate fans and we're looking forward to it.

Celtic chairman John Reid added: "It's fabulous for Celtic fans. There are no
easy groups, there are no free passes in Europe.

"We're just proud to be Scotland's representative in there and to be playing
the European champions."

United star Cristiano Ronaldo was at the draw in Monaco, where he was
named Uefa's European Club Footballer of the Year.

Ronaldo scored eight goals in the competition last season and also won the
award for the forward of the year.

Full Champions League draw:

Group A

CHELSEA
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj

Group B

Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis Famagusta

Group C

Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D

LIVERPOOL
PSV Eindhoven
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Group E

MAN UTD
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg

Group F

Lyon
Bayern Munich
Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina

Group G

ARSENAL
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev

Group H

Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit St Petersburg
Bate Borisov

Games will be played on the following dates:

16/17 September
30 September/1 October
21/22 October
4/5 November
25/26 November
9/10 December

John Terry - Why Wont He Just Go Away ?

John Terry's Bentley here.
Someone said to me he
has parked it in the wrong
place, I said "No, he hasn't".

It takes a certain degree
of arrogance to just park
your car wherever you
feel like. Some poor dis-
abled person will now
have to park away from
the store and struggle to
get inside. As long as
John Terry is alright
though, it doesn't matter !!

Then again, the nearer he is to the door the better. His
record of staying on his feet is a bit grim after all, lmao. Oooops, he's down again !!

There's only one thing that pisses me off more than John Terry and that's that
fat one, Frank Lampard ! I have a burning ambition to cut off his middle finger
on his left hand. Why ? Every time he scores, which isn't that often if I'm honest,
but when he does he runs off to the crowd kissing his ring. You can kiss my ring
too Frank !!

Anyway, enough of my favourite pastime, that is to say extracting the urine from
those two. I wanted to mention John Terry's announcement that Ronaldo peaked
last season and can't possible be as good again this year. United also apparantly
had the season of their lives and we only just beat Chelsea to the league. We have
no room for improvement, as we have peaked and will now go downhill.

Chelsea, however, were on free fall last season, didn't play at all and yet, they still
ran United real close to the end of the season.

Mr Terry had a little attempt at these mind games two weeks ago and Fergie took
him apart. Now he is saying things like this. It makes me laugh if nothing else.
He should check out the average age of the two squads ... I back the youngsters to
win this season, not the Chelsea Pensioners !!!

Fergie Not Worried But Eagles Is

It would seem Fergie is not too stressed out if he buys another player or
not this summer.

Having landed the Premier League and the Champions League, some
would agree with him. If it isn't broke, don't fix it as the saying goes.

"We did a lot of stocking up last summer, buying four players of
good ages as part of a policy of bringing in footballers who
could develop, and we think there is further progress there,"
I had 23 players in Moscow and they will still be there for this

season because we are happy with the squad. It is difficult for us to buy and
improve on that because we know why clubs don't want to sell their best players
and we don't either."

Chris Eagles has been pondering his future with United. Having spent a season out on load to
Burnley last year, it seems Burnley are keen to sign him for another year.

He has doubts about this though, as he told the Lancashire Evening Post:

"I'd love to stay at Old Trafford and make my career as a United player, but I need
to think about playing regularly.

"There have been talks with Premier League and Championship clubs, but
nothing's been decided.

"It's difficult because I want to play every week, whether I leave United or stay at
United. If I think I'm going to get a chance here then I'd love to stay. If not, maybe
I have to look somewhere else.

"I'll speak to the gaffer over the next week or so and see what happens. There are
all sorts of options available.

Swansea And Barnsley Bosses Linked With United 'Number 2' Job

Roberto Martinez and Simon Davey are reportedly contenders to become
Old Trafford number two


With Carlos Queiroz leaving to become the new coach of Portugual, two of
the Championship' s brightest young talents are seen as potential
replacements.

Davey told Barnsley's official website: "It is flattering to be linked with a
club of such stature, but I have a job here.

Swansea chairman Huw jenkins told the Evening Post: "It's nonsense."

I guess we will now have 100 names put forward for the job ...

Personally I would love to see Eric Cantona turn up and lay his cards on
the table. Imagine the excitement of having 'The King' back again !!!