Carrick Convinced Manchester United Are In Good Shape To Catch The Leaders

Michael Carrick is of the same opinion as me and is convinced Manchester United, narrow winners over struggling Sunderland, can chase down Liverpool and Chelsea in the title race. The reigning champions were staring down the barrel of a yawning eight-point gap between them and Rafa Benitez's side until Nemanja Vidic's last-gasp winner against Sunderland last weekend.

The victory means they are just six points adrift of the top, but with a game in hand.

They also have the prospect of a much easier second half of the season in which they will face all their title challengers at Old Trafford.

Midfielder Carrick has only known success since moving to United for £18m in 2006, winning two titles and the Champions League and he has no doubts he can make it a hat-trick of titles, even if Sir Alex Ferguson's side are in the unusual position of being one of the chasing pack.

"It's a tough challenge to win the league any way, we've done it from in front before, so we'll try to do it from behind. That's what it's all about. It's always a challenge. We want to keep the run going that we started. We're playing pretty good stuff - it's just a case of things not dropping for us at times. But a win is a win and we can move on now. There is a growing sense that United's title challenge is gathering momentum, having picked up 10 points from a possible 12 since defeat to Arsenal last month.

With Liverpool and Chelsea faltering in recent weeks, it has allowed Ferguson's side to close the gap at the top and leave them poised for a concerted charge in the New Year.

Carrick continued: "Even without Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal winning, it was important we won the game, it was very late, but I think we deserved a win, you can't argue about that. The way it came was very exciting, but we should have killed it off a lot earlier than that. Everyone will do well to go the rest of the season without dropping points, it is a case of who can be the most consistent. We feel we've got the right players to do it, but only time will tell. We believe we are capable of winning the league for certain." .....Back To Home Page...

This Could Be The 'Defining' Moment

Every time anyone wins the league title there is a moment in time you can look back on and say 'that's where we won it'. Well I think Saturday's game against Sunderland will be 'that' moment for Manchester United this year.

Nemanja Vidic has labelled his last-gasp match-winner against Sunderland as the most important goal he has scored for Manchester United. He has only scored eight but this one stands out the most.

The raucous celebrations that greeted Vidic's late tap-in after Michael Carrick's long-range shot had been deflected on to a post suggested the resulting 1-0 Barclays Premier League win could be one of the key moments in the entire campaign.

After witnessing Liverpool and Chelsea drop home points unexpectedly over the past fortnight, it would have been a major anti-climax if Sir Alex Ferguson's side had done so as well. If United had then drawn their match it would have left United in bad shape compared to Liverpool and Chelsea. Instead, a squad lacking Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra - and almost certainly Cristiano Ronaldo - will head to Tottenham next Saturday still trailing the top two by six and five points respectively, boasting a game in hand and in relatively good shape.

"How important was it?" asked a smiling Vidic. "Just look at my reaction. It is not my favourite goal - but it is my most important one. At this time in the season, you need to win every game. Sunderland did not make it easy because they defended with 11 men all the time. We didn't have that many clear chances but we never gave up - and in the end, we got our reward."

There was a price to pay, though, Wayne Rooney picked up his fifth booking of the season which rules him out of the White Hart Lane trip along with Evra, who will start what amounts to a five-match ban. More problematic is the hip injury Ronaldo sustained that was so painful the newly-crowned Ballon D'Or winner simply kicked the ball out of play and headed for the tunnel when he realised there was no chance of continuing.....Back To Home Page...

Sir Alex 'Chuffed' With Welbeck's Goal Against Stoke City

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased to see Danny Welbeck hit his first goal for the club in yesterday's 5-0 trouncing of Stoke City. "He is a very sensible young man," said Ferguson I am sure the other players will soon bring him down to earth, if they have not already done so."

Born in Longsight, Manchester, to Ghananian parents, Welbeck joined Manchester United during the 2005–06 season, making his debut for the club's Under-18 side on 8 April 2006 in a league match against Sunderland. He then came on as a substitute in the next game, before being named as an unused substitute in the team's last two games of the season. The following season, he made a further 28 appearances for the Under-18s, scoring nine goals, including eight appearances and one goal in the FA Youth Cup, in which he helped the team to reach the final, despite being two years younger than some of the other players.

Welbeck signed his first trainee contract in July 2007, and started the 2007–08 season in the Under-18 side, but was quickly promoted to the Reserve team, making a number of substitute appearances. Then, in January 2008, he was called up to the first team for the trip to Saudi Arabia to play Al-Hilal in Sami Al-Jaber's testimonial. Welbeck made his debut in that game on 21 January 2008, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for Anderson. Welbeck had the chance to snatch a draw for United when he was brought down in the penalty area in the final minute, but he put the penalty kick over the bar.

On 25 January 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Welbeck would be considered a first team squad member for the rest of the season. On 9 February 2008, Alex Ferguson revealed that Welbeck would be involved in the matchday squad for the Manchester derby the following day. He also hinted that Welbeck may be involved from the start of the game. This did not come to pass however, as he was left out of the team entirely.

Welbeck made his competitive debut for the Manchester United first team on 23 September 2008, starting up front in the team's League Cup Third Round match at home to Middlesboro. United won the game 3–1, but Welbeck did not manage to get on the scoresheet despite going close in the third minute......Back To Home Page

Rio Praises Jonny Evans

Sir Alex has frequently been heard singing the praises of Jonny Evans, even declaring him as a future replacement for Rio Ferdinand despite his young age and his relative inexperience with first team action. Now Rio Ferdinand himself has spoken out in favour of him.

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland defender impressed while on loan at Sunderland last season and has been a regular member of the United matchday squad this term.

Ferdinand told the club's official website: "Jonny is a top, top player. A few managers wanted to buy him in the summer, so that tells you what a good prospect he is. At Sunderland last season he was probably one of their better players. He's good with both feet, he's playing for Northern Ireland and he'll probably be their captain in the near future. You can see why the manager fought so hard to keep him and to make sure Jonny realises his future is here at Old Trafford. He'll have a major part to play in the coming years. The manager will just make sure Jonny trains hard and takes the best bits from all the players he works with and brings it to his own game. He's looked assured each time he's been called upon this season and I'm sure that will continue." .....Back To Home Page

Danny Simpson Hoping To Break Into The Big Time After Loan Period At Blackburn

Danny Simpson hopes to prove to Sir Alex Ferguson he can cut it at Manchester United as well as at Premier League level during his time at Blackburn.

He is currently on a season-long loan with Blackburn Rovers and to date he has made 5 starts with them which will give him invaluable experience. It is good for him and Manchester United that he gets the experience to play at that level. He has already experienced loans with Sunderland and Ipswich in the Championship.

Simpson is unsure of his long-term future at Old Trafford, but is eager to show Ferguson that he is worth keeping in his plans.

"You need experience, you need Sir Alex Ferguson to trust you that you can cut it in the Prem. For me, at the moment, I want to get as many games as I can. Obviously I will go back next season and then have a meeting and see what he says."

United boss Ferguson has said that he is not looking to sell him, he has faith in him to make it at the highest level, or so I assume.

"Obviously, it's what everyone wants to hear that I'm still in his plans and while I'm not there it's nice to hear." .....Back To Home Page

Roy Keane Signs Patrick Vierra

Well, not really, but what a good headline it would make huh. The former Manchester United Captain who had so many battles and punch ups with vierra I lost count, actually signing him as a player. I dread to see the dressing room if Sunderland had a bad day and Vierra was to blame !! It would seem that it has been considered by 'Keano' though, so who knows.

It was reported in www.goal.com and I have reproduced the article below.

Roy Admits He's Keen On Vieira

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has intimated
that he considered recruiting Patrick Vieira,
one of his greatest on-field enemies, during the summer...

• 
• 
• 

Sunderland spent big over the off-season as they sought to build a squad capable of cementing a
place in the Premier League's top 10.

One of the most fascinating transfer links involved Vieira, who was Keane's arch-rival when they
captained Arsenal and Manchester United respectively during the clubs' glory years in the late
1990s and onwards.

The French midfielder had been tipped to leave Internazionale after a disappointing season
punctuated by injuries and poor form, but even the most ambitious punter would have smirked
at the idea of a Wearside move.

However, when questioned over his alleged interest in Vieira, the Black Cats boss replied: “Not
when I found out his wages!

“If I believe this player can give us something, I’m sure the board would back us. We’re always
making enquiries about lots of players.”

While their rivallry was an intense one, few would deny that Keane and Vieira earned each
other's respect with every clash and tussle down the years.

There is also little doubt that the former Gunner would have proven a great addition at the
Stadium of Light. Natural leaders with that calibre of Premier League experience are a rare and
valuable commodity, after all.

Keane continued: “How great is (Vieira)? I don’t know. I don’t go down that road. I just know
he was a bloody good player.

“He had good leadership skills, too. But not as good as mine!”

Arsenal travel to Sunderland today, and Keane is expecting Arsene Wenger's side to be
especially fired-up after last week's shock loss to Hull City.

“Is Wenger harder than he looks? Without a shadow of doubt,” the Irishman added.

“He has that presence about him. I’m sure if he was having a go at you and standing over you,
you would realise that presence.”

Martin O'Neill Is Tipping Roy Keane To Manage Manchester United

MARTIN O’NEILL tips Roy Keane to land the biggest job in football - manager of Manchester United.

Aston Villa chief O’Neill said: “I think Roy can be anything he wants to be. The sky’s the limit for him.

“Can you imagine the wealth of experience Roy would have picked up from spending all those years and years playing under Brian Clough and Sir Alex Ferguson?

“He couldn’t have had two better mentors. All he’s had to do is take his own personality into it and be his own man.”

Although O’Neill himself was schooled under Clough at Nottingham Forest he stresses he ‘doesn’t pretend’ to know the ex-Manchester United midfielder.

He added: “I’ve had very, very few conversations with Roy, so mine is very much an outside viewpoint.

“But if he still has the same drive, determination and ambition he had as a player, there’s nothing to stop him reaching the very top as a manager.

“There’s no question he was one of the greats of the last 10-15 years and acknowledged by just about everyone as one of the top five Premiership players of that time.

“He stepped in at Sunderland with no managerial experience and turned results around and won promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.

“He’s had a supportive board but with his winning mentality and refusal to accept second-best, I have no doubts he can take Sunderland on to the level he would at least be satisfied with for the time being.”

Jonny Evans - In Out In Out - Give Him A Run In The Team Or Let Him Go I Say

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Jonny Evans has a big future at Old Trafford despite preparing to drop him for Saturday's Manchester United 'v' Bolton game.

I agree Fergie was forced to play him against Villarreal in the Champions League and the Premier League showdown at Chelsea last Sunday. But, despite some assured performances from Evans, Fergie will again drop him in favour of the big man himself, Nemanja Vidic following his return from suspension - after the red card he picked up at Liverpool earlier this month - in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

Evans accepts that he must bide his time for a regular place in the team, but Fergie has admitted the player will have a big part to play at Old Trafford in the future which is why he snubbed a big money offer from Sunderland for him.

"Jonny will be a future centre-half for Manchester United, there is no doubt about that," Ferguson told Inside United.

"That is a vindication of our belief in the boy. It should also prove he can believe what we're saying to him.

"We had a lot of offers from clubs who wanted to buy him in the summer - three or four clubs were interested - but we stuck to our guns because we believe in him. He will play a lot of football at this club."

One good sign I guess is the fact he was one of the few who weren't shunted out on loan. Maybe Fergie will fool us all again.