Sir Alex Considering Recruitng Panucci As Back Up

Given Manchester United's recent injury woes Sir Alex has been having a scout around Europe in order to back up the 'ailing' defence. Even though we have had eleven consecutive clean sheets, it must be addressed with Champions League games fast approaching and United still battling on two fronts for FA Cup and Carling Cup glory as well as the Premier League.

The agent of Christian Panucci won't rule out a move to Manchester United for the Roma defender. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is considering the want-away veteran over concerns for his injury-hit defence.

When asked about Manchester United’s reported interest in Panucci, his agent Oscar Damiani said: “Once again, I am not aware of anything. There is nothing concrete. I have not received anything from United or Lyon.

“Besides, I am not sure that, at the end of the day, Christian will be interested in a transfer to OL.”

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Manchester United's Carlos Tevez Named In Argentina Sqaud

Carlos Tevez might struggle at times to get first team opportunities with Manchester United when Wayne Rooney is around but he is always an automatic choice for Argentina, currently managed by Maradonna.

He has just been named for the squad that is due to play France in a friendly on February 11th.

The match is being played in Marseille which is a God send as it means Tevez wont have to fly to Argentina and back in mid week, which is nit ideal preperation for a Saturday match.

Full Argentina Squad: Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar). Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Daniel Diaz (Getafe), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan). Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Luis Gonzalez (Porto). Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lisandro Lopez (Porto), German Denis (Napoli), Ángel Di Maria (Benfica).

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Manchester United Move In To Hijack Valencia From Real Madrid's Grasp

Real Madrid have been busy behind the scenes badgering Wigan to sell their Ecuadorian star Antonio Valencia and now it is Sir Alex Ferguson's turn to step in and upset the apple cart for the Spaniards as he has had an interest in Valencia for some time.

Madrid, along with United, have held a long-term interest in 23-year-old Valencia, it has been reported that Wigan have demanded £18million from Real in order to let Valencia leave the JJB Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping he could leave it until the summer transfer window before making any move to bring Valencia to Old Trafford, but with new Madrid coach Juande Ramos desperate to recruit a winger to the Bernabeu in January, Ferguson is understood to have approached Wigan asking for first option and an asking price for Valencia.

Manchester United are believed to be favourites to land Valencia, with Ramos reportedly wanting to take the winger on loan initially from Wigan and make the deal permanent in the summer, which is not a good deal for Wigan at all as they need him for there push for a place in Europe next seasona s they are currently seventh in the league.

Steve Bruce, Wigan manager, does not want to lose Valencia having already seen Emile Heskey leave for Aston Villa this month and Wilson Palacios join Tottenham Hotspur however, despite Bruce being desperate to keep Valencia at the Latics. In reality should United or Real offer somewhere near Wigan’s valuation then another departure from the JJB in January looks ever more likely.......Back To Home Page...

Zoran Tosic To Face Liverpool

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, manager of Manchester United's reserves for thise who don't know, has named a strong side for United’s Reserves match against Liverpool at Altrincham’s Moss Lane tonight.

Of the eleven he has chosen five have first team experience which, in this league, means a lot. The five 'first teamers' being Tomasz Kuszczak, Rodrigo Possebon, Brandy, Lee Martin and Serbian winger Zoran Tosic.

Tosic was actually in action Tuesday night as a substitute for the first team in the 5-0 mauling of West Brom but if he is chosen tonight it will be his very first start for United at any level.

Ritchie de Laet, who arrived from Stoke City recently, starts at the back, while Lee Martin makes his first United appearance since returning from a loan spell at Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.

I'm especially interetsed in this game as any match up against the Scousers means we MUST win. So come on guys, give them a good spanking.....

Provisional United side: Kuszczak; Evans C, de Laet, Chester, James; Martin, Possebon, Drinkwater, Tosic; Brandy, Macheda

Subs: Amos, Derbyshire, Eikrem, Petrucci, Bryan

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West Brom's Paul Robinson's Appeal Over Manchester United Red Card Successful

West Brom defender Paul Robinson has had his red card against Manchester United rescinded by the Football Association.

The 30-year-old had faced a three-game ban after he was shown a straight red by referee Rob Styles following his first-half challenge on Park Ji-Sung in Tuesday night's 5-0 defeat to Manchester United at the Hawthorns.

The FA have, however, overturned the decision on appeal after viewing replays of the incident, freeing the left-back to play against Hull this weekend.

This is one of those rare occasions when the FA gets it right. Robinson meant no agression to Park Ji-Sung when he went in for that challenge and this is great news that he is free to play this weekend.

Well done to the FA......Back To Home Page...

Zlatan's Sour Grapes At Manchester United's Ronaldo

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made fun of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or victory. The award which is voted for by sports journalists around the globe, was given to Cristiano Ronaldo last month for his sparkling season at Manchester United.

United finished the season as Premier League winners and Champions of Europe and on the way to these victories Ronnie fired in an incredible 42 goals in 49 games.

However the Swedish international, currently playing for Inter Milan, believes the award means nothing.

He said: "Now the Ballon d'Or has become a publicity stunt. It all depends on what people see in order to judge. For me it is more important to win with the team rather than anything else."

Sour grapes indeed. Either that or he is trying his hand at some mind games ahead of the Champions League clash between the two clubs which is coming up shortly. I think it will have put paid to him actually winning it himself in the future after he made it sound like a 'Mickey Mouse' award. Nice one Zlatan, looks you just pissed on your own strawberries Mr....Back To Home Page...

Mido Piles More Pain On Rafa As Manchester United Stay Top

Rafael Benitez again chose to leave out Robbie Keane and Liverpool duly went on to blow their chance of joining Manchester United at the summit of the Premier League.

The Dubliner was only introduced after Mido had cancelled out Yossi Benayoun's opener, remarkably replacing Steven Gerrard almost 20 minutes after Benitez had withdrawn the exhausted Fernando Torres. The logic behind this substitution was completely beyond me. Gerrard is the only player at Liverpool who shows a modicum of continuity and in the past he has single handedly saved Liverpool from some rather dodgy results. So what does Rafa do, he takes him off. Amazing!

Both Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt were preferred as substitutes to the £20m signing from Tottenham as Liverpool sought without success to build on their lead. Instead, debutant Mido equalised from the penalty spot with eight minutes left. It leaves Liverpool two points adrift of United, treading water in the title race and Keane's future open to question.

Benitez insists he wants to keep the player but, with the feeling at Anfield that he will not play if Gerrard and Torres are fit, he will no doubt be wondering what point there is in staying if he is not even the Spaniard's natural replacement.....it's all going tits up for The Pool, as I forecast it would several months ago.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United 'v' West Brom FA Hearing Scheduled For Thursday

West Brom lodged an appeal within two hours with the Football Association over the red card Paul Robinson received in Tuesday night's 5-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Robinson was dismissed late in the first half of the defeat at the Hawthorns by referee Rob Styles for a challenge on Park Ji-Sung, but WBA believe the incident did not warrant a dismissal.

An FA spokesman confirmed that a disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday at 1pm to decide whether Robinson's three-match ban should be overturned.

The reaction of Robinson said it all for me, he was absolutely shell shocked when he saw the red card. The Manchester United players also showed signs of non-belief with Ryan Giggs putting his arm around Robinson as he left the field.

Not one word of complaint about Robinson has come from Sir Alex or the victim of the challenge Park Ji-Sung which says to me they are happy for an appeal to take place and if Robinson is vindicated from his actions, they wont be annoyed.

West Brom had a mountain to climb as soon as the whistle went last night in all honesty and they would have been 2-0 down at half time anyway, but to be 2-0 down AND reduced to ten men just wrote them out of the equation, it was a foregone conclusion United would win this one.

I am a fierce supporter of all things United including The Winker Ronaldo. As fans we must stick up for our team, for our guys but on this ocassion I do feel a misjustice has happened and I wish Paul Robinson getting this red card revoked tomorrow.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Injury List Joy

Manchester United's current run of good fortune and good results as well as their record breaking exploits continues today with news that their lengthy injury list is shrinking faster than the Bishop's nether regions after he had been with the actress.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand returned at West Brom on Tuesday after a back injury as United trounced WBA and Edwin Van Der Super Star became the new record holder as he reached 1032 minutes without conceding a goal. All of which helped the champions move three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 victory. They now have the best goal difference in the league too.

Midfielder Park Ji-Sung and defender Wes Brown also took part at The Hawthorns and manager Alex Ferguson hopes to have Patrice Evra and Nani fit to face Everton at Old Trafford this Saturday.

"Things are looking up and players are starting to come back," Ferguson said, "Patrice may have a chance for Saturday against Everton. If the game had still been on Monday I'd say he'll definitely play. But he's still got a chance of making it. Nani should also be fit for Saturday as well".

Wayne Rooney is still recovering from a hamstring and Jonny Evans, Rafael, Fabio and Anderson are also sidelined.

"Wayne has never had a hamstring injury before and there is no way we will bring him back early, he's doing terrific work in the gym and, in terms of his rehabilitation, he is on the mend. But we said at the time he was injured that it would be three or four weeks before he would be fit and there is no change there."

United's home clash with Everton was brought forward to Saturday because the visitors are involved in an FA Cup replay against Liverpool next week.....Back To Home Page...

Cristiano Ronaldo And His New Number Plate

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued his phenomenal car spending spree by splashing out £150,000 on a registration plate. The Manchester United winger has forked out the massive amount on the registration plate ‘CR7’ denoting his initials and shirt number for United and Portugal.

Ronaldo’s latest purchase again follows in the footsteps of United’s previous star number 7 – David Beckham. When former England captain Beckham was at Old Traffordhe bought himself an Aston Martin DB7 - and aptly chose the registration plate ‘DB7’ and Beckham – who has owned some of the world’s most exclusive cars – recently got his hands on a £350,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Ronaldo has followed suit, recently ordering a Phantom Drophead Coupe through luxury dealer Liquid 45. The plate won’t be going on his convertible Rolls-Royce, but on his Bentley Continental GTC, according to The Sun newspaper.

Despite being aged just 23, multi-millionaire superstar Ronaldo is fast gaining a reputation for being one of football’s biggest petrolheads. Over the past few years, the £130,000-a-week winger has owned a Porsche Cayenne, Porsche 911 convertible, Ferrari F430, Audi R8 and BMW M6 alongside his Bentley. It’s also believed Ronaldo is on the waiting list for an £830,000 Bugatti Veyron after being impressed with the car's performance when he raced one for a Nike commercial.

While an enormous amount of money, the £150,000 paid for the plate ‘CR7’ is significantly less than the world record £7 million a billionaire from the Middle-east paid for the plate ‘1’ and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has also been involved, splashing out £285,000 for the plate VIP 1.

Isn't it nice to see the credit crunch is affecting the footballers like the rest of us.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Defender Nemanja Vidic Could Receive Three Match Ban

Manchester United's Serbian international central defender Nemanja Vidic is waiting for UEFA's verdict on Friday as to whether he will receive the mandatory one match ban for the straight sending off he received in the Club World Cup or whether they will extend it to three games should they deem the challenge as serious enough to warrant that.

Vidic received the straight red card for 'violent misconduct' after elbowing Claudio Bieler who plays for Ecuadorian champions Liga De Quito in the Club World Cup in Tokyo in December.

Under the normal rules, if a player is sent off for misconduct during this tournament he is to serve a minimum one game ban in his confederation’s tournament, theUEFA Champions League.

But the problem arises if UEFA’s disciplinary committee deem the misconduct of a serious nature and therefore increase the punishment, which could mean a three game ban. This situation already means he will miss the first leg of the Tie with Inter Milan in the CL last 16 scheduled for 24th Feb. Should the ban be extended Vidic would miss the return at Old Trafford and the first leg of the quarter finals, should the Red Devils progress.

Losing Vidic for just one game is hard enough for United who currently have a number of injuries making selection a problem for Sir Alex. I'm sure he doesn't need all the problems brought on by this situation. I would be very surprised if UEFA increase the ban but they are renowned for doing and saying very odd things.....Back To Home Page...

Edwin Van Der Sar - Manchester United's Record Breaking Goalkeeper

Having not conceded a goal since Arsenal's Samir Nasri scored the second of his two goals on 8 November against Manchester United, Edwin Van Der Sar needed to survive 84 minutes against West Bromwich Albion tonight, and he did it with consummate ease.

Whilst he didn't concede, his team mates scored 5 at the other end.

Van Der Sar is now unbeaten in 1032 minutes!

Chelsea's Petr Cech held the record at 1,025 minutes, which he took from United's Peter Schmeichel in 2005.

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However, this is still short of Steve De'Ath's Football League best of 1,103 minutes for Reading and the British record for all competitive games, held by Chris Woods of Rangers, who once went unbeaten for 1,196 minutes (19 hours and 56 minutes).

Van Der Sar can reach 1122 minutes if he can keep Everton at bay next weekend.

This game also means Manchester United are the first team ever to go 11 consecutive games without conceding a goal.

Two records broken tonight. The half century of points is reached and United now have the best goal difference in the Premier League. What a night.....Back To Home Page...

Paul Scholes Accepts His Manchester United Career Is Coming To An End

Paul Scholes says his desire to win things for Manchester United is as strong as ever.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said: "My desire to win more trophies is still strong, Manchester United is a massive club that demands that you win things. If you are just happy to go along and not earn medals there is no point in you being here.

"We are almost at the end of January now and in a great position to be successful this season. Hopefully we can see it through."

"As you get older, you don't play as often which is the manager's way of looking after you and getting the best out of you. I don't go forward or score goals like I used to or would like to. We probably saw the end of those bursts into the penalty area about two years ago. It is just one of those things and something you have to accept. I know the end is not too far away for me but as long as I am here I will just try my best to help the team in whatever way I can."

What a great attitude, what a great player, what a great role model, what a GREAT MAN !!

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Cristiano Ronaldo's New Car

Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United teammates spared him little sympathy after his recent Ferrari crash.

After Ronaldo wrote off his £315,000 Ferrari, his team-mates, including Anderson and Wayne Rooney, are said to have bought him a pedal car as a joke.

Ronaldo said: "I feel very fortunate to be able to play at this club with this bunch."

How embarassing for him. But he wont be too worried as a car of this value only represents three weeks wages for him. What a crazy world we live in.....Back To Home Page...

Dietmar Hopp Wants Manchester United's Tevez

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is attracting interest from TSG Hoffenheim - the club backed by computer software billionaire Dietmar Hopp.

Around 1990, alumnus Dietmar Hopp returned to the club of his youth, not as a player or manager, but as financial backer. Hopp was the co-founder of software firm SAP and he put some of his money into the club. His contributions generated almost immediate results: in 2000 Hoffenheim finished first in the Verbandsliga and was promoted to the fourth-division Oberliga Baden-Wurttemberg. Another first place finish moved the club up to the Regionalliga (III) for the 2001–02 season. They finished 13th in their first season in the Regionalliga, but improved significantly the next year, earning a fifth place result.

The People says advisors working on behalf of Hopp have contacted Kia Joorabchian, the Iranian businessman who owns Tevez and who is locked in stalled talks with Manchester United over the future of the Argentina striker.

Hopp is German football's Roman Abramovich - and he is desperate to raise Hoffenheim's profile even further.....Back To Home Page...