Manchester United

[mrbojangles]

1 Manchester United (16 incidents)

2 Coventry (12)

3 Aston Villa (9)

4 Chelsea (9)

5 Liverpool (9)

6 Cardiff (8)

7 Leeds (8)

8 Millwall (7)

9 Birmingham (6)

10 West Ham (5)

Louts, the lot of em

[redrus]

1 Manchester United (16 incidents)

2 Coventry (12)

3 Aston Villa (9)

4 Chelsea (9)

5 Liverpool (9)

6 Cardiff (8)

7 Leeds (8)

8 Millwall (7)

9 Birmingham (6)

10 West Ham (5)

Louts, the lot of em

No away support MrB....!

redrus

[redrus]

CARRICK PLEASED WITH DISPLAYS

MUTV

Thursday 15th February 2007

So far so good for Michael

Michael Carrick says the balance of the team means his lack of goals this season isn't important.

"If we were struggling and needed to score goals, maybe I would be a little bit more concerned about the need to chip in," he told MUTV.

"But we have a nice balance at the moment. Everyone else has been scoring pretty freely over the past month so the goals situation does not really bother me.

"I have other jobs to do, so it is not much of a concern at all."

Carrick also feels he's really started settling in to the team.

"I am improving," he said.

"I wouldn't say there was a massive difference in the way I am playing compared to Spurs but there is one.

"I am just enjoying being part of this fantastic side. It feels like everyone is playing unbelievably well, so it is understandable I have a lot of confidence.

"It makes it a lot easier to pick people out because you have so many options."

redrus

[redrus]

LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS LEFT FOR LARSSON

Wednesday 14th February 2007

Neville hopes he stays.

From the MEN:

Gary Neville is hoping United can persuade Henrik Larsson to remain at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season. At the moment, Larsson is due to return to Helsingborg on March 12.

“Forwards win you football matches. They are crucially important to any team. If you do not have good centre-forwards then you are in trouble.

“We have three or four good forwards here. It is one of the reasons we are doing so well. They are all different but they all work hard and want to play for the team, which is important.

“Henrik has been fantastic for us. It's not just him filling a position, it is his work-rate, attitude and movement. I just hope we can keep him for as long as possible.”

Larsson himself is quoted:

“I don’t think you will see any game when United aren’t trying to push forward and score goals. In training I look around at the squad and you can see that any one of them could start a game and United would be as strong as ever.

“It’s now that you start to really appreciate having a big squad of quality players. Each player offers something a little different to the team. There has been a great process of bringing players through and buying intelligently at the club.

“We do have a lot of games coming up over the next couple of weeks but that is what being at a club like United is all about. We train well and prepare well and there is no reason why we can’t take these games in our stride.

“Everybody is up for it and when you are playing well and enjoying the football, you want to play every day.”

redrus

[mrbojangles]

1 Manchester United (16 incidents)

2 Coventry (12)

3 Aston Villa (9)

4 Chelsea (9)

5 Liverpool (9)

6 Cardiff (8)

7 Leeds (8)

8 Millwall (7)

9 Birmingham (6)

10 West Ham (5)

Louts, the lot of em

No away support MrB....!

As you very well know Red, we have one of the best, if not THEEE best, away supporters in football

[redrus]

As you very well know Red, we have one of the best, if not THEEE best, away supporters in football

:D :D :bah:

Says all I need I think....!

redrus

[muckypups]

As you very well know Red, we have one of the best, if not THEEE best, away supporters in football

I take it the "S" is a typo..? And fair play Mr. B., somebody has to endure the agony week in week out...

Edited February 15, 2007 by muckypups

[mrbojangles]

As you very well know Red, we have one of the best, if not THEEE best, away supporters in football

I take it the "S" is a typo..? And fair play Mr. B., somebody has to endure the agony week in week out...

The agony has actually become bearable. It's a bit like having a gammy leg and just getting used to limping all the time

[redrus]

As you very well know Red, we have one of the best, if not THEEE THREE best, away supporters in footbal

The agony has actually become bearable. It's a bit like having a gammy leg and just getting used to limping all the time

Ouch.

redrus

[redrus]

Manchester United 1 Reading 1

by Footymad

Match report from last night's home draw in the encounter versus Reading

It was the result which neither side wanted but in the end Manchester United and Reading had to settle for the draw and a replay at the Madejski Stadium a week on Tuesday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Reading counterpart, Steve Coppell, made six and seven changes respectively to their sides.

From the way a scrappy first half developed, it looked as if either team would struggle to produce a goal of any description in this fifth round FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.

But deep into first-half stoppage time, Michael Carrick gave United the lead with a super low shot.

It looked as if that might prove to be the winner until United went to sleep midway through the second half enabling Brynjar Gunnarsson to capitalise on poor marking at a John Oster corner to head home the equaliser.

The first half had produced little in the way of chances, although what were created were mainly by United.

In the fifth minute, superb work by Louis Saha on the right corner of the Reading box set up Ji-Sung Park who blasted the ball over the bar from ten yards.

Only a fine intervention by Andre Bikey prevented Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from firing United ahead soon after.

Saha showed super skill just before the half-hour when his run from the centre circle took out three Reading players before the Frenchman shot over from 12 yards.

Park missed another good effort seconds later when he fired over from 12 yards after being set up by Wes Brown.

United should have taken the lead in the 34th minute. Park charged down a clearance from Bikey and the ball fell kindly to Solskjaer ten yards from goal and, although the Norwegian slotted his shot home, he turned around in astonishment to see the effort ruled out for offside.

Reading's best chance of the half came in the 40th minute when Ulises de la Cruz shot into the side-netting from eight yards after a fine one-two down the right with Oster.

But, with the first half moving into the second minute of stoppage time, United broke the deadlock.

Brown found Cristiano Ronaldo in the middle of the Reading half and his clever turn and flick set up Carrick to score with a superb low 25-yard right-foot shot which beat Reading goalkeeper, Adam Federici, before nestling in the bottom corner of the net.

United should have sealed the result in the 63rd minute. Park's clever chip into the Reading box found Ronaldo racing clear of Gunnarsson, but, with only Federici to beat, he slipped his shot wide of the goalkeeper and inches beyond the far post from eight yards.

Ronaldo went close with a 20-yard shot soon after, but United fell for the sucker-punch in the 67th minute.

Oster's deep corner to the back of the penalty area caught the United defence napping and Gunnarsson powered his way forward to score with a bullet header from 12 yards.

Ferguson brought on Paul Scholes, Henrik Larsson and Patrice Evra in an all-out bid to find a winner.

In a grandstand finale, Federici brilliantly tipped behind Larsson's close-range shot while Saha raced clear from just inside the Reading half before hitting his shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

But Reading almost grabbed a winner themselves late on when Ki-Hyeon Seol's low cross from the right evaded United goalkeeper, Tomasz Kuszczak, and Nicky Shorey got in a shot at the far post which had to be turned behind by Brown.

redrus

[redrus]

Soccervoice - Newslines - 18.02.2007

Man Utd with summer clear out !

The People reports today that Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a summer clear out at Old Trafford.

Fringe players such as Kieran Richardson, Darren Fletcher, Phil Bardsley and John O'Shea coud be given a chance to leave opening space for the likes of Owen Hargreaves and David Bentley....????? to join.

Richardson had a great loan spell at WBA a few years back which made him an England international, but the flank player hasn't managed to get a settled place at Man Utd and the player might like to seek other options.

John O'Shea has been used more frequently and gets a game when the opposition isn't the best or other players are injured. But the Eire international would probably be a first choice almost everywhere else in the Premiership.

Darren Fletcher is a key player for Scotland and currently not playing enough at Man Utd. To be able to keep his place in the Scotland set-up he would probably be interested in a move as well. Fletcher hasn't really fullfilled his potential and instead of drifting into the shadows at Manchester United a new club could be a solution for him as well.

redrus

[redrus]

Man Utd can extend Larsson´s contract

2007-02-18 CET 14:10

Manchester United can extend Henrik Larsson's contract when his temporary deal ends on 12 March.

The Sunday Mirror reports that the Swedish striker will be a free agent on 12 March, leaving Manchester United with a chance to extend Larsson's stay at the club.

Copyright © OnTheMinute.com & AsianHandicap.com

redrus

[redrus]

VIEWS FROM THE BROADSHEETS

yesterday

Fair play to Reading.

THE INDIE

If only he had played his first team. Steve Coppell, that is. One suspects that, given the opportunity, the Reading manager would almost have conceded this tie before the game. Not out of fear, but priorities. His is the Premiership and, though he may not admit it, Europe.

Yet by the end even the normally taciturn Reading manager was exhorting his men to achieve the unthinkable. They didn't, quite, but on an evening when Sir Alex Ferguson's team appeared to have the Champions' League on their mind the visitors comfortably did enough to walk away with pride, and a deserved replay.

Coppell referred to his seven alterations from last week's defeat of Aston Villa as commitment to his fringe players. One could admire that stance, even if the uncommitted here, and watching on TV, may have viewed it as foolhardy in the extreme, if not sheer impudence, given the power of yesterday's opponents. Sending a second team out to defeat two Championship sides is one thing; it is quite another to do the same against the champions-elect.

His chairman, John Madejski, had weighed in, claiming that Reading have two first teams, both equal. Which suggests that for all his significant contribution to the Royals' ascent to these giddy heights, the art lover and benefactor should stick to appreciating his Degas rather than his Doyles.

In the event, Coppell was astute enough to deploy three of his key players, in Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell and Ivar Ingimarsson, in a 5-4-1 formation, with the strength of Leroy Lita, Glenn Little and Steve Hunt on the bench.

In the first half, it produced the desired effect: negating United's threat. With the exception of Michael Carrick's goal, that first period was played frequently in a cathedral silence. Rarely can the atmosphere have been so low-key. It was as if the mutual respect between the managers had infected their players.

United, who play Lille on Tuesday, were also far from full- strength. They were without the suspended Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, while Paul Scholes and Patrivce Evra started on the bench. It was 35 minutes before a weak effort by Saha finally brought goalkeeper Adam Federici into action. Before that, Ji-Sung Park twice turned the ball over the bar.

Reading forced two early corners and played the ball around precisely enough, but without looking as though they would penetrate the home rearguard. Any relief they felt at the absence of Rooney was tempered by their fear of the damage Cristiano Ronaldo could inflict. And it was the Portuguese who found Carrick, whose cross reached Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the Norwegian failed to capitalise. Saha summed up United's indifferent play when he drove wide from an angle.

At least Solskjaer had the ball in the net after a Reading clearance had ricocheted to him, but he was adjudged offside.

The Reading defender Ulises De La Cruz spurned the best chance of the half up until then when he was through, but managed only to find the side netting. He was made to rue that lost opportunity when, in added time, Ronaldo, who had been generally subdued, knocked the ball wide to Carrick, and the England midfielder placed a splendid low drive wide of Federici.

THE OBSERVER

Neither team wanted a replay, so that's exactly what they got. The biggest surprise, apart from the fact that Reading have strength in depth as well as sixth place in the Premiership, was that an old-fashioned Cup tie emerged after all. There is no danger of Manchester United underestimating Reading at the Madejski, especially if they bring back Leroy Lita.

As promised, Reading left out seven first-team players; United omitted six, not including the suspended Wayne Rooney. Steve Coppell started it, though Sir Alex Ferguson sympathised, arguing that you had actually to win the FA Cup to gain any glory, while qualifying for the Uefa Cup might be a more realistic ambition. That sounds fair enough, if not exactly Roy of the Rovers, though there were empty seats in the United areas as well as at the Reading end and it was a pity the meeting of the Premiership's two form teams found both preoccupied with Europe.

'I think it's disrespectful when people question my team selection,' Coppell said afterwards, when his side had done him proud. 'That wasn't a weak team. I picked a similar side in the last round and I intend to do so again in the replay. We'll just have to see what happens.'

At least the changes did not deprive the crowd of a contest. United's reserves are all pretty good and Reading's aren't bad, either. Despite playing Dave Kitson on his own up front, Reading managed to get forward in numbers early on, though like United they looked a little lightweight in the goalscoring department. The first half-hour passed without any attempts on goal worthy of the name. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought a save from Adam Federici after just 10 minutes, but the ball came late to the striker and he did not connect with his usual clout; a run by Louis Saha left Brynjar Gunnarsson floundering, only to end with a wayward drive; Cristiano Ronaldo comically wasted a free-kick; and when Saha set up Park Ji...#8209;Sung, the shot threatened a corner flag rather than goal.

Apart from a couple of unconvincing attempts by Ulises de la Cruz and Nicky Shorey, Reading's attacking endeavours had more or less fizzled out by the time United took the lead. After Solskjaer had seen a goal disallowed a tad harshly for offside, and Park and Saha had overelaborated for about the eighth time, the sight of Paul Scholes and Henrik Larsson warming up seemed to do the trick. Ronaldo appeared to ask a lot of Michael Carrick when he ran into trouble and invited him to shoot from almost 30 yards, but Carrick struck the ball low and true, beating Federici with almost the last kick of the half.

Once in front, United spent too much time pumping long balls in the direction of front players who struggled to control them. Without Scholes and Ryan Giggs, there was little of their incisive short passing game, though after an hour Park did manage to release Ronaldo with a defence-splitting through ball of which Scholes would have been proud. Ronaldo had only Federici to beat, but contrived to miss the target, as he did four minutes later when Solskjaer gave him a chance to shoot.

None of this profligacy looked likely to matter while Reading's only attempt on goal of the second half was a 40-yard cross-cum-shot from Seol Ki-Hyeon that briefly had Tomasz Kuszczak unsure of his bearings, though urgency soon returned when Gunnarsson nodded in John Oster's corner. United were caught unawares, first by Reading sneaking up the field, then by Gunnarsson finding space at the edge of the area to loop a well placed header over several defenders and Kuszczak's despairing dive. 'It was a bad goal to concede,' Ferguson admitted. 'They only had five players in the area to our 10, but football can always bite you like that. We had enough chances to kill the game, but we didn't take them so we can't complain.'

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have spent a decade at loggerheads but suddenly there is another auld alliance between Scotland and France. First, on Friday, Ferguson chided reporters who were seeking to make the Arsenal manager a scapegoat for leading the influx of foreign players into English football.

Yesterday would have had the Manchester United manager nodding in agreement with Wenger's suggestions FA Cup replays should be scrapped. A return match at the Madjeski Stadium is no more welcome to United than a replay at Ewood Park for Arsenal. But Ferguson's players had only themselves to blame. They had sufficient opportunities to win this tie on the day. Michael Carrick scored spectacularly from distance but easier chances were missed. Indeed it was Reading, late on, who came closest to providing a winner, Seol Ki-Hyeon crossing for Nicky Shorey to head at goal only for Wes Brown to clear off the line.

Until showing some late ambition Reading had few attacks and fewer efforts on goal but, as they have done in the Premiership all season, made the most of modest resources. Trailing 1-0 midway through the second half a corner provided them with a rare attacking platform and when John Oster swung the ball towards the penalty spot, an unlikely predator pounced. Brynjar Gunnarsson, a journeyman Icelandic defender, suddenly became deadly planting a powerful header in off the underside of the bar from 15 yards.

Reading manager Steve Coppell faced opprobrium for announcing he would field a side sprinkled with reserves. There was snobbery, surely, about such criticism. It is nowadays accepted when big clubs used weakened teams in cup competitions: why should lesser lights, such as Reading, who have league agendas and squad concerns of their own to think about, be different? As it was United (six) made a similar number of changes to their opponents (seven).

Perhaps inevitably in the first period, second string versus second string produced much second rate fare. With their five-man defence and four-man midfield Reading erected barricades. They were not wholly negative, getting their full-backs and wide midfielders upfield in support of Dave Kitson when they counter-attacked, but apart from an early seam of corners and one thrust in which Ulises De la Cruz broke into the box to take Oster's pass and shoot into the side netting, the problems they presented to United were of the obdurate sort.

Carrick and Darren Fletcher tried to be delicate in their passing but the eight or nine blue shirts in their way usually proved too many to penetrate, and when United did squeeze the ball to a forward the tackling of Reading's three centre-backs was staunch. United needed some individualism to crack Coppell's tough nuts and, until Cristiano Ronaldo eventually stepped forward, Louis Saha did his best to provide it. He burst from the halfway-line past three opponents only, off balance, to strike his shot into the stand. On another attack, set up when Nemanja Vidic won a typically courageous header, Brown poked a pass inside to Saha who muscled into Reading's box before checking and playing a clever cut back to Ji-Sung Park who, seemingly intent for most of the afternoon in proving his recent goalscoring to be an aberration, missed with a miserable slice.

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

United got what they didn't want, a replay. It is hard to resist a jibe of "serves you right", but both clubs fielded weakened teams against the spirit of everything the FA Cup used to represent. Any salute to Reading's tenacity and comradeship is muted in this corner.

For more than a hundred years the old trophy was a thing of the richest romance. Whole towns caught the fever. Teams travelled along roads that promised the ultimate sporting joy at the Wembley of the Twin Towers.

Now the competition is diminished. Wembley, when it is completed, will stand as a monument to wealth and modernity. There was no sign of a throwback to the glory days here as the managers here played half strength teams as if the fifth round was no more than a distraction.

Steve Coppell made seven changes, Sir Alex Ferguson six with a passing nod at the cup's former prestige. The Premiership and European football have both become much bigger prizes these days unless you belong to the lower leagues where ambition still wears a smile.

There will be many nodding in agreement at the words of Sir Tom Finney, the Preston and England legend whose team play Manchester City today. He says: "There have been managers saying openly that the Cup is not what it used to be. It shows a lack of respect and a lack of understanding of what this country's football is about. They field weak teams and it's as if they don't want to try."

Coppell had his own strident response when he said: "It is disrespectful when people question my team selection. I played more or less the same team in the last round. I can't understand people questioning it."

When Michael Carrick drove United into the lead from 25 yards in the minute added on at the end of the first half the noise that erupted from the stands was more the sound of relief than celebration.

Until then there was more chance of the thousands falling asleep that rising from the torpor of a match that lacked any semblance of passion for all the striving of those not normally in their first teams.

In the end Reading earned their draw. Those chosen by Coppell had the desire and for that they deserve admiration as they constantly thwarted United. They managed that for 45 minutes before Carrick's strike, mainly with some powerful block tackling, notably by Andre Bikey and three times United's Korean, Ji-Sung Park, found himself stopped by lunging defenders although twice, when put in by flicks from Louis Saha, he should have done better than sky the ball over the top.

Ronaldo, too, squandered chances but it was his lay-off that gave Carrick his opportunity.

Reading deserve some credit for the way they went about their job, again responding in full to the demands of their manager who is much admired by Ferguson and played 373 matches for United, scoring 70 goals before retiring at the age of 28 with a knee injury.

redrus

[redrus]

AND THE GAME TOMORROW........

Monday 19th February 2007

Quotes, weather and preview about the Lille game

* Van der Sar:

"The possibility of winning the Champions League is a bit smaller than winning the league.

"We'll do our best.

"We lost against them last year, so it is a good motivation to win this year.

"They are still not a very well-known team, so we have to be careful of that.

"We have to play our game and make sure we get the result we want.

"Sometimes it's better playing Milan or something than another team that is less well-known and you maybe don't know all the players.

"I'm sure the manager and Carlos are going to prepare to the very best and capabilities to inform the players about tactics and the strong points of the opposite team."

* Evra recalls losing the CL final with Monaco:

"It's a competition that is very important to me personally.

"It's the best and worst feeling when you lose in a final, especially the Champions League final.

"Of course you are delighted to be in it, but to lose is very hard. To be honest, I'd rather not play in a final if I'm not going to win it.

"I remember when I first signed for United one of the first things I said was I didn't want to just reach the Champions League final, I wanted to win it.

"That's one of the main reasons why I came here because I knew we would have a great chance of doing well. I certainly think we have a great chance this year."

* Lille boss Claude Puel:

"Last year we were like spectators.

"We listened to the Champions League anthem before the games and looked around the stadium to soak up the atmosphere.

"But this year our approach has changed. We have more ambition and we are more attack-minded.

"The players have realised that they don't need to feel inhibited when they play top teams.

"And when we went to Milan in the group stage, we went there believing we could win and we did that.

"When we beat United they were going through a difficult patch, but they have improved a lot.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has a more structured game and is more consistent. Wayne Rooney is still there and Louis Saha is having a great season.

"It will be an interesting tie but I always want my players to impose themselves rather than worry about the opposition.

"I spent 25 years at Monaco and we always focused on our own game and that philosophy has stuck with me."

* BBC:

Manchester United hope to have a full squad to choose from for their Champions League tie with Lille.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in the Red Devils party but rookie Tom Heaton also travelled in case the Dutchman has not fully recovered from a broken nose.

Wayne Rooney is set for a recall after he was suspended for Saturday's FA Cup draw against Reading.

He could partner Henrik Larsson, whose last appearance in this competition came for Barcelona in the 2006 final.

The one minor hiccup to United's preparations is that the pitch at Lens' Stade Bollaert has been declared unfit to train on.

It means both United and Lille, who did not concede a goal in two meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson's men last season, will instead train at the Lens training ground at La Gayette.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszcak, Heaton, Neville, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Vidic, Evra, Heinze, Brown, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick, Park, Richardson, Rooney, Saha, Smith, Larsson, Solskjaer.

* Reuters:

Lille head into Tuesday's Champions League home clash with Manchester United after a morale-sapping run of results that has undermined confidence at the Ligue 1 club.

Short on goals and unable to see out a result to the final whistle in recent games, the conditions are not ideal for a last-16 first leg with Alex Ferguson's Premier League leaders.

Lille looked set for victory over champions Olympique Lyon on Friday, only to concede goals from striker Fred and defender Sebastien Squillaci in the last seven minutes to lose 2-1 at home.

"It's tough at the moment," said the northern side's coach Claude Puel. "We have to do something to prevent these kind of setbacks from happening again.

"We had the game under control, we played pretty well for most of the match -- but we got caught out."

There was a sense of deja vu for a Lille side who have been struggling to find their attacking bite since the championship resumed after the winter break.

Lille have scored five goals in nine games in all competitions and have not scored two goals in a league game since a 2-2 draw with St Etienne on Dec. 10.

Before going down to Lyon, they had lost 1-0 at mid-table Toulouse, who slotted home the winner in the last minute.

"This has nothing to do with chance. We need to ask ourselves some questions," said midfielder Ludovic Obraniak. "We have to avoid the same kind of mistakes against United."

Striker Nicolas Fauvergue added: "We must learn to hang on until the final whistle. It's true, we are not at our best before this game with United."

To make matters worse, Lille will be without their main goalscorer, Kader Keita, who is suspended.

On Friday, Puel rested several influential players such as Mathieu Chalme, Nicolas Plestan and Mathieu Debuchy, who are almost certain to start on Tuesday.

Ferguson also re-shuffled his pack for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Reading at Old Trafford and ended with up only a 1-1 draw for his trouble. However, it means he should at least be able to field a full-strength side.

Wayne Rooney returns to the starting line-up from a domestic suspension, while Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar should make his return from a broken nose, taking over from Tomasz Kuszczak.

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo made his comeback on Saturday after a heavy cold, while central midfielder Paul Scholes, a second-half substitute against Reading, is bound to start.

France striker Louis Saha will probably lead the attack against his compatriots, supported by Rooney and Ronaldo, as Ferguson continues his bid to match United's Champions League success in 1999.

Probable teams

Lille: 1-Tony Sylva; 20-Gregory Tafforeau, 25-Nicolas Plestan, 4-Efstathios Tavlaridis, 21-Mathieu Chalme; 2-Mathieu Debuchy, 17-Jean II Makoun, 12-Mathieu Bodmer, 29-Stephane Dumont; 35-Ludovic Obraniak, 14-Peter Odemwingie

Manchester United: 1-Edwin van der Sar; 2-Gary Neville, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 15-Nemanja Vidic, 3-Patrice Evra; 7-Cristiano Ronaldo, 18-Paul Scholes, 16-Michael Carrick, 11-Ryan Giggs; 8-Wayne Rooney, 9-Louis Saha

Referee: Eric Braamhaar (Netherlands)

I'll be at foooooooookin work.............!

redrus

[redrus]

More.....

* Ferguson looking for spirit of 1999 and for Rooney to seize the moment.

"It bothers me that we didn't get further in the past couple of seasons because but there is no point looking backwards when the promise we see in front of us is so encouraging.

"I am very bullish about the present team. When you are rebuilding, there are two things you need; courage and patience. We have shown both of them.

"We're still waiting for this team to win something and waiting for them to come together as a team.

"They can't be regarded as good as the '99 team unless they win what the '99 team won. That's the name of the game.

"It was more of a settled team in '99. They'd been together for quite a long time. We had good continuity and a really good understanding.

"It will happen for him [Rooney] in Europe, he'll explode eventually.

"I'm hoping he continues the form he's shown in the last few weeks. He's come back to his best. The stage will not affect Wayne. His temperament is fantastic.

"I do think England has the strongest contingent across the board. Spain has three teams left, Italy three and we've got four, so that's a good indication. But it's also the strength of our teams compared with the other countries.

"We have a chance. We're getting better, closer every time. Who knows, we may even have an all-British final. I'm positive a British team will be in the final. Some years since '99, we have been unlucky, others we've not done as well as we should.

"It would be disappointing but probably symptomatic of the fact we have been rebuilding. When you're rebuilding, you need courage and patience and we've shown that."

* Ferguson dismisses revenge talk:

Quoted on the official site:

The French side took four points off United in two irascible Group D encounters last season, games marred by 11 bookings.

"I don't think that comes into it. I'm pleased with the form of the team. Last year was down to a combination of things.

"We went into the Lille game in Paris with a far too inexperienced team with too many young players in it.

"There was a definite confidence failure in the team at the time. When you play young players, it's always better to play them in a confident team. You get a far better performance level from them because everyone around them knows what they're doing.

"When you play them in situations like we did over in Paris, it was asking a lot for us to get a result in that game."

* BBC weather:

Monday: Cloudy Max 9°C Min 6°C

Tuesday: Sunny Max 11°C Min 5°C

Wednesday: Possibility of rain Max 11°C Min 1°C

redrus

[redrus]

United in the dock after illegally employing casual staff?

The People:

Footy giants Manchester United have been raided by immigration chiefs hunting for illegal immigrant staff.

They swooped on the Old Trafford outfit to quiz two dozen foreign working, mainly kitchen hands.

One of those questioned had just been named Employee of the Month in the club's magazine.

A United insider said: "To have featured him the mag is doubly embarrassing for the club. It's clear the proper checks hadn't been made or this person would not have been employed."

Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils came under the spotlight because they use scores of casual staff.

And the timing of the raid meant star players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were left without their usual lunch. ( :D Shock horror)

The insider said: "Instead of the *to have sarnies. Some of them weren't too impressed but when the situation was explained to them they saw the funny side."

Officials spent a day quizzing workers and checking the books of the Premiership leaders. One man was arrested and faces deportation.

redrus

[redrus]

UNITED PLAYERS GIVE EACH OTHER NICKNAMES SHOCKER

By Editor

Monday 19th February 2007

The Supersoaraway Sun lifts the lid but first can you guess who is called 'Snoop Dog'?

Patrice Evra has revealed the embarrassing dressing room secret of Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo — the Portuguese winger has his own personal mirror.

French defender Evra says Ronaldo, who will line up against Lille in the Champions League tomorrow, is known to the squad as Playboy.

He explained: "Cristiano makes me laugh because he is the only one to have his personal mirror in the dressing room. He spends hours doing his hair and putting on his gel. He loves his body."

Evra has delivered his own light-hearted view of United's stars but captain Gary Neville may not appreciate his sense of humour.

For Evra reckons the team cracks up when Neville's face — he calls him Mr 100,000 Volts — starts twitching.

He said: "Gary talks very quickly and gets facial twitches. He often makes little grimaces as if he were receiving an electric shock. That makes us laugh a lot and Cristiano Ronaldo takes him off perfectly."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar may not be too happy, either, with Evra's verdict.

The left-back revealed: "Edwin, who is The Albatross, is performing a lot better with us than when he was with Fulham.

"He admitted to me that he slackened off a bit there. That is impossible at United."

Co-defenders Mikael Silvestre and Rio Ferdinand are given the nicknames by Evra of Creatine and Snoop Dog.

Wayne Rooney is The Hummer because 'he's a four-wheel drive who destroys everything in his path,' while the United line-up is completed by Paul 'The Pitbull' Scholes, Ryan 'The Rocket' Giggs, Ole 'The Legend' Solskjaer and Louis 'The Panther' Saha.

redrus

[redrus]

Hargreaves Alternatives for Manchester United?

Posted on February 19th, 2007. SoccerLens.

The chase for Owen Hargreaves reminds me a bit of the way Ferguson went after Ruud van Nistelrooy - identify a top player, make sure he wants to come to Manchester United and then move heaven and hel_l to get him to Old Trafford.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is arguably one of Manchester United’s top signings this decade. I have a strong feeling that Hargreaves, when/if he comes, will be on that list as well.

The question here is though - what about other midfielders in Europe? Surely there is another player in Europe that is as good as Hargreaves (if not better) and will come to Old Trafford as well?

Here’s a list of players and their chances of coming to Manchester United.

Vieira

No, he’s not too old to play, no, he won’t mind coming to United after playing for Arsenal and yes, Ferguson would be interested in signing him.

Problem is, he’s still old, and won’t come for cheap. He also has high wage demands that United could balk at (although we’re paying Larsson 100k/week, so maybe that’s not an issue), and it could also be that Vieira prefers the slower-paced game in Serie A to the hustle-bustle of the Premiership?

Would be a quality buy if we get him, but I doubt he’d come.

Gattuso

If Milan don’t win the CL, and if they don’t qualify for Europe, there is a slight chance that some of their players will leave. I’d expect one of Gattuso and Pirlo to move, but will they come to Old Trafford?

A lot has been said in the press, and a lot has been attributed to Gattuso but the fact remains that he likes to play for Milan and he will probably stay there. Would be a good buy, but won’t be coming.

Not mentioned before also, is Gattuso's love of Rangers and, his wife is Glaswegian. He has in the past proffesed his passion and desire to play for United but, has promised the Mrs, he'll end his days at The Gers.

Pirlo

Same as Gattuso, except that I always saw Pirlo to be in the Cannavaro/Zambrotta mould - more professional than passionate. So he’s still a possibility for jumping ship, but I wouldn’t bet on him doing as well in the Prem.

Baptista

Yes, he likes Arsenal. Yes, Madrid are probably willing to sell him. But if there are complications with the Reyes deal, or if Madrid ask for a lot of money for Baptista (this isn’t Chelsea, they’ll bargain to their deaths and beyond if they need to), there will be an opening for any opportunistic club to pounce.

Ok, seriously? Not a chance

Diarra

We missed out on him last season, and it’s a fair bet to say that he won’t be interested in leaving Real Madrid just yet.

Xavi

His name has been floated by fans for a while now - it’s more like the Mascherano situation last season where everyone said we should sign Mascherano. The current situation at Barcelona is pretty interesting, but Xavi is a loyal player and him swapping Barcelona for Man Utd doesn’t make much sense.

Cahill

The type of player we could use, along with Hargreaves, to add real quality to our midfield (and shore it up after Scholes packs it in). Will probably jump at the chance to come to United, but is not as young as we’d like him to be.

I’d put Nolan in the same category as well, because he’s a player who enjoys the big stage and along with Cahill is one of the best midfielders in the Premiership outside the top four.

Soo….what do you guys think?

Who else could sign for Manchester United instead of Hargreaves?

redrus

Edited February 19, 2007 by redrus

[redrus]

Larsson sure of return date

By Chris Stanton -Sky Created on 20 Feb 2007

Henrik Larsson has ruled out remaining at Manchester United beyond the end of his loan spell next month.

The 35-year-old has revealed he will return to parent club Helsingborgs on 12th of March as was originally planned, despite claims player and club were keen to extend the agreement.

Larsson is set to feature for United in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash against Lille and will return to Sweden a week after the second leg at Old Trafford.

"I am not saying that I am not flattered or grateful to get the opportunity to extend my stay but there are other things I need to think about," he said.

"The Swedish season starts at the end of March and I need to get back to that. I will stay only until 12th of March."

The former Celtic and Barcelona forward admits travelling back and forth between Sweden and England facilitated his decision.

"I am going back and forward and it's not an ideal situation," he added.

"I arrived in January and I'm going home in March to play in Sweden. It suits me perfectly."

Same from the Beeb really.

Henrick snubs Man Utd extension

Larsson joined Man Utd in the January transfer window

Henrik Larsson will not extend his loan period at Manchester United and is set to leave the club next month.

The 35-year-old Swedish striker, who began his loan spell with the Premiership leaders in January, will return to Helsingborg on 12 March.

"I'm not saying that I'm not flattered or grateful to get the opportunity to extend my stay but there are other things I need to think about," he said.

"The Swedish season starts at the end of March. I need to get back for it."

The former Celtic and Barcelona forward also revealed he was not comfortable with having to commute from Sweden.

"I am going back and forward and it's not an ideal situation," he said.

But he added: "This is a great adventure for me.

"I arrived in January and I'm going home in March to play in Sweden. It suits me perfectly."

redrus

[redrus]

Saatchi chief heads for red devils

Source: mad.co.uk | Author: Branwell Johnson | Published: 21 February 2007 16:00

Saatchi & Saatchi chief executive and chairman Lee Daley is leaving the agency to take the position of commercial director at Manchester United Football Club (MUFC).

The agency confirmed Daley’s departure and he will take up his position at the football club in mid-April.

redrus

[redrus]

UEFA INVESTIGATE UNITED TIE.

By Mike McGrath, PA Sport

Click here for more reaction to events in Lille.

UEFA have confirmed they will investigate the incidents which marred Manchester United's Champions League win against Lille.

French police were criticised by fans for being heavy-handed at the Stade Felix-Bollaert, and tear gas was used during the match.

The investigation will also look at possible ticketing problems which led to supporters appearing to be in danger of being crushed against a 10-foot high safety barrier.

A statement from Europe's governing body read: "UEFA has officially opened an investigation into events at the UEFA Champions League first knockout round first-leg match between Lille and Manchester United in Lens on Tuesday night."

redrus

[redrus]

Bumped the rest of the hysteria into one, so appologies if owts repeated

STADIUM SECURITY CAUSES MAYHEM.

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Security scare ends with tear gas.

From the Guardian

Uefa is to investigate the crush of supporters and major security scare that overshadowed Manchester United's hugely controversial 1-0 win over Lille in the Champions League last night. European football's governing body will also hold an urgent inquiry into the behaviour of Lille's players after they threatened to walk off the pitch in protest at Ryan Giggs's goal, but the priority will be to look at the off-pitch drama.

Riot police fired tear gas into an overcrowded section of United supporters after they tried to scale the perimeter fences to get away from the type of incident that demonstrates why metal cages are no longer allowed in England. United have pledged to assist Uefa with its inquiries and a meeting was hastily arranged with the club's security officials at the end of a match in which it seemed a miracle that nobody was hospitalised.

"We will be submitting a report to Uefa," said a United spokesman. "We met with Uefa officials, FA officials and the police straight after the game. We want to hear the accounts of supporters who may have been involved and we will submit that to Uefa."

Five minutes had been played when it became apparent that late arrivals had dangerously swelled the away end. There were clearly United fans being crushed and several scaled the perimeter fences, signalling frantically for help. One woman was dragged out by security stewards. Another fan ran on to the playing surface and signalled that the game should be stopped and for five terrible minutes of confusion there were scenes that were worryingly reminiscent of the early stages of the Hillsborough disaster.

Thankfully it proved to be nowhere near as serious but there were far too many supporters in the right-hand corner of the away end, with large areas of empty seats at the opposite corner, and there were reports late last night that the French police had opened the gates for United fans who had black-market tickets for other sections of the stadium.

What is beyond doubt is that the police handled a significant safety issue atrociously. The firing of tear gas did at least succeed in moving the fans away from the cages but it was an absurdly heavy-handed gesture, the only possible explanation being that the police believed the supporters were trying to get on the pitch to cause trouble. Some supporters were struck with batons.

The Stade Félix-Bollaert was one of the 1998 World Cup stadiums but the events last night will renew questions about the wisdom of having perimeter fences inside football grounds. Uefa may also be unimpressed by the fact that United fans stood in an all-seated area throughout the game, a habit which has got the club in trouble before now. A flare was lit in the second half and a disciplinary charge will almost certainly be brought against the club.

United reacted swiftly to the controversy by issuing an official statement. "After the game we met delegates from the FA, Uefa and the police to discuss the issue," a club spokesperson said.

"We will be submitting an official report to Uefa. We want to hear the accounts of supporters who may have been involved and hear their evidence, and then submit that to Uefa."

The Times

Disturbing crowd scenes in which teargas was fired at their supporters and an attempt by their French opponents seemingly to halt the match accompanied Manchester United's triumphant progress towards the Champions League quarter-finals last night.

A controversial winner by Ryan Giggs six minutes from the end of the first leg of their first knockout round tie in the Félix-Bollaert Stadium in Lens sparked a furious reaction among the Lille coaching staff, who attempted to haul their players off the pitch in protest.

In the ensuing mêlée, Gary Neville, the United captain, was struck by an object thrown from the crowd, all of which provided a fitting conclusion to a match that had already been blighted when riot police turned on United fans.

It appeared that a number of travelling supporters were wrongly allowed into the away section, sparking fears among the 5,000 or so already there that they might be crushed.

Mistaking concerns for their safety as attempts to cause trouble, riot police arrived en masse and, apparently overreacting, began firing teargas, which prompted panic in the stands. At least two supporters, including one child, were lifted over the barrier to safety. At one point fans shook the fence, while a large gate was partially pushed open before being slammed shut again.

VIEW FROM THE PRESSBOX.

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Quick thinking induces Lille protest.

The Guardian

Manchester United flew home with a priceless Champions League lead and left behind a storm of controversy over incidents that included furious Lille coaching staff attempting to haul their players off the pitch before the final whistle.

Lille's goalkeeper, Tony Sylva, was lining up his wall when Ryan Giggs calmly stroked a free-kick into the top corner seven minutes from time. The home players raced to the Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar, unable to comprehend how he had allowed the goal to stand, but he was not for turning and his obduracy triggered a stunning reaction from the home bench, with the signal going out for the Lille players to head for the touchline and end the game.

Sanity prevailed and the contest continued, allowing United to claim victory from a game which, until those bizarre last few minutes, had seemed set to be remembered for a chilling security scare inside the visitors' end, where fans appeared to be crushed in front of a 10-foot barrier. No one was injured, although that was hardly a credit to the actions of riot police, who fired tear gas into the enclosure.

The disturbance behind Edwin van der Sar's goal as the security problem was unfolding took attention away from an awful game. It was 42 minutes before either side mustered a shot on goal, a half-chance created by the willingness of Wayne Rooney and Henrik Larsson to press the ball deep inside the Lille area. Ronaldo was on to the opportunity in an instant but, with Lille defenders flying on to the scene, the Portugal international could do no more than fire at Sylva, who blocked with his body.

Lille responded almost immediately as Mathieu Bodmer drilled a 20-yard shot wide after Nicolas Fauvergue had extravagantly chested the ball into his path.

The aggressiveness that United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, had highlighted in Lille's play from two dreadfully disappointing encounters last year had not disappeared, with Ronaldo increasingly agitated at the robust manner in which his skills were being blunted.

Thankfully the action improved markedly after the interval and the Portuguese ought to have been first to benefit from a much more open affair when he sped past Grégory Tafforeau into the Lille area. The winger may have 15 Premiership goals this season but he has yet to score for United in 23 appearances in this competition and he was unable to break his duck as he blasted against Sylva.

Lille thought they had scored after 62 minutes when Peter Odemwingie, their Nigerian striker, rose above Nemanja Vidic, the United centre-half, to glance home Ludovic Obraniak's cross. But Braamhaar came to United's rescue, ruling out the goal for a push on Vidic by the forward.

Johan Audel was unable to turn Matthieu Chalmé's near-post cross goalwards as he slid in ahead of Vidic, then Giggs's attempted lob never looked like dropping in after Scholes had lifted a pass beyond the Lille defence.

The Wales international soon found his range, however, and in so doing unleashed a storm of controversy which had Braamhaar facing a barrage of abuse as he left the field.

The Telegraph

Manchester United took one step towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League last night, but Lille took a step back to the dark ages. Not only were United's fans disgracefully treated by French stewards and police, who responded recklessly to a crushing situation with tear-gas, but Lille's players also shamed themselves, staging a brief walkout in protest at Ryan Giggs' quickly taken free-kick goal.

The Louvre are moving some of their masterpieces from Paris to a new gallery around the corner from the Stade Felix-Bollaert, but Lille's European home boasted scenes by Hieronymus Bosch yesterday, starting with the crowd congestion clearly growing before kick-off.

Stadium staff were far too slow to realise what was happening in a stand which had too many fans funnelling into one area, and not spreading to the far side where many seats were available. With some United supporters forced up against a fence, others screamed for a gate to be open. One managed to climb over and open the gate, at which point the riot police sprayed tear-gas into the throng. Madness.

Like the toxic cloud that hung in the air, controversy swirled around the Felix-Bolleart all evening, most notably when Giggs struck in the second half. Having conceded a free kick 25 yards out, the French were slow to man the barricades, and their lack of concentration cost them dear.

Giggs asked the referee, Eric Braamhaar, whether he could take the free kick promptly. The Dutchman nodded, and Giggs curled the ball over the half-built wall into the corner untended by Tony Sylva, Lille's goalkeeper who was playing architect and foreman in constructing the human barrier.

Sylva lost it, remonstrating vehemently with Braamhaar that neither he, nor his colleagues, heard any whistle. Frustration and anger coursed through Lille veins, removing any sense of self-restraint. Moments after the restart, Lille's captain, Gregory Tafforeau, walked off the pitch, and some of his colleagues followed, encouraged by a member of the coaching staff.

Embarrassment mixed with farce in a disgraceful situation that stands as an affront to European football. Even the mere threat of a walkout was bad enough, but the sight of Tafforeau and some of his colleagues marching towards the dugout was a stain on Lille's name.

Some of coach Claude Puel's players froze, unwilling to withdraw their labour. Gary Neville tried to intervene, an act which incensed Sir Alex Ferguson. United's manager ordered his captain to keep away from Lille's flirtation with oblivion, and heated words were briefly exchanged. The Ferguson-Neville spat was merely a sideshow to the drama of Lille's walkout. Fortunately, sanity prevailed, and Puel's players resumed hostilities, but such is their simmering resentment at perceived injustice, the atmosphere will hardly be cordial in the second leg. Ferguson and Puel clearly do not get on either. Lille may well have been punished by Uefa by then.

Comforted by Giggs' away goal, Ferguson's side will surely progress to the last eight, yet they had to endure some alarming moments with their defence far from convincing in the teeth of a storm whipped up by Lille. A tense evening, on and off the field, had begun in worrying fashion for United with Nicolas Fauvergue heading wide and then following through nastily on Neville, setting the tone for a night of spite.

The Times

A game that was lacking in drama on the field exploded off it as Manchester United inched closer to their first Champions League quarter-final in four years with a controversial victory over Lille at the Félix-Bollaert Stadium last night.

United had looked more like losing than winning until events swung in their favour in the 84th minute when Ryan Giggs scored with a quickly taken free kick. But it was the reaction the goal drew from the home team which ensured that a remarkable game ended as it started, in controversy that is certain to have the disciplinary unit at Uefa, European football's governing body, working hard today.

Wayne Rooney put the ball down 25 yards out after Lille had conceded a foul, and with Tony Sylva, the goalkeeper, still trying to organise his wall, Giggs floated his free kick into the opposite corner.

As television replays showed, Giggs had clearly asked Eric Braamhaar, the referee, if he could take the free kick quickly, but when the Dutch official signalled for a goal, the decision sparked fury among the home team, so much so that Jean-Noël Dusé, the Lille goalkeeping coach, tried to get their players to walk off the pitch in protest.

The incidents were such that the result was almost redundant, but, as it stands, United will have every confidence of progressing when Lille visit Old Trafford in a fortnight.

United sailed close to the wind on too many occasions. They had enough chances to win the game more comfortably, particularly through Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney, who have not scored in 38 Champions League games between them, but Lille had plenty of chances of their own.

United's circumstances going into the game could not have been more different than they were the last time they faced Lille on that chastening evening at the Stade de France in Paris 15 months ago when, struggling for form, dogged by injury and plagued by the in-fighting that led to the departure of Roy Keane, they were beaten 1-0.

Mistaking concerns for their safety as attempts to invade the pitch or cause trouble, riot police began firing teargas which, unsurprisingly, prompted mayhem in the stands. Even Edwin van der Sar, the United goalkeeper, appeared affected by the gas and afterwards complained of suffering from double vision.

Braamhaar briefly seemed to consider calling a halt to the game, but when calm was restored after ten minutes, matters turned once again to football, of which there was little before the game became more expansive in a fraught second period.

United were having trouble keeping the ball, Ronaldo and Rooney, not for the first time in Europe, were struggling to get into the game, and Henrik Larsson was isolated up front, all of which imbued Lille, 125-1 outsiders to win the competition, with a growing sense of purpose.

HOSTILITY AND MISSILES

redissue

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Post match reaction.

Ferguson on the goal:

"Ryan asked if he could take it quickly and the ref gave him permission. It is allowed. I have seen it in English football many times."

Giggs confirmed: "The referee asked did I want the whistle. I said no, put the ball down and took the opportunity to put the ball in the net."

SAF's reaction to Giggs' goal:

"I've never seen that. It was complete intimidation of the referee.

"UEFA have got to do something. The Lille coaching staff intimidated the referee and it created a hostile atmosphere.

"UEFA will come down strongly - I was worried because there were missiles being thrown and Gary Neville was hit."

"I think I have seen bad behaviour in football. It's an emotional game, but I have not seen that before."

Obviously the French side have their excuses with Lille coach Claude Puel saying:

"I would like to underline that my players never intended to cause trouble,"

"I do not understand why Sir Alex Ferguson is saying anything on this matter.

"In France it is traditional to make a complaint after the first pause in the game. We did not mean to walk off the pitch.

"Alex Ferguson likes to influence referees. He enjoys trying to create a problematic situation."

"It's incomprehensible. We wanted to place the reserves (substitutes), of course the referee didn't want to," Puel told French television.

"He didn't find a delegate (official) either on the bench."

He also didn't agree with the referee's decision for the disallowed goal: "The defender is beaten, he's touched a bit and plays for the foul.

"We played a great second half and shook up this great team. We had the better chances.

"I'm proud of my players. They showed we're not here by chance."

Lille captain Gregory Tafforeau:

"When the goalkeeper asks to place his wall, you should wait for the referee's whistle.

"There was no whistle at all and the player shot directly. The result is (a) goal."

[redrus]

Saatchi chief heads for red devils

Source: mad.co.uk | Author: Branwell Johnson | Published: 21 February 2007 16:00

Saatchi & Saatchi chief executive and chairman Lee Daley is leaving the agency to take the position of commercial director at Manchester United Football Club (MUFC).

The agency confirmed Daley’s departure and he will take up his position at the football club in mid-April.

redrus

Jasus, I'm even quoting and, replying to my-self now....

Utd Appoint New Commercial Director

By Andy@ UWS

Date: 21/2/2007

From the communications department. "Lee Daley, 43, who takes up his post in mid-April, will oversee all of the Club's commercial plans, from sponsorship to media, financial services and marketing.

Chief Executive David Gill said: "I am delighted that Lee is joining the Board. The Group Commercial Director is central to maintaining the Club's position at the top of the game. Lee has invaluable global experience that will help us to uphold our reputation for being innovative, creative and successful. The standard of candidates that expressed an interest in the job was extremely high and to have secured Lee's services is a great coup for the Club."

Lee Daley said: "Manchester United is one of the great loves of my life. To be offered the chance to work for them and to join at such an exciting time is a unique privilege. I leave advertising after 20 fantastic years in order to serve the greatest football club in the world. I am committed to making a difference to the fortunes of the Club, to serving the fans, to helping in the expansion of the business of Manchester United worldwide, to honouring the great traditions of the Club and to working with a talented and passionate board of directors."

The appointment means that the board of Manchester United Ltd will consist of: Joel Glazer (joint chairman), Avram Glazer (joint chairman), Bryan Glazer, Darcie Glazer, Edward Glazer, Kevin Glazer, David Gill (Chief Executive), Michael Bolingbroke (Chief Operating Officer) and Lee Daley (Group Commercial Director)."

redrus

[sianjai]

Keep up the good work! Liked the Evra nicknames. Good win last night , c`mon the Barca.......

[taxexile]

not exactly on topic , but long overdue nevertheless

We Hate Manchester United <UNITED-ARE-SCUM>

http://www.bebo.com/grp/Grp.jsp?GrpTypeCd=...rpId=2896504961

This is the page set up for all the millions of people out there who hate Manchester United and that poxbottle of a manager Alex Ferguson.

Man utd fans are a very distinctive type, loud, stupid, annoying, and they very rarely know anything about football. do not approach them as they can be dangerous. contact your local emergency vet to have them immediately put down. eliminating Man utd fans makes it a better society for everyone.

[redrus]

Man utd fans are a very distinctive type, loud, stupid, annoying, and they very rarely know anything about football. do not approach them as they can be dangerous.

HHhhhhm, lets say nothing of Leeds fans then eh tax....!

redrus

[taxexile]

Leeds

mods !!! where are you ?

[redrus]

Leeds

mods !!! where are you ?

Always good for a laugh you Leeds lads....

My thread, mod's get him out of here....................... :D

redrus

[redrus]

sianjai Posted Today, 2007-02-21 19:05:50

Keep up the good work! Liked the Evra nicknames. Good win last night , c`mon the Barca.......

Many thanks sianjai....

Lille lodge goal protest

By Tom Adams -Sky Created on 21 Feb 2007

Uefa has confirmed that Lille have lodged an official protest against Ryan Giggs' controversial winner for Manchester United on Tuesday night.

The Welsh winger sparked angry scenes, both on the pitch and off, with his quickly taken free-kick that sealed United's 1-0 win in the first leg of the last 16 meeting between the two sides.

Giggs curled his shot home whilst Lille keeper Tony Sylva was still arranging his wall, and in their resulting fury some members of the French side left the pitch - leading to a delay in play.

Uefa has now confirmed that Lille's protest and the subsequent behaviour of their players will be dealt with on Friday, with a replay an outside possibility if their complaint is upheld.

The governing body has already launched a probe into the worrying crowd scenes that accompanied the start of the clash, with a decision on the secondary issue due on 22nd March.

"The reason for the two dates is because a protest against a technical error could mean the match being replayed, if the protest was upheld," said a Uefa spokesman.

"So the question over the goal would have to be decided way earlier than March 22, since the (return leg) is due to take place in two weeks' time."

redrus

[redrus]

Platini could force Man Utd into replay

2007-02-22 CET 12:00

UEFA's French president Michel Platini could force Manchester United to replay this week's first-leg Champions League win at Lille.

Platini is known for his anti-English views, and there are fears at Manchester United, that he will force them to replay the match.

Lille president Michel Seydoux said: "I will call Michel Platini, who says he defends the beautiful game and the little teams.

"We have developed a beautiful game and we are a little team."

Copyright © OnTheMinute.com & AsianHandicap.com

Of-course, how dare we go to France, play awfully on an even worse pitch, and win. In France....

When Henry did it to us, I did not complain because, I understand the rules and saw the ref move away from the ball, at which point the ball becomes live. Henry does this when he can. I like players that play on the rules edge, Ruud used to do it when he floated along the offside line.

If my team had left the pitch as did Lille, after instruction from the bench, I would be disgusted.

I believe the above to be handbags from a man who should know better.

redrus