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Posts Tagged ‘Manchester United’

Bursaspor

Bursaspor were the surprise Turkish Champions last season, breaking the traditional stronghold of Istanbul, but they have had a harsh reality check in their first season in the Champions League. They have now suffered 3 consecutive defeats to leave them with a tough task to gain access to the Europa League let alone the next stage of this competition. Bursaspor have failed to score a goal in their 3 games, losing their only game at home 0-4 to Valencia.

Regardless of their struggles in Europe, Bursaspor are making a strong effort to retain their title in Turkey. The team is topping the table once more, compiling a 7-3-0 record, and holding a 1 point lead. Bursaspor are 3-2-0 at home, scoring 7 goals and conceding 4 in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Green Crocodiles have picked up 4 points in their last 2 games since losing at Old Trafford on Match Day 3. They have failed to win their last 2 home games, drawing on Friday night against Fenerbache here. Read the rest of this entry »

Harry Redknapp has suggested Manchester United has gone backwards since selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid but insisted they were still ”an incredible side” ahead of their clash with Spurs at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men surrendered the Premier League title to Chelsea last season and, while Spurs have improved, Redknapp believes that the Red Devils have gone the other way since the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and the loss of form of Wayne Rooney.

”They are still great, but they’re not as good as they were when Ronaldo and Rooney were in the team,” Redknapp said. ”Don’t forget they went to Arsenal last year and ripped them to pieces, so they are still an incredible side. But there’s a big difference when you have Ronaldo and Rooney.

He added: ”We’re getting better, we’re closing the gap and we’ll keep improving.”

As well as losing Ronaldo and Tevez and seeing Rooney struggle for fitness and form, United are having to deal with the fact many of their other great players are nearing the end of their careers. Read the rest of this entry »

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with the 28-year-old Spaniard, while Arsenal have been mentioned as potential suitors in the past.

“If Ferguson is looking around and has lots of money, he might want Pepe Reina because he is the best around,” Hodgson told the Liverpool Echo.

“But we do not want to sell him. He is a lifeblood of this team.”

Reina joined Liverpool from Villarreal for £6m in July 2005 and has made 271 appearances in his five seasons at Anfield.

He signed a new six-year contract in April but after the cash-strapped Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League and Rafael Benitez was sacked as manager, the keeper was linked with a £23m move to Arsenal.
Reina did not leave but in the wake of Liverpool’s poor start to the season and the ownership saga that ended with a  takeover by New England Sports Ventures,   the rumours have persisted. Read the rest of this entry »

Javier Hernandez came off the bench to score a last-minute winner as holders Manchester United earned a Carling Cup quarter-final place at Wolves’ expense.

Hernandez had only been on for eight minutes when he settled a thrilling tie by firing in off Wayne Hennessey.

Bebe had put United ahead on his first start with a deflected strike before George Elokobi headed in to equalise.

Park Ji-Sung lashed home to make it 2-1 but Kevin Foley’s turn and low finish levelled again before Hernandez won it.

It was an exciting climax to the game but perhaps harsh on the visitors, who more than played their part in a second half of wonderful end-to-end football.
Yet it had all started so differently, with a first 45 minutes none of the 46,083 present will be in a hurry to remember. Read the rest of this entry »

On Wednesday the 24-year-old striker said concerns over the club’s squad strength were behind his original decision not to sign a new deal.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I’m delighted Wayne’s agreed to stay.”

Rooney stated: “I said on Wednesday the manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that convinced me to stay.”

He added: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this where I belong.

“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.
“I am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen. Read the rest of this entry »

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has confirmed that he wishes to leave because of concerns over the club’s future squad strength.

The 24-year-old, whose deal expires in the summer of 2012, revealed he had spoken to chief executive David Gill.

A statement from Rooney read: “He did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad.”

The England star added that he was “surprised” by some of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments.

Ferguson had revealed that Gill told him in August of Rooney’s decision not to sign a new contract, adding he was “shocked” and “disappointed” to hear that the former Everton played intended to leave.
However in a statement released only hours before  United’s Old Trafford Champions League clash against Bursaspor   Rooney countered: “I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it. Read the rest of this entry »

There used to be a character on Steve Wright’s Radio 1 show called Mr Mad. Every day he would come on, address Wright repeatedly as ‘pal’, and tell him where he was currently living (inside a bottle of paint stripper/inside Paul McCartney’s guitar/inside Black Rod’s mace in the Houses of Parliament).

The next sentence would start, ‘I’ll tell you who’s mad, pal…’ Over the years, it became quite a list.

Random celebrities would find their way on to Mr Mad’s surreal litany of the insane, as well as those engaging in activities considered bizarre.

‘He needs a check-up from the neck up,’ Mr Mad would decree. ‘Ravin’ mad, pal.’ And every now and then, when reading the sports pages, I am reminded of that show and of Mr Mad.

Because I’ll tell you who’s mad, pal; anyone who thinks Wayne Rooney should sign for Manchester City. They’re mad, pal.

They’ve definitely got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock. Not because there is anything wrong with Manchester City, oh no.

On the contrary, City are a fine club. Definitely going places. Could even be champions this season if Chelsea run out of steam in the new year. Read the rest of this entry »

Real Madrid  boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he would be interested in signing Wayne Rooney and partnering him with former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo if the striker does leave Old Trafford.

The Portuguese tactician, speaking after Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Milan in the Champions League, conceded that Rooney is likely to stay with the English giants.

But Mourinho was quick to remark that a host of top clubs would be interested in securing the English superstar should he be allowed to look for another club, which United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed is the striker’s wish in explosive revelations on Tuesday.

“My thoughts are he will stay,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“He probably wants to leave for some reasons, but I believe he belongs to Man Utd, he belongs to Man Utd fans, he belongs to Old Trafford. Read the rest of this entry »

Wayne Rooney can terminate his contract next summer under Fifa transfer regulations that would see Manchester United receive only £5m in return, The Independent can reveal.

Under the Webster ruling – named after the former Hearts player Andy Webster, who set the precedent – Rooney can buy out the final year of his contract for his current annual salary of £5m plus a relatively small compensation figure.

As dictated by Article 17 of Fifa’s transfer rules, it would dramatically reduce his current market value, which is closer to £45m.
Rooney’s qualification for a Webster ruling transfer has been checked by the Spain-based law firm Ruiz Huerta y Crespo, which has been involved in every major Article 17 case to date. The firm has confirmed that Rooney could leave United under the rules. Read the rest of this entry »