MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS AND LINKS

Thursday 31 May 2007

Hargreaves completes United move


United have confirmed Owen Hargreaves wil join United on july 1. The deal is the culmination of a 12 month prusuit of the England international by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

United tried to sign Hargreaves last summer, but were rebuffed in their attempts by the Bayern board. In January, United returned with a fresh offer for the Canadian-born midfielder, but again Bayern refused to sell.

However, in the face of renewed interest from Old Trafford Bayern eventually capitulated and agreed to sell the 26-year-old for a fee believed to be in the region of £17m.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Owen Hargreaves," read a statement.

"The player has also agreed terms with the club and passed his medical. Owen will formally sign his contract with Manchester United when he returns from his holiday at the end of June and will join on July 1 2007."

The player met United officials last week before passing a medical and agreeing personal terms and all that remains is for Hargreaves to sign the contract at Old Trafford on 1st July.

Confirmation of Hargreaves' arrival comes hot on the heels of United's announcement that they had agreed in principle to sign Anderson and Nani from Porto and Sporting respectively.

United sign wonderkids



Manchester United has completed the signing of wonderkids Nani form Sporting lisbon and Anderson from Porto.

The midfield duo are regarded as two of the best young talents in Europe and they have been chased by several of Europe's top clubs.

However, United have stolen a march on their rivals by luring the pair to Old Trafford.

United chief executive David Gill and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz flew to Lisbon on Wednesday to hold talks with Sporting regarding Portuguese international Nani and they have quickly agreed a move for the exciting winger.

Nani is highly-rated in Portugal and has been likened to current United star Cristiano Ronaldo.


Wednesday 23 May 2007

Ready for a red quiz?

How much do you know about United. Check your knowledge here

Transfer rumors: May 2007

For the latest transfer gossip from the papers go here

Monday 21 May 2007

Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United

The first FA Cup final at the new Wembley proved to be the proverbial damp squib but Chelsea will care not one iota, after Didier Drogba's goal in extra-time proved enough to exact revenge over a Manchester United side that have usurped them as Premiership champions.
It was fitting that after a season in which the Ivorian has proved king of Stamford Bridge, it was he that settled a contest that otherwise was lethargic in living up to none of the pre-match hype that had surrounded it.

More about the game here

Friday 18 May 2007

United vs Chelsea Preview

This match-up is seen as the dream final by many as the top two from the Premiership lock horns again for the most famous trophy in world football.

Manchester United are aiming to claim a fourth domestic Double having won the Premiership title ahead of Chelsea.

Chelsea were the last club to win the FA Cup final at the old Wembley in 2000 and they are determined to end United's double dreams.

The FA Cup is the only domestic trophy Jose Mourinho has failed to win so far during his time at Chelsea and he will be hoping to add it to their Carling Cup success from earlier this season.

This season's two meetings between the giants ended in draws, but Mourinho boasts a good record against Sir Alex Ferguson having lost just one of eight clashes against the Scot.

Chelsea go into the game with a crippling injury list with Mourinho claiming he only had 15 players available to pick from.

Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko have all been ruled out through injury.

In the absence of Carvalho, Michael Essien is set to start in central defence alongside Blues skipper John Terry.

Arjen Robben is expected to be on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

Ashley Cole will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness as he struggles with an ankle injury with Wayne Bridge standing by to replace him.

John Obi Mikel is set to undergo a late fitness test as he looks to shake off a thigh problem.

Manchester United are missing Gary Neville and Louis Saha for the trip to Wembley.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea are both battling it out to take Neville's place at right-back.

Ryan Giggs will take over the captain's armband from Neville as he looks to win his fifth FA Cup winners' medal.

Ferguson also has a selection dilemma at left-back with Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze vying for the spot.

United chief Ferguson must also decide what formation to play as he could decide to bolster his midfield with the inclusion of Darren Fletcher or opt to give Alan Smith a start in attack.

United's Player of the Season Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to make his 150th start for the club against Chelsea.

Ronaldo: Booing made me better


The Portuguese international become public enemy number one following England's World Cup exit over his spat with Wayne Rooney.

It had been thought Ronaldo's tenure in England had been set to end, but he stayed with The Red Devils and enjoyed one of his best seasons ever.

Ronaldo's performances culminated in him landing both the PFA and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year and he is honoured to accept the awards.

"When someone speaks wrong about you, you want to show this is not right. This is what I've tried to do," he told Sky Sports News.

"I've tried to play well. I've tried to help the team. This is what's happened this season.

"I think I'm more consistent, more mature, and I'm very happy for this.

"I'm not saying the people spoke badly about me before because I see the newspapers.

"This is fantastic for me to receive this trophy from journalists, it's amazing."

Sunday 13 May 2007

Sir Alex Ferguson after last game of the season


Sir Alex Ferguson gives interview to Sky Sports after being formally crowned champions.
You can watch the interview here.

United presented with trophy


The Premiership trophy is back in Manchester United's possession but the euphoria inside Old Trafford was perhaps at its greatest in the corner housing West Ham's boisterous fans. It has been an epic recovery and the celebrations from Alan Curbishley and his players suggest they will not spend the summer fretting over the possibility of legal reprisals from the so-called Gang of Four.

This was only the second time this season United have lost on their own ground and it finished as a love-in, one of those rare occasions when both sets of supporters could head home feeling invigorated. As West Ham's joyous following celebrated the implications of Carlos Tevez's decisive goal, the home supporters stayed behind for the trophy to be brought on to the pitch by half a dozen members of Sir Matt Busby's title-winning 1955-56 side.

match review and player ratings here

Saturday 12 May 2007

Ferguson rejected Tevez and Mascerano


SIR Alex Ferguson has revealed he snubbed the opportunity to sign Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano because of uncertainty over the deal that was being offered.

West Ham were fined a record £5.5million for breaking Premier League rules when they signed the Argentina duo who, at the time, were part-owned by Media Sports Investment, the company formerly run by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian.

Mascherano has since joined Liverpool but Tevez has emerged as a key figure in the Hammers' battle for survival and will be part of Alan Curbishley's side at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look for the point which will preserve their top-flight status.

Ferguson confirmed that, like most leading clubs, United were given the opportunity to buy the pair last summer. But the wily Scot was not happy at what was being offered.
more on the story here

Thursday 10 May 2007

United players celebrating

Watch the United players celebrating their well deserved premiership title at Carrington.

you can watch it here

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd


PREMIERSHIP Champions Manchester United held off a determined Chelsea side to earn a creditable point at Stamford Bridge.

Full match review and player ratings here

Nani heading for Old Trafford ?

Sporting Lisbon starlet Nani wants to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps and join Manchester United.

Nani, who has been likened to United star Ronaldo, will snub interest from clubs across Europe in order to achieve his dream move to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the 20-year-old and is thought to be ready to trigger a £17.5million clause in Nani's contract.

Nani came through the same youth system as Ronaldo at Sporting and wants to join his friend in the Premiership.

The Portuguese youngster is determined to make the move to United and has snubbed the opportunity to sign for Atletico Madrid.

"I'll only leave Portugal to play for a club like United," Nani told the Daily Mirror.

"The Premiership is spectacular and to be the next Cristiano would be a dream."

Tuesday 8 May 2007

More of todays United stories

AF handed 50 mill £

Ronaldo Makes Plea For Missing Maddie

Ronaldo makes plea for the return of the missing 3 year old girl Maddie in English and Portuguese

watch it here for further info

Michael Ball charged by the FA


As expected the Football Association have charged Manchester City's Michael Ball with violent conduct following his clash with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The City defender was caught on television reacting off-the-ball and appeared to stamp on Ronaldo's chest.

Having reviewed television evidence, the FA have now charged Ball in relation to the incident.

Ball has until Wednesday to respond to the charge - which carries an automatic three-match ban.

The case will be heard by a disciplinary commission on Thursday.

Preview Chelsea vs United

SIR Alex Ferguson is expected to make a host of changes for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea.

What has for months been billed as a Premiership title decider has now turned into a dead rubber, with United officially crowned champions after Chelsea's draw at Arsenal at the weekend.

Have your say on the outcome of the game...

Sunday 6 May 2007

We bagged the title !!!!


After playing second fiddle for the past three seasons, the premiership title is once again where it belongs - what an achivement. Congratulations to all Red Devils out there.


Fergie hails special title here

Have your say on Uniteds first premiership title in four years.

Ronaldo - Player of the year

In case you missed it - Ronaldo is awarded "player of the year" at a banquet in London.
You can watch it here

Saturday 5 May 2007

three vital points


Åhh yeah one step closer to the title after a nailbiting event.....long live Ronaldo and Van der sar.

We should have gone more for the second goal in order to close the match. We didn't and all of the sudden city had a golden opportunity from the spot. Fortunately citys misery infront of goal continued - and we got the well deserved 3 points.

For full match review go here

All we can do now is wait for tommorow and se if we can get a little help from the gunners.

champagne on Ice !!!


Following an extremely poor performance in Milan on Wednesday, it's now time for United to bounce back. What better venue than city of manchester stadium.

I must admit that it's with a sense of nervousness that i look at saturdays game. On several occassions during this season United has one time after the other demonstrated an impressive top level. Playing at their best they're invincible - best team in the world - no doubt.

On wednesday they showed the other side of the medal - a very poor level. I could't grasp their performance on wednesday. I was left speechless....How could they put in such a poor performance in such a vital game???

I guess it's all down to tactics. During the 90'es United was playing the same way regardless of venue. Home or way didn't make a lot of difference. They were chasing the ball all over the pitch, in an effort to score goals.

This approach has changed, especially when playing in Europe. These past seasons they have been way to "laid back" when playing away from Old trafford - letting the opposition control the game. This approach has not worked once, and yet they still chosse to play this way on wednesday. The result speaks for itself !!!! So does this

So how will the approach be on saturday. Will they pull back and let the likes of O'shea and Heinze bring the ball forward??? Or push the game to the oppositions half in pursuit of goals??

I hope for the latter but only time will tell

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