ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

[kariballa]

 
FERGIE PINPOINTS DANGER MAN
Monday 29th September 2003

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits Aleksandr Hleb is the player he rates highest in the Stuttgart line-up.
The classy midfielder is somebody Ferguson and his United scouts have been aware of for some time, and the 22-year-old will be looking to confirm his potential in Wednesday's Champions League tie between the two clubs.

"I like Hleb," confessed the Red Devils manager. "We've seen him for some time now, when he played on the right, when he was younger.

"He's playing more central, and has very good speed about him.

"We respect his ability."

The Minsk-born schemer graduated from the Belarus Under-21 side into the full international line-up, and is gaining in stature as his career progresses.

After making his name with Bate Borisov, he was voted his country's Player of the Year in 2002, and attracted interest from Celtic during the summer

[kariballa]

 

 

 



Saturday's game will be only the third Premiership meeting between United and Birmingham City.

United won both games last season - 1-0 at St Andrews, and 2-0 at Old Trafford – and the omens are good for all previous meetings.

Of the 89 matches between the two clubs, United have won 39 to Birmingham’s 25 with the spoils shared also on 25 occasions.

But you would have to go back to 1978 for the last time Birmingham bagged maximum points against United.
That defeat in Birmingham was a hefty one, City ran out 5-1 winners that day.

While a scoreline of that magnitude is unlikely on Saturday both teams have points to prove.

United have produced some fairly lacklustre performances of late – the 5-0 win over Panathinaikos, and the 4-1 defeat of Leicester are hardly conducive to good form considering the level of opposition.

And with Birmingham still unbeaten, United will be forced to fight out of the despondency of losing to Stuttgart on Wednesday. But United can expect an equally stubborn Birmingham side.

The Blues have only conceded two goals this season, and with their tireless determination, summed up by midfield headless-chicken Robbie Savage, United will need to plug the defence holes that let Stuttgart in on Wednesday and tighten up in the centre of the park.

While the record of not being beaten by Birmingham since 1978 can be considered a good omen, records are there to be broken, so United must be on their toes.

[kariballa]

FERGIE BACKING BLUES FOR BIG TIME
Friday 3rd October 2003
 
Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions that he will drop his entire back four following the 2-1 reverse to Stuttgart in midweek, and claimed Birmingham City will soon become the biggest club in the Midlands.
The Manchester United boss was disappointed with his side's defensive performance in Germany, with Rio Ferdinand's display picked out for particular scrutiny by the media afterwards.

The big-money recruit from Leeds United is doubtful for the clash with Birmingham City in any case, after injuring his foot when conceding the penalty in the Champions League defeat with a foul on Kevin Kuranyi.

"Rio's a doubt but we will see what he's like nearer the game and give him every chance," explained Ferguson.

"I've read some nonsense that four of them are going to get axed.

"Axeing all four is a wee bit dramatic. There will not be many, if any changes."

Ferguson paid tribute to former United duo Robbie Savage and manager Steve Bruce.

"Birmingham are a very determined side, they have good legs in midfield and Robbie Savage will run all day for them," he added.

"But it is always a little bit more of a test when you want to recover from a disappointing European tie.

"Steve Bruce has experience at other clubs, which has helped him, and he has done very well. He has taken Birmingham into the Premier Division which many managers have tried beforehand, and consolidated well last season.

"If you go back to when I was a boy, Birmingham were the biggest club in the Midlands, with the biggest support.

"I think it's very likely that they will eclipse Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Midlands."

[Anonymous]

Thanx Saraki for all the updates 8)...u r a source man

[kariballa]

 
Saturday 04th October 2003
 
Manchester United  3-0  Birmingham  

Manchester United put their Stuttgart horror show behind them as they condemned Birmingham City to a first defeat of the season with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Blues headed into this fixture without conceding a goal on their travels this term but after Maik Taylor's sending off, they could not contain the threat of their hosts, whose goals arrived courtesy of a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

The tempo of the encounter barely stepped above walking pace in the first half with Birmingham demonstrating the defensive stubbornness which has been their hallmark this season.

The champions struggled to find a rhythm despite dominating possession and their first menacing effort arrived on 15 minutes when Scholes drilled straight at Taylor from the corner of the box.

Scholes's header from Gary Neville's cross was also into the arms of Taylor while the England midfielder twisted and turned in the box but fired once again at the Blues keeper.

The turning point of the contest came with ten minutes of the first half remaining when van Nistelrooy's perceptive pass released Scholes in the box, who nudged the ball beyond the slow-to-react Taylor and came crashing down under the Northern Ireland international's challenge.

Referee Mike Dean had little alternative but to send off Taylor and substitute keeper Ian Bennett's first touch was to pick the ball out of the back of the net after van Nistelrooy tucked the spot kick into the bottom corner.

Birmingham wasted a superb opportunity to equalise early in the second period when full back Jamie Clapham advanced into the area on to a wayward United pass but shot tamely at Tim Howard, who deflected the ball clear with his legs.

But that five minute spell was all Blues had to offer as an attacking force and the hosts grabbed their second goal on 57 minutes through the effervescent Scholes, who smashed the ball low into the corner after being given too much space on the edge of the box.

Van Nistelrooy fluffed a great opportunity to add to his tally when blasting straight at Bennett while The Red Devils afforded themselves the luxury of bringing off Roy Keane for Diego Forlan.

The substitute had a hand in the third goal when he fed Ryan Giggs, with the visiting defence once more slack in their marking, and the Welsh winger fired into the far corner beyond Bennett.

[kariballa]

Soccer Saturday pundit George Best admitted that Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty was the turning point as Manchester United condemned Birmingham to their first defeat of the season.

Blues keeper Maik Taylor was sent off for hauling down Paul Scholes and after recovering from his Arsenal adhorration, the Dutchman drilled home his second spot kick of the week.

And from then on, admitted Best, there was only ever going to be one winner as United rounded off the win with goals from Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

"There's no doubt about it, Scholes was brought down by the keeper and he had to go off," said Best. "Once van Nistelrooy struck it away it was backs to the wall and Birmingham were penned in their own half for the second half.

"Scholes added a second and it was basically keep-ball for United. Giggsy finished it off with a lovely third goal and United took off Roy Keane and Phil Neville and gave Diego Forlan and Nicky Butt on for a run-out - and that's just what it was in the second half."

Best also watched Christophe Dugarry storm off to the dressing room after being subbed, but had little sympathy for the Frenchman.

"Dugarry seemed like he wanted to do some showboating at Old Trafford, but it just didn't work and he lost the ball time after time," he said.

"Steve Bruce took him off and he wasn't very happy, he just ignored the manager and went straight up the tunnel, so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

"But it just summed up one of those days for Birmingham."

[kariballa]

United eased their way to three comfortable points with a 3-0 win over Birmingham City at Old Trafford this afternoon (Saturday).

Birmingham, occupying fourth place, and unbeaten so far this season, in the Premiership  before the kick-off were rarely in with a chance of extending their immunity to defeat.

A largely disappointing first half ended with United one goal to the good and Birmingham down to ten men after Ruud van Nistelrooy had netted from the penalty spot and Blues’ keeper Maik Taylor had been sent off.

Further goals after the break from Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs reflected United’s increasing superiority as the game wore on.

The points ensured United would stay on Arsenal’s shirt-tails after the London club had picked up a valuable 2-1 at Liverpool earlier in the day.

United were aiming to get back on course following the Champions League setback against VfB Stuttgart in midweek. Sir Alex Ferguson made just two changes to the side which went down in Germany. Darren Fletcher, who made his league debut against Leicester City last Saturday, returned in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst in defence Quinton Fortune was preferred to John O’Shea. Both Ronaldo and O’Shea were included in United’s seven named substitutes.

Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, who made more than 400 appearances as a central defender for United, was greeted warmly by the Old Trafford crowd as he made his way along the track to the bench.

Beautiful blue skies above Old Trafford as the match started, but despite the bright sunshine there was a chill in the air which felt more like winter than autumn.

United began the game attacking the Stretford End against a Birmingham City side which had adopted a 4-4-2 formation with French World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry and Mikael Forssell, on loan from star-laden Chelsea, forming the spearhead.

The game started slowly with neither side making any real impact in the attacking zones of the pitch. Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor was brought into play a couple of times to field shots from Paul Scholes, but he wasn’t unduly troubled.

The first real chance of the game arrived in the 22nd minute when skipper Roy Keane threaeded through a fine pass to van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman was faced with a tight angle but he still managed to get in a shot which went narrowly wide of the far post.

   

United, it has to be said, hadn’t been firing on all cylinders. Neat and tidy their play may have been but clear-cut were chances rare. But then, in the 34th minute, they were given the opportunity to move into the lead. Keane sent van Nistelrooy away into the Birmingham area, where he clashed with keeper Taylor. The Blues’ keeper had little choice to go for the ball, but the referee adjudged that he’d halted the Dutchman’s progress.

The penalty was awarded immediately and Taylor was shown the red card. Steve Bruce re-organised his side straight away, withdrawing Stan Lazaridis to send on substitute goalkeeper Ian Bennett.  

Van Nistelrooy, who was successful from the spot on Wednesday in Stuttgart, placed the ball before boldly thumping his shot past the new keeper.

Birmingham, without a league goal at Old Trafford since Frank Worthington’s penalty on 17th October 1981, moved forward in numbers in an attempt to repair the damage quickly, but Forssell was flagged offside as he prepared to shoot.

Seconds after restart and Birmingham were presented with a great chance to draw level.  Forssell found Jamie Clapham on the right, but the former Ipswich Town player hesitated which allowed Tim Howard to advance and close down the shot.

United fans behind the Scoreboard End goal screamed for a penalty early in half when Darren Fletcher fell to the ground following Stephen Clemence’s challenge, but the referee was having none of it.

The Reds were starting to dominate and it came as no real surprise when in the 57th minute they increased their lead. Phil Neville fed Scholes with short forward pass and, from fully 25 yards, the Reds’ diminutive star blasted home an unstoppable shot past Bennett.

The second goal put United in almost total control of the game, which allowed Sir Alex to make a couple of substitutions. Keane was taken off, to be replaced by Diego Forlan and, a few minutes later, Phil Neville departed the action with Nicky Butt leaving the warmth of the substitutes’ bench on this chilly afternoon.

Eight minutes from time and United wrapped the game up when Giggs took a pass from Forlan before slotting home the third goal from close range.

MANCHESTER  UNITED: Howard; G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Fortune; Scholes, Keane (Forlan, 66), P Neville (Butt, 71); Fletcher, van Nistelrooy, Giggs.
Substitutes: Ronaldo, Carroll, O’Shea.

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Taylor; Johnson, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham; Dunn, Cisse, Clemence (Tebily, 79), Lazaridis (Bennett, 34); Dugarry (Carter, 66), Forssell.
Substitutes: John, Morrison.

Attendance: 67,633

Report by Cliff Butler.

[kariballa]

Ruud ready for happy rest  

4/10/03 5:14 PM

Reds striker Ruud van Nistelrooy says United “were not great” against Birmingham, but says the 3-0 win on Saturday is good for morale going into the ten-day international break.

Van Nistelrooy set United on their way to a 3-0 victory over Steve Bruce’s Birmingham from the penalty spot – his second successful spot-kick in as many games.

“We weren’t great today,” Ruud told MUTV. “But to go in at half-time 1-0 up against ten men, it’s a great position to be in. We got a few goals today which was good.”

Ruud provided the pass through to Paul Scholes before the United midfielder was brought down by Maik Taylor. And the Dutchman held his nerve to calmly stroke the ball past substitute goalkeeper Ian Bennett.

”It’s good to be back scoring penalties as quickly as I have done after the misses,” Ruud admitted. “I’m just happy that my last two have gone in.”

The Dutchman decided to vary his technique at Old Trafford. His last four penalties have been off the ground to the keeper’s right. But, this time, Ruud slotted the ball low to the keepers left.

Van Nistelrooy said with a knowing smile: ”You have to think about where you’re going to put the ball otherwise you can be…a bit easy to read.”

Ruud also paid tribute to Darren Fletcher, who made his full home debut. And the United striker was nothing but impressed. He said: ”It was fantastic to see him playing the way he did. He was so composed, so calm. He was beating players and passing the ball tremendously. We know we have a very talented side, a great young squad.”

Ruud can now put his feet up for the next few days as he is not involved with the Holland squad after being dropped as punishment to his reaction to being substituted against Czech Republic last month.

”I’ve got a break and obviously that’s disappointing,” Ruud said, ”but it’s gone now so I might as well enjoy a few days off.”

Report by Ben Hibbs.

[kariballa]

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United are a drug free club, as he has vowed to sack anyone who is caught taking illegal substances.
The Scottish tactician says he will not tolerate drug taking of any kind, following confirmation that two, as yet unnamed, players failed doping tests recently.

"I would like our supporters to be sure of one thing: if there were any danger of one of our players dabbling in any kind of drug, be it to enhance his performance or for his social life, he would be quickly gone from Manchester United," Ferguson said

"Be assured that the manager, his coaches and medical staff would know."

Rio Ferdinand is still awaiting the outcome of a Football Association investigation after he missed a mandatory drugs test recently.

Ferguson has backed the England international throughout and is confident all of his players are 'clean'.

"Believe me, we have nothing like that at Old Trafford," he concluded.

[zezezee]

pls y cant u post somethin that u think about MAN U.......all u do is COPY N PASTE from somewhere....i bet u dnt even knw what MAN u is up to! analyze football for sakes if u want us to listen to u.

we WILL C WHERE U WILL ALL END UP THIS SEASON!

Alex Ferguson din ma is a confimed case of a drug addict!

[Venom]

I am writng this post as a football fan and as a football fan I give credit where its due. All i have 2 say is KEANOOOOOOO that was such a beautiful goal he scored yesterday against Portsmouth. And another thing the goal that Ronaldo score he did not intend 2 socre that it was a pass 2 Butt and lucky 4 him the keeper did not save it. But all in all he did do a good job.

[kariballa]

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stressed he is not concerned with Ruud van Nistelrooy's mini-goal drought, and is determined his side will not underestimate Rangers in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
After seeing Celtic win at Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool in last season's Uefa Cup, Ferguson is under no illusions that the injury-hit Gers will be a tough task for his side.

"I think they'll come attacking, so it may be an open game," he declared.

"It was a great performance from both teams at Ibrox - one of those rare games in Europe where the pace of the game was relentless.

"The atmosphere was great, and I think we'll get that tomorrow, it should be a fantastic atmosphere as Rangers are bringing huge support down.

"The silly thing is people may think we look at this as three points, but they won't be easily achieved. It's a difficult game for us, we're not expecting anything but a hard game.

"I know what the Scottish nature is like, and that will raise itself tomorrow."

Ferguson feels the key game in the group could be Rangers' trip to Stuttgart rather than Tuesday's Old Trafford showdown.

"I think the most important game is the next game, particularly for Rangers," he opined.

"With Stuttgart playing Rangers next game, that's very important, I just hope we do the job and that gets us to nine points, which puts us in a good position."

Ferguson has warned against complacency from his troops after their 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Saturday.

"I think the crowd has been very good over the last two or three years," he added. "European games are always better. The floodlit games seem to bring out a better atmosphere.

"Celtic's performance last year was fantastic. I'm well aware they came to England and won and that raises the hackles in me. We don't want to be a victim of what happened to other English clubs last year.

"Rangers have done very little wrong in their experiences this year. I don't know exactly what ones are injured, but Alex (McLeish) would've wanted all his players. We're the same for any big game.

"Particularly (Ronald) de Boer, as he brings a lot of European experience to them. His experience is without question."

Van Nistelrooy's lack of goals, all relative of course in the deadly Dutchman's case, is not causing Ferguson too many sleepless nights.

"I'd prefer him to score and he would do himself but strikers do that when they are not scoring," he explained. "They don't think they are contributing, and think they are wonderful when they are scoring.

"It never changes with strikers.

"I thought he played well on Saturday. His work-rate and team play was fantastic so he's making a great contribution if he continues that way.

"Fortunately, Diego (Forlan)'s scoring goals so someone's getting them.

"Ruud probably knows he's not playing against Scotland (for Holland), although I'm not going to argue with that, so it is a distraction.

"I think it's not an easy situation for him. Hopefully, he can score quickly and put things behind him."

Ferguson is hoping his latest anniversary as United manager ends in success.

"I'm enjoying my work, coming in every day," he smiled. "Maybe we can make it happy birthday tomorrow."

[kariballa]

Rangers' preparations for the UEFA Champions League tie with Manchester United have been rocked by the confirmation that influential Fernando Ricksen is out of the Old Trafford encounter.

The Dutch international, rumoured to be a target for Serie A side Udinese, hurt his ankle during the Scottish Premier League clash with Partick Thistle, and examinations have proved that the player has no chance of being fit for Tuesday's match.

"We'll have to change things around a bit," stressed Gers boss Alex McLeish. "But don't think for a minute that any of the players who will be travelling to Manchester in the morning will be going with fear.

"Ricksen's problem is not as bad as first feared but he is still not going to make it in time to face United. He should be fine for next weekend."

Tough-tackling Ricksen has the sort of experience the Glasgow side require going into the United match, as The Red Devils are firm favourites to win and virtually clinch their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

After winning 1-0 at Ibrox in a tense affair, United will be confident of repeating the three-point haul against their injury-hit opponents.

Rangers are also missing German Christian Nerlinger, and star man Ronald de Boer is on the club's long-term injury list, but Michael Mols is fit to play.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to be over-confident as he fears Rangers' classy midfielder Mikel Arteta, who shone again in the win over Partick.

"We can get a result," said Ferguson. "But I'm not treating it lightly by any means.

"Rangers are here to get a result and make progress in the group.

"They have people who pass the ball, nice footballers like Mikel Arteta.

"We have to make sure they don't have the same joy as they did at Ibrox because Arteta ran the show in the first half."

[kariballa]

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Utrecht star Pascal Bosschaart and watched him in action over the weekend.
The 23-year-old is considered one of the best young talents in Holland and is already wanted by PSV Eindhoven and his former club Feyenoord.

Left sided Bosschaart began his career at De Kuip, but he moved on from Rotterdam without playing a game and joined Utrecht.

He has not looked back since his move to Nieuw Galgewaard in 1997 and has gone on to play over 170 games.

Reds Devils chief scout Martin Ferguson watched Bosschaart play 90 minutes in Utrecht 2-1 win over Heerenveen on Sunday.

The player's agent Karel Jansen has told skysports.com that there is interest, but nothing official from the English champions.

"We have heard about the interest from England, but there is nothing official," Jansen explained.

"We already know about the firm interest from Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, but Pascal is very happy and it is too early for anyone to ask which club he would prefer to move to.

"He is contracted until 2005 at Utrecht and that is as much as we know.

"We are going to have a meeting with Utrecht next week to discuss Pascal's situation and see what is happening."

[kariballa]

United States starlet Freddy Adu has set his sights on clinching a move to Premiership champions Manchester United.
The 14-year-old is arguably world football's most talented prodigy and is tipped to illuminate the global stage for many years to come.

Adu has already established himself in the US Under-20 squad despite his tender years and is wanted by a string of leading European clubs.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are firm admirers of the attacker while The Red Devils have been long-standing suitors of the teenager.

United already have two Americans on their books in the guise of Tim Howard and Jonathan Spector, and are also monitoring the progress of another teenager - Danny Szetela.

But claiming the prized signature of Adu would be a feather in the club's cap and the Ghana-born youngster has paved the way for a dream move to Old Trafford.

Adu is initially expected to sign terms with MLS outfit DC United when he launches his professional career next year but he is keen to sample the delights of The Premiership.

"I would love to end up in England some day playing for Manchester United or a team like that," Adu told BBC World Football.

"I've loved them ever since I was a baby. I am aware (I am being tracked) and I am very excited by that.

"When a big team like Manchester United knows about me, then you have to been doing something good for them to notice you."