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Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Aston Villa Vs. Manchester United Post Match Talk
Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's forwards have really hit form after the Reds scored four goals for the second game running.
Speaking after United demolished Aston Villa 4-1 in their "best performance of the season", the boss acknowledged it had taken a while for his forward line to click into gear.
"I think there's been a disappointment that we haven't scored more goals," said Sir Alex.
"That's a big surprise considering the players we have but Tevez and Anderson missed pre-season so it took them a while to get the fitness needed at this level. Rooney missed the first four games of the season and Ronaldo was suspended, so it's understandable."
Sir Alex believes the goal-shy start to the campaign is well and truly behind United.
"We are delighted, the performance in particular was absolutely superb and I think it's probably our best of the season," he said.
Villa were reduced to nine men when midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and goalkeeper Scott Carson were sent off. Sir Alex backed both decisions by referee Rob Styles but denied they were decisive moments in the game.
"I don’t think the red cards made a difference to the scoreline but they did give us an easier task. Reo-Coker was unlucky, but he committed two bookable offences as they were both late tackles. You can't afford to do that in the modern game.
"As for Carson being sent off (for bringing down Tevez), there is a lot of sympathy in that situation but the letter of the law says he has to go." Read more...
Speaking after United demolished Aston Villa 4-1 in their "best performance of the season", the boss acknowledged it had taken a while for his forward line to click into gear.
"I think there's been a disappointment that we haven't scored more goals," said Sir Alex.
"That's a big surprise considering the players we have but Tevez and Anderson missed pre-season so it took them a while to get the fitness needed at this level. Rooney missed the first four games of the season and Ronaldo was suspended, so it's understandable."
Sir Alex believes the goal-shy start to the campaign is well and truly behind United.
"We are delighted, the performance in particular was absolutely superb and I think it's probably our best of the season," he said.
Villa were reduced to nine men when midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and goalkeeper Scott Carson were sent off. Sir Alex backed both decisions by referee Rob Styles but denied they were decisive moments in the game.
"I don’t think the red cards made a difference to the scoreline but they did give us an easier task. Reo-Coker was unlucky, but he committed two bookable offences as they were both late tackles. You can't afford to do that in the modern game.
"As for Carson being sent off (for bringing down Tevez), there is a lot of sympathy in that situation but the letter of the law says he has to go." Read more...
Aston Villa Vs. Manchester United Result and Report
United’s excellent form at Villa Park continued with a 4-1 victory characterised by the passing, movement, vision of the Reds' blossoming strike pairing, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
Rooney scored twice, but could have scored double that after seeing a penalty saved and a shot rattle off the crossbar. Tevez was as tenacious as ever but, more importantly, his link-up play crucial to the Reds going forward. Villa, who took the lead through Gabriel Agbonlahor on 13 minutes, ended the match with nine men after Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson both saw red. In truth the match was all but over after United’s three-goal blitz before the break.
Without Vidic, Saha, Hargreaves, Carrick Neville, and with Ronaldo on the bench after suffering a slight knock on international duty, Sir Alex was forced to reshuffle. Anderson was handed only his second league start, while Gerard Pique deputised at right-back as Wes Brown filled in for Vidic.
It took two minutes for United to get the first chance when Scott Carson picked up a backpass from Wilfred Bouma 12 yards out. Rooney teed up Ryan Giggs on the volley, but the Villa wall blocked the effort. A promising start. But Martin O’Neill's side are made of stern stuff and, in contrast to the early run of play, they managed to strike first. Ashley Young’s cross from the left found Agbonlahor with time to glance his header past Edwin van der Sar. There was a hint of offside, as Luke Moore appeared to block van der Sar’s line of sight. But the goal stood.
Undeterred, United piled on the pressure, and chances soon followed. Evra’s cross from the left allowed Rooney to nod the ball back to Nani, who volleyed just over. Then after 25 minutes United’s intricate passing found a way through. Anderson, Nani, Scholes opened up space for Tevez, whose one-two with Rooney put him through on goal. But Carson was quick off his line and saved with his legs.
The Reds deservedly pulled level after 36 minutes following a low and dangerous Nani cross from the right. It caused indecision in the Villa defence. Zat Knight seemed to think Carson was coming to collect, but also knew that the slightest of touches would send the ball into his own net. Rooney gladly capitalised, nipping in behind Knight and tapping home the equaliser.
The understanding between Rooney and Tevez was the signature of United's first-half performance. Tevez drops under the radar of opposition defences, and he caused all kinds of problems for Villa's defence. Charged with linking midfield with attack, he executed the task perfectly for United’s second goal on 45 minutes. Using Giggs’ run as a decoy, the Argentina international cut inside from the left and carved Villa’s defence wide open with a pass to Rooney. United’s no.10 coolly slotted home his second of the match. It was the perfect time to take the lead. But Sir Alex’s men weren’t finished there. From a corner in injury time, Pique had his header cleared off the line before Craig Gardner volleyed Ferdinand’s rebounded shot in off the bar. It was a dramatic, but utterly deserved, turnaround.
The odds were further stacked in United’s favour during a five-minute spell around the hour mark. First, Rob Styles, perhaps slightly harshly, sent off Nigel Reo-Coker, whose two bookable offences comprised clumsy rather than malicious tackles on Anderson and Tevez. Then, after Tevez was brought down by Carson whilst clean through on goal, he dismissed the Villa shot-stopper and awarded a penalty. However, substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor made the most of his first touch, saving low and to his right from Rooney’s spot-kick. The English front man’s hat-trick was proving elusive, seconds later he smashed a shot from 12 yards against the bar.
Tevez, who deserved a goal for his efforts, should have scored shortly before being replaced after 73 minutes by Darren Fletcher. He found space in the box and had just Taylor to beat, but the Villa goalkeeper spread himself well to deny Tevez. Taylor would be beaten, however, albeit via a wicked deflection. Giggs danced through the Villa defence from the right flank before seeing his left-footed shot cannon off Martin Laursen and beyond Taylor to complete the win. Villa Park remains one of United’s favoured grounds on the Premier League circuit, and a performance of this quality so soon after an international break bodes well.
Team Line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Pique, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Scholes (O'Shea, 77), Giggs (Ronaldo, 77); Tevez (Fletcher, 73), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Simpson.
Aston Villa: Carson (sent off, 66, Taylor on); Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Gardner (Osbourne, 54); Barry, Reo-Coker (sent off, 60), Young, Agbonlahor, Moore (Maloney, 54).
Subs not used: Davies, Petrov. Read more...
Rooney scored twice, but could have scored double that after seeing a penalty saved and a shot rattle off the crossbar. Tevez was as tenacious as ever but, more importantly, his link-up play crucial to the Reds going forward. Villa, who took the lead through Gabriel Agbonlahor on 13 minutes, ended the match with nine men after Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson both saw red. In truth the match was all but over after United’s three-goal blitz before the break.
Without Vidic, Saha, Hargreaves, Carrick Neville, and with Ronaldo on the bench after suffering a slight knock on international duty, Sir Alex was forced to reshuffle. Anderson was handed only his second league start, while Gerard Pique deputised at right-back as Wes Brown filled in for Vidic.
It took two minutes for United to get the first chance when Scott Carson picked up a backpass from Wilfred Bouma 12 yards out. Rooney teed up Ryan Giggs on the volley, but the Villa wall blocked the effort. A promising start. But Martin O’Neill's side are made of stern stuff and, in contrast to the early run of play, they managed to strike first. Ashley Young’s cross from the left found Agbonlahor with time to glance his header past Edwin van der Sar. There was a hint of offside, as Luke Moore appeared to block van der Sar’s line of sight. But the goal stood.
Undeterred, United piled on the pressure, and chances soon followed. Evra’s cross from the left allowed Rooney to nod the ball back to Nani, who volleyed just over. Then after 25 minutes United’s intricate passing found a way through. Anderson, Nani, Scholes opened up space for Tevez, whose one-two with Rooney put him through on goal. But Carson was quick off his line and saved with his legs.
The Reds deservedly pulled level after 36 minutes following a low and dangerous Nani cross from the right. It caused indecision in the Villa defence. Zat Knight seemed to think Carson was coming to collect, but also knew that the slightest of touches would send the ball into his own net. Rooney gladly capitalised, nipping in behind Knight and tapping home the equaliser.
The understanding between Rooney and Tevez was the signature of United's first-half performance. Tevez drops under the radar of opposition defences, and he caused all kinds of problems for Villa's defence. Charged with linking midfield with attack, he executed the task perfectly for United’s second goal on 45 minutes. Using Giggs’ run as a decoy, the Argentina international cut inside from the left and carved Villa’s defence wide open with a pass to Rooney. United’s no.10 coolly slotted home his second of the match. It was the perfect time to take the lead. But Sir Alex’s men weren’t finished there. From a corner in injury time, Pique had his header cleared off the line before Craig Gardner volleyed Ferdinand’s rebounded shot in off the bar. It was a dramatic, but utterly deserved, turnaround.
The odds were further stacked in United’s favour during a five-minute spell around the hour mark. First, Rob Styles, perhaps slightly harshly, sent off Nigel Reo-Coker, whose two bookable offences comprised clumsy rather than malicious tackles on Anderson and Tevez. Then, after Tevez was brought down by Carson whilst clean through on goal, he dismissed the Villa shot-stopper and awarded a penalty. However, substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor made the most of his first touch, saving low and to his right from Rooney’s spot-kick. The English front man’s hat-trick was proving elusive, seconds later he smashed a shot from 12 yards against the bar.
Tevez, who deserved a goal for his efforts, should have scored shortly before being replaced after 73 minutes by Darren Fletcher. He found space in the box and had just Taylor to beat, but the Villa goalkeeper spread himself well to deny Tevez. Taylor would be beaten, however, albeit via a wicked deflection. Giggs danced through the Villa defence from the right flank before seeing his left-footed shot cannon off Martin Laursen and beyond Taylor to complete the win. Villa Park remains one of United’s favoured grounds on the Premier League circuit, and a performance of this quality so soon after an international break bodes well.
Team Line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Pique, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Scholes (O'Shea, 77), Giggs (Ronaldo, 77); Tevez (Fletcher, 73), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Simpson.
Aston Villa: Carson (sent off, 66, Taylor on); Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Gardner (Osbourne, 54); Barry, Reo-Coker (sent off, 60), Young, Agbonlahor, Moore (Maloney, 54).
Subs not used: Davies, Petrov. Read more...
Friday, October 19, 2007
Keeper Van der Sar eyes Man Utd return
Edwin van der Sar is fit and ready to return for Manchester United at Aston Villa on Saturday.
The veteran Dutch keeper has missed United's last two games with a toe injury picked up during the Premier League win at Birmingham last month.
Although the 36-year-old was named in the Holland squad by Marco van Basten for the Euro 2008 double-header with Romania and Slovakia, he was forced to withdraw, sparking fears he might be missing for longer than most people at Old Trafford had anticipated.
However, Van der Sar has confirmed he is now 100% again and should replace Tomasz Kuszczak at Villa Park as United look to extend a six-match winning sequence in the Premier League which has been achieved without conceding a goal.
'I feel good,' he said.
'I went away with the national team last week because I felt I could have played on the Saturday.
'Unfortunately, the progress was not quick enough. There was no point in taking a risk and aggravating it, so I decided not to play and focus on tomorrow's game instead.'
Although Van der Sar has been fortunate to avoid serious injuries during his illustrious career, he has been struck down by a couple of minor problems since joining United, including a calf injury and a broken nose sustained in a collision with Robbie Keane at Tottenham.
However, the former Ajax star has no lingering fears and confirms he wants to stay fit in order to avoid extra work during recovery.
'I am not worried about my foot because overall, I have not had many injuries,' he said.
'It is strange to go a couple of weeks without playing, so I am looking forward to being involved again.
'When you are injured you have to work harder than when you are fit. That is why everyone wants to get back as quickly as possible and feel part of the team.' Read more...
The veteran Dutch keeper has missed United's last two games with a toe injury picked up during the Premier League win at Birmingham last month.
Although the 36-year-old was named in the Holland squad by Marco van Basten for the Euro 2008 double-header with Romania and Slovakia, he was forced to withdraw, sparking fears he might be missing for longer than most people at Old Trafford had anticipated.
However, Van der Sar has confirmed he is now 100% again and should replace Tomasz Kuszczak at Villa Park as United look to extend a six-match winning sequence in the Premier League which has been achieved without conceding a goal.
'I feel good,' he said.
'I went away with the national team last week because I felt I could have played on the Saturday.
'Unfortunately, the progress was not quick enough. There was no point in taking a risk and aggravating it, so I decided not to play and focus on tomorrow's game instead.'
Although Van der Sar has been fortunate to avoid serious injuries during his illustrious career, he has been struck down by a couple of minor problems since joining United, including a calf injury and a broken nose sustained in a collision with Robbie Keane at Tottenham.
However, the former Ajax star has no lingering fears and confirms he wants to stay fit in order to avoid extra work during recovery.
'I am not worried about my foot because overall, I have not had many injuries,' he said.
'It is strange to go a couple of weeks without playing, so I am looking forward to being involved again.
'When you are injured you have to work harder than when you are fit. That is why everyone wants to get back as quickly as possible and feel part of the team.' Read more...
Ferguson expects his England stars to shine
Sir Alex Ferguson is backing his fallen stars to recover from their international disappointments by firing Manchester United to victory at Aston Villa on Saturday.
John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher were both left frustrated by poor results for the Republic of Ireland and Scotland respectively but it is England duo Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand who suffered the most.
Both are facing the dismal prospect of an unexpected summer off as England struggle to reach Euro 2008, a scenario that would almost certainly see the dismissal of Ferguson's former assistant Steve McClaren after just 18 games in charge.
But the United boss has felt no need to throw a protective arm around his charges.
After seeing so many players experience the same emotions during his two decades at Old Trafford, Ferguson is happy to let the nature of the game take care of the problem.
'They are grown men and they are big men, they have to be able to deal with it,' said the Scot.
'There have been a few disappointments, with Scotland, Ireland and England. But the situation is nothing unusual and I have not spoken to them about it.
'The beauty of football is that you always have the next game in which to rectify what happened in the last one. Sometimes it is seven days, sometimes it is four. But it means you can always get over these things quickly.'
Ferguson sees no reason why this weekend should not provide instant relief.
While United's next opponents have continued to improve under Martin O'Neill, Villa Park is one of the Red Devils happier hunting grounds.
It is 12 seasons since Ferguson last tasted a league defeat in August 1995 to the Midlands outfit, Villa's success drawing the famous `You'll never win anything with kids' response from Alan Hansen.
Ryan Giggs was not in the United line-up that day however, he was one of the youngsters Hansen was talking about, even though he had already won two league titles and an FA Cup by that stage.
Ferguson has certainly never had any cause to regret trusting that `Class of 92' and particularly Giggs, who this week signed a contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2009 and hopefully much longer, way beyond the end of his playing days, possibly in the type of ambassadorial role Sir Bobby Charlton has at present.
'Without doubt, Ryan is still a big influence in the dressing room,' said Ferguson.
'He sets a tremendous example and I hope he stays here a lot longer.
'He has never shown any inclination to go into coaching but he certainly has a role to play once he has finished because we need to recognise the deeds of our great players.'
Giggs' presence will be required on the field tomorrow as United look to maintain a six-match winning streak during which time they have not conceded a goal.
The run has allowed Ferguson's team to keep pace with early table-toppers Arsenal, who they meet at the Emirates Stadium on November 3.
Some pundits have suggested Arsenal are too raw and inexperienced to last the pace this season, feeling United, Liverpool and Chelsea will eventually emerge as the major championship contenders.
Ferguson disputes that theory. He only has to look back 12 months to find similar opinions being expressed about his own side, who went on to win the title in such glorious fashion.
'It is still an open race but Arsenal have had a great start and they are the ones we are chasing at the moment,' said Ferguson.
'I know challenging for a title is a new experience for a lot of their players but some of them have been there before and the manager has, which is a help.
'People said the same thing about us last year but we led the league for three-quarters of the season, so I don't think it is a handicap.
'The main thing is I know we will chase them with great fervour and determination.
'Our team is coming together now. We are getting on with the business of winning games and hopefully we can continue to do that now.' Read more...
John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher were both left frustrated by poor results for the Republic of Ireland and Scotland respectively but it is England duo Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand who suffered the most.
Both are facing the dismal prospect of an unexpected summer off as England struggle to reach Euro 2008, a scenario that would almost certainly see the dismissal of Ferguson's former assistant Steve McClaren after just 18 games in charge.
But the United boss has felt no need to throw a protective arm around his charges.
After seeing so many players experience the same emotions during his two decades at Old Trafford, Ferguson is happy to let the nature of the game take care of the problem.
'They are grown men and they are big men, they have to be able to deal with it,' said the Scot.
'There have been a few disappointments, with Scotland, Ireland and England. But the situation is nothing unusual and I have not spoken to them about it.
'The beauty of football is that you always have the next game in which to rectify what happened in the last one. Sometimes it is seven days, sometimes it is four. But it means you can always get over these things quickly.'
Ferguson sees no reason why this weekend should not provide instant relief.
While United's next opponents have continued to improve under Martin O'Neill, Villa Park is one of the Red Devils happier hunting grounds.
It is 12 seasons since Ferguson last tasted a league defeat in August 1995 to the Midlands outfit, Villa's success drawing the famous `You'll never win anything with kids' response from Alan Hansen.
Ryan Giggs was not in the United line-up that day however, he was one of the youngsters Hansen was talking about, even though he had already won two league titles and an FA Cup by that stage.
Ferguson has certainly never had any cause to regret trusting that `Class of 92' and particularly Giggs, who this week signed a contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2009 and hopefully much longer, way beyond the end of his playing days, possibly in the type of ambassadorial role Sir Bobby Charlton has at present.
'Without doubt, Ryan is still a big influence in the dressing room,' said Ferguson.
'He sets a tremendous example and I hope he stays here a lot longer.
'He has never shown any inclination to go into coaching but he certainly has a role to play once he has finished because we need to recognise the deeds of our great players.'
Giggs' presence will be required on the field tomorrow as United look to maintain a six-match winning streak during which time they have not conceded a goal.
The run has allowed Ferguson's team to keep pace with early table-toppers Arsenal, who they meet at the Emirates Stadium on November 3.
Some pundits have suggested Arsenal are too raw and inexperienced to last the pace this season, feeling United, Liverpool and Chelsea will eventually emerge as the major championship contenders.
Ferguson disputes that theory. He only has to look back 12 months to find similar opinions being expressed about his own side, who went on to win the title in such glorious fashion.
'It is still an open race but Arsenal have had a great start and they are the ones we are chasing at the moment,' said Ferguson.
'I know challenging for a title is a new experience for a lot of their players but some of them have been there before and the manager has, which is a help.
'People said the same thing about us last year but we led the league for three-quarters of the season, so I don't think it is a handicap.
'The main thing is I know we will chase them with great fervour and determination.
'Our team is coming together now. We are getting on with the business of winning games and hopefully we can continue to do that now.' Read more...
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