Ji-sung Park could provide United with some early Christmas cheer, with Sir Alex revealing the South Korea international is close to making his long-anticipated return.
Park, 26, hasn't played since damaging his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March but the manager told Manchester United Radio he expects the midfielder to feature in his plans soon.
"Ji-sung Park is now training with the first-team and should be ready in a couple of weeks," Sir Alex said. "He'll be back in the fold in about two weeks' time, I think."
Going on that prognosis, it's possible Park could find himself back on the pitch when Everton arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday 23 December. If so, nobody will be more pleased than the United boss.
"He's a terrific young player and his return will be a great boost for us," he said. "He gives us more options going forward, which is good news."
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Monday, December 10, 2007
Reds' Italian test
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Unable to beat Coventry City in the Carling Cup earlier this season, United's youngsters will now be handed the task of toppling Italian giants AS Roma.
A number of first-team regulars are expected to be left behind when the Reds fly to Rome on Tuesday morning for the following night's Champions League group match, leaving room for some of Sir Alex's younger troops.
"There's no doubt we'll take some young kids," the manager told Manchester United Radio. "We've won the group and Roma are guaranteed second place, so there's no issue with us potentially affecting the outcome of the group.
"We wanted to give the young boys experience playing in the Carling Cup but they let themselves down against Coventry. Now there's a chance for the likes of Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Chris Eagles to elevate themselves. We know all about their ability but this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
"They won't be on their own, though. They'll have back-up from players like John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Nani and Anderson. Cristiano Ronaldo might possibly be involved as well.
"We're not in the habit of sending teams out to lose. We'll be sending out a time that we think is good enough to win." Read more...
Unable to beat Coventry City in the Carling Cup earlier this season, United's youngsters will now be handed the task of toppling Italian giants AS Roma.
A number of first-team regulars are expected to be left behind when the Reds fly to Rome on Tuesday morning for the following night's Champions League group match, leaving room for some of Sir Alex's younger troops.
"There's no doubt we'll take some young kids," the manager told Manchester United Radio. "We've won the group and Roma are guaranteed second place, so there's no issue with us potentially affecting the outcome of the group.
"We wanted to give the young boys experience playing in the Carling Cup but they let themselves down against Coventry. Now there's a chance for the likes of Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Chris Eagles to elevate themselves. We know all about their ability but this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
"They won't be on their own, though. They'll have back-up from players like John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Nani and Anderson. Cristiano Ronaldo might possibly be involved as well.
"We're not in the habit of sending teams out to lose. We'll be sending out a time that we think is good enough to win." Read more...
Hargo: I Owe It All To Fergie
Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is Mr Perfect. England midfielder Hargreaves reckons his Old Trafford boss has played a blinder by bringing him back slowly from tendonitis. And the former Bayern Munich star, 26, is ready to repay Fergie’s patience by cementing his place in United’s starting line-up. Hargo said: “Sir Alex has proved to be the perfect manager. With the injury, he’s known when to rest me and when to play me. The only disappointment has been I’d like to have played more games. Hopefully, that’ll change. Being a United player is everything I expected - and more. And the competition in midfield is great. We miss Paul Scholes at the moment but Anderson is showing what he can do. We’ve plenty of options with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher pushing for places. It makes it difficult for the manager, which is a good thing.”
Staff writer, The Sun Read more...
Staff writer, The Sun Read more...
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Anderson is a special talent
Anderson is being tipped by Sir Alex Ferguson for a very bright career at Old Trafford, and the Reds boss has intimated that the Brazilian starlet will one day succeed Paul Scholes as United’s midfield conductor.
"He's been absolutely superb; the boy's definitely got something special,” says Sir Alex in the latest issue of Inside United.
The 19-year-old’s rapid emergence since making his debut against Sunderland in September mirrors his swift ascension through football’s ranks.
He was signed by Porto in December 2005 having played just five senior games for Gremio in Brazil. And he’d experienced barely half a season in Portugal before breaking his leg in 2006/07, by which point United had already seen enough.
“There was an urgency to get him once we'd scouted him,” added the Reds boss. “Even though he'd broken his leg and had been out for four or five months, [we had to move] because the reports were saying he was the best young player in the world.
“At the time I was saying, 'for god's sake, let's calm down a bit here'. I knew he had real potential but I didn't want to put labels like that on him.”
Anderson’s arrival at Old Trafford was announced in May 2007 – a mere two weeks after United lifted the league title – but he was an unknown to most Reds. Since then, he has proven beyond doubt that he has the potential to live up to his reported £17million fee.
“We've been delighted with him,” adds Sir Alex. “He's proven himself to be a true central midfield player. But there is some luck attached to it because, before Paul Scholes got his injury, I could have had a dilemma because Paul prefers to play on the left side in midfield, and Anderson's position is the same.
“But since he's come into the team he's just taken off. He can tackle, he's lightning quick, he's brave and he can pass the ball. What he's got to prove is his goalscoring ability, because that's something Scholesy's always given us.
“His battle with [Cesc] Fabregas against Arsenal was interesting because they were two very influential players in the game. I think the boy Fabregas is going through a golden period at Arseanl, but I thought Anderson dominated that position... he did very well for us." Read more...
"He's been absolutely superb; the boy's definitely got something special,” says Sir Alex in the latest issue of Inside United.
The 19-year-old’s rapid emergence since making his debut against Sunderland in September mirrors his swift ascension through football’s ranks.
He was signed by Porto in December 2005 having played just five senior games for Gremio in Brazil. And he’d experienced barely half a season in Portugal before breaking his leg in 2006/07, by which point United had already seen enough.
“There was an urgency to get him once we'd scouted him,” added the Reds boss. “Even though he'd broken his leg and had been out for four or five months, [we had to move] because the reports were saying he was the best young player in the world.
“At the time I was saying, 'for god's sake, let's calm down a bit here'. I knew he had real potential but I didn't want to put labels like that on him.”
Anderson’s arrival at Old Trafford was announced in May 2007 – a mere two weeks after United lifted the league title – but he was an unknown to most Reds. Since then, he has proven beyond doubt that he has the potential to live up to his reported £17million fee.
“We've been delighted with him,” adds Sir Alex. “He's proven himself to be a true central midfield player. But there is some luck attached to it because, before Paul Scholes got his injury, I could have had a dilemma because Paul prefers to play on the left side in midfield, and Anderson's position is the same.
“But since he's come into the team he's just taken off. He can tackle, he's lightning quick, he's brave and he can pass the ball. What he's got to prove is his goalscoring ability, because that's something Scholesy's always given us.
“His battle with [Cesc] Fabregas against Arsenal was interesting because they were two very influential players in the game. I think the boy Fabregas is going through a golden period at Arseanl, but I thought Anderson dominated that position... he did very well for us." Read more...
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