He may not have kicked a ball yet for United but new signing Manucho is already receiving rave reviews.
The latest endorsement of the Angolan's talents is his inclusion in the Africa Cup of Nations XI, ahead of some of world football's most feared strikers. Chelsea's Didier Drogba was named among the subs, while Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o missed out altogether.
Manucho scored four goals during the tournament, one less than Eto'o who top scored with five including three penalties. Player of the tournament was midfielder Hosni Abd Rabou who also netted four times to help Egypt retain the trophy.
Young player of the tournament was Arsenal and Cameroon midfielder Alexander Song. Other Premier League players in the all-star XI were Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari, Newcastle's Geremi and Chelsea's Michael Essien.
Manucho's next move will be to link up with his loan club Panathinaikos for the rest of the season. However, this week's UEFA Cup tie against Rangers in Glasgow has come too soon for the striker following his Africa Cup exertions.
Africa Cup of Nations XI: Essam Al-Hadari (Egypt), Geremi (Cameroon), Wael Gomaa (Egypt), Michael Essien (Ghana), Sulley Muntari (Ghana), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast), Alexandre Song (Cameroon), Hosni Abd Rabou (Egypt), Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt), Amr Zaky (Egypt), Manucho (Angola).
Subs: Richard Kingson (Ghana), Hani Said, Ahmed Fathi (both Egypt), Frej Saber (Tunisia), Stephane Mbia (Cameroon), Didier Drogba, Kader Keita (both Ivory Coast).
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Fergie eyes Lyon duo
Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted Lyon duo Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in a sensational £40million swoop. Boss Fergie made his move just a week before Manchester United face the French side in a Champions League last-16 clash. He spoke to Lyon week. Aulas said: “I spoke to Sir Alex. I told him that Benzema and Ben Arfa will not leave in the next two years. We want to build our future on them. If he wants to exchange Cristiano Ronaldo for Ben Arfa we could talk about it but they would have to also give us a bit of money.” But Aulas’ remarks will not put off Fergie, who spoke to the Lyon president before Saturday’s game with Sochaux. French ace Benzema, 20, is one of the hottest strikers in Europe with 16 goals in 24 league games this season, while Fergie sees jet-heeled Ben Arfa, 20, as a long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs, 34. The pair are also summer targets for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun Read more...
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun Read more...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Giggs gracious in defeat
Ryan Giggs graciously accepted his first defeat in an Old Trafford derby, admitting the opposition were worthy winners on the day.
The United winger has enjoyed the vast majority of Manchester derbies in the 16 years since scoring on his full debut against City - but not this one.
"It was probably the result that City deserved really. They played better than us," he said.
"City scored at important times in the game and we didn't recover. City could just sit back then and try to catch us on the counter attack.
"Defensively we didn't play well. Attacking-wise, we just didn't turn up."
Giggs' club career has benefited since he retired from playing for Wales but many of his team-mates were on international duty just days ago.
"There were a lot of players that didn't look as sharp and that may be the reason," acknowledged Ryan.
"But there was enough motivation for us - a massive game for the club, a derby and an important three points.
"We probably can't afford to drop any more points now. We've got to make sure we don't produce any more performances like that." Read more...
The United winger has enjoyed the vast majority of Manchester derbies in the 16 years since scoring on his full debut against City - but not this one.
"It was probably the result that City deserved really. They played better than us," he said.
"City scored at important times in the game and we didn't recover. City could just sit back then and try to catch us on the counter attack.
"Defensively we didn't play well. Attacking-wise, we just didn't turn up."
Giggs' club career has benefited since he retired from playing for Wales but many of his team-mates were on international duty just days ago.
"There were a lot of players that didn't look as sharp and that may be the reason," acknowledged Ryan.
"But there was enough motivation for us - a massive game for the club, a derby and an important three points.
"We probably can't afford to drop any more points now. We've got to make sure we don't produce any more performances like that." Read more...
Skipper vows to return
Gary Neville has hit back at speculative reports suggesting his career may come to a premature end after a long-running injury battle.
The Reds' skipper, who turns 33 next Monday, has not played for United's first-team since rupturing ankle ligaments against Bolton Wanderers last March.
Subsequent niggles have further disrupted his progress. It has been a hugely frustrating period for the right-back, but he insists his career is far from over.
"The fact I’ve been out for so long brings about speculation regarding whether or not I’ll make it back. I understand that," he told United Review.
"Ironically my ankle has been okay for the last couple of months, I’ve just picked up little knocks here and there that have lasted a couple of weeks or so; they can really set you back when you’ve been out for so long.
"I’m training again and I am focused on getting fit. I’m not going to put a timescale on it or name a game when I’ll be back. Once I get fit, and I’m doing the best I can to get to that point, I’ve no doubts I’ll be okay." Read more...
The Reds' skipper, who turns 33 next Monday, has not played for United's first-team since rupturing ankle ligaments against Bolton Wanderers last March.
Subsequent niggles have further disrupted his progress. It has been a hugely frustrating period for the right-back, but he insists his career is far from over.
"The fact I’ve been out for so long brings about speculation regarding whether or not I’ll make it back. I understand that," he told United Review.
"Ironically my ankle has been okay for the last couple of months, I’ve just picked up little knocks here and there that have lasted a couple of weeks or so; they can really set you back when you’ve been out for so long.
"I’m training again and I am focused on getting fit. I’m not going to put a timescale on it or name a game when I’ll be back. Once I get fit, and I’m doing the best I can to get to that point, I’ve no doubts I’ll be okay." Read more...
Sir Alex eyes April showdowns
Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's matches against Arsenal and Chelsea in April will almost certainly decide the destination of the league title this season.
Defeat to City on Sunday was a major blow for the Reds' hopes of retaining the Premier League crown. United, of course, could be five points behind league leaders Arsenal if the Gunners beat Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
Speaking to Inside United magazine before the defeat to City, Sir Alex's comments now carry even greater resonance.
United face Arsenal (12 April) and Chelsea (26 April) in the space of two weeks in the penultimate month of the campaign, which Sir Alex believes will be crucial.
"There's no doubt about it, the games against Arsenal and Chelsea will be decisive," he said.
"The fact that the league is so close makes a big difference. All the top sides have dropped points. Teams are taking points off the top sides more than ever. But it looks likely that our home game against Arsenal and the match at Chelsea could make a huge difference."
Ryan Giggs thinks that United must win both matches, saying after Sunday's derby defeat that the Reds "cannot afford to drop any more points now".
First, the Welshman and Sir Alex will also be hoping that Blackburn can do United a favour in North London, as they did earlier in the season when they claimed a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park in August. Read more...
Defeat to City on Sunday was a major blow for the Reds' hopes of retaining the Premier League crown. United, of course, could be five points behind league leaders Arsenal if the Gunners beat Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
Speaking to Inside United magazine before the defeat to City, Sir Alex's comments now carry even greater resonance.
United face Arsenal (12 April) and Chelsea (26 April) in the space of two weeks in the penultimate month of the campaign, which Sir Alex believes will be crucial.
"There's no doubt about it, the games against Arsenal and Chelsea will be decisive," he said.
"The fact that the league is so close makes a big difference. All the top sides have dropped points. Teams are taking points off the top sides more than ever. But it looks likely that our home game against Arsenal and the match at Chelsea could make a huge difference."
Ryan Giggs thinks that United must win both matches, saying after Sunday's derby defeat that the Reds "cannot afford to drop any more points now".
First, the Welshman and Sir Alex will also be hoping that Blackburn can do United a favour in North London, as they did earlier in the season when they claimed a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park in August. Read more...
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