Peter Schmeichel is backing Manchester United – and Edwin van der Sar – in this season’s Champions League campaign.
The Reds legend made no secret of his continued affection for United in a recent webchat at Uefa.com.
“I’ll be supporting United and I’m sure they'll have a great season,” he said.
The Dane, who played 398 times for the Reds, also had high praise for Edwin van der Sar.
Schmeichel claims the Dutchman's mere presence inspires confidence in those around him.
“Edwin has been fantastic at Manchester United,” Schmeichel said. “There have been many goalkeepers at the club in recent years but nobody has really stepped forward – but Edwin has shown when he plays there is no issue.
“He’s made a lot of players better. Take Rio Ferdinand: he’s a better player because he trusts the goalkeeper behind him. The way Edwin plays is ideal for the team. He’s the exact goalkeeper for United.”
Schmeichel, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever walk onto a football pitch, seemed almost envious of van der Sar’s ability to deal with back-passes.
“Edwin’s a product of the new rules,” Schmeichel said. “When I first started playing I could pick the ball up [from a back-pass].
“Edwin’s ability with his feet is second to none – players can pass the ball back knowing that he’ll control the ball and not make a mistake.”
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Fans will welcome Ronaldo
Sir Alex Ferguson insists Cristiano Ronaldo has no cause to win United’s fans over after a summer which saw the player heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. The Reds boss instead has praised the player's maturity as he prepares to return from an ankle injury against Villarreal on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old winger is well ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and will make an appearance of some sort – most likely as a substitute – when the Reds take on the Spaniards in Wednesday’s Champions League Group E opener at Old Trafford.
Real Madrid’s public pursuit of Ronaldo throughout the summer brought matters to a head when Sir Alex met with the Portuguese international during pre-season. The United boss insists that is where the matter ended, and now predicts a welcome return from the Old Trafford faithful.
“I don’t think [he has to win the fans over],” Sir Alex said on Tuesday. “I think our fans understand the situation. He’s a young man who was tempted by the lure of money, but since we gave him our decision he has accepted it.
“He said that he’d like to go to Real Madrid. When I had the meeting with him, that was it finished. He understood my position and the club’s position. He has accepted it and got on with it like a professional. There has not been a problem since.”
Ronaldo has thrown himself at his recovery from the surgery he underwent in July with the same dedication he has to developing his raw skill into world football's most sought-after talent during five years with the Reds.
“His training and rehabilitation has been fantastic,” said Sir Alex. “Every day, right through till five o’clock, he has shown a real determination to get back playing for us.
“He is well ahead of schedule. That is credit to him and our medical team. They have done a fantastic job, but he has been a great patient. We could have included him against Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe if we’d been at home we would have done. With the game being away we thought it best to give him a few more days.
“He has shown great maturity as well, accepting the decision of Manchester United and getting on with it. No pettiness, no throwing the toys out of the pram. He’s been professional, in training every day and working very hard. We’re delighted that he is back. His return is a huge lift because he is such a fantastic player.”
And Sir Alex isn’t the only one delighted at Ronaldo’s return. His team-mates will be pleased to see a player whose 42-goals coloured and characterised United’s incredible Premier League and Champions League double success last term.
“He is such a massive player for us,” said Carlos Tevez. “He is a great person to have on your side. It’s almost like having an extra player when he is playing for you because he is such a danger to our opponents. It will be a big boost to have him back.”
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The 23-year-old winger is well ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and will make an appearance of some sort – most likely as a substitute – when the Reds take on the Spaniards in Wednesday’s Champions League Group E opener at Old Trafford.
Real Madrid’s public pursuit of Ronaldo throughout the summer brought matters to a head when Sir Alex met with the Portuguese international during pre-season. The United boss insists that is where the matter ended, and now predicts a welcome return from the Old Trafford faithful.
“I don’t think [he has to win the fans over],” Sir Alex said on Tuesday. “I think our fans understand the situation. He’s a young man who was tempted by the lure of money, but since we gave him our decision he has accepted it.
“He said that he’d like to go to Real Madrid. When I had the meeting with him, that was it finished. He understood my position and the club’s position. He has accepted it and got on with it like a professional. There has not been a problem since.”
Ronaldo has thrown himself at his recovery from the surgery he underwent in July with the same dedication he has to developing his raw skill into world football's most sought-after talent during five years with the Reds.
“His training and rehabilitation has been fantastic,” said Sir Alex. “Every day, right through till five o’clock, he has shown a real determination to get back playing for us.
“He is well ahead of schedule. That is credit to him and our medical team. They have done a fantastic job, but he has been a great patient. We could have included him against Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe if we’d been at home we would have done. With the game being away we thought it best to give him a few more days.
“He has shown great maturity as well, accepting the decision of Manchester United and getting on with it. No pettiness, no throwing the toys out of the pram. He’s been professional, in training every day and working very hard. We’re delighted that he is back. His return is a huge lift because he is such a fantastic player.”
And Sir Alex isn’t the only one delighted at Ronaldo’s return. His team-mates will be pleased to see a player whose 42-goals coloured and characterised United’s incredible Premier League and Champions League double success last term.
“He is such a massive player for us,” said Carlos Tevez. “He is a great person to have on your side. It’s almost like having an extra player when he is playing for you because he is such a danger to our opponents. It will be a big boost to have him back.”
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Fergie: Terry let-off is ridiculous
Sir Alex Ferguson launched a furious attack on refs’ chief Keith Hackett after John Terry escaped a red-card ban. Chelsea had Terry’s dismissal for fouling Manchester City’s Jo overturned by the FA. The England centre-half will now not serve a three-match suspension — and is free to face title rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Sir Alex fumed: “I understand Hackett told ref Mark Halsey to rescind the card and he wouldn’t. So now he is refereeing in League Two this weekend. I do not understand how this has happened. If it had been a Manchester United player, Hackett would not have done this. This is going to have to happen all the time if a referee is considered to have made a mistake.” An independent FA panel — which did not include Hackett — upheld Chelsea’s claim of wrongful dismissal.
Neil Custis, The Sun Read more...
Neil Custis, The Sun Read more...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Neville calls for full-on assault
Gary Neville insists there must be no let-up in United's pursuit of further Champions League success as the Reds prepare to start the defence of 2007/08's European crown.
The latest mission begins on Wednesday at Old Trafford against Spanish side Villarreal, ahead of further Group E clashes with Celtic and Danish outfit Aalborg.
Having reached the pinnacle of European football on that memorable night in Moscow last May, Neville says it's vital that the Reds do not allow themselves to be conquered by complacency.
"There was a great determination and edge to the squad last season which helped us win it," the skipper told the Villarreal edition of United Review.
"We had to play to our absolute maximum and if we do that this time and get that little bit of luck, there’s no doubt we can do it again.
"But it’s important to remember that we won it by a very small margin. We didn’t run away with it, so we have to make sure we rise to the occasion again."
Neville is part of the United old guard that know all too well that the really hard work of remaining at the top begins here.
"When you’ve won the Champions League you’re at the top of the mountain," he adds. "It’s hard work getting there in the first place, but the important thing to remember is not to breathe a huge sigh of relief and let yourself drop down. We have to make sure complacency doesn’t set in."
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The latest mission begins on Wednesday at Old Trafford against Spanish side Villarreal, ahead of further Group E clashes with Celtic and Danish outfit Aalborg.
Having reached the pinnacle of European football on that memorable night in Moscow last May, Neville says it's vital that the Reds do not allow themselves to be conquered by complacency.
"There was a great determination and edge to the squad last season which helped us win it," the skipper told the Villarreal edition of United Review.
"We had to play to our absolute maximum and if we do that this time and get that little bit of luck, there’s no doubt we can do it again.
"But it’s important to remember that we won it by a very small margin. We didn’t run away with it, so we have to make sure we rise to the occasion again."
Neville is part of the United old guard that know all too well that the really hard work of remaining at the top begins here.
"When you’ve won the Champions League you’re at the top of the mountain," he adds. "It’s hard work getting there in the first place, but the important thing to remember is not to breathe a huge sigh of relief and let yourself drop down. We have to make sure complacency doesn’t set in."
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Ronny ready to return
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will play some part in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Villarreal, but Michael Carrick is definitely out and Dimitar Berbatov is a doubt for the Group E tie.
Ronaldo's rapid recovery from ankle surgery will see him involved in the squad for the first time this season, with the winger likely to be handed a spot on the bench.
“Cristiano will certainly be involved,” Sir Alex said at his pre-match press conference. “Whether we start him or not, irrespective of other players’ injuries, is still a major decision. I think it’s more likely that he will start on the bench."
The diagnosis of Carrick's injury is less favourable. A medical examination on Sunday showed the midfielder suffered a small crack in his right foot whilst going in for a tackle at Anfield. He could now miss up to six weeks of football.
“Michael's injury hasn't turned out well for us," confirmed Sir Alex. "He’ll be out for four to six weeks, which isn't good news. We have some other injury concerns ahead of the Villarreal game. Berbatov is very doubtful. He got a knee injury on Saturday. He came off for treatment and then played on, but there has been some swelling. We’ll work hard on that, but we may not have enough time.
“There were one or two other bumps and bruises from Saturday. Wes Brown got a knee injury and Patrice Evra felt sick during the game, but they should both be OK."
Fortunately, Sir Alex feels that he has plenty of options to cope. "It’s an important game with it being the start of our Champions League campaign," he said. "We have some injuries but we have a strong squad so we should be all right in terms of putting out a good team."
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Ronaldo's rapid recovery from ankle surgery will see him involved in the squad for the first time this season, with the winger likely to be handed a spot on the bench.
“Cristiano will certainly be involved,” Sir Alex said at his pre-match press conference. “Whether we start him or not, irrespective of other players’ injuries, is still a major decision. I think it’s more likely that he will start on the bench."
The diagnosis of Carrick's injury is less favourable. A medical examination on Sunday showed the midfielder suffered a small crack in his right foot whilst going in for a tackle at Anfield. He could now miss up to six weeks of football.
“Michael's injury hasn't turned out well for us," confirmed Sir Alex. "He’ll be out for four to six weeks, which isn't good news. We have some other injury concerns ahead of the Villarreal game. Berbatov is very doubtful. He got a knee injury on Saturday. He came off for treatment and then played on, but there has been some swelling. We’ll work hard on that, but we may not have enough time.
“There were one or two other bumps and bruises from Saturday. Wes Brown got a knee injury and Patrice Evra felt sick during the game, but they should both be OK."
Fortunately, Sir Alex feels that he has plenty of options to cope. "It’s an important game with it being the start of our Champions League campaign," he said. "We have some injuries but we have a strong squad so we should be all right in terms of putting out a good team."
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