Reds have pitch concerns

Sir Alex was afforded his first glimpse of the Estadio Jose Alvalade's pitch when the Reds trained at the ground on Tuesday night.

Nineteen United players spent an hour on the turf, running through light ball-work, a half-field simulation match and attacking exercises before finishing with a thorough stretching session. The grass, however, appeared patchy in places and came away from its roots on a number of occasions.

"The pitch isn't great," the manager said. "It's cutting up badly and they have a problem with that. I think one half of it is worse than the other.

"We played here for the opening of the stadium in 2003 and we had terrible problems with the pitch on that day. I don't think they've ever sorted the problems. They've renewed the turf this summer but they're still having the same problems."

United squad at training on 18 September: Van der Sar, Kuszczak; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Pique, Evans; Ronaldo, Eagles, Scholes, Carrick, Gibson, Anderson, Nani; Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Saha

Read more...

Ole takes Reds coaching role

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took temporary charge of United’s reserves side in Lisbon on Wednesday morning, and it marks the former Reds striker’s first steps into the coaching side of the game.




Solskjaer, who ended his playing career last month due to injury having scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for the Reds, won’t be taking up the Reserves role full-time, but Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the Norwegian has joined the club’s coaching staff.

The 34-year-old has not yet been given an official job title, but he is to work closely with technical skills development coach Rene Meulensteen, with particular emphasis on coaching strikers throughout the club's ranks.

Sir Alex told ManUtd.com: “This is an ideal trip for Ole to come along and get involved with the coaching side of the game.”

Ole led the warm up and took charge of a reserves team including Tom Heaton, Dong Fangzhuo, Lee Martin, and Darron Gibson against a Sporting Lisbon team made up of first- and second-year Academy scholars. Read more...

Saha key to United's plans

Tonight's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon marks the first time Sir Alex Ferguson has had Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez all available for selection.

But while Reds fans will be licking their lips in anticipation of what this talented trio could deliver, the United boss insists the secret to success in this season's European campaign lies elsewhere.

"I think if we can get Louis Saha to stay fit then that will be a big, big bonus," the manager told English press in Lisbon.

"The other players are all tremendous footballers, but Louis is different and adds different ingredients. The power and strength of Saha is very important in Europe and it's key he remains fit."

It was Saha who grabbed United's winner in Portugal last season, with a 60th-minute strike to sink Benfica in the group stage. He also scored in the corresponding home fixture and twice against Celtic at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex revealed the Frenchman, who has just 72 minutes of league action under his belt this season after suffering a knee injury towards the end of last season, would certainly play a part in tonight's match. Like his other strikers, however, he's uncertain just how big the role will be.

"We're still in the process of picking our moments with Louis – when he does and doesn't play," he said.

"Rooney will be involved against Sporting, and Tevez too. I have good attacking options and I'll be using them all throughout the game.

"At the moment we're showing a good team spirit and a good work ethic. Our defenders have been wonderful in the last three games and that immediately gives us a good chance of winning matches. And we have the players to do that." Read more...

Ronny craves victory in Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo says he respects his former club but won't be doing them any favours as United prepare to take on Sporting Lisbon in Wednesday's Champions League Group F fixture.

During Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Ronaldo, who spent seven years at Sporting before signing for the Reds in 2003, admitted the Portuguese club felt like his "second home". But there's no denying where Ronaldo's loyalties lie these days.

"It's always good to come back to Lisbon," the 22-year-old said. "I have many friends and colleagues at the club and I'm very excited about the match. I like the club but now my first colour is red and I hope to win with Manchester United."

Asked if he would celebrate should he find the net against the club that nurtured his talent from an early age, Ronaldo said he couldn't plan his reaction.

"It will depend on the moment," he said. "I will have to wait to see how I feel. I don't know if I'll score and I don't know how I'll react. Right now I just want to say I'll give my best and I'll be playing to win.

"United respect Sporting Lisbon but we also believe we have the better squad. I hope I'll be happy at the end of tomorrow's game and I hope I receive a warm welcome from the Sporting fans."

Sir Alex believed the Reds' no.7 needn't worry about the fans' reaction, even though he was booed viciously the last time United played in Portugal.

"There won't be any negative reaction from Sporting fans," the manager said. "This is his old club and he was here seven years as a kid. I think he'll get a good reception – Nani too. Ronaldo got some stick at Benfica but that's expected." Read more...

Sir Alex ponders striker dilemma

Sir Alex Ferguson admits a lack of match fitness in his forward line has given him plenty to ponder ahead of United's Champions League opener in Portugal.

The side to start against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night will be announced following a "very tough choice" by the boss involving Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Carlos Tevez, none of whom he considers fully ready to play 90 minutes in Europe.

"Tevez has been doing exceptionally and is getting better and better, but on Saturday, in the last 20 minutes, he tired again," Sir Alex said.

"Louis Saha is someone we're gauging match to match – the plan is to ease him into games as we go. Remember, he's been out for eight months. As for Wayne Rooney, he's only played half a game, which was more than a month ago.

"I don't know if I'll start him, put him on the bench, start him with Carlos Tevez... maybe I'll do the same as we did at Goodison Park and play Tevez up front with Giggs. Do I bring Saha and Rooney on at half-time? We have to make sure we make the right team selection because we want to win."

No matter what happens, it certainly appears Rooney will make an appearance, unlike on Saturday where he travelled to Merseyside but was not named in the 16 that overcame Everton.

The manager's selection problems are not confined to the front line. Sir Alex conceded it was "very disappointing" not to have Owen Hargreaves on board when the squad flew out from Manchester on Tuesday.

"Owen Hargreaves didn't make the trip to Lisbon," the manager confirmed. "He hasn't fully recovered from his injury he sustained with England. Obviously it's a bit of a blow because one of the big reasons we bought Owen was his experience, particularly in Europe. In the games he's played for us so far he's showed his experience and I was looking forward to having him for tomorrow's game. Unfortunately he's not available."

The manager said United's opening Champions League fixture was a "very promising game" and comes against a club the Reds respect highly.

"As most people know, we have had a marvellous relationship with Sporting Lisbon for many years now. I think they have a fantastic youth programme and it's one I admire. Our coaches have been over to see their Academy and vice versa... we bought Cristiano Ronaldo some years ago and this year we bought Nani. Those two players are a great indication of how successful they are at youth level." Read more...