Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is so good United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to enter into any bets with the Portuguese winger about how many goals he’ll score this season.
Ferguson famously paid out at the end of the 2006/07 campaign after the Reds’ no.7 found the net 23 times, smashing the manager's 20-goal target to finish joint top scorer alongside Wayne Rooney.
This season Ronaldo has outdone himself once again, passing last term’s tally before January has even finished. All the talk now centres on George Best’s club record of 32 goals from midfield and whether 22-year-old Ronaldo can overtake the Irishman.
Sir Alex’s targets have undoubtedly provided added motivation in the past, but the United boss believes a place in the history books is incentive enough this time around.
“No way!” the Reds boss told Manchester United Radio when asked if money would change hands should Ronaldo surpass Best’s record. “Being a Scot, I value my money.”
Ronaldo took his season tally to 25 with a double against Tottenham last weekend, although neither goal is likely to feature in his career highlights reel. Not that his manager cared…
“The boy has been fantastic recently,” Sir Alex said. “Against Spurs he showed great composure in taking his penalty kick at what was an important time in the game. His second goal was a goalkeeping mistake but if you don’t shoot you don’t score. He was rewarded for that mentality."
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
On a par with '99
Harry Redknapp believes his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson has created a squad which is close to matching the treble-winners of 1999. Redknapp believes it is a mark of Ferguson's quality that he can continue to deliver teams capable of competing at the very highest level, typified by the famous Champions League-winning side of almost nine years ago. "Alex has done a fantastic job there, hasn't he? I was at Bournemouth when I first met him 20-odd years ago and the team he's put together now could be one of his best," said the Portsmouth manager. "He's up there with all the great managers; Cloughie, Shankly, Busby – all the greats. Alex is not far from having another team as good as the one which had David Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in his prime and won the treble," Redknapp added. "But with Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and the rest of them now it's another fantastic team. You can't write off Chelsea and certainly not Arsenal but, for me, United are still favourites to take the title again."
Bill Pierce, The Independent Read more...
Bill Pierce, The Independent Read more...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Carrick: This week is vital
United may have been drawn with Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday but Michael Carrick’s focus is on the immediate future.
The Reds welcome Portsmouth to Old Trafford on Wednesday night before travelling to London on Saturday to face Tottenham for the second time in six days. United ended Spurs' FA Cup dream on Sunday with a 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo (2).
“Weeks like this can define a season,” Carrick told Manchester United Radio.
“If we can get the three wins we’re aiming for then we’ll be in good shape.”
Carrick did afford a quick glance to the future, admitting he’d love to reach the FA Cup final for a second successive year.
“A club like United is in competitions to win them and we’re now starting to look towards Wembley. Of course, you don’t want to get too carried away because there are tough games ahead.
“But we want to be there again come May, especially because we came so close last season and lost right at the death. We’re determined to put things right this season.” Read more...
The Reds welcome Portsmouth to Old Trafford on Wednesday night before travelling to London on Saturday to face Tottenham for the second time in six days. United ended Spurs' FA Cup dream on Sunday with a 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo (2).
“Weeks like this can define a season,” Carrick told Manchester United Radio.
“If we can get the three wins we’re aiming for then we’ll be in good shape.”
Carrick did afford a quick glance to the future, admitting he’d love to reach the FA Cup final for a second successive year.
“A club like United is in competitions to win them and we’re now starting to look towards Wembley. Of course, you don’t want to get too carried away because there are tough games ahead.
“But we want to be there again come May, especially because we came so close last season and lost right at the death. We’re determined to put things right this season.” Read more...
Reds target maximum points
Top-of-the-league United are aiming for maximum points until the end of the season.
Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea says confidence in the Reds’ camp is sky-high ahead of Portsmouth’s visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season but we’re definitely capable of winning all our matches,” 26-year-old O’Shea told Manchester United Radio.
“I’m not saying we will do that – we have to treat each match as it comes – but everyone’s really positive at the moment. The manager’s happy as well!”
Portsmouth arrive in Manchester with five players away on African Nations Cup duty, although Harry Redknapp boosted his squad on Monday with the loan signing of Lyon’s Milan Baros.
“Harry’s brought in one or two new players and Portsmouth will be intent on finishing strongly this season,” O’Shea said.
“It’s been a small surprise how well they’ve done this season, particularly away from home. You come across one or two teams who struggle away from home but the opposite applies to Portsmouth.
“We’ll have to be on our toes but I think our home form is good and we’re scoring plenty of goals. We’re positive going into the match. It’s all guns blazing right now.” Read more...
Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea says confidence in the Reds’ camp is sky-high ahead of Portsmouth’s visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season but we’re definitely capable of winning all our matches,” 26-year-old O’Shea told Manchester United Radio.
“I’m not saying we will do that – we have to treat each match as it comes – but everyone’s really positive at the moment. The manager’s happy as well!”
Portsmouth arrive in Manchester with five players away on African Nations Cup duty, although Harry Redknapp boosted his squad on Monday with the loan signing of Lyon’s Milan Baros.
“Harry’s brought in one or two new players and Portsmouth will be intent on finishing strongly this season,” O’Shea said.
“It’s been a small surprise how well they’ve done this season, particularly away from home. You come across one or two teams who struggle away from home but the opposite applies to Portsmouth.
“We’ll have to be on our toes but I think our home form is good and we’re scoring plenty of goals. We’re positive going into the match. It’s all guns blazing right now.” Read more...
Boss hopeful over Manucho
Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Manucho’s fine form in the African Cup of Nations will facilitate a successful work permit application for the striker.
The 24-year-old’s move to Old Trafford is pending approval, and his haul of three goals in Angola’s opening two tournament matches will no doubt aid his cause.
“It just adds to the fact that we’ll get the work permit easier, I’m sure of that,” said Sir Alex. “He’s got a talent, the boy, there’s no question about that. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in the rest of the tournament.”
With the work permit application still to be approved and Angola seemingly set to progress into the quarter-finals, Sir Alex admits it is unlikely that Manucho will feature for United this season.
“It’ll be too late, really, by the time we get him back and get a permit,” he said. “We’ll probably farm him out somewhere else for the remainder of the season.” Read more...
The 24-year-old’s move to Old Trafford is pending approval, and his haul of three goals in Angola’s opening two tournament matches will no doubt aid his cause.
“It just adds to the fact that we’ll get the work permit easier, I’m sure of that,” said Sir Alex. “He’s got a talent, the boy, there’s no question about that. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in the rest of the tournament.”
With the work permit application still to be approved and Angola seemingly set to progress into the quarter-finals, Sir Alex admits it is unlikely that Manucho will feature for United this season.
“It’ll be too late, really, by the time we get him back and get a permit,” he said. “We’ll probably farm him out somewhere else for the remainder of the season.” Read more...
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