United have been boosted by the news that Rio Ferdinand could be fit to face Roma in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand had limped out of Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, but a scan on Monday confirmed he had not suffered a broken foot as was first feared.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the defender should be fit to face the Italians, although a final decision will be made on Wednesday morning.
"Rio's scan was clear and we hope to have him on Wednesday," revealed the United boss.
Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre are also in the squad and Sir Alex confirmed one of the duo may even start the game.
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Double trouble
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can still win the Premier and Champions League double. On the eve of tonight's Euro clash at Liverpool, he said: "I still believe we'll be champions in this league. Manchester United's result at Middlesbrough on Sunday helped a lot. If they had won, I’d have thought we couldn’t do it but now I still believe we will. We have belief we can win everywhere." The Gunners are six points behind United in their Premier battle. And they have an Anfield mountain to climb if they are to save their European dream. Arsenal managed just a 1-1 draw against the Reds in their quarter-final first-leg clash at the Emirates last week.
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Phil Thomas, The Sun Read more...
Monday, April 7, 2008
Giggs: We're on countdown
Ryan Giggs believes United’s comeback against Middlesbrough may prove crucial as the Reds move into countdown mode for the final five games.
An April blizzard wasn’t the only surprise at the Riverside. Two goals from Afonso Alves put the home side in front after Cristiano Ronaldo had given the Reds the lead. It took Wayne Rooney’s late strike to haul United level and edge into a three-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.
“We hope it will be a crucial point,” Giggs told MUTV. “After going 2-1 down, it's probably a point gained. Some people before the game were saying the title was done and dusted. We’ve always said there are tough games coming up, for us and Arsenal and Chelsea.
There will be a few twists and turns yet. We’re on countdown now. There are five matches to go and we’ll be up for each one. We want to win every game and we’re capable of doing it. But we’ll have to be at our best.”
With Nemanja Vidic missing, John O’Shea took the Serbian’s place alongside Rio Ferdinand. But Middlesbrough’s all-out attack really tested the newly-formed central defensive partnership. Giggs gave full recognition to Afonso Alves, scorer of both Boro goals, and Jeremie Aliadiere.
“We had good players coming in," he said. "You have to give credit to Boro. They didn’t have anything to lose, so they went for it. Not many teams do that against us. They kept two up front and they were always dangerous on the break.
“We started well, with good movement, passing, and taking the lead through Cristiano’s goal. When Middlesbrough scored, it was a case of they attack, we attack. It was an open game. It could be a good point because it’s one of the toughest grounds to come to.”
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An April blizzard wasn’t the only surprise at the Riverside. Two goals from Afonso Alves put the home side in front after Cristiano Ronaldo had given the Reds the lead. It took Wayne Rooney’s late strike to haul United level and edge into a three-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.
“We hope it will be a crucial point,” Giggs told MUTV. “After going 2-1 down, it's probably a point gained. Some people before the game were saying the title was done and dusted. We’ve always said there are tough games coming up, for us and Arsenal and Chelsea.
There will be a few twists and turns yet. We’re on countdown now. There are five matches to go and we’ll be up for each one. We want to win every game and we’re capable of doing it. But we’ll have to be at our best.”
With Nemanja Vidic missing, John O’Shea took the Serbian’s place alongside Rio Ferdinand. But Middlesbrough’s all-out attack really tested the newly-formed central defensive partnership. Giggs gave full recognition to Afonso Alves, scorer of both Boro goals, and Jeremie Aliadiere.
“We had good players coming in," he said. "You have to give credit to Boro. They didn’t have anything to lose, so they went for it. Not many teams do that against us. They kept two up front and they were always dangerous on the break.
“We started well, with good movement, passing, and taking the lead through Cristiano’s goal. When Middlesbrough scored, it was a case of they attack, we attack. It was an open game. It could be a good point because it’s one of the toughest grounds to come to.”
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Roma leave Totti at home
Roma captain Francesco Totti will miss Wednesday's Champions League return at Old Trafford after being omitted from the travelling squad.
The 31-year-old striker sat out Saturday's 3-2 home win over Genoa in Serie A. Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admitted then: "I would be happy to have him back next weekend."
Totti was conspicuous by his absence last Tuesday when United took a big stride towards the semi-finals, winning 2-0 with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Another first-leg absentee, Greater Manchester-born midfielder Simone Perotta, is recalled to the Roma ranks after completing a one-match suspension.
Spalletti named the following squad for the second leg, as listed on AS Roma's website:
Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci, Doni, Carlo Zotti
Defenders: Christian Panucci, Marco Cassetti, Cicinho, Juan, Philippe Mexes
Midfielders: Gabriel Antunes, Alberto Aquilani, Matteo Brighi, Daniele De Rossi, Simone Perrotta, David Pizarro, Rodrigo Taddei, Max Tonetto
Forwards: Mauro Esposito, Ludovic Giuly, Alessandro Mancini, Mirko Vucinic.
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The 31-year-old striker sat out Saturday's 3-2 home win over Genoa in Serie A. Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admitted then: "I would be happy to have him back next weekend."
Totti was conspicuous by his absence last Tuesday when United took a big stride towards the semi-finals, winning 2-0 with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Another first-leg absentee, Greater Manchester-born midfielder Simone Perotta, is recalled to the Roma ranks after completing a one-match suspension.
Spalletti named the following squad for the second leg, as listed on AS Roma's website:
Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci, Doni, Carlo Zotti
Defenders: Christian Panucci, Marco Cassetti, Cicinho, Juan, Philippe Mexes
Midfielders: Gabriel Antunes, Alberto Aquilani, Matteo Brighi, Daniele De Rossi, Simone Perrotta, David Pizarro, Rodrigo Taddei, Max Tonetto
Forwards: Mauro Esposito, Ludovic Giuly, Alessandro Mancini, Mirko Vucinic.
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Rio suffered no break
United received some good news on the injury to Rio Ferdinand on Monday afternoon as it was confirmed the defender has not suffered a break to the foot he injured against Middlesbrough.
The 29-year-old defender was forced off after 70 minutes of Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Riverside. However, any concerns that he had broken a metatarsal in his left foot have been allayed.
A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Rio went for a scan on Monday and we can confirm that he has not suffered any break."
United's medical team have not confirmed how long the defender will be out of action.
Sir Alex Ferguson will provide a further update at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter final second leg clash with Roma.
Read more...
The 29-year-old defender was forced off after 70 minutes of Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Riverside. However, any concerns that he had broken a metatarsal in his left foot have been allayed.
A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Rio went for a scan on Monday and we can confirm that he has not suffered any break."
United's medical team have not confirmed how long the defender will be out of action.
Sir Alex Ferguson will provide a further update at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter final second leg clash with Roma.
Read more...
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