Darren Fletcher looked at the positives after United's defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea drew level at the top after their 2-1 win, but a vastly superior goal difference means the Reds will be champions with victories over West Ham and Wigan.
The midfielder told MUTV: “It was a disappointing result and it puts a bit of pressure on us.
"But the positive we must take is that it’s still in our hands, and if we concentrate and win our last two games, we will win the league.”
Fletcher’s appearance at Stamford Bridge was his first since picking up a knee injury on international duty with Scotland in March.
"In the last couple of minutes I was blowing a little bit, but that’s natural when you’ve not played for a month. My knee's still a bit painful but at a bearable level so I can play.”
Fletcher is looking forward to Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona and is confident that an electric atmosphere will help the Reds reach the final in Moscow.
“We’re coming back to Old Trafford knowing we have to win to qualify,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great night and the fans will get behind us. If you can’t get lifted for a Champions League semi-final in front of your own fans, what can you get lifted for?”
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Monday, April 28, 2008
Deco: Reds fear away goal
Deco feels United will be fearful of Barcelona's attacking capabilities in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final settler at Old Trafford.
A goalless draw in last week's first leg in the Nou Camp means United's aim is simple - win in Manchester. Conversely, Barca know a scoring draw will be enough to take them to Moscow next month.
While the Catalans' form has been far from inspirational, their unquestioned attacking thrust will have nerves jangling in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, according to Barca's Portuguese playmaker.
"The fear is with them now," Deco is quoted as saying in the News of the World. "They know if they concede at home they will have to score twice to win the semi-final. I'm optimistic."
United are widely tipped to adopt a more offensive strategy than in last week's first leg, and Deco is confident that Barca star Lionel Messi will revel in the extra space he will subsequently be afforded.
"In the first leg Messi had a lot of players on top of him when he received the ball, but he still caused problems," said Deco. "Now they have to attack us more and they will not be able to concentrate so much on covering Messi.
"When I saw that Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo were all starting on Wednesday, I thought they would pressure us high up the pitch. But they defended quite deep and can't do that at home."
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A goalless draw in last week's first leg in the Nou Camp means United's aim is simple - win in Manchester. Conversely, Barca know a scoring draw will be enough to take them to Moscow next month.
While the Catalans' form has been far from inspirational, their unquestioned attacking thrust will have nerves jangling in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, according to Barca's Portuguese playmaker.
"The fear is with them now," Deco is quoted as saying in the News of the World. "They know if they concede at home they will have to score twice to win the semi-final. I'm optimistic."
United are widely tipped to adopt a more offensive strategy than in last week's first leg, and Deco is confident that Barca star Lionel Messi will revel in the extra space he will subsequently be afforded.
"In the first leg Messi had a lot of players on top of him when he received the ball, but he still caused problems," said Deco. "Now they have to attack us more and they will not be able to concentrate so much on covering Messi.
"When I saw that Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo were all starting on Wednesday, I thought they would pressure us high up the pitch. But they defended quite deep and can't do that at home."
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Doubts remain over Reds duo
Sir Alex Ferguson will wait until the final moment before deciding whether his injured warriors Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic can face Barcelona.
Both players were substituted during Saturday's defeat at Chelsea and there is concern that Tuesday night will come too soon for the pair as they recover from facial (Vidic) and hip problems (Rooney).
"Obviously for such an important game, we’ve got to give them every chance," said Sir Alex, at Monday's pre-match press conference.
"Nemanja didn’t train yesterday or today, neither did Wayne. It’s a difficult one. We think both could make it but I can’t be dead certain.”
What does seem certain is that Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the starting line-up, fresh from being a sub on Saturday and being crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday.
Patrice Evra could also come back in, despite being one booking away from missing the final. Mikael Silvestre performed impressively in Evra's absence at left-back but has only just returned to the fold after a lengthy spell out with injury.
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Both players were substituted during Saturday's defeat at Chelsea and there is concern that Tuesday night will come too soon for the pair as they recover from facial (Vidic) and hip problems (Rooney).
"Obviously for such an important game, we’ve got to give them every chance," said Sir Alex, at Monday's pre-match press conference.
"Nemanja didn’t train yesterday or today, neither did Wayne. It’s a difficult one. We think both could make it but I can’t be dead certain.”
What does seem certain is that Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the starting line-up, fresh from being a sub on Saturday and being crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday.
Patrice Evra could also come back in, despite being one booking away from missing the final. Mikael Silvestre performed impressively in Evra's absence at left-back but has only just returned to the fold after a lengthy spell out with injury.
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Ronaldo retains PFA award
Cristiano Ronaldo received a timely tonic on Sunday evening when he was confirmed as PFA Player of the Year for the second successive season.
After a week in which he missed a penalty in Barcelona and suffered defeat at Chelsea, the award reminds us how rare these occasional lows are in Cristiano's high-flying career.
Ronaldo's fellow professionals voted him the top performer in English football, ahead of Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Arsenal pair Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James. All six were shortlisted for the award but few people gave the other five a prayer of pipping the Portuguese ace.
Cristiano was again nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year - which he also won in 2007 - but this time the gong went to Fabregas of Arsenal. The awards were presented at London's Grosvenor House Hotel but Ronaldo did not attend, given the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona is just two days away.
In a pre-recorded acceptance speech, Ronaldo said:
"I feel very happy. When you work all season to do something for the team, and then at the end the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment.
"It is an honour, a pleasure and a great motivation to carry on, to work more and get better.
"This is a good moment for me but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season. They give me good passes to score goals - and I score.''
Cristiano's remarkable tally of 38 goals so far this season include his first hat-trick for United - against Newcastle in January - and a run of eight strikes in seven consecutive games from 15 March to 13 April. The winger has also set up numerous goals for his team-mates as the Reds close in on a possible Premier League and Champions League double.
Ronaldo is only the second player to win the PFA award in two successive years since its inception in 1974. Ironically, he'll come face to face with the first man to do it on Tuesday when Thierry Henry (2003, 2004, then of Arsenal) lines up for Barcelona.
Cristiano wasn't the only Red to be heralded at the PFA awards - Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were also named in the Premier League Team of the Year:
David James (Portsmouth); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Ferdinand, Vidic, Gael Clichy (Arsenal); Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
Fanzone Poll: If you could sign one player for United from the PFA Team of the Year, who would it be? Cast your vote at www.manutd.com/polls.
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After a week in which he missed a penalty in Barcelona and suffered defeat at Chelsea, the award reminds us how rare these occasional lows are in Cristiano's high-flying career.
Ronaldo's fellow professionals voted him the top performer in English football, ahead of Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Arsenal pair Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James. All six were shortlisted for the award but few people gave the other five a prayer of pipping the Portuguese ace.
Cristiano was again nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year - which he also won in 2007 - but this time the gong went to Fabregas of Arsenal. The awards were presented at London's Grosvenor House Hotel but Ronaldo did not attend, given the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona is just two days away.
In a pre-recorded acceptance speech, Ronaldo said:
"I feel very happy. When you work all season to do something for the team, and then at the end the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment.
"It is an honour, a pleasure and a great motivation to carry on, to work more and get better.
"This is a good moment for me but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season. They give me good passes to score goals - and I score.''
Cristiano's remarkable tally of 38 goals so far this season include his first hat-trick for United - against Newcastle in January - and a run of eight strikes in seven consecutive games from 15 March to 13 April. The winger has also set up numerous goals for his team-mates as the Reds close in on a possible Premier League and Champions League double.
Ronaldo is only the second player to win the PFA award in two successive years since its inception in 1974. Ironically, he'll come face to face with the first man to do it on Tuesday when Thierry Henry (2003, 2004, then of Arsenal) lines up for Barcelona.
Cristiano wasn't the only Red to be heralded at the PFA awards - Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were also named in the Premier League Team of the Year:
David James (Portsmouth); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Ferdinand, Vidic, Gael Clichy (Arsenal); Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
Fanzone Poll: If you could sign one player for United from the PFA Team of the Year, who would it be? Cast your vote at www.manutd.com/polls.
Read more...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Man United will still win title - McClaren
Former England manager Steve McClaren still believes his old club Manchestern United will win the Premier League crown.
Manchester United remain on top, due to their vastly superior goal difference, despite a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which left the clubs locked on 81 points with two games each to go.
But McClaren believes that his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has the experience and know-how to get United across the finishing line.
'There's always pressure at Manchester United and people take their lead from the manager. He has the experience, the belief, the stature, the charisma, and he has won it before,' McClaren told BBC Radio.
'That's what the players look to, they'll look to a manager and other players who have done it before.'
Ferguson has been criticised for resting star players against Chelsea ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona but McClaren believes he was looking at the big picture.
'He (Ferguson) knew they had three opportunities to win the league. They have let one slip and they will make sure they don't waste the other two.
'With West Ham and Wigan still to play, I believe United are still favourites.
'They are phenomenal at home, and when they have to go to Wigan, they (Wigan) will be safe.
'If it goes down to the wire they (United) have the experience and character to come through that.
'Chelsea have to go to Newcastle. But look at how Newcastle are playing, and they will have 52,000 people there behind them. They will want to win and that means it is not an easy one for Chelsea.
'Sir Alex, this week, will be focused and relaxed. That is the key thing, not to panic.
'United did not get the luck yesterday, but they will get it in the future. This is where a manager comes into his own and earns the money.
'I think they are still favourites. I must give credit for Chelsea's great run but I do think it is still United's title. They hold all the cards with two games they should win.'
On the prospect of Rio Ferdinand being made England's new captain, McClaren explained the thinking behind his decision when in charge of the national team to appoint John Terry.
McClaren said: 'John Terry was a simple choice, he was my kind of captain. Terry was captain of Chelsea, they were winning the Premier League and he was on the top of his game.
'He has character and the players respect and listen to him in the dressing room.
'It just followed on from the great job he was doing at Chelsea to do the same with England. But other people have different opinions.
'An international captain is very important. He is your eyes and ears in the dressing room and can help you nip in the bud any problems before they could explode.
'It is important the captain is a leader and has great character in the dressing room. There are many who have been captain and cannot handle the responsibility.
'Terry will never lose what he has and his vocal side. But you need several leaders that drive the others on.'
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Manchester United remain on top, due to their vastly superior goal difference, despite a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which left the clubs locked on 81 points with two games each to go.
But McClaren believes that his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has the experience and know-how to get United across the finishing line.
'There's always pressure at Manchester United and people take their lead from the manager. He has the experience, the belief, the stature, the charisma, and he has won it before,' McClaren told BBC Radio.
'That's what the players look to, they'll look to a manager and other players who have done it before.'
Ferguson has been criticised for resting star players against Chelsea ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona but McClaren believes he was looking at the big picture.
'He (Ferguson) knew they had three opportunities to win the league. They have let one slip and they will make sure they don't waste the other two.
'With West Ham and Wigan still to play, I believe United are still favourites.
'They are phenomenal at home, and when they have to go to Wigan, they (Wigan) will be safe.
'If it goes down to the wire they (United) have the experience and character to come through that.
'Chelsea have to go to Newcastle. But look at how Newcastle are playing, and they will have 52,000 people there behind them. They will want to win and that means it is not an easy one for Chelsea.
'Sir Alex, this week, will be focused and relaxed. That is the key thing, not to panic.
'United did not get the luck yesterday, but they will get it in the future. This is where a manager comes into his own and earns the money.
'I think they are still favourites. I must give credit for Chelsea's great run but I do think it is still United's title. They hold all the cards with two games they should win.'
On the prospect of Rio Ferdinand being made England's new captain, McClaren explained the thinking behind his decision when in charge of the national team to appoint John Terry.
McClaren said: 'John Terry was a simple choice, he was my kind of captain. Terry was captain of Chelsea, they were winning the Premier League and he was on the top of his game.
'He has character and the players respect and listen to him in the dressing room.
'It just followed on from the great job he was doing at Chelsea to do the same with England. But other people have different opinions.
'An international captain is very important. He is your eyes and ears in the dressing room and can help you nip in the bud any problems before they could explode.
'It is important the captain is a leader and has great character in the dressing room. There are many who have been captain and cannot handle the responsibility.
'Terry will never lose what he has and his vocal side. But you need several leaders that drive the others on.'
Read more...
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