United have confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is fit to face Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
Reports in Tuesday’s press claimed that the Reds defender has experienced a recurrence of an old groin injury and would miss the key Premier League clash.
However, the influential 28-year-old centre-back trained with the rest of the squad at Carrington on Tuesday, and is considered fully fit and ready to play against the Gunners.
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Webb's the right ref for Saturday
Howard Webb's appointment as referee for United's crunch match at Arsenal has come under fire from a former top official.
Recently retired referee Graham Poll is concerned that Webb will be taking charge of his second Arsenal game in a row, following the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
"Never before have you seen a referee in the Premier League get appointed to the same team in consecutive weeks," said Poll.
"It doesn't happen. There are all sorts of connotations with it. Is Howard Webb going to have to prove his impartiality and will that mean he is going to favour Manchester United?
"It's unfair pressure on a very good referee."
The Premier League has defended Webb's appointment, insisting his recent performances in matches like Arsenal's trip to Liverpool and Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against Czech Republic make him the best man for Saturday's job at the Emirates.
A spokesman for the Premier League said: "Howard Webb is the best performing referee at the moment and it's only right he takes charge of the highest-profile games."
South Yorkshire-based Webb has refereed one United match so far this season, the 1-0 home win over Tottenham in August. His appointments last season included the Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford and the FA Cup semi-final against Watford. Read more...
Recently retired referee Graham Poll is concerned that Webb will be taking charge of his second Arsenal game in a row, following the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
"Never before have you seen a referee in the Premier League get appointed to the same team in consecutive weeks," said Poll.
"It doesn't happen. There are all sorts of connotations with it. Is Howard Webb going to have to prove his impartiality and will that mean he is going to favour Manchester United?
"It's unfair pressure on a very good referee."
The Premier League has defended Webb's appointment, insisting his recent performances in matches like Arsenal's trip to Liverpool and Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against Czech Republic make him the best man for Saturday's job at the Emirates.
A spokesman for the Premier League said: "Howard Webb is the best performing referee at the moment and it's only right he takes charge of the highest-profile games."
South Yorkshire-based Webb has refereed one United match so far this season, the 1-0 home win over Tottenham in August. His appointments last season included the Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford and the FA Cup semi-final against Watford. Read more...
Ron: We'll win Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United have all the ingredients to retain their Premier League title AND win this season’s Champions League. The Portuguese winger has smashed six goals already this season to help United go second in the top flight and win the first three games of their Euro campaign. And he said: “I believe we’ll win the Premier League and Champions League this season. We have the team, we have the players and we believe we can do it. There’s a good chance we will."
Mark Gilbert, The Sun Read more...
Mark Gilbert, The Sun Read more...
Monday, October 29, 2007
Knee op rules Scholes out for three months
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will have a knee operation on Thursday and is expected to be out of action for three months.
The 32-year-old reported the injury during training prior his side's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday a first scan proved inconclusive - but a second examination today has confirmed ligament damage, meaning Scholes will now be out of action until February.
It is a big blow for Scholes, and also for United, even though the return of Owen Hargreaves for Saturday's Premier League win over Middlesbrough and the imminent return to training of Michael Carrick - who dislocated an elbow against Roma earlier this month - negate the impact slightly.
For over a decade, Scholes has been one of the mainstays of Ferguson's side and his unerring ability to produce goals at vital times has aided many of the Red Devils trophy successes down the years.
He had already made an amazing comeback from career-threatening eye surgery to play a major part in last season's title triumph and while he had only scored once in 12 appearances so far this term, few were discounting him as a massive influence on the current campaign.
Although there were early rumours of a three-month absence, United officials felt they were not in a position to confirm the bad news until a second examination had taken place.
It means the former England star - who has rejected two comeback calls from national boss Steve McClaren - will miss a minimum of 13 Premier League games, starting with Saturday's visit to Arsenal and including the crucial trip to Liverpool on December 16, plus the start of United's FA Cup campaign.
However, Ferguson will be delighted to note Scholes should be back in action - and hopefully fresh - when his side resume their Champions League quest at the knockout stage towards the end of February. Read more...
The 32-year-old reported the injury during training prior his side's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday a first scan proved inconclusive - but a second examination today has confirmed ligament damage, meaning Scholes will now be out of action until February.
It is a big blow for Scholes, and also for United, even though the return of Owen Hargreaves for Saturday's Premier League win over Middlesbrough and the imminent return to training of Michael Carrick - who dislocated an elbow against Roma earlier this month - negate the impact slightly.
For over a decade, Scholes has been one of the mainstays of Ferguson's side and his unerring ability to produce goals at vital times has aided many of the Red Devils trophy successes down the years.
He had already made an amazing comeback from career-threatening eye surgery to play a major part in last season's title triumph and while he had only scored once in 12 appearances so far this term, few were discounting him as a massive influence on the current campaign.
Although there were early rumours of a three-month absence, United officials felt they were not in a position to confirm the bad news until a second examination had taken place.
It means the former England star - who has rejected two comeback calls from national boss Steve McClaren - will miss a minimum of 13 Premier League games, starting with Saturday's visit to Arsenal and including the crucial trip to Liverpool on December 16, plus the start of United's FA Cup campaign.
However, Ferguson will be delighted to note Scholes should be back in action - and hopefully fresh - when his side resume their Champions League quest at the knockout stage towards the end of February. Read more...
Edwin Van Der Sar
Position: GoalkeeperJoined United: 01 Jun 2005
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Fulham
United Debut: 09 Aug 2005 v Debreceni VSC (H)
International Holland
Honours
Club
Ajax
* Eredivisie: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998
* KNVB Cup: 1993, 1998, 1999
* UEFA Champions League: 1995
* UEFA Cup: 1992
* European Super Cup: 1995
* Intercontinental Cup: 1995
Fulham
* UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002
Manchester United
* FA Premier League: 2007
* English League Cup: 2006
* Community Shield: 2007
Individual
* Best European Goalkeeper: 1995
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