Gary Neville cannot wait to get stuck into the battle for a first-team place at Manchester United.
As the Red Devils captain and a veteran of 14 years standing, Neville might expect to be guaranteed a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
But Neville knows that during a 15-month absence incorporating a broken ankle, hamstring and calf injuries, Wes Brown has stepped manfully into the breach.
It was Brown who was preferred by Ferguson at the end of last season, including the Champions League Final epic with Chelsea.
Neville accepts he has a personal battle to win this term, before he can even think of club success.
'My challenge this season is not only to stay fit, but to make my way into the team again,' the 33-year-old told www.thefa.com.
'That's going to be difficult because of the way Wes performed and also Owen Hargreaves and John O'Shea in the right-back position.
'The competition for places throughout the team is fantastic. But I have never been afraid of a challenge and I don't see it as a pressure or a burden. It is exciting and a fantastic incentive.'
Neville is expected to feature tomorrow when United tackle FA Cup winners Portsmouth in the Community Shield.
It will be a welcome return to domestic combat, after a gap stretching back to March 2007 and his broken ankle against Bolton.
Never short of an opinion or two, Neville thinks he could be facing one of the Barclays Premier League's new top four.
While Ferguson once again predicts the established quartet of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and United will dominate, Neville is not so sure.
'Harry Redknapp has done a fantastic job getting the players that he has brought in,' Neville notes.
'Winning the FA Cup was a great achievement, and they can only push on from there.
'You really are talking about a side with great strength and ability.
'Portsmouth are very difficult to beat with their physical strength - and mixed in with that, they have some hugely skilful players.
'With the players they have, there is nothing to say they can't push on and challenge the top four.'
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Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Carrick on his way to Wembley
Sir Alex Ferguson's injury concerns are beginning to ease as United prepare to kick off 2008/09 on Sunday in the Community Shield clash with Portsmouth.
The squad for Wembley will be bolstered by the return of Michael Carrick - the midfielder trained on Thursday after recovering from the virus that also waylaid Wayne Rooney.
"Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and I'm taking him to Wembley," said Sir Alex.
"Hopefully I'll give him some minutes on the pitch. If he is feeling good then we have to get some minutes on the clock for him ahead of next week against Newcastle."
Wayne Rooney is now also clear of the virus but he returned to training only today (Friday) after missing every session since the Reds returned from Africa on 28 July.
"We have a big job to get him ready for Newcastle," said Sir Alex, "but with seven or eight days training, we may just make it now. He's much better and the medical reports are good.
"Gary Neville and Nani are fit and they will travel. Nani will probably start on Sunday because he is suspended for the first two league games of the season.
"Owen Hargreaves is not ready. He should be OK for Portsmouth away (on Monday 25 August), that's the time frame we've put on it.
"Ben Foster had a bit of swelling in his knee which you can sometimes get after a cruciate knee injury. We're trying to manage that but he's not ready yet to play in games. It's unfortunate for the lad because he was looking forward to an uninterrupted run."
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The squad for Wembley will be bolstered by the return of Michael Carrick - the midfielder trained on Thursday after recovering from the virus that also waylaid Wayne Rooney.
"Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and I'm taking him to Wembley," said Sir Alex.
"Hopefully I'll give him some minutes on the pitch. If he is feeling good then we have to get some minutes on the clock for him ahead of next week against Newcastle."
Wayne Rooney is now also clear of the virus but he returned to training only today (Friday) after missing every session since the Reds returned from Africa on 28 July.
"We have a big job to get him ready for Newcastle," said Sir Alex, "but with seven or eight days training, we may just make it now. He's much better and the medical reports are good.
"Gary Neville and Nani are fit and they will travel. Nani will probably start on Sunday because he is suspended for the first two league games of the season.
"Owen Hargreaves is not ready. He should be OK for Portsmouth away (on Monday 25 August), that's the time frame we've put on it.
"Ben Foster had a bit of swelling in his knee which you can sometimes get after a cruciate knee injury. We're trying to manage that but he's not ready yet to play in games. It's unfortunate for the lad because he was looking forward to an uninterrupted run."
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Ronaldo's here for years to come
Having ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain a United player this season, Sir Alex Ferguson feels the Portuguese winger will find it harder and harder to leave the club the longer he remains a Red.
The United boss was in an open and frank mood when quizzed about Ronny’s recent pledge of allegiance to the club, following a summer of intense speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico earlier this week has, according to Sir Alex, drawn a line under the affair.
“We’re happy,” the Reds boss said at a press conference on Friday. “His interview was very good. From my perspective, he explained himself perfectly. As I said on Wednesday, the matter is now closed. He’s a Manchester United player and he’s happy to be here. He’s always been happy here. It’s just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in his life that has made it difficult for him.”
The United manager was equally bullish when presented with the notion that a repeat episode of Real Madrid's forthright pursuit of the player could take place next summer.
“The important thing is that we have ended all the stuff about Real Madrid,” he said defiantly. “As he gets older, I think Cristiano will appreciate being here more and more. That happens with players the longer they stay here. They don’t want to leave.
“If you look at Rio Ferdinand, who joined us as a young man from Leeds United, that’s exactly what has happened to him. He is now a real Manchester United person. He loves the club. And he comes from another country… he comes from London! It’s a different world there. There’s not a lot of difference from someone leaving London or Portugal and coming to Manchester. You come north, you get a colder climate, a wetter climate. But you come to a real football city, which very few cities can say.”
Ronaldo, who is now back in Manchester and on a rehabilitation programme following ankle surgery over the summer, will pull on a United shirt again hopefully by the end of September. That is testimony to United and Sir Alex’s resolute stance.
“I think they (Real Madrid) now know they’re dealing with a different animal," added the boss. "I can’t deny that it was an important issue. There are very few players that have left me against my will. I’d have to think seriously about that one.
"It’s unusual for anyone to want to leave Manchester United. Cristiano realises that, too. We had a good meeting over in Portugal and clarified a lot of things. He was good, and I was pleased with that. That’s why I was confident that everything was going to be all right.
“As I’ve said, Cristiano will settle down and enjoy his career here. He’s got four years on his contract, and hopefully at some point we would like to extend it. That’s where we are.”
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The United boss was in an open and frank mood when quizzed about Ronny’s recent pledge of allegiance to the club, following a summer of intense speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico earlier this week has, according to Sir Alex, drawn a line under the affair.
“We’re happy,” the Reds boss said at a press conference on Friday. “His interview was very good. From my perspective, he explained himself perfectly. As I said on Wednesday, the matter is now closed. He’s a Manchester United player and he’s happy to be here. He’s always been happy here. It’s just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in his life that has made it difficult for him.”
The United manager was equally bullish when presented with the notion that a repeat episode of Real Madrid's forthright pursuit of the player could take place next summer.
“The important thing is that we have ended all the stuff about Real Madrid,” he said defiantly. “As he gets older, I think Cristiano will appreciate being here more and more. That happens with players the longer they stay here. They don’t want to leave.
“If you look at Rio Ferdinand, who joined us as a young man from Leeds United, that’s exactly what has happened to him. He is now a real Manchester United person. He loves the club. And he comes from another country… he comes from London! It’s a different world there. There’s not a lot of difference from someone leaving London or Portugal and coming to Manchester. You come north, you get a colder climate, a wetter climate. But you come to a real football city, which very few cities can say.”
Ronaldo, who is now back in Manchester and on a rehabilitation programme following ankle surgery over the summer, will pull on a United shirt again hopefully by the end of September. That is testimony to United and Sir Alex’s resolute stance.
“I think they (Real Madrid) now know they’re dealing with a different animal," added the boss. "I can’t deny that it was an important issue. There are very few players that have left me against my will. I’d have to think seriously about that one.
"It’s unusual for anyone to want to leave Manchester United. Cristiano realises that, too. We had a good meeting over in Portugal and clarified a lot of things. He was good, and I was pleased with that. That’s why I was confident that everything was going to be all right.
“As I’ve said, Cristiano will settle down and enjoy his career here. He’s got four years on his contract, and hopefully at some point we would like to extend it. That’s where we are.”
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Ferguson backing Lions
Alex Ferguson blasted suggestions that England’s international failure is down to too many foreigners in the Premier League. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter wants to cut the number of stars from abroad by using a quota rule. But Manchester United boss Fergie said: “I did not start the Champions League final with six Englishmen because I was making a political statement. I did it because they’re good enough to win the European Cup. It is nonsense to say England do not have players capable of competing on the international stage."
Ross Gregory, The Sun Read more...
Ross Gregory, The Sun Read more...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Rooney to make surprise return
Wayne Rooney will give Manchester United a second major boost by returning to training this morning. The England striker has been laid low - and lost half-a-stone with a bug after the club's trip to Africa - but the United doctors have given him the go-ahead to get back to work at Carrington. Rooney may now even be able to make United's Premier League opener against Newcastle on August 17 if he can catch up with the pace.
Alan Nixon, The Mirror Read more...
Alan Nixon, The Mirror Read more...
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