Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 2 January
United Set To Send Macheda Out On Loan
Manchester United are set to send Federico Macheda out on loan this month.
The 19-year-old Italian was linked with a loan move back to his old club Lazio last summer but Sir Alex Ferguson wants him to go to a Premier League club and has revealed that he is willing to let the youngster go to the club that can give him the most playing time.
Aston Villa are believed to have already been in touch but Ferguson said that playing time is at the forefront of his mind.
“Macheda has to play games. Clubs who convince me and the player that he’ll get games are the ones we’ll consider.”
Other clubs said to be interested in taking Macheda are Everton, Wigan and West Ham.
Manchester United’s Ferguson Has No Plans To Retire
Ferguson Now United’s Longest-Serving Manager
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has surpassed Matt Busby’s record as the club’s longest-serving manager but he says he has no plans to step down.
On Sunday his time in charge at Old Trafford went beyond Busby’s to 24 years, one month and 13 days and Ferguson himself says he is surprised.
“I must admit it is something I never thought about for a moment – it has been frozen into the memory bank,” Sir Alex said.
“I thought Sir Matt Busby was here forever. He started at the end of the war and went right through to winning the European Cup in 1968,” said Sir Alex.
Sir Alex also recalled the advice that Busby gave him when he joined the club in 1986.
“The most important piece of advice he gave me was not to read the press. It was great advice and I have not read it since.”
Ferguson also recalled the situation he found when he arrived at the club
“Liverpool were the dominant team in the 1980s. That is what I looked at,” he said.
“That was the big challenge for me. Also, the issue of ex-players at the club was something I was addressing for quite a long time. We have done that by bringing in some ambassadors. I wanted to keep all our great players around the club in some capacity.
“I had Sir Bobby Charlton on the board and Sir Matt was here as well. People like that are able to understand the dimensions of Manchester United. That is necessary to understand the role of manager. It was very helpful to me.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson has suggested that earlier plans for him to retire at 60 were a mistake. He turns 69 on 1 January and has told MUTV that his plan to retire was something he regretted.
“It was a mistake,” he told MUTV. “At the time there were some reasons for it. It was one of those things.”
He added: The older you get the more worried you are about retiring. You start to realise that whilst you have got your health and good fitness, you should carry on in your job. All thoughts of retirement are in the back of my mind.”
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Monday 20 December
United Linked With Zenit’s Danny
Manchester United are being linked with Zenit St Petersburg’s Portugese midfielder Danny.
The 28-year-old broke into the Russian side in his third season at the club and scored 12 goals in 28 games in the recently-ended Russian season.
Reports suggest that United may have to part with £15 million to secure Danny’s services, though with his contract due to expire in 2012 they may try to force the price down, assuming the story is true.
Danny has now spent the past seasons in Russian football. He was signed from Sporting Lisbon by Dynamo Moscow in 2005 before moving to Zenit for a fee of 30 million euro in 2008.
He made his international debut for Portugal in 2008 and was in his country’s squad for the World Cup Finals in South Africa this summer.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 19 December
Tevez Offered To United – Report
A report in today’s Mail On Sunday claims that “a party close to Carlos Tevez” has approached Manchester United with an offer to buy back the Argentinian striker. The paper says that the party made the offer to United this week but also claims that “sources close to Old Trafford” say there is absolutely no chance of Tevez playing for United again.
Tevez played for United between 2007 and 2009 scoring 34 goals in 99 games for the Old Trafford side.
The paper says that the offer was made without the knowledge of Manchester City and that Sir Alex Ferguson has been made aware on the offer.
Initially Tevez was believed to be homesick for his family in Argentina, hence his request for a transfer. However, City are suspicious of that claim and believe that Tevez’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, is behind the player’s unrest.
Tevez was given permission to take a four-day break last week but chose to take it in Tenerife rather than with his family in Buenos Aires.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Saturday 18 December
United Linked With Reus and Costa
Manchester United are being linked with a move for Borussia Moenchengladbach attacking midfielder Marco Reus.
The 21-year-old has scored six times in 15 games for Gladbach, who are bottom of the Bundesliga with just two wins in 16 games.
The German side paid £1 million to third-tier Rot Weiss Ahlen for Reus, who is believed to be valued at around £7 million.
Reus was called up by the German national side for a friendly with Malta in May after just two games for the under-21 side, but he was forced to pull out of the squad after picking up an injury in Gladbach’s final game of last season.
United are also being linked by some outlets with Shakhtar Donestsk’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Douglas Costa although there is no hard evidence of any contact from the Old Trafford club.
The 20-year-old moved to the Ukrainian side in January of this year in a 6 million euro deal with Gremio of Brazil.
Costa’s representative Marco Sibillino, says he has had enquiries from a number of top European clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
“Yes, I have requests from top clubs, but they’re in the early stages,” he said.
“He’s is not a player that is too expensive, so a lot of European clubs can get him,” although he was unable to reveal the clubs involved.
United were linked with Costa during the summer as were Arsenal and Sibillino claims that the player is “good value” for a fee of over £20 million.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 15 December
United ‘Set To Sign Valencia Winger’ – Report
Manchester United are looking to put in a bid for Valencia winger Joaquin, according to TalkSport.
The radio station says reports in Spain suggest that United are willing to bid around £9 million for the 29-year-old. It says that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is a big admirer of Joaquin and tried to bring him to Old Trafford last year when Antonio Valencia was injured.
The report suggests that United are willing to fight off interest from Chelsea and AC Milan to sign the winger who has spent four years at the Mestalla since his 25 million euro transfer from Real Betis in 2006.
TalkSport also suggests that United will match Valencia’s £9 million valuation to seal the transfer in January.
However, while media outlets in Spain are indeed suggesting that Joaquin is on his way to Old Trafford, they are all quoting TalkSport as their source for these reports – and TalkSport are quoting ‘reports from Spain.’ Make of that what you will.
Ferguson Hails Manchester United Defence After Win Over Arsenal
Ferguson “I Think We’re Getting There”
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his back four as “fantastic…absolutely magnificent” after his side’s 1-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford last night.
United’s defence was heavily criticised at the start of the season but Ferguson believes his side’s defensive troubles were behind them.
“I think we’re starting to get there,” he told Sky Sports after the match. “I think our form is improving and, as I say, with the back four playing like that, if they play like that from now on and give us the consistency, then we’re in with a good chance.”
Ferguson also paid tribute to Ji-Sung Park, whose 42nd minute header from a deflected Nani cross was the only goal of the game.
“His goalscoring record against Arsenal is very good,” Ferguson said. “He’s been in fantastic form, the lad.”
Wayne Rooney ballooned a second-half penalty over the bar but Ferguson said his side wasn’t under any real pressure despite Arsenal coming more into the game in the second half.
“They didn’t make any real chances in the game but they pegged us back a little.
“We should have done better on the counter-attack, which we had some good chances in.”
United now face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a game Ferguson knows is going to be another big clash.
“We’ve got a difficult game against Chelsea next Sunday,” he said. “That’s going to be a very important game now.”
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 12 December
United Line Up £20m Young Bid
Manchester United are lining up a £20 million bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young in January, according to the Sunday People.
The paper suggests that United want to take advantage of player unrest at Villa to put in an offer for one of their star players.
Villa players are believed to have been in talks with new manager Gerard Houllier in a bid to get to the root of the problems that have led to Villa winning just three of his 13 games in charge – and one of those was against a Blackpool reserve side. Some players are believed to have been unhappy at Houllier’s methods although the People reports that some of the senior players have suggested that he will be at the club a lot longer than some of the players if they don’t start to perform.
The paper reports that United will put in a bid for Young in January but if they fail then they will return with another bid in the summer.
One of the attractions of Young to United is that he isn’t cup-tied and will be able to play in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Sir Alex Ferguson also sees him as a replacement for the ageing Ryan Giggs.
Spurs have long been interested in Young, who recently broke off talks with Villa about a new contract. Liverpool and Manchester City are also said to be keen on the 25-year-old who joined Villa for £9.5 million in 2006.
United Target Schweinsteiger Signs New Deal At Bayern
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Bayern Munich star Bastien Schweinsteiger are over after the 26-year-old signed a new deal that will keep him at Bayern until 2016.
There had been suggestions that Schweinsteiger would leave Bayern at the end of his current deal in 2012 and that manager Louis van Gaal was ready to cash in on him early, – something that earned van Gaal a rebuke from the Bayern hierarchy.
After his side’s 3-0 win over St Pauli yesterday Schweinsteiger grabbed the stadium microphone at the Allianz Arena and told the club’s fans. “I have extended my contract and will stay here until 2016. Long live Bayern.”
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Saturday 11 December
Evans Set For Loan
Manchester United will be looking to send defender Jonny Evans out on loan in a bid to regain his confidence.
The 22-year-old has had a torrid time in the United defence this season. Having played in the opening six league games this season he was brought back for the 7-1 victory over Blackburn but was singled out for a dressing down by Sir Alex Ferguson following the 4-0 defeat by West Ham in the Carling Cup last week.
The man once touted as ‘the next Rio Ferdinand’ has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrival and impressive start to the career of Chris Smalling and with Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic the first choice centre-back pairing the future looks grim for Evans.
Earlier this week there were reports that Evans might be for the axe as Ferguson begins to clear out his squad prior to spending the £100 million he is said to have at his disposal between now and the start of next season. Evans himself admits his performances haven’t been up to scratch and told The Sun: “This is probably the biggest challenge I have had. It is the first time I have been taken out of the team because of performances.”
Manchester United Defender Patrice Evra Calls Arsenal A “Crisis” Club
“What Is There For Arsenal? There Is Nothing” – Evra
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has called Arsenal a club in “crisis” and “a football training centre” ahead of the clash between United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday.
Speaking to TV station Canal+ Evra stated that he still believed Chelsea were United’s main rivals for the Premier League title despite the Blues’ current poor form and he believed that United could even afford to lose to Arsenal without conceding an advantage in the title race.
“For me, Arsenal is a football training centre,” he said. “You watch the match, you enjoy it, but are you going to win a title afterwards? That’s what people remember. It has been five years since they won anything and for a big club like Arsenal, that is a crisis.”
The Gunners haven’t won any silverware since defeating United in the 2005 FA Cup Final. “We can lose against them, but at the end of the day, what is there for Arsenal? There is nothing,” Evra added.
“There are no trophies, there is nothing. Our real enemy is Chelsea. We are more concerned with Chelsea’s results than those of Arsenal, even if we know Arsenal are a great team who can beat Chelsea, us or anyone.”
Evra was also critical of Arsenal’s ability to wrap up a game.
“When we play against Arsenal, it is really fun,” he said. “They are a team that plays football who will not come to Old Trafford with 11 men behind the ball. We also play football, but the difference is that we also have strength. Sometimes, they cannot kill off matches. We are more efficient.”
The two sides go into the weekend’s fixtures with Arsenal top of the Premier League following their victory of Fulham last Saturday and the postponement of United’s fixture at Blackpool.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised his youngsters after his side’s 1-1 draw with Valencia in the Champions League last night.
United put teenager Ben Amos in goal and also picked the Da Silva brothers and Ferguson was keen to praise Amos particularly after his second half performance.
“We told him he was going to play a fortnight ago and we weren’t going to change that,” Ferguson said after the match. “I thought he composed himself very well especially when you consider we had a back four with two young boys in it and a young centre-half.
Ferguson added “We played a lot of good football, we created a lot of chances and Berbatov could have had another five.”
Amos was making only his third start for the club and the Cheshire teenager pulled off a number of good saves as United kept their Spanish opponents to a one-goal lead at the break.
United equalised just past the hour when a Ji-Sung Park shot was parried and Anderson slotted home and despite late Valencia pressure United held on for the draw to finish top of Group C.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 8 December
Kuscczak Linked With Move Away From United
Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak could be on his way out of Old Trafford with the arrival of Anders Lindegaard at the club.
The Dane signed for United in a £3.5 million deal from Norwegian side Aalesund last weekend and rumours that Lindegaard isn’t the only keeper heading for Old Trafford have cast doubts over Kuszczak’s future at the club.
Kuszczak joined from West Brom for £2 million in 2006 but has made just 54 appearances for the club in his four years at Old Trafford, half of which have come in European or Cup games.
Aston Villa are favourites to secure the Pole’s signature as new boss Gerard Houllier steps up his search for a successor to Brad Friedel who is out of contract at the end of the season. However, TalkSport report that Wigan Athletic are also in the frame for Kuszczak; manager Roberto Martinez currently has on-loan Bolton keeper Ali Al-Habsi between the sticks but is baulking at Bolton’s asking price for a permanent loan of £5 million and could make a move for Kuszczak as an alternative.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Monday 6 December
United Watch Shawcross
Manchester United are said to be watching one of their ‘old boys’ with Ryan Shawcross on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar.
United sent their chief scout Jim Lawlor down to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday to watch Shawcross play in Stoke’s 2-2 draw with Wigan.
The 23-year-old was on United’s books as a youngster but only made two League Cup appearances before being sold to Stoke in 2007 for an initial fee of £1 million plus another £1 million in add-ons.
Shawcross has impressed in the Stoke defence since arriving at the Britannia and was being linked last week with a move to Liverpool. However, United inserted a clause in to the deal when Shawcross was sold giving them first refusal if ever Stoke sold him on.
Ferguson is believed to be ready to boost his defensive options after a largely second-string outfit were beaten 4-0 by West Ham in the Carling Cup last week and is mulling over a bid for Shawcross should he be set to move from Stoke.
Manchester United’s Gary Neville ‘Could Retire At End Of Season’
Neville May Not Be Offered New Deal
Manchester United full-back Gary Neville could be set to retire at the end of the season.
The Mail On Sunday reports that the United legend will not be offered a new deal when his current contract ends next summer and will call time on his 18-year career.
The 35-year-old Neville has made just 36 league appearances in almost three-and-a-half season after a suffering a series of injuries and whereas Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are both enjoying productive spells at the end of their careers United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that could be it for the former England right-back.
“Ryan is unbelievable at 37. His fitness has not changed,” said Ferguson. “It is different with Gary. We will have to assess him. He has an injury again and it is difficult when you get injuries all the time in your 30s. That is the advantage Ryan has over Gary.”
Neville has made over 600 appearances for United, putting him in fifth place in the club’s all-time list.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 5 December
Carrick Interests Fulham and Villa
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is being linked with a move to Fulham and Aston Villa.
The Sunday People suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to let Carrick go at the end of the season but may even consider letting him go during the January transfer window. The paper says that the former Spurs man is happy at Old Trafford but it suggests that Sir Alex may have to wheel and deal to bring in new faces at the club and that Carrick may find himself being sold to bring in some cash.
Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to return by Christmas.
Owen has been out of action since October and hasn’t played since the 2-2 draw with Bolton but Sir Alex Ferguson says the former England striker is back in training and is expected to be in contention for a spot in the Festive programme.
Ferguson told the club’s TV station MUTV on Friday: “Michael Owen’s training now, he’s doing very well. He took part in the football side of it yesterday but I would say he’s two weeks away. We need to make sure he does a good stint of football training before we bring him into the games.”
Ferguson had less cheerful news about Owen Hargreaves who is still recovering from his hamstring injury and there’s no word as to when he will return.
“It’s a bad blow for the lad and it’s hard to take, given the length of time he’s been out and the amount of football he’s missed,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson added that he had no new worries for Saturday’s trip to Blackpool but he would monitor the fitness of Paul Scholes before settling on his 18-man squad.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 1 December
Manchester United winger Ji-Sung Park is a transfer target for La Liga side Sevilla, according to the Daily Mirror, and the paper reckon the transfer has a good chance of eventually succeeding.
Park is contracted at Old Trafford until 2013 but the paper suggests that there is little chance of him being offered a new deal at the club after that and Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to cash in on him before the end of his current contract. However, the paper also suggests United may wait until the end of the season.
Sevilla director Victor Orta was in England last week to meet Park’s representatives and the club’s director of football Ramon Rodriguez has been watching Park for several months.
The 29-year-old South Korean joined United from PSV Eindhoven for £4 million in 2005 and has made over 150 appearances for the Old Trafford side. During his time at United he has won three Premier League titles, three Carling Cups and the Champions League.
Ferguson Hopes Manchester United Youngsters Will Learn From 4-0 Defeat
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he was surprised by side’s 4-0 defeat to West Ham in the Carling Cup quarter-final last night, but said he expected his young players to learn from the experience.
A United side showing ten changes to the team that defeated Blackburn on Saturday was comprehensively beaten at Upton Park and Ferguson was critical of the way his team gave away soft goals.
“We didn’t expect that,” Sir Alex said after the match. “I think what happened was some terrible goals and they’re too young to carry mistakes like that and go and win a game.”
However, Sir Alex said he hoped the young players would learn from the defeat and would bounce back from it.
“We’ve always done well like that,” he added. “Young players come through these periods. A few years ago we lost to Coventry and they learned a lesson that day.
“Today West Ham approached it more like a Cup tie. They got stuck in – a few late challenges, things like that – but they got the crowd up for them. But really today was about the goals we gave away.”
Former United youngster Jonathan Spector scored twice in the first half as poor defending cost Manchester United. Carlton Cole added two more in the second half to put West Ham into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 20 years.
Despite the changes United still fielded a side containing the likes of Anderson, Giggs, Fletcher and Hernandez with the manner of the defeat perhaps the biggest surprise.
However, West Ham manager Avram Grant was understandably delighted and suggested that the win would be remembered by Hammers fans for a long time.
Manchester United’s Amos Hoping For Carling Cup Chance
Amos Not Phased By Upton Park Chance
Twenty-year-old Ben Amos is hoping for another chance between the sticks as Manchester United take on West Ham at Upton Park on Tuesday.
The Cheshire-born stopper made his first appearance of the season – and his second for United in competitive games – when he played in goal for the Red Devils in their 3-2 win over Wolves in the Carling Cup fourth round last month. Amos spent some time on loan at Molde in the Norwegian League over the summer, making eight appearances, and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson declared at the start of the season that he would be the side’s third-choice keeper after Edwin van der Sar and Tomas Kuszczak. But while he admits that he looks on enviously at players younger than him playing more regularly in the first-team he says he realises that he needs to be patient.
“The next game is always a target for me,” he told the club’s official website. “They don’t come round too often being the number three keeper, so I’ve just got to make sure I’m ready and I’m peaking when those games come around.
“The patience helps when you know goalkeepers have a longer career; look at Edwin and how he’s still playing now.”
Amos admits that training with someone much older than himself like the 40-year-old van der Sar was rather like training with your father although he admits the Dutchman is always keen to pass on advice.
“I’ve said a few times that it is a little bit like training with your dad, yeah. I don’t think he’ll appreciate that, but he’s great. I’m chewing at his ear all the time, trying to get bits of advice. He’s very open and he says what he thinks, so it’s great.
“He’s a good role model because of his presence.”
Amos is hoping to make an appearance in tonight’s game at Upton Park but says he isn’t phased by the prospect of playing away in a hostile atmosphere.
“Any game in the first team is a game in the first team, so that’s how I approach it. Whether it’s Old Trafford or not, it’s not really an issue. The atmosphere is something you’ve got to handle. I can’t see it being a problem to me personally at all.”
Manchester United are still in the hunt for a new goalkeeper despite signing Anders Lindegaard, according to the Daily Mail.
The Dane arrived in a £3.5 million deal as United prepare for the probable retirment of Edwin van der Sar at the end of the season; United have been strongly linked with Atletico Madrid youngster David de Gea but German World Cup keeper Manuel Neuer has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford and the Mail are speculating that United are now in pole position to sign the Schalke stopper.
Neuer was critical of his side’s defence after their 5-0 defeat to Kaiserslautern at the weekend and warned that Schalke could be in danger of being relegated from the Bundesliga. They currently lie one place and one point above the relegation zone.
After those comments the Mail suggests Neuer will leave the club, possibly in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old is contracted until 2012 and is valued at around 20 million euro (£17 million).
Up to now Bayern Munich were seen a possible destination for Neuer but a difference of opinion has developed at the club with coach Louis van Gaal viewing 22-year-old Thomas Kraft as their best long-term goalkeeping prospect while club president Uli Hoeness and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are keen on a move for Neuer.
The Mail also suggests that a move abroad would also suit Neuer, a local boy who doesn’t want to upset Schalke fans with a move to one of their fiercest rivals.
