Rooney, Evra, Nani, Rafael And Fabio All Fit Again

Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Nani, Rafael and Fabio all return to a United squad which is currently enjoying a 12 match run where they haven't conceded a goal in the Premier League which is not good news for West Ham fans.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to look beyond this match and, despite the healthy look of the league table just now, the Old Trafford boss is planning for a battle that goes right down to the wire.

'You have to put your mind to the possibility that the title could go down to the last few games, I expect the worst and hope for the best.'

Certainly Ferguson would happily head to Hull on the final day under the same circumstances as he travelled to Wigan last season knowing a win would seal the trophy.

'That would be fine. It would be a position I would take at the start of the season and it could very well be that way this year.'

West Hams fans will be revved up for this game, I can guarantee that. For some reason they tend to show Manchester United more hostility than they do Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs, their London rivals. United have not had a happy time of it at West Ham over the years so here's hoping for a clean sheet, 3 goals and no injuries tomorrow.....Back To Home Page...

Rooney Fit Plus Other Early Team News 'v' Stoke

Wayne Rooney is expected to recover from a minor chest infection in time for
Manchester United 'v' Stoke on Saturday. Rooney missed the 1-0 Carling Cup win
over QPR on Tuesday night, but should return along with a host of team-mates.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov and Edwin van der Sar were also not involved, while Nemanja
Vidic made a brief appearance after captain Gary Neville tired in the dying minutes of the match.
United are looking to bounce back from the Arsenal defeat, after Samir Nasri's brace sunk us last
week at the Emirates.

Stoke have a doubt over striker Mamady Sidibe, so record signing Dave Kitson is on stand-by to
start at Old Trafford. The 'human missile launcher' Rory Delap is also playing so let's hope fergie is
more prepared for his attempts on goal with his throw-ins than Arse Wenger was !! .....Back To Home Page

Kuszczak Trying To Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

It was a bitter-sweet outing for Tomasz Kuszczak against West Ham on Wednesday night as the scramble to get in Manchester United's goal turns into a crush.

With Ben Foster fit again and Edwin van der Sar showing no sign of relinquishing his status as United number one despite celebrating his 38th birthday, Kuszczak knows his opportunities to impress are going to be limited.

So, having been drafted into Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for Wednesday night's encounter with West Ham at Old Trafford, the Poland international might have hoped to be more than a virtual bystander in a cruise for the home side.

"It is not easy when you have nothing to do, but that is how it is for a goalkeeper. You have to try hard to keep your concentration for 90 minutes. You need to do your job properly and keep a clean sheet. This is most important thing for a goalkeeper and of course very important for the team as well. It was a big day for me because I have not played for a few weeks. I hope I get another chance soon. Saturday ? Why not ?"

In truth, Van der Sar is almost certain to get his place back for the weekend visit of Hull. As luck would have it, the only other occasion the veteran Dutchman failed to make United's starting line-up this season, neither Kuszczak nor Foster were fit, with Ferguson handing Ben Amos a senior debut in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough.

Ferguson has pencilled Foster in to play at Celtic next Wednesday, with the League Cup tie with QPR six days later offering another opportunity for one of van der Sar's deputies.

"They will all get their minutes on the clock, we have to manage the situation with Edwin because he is 38. At that age, we don't need him to play every game because we have two very capable goalkeepers in Tomasz and Ben. Having Ben fit again is an enormous boost to us because he is an outstanding goalkeeper."

Indeed, Ferguson has previously stated he rates Foster as England's best goalkeeper, an opinion the 25-year-old would surely have been able to put to the test if he had not spent the last 18 months on the treatment table, first with a cruciate knee ligament injury, then an ankle problem.

Foster has already proved his talent in two spells at Watford, so it is hardly a surprise Harry Redknapp should be thinking about getting him to Tottenham. However, such a move would be tantamount to an admission of failure by Ferguson, which appears unlikely at this stage. It is a delicate balancing act for Fergie, who handed Kuszczak a two-year contract extension last month that will keep him at United until 2012, especially as van der Sar remains hungry as ever.

"The hunger is still there to win as many trophies as possible," said the 'keeper whose penalty save from Nicolas Anelka won United the Champions League last season. You know when you come to a club like this you will be challenging for trophies and we have been lucky enough to win a few over the last few years."

The three-way battle is mirrored at right-back where Wes Brown, Gary Neville and teenage gatecrasher Rafael are competing for a single spot, while midfield presents a problem now Michael Carrick has recovered from ankle and foot injuries and made a substitute appearance against the Hammers. There is also the conundrum up front where, it seems Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are fighting it out for only two spaces.

"Three players just won't fit into two positions," reflected Fergie, "I could play all three," he added. It may lack balance at times but Rooney could play anywhere so it is an option." .....Back To Home Page

Manchester United Lead 1-0 At Half Time

Darren Fletcher fired Manchester United into a 1-0 half-time lead in their Premier League game at Everton.

The Scotland midfielder run on to a pass from Ryan Giggs to get away from Joleon Lescott and shoot through the legs of Tim Howard in the 24th minute. Everton had started well, but with Cristiano Ronaldo a constant threat, United gradually became a threat and took the lead which was no great surprise !

United could consider themselves unfortunate not to be further ahead by the break, with Giggs and Ronaldo looking particularly commanding. United had a seventh consecutive victory in their sights - and manager Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes to the team that outclassed Celtic in the Champions League. Rio and Evra were back from injury, while Giggs returned as captain.
Right-back Wes Brown and midfielder Ji-Sung Park were also recalled.

Everton had former United striker Louis Saha in attack alongside Ayegbeni Yakubu, while Joseph Yobo and Phil Neville returned from injury as boss David Moyes looked for his side to end their seven-game winless run.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Arteta, Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar, Saha, Yakubu.

Subs: Nash, Baines, Castillo, Vaughan, Nuno Valente, Rodwell, Anichebe.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.

Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Anderson, Nani, O'Shea, Evans, Tevez.

......Back To Home Page

Rooney Says He Is On His Best Form Ever For England

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney had an interview with Radio Five Live which was interesting. He told how he feels he is on his best form for England right now. Who can argue with that ? Four goals in his last 2 games and let's not forget his form for Manchester United either, he is currently on a run of 3 goals in 3 games. Bring on WBA !!

Rooney said: "I think it's probably the best I've ever played for England. I'm enjoying my football, getting on the ball and scoring and making goals."

England top Group Six following four wins from their opening four matches - a record-breaking start to a World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rooney's second-half double took England's qualification goals tally to 14, while the 22-year-old has six goals in his last five games for club and country.

"I'm really pleased with my goals, you try to play with a smile on your face sometimes but its hard to smile when things aren't going right. But I'm in good goalscoring form for club and country and hopefully that can continue. We've got players who can score from all areas of the pitch, it's nice to see it come together, its been a while since we've been in this form for England. He [Fabio Capello] has helped me with my finishing and we've worked a lot on that, he gives you advice on movement and where the spaces are to get into good positions. I'm looking forward to meeting up with him and working with him and improving." .....Back To Home Page

Another Rooney Double Drives England To A Fourth Win From Four In World Cup Qualifier

Another double from Manchester United's Wayne Rooney fired England to a 3-1 win over Belarus as Fabio Capello's squad made it four wins out of four on the road to South Africa 2010.

Steven Gerrard's 11th-minute long-range strike had given the visitors a perfect start before Capello's men were pegged back by Pavel Sitko's deserved equaliser. But two superbly-taken strikes by Rooney settled the contest after the break and England, 4-1 winners in Croatia last month, will enjoy their winter break from competitive internationals in the knowledge that they are firmly in command of group six.

Rooney, who also hit the net twice in the 5-1 win over Kazakhstan on Saturday, has now scored five goals in his last three international outings, helping England to their best-ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign. From the outset, Rooney was at the centre of England's best work. After having complained bitterly that he had been impeded as he stretched to reach Theo Walcott's dangerous third-minute cross, the Manchester United forward was soon clipping the ball over a defender's head before teeing up Gerrard to open the scoring.

Cutting in from the left, the Liverpool midfielder's shot was placed rather than driven, more like a pass, and it slipped past the left-hand glove of Yury Zhaunou on its way to the bottom corner of the net. It was exactly the start required by both Gerrard, who had admitted before the match that his place in Capello's starting XI was on the line, and England, but the initiative was quickly surrendered. Dmitry Molosh, who had tested David James with an early freekick, caused greater problems with another long range strike that the England goalkeeper needed two attempts to gather. Belarus's impressive left-back then set up Sitko for an edge-of-the-area drive that James deflected away.

The home side's pressure finally paid off in the 28th minute after a move that began with Zhaunou rolling the ball out of his own area. With the 22nd pass of the move, Vitayly Kutuzov played Ihar Stasevich into the box in the inside right channel. Wayne Bridge dived into an all-or-nothing challenge and the midfielder was able to cut inside and chip the ball towards the back post, where Sitko had glided away from his marker Walcott to nod past James.

The hosts deserved their equaliser but it was England who finished the opening half stronger. Heskey spurned a good chance when he directed his near-post header from an inviting Lampard corner wide and there was another example of Walcott's sometimes suspect decision making. Having broken clear of the Belarus back four, the Arsenal winger opted to shoot from a tight angle when a further touch into the box or an attempt to find Rooney in the middle might have served England's cause better.

The sense that the momentum had swung back to the visitors was confirmed five minutes after the break, when Heskey got round the back of the Belarus defence wide on the left. Pulling away from Molosh at the near post, Rooney finished off his hard-working forward partner's low cross with a deft sidefoot finish across Zhaunou.

Walcott's subdued performance saw him replaced with Shaun Wright-Phillips while Heskey made way for Peter Crouch for the final 20 minutes. But it was to be the players who started who wrapped up the victory with quarter of an hour left. Running on to Bridge's pass, Gerrard played a first-time ball into the box for Rooney, who deftly sidestepped a challenge before clipping the ball past Zhaunou. A reassuring night for Gerrard should have been capped by a second goal but after going round Zhaunou with three minutes left the Liverpool midfielder clipped what should have been a routine finish against the post.....Back To Home Page>

Rooney Bags Two As England Run Out 5-1 Winners Over Kazakhstan

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates as Kazakhstan's Alexandr Kuchma reacts with teammate Yuriy Logvinenko after scoring an own goal during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Wembley Stadium October 11, 2008.

Wayne Rooney struck twice as England went through a stiff test before beating Kazakhstan 5-1 in their World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Saturday. A goalless first 52 minutes prompted restlessness from the crowd but England ultimately ran riot with a late rally.

Stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and an own goal by Alexandr Kuchma (62), two from Wayne Rooney (76 and 86) and a last-minute strike by substitute Jermain Defoe gave Fabio Capello's side their third successive win in the qualifying campaign.

It was the first time for England to score five goals in a World Cup match since Sven Goran Eriksson's side dismantled Germany on route to the 2002 World Cup finals. There was an added bonus when Group 6 rivals Ukraine and Croatia battled out a goalless draw.

Kazakhstan have now lost three games in a row following last month's defeats by Croatia and Ukraine. However, it was not a comfortable night for Capello and his side as the score line suggested. A spirited display from the visitors saw England jeered off at half-time before Capello introduced Shaun Wright-Phillips for Barry in a bid to inject some more dynamism.

Wright-Phillips had a shot turned behind for a corner and from the resulting set-piece, Ferdinand climbed highest to nod into the net.

England doubled their advantage as Kuchma headed a Frank Lampard free kick into his own net but sloppy play from Ashley Cole gifted Zhambyl Kukeyev a reply in the 68th minutes, prompting boos from the stands. Capello went to Cole's defense after the match and pleaded with fans to be more patient in future.

"I didn't like the booing, especially as it was targeted at one player, it is always possible to make a mistake and after an error has been made we need to support the player, not the opposite. I ask the crowd, when we have problems you have to help us - booing is no good for anybody." he said.

I personally wont hold my breath waiting for England fans to be fair though !!

England had to wait until 14 minutes from time to make sure of the win, with Rooney heading Brown's right-wing cross past Alexandr Mokin.

David Beckham was given his 106th cap, level with Sir Bobby Charlton, when he replaced Theo Walcott on 79 minutes, receiving the loudest ovation of the night. The former England captain proved his value as his free-kick allowed Rooney to slot in his second of the match. There was still time for a brief glimpse of Defoe, on for Rooney, collected Emile Heskey's pass and fired into fired into the far corner to add gloss to the score line....Back To Home Page

Rio Derides The Boo Boys

England's stand-in captain, Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, believes the supporters that booed Ashley Cole at Wembley on Saturday should feel 'ashamed' by their actions. I agree with him too. Just a single mistake from Cashley Cole and they were on him like a pack of dogs !! What is wrong with these people ??

Cole was victim of a chorus of boos from sections of the home fans after his error allowed the visitors to pull a goal back in the Group 6 World Cup qualifier. Although I am no fan of the Chelsea full-back I don't think he deserved this and I don't think it served any purpose but the England fans obviously think differently. Zhambyl Kukeyev pounced on his error and scored on 68 minutes, before England regained their focus and made sure of the three points in the latter stages.

Ferdinand, who skippered the side in the absence of John Terry and opened the scoring, was disappointed by the verbal criticism directed at Cole, and hopes that it will not happen again in the future. He told Sky Sports: "It leaves a sour taste in your mouth, but I would like to think the majority of fans were the ones applauding him and trying to boost his confidence. I am sure the people who booed him will probably go home and, on reflection, maybe feel a little bit ashamed of themselves and hopefully won't do it again."

Frank Lampard defended him, obviously, being team mates: "It is a negative because, if I am honest, at the moment I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world." Dream on Frank, what about Evra ?

Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe, who came off the bench to score England's fifth, also leapt to the defence of Cole: "I was very surprised. Ashley for me is one of the best full-backs in the world. He has been so consistent for a number of years. It was a little bit harsh."

This is the England fans for you though !! Back To Home Page

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney Not Happy With His 47 Caps For England

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is disappointed to only have 46 caps for England.

The Manchester United star is actually earning cap number 47 as I write this, at half time during the Kazakhstan game. In his defence he has had more than his fair share of suspensions and injuries which have held him back slightly. But at the age of just 22 even 47 is a good total.

Rooney told The Mirror: "I am quite disappointed with my caps total, I have missed games through suspension and injury when, if all had gone well, I might have had 60. I definitely feel I should have more than my current total."

I'm positive he'll go on to make 100 !! .....Back To Home Page

That's Typical That Is, Just Typical !

There was me, writing in my Manchester United Blog how Rooney should get his bottom in gear and get fit again or he may find it hard to get his place back. Imagine my confusion when he actually started the game, huh. I made the fatal error of actually listening to the newspapers as they told us he would be out for 3-4 weeks.

He's in a rich vein of form right now too, scoring in his last three games. But it wasn't just Rooney impressing me against Blackburn, virtually the whole team has suddenly sprung into life, like a slumbering giant. Ronaldo was majestic on the wing as he bedazzled the defenders. Berbatov had his best game for United so far, he really does have such great vision as he showed with a couple of the passes he slipped through, one especially, to Darren Fletcher, that just made the whole Blackburn defence surplus to needs as they were all left to watch Fletch scuff his shot wide.

Tevez was his usual self, he he hit the post after some great work by Ronaldo and his work rateas again amazing. Overall, it was a walk in the park for United today. Blackburn just didn't seem to turn up. To be honest though, even if Blackburn were on the top of their form they still would have struggled against United today.

Just as Manchester United hit form and start to look good, we now have a 2 week break for international matches. Don't you just hate it when that happens ?

Hurry Back Rooney Or It's The Bench For You !!

I think Wayne Rooney's injury is badly timed. Not for Manchester United but more for himself !

I'm one of his biggest fans but it has to be said if he is out for a few games he might struggle to get back in the team and the main reason for that is Carlos Tevez.

Tevez linked up with Dimitar Berbatov is a mouth-watering prospect for me. We all know what Tevez is like, he never stops running and he gives 100% every single game. If he loses the ball he is not one of these guys who will stand there with his arms in the air, he is up and after the culprit who took the ball from him. He is always there, snapping at the ankles of defenders and annoying them. If they try passing it to one another he will run between them ready to pounce on the slightest of errors. To play against him must be every defenders worst nightmare come true.

Once he does get the ball back, that's the hard work done for him. With Berbatov in the middle, marked by one or two players, it doesn't matter to him, all Tevez needs do is get the ball into him, he has such a perfect first touch and a lightning fast footballing brain, he can turn defenders inside out and get his shot off. Theoretically, these two, Tevez and Berbatov, are a match made in heaven. If they do hit it off and form a good partnership while Rooney is away, would Fergie break it up again to accomodate Rooney ? I'm not so sure he would !

Of course, there is another option which I am keen to see Fergie experiment with. Play all three of them, Rooney, Berbatov and Tevez, add to that Ronaldo as well and can you imagine the opposition defenders then ? They would see the team sheet and go home. The only bad part of this formation is the fact Ronaldo is so lazy. If he is tackled the hands go up and he stands still looking at the ref. If he got his act together and tracked back then yes, go for it but it would be a gamble right now.

To play a 4-3-3 I would want Hargreaves and Scholes there too actually. Without those two forget it. With Scholes injured for 10-13 weeks it looks like Rooney better get fit again and quick, or he might be left out in the cold !!

Rooney Should Be Fit For England Like Anyone Cares About England Anyway !

Manchester United > England

The English media and England fans themselves do make me giggle somewhat. They spend a lifetime slating the England team, picking holes in every single mistake they ever make, they expect them to win every World Cup and Every Euro tournament. When things don't go their way, they boo the players, boo the manager and scream for his resignation. When Capello had his VERY FIRST game in charge of England it took until the 28th minute, and then the fans were booing the side and booing him !! Just 28 minutes !! That's just beyond belief, incredible.

Ever since Tuesday night when Wayne Rooney sprained his ankle the press has been full of headlines about whether he will be fit to play for England, what will England do, how can England cope, England this, England that. Suddenly, they care about the England side, they care about what will happen. Well, they do until the next game is 20 minutes old, there are no goals and the booing and jeering starts again. They seem to forget, Wayne Rooney is first and foremost a Manchester United player !!

Sadly, he will be fit to play for England, not that I reallly care. What I DO care about is the fact he will be fit for Manchester United's campaign and their assault on a third consecutive Premier League title because, unlike England fans and the English media, we wont get on his back and give him and the other players a hard time if things don't always go the way we would like them to. Manchester United > England.

Sercan Yildirim, Rafael, Ji-Sung Park And Wayne Rooney

Turkish whizkid Sercan Yildirim who is still only 18, is a target for Manchester United, according to reports. The Sun newspaper claims that the £5million-rated Bursapor striker, said:

"United have contacted my family and the president of the club.

"When a club with their reputation is interested in you, you have to take notice."

Currently he is his teams top scorer with four goals from four games.

Meanwhile, Park Ji-sung has earned a national recall after being named in South Korea's 29-man preliminary squad for their World Cup qualifier against United Arab Emirates on October 15.

Park was omitted from the team that drew 1-1 with North Korea in September as he was returning from injury.

Meanwhile it seems, Nemanja Vidic is more than happy with the abilities of the young Brazilian, Rafael Da Silva saying he is confident youngster Rafael Da Silva will go on to be a Manchester United great.

Vidic: High hopes for Rafael

The teenage Brazilian was outstanding against Aalborg on Tuesday night before injury curtailed his involvement in a three-goal hammering of the Danish minnows.

At just 18, Rafael is already putting pressure on established right-backs Gary Neville and Wes Brown and it appears only a matter of time before the former Fluminese youngster forces his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's side on a regular basis.

"Rafael will be a great player, he has a very big personality. He played his own game, had the courage to go forward but got back as well. At just 18, he deserves a lot of credit to play at this level, in the Champions League, the way he did. He is not afraid to get forward and did everything else as well. He has a great future at this club."

Certainly it cannot be long before Rafael is banging hard on the first-team door, although the extent of his injury must first be assessed.

Another injury blow for United is that of Paul Scholes, out for 10 weeks with a knee problem sustained in the Champions League clash but there has been no official word on Wayne Rooney's injury. The situation regarding Rooney is slightly more ambiguous as the striker tried to continue after taking a blow to the ankle inside the Aalborg penalty area, eventually limping away before he indicated he could not carry on.

Saturday's game at Blackburn would appear to be out of the question, which would leave his place in England's squad for World Cup matches with Kazakhstan and Belarus in considerable doubt. Fergie will certainly want Rooney available for big matches against Celtic, Everton and Arsenal over the next few weeks, although that prospect is looking on the bleak side. In any event, United's £30.75million record buy Dimitar Berbatov has now hit goalscoring form, cementing his place at Old Trafford.

"Of course the pressure is there to score, hopefully I can deal with that and handle it in a positive way. I feel happy playing in this Manchester United team. It is everything I thought it would be. Ryan Giggs has been here since the beginning and says he never wanted to go anywhere else. I don't want to go anywhere either."