Jose Sings United's Praises And Backs Them For A Quintuple !

Jose Mourinho was gracious in defeat, and he has even said Manchester United will go on to retain their Champions League and complete a clean sweep of five trophies this season.

The Special One claimed United had enjoyed more than their fair share of lucky breaks as they beat his side2-0 to advance to the last eight but he was good enough to heap praise on Fergie's boys. He said United is basically the same side he knew when he was Chelsea but they have matured incredibly over the past two years.

They have basically the same team as when I was at Chelsea, there is only Berbatov who is new. But they have been together for four or five years. They are not young anymore - the age average is 26-27 if you forget Giggs and Scholes. They are in the right moment to be at the top of their careers. They reached the maximum level. They have experience, quality, great physical condition and intensity in their game. That is what the Champions League is about. So yes, I think they can do it (win five trophies).'

Admittedly, Milan did go close with two attempts hitting the woodwork from Ibrahimovic and Adriano.

You have to say that United deserved to win, they scored two goals over the course of the two games and we have to accept that, in football, the team that wins always deserves it but I don't think we should be negative about my team's display. We played a great match against a great team. We just lacked that little bit of luck you need to win, that little thing that makes difference between winning and not winning. We went one down after couple of minutes but we had three chances to score in first half, more than our opponents, and we hit the bar from three metres out. In the second half we lost another goal but we continued to play and we showed great character. Always when you talk about luck it seems as if you are trying to forget about the quality of the opponent. That's not true (for me). United are a quality team and they showed exactly why they are European champions. But not all defeats are the same. The players came here with no psychological barriers, they played a great game and I hope they have the same feeling. Tomorrow (Friday) we will be back in training. We have not been good enough to win the Champions League but we are good enough to win the Scudetto and I'm sure we will go on and win it.'

I actually quite like this guy, even though I give him a hard time. He speaks his mind and says what is in his heart and that's a good sign. When he manages a team not only does he take care of them on the pitch but he stands tall and defends them off the pitch too, he will be one of the all time greats I'm sure. Would I like to see him follow Fergie ? I really think he will, so yes, yes I would.....

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Would You Bet Against Manchester United?

Just like these girls pictured left, I'm sure we all like to have a bet from time to time and why not. Manchester United are 2/1 to win in Italy and take a lead into the home leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.

The holders are 8/13 to win the tie overall and 6/5 to bow out against Jose Mourinho's team - his Porto side conquered the Reds at this stage in 2004.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Inter present the toughest test United could have faced in the last 16 and as a result, the reigning European champions are 11/2 third favourites to retain the trophy. Barcelona are favourites to win the competition at 3/1, ahead of United’s victims in the 2008 final, Chelsea, at 5/1. The other English sides, Liverpool and Arsenal, are 10/1 and 14/1 respectively.

With United and Inter widely thought to be quite evenly matched, many pundits tip a tight game in the San Siro - it’s 8/15 that there will be two goals or fewer scored. Three or more goals is priced at 11/8. The Reds' last away match against Inter finished 1-1, en route to the 1999 Treble. That scoreline is 5/1 to occur again. Paul Scholes bagged a late equaliser on that occasion and the midfielder is 4/1 to score at any time in the match and 66/1 to be the last goalscorer in a 1-1 draw.

Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of a stunning free-kick on Saturday, is 11/2 favourite to net first. Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic are 6/1 co-second favourites. What a match, I can't wait.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Had Better Fear Jose And Inter Milan

Jose Mourinho is probably one of the few managers who Manchester United fans should fear. He has a good record against Fergie and his boys and indeed, he has a good record against most teams. His Chelsea side were invincible at The Bridge and were a handful away from home too. His knowledge and experience is incredible. He has been talking to MUTV about how he is setting his sights on toppling United when he comes face to face with Fergie in the last 16 of the Champions League next weekend.

His Internazionale side host United at the San Siro on Tuesday 24 February with the second leg scheduled for Old Trafford on Wednesday 10 March. Mourinho, always up for a challenge, says it’s the perfect tie for his team.

“Before the draw I said that I wanted United and some people thought I was crazy, after all, why would I want the top team in Europe? But I wanted them because it’s a big challenge and because it will be difficult. It’s a special draw for my players and I won’t need to motivate them for this tie. The best matches to play in are against the best sides and the best side at the moment is Manchester United.”

Although Manchester United have never been beaten by Inter in a competitive fixture, Mourinho has never been at the helm. Overall, Jose does have the edge over Sir Alex. In fact, the Reds’ boss has only tasted victory once against a Mourinho-led side.

“We know we can win, United are a special team with special players. They are very solid in defence and dangerous in attack. You look at the talent they have on the pitch and then at the bench too, and you know this will be difficult. My side has a lot of experience, we have a lot of talent and we know how to play the big games. It will be a close tie.”.....Back To Home Page...

CR7 Slates Ibrahimovich, Mourinho And Inter

Cristiano Ronaldo, while speaking to Italian television company RAI, has sent a message out to Zlatan Ibrahimovich. Manchester United are stronger than Inter and he is better than Ibrahimovich. Not that any of us United fans had any doubts about this, but Zlatan has been shooting his mouth off a bit lately along with the 'Special one'. Maybe we call them the 'Special Two' as they both have their heads up each others arses.

United clash with Inter later in the last 16 of the Champions League and we all know who Ronaldo thinks will win. When does he ever suffer from lack of confidence or being afraid of anyone ?

“Inter are a strong side with great players, but we are better than them and I firmly believe we’ll be able to beat them, by eliminating Inter, we can feel a step closer to the Final.”

Jose Mourinho began the 'mind games' last month by declaring that Ibrahimovic was “a better player” than Ronaldo and more deserving of the Ballon d’Or.

“I respect everyone’s opinion, but the trophies that count are in my house.

He was also critical of Inter and Mourinho for failing to get the best out of Ricardo Quaresma, who was sent on loan to Chelsea just six months after signing.

“Ricardo has great quality and it’s a shame he didn’t get the chance to prove his true value, he was wonderful at Porto and with the Portugal jersey, so he cannot be judged on the basis of just a few games that were not up to his usual standard. It's probably the fact he was bought for so much money that put excessive pressure on him and it's not easy to do well in Italy right away".......Back To Home Page...

Tevez To Stay With Manchester United For £30 Million(ish)

When Dimitar Berbatov joined Manchester United in the summer, and Wayne Rooney was riding on the crest of a goal scoring wave, things didn't look too rosy for Carlos Tevez. In fact things got quite hard for him as he was left on the bench game after game after game.

At this point he could have given up faced with a seemingly impossible task to get into the first team. But not Carlos Tevez. He rolled his sleeves up and got stuck in. As I write this, I would say it is impossible for Fergie to choose which of the three options he has up front.

Well, such dedication and commitment has paid off for him as United are now keen to offer him a new deal. Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's agent has been in negotiations (eventually) with United and a deal has reportedly been sorted out.

It is believed that the deal will be worth £30 million, but how that breaks down with the complicated issue of Tevez's 'third-party' registration is impossible to say at this stage.

The player himself, already reputed to be on £75,000 a week, will be offered a contract that will see him take home £11.7m during the three year duration of the deal. Perhaps a good job then that United also announced pre-tax profits of £59.6m this week.

Jose Mourinho was continually harping on about how he would be signing Tevez this summer - wrong again Mourinho, wrong again.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Defender Nemanja Vidic Could Receive Three Match Ban

Manchester United's Serbian international central defender Nemanja Vidic is waiting for UEFA's verdict on Friday as to whether he will receive the mandatory one match ban for the straight sending off he received in the Club World Cup or whether they will extend it to three games should they deem the challenge as serious enough to warrant that.

Vidic received the straight red card for 'violent misconduct' after elbowing Claudio Bieler who plays for Ecuadorian champions Liga De Quito in the Club World Cup in Tokyo in December.

Under the normal rules, if a player is sent off for misconduct during this tournament he is to serve a minimum one game ban in his confederation’s tournament, theUEFA Champions League.

But the problem arises if UEFA’s disciplinary committee deem the misconduct of a serious nature and therefore increase the punishment, which could mean a three game ban. This situation already means he will miss the first leg of the Tie with Inter Milan in the CL last 16 scheduled for 24th Feb. Should the ban be extended Vidic would miss the return at Old Trafford and the first leg of the quarter finals, should the Red Devils progress.

Losing Vidic for just one game is hard enough for United who currently have a number of injuries making selection a problem for Sir Alex. I'm sure he doesn't need all the problems brought on by this situation. I would be very surprised if UEFA increase the ban but they are renowned for doing and saying very odd things.....Back To Home Page...

Jose Mourinho Says Liverpool Can Still Win The Premier League Ahead Of Manchester United

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims Liverpool have all they need to win the Premier League in front of Manchester United this season.

Rafael Benitez's team are currently second in the table, level on points with United but Fergie's side do have that all important game in hand over their Merseyside rivals plus a btter goal difference.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph Mourinho said: "It has been interesting watching Liverpool this season, I think they have everything they need to win the title."

Despite being right up there in the thick of things in the title race, Liverpool have been guilty of losing points in games they'd expect to win, but Mourinho, now the boss of Inter Milan, believes they can keep their championship challenge on track.

"I still can't understand why they didn't do it in the last four years. Why wouldn't they be able to do it this season? Of course they can, the manager is good, the players are good, the crowd is unique, the tradition of the club is big, so why can't they do it? I think they can."

Mourinho warned, however, that the resumption of the Champions League at the end of next month could again be a distraction for the Anfield club.

"Usually it is when the Champions League starts that they lose their focus on the Premier League," he continued. "It was like this in previous years when they did very well in the Champions League but they lost too many points in the championship. They have already lost 10 points at home by drawing the kind of matches they used to win. Against Stoke, Fulham, West Ham, Hull and Everton it has been two points lost. So if you can imagine that they had those 10 points now, they would be top of the league.".....Back To Home Page...

Jose Mourinho For Manchester United

Jose Mourinho is the man Manchester United want to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. I am even guilty of voicing my agreement with this idea many months ago ! Either we can carry on in our winning ways with a guy who has won everything in his time, or we should take a gamble with Eric Cantona. Roy Keane would me my final three. But for experience and sheer talent it has to Mourinho as things stand. The United hierarchy are waiting for 66 year-old Ferguson to confirm when he intends to call it a day. But the moment he makes his retirement plans clear Old Trafford sights will be set on recruiting the Inter Milan coach. Mourinho joined Inter last summer on a £7.8million a-year contract.

Significantly, he insisted on having a get-out clause written into his deal with the Italian giants. The man who guided Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles has already stated that his next move will be back to English football. He will need little encouragement in activating his get-out clause to join United.

United are conducting a management review. They want to make sure Fergie's retirement, after so many illustrious years, does not derail their inexorable success on and off the field.

The United board recognise they need a manager with the huge personality to step into the post-Ferguson void.

They believe Mourinho is that man.

Some United insiders believe Ferguson may be ready to retire at the end of this season. The manager prefers to keep his options open, well aware that any formal announcement might undermine his team's pursuit of honours......Back To Home Page