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...

Rafael Da Silva Is A Problem Admits Fergie

For a long time Manchester United fans showed concern that we were a bit weak in the right back position once Gary Neville had been injured 2 years ago and was out for 14 months. We had Wes Brown, John O'Shea could step in if needed and Owen Hargreaves can play there too, injury permitting, but all of these were 'dubious' replacements for the captain.

Now, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits Rafael da Silva has handed him a new selection headache.

He said: "In football, when a guy turns the corner you cannot do anything about it, Rafael is a great talent and his performances are telling me I have another problem at right-back. Wes (Brown) himself came in at 18, played against Hasselbaink in his first game against Leeds and he was superb. It is a learning process playing against that power and experience. Premier League football is not easy. I didn't realise how big Brunt was and what a nice left foot he had, so that presented a challenge for Rafael. For periods in the game he was finding his way and it was only when I was going to take him off that he started to play the way we know he can. He was excellent. The positions he took up and the penetration from deep positions was absolutely superb. It gives me a selection problem that is good for the club."

So it seems Manchester United still have a problem at right back, but now the problem is a good one.....Back To Home Page

Rafael Gives Fergie A Selection Headache

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Brazilian teenager Rafael Da Silva is now an integral part of his Manchester United first-team squad.

The 18-year-old has been handed starts against Aalborg and West Brom in recent weeks and Ferguson now accepts he has another selection dilemma on his hands at right-back with club captain Gary Neville and Wes Brown also vying for the position.

"In football, when a guy turns the corner you cannot do anything about it," he said. "Rafael is a great talent and his performances are telling me I have another problem at right-back."

At Champions League level, Aalborg did not offer much of a threat, leaving Rafael to attack down the right flank at will. Saturday's clash with West Brom was somewhat different. While the result was eventually quite one-sided, the Baggies gave a decent account of themselves during the first half. The pace and power of West Brom winger Chris Brunt provided Rafael with a tough examination of his talent, which is just what Ferguson wanted to see; a reminder of the task a similarly-aged Brown faced against Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when he encountered Leeds a decade ago.

"Wes himself came in at 18, played against Hasselbaink in his first game against Leeds and he was superb," said Ferguson. It is a learning process playing against that power and experience. Premier League football is not easy. I didn't realise how big Brunt was and what a nice left foot he had, so that presented a challenge for Rafael. For periods in the game he was finding his way and it was only when I was going to take him off that he started to play the way we know he can." .....Back To Home Page

What's Hot In Brazil Right Now ?

So what's hot in Brazil, apart from the young lady parading around in a sexy manner to our left. Not that you would have noticed her such is your love for Manchester United - yeah right !

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United

have appointed two full-time scouts in Brazil to keep tabs on the latest Samba stars.

Ferguson already has four young Brazilians on his books, with twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, plus Rodrigo Possebon joining Anderson in the Old Trafford first-team squad this season.

Now reports have emerged linking United with the 'new Ronaldinho', 18-year-old midfielder Douglas Costa, who is earning rave reviews at Gremio.

While Ferguson is refusing to comment on that specific speculation, it is no coincidence United are starting to get linked with more Brazilians.

"We have invested in two full-time scouts in Brazil, it is a country you should pay attention to. Historically, it has always been a country that produces fantastic footballers and players who can play in big games all the time. They have ability and enthusiasm."

While it may seem odd to cast the youth net so wide, Ferguson feels he is only following a trend that brought Sir Bobby Charlton down from the north-east in the 1950s and George Best across from Northern Ireland a decade later.

"It goes in cycles, the north-east used to be a great hunting ground for scouts for many years. We had a spell in 1993. France had a great spell and are still producing some fantastic young players. Our scouts go to games and might get seen. It doesn't mean we are signing anyone."

Maybe if there are no players available he should import 24 of these delightful girls to entertain the guys at half time while we girls all meet up for a gossip by the Tea and Burger van.....Back To Home Page

Manchester United Watch Douglas Costa

Manchester United are serious about their pursuit of Gremio attacking midfielder Douglas Costa.

The News of the Word says Manchester United are deadly serious about capturing 18-year-old attacking midfielder Costa, who is also on the hitlist of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And after signing a new contract with his club Gremio, Costa’s fee would be around £20million.

United are assembling a strong Brazilian contingent and Costa would be joining compatriots Anderson, Rodrigo Possebon and the Da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio. Apparently, this week, Jaap Stam was seen in and around the Gremio stadium and has been watching Costa closely. Of course, Stam is now working as a scout for United in South America, or so the rumours would have us believe. It seems rather odd United have shown interest in Costa and Stam turns up to watch him at the same time.

I have no idea who Costa is, but if I get any details I shall of course pass them on because I am nice like that.....Back To Home Page

Rafael To Bring Down The Curtain On Wes And Nev's United Careers

There was a veiled plea to Fabio Capello from Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday to spare Wayne Rooney too many exertions in the international break ahead. But it is one of the England manager's defenders, Wes Brown, who may have most cause for concern as he faces being eclipsed at Old Trafford by Manchester United's new star.

Ferguson's appraisal of the performance in Denmark on Tuesday of right-back Rafael da Silva – one of the Brazilian twins from Fluminese – was justifiably full of praise. "The boy has an understanding of the game and a talent, that's the reason," Ferguson said, when asked why Rafael had been selected ahead of Wes Brown (who struggled at Anfield and was dropped at Stamford Bridge). "We know Wes can do it, he has been here for 14 years. But it was there for all to see in Rafael. He's an attacking player, positive with great belief."

Fergie resisted playing Rafael in the heat of a local derby at Blackburn. With Gary Neville struggling again that might mean another chance for Brown to prove something. But the Brazilian's speed and several speculative efforts in Aalborg gives United on the right flank what Patrice Evra has delivered so well on the left.

Just as the arguments were still raging on as to whether Wes or Nev should get the right back postion now Nev was fit again, we have the rather spectacular entrance of Rafael to add to the argument and in my opinion, by this time next year Rafael will be one of the first names pencilled onto the team sheet for each match. Wes and Nev have 30 years service between them at United but there comes a time when it has to end - and Rafael looks like he might bring down the curtain on these two guys !

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."