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

Rooney On Fire !!!

Since I wrote my article telling Wayne Rooney to hurry back from injury or he may not get back into the Manchester United starting eleven, he has scored four in four games in the Premiership and 4 goals in two games for England. So I apologise Wayne for ever doubting you.

Rooney himself says he's in the form of his life after his performance against West Brom. With eight goals in six games who is going to argue against that ? United thrashed WBA 4-0 with Rooney also collecting two assists as Portugal pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani added their names to the scoresheet, along with Dimitar Berbatov. With Celtic due in the Champions League on Tuesday, Rooney admitted he was at his peak.

"This is possibly the best form of my career, everything is going well for me at the moment. Hopefully that can continue and I can help this team win even more trophies."

Rooney's efforts helped eclipse a disappointing opening period for the United, who dominated throughout but drew a blank as referee Mark Halsey ruled out what appeared to be a perfectly good goal from the England man for a foul on Gianni Zuiverloon.

"From the position the referee was in, I can understand why he didn't give it," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Wayne did have a hand on the lad's shoulder but he did not pull him. You can see it from the TV replays but obviously the referee does not have that advantage."

A capacity crowd did not need to look again to see the damage Rooney could cause. Following his World Cup qualifying exploits for England, Rooney carried on where he left off, collecting Berbatov's short pass before slotting in a fine solo effort that ended the brave resistance of West Brom keeper Scott Carson.

"Wayne is only 22, we expect him to improve, as we did with Ronaldo. But he is a member of the team, just like everyone else" said Ferguson.

Ferguson does feel his side are now starting to find their feet after a difficult start to the campaign. For the first time, they have joined Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in the top four, from where Ferguson is convinced the champions will emerge.

Fergie added: "I don't think we have given them a warning tonight, I think we provided that before the season began. We won the league last year - and the European Cup. Those three teams know the quality in our side, just as we know the quality in theirs. It is a fantastic league and any one of the four could win it." .....Back To Home Page

Berbatov Up And Running At Old Trafford As United Thump WBA

Dimitar Berbatov was almost as delighted as me when he scored his first goal for Manchester United at Old Trafford in yesterday's 4-0 thumping of West Brom.

He told MUTV: "It was a nice goal and I was really delighted to score in front of the home crowd. Hopefully there will be more to come."

United's second-half surge from 0-0 to 3-0 and eventually 4-0 was in complete contrast to a frustrating first half when Wayne Rooney had an effort disallowed and West Brom were defiant.

"There are often games like that," said Berbatov "In the first half you try hard to score but it doesn’t work. Then at alf-time, you have some good words from the manager - he tells you what to do exactly and what the weak points of the opposition are. You try to listen, we did listen and we scored four goals." ...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