United send Bebe out on loan in Portugal

 

Bebe joined from Portuguese club Guimaraes in 2010 and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was the first player he had signed without watching.

Having struggled to make an impact Bebe, 22, joined Turkish side Besiktas on a season-long loan in June 2011.

He made just a handful of appearances for Besiktas before suffering a knee injury on Portugal Under-21 duty that sidelined him for most of last season.

But the Portuguese insists he is fully fit and raring to go at top-flight side Rio Ave.

"I'll give it everything while I'm here and try to help the team to continue occupying the places that they have been in the table," said Bebe.

"Obviously something went wrong in the last phase of my career, I had a serious injury which thankfully I have fully recovered well from.

"I'm fine physically - I was always training and playing. It's good to come here and I want to show what I can do."

In May it emerged that police in Portugal were planning to question Manchester United as part of their investigations into Bebe's transfer.

An anti-corruption unit is examining the transfer to establish how an estimated £3m of the fee was purportedly paid to Jorge Mendes's Gestifute football agency.

Read More →

My secret meeting with Alex Ferguson

The ex-Manchester United hero was given some serious stick when he returned to town with Real Madrid in midweek.

Afterwards he revealed he still keeps a close eye on English football — and expects the Red Devils to win title No 20 this term.

Ronaldo also admitted he met former boss Alex Ferguson on Wednesday — though the pair did not discuss a sensational return to Old Trafford.

The £80million superstar helped put City out of the Champions League on Wednesday night and predicts more heartache ahead for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Ronaldo said: “I still watch the Premier League. It is the most competitive league in the world in my opinion — ahead of Spain.

“It is brilliant — you have a lot of brilliant players here and the league is so intense.

“It’s amazing and I watch it in my house every week. City and United are among three or four teams who can perhaps win the league which is why it is the most competitive anywhere in the world.

“It will be tough for every team but I think United will do it this year and win their title back.”

Ronaldo revealed his old boss Fergie popped in to see him and Madrid boss Jose Mourinho at the Lowry Hotel a few hours before Wednesday’s game.

And while his future was not on the agenda, the world’s most expensive player did at least give United fans some hope by saying he loved coming back to his old stomping ground.

Fergie concedes that bringing the Portuguese star back to Old Trafford would be his ‘Christmas wish’, though it would be a massively expensive deal to do.

Ronaldo said: “I met Alex Ferguson on Wednesday. He came to the hotel to speak with Jose Mourinho and, of course, I spoke with him too. It was nice to see him again.

“No, we didn’t speak about the future. We just spoke about his moment with Manchester United and mine with Real Madrid. We were just happy to see each other.”

Fergie admitted last week that he would love to re-sign the winger. He said: “There’s every chance that Ronaldo might leave Real, you never know.

“I would like to think that he could return to Old Trafford but I don’t think it will happen. You would be talking about incredible amounts of money.”

Ronaldo, 27, left United for the Bernabeu in 2009.

But he recently paid tribute to Fergie and insisted he looked upon him as a father figure.

A large crowd gathered to see Ronaldo’s arrival at the airport and he said it gave him a good feeling to return to a place which was his home for six years.

He said: “I have enjoyed coming back to Manchester. When we arrived at the airport I was so happy, I had a beautiful story here in Manchester.

“It was nice to see all the fans and a few Manchester United shirts too. It was a brilliant moment and I am always happy to be here.”

Back on the pitch, Madrid have been less than convincing this season but still did enough to end City’s Champions League hopes at the group stage. Mourinho would love to add another Champions League trophy to the ones he won with Porto and Inter Milan but Ronaldo is not getting carried away.

He said: “It’s too early to say that we can win it but we are ready for the knockout stage and we are happy about being in second place.

“First we have a last match against Ajax and we will try to catch the top team Dortmund. But we are ready, we are a top team too so it will be tough — but we are happy we have qualified.”


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4663414/Cristiano-Ronaldo-My-secret-meeting-with-Alex-Ferguson.html#ixzz2DNMukOmz

Read More →

Kagawa out for another month

Shinji Kagawa is set to miss the Manchester derby, among other matches, as his absence extends beyond initial estimates.

The Japanese midfielder twisted his knee in Manchester United's Champions League victory over Braga at Old Trafford on 23 October and has been sidelined for the six subsequent matches. At the time of the injury, he was expected to be back in action around now - for the trip to Galatasaray or the home against QPR at the weekend - but Sir Alex Ferguson has regrettably had to rule that out.

"Shinji's progress has been quite slow actually," said the boss on Monday night.

"He's not started any outside work and we're looking at another four weeks away, which is disappointing. Originally we thought three or four weeks - now it looks like seven or eight weeks."

Kagawa was among United's best performers prior to being injured, opening his career in England in impressive style and winning the Reds' Player of the Month award for August.

Sir Alex's prediction of "another four weeks away" means that Kagawa is likely to miss the matches against West Ham (28 November), Reading (1 December), CFR Cluj (5 December) and Manchester City (9 December) as well as this week's games against Galatasaray and QPR.

Read More →

Paul Scholes could prolong his Manchester United career

Sir Alex Ferguson has not ruled out Paul Scholes prolonging his future at Manchester United.The midfielder, who turned 38 on Friday, has only featured in nine games this season and was expected to hang up his boots for the final time at the end of the current campaign. But the former England star was credited with engineering United's remarkable turnaround at Aston Villa last weekend and Ferguson would not be drawn on whether Scholes could go on for another season.
"It is not a time to make a judgment on that," said Ferguson. "Paul will know himself.
"He still has the desire to play. That has not stopped.
"He is still the best passer of the ball in the country. It is amazing.
"He has had one or two injuries over the years, quit last summer and came back.

"He made a fantastic contribution in the second half of the season and I just think he should keep doing what he is doing. He will sort the rest out himself."

Read More →

Two Strikers Down

Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie will not play for the Netherlands this week due to a thigh injury. Van Persie picked up the knock during United’s win away at Aston Villa. He joins Wayne Rooney on the treatment table who was also taken off during the game with an ankle problem.
Wayne Rooney may miss the weekend match against Norwich City due to an ankle injury. Rooney carried the problem for part of the win over Aston Villa before he was subbed off. He has already withdrawn from England’s mid-week friendly away in Sweden.

Read More →

Reds Turning Screw

Chris Smalling believes Manchester United's remarkable powers of recovery are piling the pressure on the title rivals at the top of the table. The leaders stretched the advantage at the Barclays Premier League summit to four points on Saturday evening, having at one stage given hope to Chelsea and Manchester City that they could end the weekend in first place. The trademark comeback at Aston Villa, turning a two-goal deficit into a wonderful 3-2 triumph, instead left Roberto Di Matteo and Roberto Mancini's sides needing victories against Liverpool and Tottenham respectively just to close the gap. "I think it's a massive win," Smalling told MUTV. "Especially with the other teams looking at that result when they have got big games on Sunday. It puts pressure on them." Smalling was given a physical examination by Villa's summer signing Christian Benteke in a second game of the week after missing the start of the season due to injury. "I'm feeling good actually," he revealed. "I've been thrust back into action but that's what I wanted. Hopefully I can stay fit and carry on. They had a strong striker up front so we had a good battle but, luckily, we won in the end. I think, to be fair, I got sucked in by him for the first goal but we just had to come out for the second half and put on a performance. Thankfully, Chicharito came up with the goals."

Sir Alex Ferguson accepted that the former Fulham man was given a rough ride by Benteke, who set up the opening goal with some positive, muscular approach work down the left flank. "Chris was in the wars a few times," stated the boss. "He got a lot of knocks. He was up against a real handful today, Christian Benteke. He did a great job for them - strong, physical and he used his physique. It was a tough day for Chris but he came through it." Smalling never lost belief that United could hit back, even when Andreas Weimann scored his second goal of the game five minutes after the break. "We knew there was still plenty of time in the second half," said the defender. "All season we've been capable of getting two or three goals in each game, so we knew our chances would come. Our first goal was the important one as it didn't give us too long to dwell on it and allow them to play too deep and sit on the lead. We managed to get a goal straight away and made an impact. "We know we can play like that from the start, I don't know why we don't, and it took that kick up the bum to get us going. I'm sure the comeback was good for the travelling fans but it did take us a while to get going." Smalling was full of praise for Javier Hernandez and admits the striker is convinced he deserves a hat-trick. "Chicharito made a big difference when he came on," added the centre-back. "Full credit to him. He works so hard on the training ground. He gets so many goals just coming on and he got a hat-trick today, not many people have got the ability to do that. He brought in the ball and had us all signing it so I think, to him, it's definitely a hat-trick!"

Read More →

The Devils Kit Part 2

Nike 2002-2004  Nike 2004-2006

Nike 2006-2007  Nike 2007-2009

Nike 2007-2009   Nike 2009-2010

Nike 2010-2011  Nike 2011-2012


Nike 2012-2013



 

Read More →

The Devils Kit Part 1

Adidas 1982-1983 cAdidas 1983-1984 h

Adidas 1984-1986   Adidas 1986-1988 

Adidas 1988-1990   Adidas 1990-1992 

Umbro 1992-1994  Umbro 1994-1996

Umbro 1996-1998  Umbro 1997-2000 EUR

Umbro 1998-2000  Umbro 2000-2002






 



   

Read More →

Nani Needs Love

Sir Alex Ferguson has been told not to give up on Nani – by the man who discovered him. SC Braga coach Jose Peseiro gave the Portuguese international his first chance at Sporting Lisbon before he headed to Old Trafford. Now Nani’s United career teeters on the edge with the winger’s contract negotiations at a standstill. Ferguson proved just how frustrated he has become with the 25-year-old last week when publically criticising him after the Capital One Cup defeat to Chelsea. But Peseiro believes Nani still has a future at United. "I don’t know why Nani doesn’t play now," he said. "I know the team is good. Manchester United doesn’t just have 11 players, but 20 at the similar top level and it’s hard. I don’t know if the problem is that he doesn’t sign another contract. I don’t know if the coach has less confidence in him or if he just doesn’t feel right at this moment. I would like Nani to play and play well – but not too well or to score in our goal. I hope he finishes the season well because it is important for him, the national team – and important for me because I put Nani in the first team at Sporting. I hope he plays more times, because I know him. If he doesn’t play, it is not easy for him. He doesn’t feel well when he doesn’t play – because he likes to play." Peseiro says his former protege should follow the example set by Ryan Giggs, who is still playing for United at 38 years of age. "He’s improved in Manchester,” he said.

"After Ronaldo left Manchester, he had two or three fantastic seasons. Manchester depended on him. At this moment it isn’t the same but Nani can improve more. If Giggs can play like this at 38 why can’t Nani do more? He can." Peseiro says an arm around the shoulder, rather than Ferguson’s famous hairdryer will get the best out of Nani. "A player can only play at the maximum level when he’s happy,” he said. "If he’s not happy, he can't. All players have a different personalities. Some need an embrace and support, others don’t need any support. Sure, the English players don’t need too much support, but the Portuguese, Brazilian and Spanish players need more emotional contact."

Read More →

Vidic break until the end of December

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said captain Nemanja Vidic may be out until the end of December. Serbia defender is unable to play for the last five months of last season after suffering a serious injury in the right leg ligaments. He said: "I think Vidic will only be returned at the end of December. Maybe during Christmas celebrations." In addition to Vidic, the Red Devils also face injury problems with defenders such as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who is sidelined until the end of this month.

Read More →

Reds head to Braga

Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a 20-man squad to Portugal for the Reds' Champions League Group H clash in Braga. The Group H leaders, who flew out of Manchester on Tuesday afternoon, secured a come-from-behind victory over the Portuguese side two weeks ago at Old Trafford and know a win in Braga will secure a place in the last 16 of the competition. Sir Alex told ManUtd.com a fortnight ago he'd consider Saturday's subsequent trip to Villa Park and weigh up his midfield options in particular when picking his team to take on Braga. "My team selection for Braga will reflect the game we play afterwards, Aston Villa away, so I’ll change the squad around," the manager said. "Think, for example, about the midfield options I’ve got. This is an area where some people say we’re weak but I’ve got Darren Fletcher coming back from illness, Tom Cleverley developing as a player, young Nick Powell improving, Anderson back fit and looking terrific, plus Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs. I’ve got heaps of midfield options now.

"In the wide positions I’ve got Ashley Young fit again, Nani and Antonio Valencia. Then I’ve got the strikers. My area of worry for a long time now has been the back four. "I haven’t had great options so far this season in defence. There’ll be an option with Alexander Buttner – that’s maybe the one that will definitely happen. I’ll need to see how we are in terms of a centre-back pairing for that game. But away from home in Europe you really do need a bit of experience so it’s likely that it will still be Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans. "At right-back, Rafael’s fit and his form this season has been absolutely fantastic. So I’ll probably have the same or similar back four but I’ll make changes in midfield and up front."

Travelling squad: De Gea, Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Buttner, Smalling, Evra; Cleverley, Giggs, Anderson, Nani, Valencia, Carrick, Young, Powell; Rooney, Welbeck, Chicharito, van Persie.

Read More →