rodrigo

My prediction about Van der Sarr is looking well

retired_tnovo

My prediction about Van der Sarr is looking well </BLOCKQUOTE>

Hopefully, that was just a blip

retired_tnovo

Tuesday 4th September 2007

uefa.com

Manchester United 3 Anderlecht 0

That was just too easy. Manchester United began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable victory over Anderlecht at Old Trafford tonight. A ruthless hat-trick from Wayne Rooney helped Faiz Khan's men to the first win at the first attempt. The result was well justified as United dominated the match throughout and did not let the Belgian side have any kind of chance here tonight. Khan made five changes from the team that beat Norwich City just under a fortnight ago as Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Marc-Andre Kruska and Alan Smith replaced John O'Shea, Park Ji-Sung, Kieran Richardson, Michael Carrick and Sergio Aguero. Anderlecht coach Franky Vercauteren named two alterations from the qualifying victory against Slavia Prague as Anthony Vanden Borre and Sebastien Pirotte came in for Dimitri Parker and Nicolas Pareja.

On a very mild and warm night in Manchester, referee Reto Rutz got this Champions League match underway. After just five minutes, the hosts were almost ahead. Giggs swung in a beautiful freekick into the area and Smith's glancing header crashed against the crossbar and the ball was cleared to safety. A minute later, Wes Brown's long ball was knocked down by Smith into the path of the onrushing Kruska whose fearsome strike was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Bertrand Laquait. Five minutes later, United had a good opportunity to take the lead. Smith flicked on Rio Ferdinand's pass to send Rooney clear on goal but his deflected effort was well pushed away from goal by Laquait and the ball was cleared to safety. The visitors started to settle on the ball but were'nt getting anywhere near the United goal. After 20 minutes, the hosts took a deserved lead. Evra threw the ball to Rooney who cut inside and unleashed a thunderous strike from just inside the area which flashed past Laquait at his near post. On 27 minutes, United were almost two goals to the good in bizarre fashion. Giggs' miscued corner attempt caught Laquait in a bad position and the keeper did very well to backpedal and punch the ball away. After the halfhour, the second goal came for the hosts and Rooney. Lucas Biglia pushed Smith on the edge of the area and Rooney stepped up to curl a wonderful freekick into the top corner, giving Laquait no chance whatsover. Five minutes later, Smith smartly laid the ball off to Giggs who turned inside and returned the pass to Smith and the England man's fierce shot went into the side-netting. The home side had controlled the whole of the first half and they nearly capped off their display with a third goal. Giggs played a great freekick into the area and Smith's towering header struck the crossbar and the ball was cleared to safety. The halftime break came at Old Trafford and the scoreline was announced as Manchester United 2 Anderlecht 0.

Khan was very pleased with his players after they completely controlled this match in the first half and said they deserved the two goal lead. But based on the last match against Norwich, victory should not taken for granted. The second period was underway from Old Trafford. Early in the second half, Rooney was nudged by Vanden Borre and the striker picked himself up to place his freekick just inches over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Anderlecht had their first sight of goal and they should have made the most of it. Olivier Deschacht's hurried clearance set Mbark Bousouffa on his way towards goal and his strike was superbly tipped over the crossbar by largely untroubled Edwin van der Sar. On 57 minutes, Scholes turned inside on the left and fed the ball to Evra and his snapshot was well blocked by Laquait and the ball was cleared to safety. On the hour, United killed the match off with a sublime team goal. Ferdinand's pass was knocked down by Smith into the path of Scholes who fed the ball through for Rooney to wallop his effort past Laquait into the far corner - his 5th goal of the season and his 50th goal for the club! The hosts then settled down and chose to pass the ball around effortlessly. On 72 minutes, Brown's high ball was knocked down by Smith into the path of the onrushing Scholes and his stinging drive was remarkably kept out by Laquait and the danger was averted. After 76 minutes, Evra played a nice ball down the line for Rooney to take control of and he cut inside before slamming his shot into the side-netting. Five minutes later, Rooney should have scored his and United's fourth goal. Gary Neville's high ball found Rooney unmarked inside the area and he took one touch before blasting his shot well over the crossbar. Just before the end, the hosts almost topped the night by scoring a fourth goal. Substitute Louis Saha took the ball towards the byline before pulling the ball back for Neville and his deflected shot was smartly palmed away by Laquait. The match came to a halt shortly after and the final score from Old Trafford was Manchester United 3 Anderlecht 0.

Match Verdict - completely one-sided match at Old Trafford saw the English giants take the three points thanks to Rooney's brilliant hat-trick. The perfect start to the European campaign for the hosts.

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 8, Evra 7, Ferdinand 8, Brown 7, Ronaldo 8, Giggs 8 (Richardson 73, 6), Kruska 7, Scholes 7 (Vidic 83, 6), Smith 7 (Saha 73, 7), Rooney 10.

Goals - Rooney (20, 34, 60)

Booked - Giggs

Anderlecht - Laquait 6, Vanden Borre 7, Deschacht 7, Odjija-Ofoe 7, Pirotte 7 (Adjetey 81, 6), Linderoth 6, Biglia 7, Nakamura 7, Serhat 6 (Goor 37, 7), Boussoufa 6, Hassan 6 (Mbokani 71, 6).

Booked - Deschacht

Injured - Serhat (37)

Man of the Match - Wayne Rooney - no surprises here as the England man was the difference between the two side tonight with a stunning hat-trick. He has begun the new season in a hurry.


Other Champions League Group Results

Fenerbahce 0 Real Madrid 1
Steaua Bucharest 0 Werder Bremen 2
Athletico Madrid 1 Basel 1
Sampdoria 1 Porto 1
Ajax 1 Lyon 0
Club Brugge 0 Chelsea 1
Panathinaikos 0 AC Milan 2
Barcelona 1 CSKA Moscow 2
Rapid Bucharest 0 PSV Eindhoven 3
Liverpool 1 Hamburg 1
Salzburg 6 Brondby 0
Besiktas 1 Sporting Lisbon 0
Inter Milan 2 Dortmund 1
Arsenal 3 Nantes 0
Benfica 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 1

retired_tnovo

Monday 10th September 2007

uefa.com

With the group stages of the Champions League starting just last week, the official bets have been listed for this season's competition. Following last season's march to the quarter-final stage, Faiz Khan's Manchester United have been made 3rd favourites at 10-1 to lift their 3rd European Cup at the end of the season. The very clear favourites for the Champions League this season La Liga champions Barcelona at 5-1 and Milan are behind them at 8-1. Here is a shortlist of the favourites for this year's competition:

Barcelona 5-1
AC Milan 8-1
Man Utd 10-1
Real Madrid 11-1
Inter Milan 11-1
Chelsea 11-1

In other news, a player has reported back from international duty early as Alan Smith has suffered an injury blow. The England physio has confirmed that Smith has sustained a back strain after overexerting himself in the weights room during training earlier this morning. The physio confirmed to Faiz Khan that the former Leeds man will miss the next 3 weeks of action, including the back-to-back Premiership showdowns against Liverpool and Arsenal. His place on the bench should go to Louis Saha.

retired_tnovo

Thursday 13th September 2007

manutd.com

The injury situation is mounting at the moment. Manchester United have announced an injury setback to Faiz Khan's defence. Central defender Wes Brown has suffered a thigh strain after striking the ball awkwardly during training earlier on this afternoon. The club's physio has stated that the injury will keep Brown out of action for upto 3 weeks and that will definitely hit Brown hard after problems earlier in his career. The centre-back has made a steady start to the season in Nemanja Vidic's absence and the Serbia international will be the natural replacement for Brown after recovering from his own injury.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 15th September 2007

Gillette Soccer Saturday

Ahead of tomorrow afternoon's early season head-to-head at Anfield, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has talked up his players' chances of victory. Benitez has told Manchester United manager Faiz Khan that morale inside the hosts' dressing room could not be higher and his players feared no side. He also warned Khan not to bother trying to wind up his players as it would have little or no affect on them.

After hearing of Benitez's words, Khan responded in very complimentary fashion. Khan confirmed that his players needed no motivation to play against Liverpool and his side were chomping at the bit of facing the Merseysiders tomorrow afternoon. He also said that he hopes the best team win this match.

retired_tnovo

Sunday 16th September 2007

premierleague.com

Liverpool 0 Manchester United 2

Efficiency is the key in the game of football. Champions Manchester United maintained their 100% start to the new season with a hard fought win over Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon. Two goals in five first half minutes from Sergio Aguero and Paul Scholes helped United to a massive three points against their arch-rivals. In truth, it was a very even contest but it was the better finishing from the visitors which ultimately proved the difference between the sides. United manager Faiz Khan made four alterations to the XI that despatched Anderlecht as Patrice Evra, Wes Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith made way for Gabriel Heinze, Nemanja Vidic, Park Ji-Sung and Aguero. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez made just one change from the draw with Hamburg as the injured John Arne Riise was replaced by Mark Gonzalez.

On a fairly warm Sunday afternoon on Merseyside, referee Peter Walton got this massive encounter up and running. The hosts started very brightly as they fashioned out the first sight of goal. Juan Roman Riquelme gave the ball to Craig Bellamy who spread the ball to Steven Gerrard on the right wing and his low effort was easily smothered by Edwin van der Sar. On 11 minutes, a fine one touch passage of play involving Gonzalez, Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko teed up Riquelme 30 yards out but his effort trickled inches wide of van der Sar's near post. Eight minutes later, Liverpool had a decent opportunity to open the scoring. Riquelme played the ball to Bellamy and his shot was deflected into the path of substitute Harry Kewell but he dragged his shot wide of the far corner from a very tight angle. The visitors had been dominated early on but they started to relax a bit more on the ball and almost scored with their first attack just before the halfhour. Gerrard's stray pass was intercepted by Park and the South Korea international went bursting into the area and his swerving drive was well pushed away by Jose Reina and the ball was cleared to safety. Just after the halfhour, the hosts nearly went ahead. Rio Ferdinand was penalised for holding Bellamy around 25 yards from goal and Riquelme's curling freekick was well beaten away by van der Sar for a throw. After 35 minutes, United broke the deadlock against the run of play. Scholes spread the ball to Ryan Giggs on the left wing and he crossed low to the near post where Aguero tucked the ball away into the far corner from 6 yards out. And five minutes later, United were in the driving seat. Marc-Andre Kruska gave the ball to Aguero who went on a brilliant dribble which ended in the area where substitute Jack Hobbs chopped him down and the referee had no chance but to award a penalty. Scholes stepped up to calmly place his penalty low to Reina's left - his 1st goal of the season! On the stroke of halftime, the hosts tested van der Sar again. Bellamy went running down the left flank and when his cross deflected out to Sissoko, his fierce strike was punched out by van der Sar and the ball was cleared to safety. The referee called for the halftime interval and the latest score from Anfield was Liverpool 0 Manchester United 2.

Khan was absolutely thrilled with the way his side had survived the start from the hosts and then took the game to their opponents. But he told them not to get too complacent. The second period was underway at Anfield. Almost immediately after the break, Bellamy used his pace to outwit Vidic and when the ball broke for Gerrard on the edge of the area, the England midfielder struck his effort just inches wide of the far corner. Three minutes later, United almost scored a third goal. Kruska's pass found Park who used his trickery to get past Daniel Agger but his powerful was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Reina. And two minutes later, the visitors should have added a third goal. Giggs' cross deflected through to Wayne Rooney one on one with Reina but he dragged his effort well wide of the far corner. After 57 minutes, United had a good opportunity to take a three goal lead. Scholes pounced on a loose ball to send an instant pass through for Rooney to latch onto only for his delicate chip to drop just inches wide of the far corner. The visitors had clearly taken control of this match now and they were more comfortable in possession. Midway through the second half, United had another great opportunity to add a third goal. Heinze played a great crossfield ball to Gary Neville and he set up Park from 6 yards out but Reina did very well to rush out and block the effort and the ball was cleared to safety. On 74 minutes, United came very close to adding a third goal. Scholes played in a corner from the left and Rooney's bullet header was brilliantly headed off the line by Riquelme and the chance was gone. As the match was heading towards the final stages, hoards of Liverpool supporters were heading for the exits as they had seen enough. With seven minutes remaining, Liverpool found out it just was'nt going to be their day. Sissoko strode forward unchallenged and teed up Riquelme for a cracking effort from 35 yards out but van der Sar was brilliant in keeping the ball out and the ball was cleared to safety. The match eventually petered out as United kept hold of the ball, teasing their opponents. The final whistle went after three minutes of stoppage time and from Anfield, the scoreline read Liverpool 0 Manchester United 2.

Match Verdict - entertaining match between two top sides at Anfield was won by the visitors as their greater composure secured the three points. The champions have sent an ominous message this afternoon.

Liverpool - Reina 7, Carragher 7, Warnock 7, Hyypia 7 (Hobbs 35, 6), Agger 7, Alonso 7, Sissoko 7, Gerrard 6 (Pennant 73, 6), Riquelme 6, Gonzalez 6 (Kewell 11, 6), Bellamy 7.

Booked - Hobbs

Injured - Gonzalez (11)

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 7, Heinze 7, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 7, Park Ji-Sung 7, Giggs 8 (Evra 71, 6), Kruska 8, Scholes 8 (Carrick 84, 6), Aguero 8, Rooney 7 (Saha 84, 6).

Goals - Aguero (35), Scholes (pen 40)

Man of the Match - Edwin van der Sar - the experienced goalkeeper was fantastic between the sticks this afternoon as his saves were instrumental in United's victory. He's not ready to go just yet.


Other Premiership Results

Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 1
Bolton 1 Everton 1
Charlton 1 Portsmouth 3
Man City 2 Tottenham 3
Newcastle 1 Blackburn 2
Norwich 1 Wigan 1
Watford 1 Middlesbrough 3
West Brom 1 Coventry 1
West Ham 0 Chelsea 3

retired_tnovo

Monday 17th September 2007

premierleague.com

After playing their part in the gritty win against Liverpool at Anfield yesterday afternoon, Manchester United duo Edwin van der Sar and Ryan Giggs were selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

Guy Demel (Blackburn)
Federico Balzaretti (Middlesbrough)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)

Simon Davies (Everton)
Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)
Papa Bouba Diop (Blackburn)
Michael Ballack (Chelsea)

Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 19th September 2007

manutd.com

Manchester United have confirmed some major news on the injury front. The club have announced this afternoon that striker Louis Saha has sustained a slipped disc lifting weights during training earlier this morning. Saha was seen writhing in pain and anguish leaving the training room and the club's physio confirmed the bad news which is that the France international will miss the next 3 months of the season. This injury means we wont see Saha until maybe the Christmas programme. His place on the substitute's bench is more likely going to go to Giuseppe Rossi.

retired_tnovo

Friday 21st September 2007

bbc.co.uk/sport

The draw for the Carling Cup 3rd Round was just made at the FA headquarters in Soho Square. Faiz Khan's Manchester United have been handed a very tough looking tie against Premiership side Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Other ties of the round include the repeat at this stage of the London derby between Chelsea and West Ham at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham's tie against Everton at White Hart Lane. Here is the 3rd Round draw in full:

Northampton v Leeds
Man Utd v Bolton
Luton v Sunderland
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Coventry v Crystal Palace
Burnley v Liverpool
Tottenham v Everton
Arsenal v Fulham
Chelsea v West Ham
Cardiff v Aston Villa
Wigan v Middlesbrough
Q.P.R. v Charlton
Colchester v Millwall
West Brom v Doncaster
Portsmouth v Plymouth
Man City v Watford