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BbcSport
03/08/2004
KHAN CONFIDENT OF TITLE CHALLENGE
Despite his side being hugely overlooked in the pre-season bets for the Premiership title, Faiz Khan has defiantly declared that Manchester United will be going all out in their pursuit of the title. Khan is very confident his team can win the title providing his players play to their full potential for the full season. If that is achieved, the title could come back to Old Trafford. Skipper Roy Keane is said to be very pleased with his new manager's confidence in winning the title saying 'he has great conviction this season for the title race.'

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The Sun
08/08/2004
UTD SMASH GUNNERS IN CURTAIN RAISER
MANCHESTER UNITED 5 ARSENAL 2
Well, the pressure in his first game in charge of Manchester United was on. However, Faiz Khan watched his side ruthlessly destroy Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon to give Khan his first taste of silverware in his first competitive game. Khan came into this game without the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher through injury and Rio Ferdinand through suspension. However, nothing was stopping United today as they were so dominant that keeper Jens Lehmann was Arsenal's best player. Manchester United were already off to a flying start inside 2 minutes as Ruud van Nistelrooy ran from over the halfway line all they way to the edge of the area to chip the ball over the bewildered Lehmann. It got better for Utd and Khan 5 minutes later when a superb breakaway involving van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs set up Paul Scholes to emphatically smash the second goal on the half volley. Arsenal were back in it almost immediately when Tim Howard misjudged a cross and that allowed Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira to pounce into an empty net. The game was barely a quarter gone when Man Utd established their two goal cushion as a scramble in the Arsenal area ended with a simple tap in for van Nistelrooy. United dominated the rest of the half with Phil Neville forcing Lehmann into an outstanding reflex save. The half ended Manchester United 3 Arsenal 1. The second half started just like the first half as Man Utd extended their lead as Alan Smith played a superb through ball to allow Scholes to chip Lehmann to notch his second goal of the match and United's fourth. Astonishingly, Scholes grabbed his hat-trick after Lehmann could only parry van Nistelrooy's tame effort into Scholes' path. This game saw Anthony Vanden Borre make his full debut and was very impressive in shackling the dangerous Jose Antonio Reyes. Arsenal had the last laugh but it wasnt much as Jermaine Pennant stormed through and placed his shot round Howard for a well taken goal. Soon after, the final whistle blew as Manchester United dealt an early season beating on the Gunners. Obviously, this will not have any bearing on the title race but it will give Arsenal something very serious to think about. For United and Khan, it's silverware in their first game but this is nothing compared to the European game in midweek where Benfica stand between United and the group stages of the Champions League.

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Brown, Vanden Borre (Heinze 64), Keane, Scholes, P Neville (Eagles 64), Giggs, Smith (Saha 64), van Nistelrooy

Arsenal : Lehmann, Lauren (Hoyte 56) , Clichy, Toure, Cygan (Senderos 69), Vieira, Gilberto, Ljungberg (Pennant 80), Pires (Van Persie 56), Reyes (Edu 69)

Goals : Man Utd : Van nistelrooy (2),(23 Scholes (7),(52),(56)
Arsenal : Vieira (10), Pennant (87)

Referee : Sam Walters
Attendance : 72465

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forgot to put Henry in the Arsenal lineup but what a first win. Come on United!

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Enjoying the easily-readable style. Good luck & keep up the good work.

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Sky Sports News
10/08/2005
UNITED TO SIGN AMERICAN SUPERSTAR
Manchester United have confirmed the future signing of American teenager Freddy Adu. The teenager has been chased by the biggest clubs in the world including Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus but Faiz Khan has been able to convince Adu that Old Trafford is the right destination. Adu is said to be ecstatic that United wanted and jumped at the chance to sign. The transfer will go through in the January transfer window meaning Adu will have to until next year to make his dream move across the world.

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ItvSport
11/08/2004
UNITED CRUSH BENFICA AT OLD TRAFFORD
MANCHESTER UNITED 4 BENFICA 0
Manchester United were fantastic tonight in the Champions League qualifier as Benfica were destroyed in the same manner as Arsenal were in the Community Shield on Sunday. Two goals from new striker Alan Smith, Paul Scholes and substitute Louis Saha gave United a very majestic lead heading into the away leg in Portugal in a fortnight. There was one change from the Arsenal game as Irishman Liam Miller made his debut in place of Phil Neville. Unfortunately, he gave in United's only poor individual performance. Manchester United were dominant from the start as they forced the keeper into a series of saves and Roy Keane even had a header cleared off the line. But the frustration lasted until the 24th minute when Ruud van Nistelrooy went through and had his shot palmed away only for the ball to fall to Smith for an easy tap in. United kept dominating when half time came with the score at Manchester United 1 Benfica 0. The second half was very much the same as United put the leg beyond doubt. A free kick from Ryan Giggs was flicked on by van Nistelrooy and came to Scholes, who turn and swivelled a sensational strike into the top corner for the second goal. United made couple of changes as both Scholes and van Nistelrooy picked up knocks and were replaced by Darren Fletcher and Saha. van Nistelrooy's knock has ruled him out of United's opening game in the Premiership on Saturday against Norwich at Old Trafford. Anyway, United were home and dry when a long throw in by Gary Neville tempted to run and glance the ball in at the near post. United needed a goal to cap the night off and substitute Saha did just that. Picking the ball up from around 40 yards, he dribbled with the ball untouched and then viciously swerved a shot into a top corner. So, a great night for Faiz Khan and United as they will go to Portugal with a very healthy lead and into Saturday Premiership opener with huge confidence.

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Brown, Vanden Borre, Keane, Scholes (Fletcher 65), Miller, Giggs, Smith, van Nistelrooy (Saha 65)

Benfica : Moreira, Miguel (Amoreirinha 80), Fyssas, Luisao, Alcides, Petit, Almeida, Carlitos (Karadas 70), Simao, Zahovic (Everson 70), Sokota

Goals : Smith (24),(70), Scholes (51), Saha (88)

Referee : Carlos Megia Davila
Attendance : 67838

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I must say enjoying every minute of your story, hope you post soon!!!!!!

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MirrorSport
14/08/2004
UNITED TOO GOOD FOR CANARIES
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 NORWICH CITY 0
The opening game of the Premiership season saw Manchester United comfortably beat newcomers Norwich City at Old Trafford. Two goals from Paul Scholes and a rare Gary Neville header helped claim the points for United. The game also saw a much improved display from Liam Miller after his much criticised display in Europe on Wednesday. United came in with one change from the Benfica game as Louis Saha replaced rested Ruud van Nistelrooy. United dominated the game from start to finish with only Robert Green standing between United and a cricket score. United took the lead inside a quarter of an hour when Miller was hauled down by Youssef Safri inside the area and up stepped Scholes to convert the penalty emphatically. From then on, United were dominating proceedings with Green making a series of top class saves, including keeping Miller out twice in seconds. Manager Faiz Khan needed a second goal before half time and his team obliged when Ryan Giggs pulled the ball back for Roy Keane to strike the ball goalwards with Scholes diverting the ball into the bottom corner. At half time, it was Manchester United 2 Norwich City 0. The second half was as one sided as the first as United pushed for a killer third goal. And just before the hour came a moment that was very rare and true as a superb run and cross from the impressive Miller found the firm head of Neville to put the game beyond doubt. United then a couple of changes with Gabriel Heinze coming on for his first league appearance for United. There were no more goals as United played time out with the knowledge that the three points were in the bag. A great start to the Premiership campaign for United and Khan as he must be loving life at United. That's just the way it has all started!

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Brown, Vanden Borre (Heinze 69), Keane (Kleberson 82), Scholes, Miller, Giggs (Fletcher 69), Smith, Saha

Norwich City : Green, Helveg, Drury (Charlton 54), Doherty, Fleming, Safri, Holt, Mulryne, Bentley (Henderson 58), Jarvis (Svensson 54), Huckerby

Goals : Scholes (pen15),(45), G Neville (58)

Referee : Mike Riley
Attendance : 58810

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Sky Sports
18/08/2004
UNITED HELD BY BATTLING BRUM
BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Manchester United dropped two points against a spirited Birmingham at St Andrews tonight. United had to come from behind to claim a point that keeps them second in the Premiership table. New signing Nathan Ellington gave Birmingham the lead until Paul Scholes notched his 7th goal of the season almost immediately. Faiz Khan made one change from the Norwich win by bringing Roy Carroll in to replace Tim Howard who was away on international duty. And Carroll was called into action early on, saving well from Clinton Morrison. But United did not take the warning seriously as Morrison crossed for Ellington to plant a header in at the near post. But Birmingham's lead was cut short within six minutes as Scholes drove forward and unleashed a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards with the aid of a deflection from the unfortunate Matthew Upson. It was scrappy before half time where it stayed Birmingham City 1 Manchester United 1. In the second half, it was more one-sided than the first as United upped the tempo and had more possession but failed to create any clear cut chances. They were restricted to long range efforts and that was a tribute to a very resilient and well organised Birmingham defence. Khan even threw on the returning Cristiano Ronaldo to try to get that all important winning goal but no avail. It finished as a draw but Faiz Khan will demand a better performance on Saturday when defending champions Arsenal visit Old Trafford. The Gunners will no doubt be looking to avenge their humiliation in the Community Shield.

Birmingham City : Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Clapham 81), Martin Taylor, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Gronkjaer (Lazaridis 71), Savage, Clemence (Gray 71), Morrison, Ellington

Man Utd : Carroll, G Neville, Silvestre (Heinze 72), Brown, Vanden Borre, Keane, Scholes, Miller (Ronaldo 72), Giggs, Smith, Saha

Goals : Birmingham : Ellington (20)
Man Utd : Scholes (26)

Referee : Steve Dunn
Attendance : 29985

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Football Focus
21/08/2004
WENGER DOUBTS MAN UTD TITLE BID
Arsene Wenger has tried to get a psychological advantage over Faiz Khan ahead of this afternoon's blockbuster clash at Old Trafford. Wenger has come out and said as far as he was concerned, a Man Utd title bid would not really scare Arsenal at all. He went as far as to say that his side will finish the Premiership season above Manchester United in the table. Khan has amazingly decided to refrain himself from getting into any debate - preferring to say that everyone appreciates that Arsenal and Manchester United are rivals. He said all the talking will be done on the pitch come Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford.