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PremierLeague.com
20/09/2004
SILVESTRE GAINS SLOT IN TEAM
Despite his side's heavy defeat at Liverpool yesterday, Mikeal Silvestre was the only man whose performance caught the eye of the Premier League when selecting their team of the week. Here is the team in full:
Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)
Thomas Helveg (Norwich City)
Mikeal Silvestre (Manchester United)
Alain Goma (Fulham)
Igor Biscan (Liverpool)
Trevor Sinclair (Manchester City)
Robert Pires (Arsenal)
Claus Jensen (Fulham)
Sven Vermant (Aston Villa)
Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa)
Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers)

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The Daily Mirror
24/09/2004
UNITED HANDED EASY HOME TIE
The draw for the Carling Cup third round was made at FA headquarters at Soho Square this afternoon. Manchester United were paired with Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wolves will travel to Old Trafford for the tie to be played on Wednesday 27th October. Faiz Khan was said to be relieved to avoid facing the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

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Gilette Soccer Saturday
25/09/2004
UNITED STUNG BY ROVERS LATE SHOW
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1
Manchester United were held by Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford this afternoon. Steven Reid scored an equaliser in the dying seconds after Wayne Rooney's 1st goal for United looked to have edged his side the three points. United have now gone three comeptitive games without recording a win, gaining only one point. The game also saw Rio Ferdinand return to action after his eight month ban for missing a drugs test - he came in for the injured Wes Brown. The only other change was Cristiano Ronaldo returning from suspension to replace Christopher Eagles. Manchester United bombarded the Rovers goal with chance after chance from the first chance - highlighted by Brad Friedel's stunning double save from Ruud van Nistelrooy early on. Rooney then sent Ronaldo through with a superb ball but Freidel was there again to produce the save with Rooney's tame rebound was stopped Lucas Neill. The halftime scoreline read Manchester United 0 Blackburn Rovers 0. The second half took a similar viewing as United pumped up the pressure and that pressure was starting to mount when Rooney picked the ball up 35 yards and he produced a sensational shot-cum-chip with Freidel off his line only to see the ball crash against the bar. It wasnt long until United got the breakthrough. van Nistelrooy picked the ball up outside the box and slit a ball through to Rooney who hit it hard and it went in off Freidel. It was a lightning atmosphere when the ball hit the net and the relief at around Old Trafford was there for all to hear. From there, United went in search for that second goal but Fortune, Smith and van Nistelrooy all sent chances over the top. Then astonishingly, in stoppage time, United let the lead slip in unlucky fashion. Rovers' Morten Gamst Pedersen sent a cross to the far post for Reid to power a header goalwards only for it to hit Mikeal Silvestre and divert the ball into the net. There was little time for United to get the win back as Rovers had stung them very deep. Football can be so cruel but Faiz Khan will not be using that as an excuse after this result. To be fair on them, Freidel was outstanding today but United cannot have too many of these days this season or else United may not win the title.

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Keane, Fortune, Ronaldo, Rooney, Smith, van Nistelrooy

Blackburn Rovers : Freidel, Neill, Johansson (Matteo 57), Short, Amoruso, Reid, Pedersen, Ferguson, Tugay, Sakali (Gallagher 57), Stead (Flitcroft 59)

Goals : Man Utd : Rooney (56)
Blackburn Rovers : Reid (90)

Referee : Neale Barry
Attendance : 67840

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Uefa.com
28/08/2004
SUPERB FIGHTBACK WINS IT FOR UNITED
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 VALENCIA 1
After the humiliation in the San Siro two weeks ago, the pressure was well and truly on manager Faiz Khan to come up with the goods tonight. Goals from substitute Paul Scholes and a first goal for United for Rio Ferdinand won a game that was looking like Saturday when Blackburn Rovers left with an unlikely point. Ruben Baraja grabbed Valencia's opener. Khan made one change to his side's team as Ryan Giggs returned from injury to replace Quinton Fortune. United started the match very brightly forcing the excellent Santiago Canizares into some early saves. But just like Saturday, only worse, Valencia nicked a goal. Baraja picked the ball up around 30-35 yards out and took advantage of no one closing him down by unleashing a vicious, swerving shot beyond Tim Howard into the top corner. Old Trafford was silent but not for very long as United turned up the pressure on Valencia. They had a great opportunity on the half hour when Giggs was hauled down going for a high ball inside the area. There was no Scholes on the pitch, so Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up to take the penalty. Khan wished he had Scholes on after the penalty was tame and easily stopped by Canizares. A great chance wasted by the usually unforgiving Dutchman. The rest of the half was very scrappy as the scoreline read Manchester United 0 Valencia 1. The second half was more of the same from United and Canizares. United were making chance after chance with Heinze the latest to be denied at point blank range by the outstanding Canizares. Then came an inspired substitution as Scholes replaced Alan Smith. Soon after with fifteen minutes left, Cristiano Ronaldo was pulled down by Marco Di Vaio in the area and the referee awarded United a second penalty. Up stepped Scholes to convert the penalty, but only just. Old Trafford was rocking now and that noise got louder as history was made five minutes from time. Giggs swung in a corner and in came Ferdinand with a towering header past Canizares to send Khan wild on the touchline - he started doing a bit of breakdancing at that point. After being overworked from United's attacking, Valencia were unable to search for a dramatic equaliser and United hung on. Well, after three games without a victory, Faiz Khan was under pressure for the first time in his managerial career. But his side gave him something to dance about and get their Champions League charge back on track.

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, O'Shea (Heinze 65), Ferdinand, Keane, Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney, Smith (Scholes 65), van Nistelrooy

Valencia : Canizares, Curro Torres, Ayala, Moretti, Marchena, Baraja, Albelda, Sissoko (Fiore 60), Aimar (Vicente 60), Di Vaio, Corradi (James 72)

Goals : Man Utd : Scholes (75), Ferdinand (85)
Valencia : Baraja (18)

Referee : Pierluigi Collina
Attendance : 66838

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Skysports.com
03/10/2004
VAN THE MAN FOR UNITED
MIDDLESBROUGH 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Manchester United won their first Premiership in two games at the Riverside this afternoon in dramatic fashion. An injury time winner from Ruud van Nistelrooy was enough to snatch the three points in this very even encounter. Faiz Khan made one change to his lineup as Darren Fletcher came in to replace Alan Smith. Both teams started the game off very brightly as both keepers were forced into saves early on. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink exchanged passes with Stuart Parnaby to shoot straight at Tim Howard when through on goal. Then United had a great opportunity when Wayne Rooney picked the ball up and sent through Gary Neville with a delightful pass but Neville badly skewed his effort well wide. Boro created a great opening for Ugo Ehiogu but the defender's header went sailing over the bar. Then Ryan Giggs sent a swerving effore just inches out as halftime came with scoreline reading Middlesbrough 0 Manchester United 0. The second half was very even as both sides pushed for that killer opening goal. United had a couple of decent chances as Fletcher put an effort well wide of the goal and van Nistelrooy shot straight at Mark Schwarzer rather than square to Rooney for a tap in. Middlesbrough also had their opportunities as Hasselbaink skied an effort high into the stands and Southgate narrowly heading over from a corner. But we had to wait until injury time for the only goal of the game but I doubt Khan will be complaining. A high ball from Rio Ferdinand found its way through to van Nistelrooy and he powered towards goal before cooly slotting into the bottom corner to break Boro hearts. Football can be a cruel game. Only this time, United were the lucky ones handing out the punishment. Khan will be mightily relieved to win a very tough away game.

Middlesbrough : Schwarzer, Southgate, Ehiogu, Henchoz, Parnaby, Queudrue, Morrison (Zenden 71), Mendieta, Craddock (Downing 61), Hasselbaink, Jansen (Viduka 61)

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville (Heinze 64), Silvestre, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Keane, Fletcher, Ronaldo (Scholes 64), Giggs, Rooney, van Nistelrooy

Goals : van Nistelrooy (90)

Referee : Mike Riley
Attendance : 35088

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Uefa.com
19/10/2004
UNITED BEATEN IN THRILLER IN PARIS
PARIS ST. GERMAIN 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Manchester United's Champions League aspirations took a big blow in a pulsating match in Paris tonight. Goals from Modeste M'Bami, Lorik Cana and Fabrice Pancrate ensured Faiz Khan made the journey home empty-handed. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne had United back in the game before half-time but it was to no avail. Khan made two changes to his lineup as Paul Scholes returned to replace Darren Fletcher and Gabriel Heinze came in for the injured Mikeal Silvestre. United were in deep trouble inside the first nine minutes as Paris raced into a two goal lead. The first came in 45 seconds as M'Bami picked the ball up on the halfway line and powered his through on goal and bent the ball round Tim Howard for a sensational goal. Then Cana curled a superb free-kick from the edge of the area after Gary Neville had brought him down. But United hit back almost immediately to pull a goal back. An excellent ball from Roy Keane sent van Nistelrooy clear and the Dutchman powered his shot into the top corner to give United hope. Paris had a great chance before halftime when Pauleta sent Jerome Rothen through but the shot went trickling wide after beating Howard. And that missed opportunity was a costly one as United drew level in first half stoppage time. van Nistelrooy went through and had his fierce shot palmed away, only for the rebound to fall to Rooney who lashed in the rebound from the edge of the area. That was the last action of the half as the scoreline read Paris St. Germain 2 Manchester United 2. The second half was very even as both sides created good chances. But Manchester United made the better chances but they found keeper Jerome Alonzo a very difficult barrier to get past. Firstly, Rooney went through but his shot was deflected wide by Alonzo. Then Paul Scholes received the ball from van Nistelrooy and unleashed an cracking shot that was heading for the bottom corner until Alonzo got down and made a stunning save. And Paris took advantage of their repreieve by grabbing the decisive thirteen minutes from time. Howard came and punched the ball clear from a Rothen cross - it wasnt a great punch as the ball made its way to Pancrate who smashed the ball into the top corner with Howard stranded. Khan reacted to that by bringing Louis Saha on for van Nistelrooy and he caused the home defence great problems but the ball just wouldnt go in for United as they were beaten at the final whistle. Manchester United have now lost twice in their first three group games in the Champions League and if they are going to qualify from this group, they may well have to do this in their next two home games against Paris and Inter Milan. But for now, United's position looks very precarious.

Paris St. Germain : Alonzo, Pichot, Armand, Pierre-Fanfan, Badiane, Cana (Pancrate 60), M'Bami, Coridon (Reinaldo 60), Rothen, Vilakazi (Benachour 71), Pauleta

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Heinze, Brown, Ferdinand, Keane, Scholes, Ronaldo (Fletcher 78), Giggs, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Saha 78)

Goals : Paris St. Germain : M'Bami (1), Cana (9), Pancrate (77)
Man Utd : van Nistelrooy (26), Rooney (45)

Referee : Ali Uluyol
Attendance : 45149

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Gillette Soccer Saturday
23/10/2004
SAINTS STUN UNITED
SOUTHAMPTON 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Southampton produced one of the results so far this season as they overcame Manchester United at St Marys this afternoon. Two penalties from Danny Higginbotham secured the points for the Saints. Substitute Louis Saha scored between the penalties. Faiz Khan's men now lie sixth in the Premiership after this big setback. It was all the more shocking as Khan put his first choice eleven out for the first time this season as Mikeal Silvestre replaced Gabriel Heinze. Both sides started the game very brightly with Rory Delap unleashing an effort skimming the bar and Wayne Rooney forcing a decent stop from the outstanding Antti Niemi. But the South Coast side were ahead ten minutes from halftime as Wes Brown was caught holding too tight on James Beattie's shirt inside the area and up stepped Higginbotham to fire into the sidenetting inside to score. The was the last meaningful piece of action in the first half as the scoreline read Southampton 1 Manchester United 0. The second half was very even as both sides cancelled each other out. Paul Scholes and Rooney both had great efforts turned away by the excellent Niemi. But Southampton had their fair share of opportunities as both Kevin Phillips and Beattie missed the target from unmissable positions. Then came an inspired change as Khan brought Saha on for a visibly exhausted Ruud van Nistelrooy and the change paid off almost immediately. Rooney sent a superb ball over the top and Saha showed excellent pace and composure to slot past Niemi to get the equaliser. United pushed on for a possible victory but they were undone by another penalty decision which enraged Khan on the touchline - Beattie was again pulled this time by Gary Neville. Up stepped Higginbotham for a carbon copy of his penalty to send the whole crowd delirious. Faiz Khan will have been feeling very unlucky today as United were very good value for at least a point but they have to forget about this game and push on. If they dont, Khan may be out of a job - he is under severe pressure.

Southampton : Niemi, Kenton, Le Saux, Jakobsson, Higginbotham, Nilsson (Oakley 63), Delap, McCann (Pahars 73), Folly (Ormerod 63), Beattie, Phillips

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Brown, Ferdinand, Keane, Scholes, Ronaldo (Fletcher 64), Giggs, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Saha 64)

Goals : Southampton : Higginbotham (pen 35), (pen 90)
Man Utd : Saha (85)

Referee : Mark Halsey
Attendance : 32206

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BBC Sport
27/10/2004
UNITED EDGE PAST WOLVES
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 WOLVES 1
Under-strength Manchester United progressed to the Carling Cup fourth round as they ran out comfortable winners over Wolves at Old Trafford tonight. Goals from Anthony Vanden Borre and John O'Shea gave Faiz Khan's men the victory. Colin Cameron got a late consolation for Wolves. Khan decided to put his second team out tonight as this competition is the last one the club want to win this season. Wolves started the game very brightly as Cameron forced an excellent fingertip stop from Roy Carroll. Wolves were enjoying the lion's share of possession but United survived the early pressure and responded by taking the lead themselves after nineteen minutes. Christopher Eagles had a header acrobatically tipped over by Paul Jones. From the resulting corner, Eagles drifted the ball into the area and there was Vanden Borre to plant his first ever goal for the club with a firm header. From then on, both sides had great chances to score with Shaun Newton having the pick of the bunch - spooning over a virtually unguarded net. And Wolves were made to pay a heavy price for that missed opportunity as United extended their lead six minutes before halftime. Alan Smith had earlier seen a delightful chip smack the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Eagles drifted in another super cross for O'Shea to power his header into the back of the net. That was the last of the first half as the scoreline read Manchester United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. United were on top in the second half as they looked to score more goals. Firstly, a long throw from Phil Neville was flicked on by Louis Saha and Vanden Borre was presented with a second goal chance but he put it well wide instead. Then, Smith went on a great run and found Quinton Fortune but he also put his effort a few yards wide of the goal. Somehow Wolves got a consolation three minutes from time as a pull by substitute Paul Scholes on Dean Sturridge was penalised and Cameron converted the spot kick confidently. But there would no equaliser as a young United held out for the victory. Faiz Khan will be pleased that they are progressing in one competition at least. He will hope he can have the same impact in the Premiership and Champions League for the rest of the season.

Man Utd : Carroll, P Neville, Heinze, O'Shea, Vanden Borre, Kleberson, Fletcher (Scholes 74), Eagles, Fortune, Smith, Saha (Rooney 74)

Wolves : Jones, Flynn, Naylor, Lescott (Craddock 45), Clyde, Newton (Cooper 62), Ki-Hyeon, Cameron, Olofinjana, Ganea, Miller (Sturridge 62)

Goals : Man Utd : Vanden Borre (19), O'Shea (39)
Wolves : Cameron (87)

Referee : Michael Ryan
Attendance : 61111

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The People
29/10/2004
O'LEARY DOUBTS UNITED TITLE THIS SEASON
Ahead of tomorrow afternoon's meeting at Old Trafford, Aston Villa manager David O'Leary has come out and said that he doesnt think Manchester United are good enough to finish champions this season. However, they could be contenders next season, given the right signings. Faiz Khan has opted to stay silent on this claim meaning that all the talking will be done on the pitch tomorrow afternoon at Old Trafford.

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Gillette Soccer Saturday
30/10/2004
UNITED HELD BY VILLAINS IN DIRE STALEMATE
MANCHESTER UNITED 0 ASTON VILLA 0
Faiz Khan saw Manchester United lose more ground slipping one place to seventh in the Premiership as they were held by a resolute Aston Villa. Khan will be very disappointed with the lack of urgency in his side's play as they dropped more points. Khan brought his full strength side back after resting them in midweek. The visitors were very bright early on in the game as Juan Pablo Angel saw a good volley go just over the crossbar. But United had the best chance of the opening half. Ruud van Nistelrooy held up the ball up long enough to play an excellent ball inside the Villa defence for Mikeal Silvestre to send his low shot across the face of the goal, just missing Cristiano Ronaldo as he was rushing to get the tap in. The half ended Manchester United 0 Aston Villa 0. The second half was even as United struggled to get that decisive opening goal. Thomas Hitzlsperger entered into the match on the hour and he shot a cracker onto the bar with his first touch. But United again had the best opportunity in the second half as Wayne Rooney went clear through but instead of squaring to Ryan Giggs, he opted to try to lob the keeper with the ball drifting wide and the crowd getting restless. The final whistle blew at Old Trafford and there was a chorus of boos from the home fans for the team and the manager. Faiz Khan must be wondering what has happened after a great start to the new season but must now face up to reality - the honeymoon is over!

Man Utd : Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Brown, Ferdinand, Keane, Scholes, Ronaldo (Fletcher 67), Giggs, Rooney, van Nistelrooy

Aston Villa : Sorensen, Samuel, Delaney, Mellberg, Laursen, Hendrie, Barry, Jones (Hitzlsperger 62), Vermant (Sun Jihai 72), Cole, Angel (Vassell 62)

Referee : Andy D'Urso
Attendance : 65834