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UEFA honours Sir Bobby Charlton

The video below includes a tribute from Sir Alex Ferguson to not just a great footballer but to "a very special man".

Last week Sir Bobby appeared to call time on the feuding between Sir Alex and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

"It's maybe gone a little bit too far. I'd hate for someone to say something really outrageous. I'm thinking it's gone a little bit too far with managers calling one another and everybody getting on television and trying to keep things newsworthy and on the front pages all the time. It's not fair."

A missed opportunity?

European Cup, semi-final, first leg
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (O'Shea 17)
ARSENAL 0

And the consensus opinion of the sports pages this morning?  That Utd were deserving winners last night, but that their dominance should have translated to more goals and put the tie beyond Arsenal.  The Sun's Steven Howard pretty much sums it up:

"Even one-eyed Gooners — who had a ghastly, panoramic view of the one-way traffic in the first half — will admit they should have been obliterated, decimated, wiped off the European map.

So badly were they under the cosh at times, you wondered by what miracle they had actually made it to this Champions League semi-final in the first place.

That they actually survive to fight another day still in one piece will be one of the great mysteries of all time — one for the minds of Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and every CSI programme from London to Las Vegas."

So battered, but not killed off.  Yet most commentators still think that Utd are clear favourites to progress to their second European Cup final in as many years.  Here's Matt Dickinson in the Times:

"And when it all finished, despite the narrow scoreline and the advantage to United of a solitary goal, you were left to conclude that it would be a miracle if this Arsenal team were being saluted a month from now as champions of Europe."

The Arsenal keeper, Manuel Almunia, earns a great deal of praise for keeping his side in the tie.  The Daily Mail even speculates whether the Spaniard - who qualifies for British citizenship at the start of next season - could soon be England's number one:

"On last night's showing he may be the safest hands for England, even if he is as English as paella. At least he's playing regular Champions League football."

While, on the Utd side, a few papers make the point that Michael Carrick looked back to his best, and cite the ease with which Patrice Evra dealt with the fast-running threat of Theo Walcott.  Most of the praise, thought, is reserved for the industrious performance of Carlos Tevez, who was behind much of United's best play in the first half. The Mail's Martin Samuel and the Times's Matt Hughes both devote articles to the tireless Argentinian, yet both suggest that he's most likely still on his way out of Old Trafford.  Here's Hughes:

"Whether one night can alter either player’s future remains doubtful, with Berbatov far more likely to start next season at the club. For all his unhappiness Tévez is so volatile that he would happily eat his words and sign a new contract if it was offered to him tomorrow, though given his £22 million price tag that is a remote possibility.

The grubby machinations of the money men — football’s politicians — will prove his undoing."

The Guardian carries a good roundup of the two managers' views, including this quote from Sir Alex:

"We tend to do things the hard way at our club and once again it's a night when our supporters have been frustrated because we could have been in the final. We had enough chances to score four but their goalkeeper was really fantastic."

And some barbed reflections on the weekend fixtures from the Utd manager:

Wenger can also afford to make wholesale changes when Arsenal play Portsmouth on Saturday, whereas United do not have that luxury. "That's Arsenal's advantage," said Ferguson. "They can play Pat Rice at right-back and Arsène Wenger can play centre-forward; it doesn't matter to them. We have to put out a team to win at Middlesbrough in a lunchtime kick-off. I don't think it [the early start] is right but we have to get on with it."

Finally, returning to the Sun's Steven Howard again, I liked this fact in his column:

"While United boasted multi-championship and cup winners, Arsenal could only muster five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, one League Cup, one Champions League and one World Club Cup.

And of those 13 medals, EIGHT belonged to former United defender Silvestre."

Let's hope that Silvestre doesn't get the chance to add to his tally at our expense, next Tuesday.

Pete

Nani to stay at Old Trafford

In what might come as a surprise to some United fans, Sir Alex has said today that Nani is going nowhere this summer.

A lack of starts and some indifferent displays have left some wondering whether the young Portuguese could make it at Old Trafford. He was particularly singled out for criticism for his first half display on Saturday.

While the winger's supporters have likened his performances to that of a younger Ronaldo, critics would say that this gives him the benefit of the doubt when - some absolute screamers aside - he has done little to merit such patience.

Either way, Fergie is clearly convinced. According to ManUtd.com he said: "“Nani’s been unlucky this season".

“The form of Ji-sung Park has been absolutely outstanding and most of the time he’s kept Nani out of the team. He also picked up a little injury…

“So it’s been difficult for Nani to get a consistent run and that’s really been his problem. But he’ll be here next season and he’ll do very well for us."

Patrick

In praise of Rio

No, I'm not going to praise Rio for his footballing ability, his composure on the ball, or his leadership at the heart of our defence - although he certainly deserves the acclaim gets for all that.  Instead, I have in mind his new web-based lifestyle magazine #5, which you can read here. 

I'm sure people will suggest that it's unfair for the central defender to use his influence - and shirt number - to get a leg-up in the world of the media and publishing.  But I'd look at it a different way: it's good to see a footballer doing something creative with his money, regardless of whether or not the venture is successful.  That the magazine is well put-together and readable (or should that be clickable?) makes it all the more satisfying.

Perhaps most importantly, though, #5 bridges the gap between Rio and the Utd fanbase.  The video editorial he's put together - and, say, the Ronny video that we posted up on MustBeRed earlier - give the kind of insights into the players and the club that fans crave.  Sure, #5 isn't just a ManUtd fanzine, but you've got to hope that the focus on matters footballing will continue in future issues, and that it could develop into a means of direct communication between supporters and their Premiership idols.

And there's no reason why it should end there.  In this era of spiralling wages for footballers, and spiralling ticket prices for fans, the internet can enable clubs to keep the sense of community alive.  I'd certainly follow Wayne and Coleen's Twitter feed, or download Michael Carrick's post-match podcast.  And I'd do so mainly for the glimpse they'd give me into the football club I'm devoted to.  So go on Utd, follow Rio's example.  And go on Rio, take #5 even further.

Pete

MustBeRed's campaign to honour Ryan Giggs with knighthood reaches the media

This morning's Sun (above) joins WalesOnline, AFP., Sky Sports News and Key103 radio as media outlets that have covered our campaign to honour Ryan Giggs with a knighthood.

Click here to sign the petition.

Click here to watch the campaign video.

International media references are captured by the Google page below:

Ronnie's freestyle skills

Sit back and drool...

The video features in Rio Ferdinand's innovative new online magazine which you can access here.

Rafael signs new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2013

Manchester United have announced that Rafael will stay at Old Trafford until at least 2013 after signing a two year contract extension.

Sir Alex Ferguson commented:

“Everyone at the club has been very impressed and excited by his first year as a professional," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. His enthusiasm and the adventurous way he plays is typical of a Manchester United player, and we are delighted that he has signed a new contract.”

Giggs wins PFA Player of the Year

"Ryan Giggs, in his 18th season as a professional, was finally awarded the highest honour possible by his peers, as he was tonight voted the Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year. The Manchester United midfielder described it as the "best" possible accolade, having beaten off competition from his club-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

"It's right up there, with personal accolades it's the best to have as it's voted by your fellow players," Giggs said. "I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice but this is the big one.""

- The Guardian

Please sign up to MustBeRed's petition to honour Ryan Giggs with a knighthood.  There are 146 signatures so far.  As well as people from the UK we have petitioners from Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, India, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Venezuela, Uruguay and the USA.  The video below summarises the campaign:

United 5 - 2 Spurs: A game of two halves

The old football cliche, has scarcely rung more true than yesterday at Old Trafford. United, at sixes and sevens with each other one half. were nearly hitting sixes and sevens past Spurs the other.

It was an amazing game to see, my only complaint can be that all seven goals were down at the other end!

United fans have seen many a great comeback down the years, but despite their air of inevitability, these are still among the most thrilling United games to watch. As Jonathan Northolt writes in the Sunday Times: "No matter how often Manchester United write the script their supporters will never tire of it".

The big decision

Having made few chances in the first half, United needed something to go their way. With Howard Webb deciding Gomes brought down Carrick we got that and it set us on our way. Though Harry Redknapp moaned, and even Fergie said it was fortunate, I would not side with The Sun in calling the decision "a shocker."

Instead as The Mirror put it: "Heurelho Gomes will argue forever he got a touch to the ball when he sent through Michael Carrick. Carrick will always know he got there first. The man who matters decided it was a foul."

Given the penalty we were denied at Wembley, few fans will be losing sleep over how our first goal came.

Our loss, Carlos?

Though it was Rooney and Ronaldo shared the bulk of the goals they were not the only people to receive praise from today's press. Rooney as man of the match may have been "the pivot upon which every action of United's comeback turned," but it was "the tonic of Tevez" that roused the Reds from their first half stupour.

As Duncan White in The Telegraph puts it: "Ferguson’s dressing room rhetoric undoubtedly played a role but it was the half-time introduction of Carlos Tevez for the insipid Nani that catalysed the whole team."

Even Fergie reserved special praise for our number 32:  "He won the game for us. He turned the game… although obviously everyone played their part", but will it be enough to keep Carlos at Old Trafford for another season?

All of Sir Alex's substitutions were spot on today. While Nani clearly failed to rise to the occasion given a rare Premier League start, Fletcher's passing was unimaginative and the introduction of Scholes gave us another huge lift. Rafael, showing exuberance going forward, displayed inexperience at the back, and will shoulder some of the blame for Spurs' second. Once United got their noses in front, trading da Silva for the less flashy mettle of John O'Shea was almost a no-brainer.

Closer to glory

"This is the stuff of which champions are made", writes Steve Tongue in The Independent. Three points clear with a game in hand five games from the end of the season truly puts United in a great position. But was this the day the title was in effect decided?

"It was here, in a match of unrelenting and enthralling drama, that the title race had its most significant moment to date. United deserve all the superlatives for the determination, drive and sheer guts," writes Daniel Taylor in The Observer, while in Paul Wilson's analysis, the title race is all but over:

"They will surely win the league from this position. With five games to play they still have their focus, their best players, a lead and a fresh head of steam. It's just a question of what else they bring home."

However, given the twists and turns that Old Trafford saw over the course of 90 minutes, it would be complacent to think the next few weeks be a smooth ride. Yet if it does come to be regarded as the season's pivotal moment, yesterday we saw a game more than worthy of the label.

Patrick

A Striking Dilemma

After seasons when it seemed that United were a little short of out and out strikers, the Reds now have an embarrassment of riches. With Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Ronaldo, Danny Welbeck, Fraizer Campbell and of course Kiko Macheda on the books, who will Fergie have in mind, when he thinks inside the box next season?

 

Wayne Rooney Appearances 229, Goals 95

 

With 17 goals this season, Rooney has once again brought a decent haul of goals. Yet to judge Rooney by goals is to use the wrong metric. You cannot measure his work rate, his vision and his link up play by goals.

 

Despite criticism of his temper, the flipside is an enthusiasm for playing - and playing for United, given his willingness to play out his career here. Any starting eleven would be weaker without its number 10.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo Apps 285, Goals  133

 

Is he a winger? Is he a striker? When, once again, Ronaldo is United’s top scorer any consideration of strikers would be sorely lacking without him.

 

Though his attitude this season has been criticised, and at times his form less scintillating than the vintage 07-08 display, his crucial goals in the Villa and Porto games suggest even £75m may be a bargain for the Bernabeu.

Carlos Tevez Apps 92, Goals 32

Another forward who may be leaving OT behind if the papers are to believed. Carlos’ first team frustrations are easy to understand, the contribution his goals, work-rate and near telepathic link with Rooney played last season.  Despite lack of opportunities he has still turned in the goals, both crucial and spectacular this term.

 

As the chants of “Fergie sign him up” testify, many a Red would hate to see him go.

 

Dimitar Berbatov, Appearances: 36 Goals 13

 

After the drama of his eventual signing, and the record fee that was paid, Berbatov’s first few months were relatively quiet. But just as the scepticism was building, Dimi produced that moment of magic against West Ham, placating most of the cynics.

 

Though his control and passing have given United an extra dimension, there is still a feeling that he is yet to establish himself as one of United’s big game performers. But there’s always next season.

 

Manucho Apps 1 Goals 0 (Hull Apps 14, Goals 2)

 

Having scored arguably the goal of the African Nations cup last year, there is palpable intrigue at just what Manucho could do . Despite an impressive goals to games ratio for Panathanaikos last season, he has only netted twice during his loan spell at Hull, so whether he is ready for the life in the Premier League fast lane remains open to question..

 

Danny Welbeck Apps 12, Goals 3

 

The screamer against Stoke may have announced his arrival in the Premier League, but Danny Welbeck’s appearance have been restricted largely to the  league cup. 

 

After a reasonable performance out wide at Wembley, he might find more joy on the wing if he is stay at United, given the names ahead of him in the queue.

 

Fraizer Campbell Apps 4, Goals 0 (Spurs: Apps 14, Goals 3)

 

Denied opening his United account on the first day of the season by Shay Given’s head, Campbell has been unable to follow up promising spells at Royal Antwerp and Hull with regular Premier League football. Shipped out to Spurs as part of the Berbatov bargain, Frazer has seen his chances at White Hart Lane limited by Spurs policy of buying back their old strikers. Still to prove himself at the top level.

Kiko Macheda Apps 3, Goals 2

 

The least experienced of United’s forward line arguably needs the least introduction after the six crucial points his two United goals have already earned.  Having turned in impressive performances Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reserve team, if Macheda continues to show such promise, we would be mad to le him go just yet.

 

Patrick