Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[asiancigar]

Ferguson Will Wait For Tevez


LONDON — Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said he would wait for as long as it takes to sign Argentine forward Carlos Tevez.

The player’s proposed move from West Ham United has been held up by a dispute between West Ham and Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian over who owns him.

The matter will be resolved in the High Court after Joorabchian issued a writ against West Ham who he says must release Tevez’s registration.

“I imagine it will be done before the [August 31] deadline, but we would wait for him anyway if we had to,” Ferguson was quoted as saying in British newspapers. “We’ve gone so far, there’s no point in stepping back.

“There are few strikers of that quality in the world market.”

British newspaper reports suggest Tevez will cost 30 million pounds and Ferguson believes the fact that Joorabchian has gone to the High Court rather than wait for a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is significant.

“I feel more confident now because his agent is confident enough to take it to the High Court,” Ferguson said. “You can be embarrassed there if it’s not right and you can lose everything.

“So [Joorabchian] must be confident regarding the situation with West Ham.”

Ferguson also said Argentine full back Gabriel Heinze would be welcomed back to Old Trafford for next season despite the furore over his reported wish to join arch-rivals Liverpool.

“He’s our player, that’s the important thing,” he said. “People want to see players who are committed, that’s what Gaby is. He’s a bit of a warrior. He will not change once he comes back into the fold and plays a game.”

[asiancigar]

Fergie Had No Doubts

Sir Alex Ferguson never had any doubt in his mind when he decided a couple of years ago to re-build a new team. Fergie 65 claimed his ninth title as United boss and his 21st trophy in as many years...

...when his team ended Chelsea's recent domestic domination by winning the Premier League title last season.

Talking about his decision, Sir Alex said: "I think we made decisions a couple of years ago about where we were going and that was to build a new team, and that's not easy. When you've been somewhere for 20 years, it's bound to happen. You have to rebuild."

"With Nicky Butt and Phil Neville going, that had a big impact on the club and on me because those guys had been here since they were kids"
.
"Then Roy Keane and David Beckham left. It changes all the time when you've had players for so long you can't keep them forever and give them a pension."

"There comes a point where they have to move on. Sometimes you have to capitalise on their abilities, then sell players and let them go."


now for trophies 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th.... ole ole ole... hehe

[asiancigar]

Manchester United boss: Tevez is ours

Sir Alex Ferguson already believes Carlos Tevez is a Manchester United Football Club player.

In one of the most long-drawn transfer sagas of this or every other summer, the United boss is confident the Court of Arbitration for Sport will rule the West Ham United ace can join the Reds in time for the new season.

"We've done all the work, Maurice Watkins has been working overtime on it for the last two months now," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "We've gone so far it's pointless thinking of going back now, we're where we want to be.

"We feel he's our player, and we hope that's the case and it's going to be proven in the next few days."


hmmm,..... hope he is worth all the fuss. also, wondering how L'pool got his playing partner so easily while MANU is seemingly having to move mountains... sigh

[Nani@ManUtd]

Originally Posted by DatukSeks

Can somebody enlighten me how come Alex Ferguson can be confident that Tevez will be a ManU player before 31Aug when the matter already went to Court ?

Shouldn't the matter drag longer especially it has beem to court ? With this impasse, Tevez cannot carry on his job as a footballer ? Shake leg until the case is over ?

I am also wondering why ?

Anyone know why Alex is so confident of getting Tevez before 31st August deadline ?

I would have thought going to Court will drag the matter longer. No ?

[mr_missile]

FERGIE FOCUSED ON TEVEZ


Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to see the Carlos Tevez saga resolved as soon as possible following the end of Manchester United's Asian tour.

"I just hope the Tevez thing is concluded quickly, we all hope for that," admitted the Scotsman.

"That is the main issue for us."

Of course, Tevez would be far from United's first signing this summer. Speaking after another eye-catching performance from Nani in United's 3-0 win over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical, Ferguson was also keen to point out the young Portuguese has a lot of work to do.

The 19-year-old's magnificent chip capped another memorable evening on a largely successful trip and suggested comparisons between Nani and compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo may not be too far wide of the mark.

An ankle problem prevented Nani from making his debut before the friendly with Shenzhen earlier this week, when he opened his account before adding to it today.

"He needs a lot of work," admitted Ferguson.

"He has not had a lot of endurance work but there will be plenty of games for him before the season starts."

Wayne Rooney and Lee Martin were also on target for the Red Devils, although, as they head home from China tonight, Ferguson does have a few problems to ponder.

Following the match, Ferguson told MUTV: "It was very, very hot for them, at half-time there was a lot of fluid taken. We won 3-0 and I think it was a very good tournament for us and we're all happy to go home.

"I've been pleased with all of the goals, it is confidence-building for the new season when you go into a pre-season game and get that tempo and rhythm."

The United boss revealed Cristiano Ronaldo's absence until late on was due to a stubbed toe suffered in training while Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo suffered an injury in today's game.

"Dong got an ankle injury which we will assess tomorrow," Ferguson said.

"We wanted to give Tomasz Kuszczak a chance and give Ryan (Giggs) a break."

Ferguson will now return to the UK aiming to conclude United's business in the transfer market - particularly the signing of Tevez.

[bonkers69]

found one manu blog .
http://manchesterunitedvideos.blogspot.com/

[goodielecks]

Man Utd vs Guangzhou
check out Nani's and Martin's goals


don blink at Eagle's screamer

Looks like Eagle's and Martin's are gonna get more playing time now with Richardson off to Sunderland

[yinyang]

End of long saga in sight? Lawyers are the sure winners (as usual)

Tevez agent hints at end to saga

Tevez is keen to move to Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian has hinted that the striker's proposed move to Manchester United may be settled out of court. Joorabchian's companies MSI and Just Sports Inc claim they own the economic rights to the 23-year-old.

Tevez's current side West Ham dispute this and Joorabchian's companies have issued the club with a High Court writ.

But Joorabchian told the Daily Star newspaper: "There is a possibility it may get resolved next week."

Tevez's transfer to the Premier League champions has stalled over who will be paid the £30m transfer fee - with Joorabchian's companies issued legal proceedings against the Hammers.

"I can confirm the companies have begun High Court proceedings against West Ham," said Teacher Stern Selby solicitor Graham Shear, representing the law firm representing MSI and Just Sports Inc.

The statement continued: "A High Court writ was served on the football club's solicitors.

"The Companies seek the court's intervention to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.

"We are asking the court to intervene so that Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible.

"We will be making no further statement at this time."

West Ham said they would be consulting their lawyers over the writ.

Third-party ownership of football players is common in South America but was almost unheard of in England until Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano joined West Ham in August 2006.

Mascherano has since moved to Liverpool.

Earlier, Fifa had recommended the Tevez dispute should go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Football Association and the Premier League had asked Fifa to rule on the matter.

But a Fifa statement read: "Fifa has recommended that West Ham and Carlos Tevez seek arbitration at CAS.

"Under the present circumstances this was deemed to be the best approach and in the interest of all parties.

"What is more, we also believe this to be the fastest way to solve this impasse."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill says his club just wants the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible.

"Clearly, this is a dispute between Tevez, the owners and West Ham," stated Gill.

"Hopefully, that can be solved relatively quickly and he can come to join us. I would have thought they have taken this decision in the belief that he can join us."

Tevez is registered as a West Ham player but Joorabchian claims he still owns the striker's economic rights and is therefore entitled to the transfer fee.

However, West Ham ripped up an agreement they had with Joorabchian - which broke Premier League rules - and they now claim any deal with United can only go ahead with their say-so.

The Premier League, which is also insisting that any fee must go to West Ham, met Fifa and the Football Association on Monday to discuss the issue.

The Premier League welcomed Fifa's decision.

"We are supportive of the recommendation that if all parties are in agreement the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," said a Premier League spokesman.

West Ham also said they were happy for CAS to rule on the issue.

"We're happy for the matter to go to CAS if it is with the agreement of all parties," a West Ham statement said.

West Ham were fined £5.5m pounds in April for breaking Premier League rules over third-party ownership when they signed Tevez.

They were allowed to continue playing him after satisfying the Premier League that the third-party agreement with Joorabchian had been torn up.

[epsilon]

Fergie bullish as Heinze calls in the lawyers

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United will win any legal fight with Gabriel Heinze over his proposed move to Liverpool.

It has now been confirmed that Heinze has employed a team of lawyers to investigate whether United are right to block a transfer to Anfield, even though Reds boss Rafael Benitez has met the £6.8million asking price for the 29-year-old.

The shock move effectively renders his Old Trafford future untenable.

Yet United are sticking to their guns in refusing to let Heinze become the first player to switch between the bitter north-west rivals since Phil Chisnall moved to Merseyside in 1964.

And, having ordered Heinze to be back in training on August 6, Ferguson has made it clear he expects the Argentina international to meet the deadline.

'We are aware Gaby is taking legal advice,' confirmed the United boss.

'That is good. I hope it is good advice because we are confident of our position.

'He is due back in training on August 6, which gives him three clear weeks' rest after the Copa America. And we expect him back in training a week on Monday.'

The deadline effectively gives Heinze's lawyers a week to find out if the former Paris St Germain defender has a case, which revolves around whether a letter, signed by chief executive David Gill, confirming the figure United would be prepared to sell Heinze for, overrides the player's contract, which still has two years to run.

Gill claims he informed Heinze's agent verbally, prior to Liverpool revealing their interest, that United would not be prepared to sell him to any of their three major domestic rivals; a discussion which is thought was recorded and could therefore, in theory, be used as part of any defence the Red Devils may wish to put forward in court.

The extraordinary prospect of United being sued by one of their own players has added a dramatic twist at the end of what has largely been a productive four-game Far East tour.

Heinze has been the subject of interest from overseas, with Real Madrid and Inter Milan among the clubs to express an interest.

But, the huge Spanish-speaking influence at Liverpool, plus an opportunity to remain in the north-west, appears to have an irresistible lure for the player.

After pinning much of the blame for the present situation on Heinze's agents, Ferguson must now accept the defender is also a prime mover.

After hailing the 2004 Olympic champion a hero, the tide of supporter goodwill is almost certain to turn against Heinze. Even if he remains at Old Trafford, it is difficult to see him being involved when the champions open the defence of their Premier League crown against Reading on August 12.

At least Ferguson has other, more positive, thoughts to occupy his mind as United head back to England tonight.

Aside from confirming an injury to Ryan Giggs which kept him out of the 3-0 win over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical was minor and that Cristiano Ronaldo did not start purely as a result of a stubbed toe, Ferguson said he also expects Owen Hargreaves to be able to play a full part in training on Tuesday.

In addition, he was able to enthuse about the performance of Nani, his £17million summer purchase from Sporting Lisbon.

After shrugging off an ankle injury suffered during the European Under-21 Championships, the teenage Portugal international made a goalscoring contribution to United's final two games on tour.

This evening's effort was a brilliant chip to the far post and having heeded Ferguson's advice to cut out the elaborate back-flip goal celebrations, Nani is clearly a quick learner.

And provided he soaks up a few lessons over the next fortnight, the 19-year-old could be an influential figure in United's pursuit of glory this term.

'We are trying to give him the football, mixed with a training programme that gets him up to our level,' said Ferguson.

'He is nowhere near that at the moment. But there are good signs. Some of his skill and speed at times is quite impressive.

'Scoring two goals in two games is a good start but I do think you will see a different player in two weeks' time.'

Wayne Rooney and Lee Martin were also on target but there was no goal on home soil for Dong Fangzhuo, while Alan Smith did not make much impression either.

With United remaining confident Carlos Tevez will arrive before the August 31 transfer deadline, it is difficult to see Smith hanging around much longer as he falls further down the pecking order and it just appears a question of time before he moves on.

[asiancigar]

Heinze praises United manager Ferguson

LONDON (Reuters) - Argentina's Gabriel Heinze is seeking a transfer from Manchester United to their bitter rivals Liverpool but that has not stopped him from praising United manager Alex Ferguson.

Defender Heinze, still on holiday after helping Argentina reach the Copa America final in Venezuela earlier this month, was quoted in British Sunday newspapers as saying Ferguson was a master man manager.

"It's his man-management that makes him stand out," Heinze said in an interview in the Sky Sports magazine previewing the English season that kicks off next month.

"He manages to keep a big squad of top-quality players happy," the 29-year-old left back said. "We have an excellent team spirit at Old Trafford."

Talking of players on the fringe of the first team, Heinze added: "He keeps them focused because there is every chance that they will be needed and called upon. That is a great skill."

Heinze is keen for a move to Liverpool where he sees more chance of regular first-team football than at United where he lost his place to Frenchman Patrice Evra last season.

Liverpool have offered 6.8 million pounds which is the sum reportedly needed for Heinze to buy out the remainder of his contract with United.

Ferguson, however, does not want to let Heinze go to a direct rival for the title United won last season.

[qbdp]

Giggs the enduring one has history on his mind

Manchester United's winger wants success in Europe to mark the club's 50th anniversary of the Munich aircrash.

IT WAS Tuesday in Macau, 6pm, and the Manchester United players were meeting in the bar of their hotel. Eight days into their Far East tour it was the first full day off on the trip. Alan Smith was on a stool, watching a rerun of Padraig Harrington’s triumph at The Open; Patrice Evra thumbed a newspaper. In its centre, nursing a Coke, was Ryan Giggs. A quiet, mickey-taking humour has always made Giggs popular; nowadays, in a squad full of juniors, seniority gains him extra respect.

His first preseason, in 1991, featured the luxury of a bus ride to Scotland to play a friendly with Dumbarton; now this. The bar, big as an 18-yard box, marble floored, was in the Venetian Resort, a building of hubristic opulence which is billed by its owners as the second largest in the world. “We’ve stayed in some hotels but I think everyone looked at it and thought ‘this is unbelievable’,” said Giggs. “It is hard to imagine what it was like for them. They had to take two flights just to get to the other side of Europe.”

“They” were the Busby Babes. United are about to kick off their 50th season since 1957-58, the campaign of the Munich disaster. History was on Giggs’s mind in Macau, where he met a handful of journalists during a visit to training by local orphans, an event reflecting his club’s expanded charity programme which will feature the launch, tomorrow, of the Manchester United Foundation.

Glancing at Sir Bobby Charlton, Giggs spoke of the ambition of this new United team to add the European Cup to the Premier League title it has just secured. “That would be brilliant for the anniversary,” he said. “Every signing that comes to United knows its history and the Busby era is such a big part of that. It’s why we’ve got so many fans around the world and can make tours like this.”

Giggs is 43 appearances away from Charlton’s record of 754 games for United and could surpass the mark in 2007-08, having played 44 in the 2006-07 campaign. “I don’t like talking about it because it might never happen. I’ll talk about it if it happens,” he said.

Such an attitude has sustained the Welshman. Nothing is taken for granted, nothing assumed. He trains hard and is as fit and slender with his 34th birthday beckoning as on his debut at the age of 17, and United have already indicated he can expect another playing contract when his current one expires in 2008.

The starting XIs chosen by Sir Alex Ferguson in the Far East suggest Giggs will continue as a first choice, operating in the central role behind a striker he filled for much of last season. The signings of Owen Har-greaves, Anderson and Nani, and Ferguson’s pursuit of Car-los Tevez, have “created a buzz” among the other United players. He will have to fight for his spot even harder. His regimen these days includes “ice baths, massages all the time to keep fresh” and he says he hopes retiring from international matches will keep him sharper at club level.

What about the long haul that is the race for the Premier League title? During Chelsea’s preseason tour, Jose Mourinho suggested his side had the measure of United, after their victory in the FA Cup final.

Giggs smirked at that one and said: “We’re very close as teams but we might have the edge over them going into the season because we are the league champions.”

[qbdp]

Manchester United's youth excites Ferguson

It proved too much even for a Chelsea machine oiled by Roman Abramovich's money and Jose Mourinho's management flair but Sir Alex Ferguson is quite prepared to entertain thoughts of Manchester United winning all four trophies this season.

When the United manager was reminded of comments from Rio Ferdinand that he thought the club should aim for a quadruple, he did not dismiss it as idle pre-season talk. "We have a good squad plus a few decent young players for the League Cup and back-up in the Champions League so we will have a go," he said.

It is likely that one trophy at least will come to Old Trafford - only three times in the past 11 years have Manchester United failed to lift a major piece of silverware. But attempting to win everything, which was so often the downfall of Don Revie's Leeds United, was something Mourinho acknowledged at the culmination of a season in which Chelsea won both domestic cups sandwiched between a European Cup semi-final and second place in the Premiership. Chelsea, Mourinho suggested, might be more selective next time around.

Ferguson has always maintained the Treble of 1999 was unrepeatable and if he has to make a priority this season it would be the Champions League, a competition in which his record has not matched his domestic achievements. There will also be challenges nearer home. Yesterday, the Liverpool chief executive, Rick Parry, warned that despite spending £40 million already this summer, Rafael Benitez's shopping might not be over.

In an interview with Inside United magazine, Ferguson enthused about the pool of young talent at Old Trafford, stating that there was no possibility of any further loan deals. "My biggest management job in the next campaign will be with the young players," he said. "Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson, Chris Eagles, Lee Martin, Frazier Campbell and Giuseppe Rossi.

''That's going to take a lot of handling. They are terrific young players and there's no way we'd even think about letting them go out on loan because they are the future."

The more immediate future is represented by Ferguson's summer buys. Owen Hargreaves is likely to make his United debut at Peterborough on Saturday - the day before the Community Shield encounter with Chelsea. Ferguson has invested plenty of expectation in Nani and Anderson. Though they may not feature immediately in United's front line, Ferguson considers their combined transfer fees of some £30 million is justified by potential.

''We have known about Nani for a long time," he said. "When we signed Cristiano Ronaldo, he was the next player in the Sporting Lisbon set-up we were keeping an eye on. He was playing as a centre-forward for their youth team at the time. However, he can play wide on both sides.

''Anderson is another fantastic talent. He can play centre midfield or in the middle of attack. We have taken a bit of a risk with him because he broke his leg last year but we thought that if he starts the season at Porto it won't be long before everybody wants him, so we decided to do the deal now.

''They'll give us terrific options because Ji Sung Park won't be available until February. We missed his energy in the run-in so the new lads will help fill that void."

[qbdp]

Tevez would be best signing - Pallister

CARLOS Tevez can stay tangled up in red tape, as far as the Premier League's defenders are concerned.

Because, according to former United stopper Gary Pallister, the prospect of the bullish little Argentinian striker teaming up with the Reds' present stars will already be causing sleepless nights.

The longer the dispute rumbles on, the more it will be appreciated by defenders the length and breadth of the country, says Pallister.

"Those sorts of players are a nightmare for defenders," said the former England man, who was in Salford last week coaching kids who will accompany United onto the field in Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Difficult

"He is a free spirit who will go and find himself any place on a football park. As a centre-half, you want centre-forwards who will play up against you. You hate players like Tevez or Peter Beardsley who play off a front man and are difficult to pick up.

"Tevez is liable to turn up anywhere - left side, right side, through the middle - and make things happen. He is a nightmare to mark, because you are never sure whether it is your job or a midfield player's job.

"He is an extremely talented individual, and obviously has the temperament as well, because last season we saw him produce his very best form despite all the hoo-hah surrounding him with his transfer saga and whether he was playing legally. Somehow, he managed to put all that to one side and produce man-of-the-match performances.

"We also know there is no problem with him adapting to the physical side of the Premier League, which some foreign players have had. If you watch Argentinian football, you know that there is no quarter asked for or given.

"It is a tough place to learn your trade and a player of his ability will have been kicked from pillar to post wherever he has played, because he will always be targeted."

Pallister has been wowed by the Reds' three summer signings - Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson - but feels they will be eclipsed if a potential £30m move for the 23-year-old World Cup star materialises.

"It will be the biggest signing of the summer if they get Tevez," he said.

"As we saw from him last year, when he was in a team struggling at the bottom, he can create things on his own.

"He is a fabulous talent, and scores goals as well. He is tough, which most Argentinian players seem to be, and if you add him into the mix with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, it gives you so many options.

"If you are playing against United next season, goodness only knows how you cope with that sort of attacking flair. It is quite frightening.

"Then you throw in Nani and Anderson, who are a little bit of an unknown quantity for most people watching in the Premier League. But if they are as good as we are led to believe, they will give a few defenders headaches."

The fans have been excited by the arrival of Brazilian Anderson, Portuguese starlet Nani and the prospect of Tevez following, but no-one should underestimate the importance of Owen Hargreaves' arrival, says Pallister.

"Owen is a quality player. Before the last World Cup, everyone was saying he wasn't worth his place in the squad, never mind the team, and afterwards everyone was saying he was our best player.

"He is a fantastic athlete and a great foil for all the entertainers United now have. He is quick and aggressive, and if you are looking for someone to fill the void left by Roy Keane, that ilk of player, then you have the ideal man in Hargreaves.

Problems

"He tempers that flair that is in the side and is a really good prospect."

The one area where United have not strengthened is in defence, despite the fact that an horrendous run of injury problems left them patching up the back four for the closing stages of the season.

Pallister feels there may yet be movement on that front if Gabriel Heinze carries through his intention to leave.

He said: "Towards the end of last season, United had Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville all out, while Heinze and Patrice Evra also had their problems with injury, and it caused difficulties.

"That made me wonder whether Sir Alex would try to strengthen, but I think he feels he can't possibly be that unlucky with injury again.

"With the players he has, as long as there is no repeat of the injury problems of last season, he is quite comfortable. A lot depends on what happens with Heinze, because if he does leave, then I am sure the manager will be looking to strengthen his defence.

"If you look from outside, I am sure Gaby's agent wouldn't act without his say-so. He found himself second fiddle to Evra last year and wants to play first-team football - you can't knock a player for wanting that.

"He obviously wants to move on. A player moving between United and Liverpool hasn't happened for 40 years, so it would be a brave move - I am sure he has kicked a few Liverpool players in his time at United, so it would be interesting to see how they would react to him."

The former England defender also defended Sir Alex Ferguson's refusal to contemplate allowing Heinze a move down the M62 to their arch-rivals.

"You certainly don't want to be strengthening Liverpool, because they have already made some great signings this summer and we are expecting them to mount a serious challenge.

"Heinze would be a big boost to that. The season before last he won the United fans' player of the year, and he is the kind of abrasive player Liverpool really need to compete for the title."

[chickenzip]

Tevez settlement could suit Hammers

The Carlos Tevez affair could end with West Ham picking up several million pounds - if the Premier League and the striker's advisers agree to a deal for an out-of-court-settlement put forward by the club's lawyers.

West Ham's lawyers have put forward a suggestion which would see the club receive a sum totalling several million pounds in compensation for agreeing to release Tevez's registration.

The original contracts only contained agreements for West Ham to be paid £100,000 if Tevez moved on, but if the striker's agent Kia Joorabchian agrees to the settlement they could get around half the amount they were fined.

West Ham have resigned themselves to losing Tevez but are keen to get an agreement rather than continue paying £1.75million annual wages for a player who will not turn out for them.

[yinyang]

This is NOT a rumour..

http://forum.sammyboy.com/showthread...87#post2179876