Ruud: I´m innocent
Ruud van Nistelrooy has pleaded his innocence over the foul on Ashley Cole which could earn him a three-match ban. The Dutch international was charged by the FA with serious foul play yesterday for the horror tackle during the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday. But Van Nistelrooy claims he did not intend to hurt Cole and was guilty only of a full-blooded challenge for the ball. The United striker insisted: “We both just went for the ball. It was a 50-50 ball and in these situations two players can collide.”
Neil Custis, The Sun
Thanks for the gift, Arsenal
Ruud van Nistelrooy last night claimed the penalty won by Wayne Rooney in Manchester United´s win over Arsenal was " a present´´ from blunder ref Mike Riley. Dutch striker van Nistelrooy, who converted the contentious spot kick, admitted: " I thought it was a penalty at the time. That was my first reaction. " But later on, when I saw it on television replays, I thought it was a present for Manchester United." Van Nistelrooy claimed Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry tried to put him off before the penalty. " The first thing I needed to do was get the ball when it was confirmed as a penalty. Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry tried to hold up the process and I needed to keep my full concentration. They were both making remarks and I tried to isolate my mind. I remembered my penalty miss from last year against them and we couldn´t afford a repeat of that. People expected me to put this penalty away and I´m so glad I did. It was a big moment for me, for the club and everyone in the stadium."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
We´ll prove that Ruud is a cheat
Arsene Wenger pledged last night to fight the FA all the way for the right to call Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat. As the Manchester United striker was looking at the prospect of a three-game ban for sinking his studs into Ashley Cole´s knee, Wenger could also be charged by the FA for his verbal onslaught on the Dutchman and referee Mike Riley. The Arsenal boss, carrying the standard for his players whose animosity towards van Nistelrooy reached new heights after the latest Battle of Old Trafford, will not back down. His accusation was the catalyst for the post-match tunnel brawl that left Sir Alex Ferguson splattered with soup. An unrepentant Wenger is determined to stand his corner as he believes his condemnation of United´s Holland striker was both honest and accurate. And if the FA do act, Arsenal are ready to turn to video evidence of van Nistelrooy´s previous antics to back up Wenger´s view and the feelings of the Highbury dressing room.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
Ash´s career could be over
Top ref Jeff Winter says Ruud van Nistelrooy is lucky not to be facing criminal charges over his vicious stamp on Arsenal’s Ashley Cole. He described it as one of the worst challenges he has ever seen. Winter said: “I thought it was an appalling challenge. It was absolutely sickening because there was nothing mistimed about it — it was a deliberate, studs-showing stamp. Van Nistelrooy could see where the ball was but he made no attempt to play it. He simply raked Cole’s shin. He could have easily injured Cole or even finished his career with a challenge like that. It was reminiscent of Roy Keane’s foul on Alf-Inge Haaland. If you had witnessed an assault like this in a factory it would certainly have ended in a court case.” The FA have charged Van Nistelrooy with serious foul play over his 33rd-minute challenge on Cole in Sunday’s Premiership clash at Old Trafford.
Steven Howard and David Facey, The Sun
Just wait until we get you at home
Angry Jose Antonio Reyes vowed revenge on Manchester United and condemned their bully-boy tactics. He also accused Wayne Rooney of " acting" and promised that the loss of Arsenal´s unbeaten record would be forgotten by May. Spanish ace Reyes was targeted for special treatment by Sir Alex Ferguson´s men, with both Gary and Phil Neville booked for ugly fouls on the Highbury star. Reyes said last night: " I already have a big desire to play the return match in London. We want to give back the defeat to them and by more goals." But he admitted that the sheer bone-crunching intensity of the Old Trafford showdown had shocked him to the core. Reyes said: " It was the hardest match I have played in England and the referee should have stopped the violence of the Manchester United players. I received more blows in that match than I have ever done in the Spanish League and I finished on the ground covered in bruises."
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
Winter has icy blast for Wenger
One of the game´s top referees has accused Arsene Wenger of " double standards" and " spitting out the dummy" after Arsenal´s defeat at Old Trafford. Winter, who sent off Sir Alex Ferguson at Newcastle last season, told Sky Sports News: " We have got double standards in the game now. At the start of their run Arsenal got a point against Portsmouth after one of their players deliberately conned the referee for a penalty. Accept it when it goes in your favour but don´t spit the dummy out when a decision goes against you. Had that been at the other end of the field and Arsenal had got a penalty I can guarantee Mr Wenger would say that he had not seen it."
Martin Rogers, Daily Mirror
Slice of luck
The Manchester United and Arsenal players who brawled in the tunnel after the latest Battle of Old Trafford on Sunday are set to escape punishment. Referee Mike Riley, who was trapped in the officials´ room, made no mention of the clashes - worse than first thought - in his report to the Football Association yesterday. He missed the extraordinary scemes in which United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pelted with soup and pizza hurled by Arsenal players as he and his opposite number Arsene Wenger were engaged in a furious row over claims of cheating and diving.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
United lads in Gradi sights
Crewe will be having a good, long look at Manchester United tonight. That´s to be expected whenever a Premiership side visits a lower league outfit. The difference, though, will be that at Crewe, they will analyse the United youngsters thrown in for this Carling Cup encounter. His side may be struggling in the Championship, but they are a fairy-tale story that defies logic, a bunch of kids enjoying impossible success. Gradi says: " It will be interesting to see who is in the United team. If he plays his first team, then that won´t be fair - it won´t be any use to us at all! If he puts in his kids, then we will be saying: ´Are these kids good enough to get into our team?´ Whoever he plays, I´ve told my players they will be technically good, will pass the ball, and won´t come here to knock us over. It will be a test of their skill against ours. That´s how we like it."
David Maddock, Daily Mirror
Gill´s no to Glazer
Manchester United´s board have backed the fans and told Malcolm Glazer he is not wanted at Old Trafford. Chief executive David Gill informed the American billionaire he would not back his takeover as it would plunge the club into debt. Fans hailed the move as a victory, but Glazer could still launch a hostile takeover. Gill said: " This club has 126 years of history - and no sensible person would recommend a proposal that could jeopardise something built up over so many years."
Sports reporter, The Sun
ça continue encore aujourd´hui et je me demande si la situation avait été inversée si on en aurait entendu autant parler...
dégoute arsenal^^