jespere kon reussira a gagner et kapre une grosse victoire il ne se reposeron pa

Quiet Man Must Find His Voice

Scholes Remains A Key United Figure

Paul Scholes remains United´s master magician. His creativity could prove pivotal this season.
Video Archive: Paul Scholes In Action

Paul Scholes is renowned for his shy, unobtrusive nature off the field, but it has been his quietness on it that has come as such a surprise this term.

In eleven appearances Scholes is yet to open his scoring account and has showed only rare glimpses of the devastating form of season 2002/03; perhaps the finest campaign of his career.

He scored 20 goals in that title-winning season, impressively assisted Ruud van Nistelrooy in reaching a phenomenal 44 goals and played arguably his best football.

Whether a product of altering positions – he has already occupied all four midfield slots and played up front this season – or, more likely, the weariness of a hectic summer and a premature return for pre-season training catching up with him, Scholes has been an unusually peripheral figure.

One constant remains; the respect he continues to command among his footballing peers. Ahead of the recent clash with Arsenal, Robert Pires was adamant about who he admired most in a revitalised United squad.

" Manchester United spent well this summer," Arsenal’s French midfielder told United Review. " Alan Smith and Gabriel Heinze will add to the quality of their side. I am not even mentioning Wayne Rooney who is an obvious talent.

" But Paul Scholes is my favourite player. He´s always available, demanding the ball; he takes risks, but he knows how to defend, how to mark, how to wriggle through a congested midfield and dictate play. He is a quality player."

" United spent well this summer, but my favourite player is Paul Scholes. He is a quality player."
Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires

United have undoubted quality in each department of the team – defence, midfield, and attack. But, even with the excellent result against Arsenal last weekend, United lacked the fluidity that Arsenal have in abundance, but so rarely showed.

Having players that can take play from defence to midfield, or midfield to attack is crucial. The players who chiefly perform those roles – Roy Keane and Paul Scholes have been in and out of the team, making United’s play somewhat disjointed.

Scholes acknowledges the clash with Arsenal was life or death for United’s season, but still believes the performances must improve.

" There was a lot of hype, probably more than we have had leading up to a game for a long time. It seemed to be going on all through the week. To us it was three points we badly needed. We needed to win to keep our season alive.

" Our performance was a bit better [than in previous weeks], but we still didn´t create loads of chances. We did what we had to do and knew that we would always create two or three chances that could win us the game.

" We´ve got to go on from there now," says Scholes. " It´s a waste of time winning against Arsenal if we don´t back it up by beating Portsmouth and City. We have to put in the same effort and commitment against Portsmouth as we did against Arsenal."

For some, Scholes’ hushed beginning to the season is a sign of things to come. " What the fans have seen is not the real Paul Scholes - he´ll be fine in a few weeks," warns Sir Alex.

" It´s a waste of time winning against Arsenal if we don´t back it up by beating Portsmouth and City."
Paul Scholes

While former Busby Babe and United manager, Wilf McGuinness, says a return to form for the ‘Ginger Prince’ could be timed to perfection.

" We´ve not really seen the best of Paul Scholes," says Wilf. " You can examine all kinds of reasons, but the manager was right to admit that he was brought back too soon during pre-season. But I am absolutely certain that he will return to form. No doubt about it.

" He may have had a disrupted start to the season, but he has a world class ability that will come good. He could even hit form for us at the most crucial point in the campaign - March to May."

It certainly hasn’t followed the expected script. Scholes announced his retirement from international football in August, and while the national team lost the true gem of his generation, United fans were openly delighted.

His modest demeanour is intriguing; surprising for his profession. In a recent magazine interview, Scholes was asked about the acclaim he has recieved from fellow players. " I don´t really like it," he replied, almost embarrassed. " I´d rather they talked about something else. It´s nice, but I´d rather not be spoken about."

But if United are to be successful this season, they definitely need people talking about Paul Scholes.

Smith has no regrets

Alan Smith has insisted he has no regrets about joining Manchester United.

The England international made a cross-Pennine switch from Leeds United this summer, a move which whipped up a storm of controversy, in a bid to boost his stuttering career.

Smith was hailed by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as one of the club´s finest acquisitions, with the Scot tipping him to form a fearsome partnership with Ruud van Nistelrooy.

However, Smith´s position in the pecking order was plunged into doubt at the end of August when Ferguson stepped in to sign England wonder-kid Wayne Rooney from Everton.

Smith, who immediately came out and stated he would accept being rotated by Ferguson, has produced the goods when called upon and feels settled in Manchester.

" I have enjoyed everything I have done since I came here," Smith, who tops United´s scoring charts, told the Daily Express. " It hasn´t been hard to settle in.

" I am playing again on the Champions League stage and I am really enjoying my football.

" I wouldn´t say I have improved dramatically as a player but it´s a bigger stage and playing with better players always helps you."

Fergie in Iker chase
Manchester United want to sign Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas in a £14million summer deal. Boss Alex Ferguson has made it clear to Casillas’ agent United are willing to offer the Spanish No 1, a weekly salary of more than £100,000 - nearly four times his Bernabeu pay packet.
Pat Sheehan, The Sun
Best: I´d have thrown punch - not a pizza!
George Best last night reopened the bitter feud between Manchester United and Arsenal by branding Arsene Wenger´s stars ´childish.´ And the Old Trafford legend claims that in his day players would have thrown punches not pizzas in any tunnel bust-up. Irish ace Best said, " That´s what children do - throw food. That´s not fighting. In my day we were real men - we´d have chinned them."
Neil Johnston, Daily Star

Cole´s no pizza man
Ashley Cole was not the Arsenal star who threw pizza at Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford´s Battle of the Buffet. Bookies suspended betting on the pizza-thrower after a flood of wagers from punters on 17 year-old Cesc Fabregas.
Ross Gregory, The Sun

Smith´s a good draw
Alan Smith has begged the Old Trafford hierarchy to get him much more involved in community schemes in a bid to win over his new supporters. The former Leeds striker is one of the most dedicated players in the game when it comes to fulfilling his social responsibility.
Matthew Dunn, Daily Express

Stefanovic: It´s good Arsenal lost
Portsmouth defender Dejan Stefanovic admitted last night that he is delighted Arsenal´s 49-game unbeaten run came to an end at Old Trafford. But Stefanovic has vowed to try and bring Manchester United´s fans extended celebrations to an abrupt halt at Fratton Park tomorrow. Stefanovic said, " It might not be good for Arsenal and it might not be good for us, because United will still be on a real high. But I think it is good for English football."
Sports Reporter, Daily Express

Fergie to turn up the heat on Harry
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United players: Our season starts at Pompey. The Old Trafford boss believes his side will be surging with confidence at Fratton Park after beating Arsenal. And he is ready to go for the Pompey jugular tomorrow to keep the pressure on the Gunners and Chelsea for the title.
Lee Reynolds, Daily Mirror

Fergie blocks Fletcher loan move
Sir Alex Ferguson has blocked Wigan´s attempt to sign Darren Fletcher on loan. Latics boss Paul Jewell wanted the midfielder to replace Per Frandsen who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.
Soccer Shots, Daily Star

Coleen: £100k a month pocket money
Wedged-up Wayne Rooney has given Coleen McLoughlin a whopping shopping allowance of £100,000 a month. Wonderboy Wayne, 18, lets his fiancée spend the " house keeping" on anything she wants. And Coleen, also 18, has wasted no time in doing just that. Pals say Chav teen Coleen has been in consumer dreamland all month.
James Wickham, Daily Star

Q: You´ve one bullet, Alex, who gets shot? Posh or Wenger? A: Can I have two bullets?
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he´d like to shoot arch rival Arsene Wenger - and Posh Spice. The Man Utd boss made the jokey public confession when he was posed the question: " You have one bullet. Who gets it, Wenger or Posh?" Fergie, 62, paused for thought before cheekily replying, " Come on, can I not have two bullets?"
Gordon Smart, The Sun

Fergie admits tunnel probe

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United have been compiling their own dossier on the alleged tunnel bust-up after last week´s stormy clash with Arsenal, and concedes he is disappointed at The Gunners´ reaction to the incident.

Following a feisty encounter on the pitch, tempers reportedly flared in the tunnel after the game, which United won 2-0 to end Arsenal´s lengthy unbeaten record.

United boss Ferguson was allegedly splattered with soup and also had pizza thrown at him by an unknown Arsenal player.

Ferguson had to change his clothing prior to conducting a post-match interview with Sky Sports, while there have been various reports on what is purported to have happened in the tunnel.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claims he witnessed nothing, while The Football Association are conducting their own inquiry into the allegations.

The Red Devils are also examining the matter, with Ferguson revealing the club will pass on their information to The FA.

" We are very disappointed at the reaction from Arsenal but we are doing our own thing," said Ferguson.

" We have got our own investigation into it. We are collating a lot of information.

" A lot of statements have been made by witnesses and we will be forwarding it to The FA and letting them get on with it."

Encore la rumeur Casillas ^^ Mais bon ce coup-ci vu la source....^^

Ouais j´y crois pas trop...
Mais Frey ca a l´air fiable..^^

Frey sa serait le top

frey ou casillas les 2 me vont.

Frey et Bonera ? ^^

C ki bonera svp ?

defenceur italien espoir qui joue a parme

defenseur*

ok merci

Fergie baffled by Wenger

Sir Alex Ferguson claims he cannot fathom why Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has an issue with Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Wenger has been an occasional detractor of the Dutch hot shot, with the issue rearing its ugly head after last week´s meeting between the two teams at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy was lucky not to be sent off for a reckless challenge on Ashley Cole in the first half and then rubbed salt into Arsenal wounds by slotting home a disputed penalty in the second period.

The Football Association charged the hit-man with serious foul play in the aftermath of the incident and van Nistelrooy is now serving a three-match suspension after pleading guilty to the charge.

But the dust will not settle on the issue after United boss Ferguson accused his Arsenal counterpart Wenger of having a problem with van Nistelrooy.

The Frenchman had quotes attributed to him after last week´s 2-0 defeat to United, in which he hinted the former PSV Eindhoven ace was a cheat.

Though Wenger insists he has no problem with van Nistelrooy, Ferguson is baffled why he feels his striker is singled out by the Gunners chief.

Ferguson insists the matter should now be laid to rest as van Nistelrooy has admitted his guilt over his tackle on Cole.

" The guy has obviously got a mental problem with Ruud van Nistelrooy for some reason, hasn´t he?" commented Ferguson.

" It´s always Ruud van Nistelrooy.

" Ruud has accepted responsibility and held his hands up.

" Having seen the video of the incident, Ruud can´t believe how high his knee was. He was trying to bring his foot down on the ball to turn back into Sol Campbell but he accepts his responsibility and we do too.

" Wenger obviously has a problem with him. I can´t understand it, I really can´t.

" But Ruud knows that he has the support of all the club and that´s the important thing."

29/10 19:16 - Foot, Transferts
Un pont d’or pour Casillas
Selon le Sun, le gardien espagnol du Real Madrid, Iker Casillas pourrait rejoindre Manchester United dès la fin de la saison.

On savait Alex Ferguson très intéressé par le portier madrilène mais il semble que les négociations pourraient vite s’accélérer. Le club anglais aurait fait savoir à l’agent du joueur qu’il était prêt à débourser quelque 150 000 euros par semaine pour rémunérer l’éventuel futur gardien des Red Devils. Un salaire mirobolant presque quatre fois supérieur à celui qu’il touche à Madrid. Selon le Sun, Manchester ne serait pas le seul club anglais à s’intéresser au portier de l’équipe d’Espagne puisque le Liverpool de Rafael Benitez serait également sur le coup. Le contrat d’Iker Casillas avec le Real Madrid expirera en juin 2006.

Casillas, s´il vient à MU aura un salaire annuel de environ 50 millions de francs !

Pas tout à fait sur des chiffres qui circulent pour Casillas mais ça le mettrait au niveau des plus hauts salaires de MU, comme Ruud ou Keano...Il prendrait la place des salaires de Carroll et Ricardo sans doute, mais rien de fait.

Man Utd welcome back captain Roy Keane after a flu virus, and so Phil Neville will make way.

Alan Smith or Louis Saha will replace the suspended Ruud van Nistelrooy, while Quinton Fortune is also out because of a calf injury.

Man Utd: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Smith

Subs: Brown, Saha, Keane, Miller, Ricardo