heuresement qu´on a acheté rooney cet été parce que nos attaquants se blessent un peu trop facilement.

contre milan on risque d´avoir enormement de mal à gagner mais bon la corogne leur a mis 4 l´an dernier donc on sait jamais mais ça risque d´etre un beau match.

Cantona Looks Back On Red Days Gone By

Eric Cantona delighted MUTV viewers on Sunday night as he answered calls, texts and e-mails live in the official club channel’s studio at Old Trafford.

In a special one-off programme, the Frenchman looked back on his four and a half-year tenure with the club and picked out United’s first Championship triumph under Sir Alex Ferguson back in May 1993 as the most memorable highlight of a hugely successful career with the Reds.

”There have been a lot of great moments at the club,” explained Cantona. “When we won the league with a new generation of players [in 1996] was a great moment, but for me the best one was when we won the Championship for the first time - it was a fantastic feeling.

”I will always look back on the game against Sheffield Wednesday towards the end of that season when Steve Bruce scored twice in the last few minutes as a great moment and an important one during that season.”

Cantona was the major catalyst behind United’s domestic dominance during the 1990s, helping the team to six major honours including two league and Cup doubles.

His retirement from the game in 1997 came as a great shock to everybody involved with the club, but as Cantona explains, the loss of his passion for the game together with a number of off-the-field issues were the main reasons behind his decision to quit Old Trafford.

”When I first came to United everything was about football,” recalls Cantona. “But at that point in time the business became more important than the football.

”I could not accept that I was unable to control my image. I spoke to the important people at the club two or three times about this but nothing changed.

”That, together with passion I lost for the game, meant I didn’t want to fight any more and give all I had – football was no longer the most important thing to the club.

”I do not regret it [retiring]," he adds. " Sometimes I dream about coming back. But to play you need to train all the time, watch what you eat and also what time you go bed. To do that you need to have the passion of a young player and concentrate 100 per cent on football.

”I didn’t have that same passion and I felt like I had lost something. It was difficult but it was right to finish.”

During his weekend-long stay in Manchester Cantona also attended United’s 5-2 Barclays Premiership victory over Crystal Palace.

The 38-year-old’s name was chanted throughout the match and Cantona admits he still feels immensely proud of the unique relationship he still holds with the United supporters.

”It is always a great moment when they sing my name,” he beams. “I was at the game at the weekend [against Crystal Palace] and I heard the crowd singing my name and it made me very proud. But at the same time I am afraid that maybe one day it will stop.

”During the time I was banned the fans helped me a lot. When you go through a bad moment you know who your friends are and I realised that with them. It was a difficult time for me but their support, along with that from my team-mates and the manager, helped me a lot.

”It’s like a love story but there’s always a worry that it will finish one day.”

Irish hope for Glazer
Malcolm Glazer could be presented with a back-door route into ownership of Manchester United. Major shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier are ready to sell their £250m stake. The Irishmen have privately said they don´t want their 29.1 per cent holding to go to Glazer. But once McManus and Magnier sell up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner would then be free to approach the new shareholders. However, having now been given the financial backing of DeutscheBank, it´s thought he now is poised to return with an improved offer.
Staff reporter, Sunday Mirror

Glazer’s verbal bid for United
Malcolm Glazer’s representatives have made a new £800million verbal offer for Manchester United. The bid came during talks between David Gill and the Glazer camp to try to persuade the billionaire to support the re-appointment of Andy Anson, Phillip Yea and Maurice Watkins to the United board. The club are now expected to put out a stock exchange statement sometime this week which will, in effect, be a demand to Glazer to put up or shut up.
Adrian Stiles, Daily Star Sunday

Ruudy hell
Manchester United fear striker Ruud van Nistelrooy could be out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. A scan has revealed problems which could have serious repercussions for United’s season. Fergie said: “It’s not great news regarding Ruud. He is going to need therapy and complete rehabilitation and you are talking between four and six weeks.” If van Nistelrooy’s Achilles doesn’t respond to rest and recuperation then an operation would almost certainly see the striker ruled out probably for the remainder of the season.
John Richardson, Daily Star Sunday

Scholes master
Forget Eric Cantona. Paul Scholes was the inspiration for five-goal Manchester United. The legendary Frenchman was sitting in the stands at Old Trafford sporting a bushy Santa-style beard and the fans sang his name throughout. Poor Scholesy did not get a mention but still turned on the style to sink Palace and keep United in the title hunt. The former England midfielder opened the scoring on 22 minutes before netting United´s third four minutes into the second half. It was a vintage display from the United hero who always turns it on when his club need him.
Rob Beasley, News of the World

Scholes raid Palace
Eric Cantona, the man revered here as The King, returned to his spiritual home yesterday to find that high drama is still ingrained in the fabric of Old Trafford. It may be seven years since Cantona swept out of United but on his annual pilgrimage back to a stage he once graced, the now portly Frenchman discovered it´s business as usual in the thrills and spills department. United may be off Chelsea´s pace and they may lack the explosive threat of Arsenal. But they can still turn on the skill and style when it´s needed - and against Iain Dowie´s game Palace boys they certainly needed to turn up the power.
Steve Bates, The People

Wenger: I stand by what I said
Arsene Wenger has refused to let his war of words with Manchester United die down after insisting that he was right to label Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat. Wenger was hit with a £15,000 fine by the Football Association last week after his post-match criticism of the United striker. But the Gunners boss says he was the victim of a translation between French and English - and the fact van Nistelrooy was banned for his shocking challenge on Ashley Cole proves he was right to speak out. Wenger admitted: " I said what I said was happening on the pitch on the day of the game. Maybe I translated it in bad or clumsy words, but the FA found him guilty and suspended him for three games. You cannot say he didn´t cheat the rules.”
Duncan Wright, Sunday Mirror

Edu gets double money lure from Fergie
Edu will turn his back on Arsenal and join the Manchester United gravy train - where he will more than double his money to £60,000 a week. But instead of teaming up with his fellow Brazilian Kleberson, Edu is likely to pass him on the way in to United´s training complex at Carrington. Fergie is keen to recruit 26 year-old Edu but he knows he must offload at least one big money buy before chief executive David Gill will sanction any more imports into the club. That´s likely to be World Cup winner Kleberson, who has flopped since arriving 18 months ago and is likely to head for Spain.
Steve Bates, The People

Sir Alex: No Mour worries
Sir Alex Ferguson has switched his psychological attack to Chelsea and claimed the runaway Premiership leaders could crumble in the New Year. And the Manchester United manager - who usually directs his mind games at Arsenal - believes that Jose Mourinho´s collection of millionaires will falter in the hostile north. Fergie said: " Chelsea? They will find it difficult coming north to get points. Without doubt, Chelsea are the new force. Yet their form is not much different from last season. If you look at the last few seasons, Chelsea have always been up there at this time. It is when they come up north, you will see.”
Andy Dunn, The People

Lou lets rip into ‘diving’ Ronaldo
Old Trafford legend Lou Macari has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for diving too much. Former United hitman Macari says the Portuguese teenager has only himself to blame for the abuse he gets from opposition supporters. “When it comes to him going down too easily, the criticism has been there for some time,” Lou told MUTV. “If he continues to do it he’s going to make himself unpopular with opposition fans. I just wish for his and the team’s sake he’d stay on his feet longer.”
Harry Pratt, Daily Star Sunday

Ryan in wait
Manchester United are facing a new dilemma over Ryan Giggs – with top foreign clubs ready to make cut-price offers at the end of the season. United have offered Giggs a one-year extension to his contract, which expires at the end of next season. But the 31-year-old has rejected the new deal. Now United may have to consider arguably cheeky offers of £1.5million from Spain and Italy in the summer, knowing Giggs could walk out on a free transfer 12 months later when his current deal expires.
Paul Hetherington, Daily Star Sunday

Thank Roo two
Wayne Rooney reckons he’s maturing after paying tribute to the two most important men in his fantastic fledgling football life. England boss Sven Goran Eriksson and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson are the prize pair who have helped elevate the 19-year-old to the most exciting young talent around. “”Now I think I’m more mature than I was 12 or 18 months ago,” said Rooney. “And some of that is down to Sven Goran Eriksson and Sir Alex Ferguson, who are two very great men and two remarkable trainers.”
Frank Wiechula, The People

Rooney bid left us skint – Fergie
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United blew the whole of their transfer budget on Wayne Rooney. Fergie said: “I will not be doing any business in January. I rarely do business in January and I have no plans this time.”
Jeremy Butler, News of the World

Cantona: The truth - at last
Eric Cantona last night revealed how the money men drove him out of Manchester United - and pleaded with the club to boot out Malcolm Glazer´s takeover bid. He revealed for the first time how a row over image rights contributed to his shock decision to quit football in 1997. He said: " I had a problem with merchandising. When I came to United everything I dreamed about was there but business became more important than football. I can´t accept seeing myself everywhere and not control those things. I like to control my image, but at the time the chairman of the merchandising wasn´t fair. I came to see people at the club, some important people - once, twice, three times - and nothing changed. I felt that the football wasn´t the most important thing. And I lost my passion for the game. Subconsciously I didn´t want to give all I had."
Lee Rogers, Daily Mirror
Cantona in f-word storm
Eric Cantona caused a storm last night by using the obscenity ‘F*** your mother’ in a live interview on Manchester United’s official TV station. The French legend also questioned the love lives of FA bosses, his old adversaries during his time in English football. The MUTV show, watched by thousands of young United fans, gives supporters the chance to question their heroes. It was broadcast at 5.30pm — prime time for family viewing. But when Cantona was asked whether he respected other people, he launched into an amazing explanation. He said: “Of course I respect everybody. Any time I had a problem, it is because people don’t respect me. I have to feel I am important. If I feel I am important I don’t answer people, even if they insult me. They can say ‘F*** your mother’ and I would say nothing, because I am an example. I respect people and they have to respect me.” United producers edited the offensive comment out of the repeat show at 10.30pm.
Max Short, The Sun

Gers seal Djordjic deal

Manchester United winger Bojan Djordjic is determined to establish himself in Rangers´ first-team after putting the final touches to his move to Ibrox.

The 22-year-old passed a medical last week and will now complete a free transfer switch from Old Trafford in January.

" This move is the best that could happen after the time at Manchester United," he told Sportbladet.

" I will probably not get to play straight away, but I hope to be in the squad after two to three matches.

" I need to get to play these matches. If I stay strong the whole time then I will get my chance."

Djordjic will have to dislodge Danish international Peter Lovenkrands to cement a first-team berth with The Gers, but Alex McLeish is delighted to secure his services.

" We already have Bojan Djordjic joining the squad from Manchester United and that will give us competition on the left side," said McLeish.

Cantona qui a dit vouloir revenir un jour effectivement...

20/12/2004
Foot - ANG : Cantona tacle Glazer

L´ancien capitaine des Red Devils, invité à répondre aux questions des supporters de Manchester United à la télévision, s´est déclaré opposé, comme eux, au rachat du club mancunien par Malcolm Glazer. «Je ne pense pas que ce serait une bonne chose, a daclaré Cantona. Mais pas du tout. Pour moi, ce que j´aime et ce que j´adore dans ce club, c´est son identité, sa philosophie».

Il estime que l´homme d´affaires américain n´a d´autre motivation qu´une volonté de faire du business. «S´il ne s´agissait pas de Manchester United, s´il ne s´agissait pas d´un club avec lequel on peut gagner beaucoup d´argent, croyez-vous qu´il aimerait en faire partie ? Je ne crois pas. S´il vient dans cet état d´esprit, il peut rester chez lui et vendre du Coca-Cola».

Malcolm Glazer, propriétaire de l´équipe de football américain des Tampa Bay Buccaneers, et détenteur de 28,1% de MU, a proposé aux autres actionnaires du club de racheter leurs parts. Eric Cantona, qui a laissé un souvenir impérissable à tous les supporteurs de Manchester United, a remporté quatre titres nationaux et deux Coupes d´Angleterre durant ces cinq années passées chez les Red Devils ( 1992-1997).

Lundi pourtant, l´action de Manchester United a débuté en nette hausse à la Bourse de Londres, des rumeurs ayant fait état d´une nouvelle offre de Glazer pour le rachat du club. En début de séance, l´action du club le plus riche du monde était en hausse de 4%. Selon des informations circulant à la Bourse de Londres, Glazer aurait trouvé un nouveau mode de financement faisant moins appel à l´endettement et serait prêt à faire une proposition formelle de rachat à 300 pence ( plus de 4 euros) l´action. Il doit cependant s´assurer le soutien du principal actionnaire du club ( 28,9%), la société d´investissement Cubic Expression, contrôlée par les hommes d´affaires irlandais John Magnier et JP McManus.

Loan on Spector´s agenda

Manchester United teenager Jonathan Spector will be shipped out on loan in the New Year.

Spector will follow the well-trodden path of several past, and present, United players by gaining valuable experience away from Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old has made six appearances for The Red Devils this season but will be farmed out to build up his football education.

The American defender has impressed Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is keen for Spector to be playing games on a regular basis.

A clutch of Championship and League One clubs are likely to be on the stopper´s trail, following Ferguson´s declaration that Spector will be loaned out.

The Premiership´s bottom club West Bromwich Albion have also been linked with Spector and Ferguson is expecting the youngster to derive great benefit from a stint away from Old Trafford.

" We are looking at letting Jonathan go out on loan in the next couple of weeks," Ferguson told Manchester United Radio.

" We feel he is the type that needs that challenge now. He is very close to first team level and the challenge of going out on loan will test him and bring him on that bit further.

" It´s part of their football education.

" I have always found when a player comes back having been out on loan, they are mentally and physically stronger.

" If they go to clubs that are maybe not doing that well, it gives them an insight into life away from Old Trafford because everything is luxury here."

Comme je l´ai dit hier, pas sur du tout que Magnier et McManus veuille vendre...

Pour Spector si ça peut l´aider à progresser, pourquoi pas. Il aurait un peu plus de temps de jeu et une bonne expérience.

Giggs in contract plea

Ryan Giggs´ agent insists the Manchester United veteran is not ´asking for the world´ over a new contract to stay at Old Trafford.

The Wales winger is currently in deadlock with the United board over an extension to his present deal which expires in 2006.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the long-serving Giggs has been offered a one-year top-up, in line with the club´s contract policy for over-30s.

Ferguson perceives no reason to change this stance simply because Giggs is one of the most heralded players in the club´s illustrious history.

But the 31-year-old´s representative Harry Swales wants the club to break with tradition and offer Giggs a two-year deal.

Swales is adamant that Giggs is not looking for a king´s ransom to prolong his association with The Red Devils, with the in-form winger having passed through the 600 appearances barrier this season.

Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United have been linked with a bid for the attacker but Swales, and Giggs himself, are not looking to manoeuvre a departure from Old Trafford.

" We are not banging on desks and slamming doors," said Swales.

" We are just waiting for the gentlemen in grey suits to get back in touch with us.

" Ryan isn´t asking for any more money and he certainly doesn´t want to leave Manchester United. If he had his way, he would stay with them for the rest of his career.

" What he does want is a two-year contract and I don´t think he is asking for the world.

" Ryan is fit and dedicated and you can´t buy the kind of enthusiasm he has amassed.

" We have got on well with the board at United and long may that continue. But just at the moment, the ball is in their court."

Fresh United move for Glazer

Manchester United have confirmed that Malcolm Glazer has made a ´very preliminary´ fresh approach in his attempt to take over the club.

The American tycoon has already failed in a bid to take over Manchester United, but speculation is mounting that Glazer has now secured new funding for a £800 million bid.

Glazer has already flexed his muscles since taking a 28.11 percent stake in the club, with directors Maurice Watkins, Philip Yea and Andy Anson all ousted at the club´s annual general meeting.

The show of power cost him the support of bank JP Morgan, but has not scuppered his bid for control of the club

United have announced that Glazer made revisions to his prior offer, and has been rebuffed by chief executive David Gill.

" The board of Manchester United confirms that at a shareholder meeting, Glazer has indicated, on a very preliminary basis, potential revisions to its previous proposal," said a statement from the club.

" The board does not intend to open discussions on this matter unless it receives a definitive proposal from Glazer."

Gill rejected the earlier offer because of the level of debt that Glazer would be taking on, something that is believed to have changed in the new bid.

glazer qui continue a vouloir nous endetter . .

ruud bléssé peut étre jusqy´a la fin de la saison . .

giggs de plus en plus proche de la sortie . .

on ne gagnera sans doute pas le titre cette année . .

quelle année de merde quand méme

rien n´est perdu mais c´est vrai qu´on s´y prend un peu tard pour reconquerir le titre, n´empeche qu´on peut toujours gagner la LDC, la CUP ou la Carling donc ya de quoi faire.

Giggs resignera, il a encore un an pour le faire, je m´inquiéte pas.

pour la C1 va deja falloir passer le milan . .

mais bon on verra bien pour le titre faudra pas mal de circonstances . .

mais bon tant qu´on est en C1 pour ne pas casser la reconstructoin de notre équipe

Le portier espagnol de 33 ans Ricardo devrait quitter les oubliettes de Manchester United cet hiver en concrétisant son retour en Liga espagnole. Recruté par les Red Devils en provenance du Real Valladolid pendant l´été 2002, Ricardo avait brillé lors de son prêt au Racing Santander la saison passée mais n´a réussi à détroner ni Roy Carroll ni Tim Howard pour se frayer un passage en équipe première mancunienne cette saison. Le recrutement imminent du très jeune et prometteur John Ruddy ( Cambridge United, D4 anglaise) et les bonnes performances de Luke Steele ( prêté cette saison à Coventry City en D2 anglaise) vont le pousser à partir chercher du temps de jeu dans son pays natal. A suivre. ( Par Sam Couratin).

< <<< c´est qui ca john rudy ? ??

il y a un gardien anglais qui sait jouer au foot ? ?

http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10423~30086,00.html

C´est le club à qui on prête Colin Heath.

Czech defender linked with Manchester United move
09:29 December, 20, 2004
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Tomas Ujfalusi

The 26-year-old is currently playing for Fiorentina in Serie A after a long spell at Hamburg and was part of the Czech Republic side that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2004.

United scouts have been impressed when watching Ujfalusi and although no move will be made in the transfer window the player is on Ferguson’s list of potential signings for next summer.

Ricardo Off to La Liga?
By David Hobbs - December 19 2004

United´s forgotten man Ricardo has emerged as possible January transfer targets for a number of La Liga clubs as the Spaniard has fallen well out of favour at Old Trafford. Ricardo enjoyed a successful loan spell with Racing Club de Santander last season.

Ricardo Off to La Liga?
Manchester United´s forgotten man Ricardo has emerged as possible January transfer targets for a number of La Liga clubs as the Spaniard has fallen well out of favour at Old Trafford.

Ricardo enjoyed a successful loan spell with Racing Club de Santander last season, playing nearly all games in his time back in homeland Spain.

The 33 year old was signed from Real Valladolid in the summer of 2002 and has always been adamant of holding down a permanent but since the signing of Tim Howard and the form of Roy Carroll, Ricardo is now well down the goalkeeping pecking order at United.

Even young goalkeeper Luke Steele, on-loan at Championship side Coventry City, is seemed as more reliable back-up to Carroll.

The foreseeable signing of Cambridge´s John Ruddy may be the final nail in Ricardo´s coffin at United.

Inter rival Arsenal and Manchester United for star

By European Football - December 20 2004

As reported here last month, both Manchester United and Arsenal are pursuing Parma goalkeeper Sebastien Frey, in fact both clubs had him watched in yesterday’s game against AS Roma.

But now Inter Milan have entered the fray ( if you will pardon the pun) and declared their interest in the French international.

Inter could be about to lose their keeper Francesco Toldo so two out of the three clubs could very well end off with new keepers, Frey himself is thought to favour a move to Arsenal, while it does not seam above the realms of possibility this morning that Toldo will end off in Manchester.

What looks set to be a goalkeeping merry go round will take its first steps in January.