Howard: I´m no coward
Tim Howard will not allow his calamitous late blunder against Chelsea to crush the belief that he can reclaim his position as Manchester United´s No.1 goalkeeper. Howard´s gaffe in letting Damien Duff´s free-kick bounce past him and into the net enabled Chelsea to beat United 2-1 and set up a Carling Cup final showdown with Liverpool. But the 25-year-old American insisted he has the mental strength to deal with his setback. " You´re not always going to have sunny days," said Howard. " But I´m not one to just hang it up after one little incident. That´s cowardice. You have to ride through the bad times and this isn´t necessarily a bad time, this is just part of a season. Goalkeeping is about being level-headed. It´s about taking every setback as it comes and every triumph in the same manner."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
Crazy Alex´s Bart blunder
Alex Ferguson has been told he made an ‘incredible mistake’ dumping Fabien Barthez — by Barthez’s dad! After Tim Howard’s goalkeeping clanger against Chelsea cost Manchester United a Carling Cup final place, Alain Barthez said: “I respect Ferguson as a great manager but I honestly believe he made an incredible mistake over Fabien."
Neil Custis, The Sun
Howard´s end thickens plot
Manchester United legend Alex Stepney believes Tim Howard latest blunder has raised renewed questions over his temperament for the big occasion and intensified the goalkeeping debate at Old Trafford. Stepney said: " We shouldn´t forget that it was a fabulous delivery by Duff. Everyone went for it and it was amazing they all missed it but Tim was left with one of those decisions you have to make as a goalkeeper: ´Do I go for it or do I stay?´ Unfortunately Tim has been found wanting against Chelsea, as he was aaginst Porto last season."
Richard Tanner, Daily Express
Drop of luck
Sir Alex Ferguson has reacted to Manchester United´s goalkeeping crisis by offering Roy Carroll a pay rise. Despite his howler against Tottenham when he got way with fumbling the ball over the line, Carroll has been offered an improved contract worth £1million a year to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, when his present deal runs out.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
Fergie so fired up for do-or-die test
Manchester United were defiant in defeat last night as they prepared for a four-day spell that can make or break their season. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted " it´s all about character now" as his players eye tomorrow´s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough, then the massive Premiership match at Arsenal on Tuesday. " Saturday´s Cup tie will be a test and a challenge. I´m not worried about having to pick the players up but their recovery from this defeat will be important."
Bill Thornton, Daily Star
The next Rio
Manchester United are on the trail of the latest star of Brazilian football - a NINE-year-old boy. The Old Trafford giants have asked for a video of Jean Carlos Chera playing for Associacao Desportiva Atletica, a small club in the southern state of Parana. United´s famed youth policy now stretches into every corner of the globe and Atletica president Adilson Batista Prado confirmed United are among sides tracking the 4ft 6ins midfielder. He said: " Seven or eight European clubs have already contacted us to know more about Jean. They want to know what he is all about, and I tell them he´s a phenomenon, probably the best player to come out of Brazil." Prado confirmed United are among the clubs tracking the kid, who is shown on video scoring goals from midfield, dribbling past several defenders and playing among 13 and 14-year-olds.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
>>> Je suis pas convaincu que Carroll merite 1M£ par an, ça vaut pas la peine de le renouveler à ce prix là.
Frey et Hildebrand attendent de partir, il ya plus qu´à choisir lequel on prend.
^^
