Rossi à la place de Ruud, Ronaldo faut qu´il joue un match complet, il revient de blessure. Sinon je vois bien Kieran remplacer Scholes en cours de jeu.

Ferguson gives Smith Euro chance

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will again experiment with Alan Smith as a possible long-term replacement for Roy Keane on Wednesday.

Veteran skipper Keane, 34, will be rested for the Champions League tie with Debrecen and Ferguson hopes that striker Smith, 24, can fill the void.

"Someone has to step in there eventually and we are trying to utilise Alan Smith´s abilities," said Ferguson.

"He is quick and enthusiastic to play in that position."

Smith, who Ferguson signed from Leeds in 2004 to solve his striker shortage, played in central midfield throughout the pre-season campaign.

And Ferguson believes that Smith has the right attributes to learn to take over from the Irishman.

"It has happened in the past with great players, as when Roy replaced Bryan Robson, that has happened throughout the history of our club," added Ferguson.

"And Smith has great character, a great personality and is a very committed player."

While Ferguson is on top of his midfield dilemma, he has yet to decide who to fit into his three-pronged attack in Budapest.

Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo are guaranteed starting places as United look to defend their 3-0 lead but Ferguson is still mulling over who will take the third spot.

"Ronaldo will start because he has not begun a match for us yet and so will Ryan," said Ferguson.

"I will have to make a decision about the one to play from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung.

"It is a tough decision but a good one to have."

Real steal in for Cicinho

Real Madrid have stolen a march on Manchester United by agreeing an option to sign Sao Paulo defender Cicinho.

United thought they were leading the chase for the highly-rated right back after Sir Alex Ferguson spoke with the South American during the player´s recent trip to Europe.

However, Real are now firmly in pole position after brokering a deal with Sao Paulo.

It has been reported that the agreement allows Real to sign the 25-year-old in the future, even though they appear well covered in that position with Michel Salgado and Carlos Diogo competing for the role.

A five-year deal has been agreed for Cicinho and he will become a Real player as soon as the Spanish giants decide to complete the transfer.

The Brazilian is obtaining an Italian passport which will smooth his passage to Europe.

Man Utd lose out on Brazilian ace

Manchester United appear to have lost out to Real Madrid over Sao Paulo´s Brazil defender Cicinho.
Real have reached an agreement with Sao Paulo that gives them first option to sign the 25-year-old.

Cicinho was in the Brazil team that won the Confederations Cup in Germany earlier in the summer and attracted interest from several clubs.

AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus were all said to be interested, while United flew in Cicinho to visit Old Trafford.

Cicinho qualifies for a European passport through his grandfather and is extremely highly rated.

Real have already signed Uruguay right back Carlos Diogo from River Plate as cover for Spain international Michel Salgado last month.

A priori, Cicinho ne viendra pas chez nous, le recrutement est donc terminé pour Mu.

De toute facon on a eu ce qu´on voulait, un bon goal et de la concurrence sur les ailes.

23/08/2005
Foot - Transferts : Le Real obtient Cicinho

Ce que Manchester United a manqué, le Real Madrid l´a réussi. Le club espagnol s´est entendu, mardi, avec Sao Paulo pour acheter le défenseur international brésilien Cicinho quand il le voudra. Le joueur était revenu cette semaine dans son pays après l´échec des négociations sur son transfert éventuel à MU. Les négociations portaient sur les 60 % des droits de Cicinho détenus par le club pauliste, les 40% restants restant la possession du joueur lui-même.

Le Milan AC, l´Inter Milan et la Juventus Turin s´étaient également intéressé à ce défenseur de 25 ans (1,71 m, 69 kg), arrière droit titulaire dans l´équipe brésilienne victorieuse de l´Argentine en finale de la Coupe des confédérations fin juin (4-1). Le jour où il signera au Real, Cicinho retrouvera de nombreux autres brésiliens, comme Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Robinho et Julio Baptista.

Et bein, il leur manque plus que Ronaldhino et Adriano et ils auront toutes la cliques^^

encore un joueur qui nous étais promis qu´on aura pas ..

de tout de facon ca devient une rengaine en ce moment . glazer a promis des fonds conséquentset a donc menti ...

de tout de facon entre lui , robben , ronaldinho , un de plus ou un de moins ca nous rendra pas plus ridicule. sauf si bein sur il explose.....

en tout cas smith a pleins de choses a prouver demain ..

ils ont une putain d´équipe le real cette année. ils sont vraiment les favoris de la C1 avec le milan , la juventus , le barca et chelsea ...

,ous on est plus que des outsiders.

mais si MU ne gagne rien cette année j´ai peu pour fergie

C´est sur que si on a gagne que la FA cup en 3 saisons, les Glazer le limogeront. C´est pas entrer dans l´habitude de MU ce genre de chose.

Mais cette saison n´est plus du tout la meme que l´annee derniere:
_on a un bon goal
_un banc bien fourni avec l´arrivee de Park
_Ferdinand est la des le debut de la saison
_RVN a l´air d´avoir retrouvee son efficacite
_et puis l´annee derniere on a vaiment jouee de malchance avec les 15 poteaux et quelque qu´on a mis

De plus Chelsea n´a plus l´air aussi flamboyante qu´avant meme s´il n´ont fait que 2 matchs.
Avec Arsenal qui a perdu son leader, il va meur falloir du temps avant de s´adapter.

Bon je suis peut etre trop optimiste mais je la sens bien cette saison ^^

Si Smith fait une grosse perf ce soir, on peut dire qu´on a une très bonne equipe avec de bons remplaçants pour tout le monde. Je nous vois bien réussir quelquechose pour ce qui devrait etre la dernière année de Keano et Ole Gunnar.

On a peut-etre manqué Ronaldinho mais sans ça Ronaldo ne serait pas venu et vu ce qu´il fait pour nous je trouve qu´on y a pas perdu dans cette affaire. Robben est pas venu chez nous mais cet été on a fait signé Park et récupéré Kieran qui s´est sacrément amélioré.

Concernant Cicinho, si Sir Alex l´avait vraiment voulu il serait venu. De toute façon, je ne suis pas persuadé qu´on ait perdu beaucoup dans l´histoire, Gary est bon et a encore 2 ou 3 ans facile à jouer devant lui alors on a le temps de trouver un joueur plus jeune que Cicihno (25ans) et meilleur d´ici là et qui en plus a vraiment envie de venir.

Chelsea est en rodage encore mais je pense qu´ils seront encore au dessus du lot meme si je préférerais voir une belle lutte à 3 ou 4 pour le titre

Je ne crois pas que Chelsea sera au-dessus du lot, il y a pas mal d´equipe qui peuvent les faire tomber cette année.

Chelsea n´a pas besoin de se roder c´est les memes joueurs que l´an dernier il devrait déjà etre plus solide mais commme ils ne sont pas tous contents de lustrés le banc ça ne met pas forcement une excellente ambiance, enfin ce n´est qu´une supposition mais c´est très possible.

Fergie´s Row
Alex Ferguson was yesterday hit by a four-letter volley from two angry Manchester United fans at Budapest airport. Chief executive David Gill also came under fire as the supporters complained about Malcolm Glazer’s takeover at Old Trafford. Gill was first to be abused. One fan said: “You f***** us over big-time, Gill — I can’t believe you sold us out.” Fergie was then told: “You f***** us over, too. You could have spoken out about it before.” Ferguson hit back by claiming he stayed on under Glazer to protect staff he had worked with for more than 15 years and because he still had a job to complete at United. The fans then complained about ticket prices in the Stretford End. Ferguson told them they should go and see how much it was at Chelsea. The incident in front of club officials and sponsors was quickly defused as the two fans walked off. The security men on the flight to Hungary for tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Debrecen were nowhere near the scene when it happened and only arrived moments later. While the major anti-Glazer movement has calmed down, it is clear there is still a hardcore of United fans upset by it. The American family’s takeover has plunged the club into £500million worth of debt.
Neil Custis, The Sun

C´est sur qu´avec le mauvais caractere de Mourihno, c´est tres possible. Rien que cette annee, il parait qu´il a eue des probleme avec Roben.

De toute facon on verra bien.

Ferguson answers Glazer backlash

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his silence over Malcolm Glazer´s controversial takeover of Manchester United in the face of angry fans.

Ferguson was asked why he had not spoken out against the American tycoon as he landed in Budapest for the club´s Champions League tie against Debrecen.

"I´ve got a job to do and 15 staff who come first," replied Ferguson, who was then berated over high ticket prices.

Ferguson then reminded fans that it cost more money to watch Chelsea.

The 63-year-old has appealed for calm in his programme notes after a series of disruptive protests broke out following Glazer´s buyout at the end of last season.

Ferguson´s words appear to have been heeded as there have been no signs of trouble inside United´s ground this season.

Despite minor protests outside Old Trafford, Bryan, Joel and Avi Glazer celebrated the side´s first-leg victory over Debrecen from the comfort of the director´s box.

However, a group of hard core fans, who travel to United´s away matches while boycotting home fixtures, are continuing to make their rancour felt.

Many supporters had expected Ferguson to speak out or to end his 18-year reign at the club after Glazer´s buyout plunged the club into £500m of debt.

And Ferguson was reminded of their feelings when he was greeted by disgrunted fans when he waited for his luggage at Ferihegy airport on Tuesday.

United chief executive David Gill was accused of "selling out" as he was also rounded on by fans in Budapest.

Defender Rio Ferdinand, who recently signed a new four-year deal at the club, was also asked if he had spent his pay rise yet.

The incident in Budapest is not the first time club officials have come face-to-face with fans since the Glazer takeover - and it is unlikely to be the last.

During the pre-season match against Beijing Hyundai, supporters gained entrance to the VIP area of the Workers Stadium and launched a verbal volley at new non-executive director Bryan Glazer.

Fergie Ponders New Role For Giggs

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering the idea of employing Ryan Giggs in a more advanced role to make the most of the Welshman´s speed in his later years.

Giggs, who signed a two-year extension at Old Trafford this summer, will be 32 in November, and Ferguson says expecting him to work up and down the left wing every week is unrealistic.

The Welshman has made 635 appearances for the Reds and will make the first appearance of his 15th season with United against Debreceni in Budapest on Wednesday night.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-sung now offering Ferguson alternatives on the flanks, the requirements on Giggs have changed.

"Ryan is only 31 and he can still do great things for us," said Sir Alex, emphasising his importance to the side.

"Whether he will be going up and down the left wing every week is another matter. He can play in other positions and maybe his later years will be spent up front, operating behind the main striker.

"He has done that many times in the past and that role could be the best way of conserving his speed and energy."

Giggs attakan c ca?

Il y a rien d´exceptionnel là-dedans, c´est un attaquant Giggs à la base.

Pourtant vous avez déja plein d´attaquants non?

Au fet ca vous fait pas trop sh*** que forlan ai éclaté en Espagne et pas chez vous