Macheda to learn from experience

Kiko to bounce back

"I really wanted to have an experience in Italy, but I now hope to stay in the Premier League.
"For a youngster, England is a better place to play. It wasn't easy from a psychological point of view to leave United and join a Sampdoria side who were fighting relegation. It was a delicate situation."
- Federico Macheda

Federico Macheda has vowed to learn from the experience of a disappointing loan spell with Sampdoria as he prepares to rejoin the United squad.

The 19-year-old striker opted for a temporary return to his native Italy in January, instead of going on loan to a top-flight English club, but the Genoa side's relegation scrap meant he was used sparingly as the club ultimately failed to avoid the drop from Serie A.
"I really wanted to have an experience in Italy," Macheda admitted to Sky Sport Italia. "But I now hope to stay in the [Barclays] Premier League.
"For a youngster, England is a better place to play. It wasn't easy from a psychological point of view to leave United and join a Sampdoria side who were fighting relegation. It was a delicate situation."
Speaking recently to ManUtd.com, Reserves boss Warren Joyce stressed the need for Macheda to take the positives from the stint away from Old Trafford.
"Sometimes you learn about yourself even when things don’t go well," explained Joyce. "Federico’s had to dig deep.
"I know it’s his home country but he’s been away from Manchester and things have not gone particularly well for him. He’s had to look at himself and time will tell.
"We only had one real meeting out there in Italy, but I’ve had regular dialogue with him on the phone and he sounds up for the challenge and he might have learned from this bad experience.
"Only time will tell. It's now all about how he comes back to United and responds to the challenge."

Park Ji Sung: Is the Asian Manchester United's Most Important Player?

  

 

Amidst the miasma of questionably valid “rumours” swirling around the figurative this summer, a frank assessment from arguably Manchester United’s most important player slipped almost unheralded into anonymity.

 

Wayne Rooney’s sudden abundance of hair apparently was more important. Yet Park Ji Sung’s assentation that his time at United was on the wane, in reality of much more telling importance than Rooney’s hair transplant, was treated with the off-hand inconsequence that the Korean is oft afforded.
Yet in reality, there are few if any that have proved shrewder an investment than Korea’s most decorated player. Rooney et al may steal the headlines, but the grandeur on display is facilitated by the leg work Park lays down in his inimitable impression of Forrest Gump.
Indeed, during the Champions League final, Park was the only member of the midfield sham that gave Frodo Xavi and the fellowship of Pep Guardiola’s ring any more than a mild annoyance.  
Where Michael Carrick's laxidasical nonchalance can become over run by a team as geared to speed and possession football as Barcelona, the beauty of Park is that he thrives under pressure harrowing, chasing and scrapping; opponents must hate him.
From an aesthetical perspective there are more attractive footballers to watch. The show-ponies like Cristiano Ronaldo have a better control and repertoire with the ball and the all-seeing passing genius in the Xavi and Paul Scholes-ilk have a better range.
However, the old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” in this circumstance appears apt as football takes all sorts. It is about winning the match, nothing more, nothing less, and in that sense, Park contributes a great deal to the beauty exuded by the Red Devil machine.
I can’t imagine the current Manchester United without its Korean demi-god.
Looking back on the risible £4 million fee that Sir Alex Ferguson paid PSV Eindhoven to acquire 

 

Park’s services back in 2005, it is hard not to laugh at how the market has since imploded.In a world in which Andy Carroll, a player who had one good championship term and half a very good Premiership season is valued at £35 million, £4 million is barely a drop in the ocean.
Manchester United could have purchased nine Park Ji Sung’s for the price that Liverpool so shrewdly acquired a solitary ancestor of the cavemen. Yet while Park has, in his six years gone on to become synonymous with the very soul of Manchester United, Andy Carroll has barely featured after an injury plagued opening tenure.
Admittedly, a fit again Carroll looks a fine prospect, and he will undoubtedly come strong for Liverpool in the new season, yet how can a man with such an over-inflated fee ever hope to live up to such overzealous spending?
Park came with little expectation and has since flourished within the theatre of dreams to become a first choice lynch-pin in Sir Alex’s big-game sides.
Park Ji Sung’s value to Manchester United is not restricted to the pitch, however, as he transcends the boundaries, breaking United into the lucrative Asian market.
In the pre-Park era Manchester United already had a significant Asian following in the far-east, however they had no Asian players on their roster. The arrival of Park from PSV gave this Asian market a point of reference back in good old Blighty, and the club's popularity, predictably, went through the roof.
No other club is able to laud such financial clout in the Asian market as quite simply no other club has an Asian footballer as good as Park Ji Sung. It would be one thing to be an Asian bit-part man in the squad—figuratively speaking that John O’Shea were Asian if you will (bear with me)—but quite another for an Asian player to form an essential cog in what is arguably the world’s biggest club.Any Asian player at a club the size of Manchester United would be loved, but only one as successful as Park Ji Sung could be worshipped.  
The relationship between Park Ji Sung and Manchester United, therefore has been symbiotic, as he played, and they won their respective star’s eclipsed all others in the heart of the adoring Asian market.
Manchester United since Park have ploughed more ill-advised furrows in an attempt to replicate the unparalleled success of little Ji Sung Park, Dong Fangzhou being the most notable faux pas, but never before or since has it worked out.
Signed a year before Park, the Champions persisted with Dong for a further four years, before giving up the ghost on the man that never came close to living up to the early hype.
A couple of weeks ago Park informed the media sphere that he could not envisage life at United continuing much beyond his 32nd birthday—he is now 30.
With his game as much based on athleticism and shear grit as it is, Park claimed that he could not see himself maintaining the tempo befitting the pantheons of Old Trafford for any more than two more years.
“I see myself retiring somewhere else, at another club,” he was heard to finish (although possibly via a translator). The statement was afforded a cursory reference in the media, played out for a day, before receding (in a way not too dissimilar to Rooney’s pre-op hairline) back into nothing.
For any that question the validity of Park’s resolve need only look at the manner in which the then 29-year-old national team captain retired from representing his country back in 2009. He said he would and he did. With this being said then we have two more years of Park at Old Trafford to set the seal on an un-paralleled period of success for an Asian footballer. I just hope that when he is gone those that were more interested in the follicles of Wayne Rooney’s barnet realise what we have before he is gone.
He may not be Manchester United’s most talented player, but in terms of his all-round contribution during his six-year patronage very few have given more. I for one will miss him when he’s gone.

Manchester United Set to Seal £17.8m Deal for Atletico Goalkeeper David De Gea

 

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea has reportedly undergone a medical at Manchester United today, with a deal expected to be announced imminently.
According to ESPN Soccernet, United will pay £17.8 million for the 20-year-old, who is fresh from winning the European U21 Championships with Spain.
United have been chasing De Gea's signature for some time, with Sir Alex Ferguson convinced the young Spanish goalkeeper is the perfect replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar.
"We've been working on it for quite a while. We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for," Ferguson said recently. "He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar.
"We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. With David De Gea, he is very similar that way,'' Ferguson added.
If the deal goes through as expected it will take United's summer spending past the £50 million mark.
The Premier League champions have already added Blackburn defender Phil Jones (estimated fee - £20m) and Aston Villa and England winger Ashley Young (estimated fee - £17m).

Manchester United Plan for Life After Ferguson: A Team for 2015

 

It's the imminent reality that no Manchester United fan wants to contemplate: the end of an era of unparalleled sporting success and, for the first time in over a quarter of a century, the start of a period of managerial transition. Irrespective of the levels of acceptance among his subjects, Britain's most enduring, successful and greatest football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is unlikely to remain in the post beyond the next two or three seasons.
In a reactive, highly pressurised sport that frequently eschews (and is continually damaged by a reluctance to promote) values such as patience and loyalty, his unique tenure remains an exception to the rule. Premier League chairmen seem either unwilling or incapable of persevering with their own (often recent) choices. So, Manchester United will soon face the same fate as the other football clubs.
Despite this, there is cause for optimism. Ferguson will leave behind a legacy: the very best training facilities, a prolific, truly global scouting network and, most importantly, he will leave behind his last great side.
So, based on recent (and expected) signings and the best of the current youth set up, what will be the makeup of that side?

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

David De Gea Quintana made his Atletico Madrid debut aged just 18. By the end of his first full season, he had established himself as the club's first choice keeper and had shone in the club's eight match run towards Europa League triumph. De Gea has a poise and assurance that belies his tender years and, though still raw in some areas, he is agile and distributes well. Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has recently described De Gea as "...a great keeper...the future...", while Sir Alex Ferguson's search for a replacement for the brilliant Edwin Van Der Sar has ended, fittingly, with the grounded prodigy dubbed "Van De Gea" by his Spanish teammates.

Despite being only 20 years old, Rafael da Silva has experienced Champions League quarterfinals, fiercely-contested local derbies and domestic cup games. Initially, his defensive naivety undermined his undoubted attacking talent, although he is now developing into the archetypal modern full back. Strong, determined, quick and talented, Rafael has shown flashes of his undoubted potential against the likes of Robinho and Franck Ribery, suggesting he has a bright future in the game.

Left Back: Fabio da Silva

Rafael's identical twin, in terms of both looks and playing style, only the continued excellence of the ever-present Patrice Evra has stopped Fabio from becoming a regular Manchester United left back. When the brothers first arrived in England, Fabio was seen as being the marginally superior of the two, and towards the end of the 2010/11 season, he found himself used more regularly—on the right side of the back four. If he can curb his attacking instincts and eradicate the odd lapses in concentration, he could become a staple of the United team for years to come. 

Centre Backs: Phil Jones and Chris Smalling

Manchester United have had a few outstanding partnerships in central defence, with Pallister/Bruce and, more recently, Ferdinand/Vidic providing the base on which the Reds' footballing artisans have expressed themselves. Judging by their natural understanding for the England U-21 team, it seems inevitable that Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will inherit, and enjoy, this responsibility in the very near future. Jones is strong, composed, powerful and has natural leadership qualities. Whereas most defenders mature in their mid 20s, he already has the aura of a veteran campaigner—at just 19 years of age.
Smalling is slightly older and has already experienced Champions League football. Initially seen as "one for the future," he found himself thrown into the United team during Rio Ferdinand's prolonged injury absence. He performed so well that some fans even questioned whether Ferdinand, a former England captain and British record signing, would recapture his place. Smalling is an elegant footballer who reads the game with an unerring accuracy and dominates in the air. The two young stars compliment each other perfectly and look capable of providing the "silk and steel" in United's' back four over next decade.

Left Wing: Ravel Morrison

A prodigiously gifted footballer, Ravel Morrison is often described as the most natural talent to emerge from the United youth set up since Paul Scholes. A fleet-footed, skillful, creative midfielder, Morrison is good with both feet and can play anywhere across the midfield or forward line. Worryingly his fledgling career has been blighted by numerous off-field controversies, which hopefully won't continue to detract from his abundant talent. Assuming he can shrug these issues aside, Morrison is the kind of impish, tricky winger United fans have idolised from George Best to Ryan Giggs, and there is a genuine belief that he could carve his own name among such greats of United folklore.

Right Wing: Nani

The enigmatic Portuguese winger has finally matured into a potent attacking force. During the 2010/11 season, he finally stepped out of the shadows of his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, as he either assisted or scored in 28 of his 33 games. A pacey winger who can operate on either flank, Nani has survived early criticism from the terraces to become one of the most important components of the current United side. His infuriating wastefulness now seems to be a thing of the past, meaning the fans are free to enjoy the positive aspects of his game, specifically his close control, powerful shot and acceleration. Nani has belatedly fulfilled his potential to become one of the Premier League's genuine stars, and at 24, he still has plenty of room for improvement.

Central Midfield: Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba

Although the mercurial Ravel Morrison got the plaudits for United's FA Youth Cup demolition of Sheffield United, the real winners were the two talents in the midfield engine room—Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba.
Tunnicliffe is the kind of gritty, combative midfielder the club has lacked since the great Roy Keane, a genuine midfield enforcer who breaks up attacks and loves to throw himself into thunderous, perfectly-timed tackles. Tunnicliffe is the local boy, the captain and the heartbeat of the side.
Paul Pogba was signed from French side Le Havre in 2009 and was instantly (and somewhat lazily) dubbed "The New Patrick Vieira." True, Pogba does have the same leggy gait as the former Arsenal hero, but that is where the similarities end. Whereas Vieira was largely a midfield destroyer, Pogba is more of a creative midfielder with a penchant for the spectacular, good vision and impressive self-assurance. With Tunnicliffe breaking up attacks and Pogba revelling in the role of cultured playmaker, the future of United's midfield looks very promising.

Centre Forwards: Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez

The livewire double act seemed to develop an instant understanding between January and May. Whereas Rooney had spent the first half of the 2010/11 season mired in off-field controversy, acrimonious contract talks and poor form, his performances alongside Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez showcased the finer side of his game. As the clouds shifted, Rooney burst back into life, displaying the vision, skill, awareness and finishing that has made him one of the English game's modern greats. Rooney has been on the scene for so long that it is easy to overlook his relative youth; he is still only 25 and is yet to hit his peak.
With the selfless Hernandez proving to be the ultimate foil, the next four seasons are likely to be his glory years. "Chicharito" has risen from relative obscurity to first choice Manchester United striker in one year. A fast, intelligent striker who plays on the shoulder of the last defender, he also has the priceless ability to be in the right place at the right time, resulting in an uncanny awareness in the penalty box. "Chicharito" has been compared to previous dead-eyed assassins like Ole Soskjaer and a young Michael Owen—high praise for a developing talent. As their understanding improves, Rooney and Hernandez could form one of European football's deadliest alliances. One guaranteed to bring further glory to the Old Trafford outfit.

Chicharito lifts Gold Cup

Javier Hernandez's fairytale season ended on a soaring high, as the United striker and his Mexico team-mates came from behind to beat host nation United States in the Gold Cup final.

Chicharito secured the golden boot and player of the tournament awards for his outstanding exertions in taking El Tri to the final, but he had to settle for the role of provider as his side roared back from two goals down to post a stunning 4-2 victory.
After the United striker had poked against the post in the second minute, the US stormed ahead as Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan struck inside the first 25 minutes. Crucially, Mexico soon hit back when Chicharito fed West Ham winger Pablo Barrera to halve the arrears, and Andres Guardado popped up to level matters before the interval.
El Tri were ahead soon after the break as Barrera struck again, before Giovani dos Santos completed the comeback with a superbly composed finish. Chicharito was unable to nab his customary goal - though he was incorrectly flagged offside as he bore down on goal late on - but the United striker cared not a jot.
His work had already been done in hauling Mexico to the final with his seven-goal haul, and the 23-year-old was quick to hail his side's collective resolve after the final whistle. "Things were difficult but the coach told us to fight every single play," he said. "Our attitude is in our hands."

Gallery: Trophy Tour hits Beijing

Hundreds of United fans in Beijing were given the chance to see the Barclays Premier League trophy up close as it made its way around the Chinese capital on Saturday.

Accompanied by a club delegation, bloggers from China’s major internet portals and our Chinese website team, the famous trophy that was regained by the Reds in May spent the day visiting Beijing’s major landmarks.
It began in the historic Tiananmen Square, before moving onto the ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium and the ‘Water Cube’ National Aquatics Centre, both built for the 2008 Olympic Games, before making the journey to the Great Wall of China.
And Chinese supporters came out in force to have their photos taken with the trophy and get closer to the 19-times champions.

Gallery: Reds in Hong Kong

United have embarked on a two-week tour of Asia to parade the Barclays Premier League trophy. Ji-sung Park was at Thursday’s launch in Hong Kong, the first leg of a trip that will take in China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, and will be attended by various Reds players past and present.
Click the image above to view photos from the first day, which included a launch press conference, a signing session with Park and a fan event at Hong Kong’s MUFB outlet.

6 Games to Make or Break Alex Ferguson's Title Campaign

   

Sir Alex Ferguson will already have poured over his champions’ new Premier League fixture list like it is the formula for eternal life. There’s a tricky start, with Manchester United kicking off the defence of its record 19th title at the Hawthorns followed, very quickly, by the visit of Arsenal. Mid-September sees the arrival at the Theatre of Dreams of Chelsea and the Special One Mk 2, Andre Villas-Boas.

All three games are difficult, but none of them are likely to shape the season for Ferguson and his reconstructed side because they come so early in the campaign. He will know better than anyone that such encounters are important, but not necessarily crucial. As he looks for the true red letter days that signify make-or-break meetings, the following six dates are sure to be heavily circled on his calendar....
OCTOBER 15: Liverpool (A):  Kenny Dalglish already has one Premier League victory over his old adversary Alex Ferguson since his return to Anfield and you can bet your life that no matter how Liverpool will have started their season, he will be doing everything he can to make it two in a row. The side he is currently re-fashioning will have time to settle down, main strike force Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will have had plenty of games to develop their understanding. Expect fireworks. 
OCTOBER 22 : Manchester City (H):  Wayne Rooney had to produce the most spectacular goal of his career to quieten the noisy neighbours at Old Trafford last season and the development of City under Roberto Mancini since then, plus another bunch of summer arrivals, will create the scenario for a possibly momentous clash. This will be Manchester muscle-flexing like never before.
JANUARY 21: Arsenal (A): Ferguson said during the last campaign that he and his players had found a way to beat the Gunners and all the evidence suggests that whether it be in Europe or domestically, he is not just playing his usual mind games. Arsene Wenger and Fergie don’t exactly throw pizza at each other these days—principally because the Frenchman has not been the threat of old but this remains one of the juiciest fixtures of any calendar.
FEBRUARY 4: Chelsea (A): Less than a fortnight after a first, crucial clash in London will come the visit to Stamford Bridge, the second chapter of a three-part mini series against rivals that is very likely to start shaping United’s Premier League campaign. Until Ferguson’s men won there in the Champions League last season they had not triumphed at The Bridge since 2002—a statistic that underlines the importance he will attach to the game.
FEBRUARY 11: Liverpool (H): Some have discussed the suggestion that United do not have the easiest of starts to the new season but that is nothing compared to the mid-winter examination which begins at The Emirates, continues in the West End, and finishes with Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford. These games between the rivals from either end of the East Lancs Road remain the most bitter in English football and nothing will change.
APRIL 28 : Manchester City (A) :  United’s last eight games of the league season are, on paper, the easiest of any of their potential rivals….except for this one trip to Eastlands as the campaign reaches its climax. No matter the state of play in the table, the City fans will be demanding a show of force from their team. Potentially, a championship decider…or should that be a time bomb?

Manchester United Hero Admits His Old Trafford Career Is Coming To An End

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung says he does not have long left at Old Trafford and will begin to look for another club.
The 30-year-old  joined United in a £4 million deal from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and has been a huge success in England.
The ex-South Korean international has won the Champions League and four Premier League titles during his six-years at United but does not know how long he has left at the top level.
Park has 12 months left on his current contract and has been linked with a move to Sevilla and Atletico Madrid but has no immediate plan to leave Manchester.
He even quit international football, despite being a superstar in South Korea, to prolong his career but admits he would to play for another club before he retires.
“I won’t be able to show my best after one or two years,” Park told the Daily Mirror. “I don’t know how long I can stay at Manchester.
“I never thought about retirement but it’s obvious that I don’t have much time left as a player.”
“According to circumstances, I might leave Manchester United and retire in another team.”

Reds' Asia Trophy Tour

United are visiting the following countries during the 2011 Asia Trophy Tour:

Hong Kong – 23 June
China – 27/28 June
Indonesia – 29/30 June
Thailand – 1 July
Malaysia – 4/5 July
Singapore – 6/7 July

Manchester United have begun a 12-day tour of Asia with the Barclays Premier League trophy.

Ji-sung Park and other United players past and present will accompany the trophy for part of its travels around Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
United have been visiting and playing in Asia since 1974 and last took the Premier League trophy around the Far East in June 2008. 
More than half of the club's estimated 333 million fanbase live in Asia and the club's visit will give them a rare, up-close glimpse of the trophy and some of the first-team stars.
The Trophy Tour is being supported by club partners Nike, Audi, Turkish Airlines, Hutchison 3, Danamon Bank, Singha, TM, PCCW and MUFB.
United's commercial director Richard Arnold said: "We know from the huge response from the Asian-based supporters in our 16 million Facebook followers and our commercial partners in the area just how much our Asian fans celebrated the historic 19th title win, so we wanted to make sure they could be part of that history by taking the trophy to them.
"Some of the players have taken time out of their summer holidays to say a big thank-you to those supporters and it promises to be a lot of fun."
ManUtd.com will have more details of the events taking place during each leg of the tour over the coming days.

Hernandez settles semi-final

An extra-time goal by Javier Hernandez helped Mexico to beat Honduras 2-0 and set up a Gold Cup final on Saturday against host nation USA.
Over the last 12 months, Chicharito has scored all manner of goals, with all manner of body parts. Even his first competitive United goal - against Chelsea in the Community Shield in August 2010 - was unusual, deflecting in off his face. On Wednesday evening in Houston he notched his 21st for Mexico with a mix of his right hand and hip.
It sent Mexico 2-0 up in extra time, after the first 90 minutes had ended goalless in a game that was full of rough challenges. Mexico had the best chances, though, with Hernandez heading wide in the 73rd minute when he looked certain to score after losing his marker. Then, in the 87th minute, Chicharito played a slide-rule ball to send Giovani Dos Santos through for a one-on-one, only for the Spurs player to strike it wide of the far post.
After missing such presentable chances, Mexico started extra time with a renewed sense of urgency. In the second minute, Aldo de Nigris rose high from a corner to nod home and send the majority of the 80,000-capacity crowd into raptures. Seven minutes later, de Nigris again beat the Honduran defence from a corner and headed the ball to the far post. Standing alone was Chicharito, who squeezed the ball in. “Chicharomania” was once again in full effect.
Hernandez is likely to start against the USA in Saturday's Gold Cup final in California (21:00 local time). He'll then be ready to enjoy a hard-earned rest ahead of United's 2011/12 campaign.

Irwin hails Young capture

Former Red Denis Irwin has welcomed the signing of Ashley Young and has tipped the attacker to be a real success at Old Trafford.
The club announced on Thursday it had reached agreement with Aston Villa to secure the services of the 25-year-old and Irwin is predicting a bright future for the England international.
“I think it’s a great signing and I expect him to be a really good player for us,” the Treble winner told ManUtd.com. “He’s got good ability and is a real threat from set-pieces, which is something we’ve been missing in the last couple of years.
“He can play anywhere behind the front man and his delivery into the box is fantastic. He’s got a real eye for goal too and, given the opportunity, I think he’ll chip in with a few goals next season.”
Young is United’s second signing of the summer following the capture of defender Phil Jones from Blackburn earlier this month. And Irwin wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more new faces before the transfer window closes.
“The fact we’ve lost Nev, Scholesy and Edwin, and Owen Hargreaves has also left, meant we needed to bring some players in because you need a big squad to be able to challenge for the top prizes. Phil and Ashley are really good acquisitions and I’m sure both will do well.
“I think there will be a lot of money spent in the next couple of months by a lot of teams and I wouldn't be surprised to see us bring in a couple more players."

Reds sign Ashley Young

Ashley Young is the second confirmed new arrival at United this summer, after Phil Jones agreed a move from Blackburn Rovers earlier this month.
A club statement on Thursday afternoon read: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young. The player passed a medical in Manchester and has agreed a five-year contract.”

Young made 193 appearances and scored 39 times for Aston Villa after joining them from Watford in January 2007. The 25 year-old winger or second striker is renowned as a chief creator of goals - in the last five Premier League seasons, only Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas provided more assists for his team-mates.
In an exclusive interview with MUTV, Young admitted he will miss the "fantastic" fans and staff at Villa Park but explained "the opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down.
"It's a chance to... hopefully become part of the history by helping to win the 20th title."
Reds defender Rio Ferdinand welcomed the deal on Twitter, hailing his England team-mate as "another top, hungry and young player".

Xherdan Shaqiri?

Manchester United Transfer Policy: Ditch Alexis Sánchez, Sign Xherdan Shaqiri

 

 
At the conclusion of FC Barcelona's convincing victory over Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final, I have to admit I was quite disappointed.  Not only did my beloved Red Devils lose, but I would have to wait another three months to watch another meaningful football contest.  Without a promising World Cup Finals or European Championship awaiting, I resigned myself to simply following reliably inaccurate transfer rumors.
However, upon stumbling across an ESPN commercial advertising the U-21 European Championship as the birthplace of the football's rising stars, I decided to tune into the Denmark vs. Switzerland match.
I was not disappointed.
While several Danish players including Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen and Valencia striker Nicki Bille Nielsen played well, Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri simply dazzled. Repeatedly exposing the Danish defense, Shaqiri fittingly captured the game's only goal.
Collecting the ball in the middle of the field about 35 yards from goal, the diminutive Kosovan-born winger turned outside before cleverly cutting between two defenders.  After juking a third defender, he ran past three more Danes before firing a low, left-footed lazer past keeper Mikkel Andersen.
While he failed to score in the subsequent group match against Iceland, he continued to trouble the opposition and drew a fine first-half save from Iceland keeper Haraldur Bjornsson.  After collecting a deep, speculative ball on the right corner of the right edge of the box, Shaqiri moved to his right ever so slightly before cutting across his defender to his stronger left foot and unloading a menacing blast just a tad bit too close to Bjornsson.
Hmmm...Lionel Messi vintage 2011?
A 5'7" left-footed right wing who uses his excellent pace and touch in combination with his surprisingly durable frame to weave through troves of defenders, Shaqiri is the only player I have ever watched who immediately reminded me of Messi.
Yet, despite also impressing for both Switzerland's senior national team and his club team, FC Basel, he has attracted virtually no transfer interest whatsoever.
With the usual suspects (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City) enamored by South American playmakers Alexis Sanchez, Javier Pastore and Neymar, I can't help but think that Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson could quietly sign the influential Swiss winger.
While FC Basel certainly recognizes Shaqiri's value, Manager Thorsten Fink would likely be tempted by a £20 million bid.  With Sanchez set to probably cost more than £30 million and Pastore and Neymar to go for roughly £45 million (http://blogs.soccernet.com/onthemove), this transfer would represent excellent value.
Amongst a host of other world class players at Old Trafford, Shaqiri would not be under pressure to dazzle immediately.  However, Sir Alex would certainly reward his improvement by featuring him more regularly in the first team as he did this season with Chicharito Hernández and Chris Smalling.
Eventually developing enough to secure a permanent place in the starting 11 (or as permanent a place as one can earn with Fergie's regular roster adjustments), Shaqiri would allow United to play with three attackers in either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-1-3.

In both formations, Shaqiri would ideally emulate Messi by tearing from the right flank across the center of the pitch and unloading shots from his inside (left) foot.
On the other side of the pitch, Nani would continue penetrating opposing defenses by running from left to right before unloading on goal with his right foot.
Rooney could play as either a lone striker or a trequartista behind Hernández.
With four dynamic scoring threats in place, I would suspect that United would fare better against elite competition (Barcelona) than in years past.  Even though United would undoubtedly continue to struggle to maintain possession against Champions League rival Barcelona, the proposed front line would certainly score more goals in the counterattack.
Could Shaqiri really be the answer to defeating Barcelona?
Only time will tell, but I would expect that Sir Alex has at least considered the possibility...

Hernandez fires Mexico through

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez was the toast of Mexico once again on Saturday night as the United striker fired his national team into the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals.
The prolific Reds marksman struck the winner in the 66th minute as the Mexicans came back from 0-1 down to beat Guatemala 2-1 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, USA. Carlos Ruiz scored a shock fifth-minute opener for the underdogs but when Aldo De Nigris equalised just after half-time, it gave Chicharito the platform to go on and settle the quarter-final clash, a feat he achieved with a sublime back heel from Pablo Barrera's driven right-wing cross.
"This time it was different than the other games when we scored first," said Chicharito. "We went in and worked hard in the second half to get chances. My goal was instinct. I saw the ball at my feet and put the ball in the net."
Chicharito's winner was his sixth goal in the biennial tournament for North and Central America and the Caribbean. He scored a hat-trick in the opener against El Salvador and followed up with a double against Cuba. Only Costa Rica, Mexico's final group-stage opponents, have stopped him from scoring so far.
The Mexican's next opponents Honduras could have a problem in Houston on Wednesday, 22 June. The venue for the semi-final clash, the Reliant Stadium, is where Chicharito scored on his first-ever appearance in a United shirt during last summer's tour of the US.

Top flight for De Laet

De Laet's loans 2010/11

Sheffield United: 6 games, 0 goals
Preston N.E: 5 games, 0 goals
Portsmouth: 22 games, 0 goals

Ritchie De Laet's learning curve is set to continue in 2011/12 with a season-long loan at Norwich City.
By joining the newly-promoted Canaries, the versatile Belgian defender will get the chance to pit his wits against Barclays Premier League opposition every week, having previously been on loan in a lower tier. In fact, De Laet played for three different teams in the Championship last season - Preston North End, Sheffield United and Portsmouth.
An article published on Norwich's official website at 17:00 on Friday read: "Norwich City can confirm the signing of Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet on a season-long loan, subject to the relevant paperwork being completed."
Canaries coach Paul Lambert told his club's site: "Ritchie will be great for us. He's young and one of his main strengths is pace and he comes from a great club where he's played first-team football. He'll come in and help the other lads out. He's played a lot of first team games out on loan last season and I'm sure he'll do great for us."
United Reserves coach Warren Joyce recently spoke to ManUtd.com to review De Laet's 2010/11 season out on loan.
"De Laet had an outstanding season in the Championship, I’m sure all three managers he played under were delighted with him," said Joyce.
"He produced some real high-quality performances in the Championship and looked really
strong. He played in a variety of positions and ended up at right-back with Portsmouth. That's not a position where he’s played a great deal at United, either for the reserves or the first team. But he did really well there for Portsmouth. Previously he was left-back at Preston and did well, and he played in both full-back positions and at centre-back for Sheffield United so he had a good year."
Ironically De Laet's final home game for Portsmouth was against Norwich on 2 May, when the Canaries clinched promotion to the Barclays Premier League by winning 1-0.

Talent spotting : Xherdan Shaqiri

Fan scouting: Shaqiri

 
Player name: Xherdan Shaqiri
National team: Switzerland
Current club: FC Basel
Position: Winger
Age: 19 (born 10 October 1991 in Kosovo)
Match scouted: Denmark 0-1 Switzerland, 11 June 2011
Key moment: Shaqiri set up Switzerland's lightning opener, playing the ball through for Fabian Frei to net after just 58 seconds.

Strengths: Shaqiri already has plenty of Champions League experience having been current back-to-back Swiss champions FC Basel’s best player in Europe in 2010/11. He is powerful, quick and tricky – all the classic attributes of a penetrative winger. He's also capable of scoring goals - take his fantastic long-range strike against England for example. That left-foot scorcher marked his arrival on the senior international stage, when he came off the bench in a Euro 2012 qualifier back in October 2010. Many regard him as the future of Swiss football.

Estimated cost: I would think around 8-12 million Euros.

David De Gea motivated

David De Gea 'incredibly motivated' by Manchester United future

David De Gea claims he is not worried about the possibility of becoming one of the world's most expensive goalkeepers if he joins Manchester United, and is only concerned about being a worthy replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
The Atletico Madrid man, currently on duty with the Spanish Under-21 side at the European Championships, is widely thought to be the man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has pinpointed to replace the retiring Van der Sar.
A fee of £18million has been mentioned for the 20-year-old, but he claims that does not interest him and that if he does move to Manchester, he will only be concerned with ably filling Van der Sar's boots.
"I feel incredibly motivated by the fact that Manchester United are thinking about me," he said.
"I like the fact that they are considering me as a replacement for a goalkeeper of Edwin van der Sar's calibre.
"I will need to keep on striving and working hard, as I am still in the outset of my career, and I still have much to do at this level.
"I hope I will still be playing when I am his age. It is hard to look so far ahead but it is something I want to do.
"The fact that I could become one of the most expensive goalkeepers ever does not interest me. The value that really counts is what you do on the pitch."

Replacing Scholes Fergie's Biggest Challenge Yet?

Just how will Alex Ferguson find a new Paul Scholes for Manchester United?

It is a task as demanding as any Sir Alex Ferguson has faced in his 25 years at Old Trafford – how to replace Paul Scholes.
Of course, there is no such thing as a carbon copy of the  midfield genius, who retired at the end of the season and will go down as one of the club’s
greatest-ever players.
But the Reds boss has around £55m – either to be accrued from potential sales or ready in the bank  – for summer imports.
And after the chastening experience of the Wembley defeat against Barcelona, the Old Trafford manager and supporters want a new playmaker to make the Reds tick.
The arrival of £16.5m Phil Jones has been welcomed as a rearguard policy that will mature in the future.
The £20m deal to land Aston Villa’s Ashley Young that will go through before the end of the month has been met with a somewhat lukewarm reception.
Glorious
And the probable July signing of Atletico Madrid’s David de Gea is a necessary plug to fill the gap left by the retiring Edwin Van der Sar.
But it is the void left by Scholes’ decision to call time on his glorious career that must be filled if United are to eat up the ground Barca put between themselves and the rest of Europe in London last month.
Whether Scholes had gone or not, it was a position that had to be addressed.
By his own admission, the midfielder was only a shadow of the player he was in his pomp last season.
And without his stamp of class on United’s midfield the Reds generally lacked flair in that key area.
The search for the answer has got United juggling transfer balls – and waiting for the moment when one lands safely in Sir Alex’s clutches.
United fans are split on who they want to see posing for pictures in a United shirt this summer with the ubiquitous scarf held above his head.
Wesley Sneijder looked initially like he would win the vote by a landslide.
His marvellous season with Inter Milan – that saw him inspire the Italians to the Serie A title, the Copa Italia and Champions League in 2010, plus a key
contribution to Holland reaching the World Cup final in South Africa – made him the must-have playmaker.
A follow-up season of discontent at the San Siro has given suitors hope they can lure him from Milan.
But Sneijder was 27 this month, hasn’t experienced the Premier League and is unsure whether he fancies England.
That has steered United and their fans in the direction of Tottenham’s Luka Modric.
At 25, he fits snugly into the mid-20 range that Fergie is trying to stock up on. The Croatian shone in the Premier League since 2008, so there will be little settling down period.
Modric is not afraid to drop deep to help out and is a good link man.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will fight tooth and nail to keep him and it is believed only a colossal bid would force Tottenham’s hand.
But Redknapp is said to have already begun the search for Modric’s replacement if that fat cheque shows up.
Intermediaries for United and Arsenal are also understood to have made tentative contact with regards to Samir Nasri.
The Arsenal midfielder is out of contract at the Emirates next summer and has yet to sign a new deal, prompting suggestions he’s ready to quit the
Gunners.
There is, however, the suspicion that it could be a move to force Arsenal into a bigger and better deal.
His agent Alain Migliaccio said: “I want to clarify that there has been no break with the Gunners over the contract’s renewal and we should meet again soon with Arsene Wenger.
Outsider
“There are a few clubs interested in Samir, but it is useless to name them.
“Before listening to other teams, we need and we want to talk with Arsenal.”
Coming up on the rails is outsider Sochaux’s Marvin Martin. He has been promoted to Laurent Blanc’s French international side and scored twice on his debut.
Fergie is certain to have Blanc’s ear on that one. Martin is 23 and that might appeal to the United manager’s devilish penchant for pulling a shock bargain out of the hat.
Parisian Martin has been nicknamed ‘Little Xavi’ after the Barcelona genius and has certainly got the tools for the job that the Reds require.
At Old Trafford Tom Cleverley is keen to push his claims to become the new Scholes, while Michael Carrick will not want his nose pushed out in the scrap to become United’s new lead playmaker.

Exclusive – Gary Pallister: Manchester United Need Luka Modric To Become The Best Team In Europe

Manchester United legend Gary Pallister says his club need to buy Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric if they want to catch Barcelona.
The White Hart Lane playmaker has been the subject of a £22million bid from Chelsea, which was rejected, and Manchester City are also rumoured to be preparing a bid.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp insists none of his stars are up for sale as he tries to get his side back into the Champions League.
But Pallister beleives the Croatia international could help United overturn the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona and make the Red Devils the best team in Europe.
“With the loss of Scholes, you are looking for a playmaker and I think Luka Modric ticks all the right boxes,” he said to Caughtoffside. ”He has been an absolute star for Tottenham.
“He gives the team an imagination. When you look at the likes of Barcelona in the Champions League maybe that is the way forward and having Modric in the team will add to Manchester United.”

Most Important Deals

The 10 Most Important Deals in Club History

 

As Manchester United's transfer activity heats up, we take a look back at the best deals ever made in the club's history.
Manchester United has always relied on the formula of bringing in fresh, untapped talent into its ranks and breeding the fledglings for the future.
It's a simple, yet effective trick that every manager who has been in charge at the club has mastered.
Current gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson is a connoisseur when it comes to identifying future prospects and has wasted little time this transfer window in bringing in fresh new talent into the club. 
While a £16.5 million deal for England U-21 defender Phil Jones has already been agreed, Manchester United are also close to signing winger Ashley Young and goalkeeper David De Gea. 
Whether the trio will be successful at the Theatre of Dreams is anyone's guess, but here's a list of 10 great deals the club has sanctioned in its glorious history:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (£12m, 2003)

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro began his football career in his hometown Madeira, Portugal. 
After starting off with a couple of local clubs, Ronaldo moved to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in 1997 after being spotted and tagged as a gifted boy.
Ronaldo soon became the only player in Sporting's history to play for their under-16, under-17, under-18, B and first teams all at the same time. Gerard Houllier, manager of Liverpool at the time, wanted to snap him up at 16 but the club declined because of his age.
Then, in the summer of 2003, Manchester United played an exhibition match at Sporting's new stadium and this was when young Ronaldo caught the eyes of the United players and manager alike.
Sir Alex Ferguson immediately made a move for the 18-year-old and Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in a deal worth £12 million.
Ronaldo was given the coveted No. 7 jersey by Sir Alex, previously worn by greats such as Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. The youngster had some big shoes to fill in.
Ronaldo scored his first goal for Manchester United against Portsmouth in November that year—from a free kick.
The rest, as they say, is history.

2. Denis Law (£115k, 1962)

Denis Law had stints with both the Manchester clubs in his 18-year career but is best known for his time at Manchester United between 1962-73.
Law first plied his trade for Huddersfield Town where he scored 16 goals in five years. Sir Matt Busby offered £10k for the striker—a substantial amount at the time—but had his offer declined.
When Huddersfield's manager Bill Shankly left for Liverpool in 1959, Law's future was undecided which led Sir Matt Busby to try for him again. 
But Law was snapped up by crosstown rivals Manchester City for a record £55,000. He just played one season at Maine Road before moving to Italian club Torino.
Manchester United finally had their man a season later in 1962 for a new British record fee of £115,000.
Law scored seven minutes into his United debut against West Bromwich Albion. He then helped United win their first league title since Munich in the 1964-65 season.
In his 11 seasons at Old Trafford, Law scored 237 goals in 409 appearances—earning him a place in the famed "United Trinity" alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best.

3. Peter Schmeichel (£550k, 1991)

Peter Boleslaw Schmeichel (incidentally one of the best middle names I've heard) began his career at Danish club Brondby where he won four titles in five years.
Schmeichel helped Brondby reach the semifinals of the UEFA Cup in 1991 and also performed strongly on the international front, which was when he was spotted by the United scouts.
Sir Alex Ferguson landed the 6'4" shot-stopper for a cut-price of £550,000 in the summer of 1991. This later turned out to be one of the deals of the century as Schmeichel recorded 22 clean sheets in the 1992-93 season—thereby helping United win their first league title in 26 years.
Scmeichel was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" for two consecutive years in 1992 and 1993. He later went on to win five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League and one League Cup with United.
Schmeichel's last season with the Red Devils was truly a historic one as United went on to win the treble in 1999. His last game for United was as captain in the Champions League Final, which United won 2-1 against Bayern Munich.
Schmeichel remains the best goalkeeper Manchester United have ever had in their ranks. It took Sir Alex a lot of trial-and-error keepers to finally find a worthy replacement in Edwin van der Sar, six years after Schmeichel hung up his gloves.

4. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (£1.5m, 1996)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had scored 31 goals in 42 matches for Norwegian side Molde when Sir Alex Ferguson signed the 23-year-old for £1.5 million.
The signing left many a United fan surprised, since Alan Shearer was the target that season. Shearer went on to sign for Newcastle for 10 times the amount United paid for Solskjaer—£15 million.
However, Solskjaer put everyone's doubts to rest by scoring six minutes into his debut as a substitute against Blackburn. 
The baby-faced Solskjaer then went on to define the term "super sub" as he made cheeky little appearances at the fag end of the game to eventually nick the winner.
The defining moment of his career obviously came in the 1999 Champions League Final that catapulted him into the United folklore.
Solskjaer remains one of Sir Alex's most shrewd signings. Javier Hernandez comes a very close second.

5. Eric Cantona (£1.2m, 1992)

After just one year at hated rivals Leeds United, Eric Cantona joined Manchester United for £1.2 million in November 1992. 
United were in dire need of a striker and Cantona, who had moved to England from France under the advise of Gerard Houllier, fit the bill completely.
Sir Alex Ferguson's guidance moulded the hot-tempered Frenchman into a striker who would be feared for both his on-field and off-field capers.
Kung-fu kicks on opposition fans and metaphorical rants at the media involving seagulls put aside, Eric Cantona remains one of Ferguson's finest signings and one of the finest captains the club has graced.
King Cantona, as he is known as among the United faithful, scored 80 goals for the club in five glorious seasons. His charisma, dynamism and temper is missed even today.

6. Bryan Robson (£1.5m, 1981)

Bryan Robson made his foray into the world of football at the West Bromwich Albion youth academy. He carved a niche for himself at the Hawthorns, scoring 40 goals for the club as a midfielder in seven years.
When the Baggies' manager Ron Atkinson left for Manchester United in the summer of 1981, Robson followed him to Old Trafford soon after, in a deal worth £1.5 million. 
Robson took on the famed No. 7 shirt at United and went on to five goals in his first season. Atkinson soon made Robson captain and the latter responded by scoring a brace in United's FA Cup Final victory over Brighton.
Robbo went on to lift two more FA Cups, two league titles and the European Cup Winner's Cup, which earned him the nickname of Captain Marvel. 
Robbo scored 99 goals for Manchester United and remains the longest-serving captain in the club's history.

7. Wayne Rooney (£27m, 2004)

After Dwight Yorke left Manchester United for Blackburn in 2002, Sir Alex Ferguson was on the constant lookout for a worthy striker to partner Ruud van Nistelrooy up front. 
Ferguson's search eventually led him across the M62 to Everton where a certain youngster named Wayne Rooney was making his mark in the game. 
Rooney had ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run in 2002 with a last-minute winning goal which made him the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history, aged 16 years and 360 days.
Rooney's exploits at the Euro 2004 tournament, where he became the youngest scorer in the competition's history, finally made Sir Alex make his move and land the young prodigy in a deal worth £27 million.
Rooney's arrival at Old Trafford, given his Scouse origins, was met with raised eyebrows in Manchester. But all was forgotten when the youngster netted a hat-trick on his United debut in a Champions League match against Fenerbahce.
Rooney, who was given the No. 8 jersey to begin with, took over van Nistelrooy's No. 10 shirt after the Dutchman's exit.
Rooney's United career is marked with many highs and lows. There have been times when the fans wanted him out, but Rooney has managed to redeem himself with his goals.
With 147 goals and counting to date, Rooney has cemented his place in the pantheon of United greats at the tender age of 25.
Unfortunately for his detractors and opponents, he isn't quite done yet.

8. Roy Keane (£3.75m, 1993)

After signing for Nottingham Forest at the age of 19, Roy Keane began to make noise around the English football circle and attracted the attention of top Premier League clubs.
Kenny Dalglish, who managed Blackburn Rovers then, was the first one to speak to the Irishman about a possible switch to Ewood Park. With Forest nearing relegation, Keane replied in the affirmative and was all set to join the Riversiders in the summer of 1993.
However, a cheeky phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson dramatically made Keane sign for Manchester United instead, for a British record fee of £3.75 million, to Dalglish's rage.
Keane took a while to break into the first team but got his chance when captain Bryan Robson went out with injury. The Irishman took full advantage of his opportunity by scoring a brace on his home debut against Sheffield United.
Keane then slowly began to find himself as a first-team regular in the United midfield alongside the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
Known for his shrewd no-nonsense attitude, Keane eventually took over as club captain after Eric Cantona's retirement. Keane carried forward Cantona's legacy of astuteness and aggressiveness and became one of the most dynamic captains United ever produced. No one could take Roy Keane for granted. Ask Patrick Vieira.
Keane led United to nine major titles and remains one of the most successful captains in club history.

9. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (£19m, 2001)

Ruud van Nistelrooy was first spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson's son, Darren Ferguson, when the Dutchman used to play for PSV Eindhoven. When Ferguson Jr. begged daddy to sign the striker, Sir Alex immediately obliged by sending club representatives to seal the deal in the summer of 2000. 
But due to a niggling knee injury, van Nistelrooy's arrival at Old Trafford was delayed by a year and Sir Alex finally got his man the following summer for around £19 million—a British record at the time.
Van Nistelrooy wasted no time in justifying his price tag by scoring 33 goals in his first season for the Red Devils—a feat that won him the PFA Player's Player of the Year Award.
The following season saw the Dutchman become the highest scorer in the Premier League by netting 25 goals.
Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for the Red Devils. But a fallout with Sir Alex at the end of the 2006 season saw him sign for Real Madrid that summer.
Van Nistelrooy remains one of United's most celebrated No. 10s. 

10. Nemanja Vidic (£7m, 2006)

Sir Alex Ferguson had been trailing Nemanja Vidic for almost two-and-a-half years before he finally made his move in the January transfer window of 2006. 
Manchester United fans had hardly heard about the big Serb when he completed his £7 million move from Spartak Moscow and were highly skeptical about the signing.
Vidic made his United debut as a substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Carling Cup semifinal against Blackburn that year. He had a shaky start but didn't take much time to get used to the physicality of the English game.
Vidic started making more and more appearances in the 2006-07 season and soon formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand.
Today, Nemanja Vidic is one of the most feared defenders in the world and is known for literally throwing his 6'3" stocky frame at the opponent. More often than not, Vidic gets the ball and leaves the opponent on the floor like a freight train has hit him.
The United faithful rightly sing about their current captain, "Nemanja...woah...Nemanja...woah! He comes from Serbia, he'll f&%$in' murder ya!"
Damn right he will!