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31 Jul 2009
Red View: Audi Cup reaction, Sir Alex Q&A, free 1999 video + more
29 Jul 2009
Ticket News: Last few Season Tickets remain plus Birmingham and Community Shield tickets available
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ManUtd.com
27 Jul 2009
Greentown 2 United 8
Ryan Giggs grabbed a second-half hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Michael Owen (2), Nani, Zoran Tosic and arguably the man of the match, Dimitar Berbatov.
In truth, it probably wasn’t the most useful pre-season test but Sir Alex Ferguson will still take plenty of encouragement into the more arduous Audi Cup fixtures against Boca Juniors and either AC Milan or Bayern Munich. Apart from the obvious glut of goals, he will reflect positively on the creative play of Berbatov and Nani who tore the opposition apart.
The Bulgarian striker sprayed the ball out wide for the Portuguese winger to create the first goal for Owen after 23 minutes; United's number seven hovering in line with Greentown’s last man before sliding into the six-yard box to prod home Nani's low centre. Moments earlier, Paul Scholes had uncharacteristically missed with a volley, when Nani teased a ball to him from the right flank.
The same architect was at it again for United’s second goal on the half-hour mark, following an initial surging run from right-back by Fabio. Although the Brazilian’s first attempt at a cross was poor, so too was Greentown’s attempt to clear it; when Nani regained the ball, he dinked it cleverly over the keeper and two defenders to slightly beyond the far post where Berbatov was lurking, ready to volley in from close range
With a goal to his name, the other side of the Bulgarian striker’s game – the sublime creativity – came to the fore as United doubled the lead with arguably the best two efforts of the Asia Tour. For 3-0, Berbatov backheeled to Evra earlier in the flowing move that led to him bringing down Fletcher’s flighted pass with one touch and laying off to Tosic on the left with another. The Serbian finished the attack by taking on Greentown centre-half Wu Weichao and firing a left-foot shot across the goalkeeper and in off the far post.
Even better was to come from Berbatov. For United’s glorious fourth goal, he received Fletcher’s low pass with his back to goal, teed it up and flicked it over his shoulder for Owen to take on the chest and then rattle past Jiang Bo before the ball could touch the ground.
Jiang Bo’s experienced opposite number, Edwin van der Sar, wasn’t a mere spectator in the first period – he made one notable save by diving low to his left when Brazilian midfielder Otto’s shot took a deflection off Evans. He also had to be on his toes as a direct free-kick from Greentown skipper Ma Cheng only just cleared his top right-hand corner, while a shot across his bows from midfield talisman Yan Sang almost brought an unlikely equaliser when the score was only 1-0 to the Reds.
The Reds made two changes at half-time – Wayne Rooney replacing Owen and Ben Foster giving van der Sar a break – but there was no alteration to the style and swagger of the play. Berbatov carried on from where he left off, this time backheeling into the path of Nani inside the Greentown area. The Portuguese
still had some work to do, and he produced a wonderful turn of his own to wrongfoot Varbanov before beating substitute goalkeeper Han Fen.
Five-nil up after 50 minutes, it was job well and truly done for the starting eleven. Cue a quadruple substitution with Anderson, Brown, Giggs and Park all coming on for Ferdinand, Fletcher, Scholes and Tosic.
Anderson’s first contribution was almost an assist, a pass rolled into the path of Patrice Evra who marched forward from left-back and let fly an unstoppable shot that cannoned back off the post with the keeper well beaten.
Three subs combined to make it 6-0 to United when Rooney dropped a delightful ball at the feet of Ji-sung Park on the right, and the Korean set up Giggs for a crack past Han Fen in the 61st minute.
Ten minutes later, the Welshman enthralled the crowd again when he sprinted onto Rooney’s one-touch lay-off, held off the run of Chang Lin and dinked his second goal – and United’s seventh – over the keeper.
Gibson, on for Berbatov, tested Han Fen with a low drive shortly before Wang Hong Yu scored the eighth goal of the game, by powering a 78th-minute header past Foster from fellow sub Huang Long’s left-wing corner.
Patrice Evra should have made it 8-1 when his good friend Ji-sung park created a seemingly unmissable opportunity; instead the Frenchman struck the
same left-hand post he’d terrorised earlier, only this time from close range. Anderson also hit that area of the woodwork, curling a left-footed shot against it after storming through a pack of Greentown players. Gibson felt he could have done better with the rebound than sidefooting it wide.
Ryan Giggs wrapped up a second-half hat-trick, when the ball fell kindly for him in the area and he dummied the keeper to coolly slot it into the net. But even that goal, in the 88th minute, wasn’t quite the climax as Otto thundered Greentown’s second consolation strike through the legs of Jonny Evans to make the final score 8-2.
The fervent Chinese United fans in the Yellow Dragon Stadium loved every minute of it, of course, and it was also a treat for the MUTV audience - with a number of heartening signs for the campaign that lies ahead.
Team line-ups
United: Van der Sar (Foster, 45); Fabio, Evans, Ferdinand (Brown, 59), Evra; Nani, Scholes (Anderson, 59), Fletcher (Giggs, 59), Tosic (Park, 59); Berbatov (Gibson, 70), Owen (Rooney, 45).
Goals: Owen 23, 39; Berbatov 30, Tosic 32, Nani 50, Giggs 71, 81, 88.
Greentown: Jiang Bo (Han Fen, 45); Zhang Ye (Fan Xiaodong, 62), Varbanov, Chang Lin (Xie Zhiyu, 81), Wu Weichao (Liu Bo 45); Yan Song (Yang Fushong, 37), Otto, Jiao Feng Bo (Wang Hong You, 62), Cai Chu Chuang (Huang Long, 62); Ma Cheng, Francisco (Chukwuma, 45).
Goals: Wang Hong You 78, Otto 90.
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26 Jul 2009
Sir Alex wants 15 goals from rejuvenated Owen
Sir Alex Ferguson has set Michael Owen a 15-goal target for his debut season at Manchester United.
GettyImages
Owen has two in two for United.
Owen was a surprise capture for a club reeling at the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from their title-winning squad.
At first, most United fans were seriously underwhelmed by the signing. However, with two goals in three games on the Red Devils' Far East tour so far, Owen has hit the ground running and looks fitter and fresher than at any stage during four seasons at Newcastle.
Ferguson, though, does intend paying some heed to Owen's past fitness record.
The Scot nevertheless expects Owen to figure in 25 games this term. And providing he reaches that figure, Ferguson sees no reason why his new forward should fail to hit the 15-goal mark.
"Michael has scored two already and I hope there are plenty more to come," said the Red Devils chief. "If you look at his record over the years, even the last two years at Newcastle when they were going through a difficult time, he scored one in every two games.
"He is easily capable of reaching that level again. If he plays 25 games for me this season I think we'll get 15 goals."
Ferguson was speaking ahead of tomorrow's encounter with Hangzhou Greentown at the Dragon Stadium, which will conclude another successful trip to Asia that once again highlights how popular United are in this part of the world.
The reaction in South Korea to Park Ji-sung's arrival was astounding, while United arrived in China to instantly find their team hotel mobbed by supporters today, with high pitched screaming coming every time one of the players ventured into public view.
Little wonder Ferguson is not ruling out the possibility of signing another Chinese player, despite the purchase of Dong Fangzhou now being regarded as a failure.
"United are always searching for talent throughout the world," said Ferguson. "Of course we had Dong for a couple of years.
"He is a good boy, a good professional and he did his very best but unfortunately it didn't work out for him. However if we see potential we will bring them to United. Our search always goes on."
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24 Jul 2009
Fergie pleased with attack
Sir Alex Ferguson is deriving most pleasure from the impact of his strikers in pre-season campaign.
Wayne Rooney and Federico Macheda were both on target for the second time in pre-season, with Dimitar Berbatov breaking his duck by nodding home the winner midway through the second half.
For Macheda in particular, an impressive Far East tour is a major bonus, as it will give his manager faith that, in the 17-year-old, he has someone capable of being fourth striker to Rooney, Berbatov and Michael Owen.
''Federico's goal was excellent,'' enthused Ferguson. ''His movement was very good and he always seems to do well when he gets on the shoulder of defenders.
''It is really pleasing to see your strikers scoring. Obviously the main ones are going to be Owen, Rooney and Berbatov and I am very comfortable with that.
''But if Federico continues to progress, it will be a big advantage to us because it would give us an extra player from the word go.''
Tosic aims high
After making his debut in January's FA Cup win over Tottenham, he featured in the victories over West Brom and Hull City, but spent the remainder of the campaign plying his trade in the Reserves.
Now on tour in Asia with the senior squad, the Serbian international spoke exclusively to MUTV about his life at Old Trafford and outlined his ambitions for the 2009/10 season.
How have you enjoyed your time at Manchester United so far?
Well, I’m very happy to play for this club and I’m trying to do my best every day. I hope that in the next few games [during pre-season] I’ll get my chance and when I do I’ll try to play the best I can.
We’ve seen you play a lot in the Reserves. How has that been for you?
For me it’s important to play games. In the last six months I haven’t played for the first team so much. If I’m only training then that’s not good – you have to play. I’m happy to play a few games for the Reserves because it helps me keep in good condition and means I’m ready if I get a chance in the first team.
How does the game in England compare to that back in Serbia?
It’s a very different kind of football and I was very nervous during my first few matches here. You have to be strong and very well prepared for every game. Everything’s different but I’m used to it now. It’s normal for me. I think it’s the best league in
the world, but also the hardest.
What have you had to do in order to adapt to playing in England?
I have to do more on the physical side. In a game you have so many challenges – you need to be very strong at all times. I’m working in the gym a lot and I’m improving so I hope I’m ready when the season starts. I’d like to play more.
Who’s been the biggest help since you arrived at the club?
Of course, Vida [Nemanja Vidic] has helped me the most. I know him from the national team. He’s told me a lot about the club, the way we like to play and what to do both on and off the pitch. He’s with me all the time and helping me a lot. But not only him – all the players have been very good to me.
What’s it been like on those occasions when you've played for the first team?
The day I made my debut was the most important day in my life because I played for the club that I loved since I first started playing football. There were 75,000 people there so it was a very good atmosphere. You can only enjoy that.
What’s it like travelling to the other side of the world and playing in Asia?
This is my first tour but I hope there’ll be more in the next few years. It’s very hot so the games are tough. We have to train very hard and it’s difficult in this weather. But I think it will help us for when we get back to England – it will help us prepare for the new season.
What are your aims for the upcoming campaign?
I’m trying to do my best in every training session and every game. I hope I’ll get a chance and I’ll try to make the most of that chance. I’m not thinking about how many games I want to play – I just want to train hard and take my opportunities.
From watching you in the Reserves we know you’re very quick and you have lots of tricks in your locker. What do you most enjoy about your game?
Playing for the first team is different to the Reserves. In the Reserves you have more space and you can play free football. In the first team it’s quicker and stronger – there’s not so much space to do tricks. Instead you have to play the ball quickly. I just want to do my best to do well for the team. Then after that, maybe I’ll try some tricks!
We've heard you can take a good free-kick. If you get a chance in the first team will you put your hand up to take them now Ronaldo’s gone?
Of course I will… if they let me! I’m practising every day on the training ground and I’m doing well.
What have you made of Michael Owen?
I’ve been watching Michael since I was a kid and I remember the goal he scored for England against Argentina 10 years ago. I’m very happy to be playing with him and the rest of the team. I’m happy for him because he scored on his debut and I hope that I’m going to score soon.
Evra exclusive, free FC Seoul video, Tosic interview + more
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23 Jul 2009
Berbatov vows to prove his worth
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Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out a club record £30.75m to lure the Bulgarian north from Tottenham last summer.
Although Berbatov was good in patches, finding the net on 14 occasions, largely his debut campaign for the Old Trafford outfit has been written off as a disappointment.
In fact, failing to make the starting line-up for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome led some to suggest Berbatov might be sold on, less than 12 months after his arrival.
Yet it seems Ferguson has certainly not lost faith in Berbatov's silky skills.
If anything, the 28-year-old is now an even more important figure for the Red Devils given Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left for pastures new.
It just increases the pressure a notch, not that the ultra laid-back Berbatov has ever given any indication of being affected by such trivialities.
However, he does concede the need for improvement. And he expects it to come.
"I think I can do better,'' he told MUTV. "I think I can do more. That's why I am happy to be here on the pre-season tour.
"It is always beneficial to start well and have a good pre-season and I feel I am training well at the moment.
"I am here to score goals and I hope to score more and more for United this season.''
Berbatov has yet to open his account on a tour that, after two matches against a Malaysian outfit, now sees United tackle FC Seoul on Friday in a game where Park Ji-sung will undoubtedly be the centre of attention.
Given Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Federico Macheda have all found the target, Berbatov is playing catch-up in the personal scoring duels.
Yet, as Ryan Giggs knows only too well, for United life at the moment is about getting used to operating without the talents of Ronaldo and Tevez.
The departed duo were major inspirations behind United's Champions League-winning campaign two seasons ago. And while Tevez ultimately left in bad-tempered fashion, annoyed at his lack of first-team opportunities, Ronaldo was also a key figure in a third straight Premier League title last term.
However, in his 18 years as a United regular, Giggs has seen countless stars come and go. On each occasion, the Red Devils have responded in the perfect manner.
And the Welsh veteran can see no reason why it should be any different this time round.
"Since I came into the team the likes of Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and David Beckham have left the club,'' he said.
"But that is what the manager is so good at - reshaping and re-energising the team.
"Carlos and Cristiano were great players but we move on. As players it's like ships in the night. You just get on with it.''
Darron Gibson
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Darron Gibson Bio
Northern Ireland Under-21 international Gibon has been earmarked for great things for years by Manchester United.
He was spotted by scouts at the age of 14 and travelled over to Manchester for a trial on his 15th birthday, which was successful.
The Irishman said: 'I'd had trials with ten other clubs. Leeds, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle, Arsenal, Charlton and Leicester were among them. I had a choice between Leicester, Sunderland and Leeds before Manchester United came in.
'As soon as I knew I could sign for United that was it, there was no choice in the matter.'
He was handed his debut in October 2005 when replacing fellow youth star Lee Martin for the final 15 minutes of a 4-1 Carling Cup victory at home to Barnet.
However, that was the player's only United appearance before being loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the season in October 2007, where he played 24 matches - and bagged his first senior goal in a 2-3 home defeat to Burnley.
Gibson also spent 2006/07 out on loan at United's Belgian partners Royal Antwerp, where he came back with glowing reviews.
He is described as a powerful and athletic midfielder.
22 Jul 2009
Zoran Tosic
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Zoran Tosic Bio
Manchester United signed Serbian starlet Tosic from Partizan Belgrade once the transfer window reopened in January 2009. But Sir Alex Ferguson had to work had to get the winger, appearing personally at a work permit hearing to push it through.
He began his career with Proleter Zrenjanin before moving to Buducnost Banatski Dvor. Those two teams later merged to become FK Banat Zrenjanin.
His performances led to a move to FK Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2007 with Europe's biggest clubs already watching. Just a few months earlier he was won his first cap for the Serbia Under-21 side aged 19. He was then part of the squad which finished as runners-up at the 2007 European Under-21 Championships.
Tosic's rise would be meteroic. By August 2007 he was called into the full Serbia squad and made his full international bow against Finland in a Euro 2008 qualifier and from then on was a regular.
The attacking midfielder, who prefers to play on the left, moved to United along with team-mate Adem Ljajic for a combined fee believed to be in the region of £16 million. He played 49 games for FK Partizan, scoring 14 goals.
As Tosic did not meet the requirements for a British work permit he needed special permission granted by a panel which included Chris Waddle.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he would be bedded in before being thrust into first team action at Old Trafford.
Tosic's nickname is Bambi due to his build.
"The boy has some very good attributes," said Sir Alex. "He has a good understanding of the game itself and a decent goalscoring record.
"He has scored quite a few goals from free-kicks as well, so we just need to give him time to develop."
The player himself said: "At the beginning it was a dream to play somewhere like United but now it is a reality, one I am very happy with," he said. "I want to become a top player at United and not waste the opportunity of being a member of the greatest football family."
Ticket News: Last few Season Tickets remain, Valencia, Arsenal, Burnley and Wigan
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21 Jul 2009
Gabriel Obertan
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Obertan moved to Manchester United in July 2009 for an undisclosed fee from Bordeaux.
Although the winger moved from the French champions, he had spent the second half of the 2008-09 season on loan with Lorient.
The 20-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of France's brightest prospects and was linked with a host of top clubs, including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Chelsea and Arsenal.
He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award at the Toulon International Youth Tournament in June 2009.
Obertan, a Paris-born France Under-21 international, can fill several attacking roles.
Ticket News: Season Tickets, Valencia, Birmingham (Home), Community Shield, Open Training
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Tour news, United to sign Diouf, free Malaysia video
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