Midfielder Ji-Sung Park has been ruled out

Midfielder Ji-Sung Park has been ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Wolfsburg on Wednesday with a virus, though Patrice Evra and Michael Owen should be in contention.

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Park in action against Burnley this season.

Park, who started last season's Champions League final against Barcelona, missed training after contracting the virus, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson little choice but to rule the South Korean out. Better news for United is that Evra has recovered from a similar illness.

"Ji-Sung has a virus," said the United boss. "Patrice Evra had it at the weekend. After the Stoke game he felt a bit uneasy - he was in bed on Sunday and didn't come to training, but he came in for a bit yesterday, came in today and he should be alright."

Meanwhile, Manchester derby hero Michael Owen is expected to recover from a groin strain that forced him out of training.

"Michael should be alright for tomorrow," Ferguson said. "He had a tight groin in training yesterday, nothing serious. But obviously for the game tomorrow we didn't want to be pushing that. Other than that everyone's fit."

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Vidic brushes off loss of Ronaldo and Tevez

Vidic brushes off loss of Ronaldo and Tevez 
Nemanja Vidic is still trying to ignore talk about the impact of losing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the summer, determined that Manchester United's success this season will not be based on how the club deals with their departures.

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Serbian international Nemanja Vidic

The Serbia international, speaking ahead of Manchester United's Champions League date with Wolfsburg on Wednesday night, feels that the club's critics are desperate for United to fail this season so they can point the finger of blame at Sir Alex Ferguson for not adequately replacing the duo.

"Ronaldo and Tevez are quality players, there is no question about that,'' Vidic said. "But it is hard to say whether we have got over losing them. We will probably only know that at the end of the season.

"If we don't win trophies, people will say it is because they have gone, although that is not necessarily the case. At the moment we are doing well. We have had the best start in the four years I have been here. There is no question we have quality players but, for me, the really encouraging sign is that we are still not in the best form.

"You don't want to be at your highest level at this stage. We have to be ready for the most important games at the end.''

Vidic was also quick to praise striker Wayne Rooney, but believes his value to the side has long been overlooked with Ronaldo in the squad.

"It is wrong that people are suddenly looking at Wayne,'' he said. "He has always been an important player for us so, in that sense, nothing has changed. Sometimes he does things the fans don't see because he is doing a job for the team.

"This year he is even more noticeable because he is scoring goals and has a different role in the team. But we don't need to put pressure on him. We know all about his ability.''
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Ticket News: Wolfsburg, Sunderland - limited tickets still available

LIMITED WOLFSBURG TICKETS AVAILABLE You still have a chance to book tickets to see United's first home Champions League game of the season against Vfl Wolfsburg on Wednesday 30 September (KO 19:45 BST). The Reds got off to a good start in Group B with a 1-0 win against Besiktas in Istanbul two weeks ago, and now United welcome Bundesliga's champions Wolfsburg to Old Trafford. There are a limited number of tickets on sale for Wednesday's match. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0161 868 8000, or by visiting the Megastore or Ticketing & Membership Services. Click here to view ticket prices LIMITED SUNDERLAND TICKETS AVAILABLE A limited number of tickets are also available to for the Reds' Barclays Premier League game with Sunderland this Saturday, 3 October (KO 17:30 BST). United moved to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday and are looking to maintain that lead with the visit of Steve Bruce's Sunderland side. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0161 868 8000, or by visiting the Megastore or Ticketing & Membership Services. Click here for ticket prices. Hospitality packages are also available for this game.  Click here for more information or call 0161 868 8000 (option 2).

Edwin van der Sar : "I have the hunger to win again"

"I have the hunger to win again" 

Edwin van der Sar has vowed to deliver another Champions League title to the Man United fans before retiring.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper has not featured this season yet because of a finger injury.

However, the Dutchman refuted claims that he is intending to hang up his gloves at the end of the season.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, he said: "I don't want to pack it in. At the end of my holiday this summer, I was itching to go back to the training ground,

"I have the hunger to win the Champions League again. It does not matter that I won it in the past.

"The season could not start soon enough for me and it was unfortunate I got injured. After our pre-season tour in Korea, I said something about my future and the next day it was all over the back pages that I wanted to ruin [Ben] Foster's World Cup dream.

"That was nonsense. Foster got more playing time than ever last season because I was taking rests."

He also took time out to pay tribute to the man who has brought so much glory to Old Trafford in his time at the club, Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Alex Ferguson is the man who guarantees continuity at this club. He has built an empire and a group of loyal and trustworthy people around him and the team," said the goalkeeper.

"He does not need to be at the training ground every day. He does not even have to try and influence me to sign again.

"As a player you know what you have got at United because of all the staff around Fergie. They are all great people. The trick is that as a player here, you know you are employed by a multi-million pound football company,
but inside it feels as if you are surrounded by family."

There has been no official date as to when the giant stopper will be back in action.

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Dimitar Berbatov scores from Giggs' pass

Berbatov hails evergreen Giggs

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has hailed Ryan Giggs as the master game-breaker after the veteran midfielder once again inspired his team victory at the weekend.

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Dimitar Berbatov scores from Giggs' pass

The 35-year-old Welshman came on as a second-half substitute against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium and set up goals for Berbatov and John O'Shea to secure a 2-0 win that moved United to the top of the Premier League.

Berbatov said: "The game changed when Ryan came on. He makes the right decisions. That is what got us the three points. You can see because of the number of years he has been able to play for Manchester Untied how much he helps by being on the pitch."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson threw Giggs into the action after watching Nani and £16 million summer recruit Antonio Valencia struggle to break down a Stoke side that Potters manager Tony Pulis later admitted were "flat".

Despite being top of the league the failure of United's other widemen to hit form must be a worry for Ferguson, who has repeatedly called on Giggs to spark United into life this season.

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Red View: Team news, O'Shea exclusive, famous late goals + more

FOSTER TO START AT STOKE Ben Foster will start for United against Stoke City on Saturday as the Reds will be without Edwin van der Sar for a further three weeks. Tomasz Kuszczak impressed between the sticks against Wolves on Wednesday, but Foster keeps his place for league duty against his former club. Van der Sar, who suffered a broken hand against Bayern Munich in pre-season, isn't expected back until mid-October. "Edwin is still three weeks away," confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson at his Friday press conference. "It was a good opportunity for Tomasz to play on Wednesday, but Ben will play against Stoke." The boss also confirmed that there were no fresh injury concerns from Wednesday night and all the players involved in the 4-3 derby victory over Manchester City are in contention for selection this weekend. Sir Alex revealed his respect for the work Tony Pulis is doing at Stoke and believes the trip to the Britannia Stadium will be tricky for the champions. "Stoke have a good home record, and I'm not surprised how they've started the season at all," he said. "They're a club on the up and they're going to be a force." More: Hargreaves back in a month | Today at Old Trafford O'SHEA READY FOR BATTLE Sunday's dramatic win over City was an occasion to savour, but John O'Shea insists the Reds are fully focused on moving forward at Stoke on Saturday. Having booked a spot in the Carling Cup fourth round by beating Wolves in midweek, United's attentions now turn back to the league, and O'Shea is well aware of the difficulties the champions will face against Pulis' side. "The derby win was amazing, but that will soon be forgotten come five past three on Saturday when Stoke are getting in and about you," O'Shea told Red View.   "Stoke have really improved over the last year and made some good signings. They don't just have good battling qualities, they've got good footballing qualities too. "I know Glenn Whelan, who plays centre midfield for them, from the Irish team and he's not only a good battler, but he's great from set pieces and is a good passer. So we know we'll have plenty of work to do." The Reds earned a battling 1-0 victory over the Potters last season thanks to Carlos Tevez's late winner. And O'Shea is hoping for a repeat result this time round.   "We know from last season how tough a place it is to go and it was a crucial win for us, especially as it was our first game back after the Club World Cup," he added. "We're under no illusions of how tough it will be, but we're playing well at the moment and hopefully we can pick up another three points." Q&A: JONNY EVANS Jonny Evans may be called upon for the rough and tumble of a visit to Stoke this weekend. If so, he’ll likely prove once again why he’s moved so seamlessly into the senior United side. Here he tells us what life is like in the first team… How pleased were you with last season? At the start of the season I didn’t expect to be involved as much as I was. To get the Carling Cup, especially the way we won it with a lot of young players playing, was very pleasing. What are you striving for this year? To be involved as much as I can. People say you can have a good first season because of the adrenaline that comes with it, but the second season is always harder. So I want to remain consistent, put in good performances and improve as a player. How did coming through the ranks here prepare you for life in the first team? I’ve had some great coaches along the way, particularly Paul McGuinness . He’s very intense and you can see how dedicated he is to Manchester United, he absolutely loves the club and puts everything into his coaching. Working with him in the youth team gives you an insight into what it means to work at Manchester United. He developed me as a person and as a player. He makes you realise you’ve got to put the work in for yourself if you’re going to become a better player. Do you feel like you’re a fully fledged United player now? You don’t sit down and think ‘I’m a United player now’ – especially not after a handful of games. There are plenty of players who’ve played up to 100 games for United and aren’t well remembered. You want to make your mark on the history of the club and be remembered. Only then can you say ‘I made it at United’. What are the highlights of your United career to date? I’d have to say the whole of last season. The Carling Cup and the Club World Cup and winning the Premier League. I don’t think many players get that in their whole career so to get that in one season was unbelievable. Are we going to see a goal from you this season? I don’t know why I bother going up for corners any more! I look up to Rio Ferdinand and he’s not scored too many goals, so I’m just following in his footsteps! Who’s been your toughest opponent on the pitch? I’ve played against some really good forwards but one of the toughest opponents I’ve played against is Rob Hulse at Derby last year. People wouldn’t class him up there with the likes of Torres and Drogba but he puts himself about, he’s really good in the air and he’s a player I didn’t enjoy playing against. And what about on the training field? I have to say Wayne Rooney … because if I don’t he’ll moan! This interview first appeared in issue 207 of Inside United.

 

Fergie:" It was a fantastic goal"

A powerful strike from youngster Danny Welbeck gave defending champions Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Wolves in the third round of the Carling Cup and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to continue to give his fringe players a chance to impress in the competition.

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Goalscorer Danny Welbeck - set up by Owen - models his celebration on Usain Bolt

United won the Carling Cup last season with a squad based on youngsters and Ferguson, who has a history of blooding players in the knock-out tournament, sees no reason why the Red Devils should abandon that philosophy this term.

"It does excite me that I can give the young lads a chance in this competition," said Ferguson. "It is the only thing we can do. It is good for them to get the experience of playing at Old Trafford. It is a good breeding ground for young players."

England Under-21 star Welbeck was the main beneficiary on Wednesday night, netting a stylish winner midway through the second half after exchanging passes with Michael Owen.

The born and bred Mancunian featured in last year's final, as well as the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton and is clearly making a positive impression on the Old Trafford hierarchy.

"It was a fantastic goal. The passing and the finish were top quality," said Ferguson. "The angle Michael Owen created made it easy for him."

Ferguson is now dreaming of a home tie with Peterborough in the next round of the cup, which would mean a match-up with son Darren, a former United player.

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Manchester United 1 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Welbeck gives holders victory

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Michael Owen was forced to play a lone role up front for United

SCORING SUMMARY
Manchester United	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Danny Welbeck (66)

MATCH STATS
	Manchester United	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Shots (on Goal)	15(8)	10(4)
Fouls	7	10
Corner Kicks	3	7
Offsides	5	1
Time of Possession	48%	52%
Yellow Cards	0	0
Red Cards	1	0
Saves	6	6

MATCH INFORMATION

Stadium: Old Trafford, England Attendance: 51,160 Match Time: 20:00 UK Official(s):  Peter Walton (Referee)

TEAMS
Manchester United	Wolverhampton Wanderers
29 Tomasz Kuszczak	13 Marcus Hahnemann
2 Gary Neville	6 Jody Craddock
6 Wes Brown	32 Kevin Foley
23 Jonathan Evans	16 Christophe Berra
20 Fabio Da Silva	3 George Elokobi
16 Michael Carrick	8 Karl Henry
17 Nani	7 Michael Kightly
28 Darron Gibson	14 David Jones
7 Michael Owen	35 Segundo Castillo
19 Danny Welbeck	9 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
27 Federico Macheda	33 Stefan Maierhofer
Substitutes
40 Ben Amos	Carl Ikeme 30
5 Rio Ferdinand	Matthew Hill 26
30 Ritchie De Laet	Ronald Zubar 23
25 Antonio Valencia	Greg Halford 15
14 Zoran Tosic	Nenad Milijas 20
42 Magnus Eikrem	Kevin Doyle 29
41 Joshua King	Andrew Keogh 10
Substitutions
Ritchie De Laet for Federico Macheda (31)	Nenad Milijas for Segundo Castillo (46)
Antonio Valencia for Michael Owen (69)	Kevin Doyle for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (66)
Joshua King for Danny Welbeck (81)	Andrew Keogh for Michael Kightly (77)
Red Cards
Fabio Da Silva (30)
· Club Squads: Manchester United | Wolverhampton Wanderers

At a time when English clubs' recruitment of overseas youngsters is attracting the disapproving attention of FIFA, one of Manchester United's true home-grown talents sent their 10 men into the Carling Cup fourth round with a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Born in Longsight, a long stone's throw from Old Trafford, England Under-21 international Danny Welbeck calmly ensured Wolves were not able to profit from the dismissal of Fabio after just half an hour.
Welbeck finished in fine style after running on to Michael Owen's precise return pass, ensuring the holders' progress to the last 16 was smooth after a largely one-sided contest in which the loss of a player had barely any impact.
As expected, Ferguson changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's dramatic derby draw with City.
Yet there were still opportunities for Michael Carrick and Nani, who both missed out at the weekend, plus Owen and Tomasz Kuszczak who, in their own individual way, had something to prove.
Owen has now shown his goalscoring instinct remains. Yet, as a 90-minute player he remains a bit of an unknown.
In fairness to the veteran forward, the presence of Federico Macheda and Welbeck alongside him meant he had to do more tracking back than he would normally expect and it was only after United's numbers were reduced that he really came into his own.
Kuszczak must have sensed a Premier League start at Stoke would follow an eye-catching display given Ben Foster's pitiful experience against the Blues, when he was directly responsible for one goal and hardly covered himself in glory with the last.
The Pole benefited from Fabio's departure too, producing a fine fingertip save to deny former United midfielder David Jones with the resultant free-kick.
All in all then, with the contest turning into a keenly-fought affair instead of the sterile stalemate that had gone before, the sending-off was no bad thing, except for poor Fabio, who cut a dejected figure as he made his way off the field.
In truth, the Brazilian could have no complaints.
Put in trouble by Jonny Evans' failure to win an aerial duel with the robust Stefan Maierhofer and Wes Brown over-running the loose ball which momentarily escaped his vision, Fabio looked like getting back to challenge Kightly.
Unluckily, he slipped just at the wrong moment, so in sticking out a despairing arm to prevent Kightly charging clear into the box, he brought the Wolves man down for what was ruled a professional foul.
Owen had United's best chance before the interval but could only turn a header straight at Marcus Hahnemann, who experienced his own Foster moment just before the break when his attempted clearance was charged down by Welbeck.
Fortunately for the veteran American, it bounced to safety.
A surging Welbeck run created an opportunity Darron Gibson should have done more with, and only Nani's poor cross prevented him setting up Carrick after Gary Neville had sent the Portugal wide-man racing forward.
The goal, when it eventually came, just emphasised the gulf in class.
Wolves thought they had the situation under control when Gibson rolled a sideways pass to Carrick 30 yards out.
But within an instant, the England midfielder had created space for Welbeck, whose first time pass was returned in equally promising manner by Owen, who succeeded in providing his young team-mate with an opportunity to run onto the ball, clear of the Wolves defence.
The finish was first-time too. Straight into the bottom corner, as befits a player currently making the graduation from England Under-19 to Under-21 duty and surely destined for even higher honours one day.
Welbeck departed to a standing ovation from United's lowest crowd for four years - which still exceeded 50,000 - for another teenager, Norwegian Joshua King, of whom very big things are expected.
With a bit more composure and a little bit of luck, King might have marked his debut with a goal too, although ultimately one proved to be enough.

Fergie wants family tie in draw


Sir Alex Ferguson wants a Carling Cup last 16 meeting with son Darren, manager of Championship side Peterborough. "Peterborough at home," he said. "All the family should be happy with that."

"It was a fantastic goal," purred Ferguson over Welbeck's winner. "There was some quality passing involved in the move and he took it really well. It was obviously a difficult job for him, playing with 10 men for so long, but the goal told you everything about the boy's quality. He earned it."
Ferguson had no complaints over Fabio's dismissal for hauling down Michael Kightly after the youngster had slipped as he attempted to make a tackle.
The Scot was delighted with his side's discipline in possession, which left Wolves chasing shadows for long periods under Kevin Doyle brought a bit of spark late on.
But, having changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's breathtaking win over Manchester City, Ferguson felt vindicated in his selection policy which allowed him to introduce 17-year-old Norwegian Joshua King for his debut, another promising striker to emerge at Old Trafford.
"The boy has a really good future," said Ferguson. In fact, with Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Joshua King we have some really good young strikers. It is a long time since we had a group as good as that coming through the club."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy accused his side of showing a lack of belief when they were facing 10 men.
"I preferred it when they had 11," said McCarthy. "Manchester United have done it many times before, against clubs who have been in the Premier League far longer than us.
"They pick teams off and get to the other end of the pitch by playing through you. We were in the game more before they had a man sent off. But the result was more about us, our confidence and our belief in beating a team with 10 men."
Yet McCarthy refused to castigate a team for whom Kightly and former United striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were returning after extended periods on the sidelines. "We have been in the Premier League for three months," he said. "That doesn't make us a Premier League team. We are a football club that has got itself into the Premier League and for most of the time we have competed.
"Manchester United are arguably the best team in Europe. Liverpool have a similar set-up, and Arsenal. We are snotty-nosed kids coming up from the Championship.
"Is it a case of us coming up here and having our bellies tickled and for them to say, 'thanks for coming'? I don't like that. But it is part of the learning process."

Hargreaves return

Hargreaves steps closer to United return

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has taken another step towards recovery from his knee surgery, returning to the Red Devil's Carrington training ground to continue his rehabilitation.

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The midfielder has suffered in recent years.

The England star has been plagued by a tendinitis problem that preceeded his £18million move from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2007.

Although Hargreaves did manage to get through his first season at Old Trafford, and play in the 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea, the problem surfaced once more at the start of last season and it was decided to send him for surgery.

Under the guidance of renowned Colorado knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman, who counts Ruud van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer among the players he has helped recover from ruptured cruciate ligaments, Hargreaves had operations on both knees.

The Calgary-born player has remained in the United States for an extended period of rehabilitation ahead of his return to Manchester. he has been accompanied by the physios who have been working with him across the Atlantic, and they will now offer the United medical staff guidance on the best way to manage his recovery.

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined not to rush Hargreaves' return, knowing the player could be a very influential figure if he does eventually regain full fitness. However, he has been registered to play in the group stages of the Champions League, withthe United manager optimistic he will be fit to play a role by the end of November.

"Hargreaves [has been included] because, having taken the medical advice, we think he'll be available for the last three Champions League group-stage games," said Ferguson when naming his 25-man Champions League squad. "He's a versatile player who can perform in so many positions, so he could be a very important player for us at that time of the season."

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Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Brown ready to start again

COMPETITION STATS
	Manchester United	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Goals
Reds
Yellows		Marcus Hahnemann 1
·   Club Squads : Manchester United | Wolverhampton Wanderers

Next Five Matches in Competition
Manchester United		Wolverhampton Wanderers
9/23	H: Wolverhampton Wanderers	9/23	A: Manchester United
· Club Fixtures: Manchester United | Wolverhampton Wanderers

Updated: September 22, 2009, 3:37 PM UK

Manchester United defender Wes Brown refuses to get downhearted at the way his injury curse returned just as he was starting to fulfil his enormous potential.Sir Alex Ferguson has always viewed Brown as one of the most natural defenders he has worked with at United.
Yet, on too many occasions, the 29-year-old's progress has been halted. Cruciate operations on both knees, a broken ankle and a host of muscular problems have kept Brown on the sidelines for extended periods.
It seemed those problems were at an end though when Brown stepped into Gary Neville's right-back role and became an integral member of the United side that swept to a Premier League and Champions League double in 2008.
At that stage, with a place in Fabio Capello's England team for the first four games of their outstanding World Cup qualifying campaign also secured, the future looked bright for Brown.
Instead, after irritating Ferguson by dragging his heels over contract negotiations and then getting an ear-bashing for an own goal he scored at Liverpool, Brown's career was put on hold again by a ankle injury that ultimately kept him out for all but three games of the remainder of last season.
Brown's hopes of hitting the ground running this term were wrecked by a thigh problem suffered during a pre-season game in Munich, condemning the likeable Mancunian to spend the start of this term warming the bench.
Although the defender has made three appearances, his only starts came against Burnley and Arsenal last month and he did not even make the bench for Sunday's derby clash.
So once more, Brown has a sense of making up for lost time when he features in the Carling Cup tie with Wolves.
"It was frustrating not to be able to build on where I was at the end of 2008,'' he said. "Getting injured for most of last season was not very pleasant but I am used to it I suppose.
"There is no point thinking 'Why me?' I just get on with it and try to be confident. I am fit at the moment. That is the main thing.''
Brown will not be the only United player eager to make an impression against Mick McCarthy's men.
Ben Foster's disappointing performance against City seems to have opened the door to Tomasz Kuszczak while Edwin van der Sar completes the final stages of his recovery from a broken finger.
Kuszczak was always set to feature but the Pole must be aware an impressive display might allow him to keep his place for Saturday's Premier League trip to Stoke.
Darron Gibson gets another chance to build on a blossoming reputation, while Michael Owen is likely to start for only the second time this season after his match-winning exploits at the weekend.
Ferguson does have the option of pairing teenage duo Federico Macheda and Daniel Welbeck - who like Gibson was part of United's starting line-up for the victory over Tottenham at Wembley last March - together in attack.
However, as Welbeck operated in a wider role during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton, there is a chance Ferguson will operate with three strikers, supplemented by Nani and Zoran Tosic, who are also expected to be involved.
Wolves manager McCarthy has vowed to be bold.
McCarthy, who will hand starts to strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Stefan Maierhofer and winger Michael Kightly, believes going to Old Trafford to try and frustrate United would be a mistake.
He is not prepared for his team to sit back and defend for 90 minutes and try to catch United on the break.
McCarthy said: "We will play 4-4-2 against them and have a game with them.
"I don't know what team Sir Alex Ferguson will play but we will play whoever he turns out. But we are not going there to sit back and have them attack us for 90 minutes.
"That would be a recipe for disaster so we will be going up there and trying to make sure that we are on the front foot for the game.
"I have never beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in anything but we want to try to win the game.''
While McCarthy is keen to progress in the Carling Cup, he is also not hiding from the fact he would swap a cup win for three points when the teams meet in the Premier League.
He admitted: "There is the next round at stake but we all know that if you are talking about three points at Old Trafford or getting through to the next round what would we take? We would take three points.
"The Premier League is the holy grail and we all want to make sure that we stay in it.''