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Scholes makes it 100 in Utd colors v Hull City

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:56:39 -0600

Paul Scholes reached a century of Premier League goals and fired United to the top of the table as the Reds battled to a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux.

Shorn of the services of the injured Wayne Rooney, Sir Alex’s men struggled to hit top gear against a Wolves side fighting for their top-flight status. But United have a fourth consecutive title to play for and the Reds knew a victory was a must and Scholes ensured United left with exactly what they came for when he slotted home with 18 minutes remaining on the clock.

United paid the price for Rooney’s midweek exertions for England as the striker was forced to sit out the visit to Molineux and rest his injured knee. The Reds were, however, boosted by the return from suspension of Nani and from injury of Rio Ferdinand who partnered Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defence for the first time since October. Dimitar Berbatov took up the lone striking role with Nani and Antonio Valencia on hand to offer support down the wings. Wolves, meanwhile, who were fined £25,000 for fielding a weakened side at Old Trafford in December, kept an unchanged side for the fourth straight match.

The game got off to a scrappy start with Wolves focused on keeping things tight and United taking time to adjust to life without their main frontman. Seven minutes after Valencia had fired a powerful drive just wide of the near post, the Reds had a decent shout for a spot-kick on 15 minutes, but referee Peter Walton saw nothing wrong with Karl Henry holding back Darron Gibson as he attempted to make the most of Nani’s blocked free-kick which had dropped into his path. In the end, the Irish midfielder prodded the ball wide under pressure from Henry.

Gibson had another sight of goal soon after being picked out by Berbatov’s right-wing cross following a good break forward. But the midfielder's volleyed effort was into the ground which took the sting out of the shot and allowed Marcus Hahnemann to claim easily.

Rooney’s energy and endeavour were conspicuous by their absence as United struggled to find their rhythm throughout the opening period. There were, however, spurts of good play and Sir Alex’s men did find themselves in decent positions at times, but the final ball was always lacking. Not long after Michael Carrick had fired a weak shot at Hahnemann from the edge of the area after being well found by Patrice Evra, Valencia’s low driven cross was just too far ahead of Nani, while Gibson was unable to do anything with it at the far post.

Having worked hard to make things difficult for United, Wolves went close to taking the lead twice in quick succession thanks to some impressive wing play from Matt Jarvis. On 32 minutes he found former Red David Jones just inside the box. He took aim at van der Sar, but Carrick’s brilliant last-ditch tackle took the power out of his shot ensuring an easy claim for the Dutchman. Four minutes later the veteran goalkeeper breathed a sigh of relief when the unmarked Stephen Ward rose to meet Jarvis’ left-wing cross, but he headed straight at van der Sar from six yards out as the goal lay gaping.

After a somewhat lacklustre first period, the Reds, who introduced Gary Neville for the injured Wes Brown at the break, set about the task in hand with renewed vigour and quality after the restart. Just two minutes in, Berbatov turned and played an inch-perfect pass into Valencia who returned the favour as the Bulgarian arrived in the area, but his shot was well blocked. Five minutes later United attacked from the other wing with Gibson cleverly finding Evra as he burst into the box, but Kevin Foley got back to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Proceedings began to hot up midway through the second half with Peter Walton dishing out three yellow cards – one for United and two for Wolves – in the space of five minutes. During the same period, Mame Biram Diuof entered the fray in place of Gibson as Sir Alex looked to add some much-needed energy to United’s attack.

It wasn’t long before United were reaping the benefits of having an extra outlet in attack, but rather than the new kid on the block it was United’s wily old master, Paul Scholes, who made the vital breakthrough on 72 minutes. Valencia slipped a pass into Nani who had temporarily switched from the left wing to the right and his low cross was only half-cleared by Jody Craddock allowing Scholes to pick up possession inside the area. He took one touch to create the angle before firing a low drive past Hahnemann into the far corner for his 100th league goal in a red shirt. It was Scholes at his very best – bursting into the box and keeping his cool to find the finish.

Diouf had the chance to put the game beyond the home side six minutes later, but he misjudged Neville’s lovely curling cross despite being unmarked and within six yards of goal and headed well over. He had another opportunity to make his mark on 83 minutes when Valencia’s cross landed at his feet, but having expected the defender in front of him to clear the danger Diouf was unable to make the most of the chance.

As the game entered four minutes of injury-time, Wolves piled forward and were hugely unlucky not to snatch a point. Only Sam Vokes will know how he failed to hit the target after Ronald Zubar’s shot bobbled into his path right in front of goal and under no pressure. United fans everywhere breathed a huge sigh relief as he blazed over.

The Reds held on for what could turn out to be a vital victory and edged two points ahead of both Arsenal and Chelsea into top spot. Here's hoping that's where we'll be on 9 May.

Manchester United Transfer Specs

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:13:58 -0600

Manchester United site on Vieira de Souza (AKA Hulk). Manchester United are mulling over the Brazilian FC Porto striker. Sir Alex Ferguson says that he is a long time admirer of the 23 year old Brazilian. Hulk’s contract with FC Porto states that Hulk cannot leave the club for any offers or deals less than €100 million ‘The big English clubs have been in contact,’ said the player’s agent Teodoro Fonseca, “They have asked for details about his contract situation but any decision about his future rests mainly with the directors of Porto,” he continued. “I am calm about the situation and so is the player because he has an excellent future. I think we could be discussing a move in April or May.” The fees are undisclosed. Edvin’s quick replacement. Hugo Lloris The English newspaper The Mirror says the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants the hands on the French international but he will have to pull out £20 million. Alex is getting ready to make a move for the 23 year old as he knows that he will have to replace the 39 year old 6ft 5.5inches Dutch international keeper. The lyon shot stopper is known hard to deal with as united have found in the past while dealing with Benzema. Ferguson would ideally like a new keeper over this month, but is also willing to wait until the summer to land his man. However van der Sar's personal problems with his wife gravely ill have added more urgency to the chase. The fees are £20 million Ronny’s and Bulldog’s replacements Nilmar The Red Devils are said to be considering making an offer in the region of £20 million for the 24-year-old. Apparently, manager Alex Ferguson has identified the 5ft 11in striker as the man to fill the void left in United's attack with the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. It is claimed that the English champions have plenty of scouts on hand at the Confederations Cup, where they have been keeping an eye on Nilmar, but he has made just one substitute appearance so far for Brazil. Having begun his career with Internacional, scoring 16 goals in 42 games, the Bandeirantes-born star moved to Lyon in 2004, but during his three years at the Stade Gerland he scored just twice in 32 games. Nilmar, who has found the back of the net on two occassions from eight caps for the Selecao, joined Corinthians on loan in 2005 and scored eight goals in 32 matches. The fees are £15-£20 million To conclude I would say that Manchester united have earn £100 million (not £80 million confirmed by Maclom Glazer) after selling Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo and £47 million of Argentinean striker Carlos Alberto Martinez Tevez, so it sums up to £147 million, and it was reported that they have given the money to their pending loan of the £700million, and appearently the have no money remaining after selling the players, so where are they going to to get £60 million and over with the sites settled on French keeper Hugo Lloris and also the two Brazilian strikers Nilmar and Hulk, the rumor has set out to bring in Luis Fabiano.

Evra target fruitful Christmas

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:05:26 -0600

Manchester United left wing back decides that his personal Christmas gift will be a productive one, as he decides to win the Christmas fixture against Hull City at the Kingston Communications Stadium (Hull City’s home ground) and the other one against Wigan on the 30^th December in Old Trafford (Manchester United home ground). While most of the team loses there focus from the League title the Frenchmen remains focused and positive.

He says “It’s a crucial time, we lost against Aston Villa and Fulham, now the idea is to win every match and make it a must win in our heads. We always do well in this period and now, more than ever, we need victories.”

Alex had eight senior defenders missing at Craven Cottage (Fulham’s home ground) and was strained to set out a back three that that had no experience in that position and that included rookie Ritchie De Laet. The cause of United being awful against Bobby Zamora and company was not entirely elucidated. Yet, shoved into a position he has no experience in, Evra actually thinks Michael Carrick has done quite well. "He has quality," said Evra. "He doesn't have to play all season at the back but he can do it for some games. “I try to give experience at the back and make sure we all speak to each other. It's not easy but we have a strong squad, and you have to be able to play anywhere to win the title."

The ESPN football experts says the Sir Alex Ferguson has to spend some money on bringing in international player and talent, and no just rely on the local braided youngster, yes the can play well,yes the can cause an upset, but it’s time to move on and bring someone from the outside, and it needs to be this January during the transfer wind.’ said shebby singh

Although it does not entirely elucidate why they were so awful against Bobby Zamora and company.