United vs Blackburn Preview

Head To Head Meeting

Premier League	14 May 2011	Blackburn Rovers 1 -  1 Manchester United
Premier League	27 Nov 2010	Manchester United 7 – 1 Blackburn Rovers
Premier League	11 Apr 2010	Blackburn Rovers 0 – 0 Manchester United
Premier League ‎	31 Oct 2009	Manchester United 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers
Premier League	21 Feb 2009	Manchester United 2 – 1 Blackburn Rovers

The in-form United with five consecutive wins including two 5-0 triumphs in their last two outings over Wigan and Fulham will host bottom team Blackburn. After managed to steal one point from Liverpool, the battling Blackburn manager, Steve Kean knew that he had tough job. He been under tremendous pressure from Blackburn fans that very vocal asking him to step down.

Ferguson who gave his support towards his adversary for tomorrow match also facing tough situation where most of his first team players are in the injury list.

In goal keeper department though no injuries the grand old master also face tough selection.

Ferguson will again have to choose between the impressive Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea in goal, with the former featuring in the last two and keeping clean sheets in all five of his Premier League appearances this campaign. I believed Lindegaard again will be at the line up.

In defence Carrick surely starts as central defender. After losing Evans and Smalling was reported will be in long break, Ferguson had to play Jones who said will recover timely for the match as Carrick partner. The impressive Valencia again at rightback with Evra as the other fullback.

Gibson performed superbly against Wigan for this he surely in the line up. Giggs was his partner but maybe Rooney will play this time. Nani and Park will be the wingers. After scoring a hat trick surely very hard to drop Berba. He will play together with Hernandez at the front.

Maybe too much to ask for another  5-0 win but it is not possible and it will be a perfect gift to Ferguson who will turn 70 tomorrow.

Injuries Mount

EXCLUSIVE: Smalling shock for United as fever may force defender out for three months

http://www.dailymail.co.uk  

29 December 2011

Manchester United fear key defender Chris Smalling could be out for three months with glandular fever. Smalling, 22, missed the Boxing Day win over Wigan with what was thought to be a heavy cold, but the illness is more serious and he will remain on the long list of United players currently sidelined through injury or illness.

The acute stage of glandular fever — usually involving flu-like symptoms and fatigue — lasts up to two weeks, but sufferers cannot do strenuous exercise for at least two months. For a professional footballer, it will be longer.

That would be a huge setback for Smalling and United, already without Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Jonny Evans, Fabio Da Silva and Michael Owen. Former Liverpool and Sunderland physio Mark Leather believes United’s £10million signing from Fulham could be out for three months if his illness is confirmed by the club.

He said: ‘You can get back into shape in two months but it might be another three to four weeks before you’re firing on all cylinders. The first time he would be able to play a full game would be nearer to three months.’

Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones missed the win over Wigan but are expected back for Saturday’s clash with Blackburn at Old Trafford. Jones, who moved from Ewood Park in the summer, was in the Rovers side beaten 7-1 at Old Trafford last season.

He describes it as ‘probably the worst day of my career’ but warned team-mates not to take Steve Kean’s side lightly. ‘It won’t be easy,’ he said. ‘They’re a lot better than their League position.’

BPL Matchday 19 & 20 Fixtures

Saturday 31 December 2011
Liverpool	Newcastle	3.45 am Malaysia
Man Utd	Blackburn	8.45 pm Malaysia
Arsenal	QPR	11.00 pm Malaysia
Bolton	Wolves	11.00 pm Malaysia
Chelsea	Aston Villa	11.00 pm Malaysia
Norwich	Fulham	11.00 pm Malaysia
Stoke	Wigan	11.00 pm Malaysia
Swansea	Tottenham	11.00 pm Malaysia
Sunday 1 January 2012
West Brom	Everton	8.30 pm Malaysia
Sunderland	Man City	11.00 pm Malaysia
Monday 2 January 2012
Aston Villa	Swansea	11.00 pm Malaysia
Blackburn	Stoke	11.00 pm Malaysia
QPR	Norwich	11.00 pm Malaysia
Wolves	Chelsea	11.00 pm Malaysia
Fulham	Arsenal	1.30 am Malaysia
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Tottenham	West Brom	3.45 am Malaysia
Wigan	Sunderland	3.45 am Malaysia
Man City	Liverpool	4.00 am Malaysia
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Everton	Bolton	4.00 am Malaysia
Newcastle	Man Utd	4.00 am Malaysia

United Injured Team

United Injured Players Could Form A Team

Now United had eleven players injured whom all of them are from the first team squad. When look at it, all eleven players could be formed as one team except goal keeper.

Fletcher was given the goal keeper task as he might be the player with less pace. But his determination and readiness to play any position for the sake of the team make him been selected for this position. For the back line, it were the usual suspect. Ferdinand and Vidic in the center. Evan on the left as been there many games before while Smalling got the rightback spot.

There will be five midfielders. Anderson and Jones occupied the heart of midfield while Young in usual left wing. Fabio will be the right winger. Cleverley will be pushed little bit forward to support the lone striker that available, former England forward Owen.

So how about the line up? I think the team could challenge any team in the prem.

Robbie Savage On Class of 92

Why Red Nev and United's Boys of '92 would be worth £350m now

By Robbie Savage

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk

Published on 3 February 2011

Guess who from the Class of 92: Manchester United's famous youth side (left to right) Gary Neville, Ben Thornley, Steven Riley, Chris Casper, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Robbie Savage, Eric Harrison (coach), Richard Irving, Paul Scholes, Mark Rawlinson, John O'Kane, Jovan Kirovski, Keith Gillespie, David Pierce

If Andy Carroll is worth £35million, how much would an in-his-prime Ryan Giggs cost now? If Darren Bent goes for £24m, then how much for the Paul Scholes of seven years ago?

I've got nothing against Andy and Darren, both very good players. It's not their fault that the British market has been inflated to a ridiculous degree.

But the transfer window and now the retirement of Gary Neville have got me wondering just how much Fergie's Fledglings - the Manchester United youth team we played on together - would be worth at today's prices.

My best guess is £350m, plus a bit of change that I'll tell you about in a bit. As I look to my own retirement, I've got to say that was the best side I ever played on.

Giggsy, Becks, Scholesy, the Nevilles, Nicky Butt, Keith Gillespie and me. We destroyed teams, week after week.Looking back, we were obviously players on the verge of doing something in the game. That we didn't realise it at the time is yet another credit to our coach Eric Harrison, who was a manager, mentor, teacher and father all in one.

If you made a mistake on one of the training pitches at The Cliff, you'd freeze as you heard a banging coming from the window of Eric's office. Then you'd watching in terror as he marched outside to give you a bollocking. No-one was exempt.

So instead of becoming spoiled - a few people would say that happened to me later - we had our feet nailed to the ground and they were carefree times. We were so excited to be together that after training in the morning and afternoon, we'd go back to our digs for tea and then return to The Cliff off our own backs in the evening.

The under-15s, who were still in school, would come over then and we'd give them a game. I didn't get to stay at United, but I know that spirit is still there among the lads who did.

It will be a massive loss when players of the quality of Gary and eventually Scholesy and Giggsy retire, but the positive is that they could stay with the club for years as coaches, even forming a rival to the old Anfield Boot Room. I know Sir Alex would love that.

So, if we rolled the clock back eight years to when we were all in our primes but then rolled the transfer fees forward to today's prices, what would we all be worth?

If they hadn't been unlucky with injuries, Chris Casper and Ben Thornley would have been worth a few million. Our goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington, defender John O'Kane and forward Colin McKee would together add a couple more. The one that got away, our left-back George Switzer, is now a mechanic in Manchester.

The Nevilles? In today's money they'd be worth £35m at their peak.

Nicky Butt and Keith Gillespie were probably our second- and third-best players when we were kids. In their primes, at today's prices, they'd go for £20m and £15m respectively.

But what about a Paul Scholes and a David Beckham when at the top of their games? It would have to be a Ronaldo-sized £80m each.

Giggsy was incredible when we were kids - a year older than all of us but a decade ahead in terms of talent. He's the best player in the history of the Premier League and, as such, in his prime but at today's prices, would be football's first £100m man.

I make that around £350,000,100 in total. But, I hear you ask, where did that stray hundred quid come from?

That would be what our striker was worth in his prime.A thin kid with a Welsh accent and a Dean Gaffney haircut.

But, you know, he hasn't done too bad...

Secret Of Barca Success

Clash of the talent schools: How top clubs are following Barcelona's brilliant blueprint

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

29 December 2011

When Barcelona outclassed the South American champions Santos to lift the Club World Cup in Japan earlier this month, it showcased a remarkable achievement. Not so much Pep Guardiola’s 13th trophy in three years or his side’s fifth of the calendar year. Barca won with nine homegrown players in their starting XI and two more coming off the bench.

It is little wonder every club are scrambling for the blueprint of the blaugrana, the secret of their  success. Indeed, when Barcelona’s B team play in Spain’s Segunda Liga it is the norm to have 18 scouts or more watching, all hoping to discover a gem of a player who Barca don’t need. Jordi Mestre is the Barcelona board’s director of youth, one of the key personalities behind the most successful modern football machine.

‘People talk of Barcelona as a sort of phenomenon because of our success but they don’t always realise that this has been 25 to 30 years in the making,’ said Mestre.

‘It is the product of a lot of hard work from the days of Rinus Michels before Johan Cruyff, to what we have now. The model has been shaped and developed so that everyone is taught what is required to become a Barcelona player.

‘Everyone from the age of 10 is taught to play the same way. Even our women’s teams play the  same style.’

Mestre rarely gives interviews. At Barcelona it is not their way to boast or gloat. As the adage goes, they let their football do the talking. But Mestre has been excited by the development of the flagship NextGen Series, the Champions League-style tournament developed for Under 19s in which Barca, unsurprisingly, are through to the quarter-finals against another great exponent of youth development, Ajax.

‘The NextGen Series has been a very important experience for the players and coaches to match themselves tactically and competitively against other great clubs at this level,’  said Mestre.

‘It has broken the routine, bringing European competition to our younger players. It’s another challenge, another step in experience. It gives the coaches another insight into their development.’

But what is the Barcelona  prototype for a player?

‘Above all it is about the talent,’ is Mestre’s answer. ‘At Barcelona 75 or 80 per cent has to be about  control of the ball, technique, because we play a style that keeps possession. Only a small percentage is emphasised on physical. We have athletes, too, but the physical side comes later for us. It’s not about the size. Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Pedro weren’t big physically and even Gerard Pique was not strong when he came to us. It was all about their ability on the ball.’

So does Mestre expect the next Messi or Iniesta to show soon?

‘It’s too early to say how many of this squad will make it to the first team but they are making good progress.

‘Our philosophy is that we invest a little money, yes, but more so our time. We have a structure that teaches players not only to become Barcelona players, but to grow as good men.

‘It is a model of principles for sport and life. Education; we teach  not only football.’

Indeed, eight of Barcelona’s B team go to university.

‘We are very proud of our first team. We have nine players in a world championship team and two on the bench who came through our system, and our B team finished third in the second division last season with an average age of 20.’

Guardiola showed his faith in the club’s latest fledglings by playing nine of the B team in the Champions League against Bate Borisov on December 6. They won 4-0.  However, taking that step to the first team is not easy. The frustrations of some helped Barcelona recoup an impressive £20million last summer as players such as Bojan Krkic and Oriol Romeu left.

‘It’s very difficult if you want to progress but see Lionel Messi or Sergio Busquets in front of you,’ said Mestre. ‘But we work on that. Their motivation may not always come easy but we teach them to  be realistic.

‘What happened in Japan is our dream turning to reality. We have to perpetuate that dream.’

World be warned. Mestre and his colleagues are making global domination seem like child’s play.

Pics From Reuters

A protester stands in front of a burning barricade during a demonstration in Cairo January 28, 2011. 

Lightning flashes around the ash plume above the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano chain near Entrelagos June 5, 2011 

  A plane flies through the "Tribute in Lights" in lower Manhattan in New York September 10, 2011

Villagers attempt to catch a chicken thrown by worshipers into a volcanic crater during the annual Kasada festival at Mount Bromo in Indonesia's East Java province August 15, 2011. Villagers and worshipers throw offerings such livestock and other crops into the volcanic crater of Mount Bromo to give thanks to the Hindu gods for ensuring their safety and prosperity.

U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, B battery 2-8 field artillery, fire a howitzer artillery piece at Seprwan Ghar forward fire base in Panjwai district, Kandahar province southern Afghanistan, June 12, 2011

   Switzerland's photographer Denis Balibouse files his pictures under a full moon sky from Mont-Cenis Pass Road in Lanslebourg during the Grande Odyssee sled dogs race January 19, 2011.

 U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, B battery 2-8 field artillery, fire a howitzer artillery piece at Seprwan Ghar forward fire base in Panjwai district, Kandahar province southern Afghanistan, June 12, 2011

United In The News

Manchester United on alert as Inter look to sell Sneijder in transfer window

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

27th December 2011

Manchester United could resurrect their interest in Wesley Sneijder as Inter Milan plan to sell their midfielder to raise funds for rebuilding. Sneijder came close to moving to Old Trafford in the summer, but Fergie was warned off by the size of the figures involved in the deal.

However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could be forced to dip into the transfer market this January after the club suffered injuries to a number of key players. Darren Fletcher is taking an extended break from the game with ulcerative colitis, Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out for the season, Anderson is battling a long-term knee problem and Tom Cleverly is also sidelined.

Manchester United suffer Jonny Evans injury blow

http://news.bbc.co.uk

26 December 2011

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects Jonny Evans to be out for two weeks with a calf injury, adding to club's defensive problems.

Evans was forced off at half-time in the 5-0 victory over Wigan, leaving United without a fit centre-back.

MAN UTD'S CURRENT INJURY LIST

Nemanja Vidic (knee)

Darren Fletcher (illness)

Rio Ferdinand (back)

Michael Owen (thigh)

Anderson (knee)

Tom Cleverley (ankle)

Fabio (hamstring)

Phil Jones (illness)

Ashley Young (knee)

Chris Smalling (illness)

Jonny Evans (calf)

Ferguson Hints At Midfield Deal

http://uk.ibtimes.com?

27 December 2011

Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that Ryan Giggs may be given another extension on his contract, after the midfielder scored for the 20th consecutive Premier League season in a row before the Christmas break.

Giggs has made over 600 appearances for the Red Devils since moving from the club's youth academy to the senior squad in 1990, and is one of the few one-club men to have been with the side almost as long as Sir Alex Ferguson himself.

Man United swoop for Sweden international

http://www.talksport.co.uk?

27 December 2011

Manchester United will officially complete the signing of AZ Alkmaar ace Rasmus Elm in June. Reports from Italian newspaper Calcio Mercato have suggested the champions have agreed a deal to sign Elm and the move will become official in the summer, subject to a medical.

United have tracked Elm for over a year and have been impressed with the midfielder playing in the Eredivisie. Elm, the younger brother of David - who once played for Fulham - is a Sweden international and the deal is rumoured to be worth around £5m. The 23-year-old's current contract expires in 2013 and AZ have agreed to sell him because he has shown a reluctance to pen a new deal amid United's interest.

AC Milan Legend Selects Manchester United Star in Greatest Ever XI

http://uk.ibtimes.com?

27 December 2011

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has selected Manchester United hero Ryan Giggs in his all-time greatest XI alongside the likes of Maradona and Paulo Maldini.

"He is so intelligent - you notice that from where he runs." Baresi said of the Manchester United legend when choosing his greatest ever XI in FourFourTwo Magazine.

Franco Baresi's 'My Perfect XI' from the January issue of FourFourTwo Magazine: -

Gianluigi Buffon, Cafu, Paulo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Frank Rijkaard, Zinedine Zidane, Ryan Giggs, Diego Maradona, Marco Van Basten.

United 5-0 Wigan

Another High Five From United

United scored second successive 5-0 score with this time against Wigan at Old Trafford. Another sterling performance by United players although in the same time the Latics poor display also contribute to their high defeat.

Night also where Berba capped his returned with a hattrick.

United spirits and morals are high after their demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage with the same margin. It was United seven away wins from nine games in this season. It was big contrast against their away performance last season. Although they won the 19^th premier league it was hugely due to their performance at Old Trafford where only two points were dropped. To score five goals on away game was a moral boost.

United hosted the game with rather surprising line up. Lindegaard was between the post however the back four line up were the main surprise. Carrick partnered Evans as central defenders with Valencia was the rightback. Evra captained the team was at leftback. It was reported that Smalling was ruled out as he was ill.  Jones suffered injuries during Fulham game while Ferdinand with back injury. United facing the same problem in the midfield. Darren Gibson was reported nursing with injury, surprising in the line up. He was partnered with the legendary Giggs . Nani on the right wing while Park Ji Sung on the left. Ferguson also surprised many when picked up Berba and Hernandez as the strikers.

However the players that played that night had performed superbly. United only needed eight minutes to register their first goal. Great run by Evra on the left saw he passed two Wigan players. The his cut back reached Park who had all the time in the world to dispatch placing shot that beyond Al Habsi, Wigan’s keeper. United kept on pressing and creating the opening. Wigan kudos to them was not going meekly to the champion. They too had their chances created especially from their right winger but their forwards were to blame for missing chances. Then suddenly Wigan was one man down when their chief strikers Conon Sammon was showed a straight red card. The big striker was judged to elbow Carrick. But replay showed he just shoved Carrick away and I believed no malice intention as his hand accidently on Carrick face. Wigan was hard done by.

United quickly took the advantage and Berba scored his first goal in this game with superb skill and composure from Gibson assist before the halftime. Then when the game resume Berba scored his second and third for United. Another typical Berba goal, he received pass from the impressive Valencia then skillful turned and poked the ball passed Al Habsi. Then Valencia himself put his name in the score sheet after he produced a beauty that surely remembered by many people. Three minutes after that Park who also had great game was chopped down, where I believed just outside the 18 yards, and penalty was given. Berba was given the honour and cool as you like he scored his hat trick and United fifth.

Now United had won all 14 games against the Latic and scored 46 goals past this opponent. But the win also came with a price when Evans became the latest player joined the injury list.