Ferguson targets hat-trick of Carling Cup wins

30.11.10 | Ian Ferris

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wolves

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to win the Carling Cup for a third successive year.

Manchester United have successfully used the League Cup to blood some of their younger players in recent years, and that will continue as they prepare to face West Ham in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

Ferguson will draft in the likes of Darron Gibson, Chris Smalling, Bebe and Federico Macheda at Upton Park.

"It would be great to win it three times in a row. I think we were the first to win it twice in a row and that was a feat in itself," said Ferguson.

"But the League Cup is an interesting trophy now. We come into it a bit later and it gives me a chance to play the young players.

"Over the last three years the Da Silvas, Danny Welbeck and Macheda are among the players to have won a League Cup winners' medal.

"It's a healthy position for them to be in because they get to play in cup finals and judge how to handle it.

"The players who played against Wolves are hopefully the club's future. By the time they're 24 or 25, we hope they'll be the next Manchester United stars."

Manchester United 7 - Blackburn 1

27/11/2010 16:50, Report by Nick Coppack


A cakewalk, a canter, call it what you will: United, inspired by a sublime Dimitar Berbatov performance, tore Blackburn apart at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Bulgarian netted an incredible five times as the Reds smashed seven goals past Sam Allardyce’s men to surge to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

It was the sort of one-sided performance fans had expected last weekend when Wigan Athletic were reduced to nine men. Instead, it was a full complement of Blackburn players that were on the receiving end of the Reds’ best performance of the season, and United's biggest win since AS Roma were beaten by the same scoreline in April 2007.

Sir Alex made six changes, including his entire back four, to the side that won in Glasgow on Wednesday night, with Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra all returning and Anderson and Ji-sung Park handed starts in midfield. 

Wayne Rooney and Berbatov kept their spots up front and the pair took little more than a minute to combine for the Reds’ first goal. Rooney outjumped his marker at the near post to meet Nani's cross and his glancing header fell to Berbatov, who volleyed home a simple finish from six yards.

It was the perfect start for Sir Alex's men and, in particular, Berbatov, who'd previously not found the net since scoring a sensational hat-trick against Liverpool in September. Four days earlier, Sir Alex had predicted the Bulgarian would benefit more than most from Rooney's return; the early evidence at Old Trafford reinforced that belief. 

Manchester United vs Blackburn-final result

The Reds run riot as Berbatov's 5 goals help United thrash Blackburn 7-1 to go back to the top of the Premier League. What did you think of the game?

Man Utd striker Rooney eyeing more goals after Rangers winner

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney is eyeing more goals after netting the winner against Rangers.

Making his first start for the Reds since 26 September in the 1-0 win overRangers, the England striker was full of energy and enthusiasm, showing no sign of nerves or the ankle injury that has ruled him out for much of this campaign.

“There were not many nerves really," Rooney told MUTV. "I knew what I was doing and where I was going, I can only do that. If the keeper guesses the right way and saves it, so be it. Thankfully it went in. Obviously it is a bit of a relief for me to score. Hopefully I can build on this now, I hope I can go on a goalscoring run."

Rooney tells Man Utd fans: I apologise

Wayne Rooney has publicly apologised to Manchester United fans for threatening to leave last month.

Last night, following his match-winning penalty at Rangers, Rooney offered his apology, before revealing the intense speculation about a move to Manchester City was well wide of the mark.

"I feel like I have apologised to the fans but everyone keeps saying that I haven't," said Rooney.

"I feel like I have apologised to the fans but everyone keeps saying that I haven't," said Rooney.

"If that is the case, then I apologise for my side of things.

"I have made my point clear since I signed my contract that I am committed to this club for the long term. I want to be successful here.

"Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to Manchester City. Believe me if I had gone it wouldn't have been in England."

For two or three days, it appeared certain a move would have to be arranged as the ill-feeling towards Rooney grew.

Even since the dispute was resolved, Sir Alex Ferguson has been critical of Rooney's trusted advisor Paul Stretford.

Yet the 25-year-old now acknowledges that leaving Old Trafford could have been the biggest mistake of his career.

"Of course," he said. "You see so many players leave this club and not do so well so I am delighted to have stayed."

wayne rooney's photo! England Striker.

Wayne Rooney Thanks Manchester United Fans For 'Brilliant' Reception On Return To Action, But Avoids Apology For Contract Controversy

Striker insists long-term future is with United

By Joe Doyle

Nov 23, 2010 12:28:00 PM

Wayne Rooney has insisted that his long-term future is at Manchester United and that he is determined to repay the fans' faith in him - but has again declined to apologise for the furore caused by his contract saga.

The England striker, 24, signed a new five-year deal last month which may have raised his wages as high as £250,000 per week.

And Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Saturday that Rooney would be making his first start since September against Rangers on Wednesday, after his substitute appearance against Wigan at the weekend — where he was happy with the reception he received.

"It was a great feeling [to pull on the shirt again], obviously having been out for a long time and the issues that have gone on over the last few weeks," Rooney toldMUTV.

Ferdinand: True Red Rooney was never leaving Man Utd

Rio Ferdinand never had any doubts Wayne Rooney would sign his new contract withManchester United.

And the England captain branded Rooney's omission from the Ballon d'Or's list of candidates "a joke".

Ferdinand told united-latest.com: "It was really important (for Rooney to stay). Wayne is settled at this club, he is a world class player and a big part of the team.

"In my heart I always knew he would stay, he is a true Red."

Ferdinand branded Rooney's Ballon d'Or snub as a "joke".

"I just couldn't believe it!" he said. "It's a joke. He had an amazing season with United."

Manchester City (4th) v Manchester United (2nd)

The much anticipated Manchester derby takes place at Eastlands as City host neighbours United.

MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

City manager Roberto Mancini could be short of attacking options as Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful and Mario Balotelli is suspended.

Adebayor has a calf injury and his fitness will be monitored in the hours leading up the to the match while Balotelli is banned after his red card at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Aleksandar Kolarov is pushing for a place in the starting line-up following his recovery from an ankle injury.

MAN UTD TEAM NEWS

Sir Alex Ferguson is crossing his fingers that the virus that has swept the Manchester United camp since their return from Turkey last week does not wreck their bid for a derby-day win over City.

After losing several key players for the weekend win over Wolves, Ferguson had to send more home from training on Monday and admits he has no idea what the make up of his side to face Roberto Mancini's men at Eastlands will be.

In addition, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves (both hamstring) are definitely out, while Nani (groin) is rated extremely doubtful to recover from the injury he suffered in Turkey last week.

SQUADS

Man City: Hart, Richards, Zabaleta, Bridge, Lescott, Boyata, De Jong, Vieira, Barry, Johnson, K Toure, Y Toure, Tevez, Silva, Adebayor, Kolarov, Given, Milner, Kompany, Boateng.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Rafael, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Obertan, Bebe, Carrick, Gibson, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Park, Berbatov, Hernandez, Macheda.

Hargreaves out for five weeks

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he expects Owen Hargreaves to be out of action for up to five weeks.

The midfielder is sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday - and Ryan Giggs is also ruled out of Wednesday's Manchester derby.

Making his first senior Manchester United start since September 2008, Hargreaves lasted just six minutes before he pulled up indicating he had suffered a problem and had to be replaced by Bebe.

Now Ferguson has revealed the 29-year-old will be out of action until the middle of next month, although it is possible Hargreaves could play some part in the Christmas programme.

TOO MUCH

"We were at the stage where we knew Owen's knee was okay," Ferguson said.

"His training performances for eight or nine days previously had been terrific.

"He had done really well, which is why we took the chance.

"But maybe the tension in the build-up for the lad was too much and he suffered because of it."

As soon as Hargreaves came off on Saturday, Ferguson knew he would play no part against City.

But the loss of Giggs is a major blow.

The veteran Welshman was hoping to make a record 34th derby appearance at Eastlands but after feeling the hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines for all but one of United's last nine matches in a session just prior to Saturday's win over Wolves, Ferguson has reluctantly ruled Giggs out of his plans.

"Ryan is out," said the Scot.

The news on Nani was not much better either.

UNTESTED MEMBERS

Although there is an outside chance the Portugal winger may recover from the groin injury he suffered in last week's Champions League triumph over Bursaspor, Ferguson is dubious about Nani's prospects of facing City.

"Nani is doubtful," said Ferguson.

"At this stage it doesn't look as if he will make it. It is not a great position for us to be in. We are counting heads at the moment."

United's problems are not made any easier by a virus that has swept their Carrington HQ since the return from Turkey, with Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes all believed to be amongst the victims.

It means Ferguson might again be reliant on some of the untested members of his squad for one of the biggest nights of the season.

"There is nothing more satisfying than winning a derby game," he said. "It doesn't matter what year it is or when it is."

Rooney sent to States

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been sent to America for rehabilitation and conditioning work.

It means Rooney will miss the derby with Manchester City next Wednesday.

The Red Devils had hoped that Rooney would recover from an ankle problem in time to face their arch-rivals at Eastlands.

However, the 24-year-old, who recently ended speculation regarding his future by penning a new five-year contract, is not expected to be back in action for another three weeks.

Rather than use the state-of-the-art facilities at their Carrington training base, United have opted to use Nike's centre in Oregon, as much in a bid to get Rooney away from the constant headlines, which have dogged him since first news of his unhappiness at Old Trafford was raised nearly three weeks ago.

INTENSIVE CONDITIONING

"What we are intending to do with Wayne is send him to Nike Town in the USA for a week's conditioning training," confirmed United assistant-manager Mike Phelan.

"We have decided, with Wayne, the medical team and the coaching staff that it would be the best thing for him.

"He is going on Saturday and will return the following Saturday.

"It is a week's intensive conditioning, under the supervision of our medical team and our sports' science department."

Phelan did raise the possibility that Rooney could be back for the home encounter with Wigan Athletic on 21st November, although there is little doubt United believe the chance of working away from the glare of publicity will aid Rooney's recovery programme.

"We have the facilities," he conceded.

"We just thought it might be in the interests of him and the club to have a change of scenery for a little while.

"He has had a lot of attention lately and we want to give him the best opportunity that he possibly can to be in good shape when he returns.

"He needs the conditioning. We all agree with that. He can go there without the attention he would get around here.

"If that goes according to plan, he will be available when he returns."

SAME VIRUS

Aside from Rooney, for once the weekly medical bulletin was led by information on the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was left to Phelan to confirm Ferguson had been struck down by the same virus which prevented four members of his squad travelling to Turkey for the Champions League win over Bursaspor and keeps Darron Gibson out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"The manager has been ill since coming back from Turkey," said Phelan.

"He came down with a virus yesterday. He felt a little bit like that on the flight coming back.

"Yesterday he felt worse, so we have kept him away from the club for a little while.

"It is related to the virus that has been going around.

"It is one of those things that gets hold of you and is hard to shake off."