Man Utd midfielder Fletcher: Chelsea defeats cost us title last season

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Wayne Rooney

Manchester Unitedmidfielder Darren Fletcher admits their defeats toChelsea last season went a long way to losing the title.

United go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"There were a few decisions in both games that we felt aggrieved about but it shows you the importance of these big games," Fletcher told theDaily Mail.

"Losing six points to them definitely was a massive factor.

"Chelsea are our biggest rivals again this season because of the experience of being there before. Arsenal have come on strong this year but when it comes to the main challengers, you've got to look to the champions and the fact they know how to win the Premier League.

"But I think we're fairly happy in terms of where we are in the table. You've seen the emergence of players as well. Anderson has come back from injury and been fantastic, Nani has been arguably our best player this season, Wayne Rooney is hitting form and Dimitar Berbatov has scored 11 goals.

"We haven't hit the form we know we're capable of yet but that will come."

Ferdinand: No-one at Man Utd celebrating being top of table

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand says there's no celebrating atManchester United just yet.

The England captain insists United won’t be blowing their own trumpet until their hands are on the Premier League trophy.

He says United are determined to reclaim their crown and added: “We are not singing and dancing about being top.

“We will sing and dance in May if we are still top. I would rather be there then. We just want to win that league.”

Ferdinand’s defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic is steering United towards another title.

He said: “I don’t know if it is just down to me and him being together.

“The whole thing is not as fragmented this season.

“No matter what team you are, you are going to suffer when you don’t have centre-backs playing in that position.

“But I am comfortable with Vida. We have played together for a few years.

“We know each other’s games inside out and that feeds through to the other players.

“Us winning would be a blow to them if we got six points in front. But they were six or seven clear of us a month ago.

“It can all change so quickly if you have a bad run. It would be a good boost for us if we could win but it won’t define our season.”

Man Utd midfielder Fletcher: Chelsea not as strong this season

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Chelsea

Manchester Unitedmidfielder Darren Fletcher doesn't believe Chelsea are as strong as recent seasons.

United go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"Their squad is obviously not as strong as it has been in previous years," Fletcher told the Daily Mail.

"We know how difficult it is to battle in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. That's why we've got a big squad here at Manchester United. Injury crises can happen and we can cope with things like that.

"It's an older Chelsea squad, I think it's fair to say that. But I don't think they're at the age where they can talk about retiring or being past it just yet.

"There have been a few things going on off the pitch but they have got enough experience to deal with that."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Ancelotti can handle Chelsea pressure

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Carlo Ancelotti, Manchester United, Frank Lampard, Sir Alex Ferguson, Chelsea

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson can't seeCarlo Ancelotti crumbling under the pressure atChelsea.

Speculation has been growing that Ancelotti may soon be the latest manager to fall foul of the owner Roman Abramovich's impatience. Ferguson, however, was quick to dismiss suggestions that Ancelotti was under pressure.

"I do not see how [Ray] Wilkins leaving can put doubt on that [Ancelotti's position]," he said. "Carlo will have his own single-minded determination to prove he is a winner. He was a great player, he won two titles and two Champions Leagues with Milan. Why won't he want to deal with the Chelsea situation as it is?

"We all have these poor runs. In Chelsea's case, if you lose your top players, it will have an impact. They were without Frank Lampard, so is it surprising they lost games? The biggest factor, though, is the toughness of the league now. We are all dropping points."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Anderson has ability to be outstanding

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson admits he's delighted Anderson has penned a new five year deal.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Porto in 2007, has made 110 appearances for the Reds despite suffering a serious knee ligament injury last season.

“We’re delighted Anderson has signed a new deal,” said the Scot.

“He’s a fantastic personality and the boy has terrific potential. He had that bad injury earlier in the year and whenever a player has a serious injury you have to give them time to get back. The player also has to work hard and he’s done that and it’s got him to the level we’re seeing now where he’s in the team and doing well.

“Cruciates can vary but nowadays you can get players back within six months. That’s a fair recovery time. He’s showing the benefit of really working hard to get to this position. Hopefully it’s all systems go for the boy now.”

Anderson's ability to drive forward in support of the strikers has made a real difference to United's play in recent weeks and Sir Alex believes he has the potential to go on and establish himself as an outstanding midfielder in the years to come.

“He could be a top, top player. He’s different from the other midfielders we’ve got and it’s good to have a different type of player,” he told manutd.com.

“It’s good to have a certain type of balance from midfielders who can offer you different things. He’s strong, he can beat a man. He has great acceleration from a standing position. He’s electric in that sense.

“The area he has to improve is goalscoring," added the boss. "He recognises that. That’s his weakness, he doesn’t score enough goals. He’s still only 22 – he’s an emerging player and hopefully in three or four years time we’ll be looking back and saying he’s given us goals because he has the ability to do that.”

Man Utd striker Rooney happy to see back of 2010

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney admits he'll be happy to see the back of 2010.

2010 has seen Rooney lose the league title, flop at the World Cupand Manchester United's fans turn on him after he said he wanted to quit the club.

Add to that the injury problems that kept him out of key games at the end of last season - and a good portion of this - and he understandably can't wait until the New Year.

But before that he aims to put Chelsea to the sword at Stamford Bridge tomorrow to make sure United are riding high as they welcome in 2011.

Rooney told The Sun: "The Carling Cup was it for us in terms of trophies this year and, in terms of trophies, a club like ours should be winning more.

"We have worked hard to put that right for next year.

"When you have not won them you get that hunger and desire to win them."

Man Utd ace Rooney says US trip worked wonders

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney says his trip to the US worked wonders.

Sir Alex Ferguson parcelled him off to Nike's headquarters in the States for a week to get himself back up to full fitness - something Rooney believes worked a treat.

He told The Sun: "The aim was for me to come back and not need four or five games to get my fitness up.

"I was training from 9am and getting back at 7pm. The facilities there were brilliant."

While Rooney has still not scored from open play since March, his performances since returning from injury suggest the big man is back.

Performances that have helped to heal a rift with the fans hurt over his bid to quit United before finally signing a new five-year deal.

He said: "It has been a hard few months for me and the United fans. But they have been brilliant since I signed the new deal. They can see the desire I have got to play and win. They have been fantastic for me and I thank them for that."

Chelsea boss Ancelotti happy Lampard back for Man Utd

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelottiis upbeat going into Sunday's clash withManchester United.

The return of Frank Lampard, who starts for the first time since August 28, makes him even more confident that Chelsea can end United's unbeaten league run.

Ancelotti said: "This is big news for us, we have missed him badly.

"He has experience, character, dynamism and is one of the very few players in the world who can guarantee you 20 goals a season from midfield.

"In fact, I would say he is the best midfield scorer there is.

"He looks to me like a player with a strong desire to come back and show he is the same Frank Lampard."

Man Utd link had Bruce wary of Leeds move

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Leeds United defender Alex Bruce admits his Dad'sManchester Unitedbackground did make him think twice about moving to Elland Road.

Bruce, 26, was understandably uncertain of his reception at Leeds upon given his dad's connections with that other United across the Pennines.

But he said: "I considered whether my name would be a bit of a hindrance, whether it would take a while to win over the supporters but I have to say everyone here has been bang on with me.

"And people might find it quite bizarre that even though he played forManchester United, my dad was as delighted as anybody when Leeds came knocking.

"I was having talks with Sheffield United when I got the call telling me Leeds were going to put a bid in.

"So when I spoke to him for advice he was very much pushing me towards Leeds, he realised what a fantastic chance it was and told me there was only one club to sign for."

Man Utd striker Rooney confident keeping spotkick duties despite Arsenal shocker

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

ManUtd Wayne Rooney's Photo

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney expects to keep his spotkick duties on Sunday at Chelsea, despite his dismal miss against Arsenal.

United star Rooney blasted over in Monday's home win against the Gunners but says no one will take the ball from him if there is a penalty at Stamford Bridge.

He insisted: "Of course I have no problems with that. I know players miss penalties. I'm just hoping the next one I score."

United go into the game top of the Premier League.

England hitman Roo said: "We have drawn too many games but over the last few weeks we have been more consistent.

"We are in a good position and we have to take advantage of that."