Deschamps: Man Utd striker Rooney as dangerous as ever

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Olympique Marseille coach Didier Deschamps doesn't believe claimsManchester United strikerWayne Rooney is off form.

Marseille face United in the Champions League.

Deschamps told The Sun: "Rooney's form is already much better. He had a difficult world cup but he's coming back. Berbatov is the big threat because of his goals.

"Only one will play of course but Rooney can play on the wing. Even if Rooney hasn't scored a lot this season he's still given so many assists for goals.

"Berbatov is very efficient, even if last season for him was not the best. But they are gifted players that's why United are top of the league."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: I would be proud to call Giggs my son

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson says he would be proud to callRyan Giggs his son!

Giggs penned a new deal with United last week.

Ferguson said: “Ryan always had the potential to be a special player and was richly endowed with speed, balance, touch and a courage that, whether he was dribbling with the ball or sprinting past opponents to receive it in areas of maximum threat, he could leave the best defenders with twisted blood.

“He’s had a brilliant career, he’s still making an outstanding contribution and still has an influence on the young players in the dressing room.

“He’s a fine man who has been a credit to his family and this club and is someone you’d be proud to call your own son.”

Man Utd boss Ferguson: FA Cup has big role in English football future

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson insists the FA Cup has a big role to play in English football.

United, who have won the trophy five times under Ferguson, were accused of undermining it by their decision not to take part in 2000. Instead, they went to the inaugural FIFA World Club Cup Championship in Brazil, having won the Champions League in 1999.

Ferguson claimed United had a gun held to their head by the FA to go to Brazil after pressure from FIFA, but later ­admitted it was the wrong move. And he still believes the FA Cup has a special place in the English game.

He said: “It’s a fine tournament though maybe it could do with smartening up along with a bit of tweaking to fit into the modern football calendar.

“The FA are considering various ­measures to revitalise a competition we may have been taking for granted. I wouldn’t like to see replays being ­abandoned in favour of penalty shootouts, though.

“Think about Burton Albion and the money they were able to make from their replay with us at Old Trafford a few years ago.

“But I do think it may be a good idea to seed the Premier League teams in the early stages to help protect the quality of the tournament.”

Man Utd defender Ferdinand still struggling with injury

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United defenderRio Ferdinand continues to struggle with injury.

The Mirror says Ferdinand will not travel with Manchester United toMarseille today and is a big doubt for Saturday's Premier League trip to Wigan.

England captain Ferdinand has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury during the warm-up before United's 2-1 defeat at Wolves on February 5.

It was hoped Ferdinand would be fit to face Wigan, but United do not want to rush him back, with huge back-to-back Premier League trips away to Chelsea and Liverpoollooming.

Although Ferdinand has resumed light training, he has yet to join in with the first-team squad and is unlikely to do so until the back end of the week.

Real Madrid boss Mourinho rivals Man Utd for Everton prospect Rodwell

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Real Madrid are ready to compete withManchester United forEverton midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The Daily Mail says Jose Mourinhohas instructed Real Madrid spies to compile a dossier on Everton starlet Rodwell.

Manchester United are preparing a £15million bid for the versatile 19-year-old, while Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Rodwell.

But the Manchester clubs are set to be joined by Real in the race after Mourinho’s intervention.

The Spanish giants have kept an eye on Rodwell since he impressed in England’s run to the European Under 21 Championships final in 2009.

Mourinho is poised to reignite the Bernabeu club’s interest after asking Madrid scouts to update him on Rodwell’s progress.

The Portuguese manager’s request underlines Rodwell’s growing reputation as one of the brightest talents in Europe.

Man Utd lose Anderson for two months

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United have lost Anderson for two months with a torn hamstring.

The Daily Mail says the Brazilian pulled up with the injury early in the first half of United’s FA Cup victory over Crawley on Saturday.

He had ice treatment on the side of the pitch but was replaced at half-time by Wayne Rooney.

Scans showed worse damage than expected on Monday and he has been advised to rest for up to eight weeks.

Pandiani continues feud with Real Madrid star Ronaldo: Another time you would need dentist!

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani has again spoken of his bust-up with Real Madridstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pandiani said Ronaldo had a "screw loose" and was upset with the way the former Manchester Unitedwinger had mocked his wages during their clash earlier this year.

"In my country he might have had to make an appointment with the dentist in a situation like that," blasted Pandiani last night.

"It bothers me to see someone say such things having come from a small island as poor as the one he has left.

"I was sorry to see him behave like that and that's why I said what I said. Maybe in my country I would have acted differently, but as I love football I reacted with words.

"In my country, he might have had to make an appointment with the dentist in a situation like that."

Man Utd midfielder Carrick: Rooney derby winner had us all jumping

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Michael Carrick saysWayne Rooney lifted everyone atManchester United with his wonder goal in the derby.

As a top-level professional, performing an overhead kick should be nothing special to Carrick. However, even he was staggered by the manner Rooney took his chance.

"I felt shock and surprise because it was completely out of the blue," said the 29-year-old. "But at the same time there was pure elation. I was standing on the touchline about to come on and thought of doing a (Jose) Mourinho down the line.

"Straight away you knew you'd witnessed something special."

Spurs need top four finish to keep £35M Modric away from Man Utd

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson is determined to testTottenham's resolve overLuka Modric.

The Croatia international has been in dazzling form for Spurs at home and in Europe this season.

The News of the World says Ferguson sees Modric as the ideal successor for Paul Scholes, who is still to pen a new contract for next season.

Ferguson is willing to go to £35 million for Modric in the summer.

Success for United may depend on whether Spurs clinch a top four finish this season.

Wigan skipper Caldwell ready for showdown with Man Utd ace Rooney

22.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

Wigan Athletic captain Gary Caldwell is ready for his showdown withManchester United aceWayne Rooney this weekend.

The England star scored one of the goals of season, arguably the decade, in last week’s win overManchester City, with many predicting it will put an end to Rooney’s relatively poor run of form.

“We have to prepare as normally as possible ahead of the United game,” Caldwell told the Wigan Evening Post.

“The manager will show us what United are good at, and give us options on how to deal with those things and what we’re going to do as individuals and as a team.

“I think we’ve shown enough this season that anyone coming to the DW won’t fancy it, and hopefully we can produce a good display, get the fans behind us and get a big win.”

On the goal that everybody’s been talking about, Caldwell added: “It was an absolutely fantastic strike.

“The agility and the contact he managed to get on the ball was breathtaking. But they have talented players all over the park, and we’re going to need to deal with them all.

“Whether Rooney can score goals like that every week is another matter – but he’s clearly a real threat when he is on form like that.”