Manchester United winger Nani sets sights on two trophies : Premiere League and F.A

Nani has set Manchester United sights on a domestic double this season as the Portuguese winger looks to inspire a change in fortunes at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils were knocked out of the Champions League following their 2-1 defeat to FC Basel last week, and have been far from inspiring in their recent Barclays Premier League performances leading up to the weekend.

However, a 4-1 victory over Wolves moved Sir Alex Ferguson's side to within two points of league-leaders Manchester City ahead of their trip to Chelsea tonight, and the 25-year-old is eager to beat the 'noisy neighbours' in the FA Cup as well after the pair were drawn against each other in the third round.

“It has been tough. It is so disappointing to be out of the Champions League after the group stages," Nani admitted to The Sun.

"But we are still alive this season and must now do our best to win the two domestic competitions we are still in."

After scoring twice in the victory at Old Trafford on Saturday, Nani was also quick to praise his teammates for the way they bounced-back from European disappointment.

It was a response that Sir Alex Ferguson will have demanded from his players, and Nani is hoping to play his part with more goals as United look to go on a run of wins over the festive period.

"I think we had a fantastic performance. Everyone played well and I think everyone wanted to win this game. It's the way we normally play, who we are and, of course, it was a fantastic afternoon with a lot of goals. Everyone is happy with the game," he added when speaking to MUTV.

"We did not expect to go to the Europa League but we are still alive and still have the opportunity to play like today. We just have to do our best to win the competitions we are in.

"It's always nice to score goals and help the team win the game. It's important for the team I'm on my best form and I'm happy with my performance. I've been working hard to try and be at my best as then I can help the team."

Picture : UNITED beats Wolves

Phil Jones action


Rooney, Welbeck, Nani and Jones celebration goal


Ferdinand : Good job Nani ... More


Rooney Shoot


Nani Goal


Our Defender Evans

Rooney 2 Nani 2 - Wolverhampton 1

ANALYSIS
By Rob Stewart at Old Trafford

Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson creating siege mentality at Theatre of Dreams as he tries to silence his critics following Champions League disappointment without key personnel

Manchester United badly needed a nice little homecoming party following their harrowing Champions League exit, and thanks to Wayne Rooney and Nani they enjoyed one to raise spirits on their return to Old Trafford.

Together Rooney and Nani put smiles back on faces in Salford as they helped themselves to two goals apiece in a one-sided encounter against a Wolves side who rarely looked capable of being party poopers. The fact that Rooney and Co. were back among the goals and re-producing their early season form helped United provide the perfect response to the Champions League defeat in Basel. Their endeavours raised the gloom that enveloped Old Trafford before this encounter and ensured the Red Devils ended what manager Sir Alex Ferguson had in his programme notes called a “black week” for the club on a high.

The road to redemption might be a long one but Sir Alex set the tone by insisting that while “we may gnash our teeth there is no point wailing about it”. He even launched a thinly veiled attack at former United skipper Roy Keane, who had voiced criticism of the d isplay in Switzerland in his role as a television pundit, with Sir Alex bemoaning “stick even from people we thought were perhaps on our side”.

If Sir Alex - who appeared impossibly upbeat as he greeted fans on his way to the dugout - was attempting to create a siege mentality then it worked because United played as if they owed their fans one against a struggling Wolves side who were there for the taking from the off with just Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher able to take the fight to their hosts.

It was, though, crowd-pleasers Rooney and Nani who made sure that this was the morale-booster that everyone associated with the club needed following their first failure to make it out of the Champions League group stage since 2005.

On a gloomy day, it even stopped raining following the final whistle to ensure that the mood improved in more ways than one.

That they bounced back from such disappointment was down to Sir Alex’s decision to attack Wolves relentlessly down the flanks where Nani and Antonio Valencia tormented their markers and ensured that the visitors were unable to frustrate their hosts.

That is what Mick McCarthy’s side did last season when it required a last-minute goal from Ji-sung Park to secure United all three points, and the pessimists feared a repeat performance.

However, those fans who insisted they trusted Sir Alex to weather the storm and come back even stronger in the long term had their faith vindicated.

That there was no need for late drama on this occasion is due mainly to Rooney, who was this contest’s outstanding performer; his goals that spelled the end of his barren spell meant that he has still never gone ten games without scoring for United.

The emphatic victory also marked a return to the club’s free-scoring ways that had seen Arsenal thrashed 8-2 here and then Bolton swept aside 5-0 at the Reebok. Before this game United had not managed more than a solitary goal in eight of nine Premier League outings.

Rooney’s exploits showed why England head coach Fabio Capello was so keen to have his Euro 2012 suspension reduced and gave United fans reason to think they might hold on to their Premier League crown despite the threat posed by Manchester City.

Rooney remains their key asset and they will need him more than ever now thanks to injuries in other key departments.

It is difficult to see United coping without injured skipper Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season, and while Michael Carrick and Phil Jones were head and shoulders above their Wolves counterparts, they might struggle when facing leading Premier League midfielders.

That is why Sir Alex will need Tom Cleverley and Anderson back in the thick of it sooner rather than later.

It also explains why there seems to be an obsession with Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder following their ill-fated pursuit of the Dutch ace last summer as the club moved to fill the void left by Paul Scholes’ retirement.

United have eminently winnable games coming against Queens Park Rangers, Fulham, Wigan, Blackburn and faltering Newcastle before aiming to avenge their 6-1 pasting by City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, January 8.

Given Sir Alex’s habit of proving his critics wrong, it would be foolish to write off United’s title chances just yet.

Blog : United are smiles better

For a game against Arsenal, Saturday’s match action was strangely forgettable. It was the result that mattered the most to the majority of the 75,000 fans lucky to be inside Old Trafford and no sooner had the final whistle sounded a chant of ‘18 times and that’s a fact’ bellowed out from the Stretford End, signifying the successful conclusion to another title race.

For so long Liverpool fans have been able to deflect our taunts about their title drought by saying they had won it more times than us – well that certainly isn’t going to be the case now. To use a word our rivals manager, Rafa Beneathus (sorry – Benitez!) became very fond of earlier this year; Manchester United are Champions of England – FACT!

Sheer unbridled and unfettered joy; those are the best words I can find to describe how I felt when I heard the full-time whistle at Old Trafford. Never has 90 minutes seemed to pass so slowly but conversely, never has time flown by as quickly as it did for the celebrations afterwards.

In my last blog for ManUtd.com I stated that winning the title this season would mean as much to me as the first one we achieved in my lifetime back in the 1992/93 season, but I have to admit that I was wrong – it actually means so much more. Amongst my family and friends I am not known for having a cheery disposition, but since Saturday I have barely stopped smiling.

Some of my friends are Liverpool fans and they have been incommunicado since that time – I wonder why? Just 16 years ago it seemed inconceivable that as a club we would ever be in the position to equal Liverpool’s title-winning pedigree. That we've done just that is quite simply fantastic.

From my front row seat I had one of the best views in the stadium as the

players, staff and families celebrated together on the pitch. In the stands supporters sang until they were hoarse, clapped until their hands were raw, laughed as Anderson marched with the soldiers and Evra mimicked Rafa’s ‘it’s all over gesture.’ Quite simply, we had a whale of a time.

The 2008/09 season has been one that I will never forget and being part of the party at Old Trafford at the end of the final home game was an exhilarating experience. In 12 months time I hope to be experiencing it all over again as we celebrate a 19th league title and another piece of history in becoming the first club to win the league four times in a row. Success is addictive and I want more…and more…and more...

The only fitting way to close this blog is say a huge thank you to the players, coaching staff and of course, Sir Alex, for their combined efforts since last August to once again prove that Manchester United are the best club in England – FACT!

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

The Treble remembered

10 years on...

"Happy days, so many memories made up of glorious bits of magic accompanied by heart-stopping anxiety. Our Treble was a remarkable achievement, which I still believe will not be repeated in my lifetime."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

Yes, it really is a decade since United won the Treble. This season could turn out to be one of the most memorable campaigns for the Reds, but it’s also the 10th anniversary of possibly the best of the lot.

To mark the occasion, Saturday's edition of United Review includes a free 20-page Treble magazine looking back at the historic achievements of the 1998/99 season.

The magazine features eyewitness accounts from many of the main protagonists of that unforgettable season including Sir Alex, Ryan Giggs and Peter Schmeichel.

There are also specific recollections from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andrew Cole and Teddy Sheringham of the final three games of an unforgettable campaign.

As well as the special supplement, Saturday's programme also includes an exclusive Rio Ferdinand interview, a review of the season to date and a preview of the Champions League final, featuring Sky Sports' Andy Gray and Guillem Balague.

“I am not looking at equalling anyone. I think we should be looking at ourselves and this team has got a bit to go yet. That is more exciting for me and is the prospect that resonates with me far more than equalling others.”

- Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson claims he will get no satisfaction from equalling Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles, should United retain the Premier League against Arsenal on Saturday.

The United boss told his pre-match press conference: “For me, I am not looking at equalling anyone. I think we should be looking at ourselves and this team has got a bit to go yet.

“They could go on and win another five titles. That is more exciting for me and is the prospect that resonates with me far more than equalling others. The squad is young enough to win more titles and hopefully they can do it.”

As United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville all approach the home straight of their careers, Sir Alex cannot help but compare his wise old heads with the current crop of youngsters at Old Trafford:

“We have got a lot of young players in the squad right now and that is healthy," he said. "Obviously we hope the dinosaurs like Giggs, Scholes and Neville will last another two years. It would be wonderful to think that because by that time I think the young players will have benefitted from it. But it is a very young squad

and we are excited by that.

“I try to think about what Giggs was like at that age, when Scholes and Neville were still learning with great potential. I think the younger ones like Welbeck, Evans, Gibson, Macheda and Rafael have the same potential, there's no question about that.

“They are also playing at a higher level than when Ryan, Gary and Paul came into the team so that makes it more difficult for them. We try to equate the circumstances of those players.”

Fight for the right to party

here

It is hard to believe that we are already at the penultimate game of the league season. It feels like only yesterday that I was taking my seat in the East Stand for the first match against Newcastle United. Come 12.45pm on Saturday I will be taking my seat in the Stretford End to watch our final home game against Arsenal and I ask myself is it really all over so soon?

As a United supporter going back to 1980’s I am hard pushed to remember a more memorable season than this one, well if we exclude the Treble back in ’99 that is! Two defeats to Liverpool in the league and a gut-wrenching defeat to Everton in the FA Cup semi-final may have been the lowest points of our season, but the highs have far outnumbered the lows. Ranging from Carling Cup glory to becoming the first English club to win the FIFA Club World Cup, from setting a new British clean sheet record to standing on the cusp of Premier League and Champions League glory, there have been few seasons like this.

Whilst Rome looms on the horizon, retaining the Premier League title is what the season is all about. Winning the league at any ground is special, but it means even more to supporters for the triumph to be secured on home soil.

Back when I was nearly a teenager, controversial American hip-hop band, The Beastie Boys, sang “You gotta fight for your right to party,” and I know that is exactly what the players will be doing on Saturday for another 90 minutes – fighting for their right (and ours) to celebrate!

going to mean just as much to me. For so long United supporters have had to put up with the incessant boasts from Liverpool fans about how many more times than us they have won the league that it will be of immeasurable pleasure to draw level with them.

For 36 league games that have come before the players have toiled to put United on the brink of glory and I implore everyone inside Old Trafford on Saturday to make a noise like they have never done before to help drive the team across the finishing line.

It will not be easy to overcome an Arsenal team that will no doubt be looking for revenge for their Champions League exit. I appreciate the challenge they will provide, but I cannot help feeling more than a tinge of excitement now we are so close to the finishing line. I hope though that unlike the recent games at Old Trafford against Aston Villa and Spurs that we do not have to go through the mill emotionally.

As our mosaics in the Champions League have boasted over the past two seasons – BELIEVE! I certainly do. We will prevail on Saturday and then we can let down our hair (though in my case there isn’t much of that these days!) and party!

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

When I first started supporting the Reds, the league was the Holy Grail. After we finally secured our first title in 26 years in the 1992/93 season I thought nothing could ever match that feeling again, but this season title success is

Wary of wounded Gunners

United may have emphatically seen off Arsenal in the Champions League, but Rio Ferdinand says the Reds will not be underestimating the Gunners in Saturday's league meeting.

Sir Alex's men need just one more point to secure an 11th Barclays Premier League title meaning a win or a draw will suffice at Old Trafford. Ferdinand insists United will have to work hard to gain the solitary point required against a Gunners side with a score to settle.

"Our performances in both legs of the semi-final were two of the best of the season," the defender told United Review. "But it can sometimes be a dangerous situation when you beat a team fairly convincingly and play them again soon after because they’ll probably feel they have something to prove.

"We can't allow them to do that and must focus on getting the result we want to win the title."

Rampant Reds impress Dixon

Ex-Arsenal right-back Lee Dixon is concerned that the Gunners may get left behind by an increasingly dominant United in the next few years.

As the two teams prepare to square up for the third time in as many weeks on Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal are still reeling from their Champions League semi-final demolition.

United require a point to secure a third consecutive title - in which time Arsenal have won nothing - and Match of the Day pundit Dixon fears that, although the Gunners could still knock the Reds off course this term, Sir Alex’s men are disappearing into the distance.

“This United team has got the old spirit and hunger,” he told United Review. “I'm fearful with the team they've got - they're a relatively young side, after all - that they're going to just get better and better.

“We’ve talked about the potential of this Arsenal side for a long time, but there comes a point when talent isn’t enough – you have to produce. If United or Liverpool were standing still, then Arsenal would be right up there, but everyone is getting better and Arsenal have been playing catch-up.”

But that won’t lull Sir Alex into a false sense of security. The United boss admits he isn’t “buying into” the talk about Arsenal and their supposed frailties. Dixon, however, does feel Arsenal are capable of beating anyone on their day.

“It's difficult to predict - you wouldn't have imagined Arsenal would have been 2-0 down inside 11 minutes in the Champions League, would you? But I did say a few weeks ago that if United were going to slip up then it might come against Arsenal. Maybe it will be 1-1.”

Match Pack : Arsenal

Can United get the point needed for an 18th title and third successive league crown?

Form Guide: Arsenal have lost three of their last four and appear low on confidence. However, the possibility of upsetting the party at Old Trafford will motivate Arsene Wenger’s men. United, on the other hand, are riding a wave of confidence after seven straight wins, and require one point to edge over the line in the title race. There's also the added incentive of lifting the trophy at home.

Ins and Outs: Wenger's still without Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) for the rest of the season. Rio Ferdinand remains a doubt for the Reds with a calf strain. Sir Alex may again shuffle his pack after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wigan in midweek, with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher hoping for starts, and Gary Neville eyeing the right-back spot.

Star Man: Arsenal’s top scorer Robin van Persie has hit 18 goals this season. The Dutchman’s pace could pose problems for the United backline and he's the type of player who conjures a goal out of nothing. Theo Walcott disappointed in the Champions League semi finals and will look to make amends.

Rivals Watch: West Brom v Liverpool (Sunday 13:30 BST), Chelsea v Blackburn (16:00 BST)

Referee: Mike Dean takes charge on Saturday having refereed United four times this term, most recently the 4-0 FA Cup win over Fulham. He's awarded 147 yellow and 10 red cards in 42 games this season.

The comeback kings

There’s nothing quite like a dramatic late winner. It’s something United fans have become used to over the years but the thrill of it never diminishes. It’s in the DNA of the club. You could just feel it coming at the JJB Stadium last night. Wave after wave of attacks with all 4 of United’s star strikers on the field.

Eventually Wigan’s stout resistance was broken when Michael Carrick struck a screamer of a goal and Liverpool’s title hopes were all but blown away. Cue crazy celebrations in front of the massed ranks of United fans – Wayne Rooney almost broke his neck in the carnage and I’m sure I spotted Patrice Evra doing a Benitez-style “it’s all over” motion with his hands! Although the gesture meant no disrespect to Wigan, who you have to say were impressive as they stunned United by taking an early lead.

It’s the fourth time since Liverpool shocked us all at Old Trafford in March that United have gone ahead in the final quarter of a game. The most important example came against Aston Villa last month, of course. After back-to-back defeats, United were 2-1 down with 11 minutes left before Ronaldo and then Kiko Macheda gave the Reds the momentum to build what now appears to be a title-winning sequence of seven straight victories.

Macheda repeated the trick the following week at Sunderland before the epic comeback against Spurs, and Michael Carrick added to that remarkable catalogue last night. It’s not chance or good luck. It’s a combination of spirit, bravery and a sheer bloody-minded refusal to accept anything other than a win.

The good news for

United fans continued after the game when Sir Alex told MUTV that negotiations were ongoing to keep Carlos Tevez at Old Trafford. His worth was proved at the JJB with a simply brilliant piece of skill to get United back into the game. It needed something special to open the door against a Wigan side who were an enormous credit to their manager Steve Bruce.

So now we are on the verge of claiming a hat-trick of titles and equalling Liverpool’s haul of 18 championships. What an achievement it will be. The trouble is, Arsenal would love to be party poopers after their Champions League humbling.

The ideal scenario is for United to lift the trophy on Saturday in front of a bumper home crowd, and then rest some of the big names at Hull so we can properly prepare for Rome. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But as the hard-fought win over Wigan showed, United simply do not know how to do things the easy way…

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

That's why we're champions

"I thought we showed our commitment and our courage to go and get the three points. You have to be proud of how we kept going... That is what the club is all about, commitment and courage."

- John O'Shea

John O'Shea felt United's grit and resolve came to the fore in overcoming the stern challenge of Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening.

Goals in the final half-hour from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick gave the Reds three precious points in the ongoing Premier League title race, and Sheasy believes United showed the hallmark of champions at the JJB Stadium.

“I thought we showed our commitment and our courage to go and get the three points," Sheasy told MUTV. "Obviously a draw would not have been too bad either but you have to be proud of how we kept going and with the chances we created. I think we just about edged it.

"We have done that a few times this season but that is what the club is all about, commitment and courage. The coaching staff as well, to believe in what we are doing is right and we are getting the rewards."

With former Reds skipper Steve Bruce at the Latics' helm, O'Shea and his colleagues knew they would have to weather a storm at the JJB, before a patient plan paid dividends.

“People start thinking that Steve Bruce is going to do the manager a favour but the way they played, they came at us like a steam train and maybe, could have been two nil up before we had a decent chance," he said.

"We did miss quite a few good chances in the first half as well so we could have gone in level. So

we felt at half-time that if we got one goal we would definitely go on to win the game.

“The way Wigan set out their team with five in midfield we knew that if we kept possession well eventually they would get tired and gaps would open up and that is exactly what happened for the winning goal. The gaps appeared and we took advantage of it."

The come-from-behind victory - United's third in just under six weeks - brought the Premier League title to within a point of a third consecutive stint at Old Trafford, and O'Shea is relishing the chance to seal it against Arsenal this weekend.

“We are nearly there but Arsenal would like nothing more than trying to spoil our party," he said. "It would be nice to do it at Old Trafford in front of our fans.”

Boss praises gutsy display

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted the spirit and determination of his side after Michael Carrick’s late winner put United to within one point of retaining the league title.

The boss had been given plenty to say at half-time by Wigan taking a shock lead.

“The first thing I told the players at the break was to keep their discipline," Sir Alex said.

"You can’t beat the referee, so I told them, 'Keep your mouth shut and play the game.' I think we improved from there.”

“We just had to be patient. We were against a very determined, tough Wigan side but I thought we were the better team. It was a real gutsy performance."

Carrick's stunning strike and Tevez's sublime equaliser were enough to give United a vital triumph but there could have been more goals, not least from Cristiano Ronaldo - a fact that was noted but not condemned by his manager.

“Cristiano could probably have scored a hat-trick tonight," admitted Sir Alex. "He normally hits the target and makes the goalkeeper work but it was just one of those nights I suppose, it happens. He still has an unbelievable scoring rate, particularly recently.”

United can now secure a third successive title with a home draw on Saturday. However, Sir Alex only has eyes for maximum points.

“I think we’ll approach the game we always do, we’ll try and win. We know we're up against a very good Arsenal side and we'll need to perform. Hopefully we will do.”

Reds make Tevez progress

Sir Alex Ferguson is still hopeful of a positive resolution to Carlos Tevez's ongoing transfer saga.

Reports in the media have suggested the striker would leave Old Trafford at the end of this season following a two-year loan deal.

However, on the back of United's win at Wigan - in which Tevez netted a vital equaliser - Sir Alex broke his silence on the matter, and confirmed that the Argentine is very much on his wanted list.

"I think we've had progress today," the manager told MUTV. "David Gill's had a good meeting today, I've spoken to Carlos and we've given him an offer we hope he accepts. That's where we are.

"He's a great little player and once again he's shown his mettle. He's scored so many important goals and he's got another one for us tonight."

Tevez's all-action approach established him as a fans' favourite within weeks of his arrival at Old Trafford last season, and Sir Alex admits the striker's attitude is commendable.

"They (the fans) love him because he's a trier," he said. "He's got tremendous skill, of course, but he never gives in. That's a great quality to have in the modern game, he's got the hunger to fight all the time and it's a wonderful thing to see."

Park's winning ambition

United need four points to secure another league title, but Ji-sung Park says he wants to win every game from now until the end of the season.

The South Korean, who’s scored in two of the last three fixtures, is determined to get his hands on the Barclays Premier League trophy this Saturday when the Reds meet Arsenal at Old Trafford.

For that to happen, United must beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night and take at least a point off the Gunners.

“I’m confident we’ll win the title,” Park told ManUtd.kr. “One win and one draw is enough for us but I want to win the rest of our games, starting at Wigan.

“No other team has a match on Wednesday – it’s our game in hand – so after we play there we’ll all have played 36 times. It’s a great opportunity to put a bigger gap between us and the other teams.”

The Reds’ winger played his part in the Reds’ most recent win, in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Park played an hour and even had an early opportunity to put the Reds ahead.

“I know I had a chance to score and that would been great, but I’m happy with the result. It’s always special to play in the derby and to win 2-0 was very good.”

Blog : Crerand feeling confident

Reds legend and MUTV pundit Paddy Crerand isn't expecting any slip-ups at Wigan this evening...

So United’s game in hand is finally here, and I’m confident we’ll make the most of it at the JJB Stadium tonight.

United have hit form at just the right time in the last few weeks and the manager has got it spot on with his team selections in every game. He picks an eleven he believes is right for each match, while always thinking about the matches ahead, and every time he does it, it seems to work.

He rested a few players in the win over City and I think the likes of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes may start this evening. Wigan will be under no pressure, but they’ve been having a bad time of it recently with just one point from their last five games. It looks like they’ll be without their goalkeeper Chris Kirkland too with a back injury which is a blow for them. They’ll be up against a United side who will be desperate to get the title wrapped up as soon as possible.

Going to the JJB will, of course, bring back great memories of last season’s title party when we won it on the final day. Ronaldo set us on the way with a goal from the penalty spot, before Ryan came off the bench to seal it. It was a fantastic day for everyone and I hope the United fans have another great night tonight.

The chance to play in the Champions League final will be a great motivator for the players to keep up the high standards in the last three league games, too. Everyone wants to play in Rome and all the players will be doing their best to impress the manager in the run-up to the final. For that reason I’ll don’t think there’ll be any slip-ups. We’re just four points away from glory now and victory will mean we’re almost there.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Papers : Carlos on a free?

Tevez could sign for free
United could try to sign Carlos Tevez on a Bosman-style free transfer. SunSport understands the Red Devils are exploring whether there are legal loopholes in the striker’s contract. In particular, the third party ownership agreement which ties Tevez with the investment company MSI is under scrutiny. Leading sports lawyers are looking at whether the ownership of Tevez’s registration by MSI could be challenged under the same terms as Jean Marc Bosman took on the old transfer system. His advisor Kia Joorabchian said once again yesterday that no deal is close with United and that Tevez is willing to sign for one of their Premier League rivals. “What he wants to do is to go to a club which has real ambition, a real focus, to be champions of England, champions of Europe, champions of everywhere. Obviously, leaving United he would have to go to a rival in order to achieve that target. But he understands it’s not in his control.”
Ian McGarry, The Sun

Other quotes from Joorabchian indicated the striker would be willing to switch to Manchester City - who have made preliminary inquiries - although no decision would be made until the end of the season. Former United captain Steve Bruce, who has been tipped by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to take over frrom Sir Alex, has warned Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo that they will be making a huge mistake if they leave Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has hailed Sir Alex, insisting he never lost faith in the United manager's ability to create another great team. “You just have to trust the manager," he said. "He has been so successful, so not to have done that would have been crazy. The players stood by everything he has done.”

The Guardian reckons United are on the verge of signing Brazilian teenager Dodo in a £5million deal.

Round up by Gemma Thompson

Giggs : Fight to the finish

Seven points from four games will assure United of a third successive Barclays Premier League title, but Ryan Giggs insists the Reds aren't getting ahead of themselves.

Relentless Ryan

"We just wanted to get this one out of the way. We’ve done that and now we’ve just got to concentrate on the remaining games, because Liverpool are a good side and they’ll definitely fight to the end."

- Ryan Giggs

Saturday's stroll at Middlesbrough put the Reds six points clear of Liverpool, but Giggs - going for his record-extending 11th league title - expects the Merseysiders to keep plugging away.

"We always pencilled this in as a tough game," Giggs told Sky Sports at the Riverside Stadium. "It always is against Middlesbrough and we struggled here last year.

"We just wanted to get this one out of the way. We’ve done that and now we’ve just got to concentrate on the remaining games, because Liverpool are a good side and they’ll definitely fight to the end."

Giggs opened the scoring in fine fashion against Gareth Southgate's side, and it was a fitting end to a perfect week for the Welshman.

"It’s been a great week," he said. "Winning the (PFA Player of the Year) award, reaching 800 appearances and scoring today, it really couldn't have gone ant better."

Ryan reaches 800

Ryan Giggs capped arguably the most prestigious award of his career by making a landmark appearance against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Just three days after picking up the PFA Player of the Year trophy in London, the United veteran played a remarkable 800th game for the club when he came on as a substitute for Anderson in the second half at Old Trafford.

His introduction brought maturity to the team's play as the Reds sealed an important 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners and it almost brought a second goal - only for a linesman's flag to ruin Ryan's fun after he'd rounded Manuel Almunia and slotted the ball home.

Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his admiration for Giggs in his post-match interview on MUTV.

"It's an unbelievable achievement," said Ronaldo. "And he deserved his award because he's had a fantastic season, helping the team to score goals.

"Eight hundred games is unbelievable and I hope to be like him one day."

O'Shea savours birthday gift

John O'Shea's reprisal of the unlikely hero's role came at a timely moment for himself, his team and his father.

The Irishman said his dad was uppermost in his thoughts after he scored United's winning goal against Arsenal, on the eve of his 28th birthday.

"It’s a little early birthday present for me but I have to dedicate that one to my dad," O'Shea told Sky Sports. "He’s been having a tough time of late, I’m sure this will cheer him up a bit."

The goal also brought cheer to more than 75,000 fans inside Old Trafford, not to mention millions of Reds around the world following the riveting Champions League semi-final. But the masses may share O'Shea's feeling that United should have won by more.

"On our first half display, we could have been a couple more goals up," said O'Shea. "Their keeper made a couple of great saves. We have a lead, we’ve kept a clean sheet and we know we’re capable of scoring an away goal at the Emirates. But the tie's definitely not over."

O'Shea believes a game-plan paid dividends for United, specifically the tactic "to squeeze high up the pitch as much as we could, just to keep the pressure on Arsenal and hopefully win the ball back to play from there.

"It worked very well, especially in the first half and sometimes in the second half. But Arsenal are a good team, they kept the ball well at times and it’s hard to get it back from them. I think in the second leg we need to improve our retaining possession but over all we have to be happy."

Sir Alex Ferguson praised the Irishman's attitude and even went as far as to promise him a place in the starting line-up should United make the final in Rome. "John is one of the great professionals of our time," said the boss. "He never complains and he’s happy to play anywhere. He knows that, over the years, he has not always been the number one choice.

"But he will produce some fantastic performances over the course of the season, and that is a contribution we are very grateful for. Those contributions have been left-back, centre-back, right-back and midfield… he is so versatile and can play in a lot of positions. That is his great value to us.

"He took the goal really well. The ball deflected off an Arsenal defender and he had to react quickly, and it was a good controlled shot. This season he has not missed many games. Now if you asked me whether he would play if we were in the final, I would say yes."