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Sir Alex Ferguson made a phone call to Tony Blair as part of a desperate attempt to keep Manchester United in the 1999-2000 FA Cup.
But the then Prime Minister was about to go into a meeting with Yugoslavia president Slobodan Milosevic in a bid to bring an end to the raging war in Kosovo and could not speak.
As a result, Sir Alex admitted defeat and United ended up going to FIFA's inaugural Club World Championship in Brazil in an attempt to boost the FA's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to win the right to host the 2006 World Cup.
Andy Walsh of was a member of the influential Independent Manchester United Supporters Association at the time and was in regular contact with Sir Alex.
Andy, who made the revelation in an interview with the fanzine Red News said:
"United came out as the villains in all of it, but both Sir Alex and then chairman Martin Edwards were under incredible pressure from Tony Banks, the Prime Minister's envoy for the World Cup bid, and from David Davies, the FA's acting chief executive to pull out of the FA Cup and go to Brazil for the Fifa tournament.
"As fans we wanted to find ways of keeping them in the FA Cup and we thought we had come up with a solution. It involved moving some of the fixtures to earlier in the season.
"We were playing Arsenal and Martin Edwards was sat next to the new Minister for Sport, Kate Hoey. She made some remark along the lines of "I believe you're ruining this season's FA Cup" and when word of that got back to Fergie he was furious.
"I spoke to him over the phone and he said: "That's it, they're forcing us out. F*** them. We're going to Brazil and that's the end of it.
"He told me that Blair had told him he was about to go into a meeting with Milosevic and that was the end of it."
[Source: Daily Mail, Red News]

Wayne Rooney has started insulting the club's Spanish players in their own language, according to Ander Herrera.
In an interview with Spanish website El Pais, the player joked about focusing on football with Rooney because he doesn't want the boxing enthusiast to get his own back with his fists.
He reveals Ashley Young is the main joker among the United squad, and Di Maria enjoy taunting their team-mates.
He told El Pais when asked about the squad's joker: "Maybe Ashley Young, but I think the Spanish speakers have more of a sense of humour. Maybe it's because we're always together and sometimes the English are more private.
"But yeah, Di Maria doesn't stop giving you stick, Falcao and Valencia are very open... I don't know, I think really what we do is mess with guys of the same nationality and what's going on in their country.
"Rooney is outgoing and is very open and insults us in Spanish. But I prefer to talk to him about football because I know that he realy likes boxing and I don't want him to try with me!
"I think that there's a lot of respect for those like Rooney and Carrick who have been here for many years because you see that it's very difficult to do that. But I think that, like De Gea told me, before it was more hierarchical with people like Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs...
"Carrick is very serious, but reminds me of another of Marcelo Bielsa's phrases: "Leaders don't have to talk a lot, but when they do talk, you listen."
[Source: elpais.com]

Where is Starboard sef? Abe he don repackage under another moniker?

raumdeuter:
coogar, elampiro

Do you have a chart of clear cut chances created in the EPL this season by player?

I saw one as at January but I can't lay my hands on it again. My former phone where I saved so many things has gone to the grave.

You guys no longer talk about Ilkay Gündogan, abi e no sabi play midfield again?

How is Nani faring? It's like he now shines once in a blue moon. 'Cos no body they talk about any performance anymore.

United failed in a bid to bring Nemanja Vidic back to Old Trafford in January, according to his agent.
United initially struggled defensively under Louis van Gaal leading to reports that the Serbian could return at the earliest opportunity.
And the player's agent Silvano Martina has now confirmed that Vidic chose to stay at Inter, despite United making enquiries about him up until December last year.
"Will he stay at Inter? I think he should do, yes, because he has another two years on his contract.
"In fact, I want to reveal something. Last year he made a specific choice to come to Milan, seeing as Manchester United wanted to keep him and kept calling up to December."
[Source: Gazzetta TV
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Arsenal are hoping to take advantage of Chris Smalling's contract situation at Manchester United by offering £12m.
Smalling is one of many United players who will be entering the final year of his contract this summer.
However, according to various sources today Arsenal are ready to throw a spanner in the works by moving for a player they were interested in signing back in 2010 when he left Fulham.
A figure of £12m has been mooted and with Smalling able to leave for free if he allows his contract to expire, United could be tempted by the healthy offer.
[Source: Independent, Guardian, Daily Star, Mirror]

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Arsene Wenger always looking to sign the fastest players. Per Mertesacker is slow and they will like to replace him.

Even if we buy Hummels, we shouldn't sell any defender until January 2016. We have to be sure the new players can click.

dopeJemi:
2years comedian, 2years

Phil Jones is the best in our team in intercepting play from opposition. That's again is about intelligence. He beats even Blind and Herrera to that.

You can keep dwelling in your hatred or outright subjectivity. Bye!




It's not even a coincidence:

2011/12 Carrick, Vidic and Jones had the highest interception in that order.
2012/2013: Jones 1st, Rafael 2nd , Carrick and then Evans 3rd, 4th had the highest interception.
Under Moyes, Carrick, Fellaini and Rafael came before Jones 4th.
Now back to Jones under Gaal.

Someone watched Jones games against Tottenham and Liverpool and still call him brainless repeatedly? Jones won all last man tackles against Tottenham pacing players, particularly on the left back area. If it were another defender, it would mean Blind was poor defensively because he covered those situations for Blind. Vidic in his prime used to do that for Evra. Against Liverpool, Jones tidied up well behind Blind and Young. His left foot passing to the forwards was okay. He was lifting the ball up for Fellaini and Rooney when he needed to clear far. Most times Rojo just kick into space and his covering for left back is questionable.

Jones also has the ability to dealing with problems high up the pitch instead of keeping them late for the danger areas. And he recovers quickly to position after going for direct tackle.

It's this ability to read the game and deal with potential threats that makes Jones have high interceptions in games after games. His 23.7 min / interception is the best in the team. How can someone who has the best interception in Manchester United be said to be brainless? This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard this year.

Phil Jones has the best interception for us, followed by Blind.

dopeJemi:
Na so, na only 2 years I give am.. The only time he leg go touch ball na for training

Never. Not with Jones. He will always be needed by clubs. Once he is made number one in his club, he gets to the top within two seasons.

dopeJemi:
I'm happy for the fact that you decided to come out of your comfort zone and try out comedy, I'm pleased

John terry?

Comedian

You talk like a novice. You know how good Rojo has been and he is left footed. The fact that Jones benched him against Liverpool tells you how much confidence Gaal has with Jones.

If SAF were here, he would have given Jones all the confidence to be world best at 25 years- two years time.

I gat to go first.

Jones will mature into a defender of his own kind. Not a defender like Ferdinand or Thiago Silva. Something similar to John Terry.

Sol Campbel was a defender of his type. Galas was a defender of his type. Stam was a defender of his type. Lucio, Puyol, etc. When you expect one player to be as tidy or as rugged as the other, you miss it. Essien could never have been like Sergio Bousquet. Makalele and Matic could never be Carrick.

Robin van Persie has targeted the Manchester derby on April 12 for his return from injury.
Van Persie has missed the last five games after suffering ankle ligament damage in the 2-1 defeat at Swansea more than a month ago.
But Van Persie believes he will be back in time for the Premier League clash with City at Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal’s side fight for second place with their neighbours, who are currently two points ahead.
Van Persie has spent some time at home in Holland during his layoff, but he has been working hard in the gym under the supervision of United physio Matt Radcliffe and is expected to step up his rehabilitation during the international break.
[Source: Daily Mail]

dopeJemi:
No be here all of us dey? Give am 2years

In 2 years he will be 25. With regular football, you will have a John Terry.

dopeJemi:
All those ones na feri fera... How old is varane again? He's 3 times better than jones, he's one his way to becoming a world class defender, can same be said about jones?

Which Varane? You must have been one of those guys who don't watch football. At my age I won't commit the calamities that Varane has for Madrid this season. Varane and Casilas are total calamities for Madrid.

You are calling Jones brainless, but from your posts so far you don't seem to write like someone who has a brain of his own. Sorry to say.

dopeJemi:
Paul scholes no play gidigidi football... So is jones our best player now according to the way ferguson saw him? Who them never praise before? Na by praise? You for add worship join

Scholes was not a defender. Defenders are different. Jones did not even play gidigidi football when he was deployed to midfield.

You have different types of defenders. Ferdinand was tidy but Terry is dirty even at his age.

dopeJemi:
Please explain to me exactly what jones has done

Explain to me what exactly other defenders have done.

Jones has been used in big games and he came out with praises.

April 23, 2013
Heavy Praise For Manchester United’s Phil Jones

Phil Jones is going to need broad shoulders to carry this kind of expectation.

In the post-Championship euphoria, Sir Alex Ferguson enthused that his young defender could “arguably, the way he’s looking, (could become) our best ever player.”

That’s quite the compliment from Ferguson, and Ryan Giggs also lavished his teammate with praise:

“Phil is one of those players who’s that good he can play midfield or right-back, but I think tonight you’ve seen his position. Every time he plays at centre-half he’s outstanding.”

(Manchester United Official)

I’m not sure I’d have gone as far as to say what Ferguson did, but there’s little doubt that Jones has an incredibly bright future.

The more noticeable aspects of his game – tackling, aerial ability, and physicality – are all obviously impressive, but what really sets him apart is his football IQ; he really does read the game exceptionally well. It’s very rare that a player can just be plugged in to different positions and do well, and it’s his heightened understanding of the game around him which allows Jones to do that.

Let’s not do indulge the typically English hobby of prematurely comparing him to world-class defenders who are currently at the top of their game, but equally it should be acknowledged that if his career trajectory continues on the same trend then he’s going very far indeed.

I remember saying when United signed him that he was an England captain in the making, and there’s no reason to back off from that yet.

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How many 19 years old go into a team like Man United and command regular shirts whenever fit?

Capello also had great things to say about Phil Jones. Yet one coach of Mamaput FC says otherwise.

dopeJemi:
No worry, na leyton orient jersey you go see am in next

Says coach dopejemi of Mamaput FC.

dopeJemi:
Lol, intelligence? Are you serious? I ask again, when did you go into comedy?

so is jones better than vidic that has gotten red cards in his career? Are you saying jones is more intelligent than vidic? See why I said it doesn't prove anything, There are plenty of mediocre and shyte defenders that haven't gotten a single red card in their career, I repeat, it doesn't prove anything

At least luiz has brains unlike one ogre I know

On the night Manchester United claimed their 20th league title with a win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson singled out Phil Jones for particular praise.

As reported by The Guardian, an ebullient Ferguson said:

The way he is looking, he could be our best ever player. He may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him. At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player. He can play anywhere on the pitch. He has such a massive influence, with his instinct and reading of the game. He has a drive about him.

......................

And you know more than Ferguson? Then, Moyes and now Van Gaal. He is even doing well in an off position -LCB. Who was Luiz at 22? Tell me how many defenders at Jones age has done what he has done. He was one of the most difficult defenders to beat in 2011/2012 season when he was 19/20 years old.

I just checked, Phil Jones has never been sent off (Not even two yellow cards). He has almost 10,000 minutes of EPL football already. It is a good record for a 23 years old who has been used is positions where cards are easily taken. To me this shows intelligence.

Even great Paul Scholes was a player who committed fouls with reckless tackles in dangerous positions. It didnt make him brainless. SAF had to put up with and manage that aspect of his game. Again some of the cards were for tackles meant to be for the benefit of the team. Paul Scholes constantly had the highest number of cards for Man United. Then followed by Vidic, our midfielders and Rooney. Ferdinand could go a season without even a yellow card- King of shadow marking.

dopeJemi:
Vidic got red cards in his time at united, so it doesn't prove anything

You have just proven my point. Jones has never been sent off. Let me get you the record. It takes intelligence to have that record.

dopeJemi:
There's something wrong with jones and it's called 'the absence of BRAIN'. He's one of the dullest defenders in europe

He is one of the best in Europe. People used to say useless things about David Luiz.

Your hate or subjective opinion will never change the fact that Phil Jones is a Manchester United defender (not Hull City Defender). He has about 10,000 mins playing time in EPL already, not Congo league.


He has played great matches and even big UCL games.

dopeJemi:
Buahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

When did you go into comedy?

There is nothing wrong with Jones. Luiz used to be worse even though he was already matured before he joined Chelsea. How many straight red cards does Jones have in his career?

Phil Jones will fine tune his game as he plays regularly in the centre back. He just became 23 last month. He has been used as a midfielder, centre back and right back. Whe he is focused on a position, he would be great. Imagine the progress David Luiz has made since been used as a regular centre back. He is now so cool headed.

The only odd against Jones is his height. He is got to be one of the shortest centre backs in Europe. Even Coloccini is taller than Jones. However, he is still a little inches taller than Puyol. On the other hand, Smalling is almost as tall as Fellaini. Sometimes I think Smalling doesn't make use of his height to his own advantage over opposing strikers when compared to how Vidic dealt with aerial balls flying into our box. Again, he too needs many games to become a master. They shouldn't force it.

MrTA:
Whilst i mostly agree, jones always seems like an accident waiting to happen. Smalling has looked far more composed and better overall. I definitely feel we need a cb to go straight into the first team.

Smalling is playing on the right side. It's home there.

Phil Jones has claimed he and Chris Smalling have silenced their critics following the pair’s impressive displays in the recent wins over Tottenham and Liverpool.
“People can assume and predict and it is up to us to prove them all wrong. People criticising does spur you on. You are always going to get critics.
"We are at a massive club here at Manchester United and if things aren't going as well as they should be, then there is always going to be people wanting to have a dig and a pop at you.
"We have been well aware of the criticism we have had. We are professionals and we are in a job where people have an opinion about you and they are entitled to it and we just have to get on with it.
“It had been documented that me and Chris were going to be the next centre-backs at United but it has not gone how we would have liked it,
“Somebody told me the other day that we have actually only played along side each other about four times in four seasons. You cannot build a partnership on four games. Hopefully now we have had back-to-back games together we can keep it going and keep playing well together. We complement each other well.”
[Source: Skysports, Guardian]


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* This season, they have only paired twice at the centre back. They won 2/2 against Tottenham and Liverpool.

* They paired in some of our early games of 2011/12 which we won. They paired in one or two FA cup matches of 2012/13 and we won.

I think their quick feet is good for us as well as they appear to cover up for each other well. Jones, Evans and Smalling were instrumental to coming from two goals down to beat City in the Shield when they played the ball out of the defence faster........

Manchester United are set to offer contract extensions to Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young.
United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has opened talks with representatives of all three players after Louis van Gaal gave the green light to tie the trio down to new long-term contracts.
It’s understood that the trio will earn between three and four-year extensions, keeping them tied to the club until the summer of 2018 at the earliest.
[Source: Mirror]

Radamel Falcao wants to end his Manchester United misery in the summer - even if Louis van Gaal offers him a permanent deal.
The Colombian striker is currently on International duty with Colombia for games against Bahrain and Kuwait and Falcao told Colombia media:
"When the championship is finished, I will sit and analyse and decide what is best for me. Obviously, I need a place to have continuity, where I can play.
"I'm completely with the club for the remaining eight games. Anything can happen. Every player needs to play and playing makes you happy.
"The personal relationship with him (van Gaal) is difficult to explain, each coach has a different way to handle a group and there are cultures, ways of thinking and philosophies.
"He has to make decisions like any other coach, regardless of whether they are favourable or not. I try to behave properly and be professional at all times. I take the minutes that I have with the team. I know that much has been said... I have to be calm, know that I'm okay. I only need to play and that will be clear when I have continuity."
[Source: futbolred.com]

IYANGBALI:
sekem sekem sekem. I will like the ban to be after their match with assnal,I want liverpool to win that match so dat we can knock dem off the 3rd place and set our eyes on the 2nd position,we can do it,yes we can

Let's hope all our players return without injuries. We need to maintain the starting eleven. May be Val will be jet lag. Ashley Young was substituted out the last time, hope he recovers.

We will need both Val and Young against physical and running Villa players. Let's start from here, one game at a time.

SailorXY:
our destiny is in our own hands. we should be prepared to keep winning our games & there's a more than realistic shot @ second position & a mathematical chance @ the title

Our target is top four finish, or top 3 to go straight to the group stage of UCL.

Van Gaal got angry with my style, says Herrera

Mar 23, 2015 16:18:00
The €36 million signing struggled to adapt to the Dutchman's philosophy in the opening months of the season but says he has altered his game to make the manager happy


Herrera arrived at the Red Devils from Athletic Bilbao for €36 million in July but struggled to establish himself at the start of his debut Premier League campaign.

Injury and competition for places meant Herrera started just seven league matches during the first six months of the season, but he has since become an integral part of their push for a Champions League place - playing the full 90 minutes during four of their last five outings.

And the 25-year-old has revealed he has been forced to adapt his game under the former Barcelona boss after initially incurring his wrath for not waiting to be given possession by his team-mates.

"We keep our distance. He seems to be a good guy, with a character that strikes you from the first moment, but he has a good background," he told El Pais.

"He likes discipline and does not believe in egos in the dressing room, but that everybody is equal under his rule. And with me he talks about what he wants from me.

"He loves possession and he doesn't like being at risk of losing the ball. He wants long stretches of possession and keeping the ball because he believes spaces are created that way because the team has the quality to find them.

"In fact, at the start he was angry at me because I was trying to get the ball, because I always wanted to have it. And no, I must wait."

Herrera was also asked to compare Van Gaal with former Athletic coach Marcelo Bielsa, and claimed the current Marseille boss was far more attack-minded.

He admitted, though, that current Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde is the most balanced coach he has played under and praised his ability to maintain a happy dressing room.

Asked if Van Gaal and Bielsa had contrasting philosophies, he said: "In attack, yes, because Van Gaal believes in numerical advantages on the wings, in triangles, in not running with the ball. And Bielsa linked to have the ball to attack.

"But he believes in the player's movement, beating the lines and breaking into the space. In fact, we knew of Bielsa that his perfect goal was one that arrives from a cross from a full-back and the other full-back shoots. He liked to attack with six or seven.

"But yeah, Van Gaal and Bielsa are masters of the ball. Although for me Valverde is the most balanced coach because he knew when to attack and how to do it according to the opposition and the pitches. Also he is the best in man management because everybody was involved, took part and was happy.

"And I don't forget about [Javier] Aguirre [Herrera's coach at Real Zaragoza], who was most focused on the result but still was attacking because he always wanted to win. Or [Luis] Milla [Herrera's coach for Spain Under-21s]. I feel very fortunate because none of those gambled and I like attacking football."
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2015/03/23/10123602/van-gaal-got-angry-with-my-style-says-herrera?ICID=HP_BN_4

SailorXY:
what about dropping points to Liverpool so you can further their cause you know? the gods will be pleased

lol

no mind kekenaelf, keep has retreated but elf is a trouble maker.

SailorXY:
how is his ban better for us? abeg he should feature against Arsenal jare, Liverpool should win!

Let's worry less about Arsenal this season. No body will give a trophy to a third placed team. Our priority is top 4, we don't need the Liverpool and Tottenham pressure.

Martin Skrtel is charged with violent conduct over an alleged stamp on David De Gea - potential three game ban.


.... Things are getting even better for us.