Not much to talk about Old Trafford this week with the only news coming out of the football club is that David Gill has once again reiterated that there is money available to spend should Sir Alex choose to spend it. Fergie has also given his backing towards the Glazers once again, which isn’t likely to sit well with certain sections of the United faithful.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Man United blogs which has included…Fergie unearths the new Ole Solskjaer; United star failed by lack of personal touch and should Sir Alex look to cash in on starlet?
Plus we have taken a look at the best Man United stories on the Web this week.
Has Sir Alex finally unearthed the new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
Has Sir Alex got a touch of the Arsene’s with policy?
United’s small signing is ‘bigger’ than you think
Hiring and firing at Old Trafford
United’s pre-season given added edge by Fergie’s comments
Man United star failed by the lack of personal touch
Would it be a Clever move by Fergie to cash in on Tom?
Fergie choosing to stick and not twist with Berbatov
Has Match of the Day had its day?
Premier League’s lesser lights set to benefit from new rules
Caption Competition: United duo trade blows
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Best of Web
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Chichonomics – United Rant
Be sure to be prudent: FC Barcelona’s amazing disappearing profits – The Andersred Blog
STATS: Which Teams Spend The Most? – RoM
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So what’s the story with Rodrigo Possebon? – The Busby Way
Ferguson misses point as he hits out at fans and lauds Glazers – United Rant
(Video) Sir Alex’s interview with CNN – The Busby Way
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
With a third of the Premier League season now gone by, the table is starting to find its level and supporters are starting to get a better understanding of where their respective clubs are at this season and the challenge that faces them in the coming months. Once again the Premier League has been broken up into three tiers, with each team facing their own private battle.
Unlike previous years there has certainly been some stability on the managerial front with only Steve Bruce succumbing to the bullet so far, as clubs look to show patience with their managers to turn around their current plights. The managers may not be so patient with players at their disposal and may look to make significant changes in the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is loved and loathed in equal measures, with many managers and supporters alike welcoming the opportunity to freshen things up, while others see it as a source of distraction. History shows it is a renowned place for panic buying, as last January certainly proved, but there have been notable successes in the past that shows it can be a significant period to turn around a club’s fortunes. I feel the African Cup of Nations and the unprecedented amount of long term injuries we have seen will force many club’s hands and subsequently we can expect to see another expensive month for many Premier League chairman.
So how do you feel about Liverpool’s fortunes so far this season and would you look to see changes made in January? Who would you like to see brought in and ultimately who would you like to see moved on in the up and coming window?
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In keeping with the theme of taking stock during this most frenetic of Premier League seasons, our focus during this brief sojourn from top flight action switches to one of the relegation battle’s most intriguing of sub-plots- namely the plight of Aston Villa.
Although the papers have been dominated by stories of how the rise of Manchester City and Tottenham have facilitated the collapse of the big four mentality in the Premier League, the biggest losers in the battle for European football and top half supremacy have undoubtedly been a Villa side that slipped to 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Wolves last weekend.
Having been outside bets for the title two seasons ago, Gerard Houllier’s men are looking over their shoulder and are having to face up to a genuine battle for Premier League survival.
Of course they would not be the first side to suffer such a dramatic fall from grace. Fans of Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers remain scarred from their own sudden slips down the league ladder and Newcastle United have only just returned from their own sabbatical in the Championship.
Whereas these other clubs could have seen their slumps coming, Villa fans will struggle to comprehend relegation when the same squad of players reached Wembley twice last season and managed a comfortable top half finish.
Much blame will be attributed to Martin O’Neil’s departure from the Villa hot seat on the eve of the new season, but there is no doubt in the minds of many supporters that the appointment of Houllier has been a backward step for the club.
The Frenchman’s last spell in the Premier League was broadly successful, but by the time he left Liverpool in 2004 he was a figure of frustration for the club’s supporters.
The same can certainly be said for Aston Villa fans at this point in time. Many will struggle to see how a side capable of challenging on multiple fronts last season, have this year have struggled to maintain moderate league form.
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The meek FA Cup surrender to Manchester City was a particular bone of contention for the Villa Park faithful, who saw the Citizens treated with the sort of deference that lower league opposition might show a top flight outfit.
Tony Casacarino claimed in The Times this week that the former French national coach had lost the faith of the dressing room- but is an accurate picture of a club only two wins outside a place in the top ten?
Granted, this campaign has been monumentally disappointing for last year’s Carling Cup finalists, but should Houllier be given the chance to stamp his authority on the Midlands club, or have his tactical and management style been shown up as being outdated? Does he have the hunger and desire to build a team capable of sustained success?
Despite all of this, are Randy Lerner and the rest of the board likely to part company with a manager who has only been in charge at the club since the autumn?
History suggests that a change at this stage is unlikely. Few clubs would dream of giving a new manager such a small window of opportunity to stave off potential relegation. The club have publicly reiterated their support of the under fire Houllier, but concerns must have been expressed privately that in the midst of the closest fought relegation battle in the history of the Premier League, that the squad slip through the trap door.
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Looking across the bottom half of the division, it is not hard to pick out at least half a dozen teams you would imagine to be weaker than the current Villa squad. Of course, we have seen similar sentiments expressed previously, only for the most fancied of teams to slip into the mire, but with games against those closest to them on the horizon it certainly appears that the opportunity to rescue themselves from the unthinkable remains in hand.
Nevertheless, with games against Liverpool and Sunderland to come immediately before this, the resolve of the Villa board could be sorely tested if the club arrives at Easter with no further points in the bank.
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Manchester United will be going into the new Premier League campaign off the back of largely disappointing 2009 /2010 season. Last season threw up many nearly moments for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and, after falling short in the major domestic and European competitions, United only had the Carling Cup to show for their efforts.
It’s widely recognised that if United want to regain their status as the biggest and best club in the world then Ferguson will have to dip into this season’s transfer market.
With the inevitable retirement of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville; question marks hanging above Owen Hargreaves’ fitness and a lack of back-up for an aging Edwin van der Sar, United need a major reconstruction.
The World Cup in South Africa has acted as a shop window over the summer and various players have caught the eyes of Europe’s top clubs.
A player that has certainly caught my eye is Dutch shot stopper Maarten Stekelenburg who was ever present at the world cup during Holland’s impressive run to the final.
Stekelenburg, who plays in Holland with Ajax, has put in some great performances this summer most-notably in the final against Spain.
This, along with his young age of only 27 makes him a realistic target for Ferguson this term. Reports have indicated that Stekelenburg would invite a move to Old Trafford and if the price is right then we could see a new understudy for van der Sar next season.
After watching Manchester United last season it’s become worrying how much pressure is put on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney. Without Rooney on the pitch the team seems to run out of ideas without any real cutting edge in front of goal.
Ferguson has recently renewed his interest in Italian bad boy Mario Balotelli despite him having yet another season riddled with disciplinary problems. Balotelli has been declared ‘priceless’ by Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca. However, it’s understood that the Nerazzuri could let the troubled 19-year-old leave if a bid of around £30million is tabled.
More bizarrely, the media has even thrown former United player Diego Forlan into the mix following his Golden Ball performance at the World Cup. However, I think Ferguson will be wiser than to buy a 31-year-old who’s already proven that he can’t hack life in the Premier League.
In addition to these players come the usual suspects. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, despite not travelling with the troubled France squad, has cropped up as another familiar name on Fergusons wish list. The problem is, Real Madrid are likely to over-price the under-performing super star which would lead Ferguson to look elsewhere.
Written By Jordan William Ormrod
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Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
Manchester United moved back to the top of Group C of the Champions League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Otelul Galati on Wednesday night.
An early goal from Antonio Valencia had the Old Trafford faithful hoping that the floodgates would open, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for a second, when Wayne Rooney’s shot took a deflection off Cristian Sarghi to seal the victory.
After the game Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of the importance of getting three points against the Romanians.
“Winning was important. The opposition were very aggressive, they defended well, pressed us everywhere and made it difficult for us,” he told Sky Sports.
“The win makes it more comfortable for us at the top of the group and if we beat Benfica we win the group, it’s as simple as that. It should be a very good night.”
Ferguson started Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen in attack, but the English striker had to be replaced in the early exchanges with a new injury.
“It’s a blow for the lad. He’s done a thigh muscle and it’s a complete freak. I feel for him. It’s difficult to say how long-term it is,” the Scottish coach continued.
With the two fringe attackers starting up front, Rooney started in a central midfield role, and his manager was happy with the performance put in by the England star.
“I thought he was fantastic in central midfield. His awareness of people around him and choice of passing was really good. He did very well for us tonight.
“I think it’s a short-term thing at the moment. It’s difficult to say. The opposition played really well against us tonight but I’d be confident of playing him there (against bigger teams),” Ferguson concluded.
United received a boost in the other game in the pool, as Benfica dropped points by drawing 1-1 with Basel at the Estadio da Luz.
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Rodrigo Moreno put the Portuguese side into the lead after less than five minutes, but the Swiss visitors fought back and a goal from Benjamin Huggel in the second half meant the spoils were shared.
United host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, and will look to make up ground on cross-town rivals and current league leaders Manchester City.
Tottenham fans will still be celebrating this morning after making it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It wasn’t vintage Spurs at White Hart Lane last night, but they showed plenty of resilience and manager Harry Redknapp is looking forward to the next round, as long as Tottenham avoid Barcelona!
Elsewhere in the newspapers this morning, the fallout from Arsenal’s loss at the Nou Camp continues, with Gunners ‘keeper Manuel Almunia questioning his teammate’s effort while Sergio Busquets has also stuck the knife in and accused Arsenal of lacking ambition. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his media silence, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole is set to escape police punishment and Manchester City are set to take a financial hit on Felipe Caicedo.
Harry: Don’t give us Barca – The Sun
Arsenal criticised for lack of ambition – Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson breaks media silence – Guardian
Gerrard facing operation on injury – Daily Mail
City set to take £4m hit – Daily Mirror
Almunia accuses Arsenal of walking – Telegraph
Cole to avoid police punishment – Guardian
Newcastle line up move for Espanyol striker Jose Maria Callejon – Daily Mail
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Dzeko: I won’t flop live Shevchenko – The Sun
Stoke after out-of-favour Aston Villa defender – Daily Mirror
From a fan perspective this year’s tournament has been marked by one thing so far, the Vuvuzela. Many of the crowds’ chants and even the England band were drowned out by the oversized horns. But how do you show support for your country back home? The answer is to send them a Big Cheer, and you might just win a Sony Ericsson mobile phone as a result!
In association with Sony Ericsson, here at FootballFanCast.com we’re giving you the opportunity to win a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mobile phone. All you have to do is come up with a chant to get behind England and show them or any other nation your support. You can say whatever you like to inspire your team and your cheer will be entered into the Big Cheer competition exclusively on FootballFanCast.com, where we will pick the best cheer and the winner will receive the Xperia X10 mobile.
How To Enter:
Entering is simple. All you have to do is login to your Twitter account and update your status with your Big Cheer. You can say anything you like, as long as your tweet starts with @footballfancast and ends with the #bigcheer hash tag. For example your tweet could be:
“@footballfancast Come on England, the trophy is yours for the taking! #bigcheer”
Don’t worry if you don’t have a Twitter account, as you can still enter by writing your Big Cheer in the comments box below. The cheers are printed on confetti, released in a giant glass tube and delivered to the teams at www.bigcheer.com. You don’t just have to make your tweet an England cheer either, as the 2010/11 Premier League fixtures have now been released and you can get behind your team right now!
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So what are you waiting for? Head to http://twitter.com/ and make your cheer count!
Manchester City have fined striker Carlos Tevez four weeks wages and given him a written warning after investigating Roberto Mancini’s claims that the attacker refused to come off the bench against Bayern Munich back in September.
The South American maintains his innocence, but the Etihad Stadium outfit have sided with their Italian coach and believe the forward to be guilty of improper conduct and breach of contract.
The club have also handed down a two-week suspension to the ex-Boca Juniors goalscorer, which has already been served in the wake of the controversy.
“Manchester City football club can confirm that a disciplinary hearing has been concluded in relation to a charge of misconduct by Carlos Tevez,” a statement on the official website reads.
“The charge relates to events during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich on 27th September 2011.
“Following a detailed investigation and associated hearing, a disciplinary panel has upheld the charge of misconduct. Five separate breaches of contract formed the basis of the decision by the panel.
“As a result Carlos Tevez has been fined four weeks’ wages and has been suspended for a period of two weeks (deemed to have already been served). He has received a written warning as to his future conduct.
“Carlos Tevez has been informed in writing of the decision of the disciplinary panel, and the Club has written to the Professional Footballers Association for ratification of the fine,” it concluded.
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The news is not unexpected, and will be another motivation for the player to leave the current Premier League leaders come the January transfer window.
Real Sociedad moved to within three points of the European qualification places with a 1-0 win over Mallorca in La Liga on Monday.Former Espanyol man Raul Tamudo scored the game’s only goal 10 minutes into the second half.Promoted as second-tier champions last season, Sociedad are now eighth in the table. They are level on 34 points with seventh-placed Sevilla and three points behind Espanyol, who occupy the last Europa League qualification place in sixth.There were few chances in the first half at an Estadio Anoeta lashed by rain and high winds.The 33-year-old Tamudo came closest with an attempted chip two minutes before half-time, forcing a save from Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.The hosts began to impose themselves in the second half, with Israel international Aouate coming close to conceding an own-goal two minutes after the restart as he cleared an Antoine Griezmann corner.And Sociedad broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when former Spain striker Tamudo connected with Daniel Estrada’s corner to fire a downward header past Aouate.They had chances to double their lead – Tamudo shot wide and midfielder Xabi Prieto saw his effort hit the crossbar with Aouate stranded after coming off his line to foil attacker David Zurutuza.Substitute Akihiro Ienaga had Mallorca’s best chance to level in on 75 minutes, but he was denied by Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.Mikel Aranburu and striker Imanol Agirretxe went close to making it 2-0 late on and, while neither could breach the Mallorca defence, Sociedad saw out the closing minutes to secure victory.Defeat means Mallorca remain 11th. They are in no immediate danger of relegation, but look equally unlikely to make an impact on the upper reaches of the table.
Veteran defender Sol Campbell has travelled to Glasgow to hold talks with Celtic boss Neil Lennon about a possible move to the club.
The 35-year-old ended last season with Arsenal but now looks set to continue his career in Scotland.
The former England international spent five years with Arsenal in his first spell with the Gunners following his controversial transfer from Tottenham before moving to Portsmouth.
After a brief and disastrous spell at Notts County, Campbell returned to Arsenal in January for a second spell on a short-term deal.
Meanwhile, the Bhoys also hope to snap up the South Korean full-back Cha Du-Ri. The 29-year-old is currently with German side Freiburg but has just 12 months of his contract left.
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Cha, who won his 50th cap for South Korea in Saturday's World Cup last-16 defeat to Uruguay, joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and has also played for Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email