Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Fergie & Co To Make Ronaldo Wait

Fergie & Co To Make Ronaldo Wait
Fergie & Co To Make Ronaldo Wait
The 23-year-old revealed recently that he had played through last season – during which he amassed some 42 goals from the right side of attack – with a foot injury.

The Portugal forward finally has time to recover following his country’s exit from EURO 2008 last week and will be assessed by the United medical team in the next few days.

But foot injuries are far from the most intriguing of Ronaldo’s revelations, as the two-time PFA Player of the Year has gone public with his desire to sign for Real Madrid this summer.

The Red Devils are aghast at the prospect of losing their prize player and have refused to give to los Merengues’ approaches thus far, despite a potential transfer fee of over ₤70million.

As such, the want-away winger will miss a few familiar and rather important faces when he arrives at Carrington for treatment this week as the big boys at Old Trafford attempt to delay discussions as long as possible.

Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill are currently on their summer holidays and will not cut short their breaks, meaning both Ronaldo and Madrid will have to wait until the beginning of July before any form of negotiation can commence.

Ferguson is desperate to keep hold of the player he signed for ₤12million from Sporting Lisbon five years ago and will speak personally with him upon returning from the South of France.

But los Blancos are confident of landing their man, and president Ramon Calderon said in the Daily Express: “If the kid keeps himself in that strong position, the step he’s taken could be key.”

Source: Goal.com

The New Manchester United Away Kit 2008/2009

Manchester United Away Shirt
Manchester United Away Shirt 2008/09

Manchester United Away Shirt
Manchester United Away Shirt 2008/09 - Long Sleeve

Manchester United Goalkeeper Shirt
Manchester United Goalkeeper Shirt 2008/09

Manchester United Away Kit
Manchester United Away Kit 2008/09 - Infants

Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history – winning 18 major trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite almost two decades at the Old Trafford helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Manchester United.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Manchester United 'cannot hurt' £80m Cristiano Ronaldo, warns Luiz Felipe Scolari

Cristiano Ronaldo may fetch £80m for Man UtdNew Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Manchester United that "they can do nothing to hurt" Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid reveal they are prepared to smash the world transfer record to lure the Portuguese winger from Old Trafford.

Madrid manager Bernd Schuster said the Spanish champions would "pay whatever it takes" to sign the Portugal international, which could mean a contract offer of £182,000-a-week after tax and a transfer fee of £80 million, nearly double the biggest transfer in football history that saw Zinedine Zidane joined Madrid from Juventus for £46m in 2001.

Ronaldo is expected in Manchester this week for an assessment on a foot injury, though no meetings are scheduled with United's hierarchy - both Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill are on holiday and have no plans to rush back to make any fresh appeal to the club's star player.

However, Scolari's comments concerning the player's future destination will not have impressed Ferguson, especially given the fact that the Brazilian and his new employers in west London will be the ones to benefit most should the player decide to join Madrid.

"It is his [Ronaldo's] dream to play for Real Madrid," said the departing Portugal national team manager. "And I am sure Cristiano will fulfil his dream whatever the difficulties."

"I know Cristiano well and I know the type of person he is so I have no doubts about how he will handle himself in the next few weeks," said Scolari, who is also said to have advised Ronaldo to grab the opportunity of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.

Record transfer fees

1905 Alf Common - Sunderland - Middlesbrough £1,000
1973 Johan Cruyff - Ajax - Barcelona £922,000
1982 Diego Maradona - Boca Juniors - Barcelona £3,000,000
1996 Alan Shearer - Blackburn Rovers - Newcastle £15,000,000
1997 Ronaldo - Barcelona - Inter Milan £19,500,000
2001 Zinedine Zidane - Juventus - Real Madrid £46,000,000

source: telegraph.co.uk

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Review: Nani


Season Stats

League: 26 apps, 3 goals
FA Cup: 2 apps, 1 goal
Carling Cup: 1 app
Europe: 11 apps
Other: 1 app

Season total: 41 apps, 4 goals
Club total: 41 apps, 4 goals

Best game

Fulham 0 United 3, 1 March 2008
In the absence of Ronaldo, who was being rested before facing Lyon at home in the Champions League, Nani stepped up to the mark by terrorising Fulham all afternoon with his trickery, pace and pinpoint crossing.

Video
Highlights: Fulham v United



source: manutd.com

Friday, June 13, 2008

Ronaldo eyes Euro glory

cristianoronaldo euro 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to victory over the Czech Republic and then claimed his country have a real shot at glory at the European Championships.

Success at Euro 2008 would cap off an incredible season for Ronaldo at club and national level, and Portugal along with Holland, Germany and Spain look to be the competition's strongest contenders.

After seeing off the Czechs 3-1 with goals from Deco, Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal are now through to the quarter finals and a step closer to exorcising the demons of 2004, when they lost the final on home soil to unfancied Greece.

"Our main aim was to get to the next phase," said Ronaldo. "I'm very happy to have helped my team-mates to win.

"We played well in the first match and again in this match. If we carry on like this, we have a good chance."
Ronaldo eyes Euro glory

Portugal showed resilience having taken an early lead only to be pegged back to 1-1 by the Czechs.

"We played very well, although Czech Republic played very well in the first half," he added. "It was very difficult to penetrate their defence."

source: manutd.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Edwin van der Sar Oranje off to a flier

Edwin van der Sar Oranje off to a flier
Edwin van der Sar and Holland got off to a flying start in Euro 2008 Group C with a comprehensive 3-0 win over world champions Italy.

It was a classy attacking display from the Dutch, who Italy found difficult to cope with.

Former Reds striker Ruud van Nistelrooy gave the Oranje a fortunate lead when he turned in a close-range finish on 26 minutes, the match officials failing to spot he was clearly offside.

Italy had every reason to feel hard done by, but there could be no complaints about Wesley Sneijder's strike five minutes later. A rapid counter attack cut mercilessly through the Italian defence and ended with an expert volleyed finish from Sneijder.

Van der Sar was called upon late on to produce stunning saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in Holland's third after 80 minutes.

The result puts Marco van Basten's men top of Group C, above Patrice Evra's France and unfancied Romania, who played out a 0-0 bore draw in the group's other opening clash.

Evra didn't play in the match as he was kept out by Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal.

It was a poor display from the French, who are unlikely to progress to the knockout stages if they continue to produce such abject performances in their remaining matches against Holland and Italy.

source: manutd.com

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Premier League Transfer Talk

Premier League Transfer Talk: Manchester United

Manchester United

Barcelona will reportedly join Real Madrid in their attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, with Sandro Rosell to use a pledge to sign the winger as his main weapon to be voted the club's next president

Manchester United have agreed a fee with Cardiff for Aaron Ramsey. United's official statement read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms with Cardiff City for the transfer of Aaron Ramsey subject to terms being agreed and the player passing a medical." However, Cardiff have also given permission for another Premier League team, expected either to be Liverpool or Arsenal, to talk to the teenager.

Manchester United are taking advantage of the managerial speculation over Mark Hughes' future at Blackburn to prepare a £15 million bid for striker Roque Santa Cruz. However, reports suggest that Hughes will attempt to take Cruz with him to his next club, be it Chelsea or Man City.

Micah Richards, and Sevilla's Brazilian duo Luis Fabiano and Daniel Alves are heading the list of players that Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to sign, apparently within two weeks. The Scot has a reputed £50 million to fund summer transfers.

Alves is seen as a replacement for Gerard Pique while Fabiano has been designated as United's top summer target. Ferguson will be looking to broaden his attacking options this summer, especially after losing patience with Louis Saha. Fabiano, who has scored 33 goals for Seville in La Liga this season, is eclipsing names such as Dimitar Berbatov as United's first choice summer buy. The 27-year-old has a contract valuation of £46.8 million but, more realistically, United could expect to sign him for a quarter of that price. Fabiano's own representatives put his price at £8.6 million.

Patrice Evra has negotiated himself a new four-year contract at Manchester United worth £55,000 a week.

source: telegraph.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo kicks off Euro 2008 in winning style as Portugal overcome Turkey

Wing and a prayer: Cristiano Ronaldo turned in a glittering display for Portugal against Turkey
Cristiano Ronaldo's protracted flirtation with Real Madrid last night took second billing to the star attraction himself as the Manchester United forward contributed to Portugal's impressive 2-0 win over Turkey in their Euro 2008 opener in Geneva.

Monday, June 2, 2008

MANCHESTER UNITED, Evra to renew

Patrice Evra is close to ending the uncertainty over his future at Manchester United after reaching an informal agreement over a new five-year contract. The French international full-back, 27, is in line to earn more than £60,000-a-week plus bonuses though manager Sir Alex Ferguson is still keen to sign defensive reinforcements.

Source: news.bbc.co.uk/The Times

Transfer Targets For Manchester United

Sir Alex had announced his budget for this summer and he hinted to a possible amount of 40 million euros. If I were Sir Alex Ferguson this is what I would do:

I've listed a few players who can make the United squad deadlier and strong. These are not impossible transfer targets and Fergie would not regret these signings.

1) According to me they will have to sign a centre half, who can provide a cover in case of any injury to the existing duo of Ferdinand and Vidic. For me, the perfect signing would be Joleon Lescott from Everton as he is young and sharp both in defense and attack.

2) Secondly, what United need is a dynamic midfielder. Some may question why because we have the best midfield in the world. Well the reason is the age factor. Scholes & Giggs will last only for one or two years and then they shall hang their boots. That's why United need one midfielder who could create something on his own. The perfect signing would be Diego From Werder Bremen because he is very talented and his creativity is marvellous. He could form a great partnership with Anderson.

3) The third signing should be a player who can play on the left wing because other than Giggs I don’t think there is anyone who can slot into that role. The perfect signing would be Gareth Bale as he has tremendous pace.

4) Also I think adding one young striker to the squad would be fantastic. The perfect one would be Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid.

If you have any more players or you think these players aren't good enough the please leave your comments.

Ronaldo named Red Cross ambassador


Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is the ambassador for the UEFA EURO 2008™ Score for the Red Cross campaign

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has been named ambassador for the UEFA EURO 2008™ Score for the Red Cross online fundraising campaign which kicked off on 26 March.

Purchase virtual goals
Internet users will be able to help their favourite side win the title of Most Humanitarian Team by purchasing virtual goals on scorefortheredcross.org. They will also have the chance to win attractive prizes including tickets to UEFA EURO 2008™ matches. The winning team will be announced on 6 July. The Score for the Red Cross campaign, jointly organised by UEFA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will benefit land-mine victims in Afghanistan by providing them with artificial limbs, physiotherapy and vocational training.

'Everyone's a winner'
Winger Ronaldo said: "Land-mine victims need determination and a lot of encouragement on the road to recovery. I have a lot of respect for them and I want to support them. The great thing about this campaign is that everyone is a winner when it comes to giving and receiving. The website offers football fans a chance to have fun while making a difference. What could be better than that?"

Humanitarian ambassador
Born in Madeira, Ronaldo was discovered by Sporting Clube de Portugal at the age of eleven. In 2003 he joined Manchester United FC where he has won high praise from fans and team-mates and helped the club to the Premier League title in 2006/07. Ronaldo has also earned 54 caps for Portugal, scoring 20 goals. He took part in UEFA EURO 2004™ – where his side reached the final as hosts – and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, helping Portugal finish fourth in Germany. The 23-year-old is now proud to be competing at UEFA EURO 2008™ and to be a humanitarian ambassador for UEFA and the ICRC.

National-team support
A series of friendly internationals took place across Europe on 26 March. Before the games, many national teams, together with their National Red Cross Societies, publicly showed their support for the Score for the Red Cross appeal. UEFA will donate €4,000 to the ICRC for each goal scored during UEFA EURO 2008™.

For more information on the ICRC in Afghanistan, visit: http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/afghanistan?OpenDocument