Legenda United memberikan pujian tinggi kepada sang manajer.
Salah satu legenda Manchester United, Denis Law, menilai Sir Alex Ferguson sebagai manajer terhebat sepanjang masa. Manajer United yang berulang tahun pada 31 Desember ini hingga sekarang belum memastikan kapan untuk pensiun dari jabatannya.
“Ketika Alex pensiun mungkin usianya sudah 95 atau 100 tahun. Bagi saya, dia adalah pelatih terhebat sepanjang masa yang pernah saya amati,” ujar Law di MUTV'S Red Cafe programme.
“Ketika Anda melihat manajer hebat lainnya, seperti Busby, Shankly, dan Stein, dia akan ada dalam kategori itu.”
“Mereka berasal dari latar belakang pekerja keras, dan sepakbola berasal dari permainan orang-orang berkelas.”
“Sepertinya ada sesuatu dari manajer hebat asal Skotlandia, dibandingkan dari negara lainnya. Mereka selalu berusaha menghibur orang. Namun saya sudah tidak melihatnya lagi sekarang.”
Kamis, 24 Desember 2009
Fergie Manajer Terhebat Sepanjang Masa
Diouf Harus Sabar Tunggu Debut United
Pemain baru Manchester United asal Senegal, Mame Biram Diouf, harus bersabar menanti kesempatan memulai penampilan meski sudah mengantungi izin kerja.
Sudah mendapat izin kerja, tapi Mame Biram Diouf harus bersabar memulai debutnya untuk Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson belum akan menurunkan striker yang direkrut dari klub Norwegia, Molde, dalam pertandingan derby melawan Manchester City. Diouf mendapatkan izin kerja pekan ini, tapi belum dapat dimainkan untuk pertandingan Piala FA melawan Leeds United.
"Mame sudah berlatih dengan baik, kami senang," ujar Ferguson kepada Daily Telegraph.
"Dia tidak bisa bermain melawan Leeds, tapi mudah-mudahan sudah bisa dimainkan pada semifinal Piala Liga melawan City."
"Saya rasa kami belum memainkannya sejak awal pertandingan, masih terlalu dini."
United Incar Striker Muda Fiorentina
Manchester United tergiur mendapatkan striker belia Fiorentina yang dijuluki "Didier Drogba baru", Khouma Babacar.
Ada "Didier Drogba baru" di Fiorentina.
Namanya Khouma Babacar, pemain asal Senegal berusia 16 tahun. Sejak bergabung di Fiorentina musim panas 2008, Babacar sudah dianggap sebagai salah satu remaja paling berbakat di Italia. Babacar bahkan sudah diajak berlatih bersama tim inti Fiorentina oleh pelatih Cesare Prandelli.
Tak heran jika Manchester United meminatinya.
"Memang benar, tak hanya sekadar permintaan harga penjualan, tapi juga penawaran yang melibatkan klub-klub besar," ungkap agen Denis Rondanini.
"Tapi, pada akhirnya kami memilih Fiorentina karena kami yakin klub ini tempat yang tepat baginya dan dia sedang dalam penanganan yang baik bersama staf teknik serta jajaran direksi."
"Mereka yang tahu kapan memainkannya di tim inti. Kualitas Baba sudah diketahui semua orang, tapi untuk ukuran pemain berusia 16-17 tahun, masih banyak yang bisa dipelajarinya. Dari sudut pandang ini, bisa berlatih bersama para pemain inti Fiorentina adalah kehormatan besar baginya."
Prandelli dikenal bertangan dingin dalam menangani pemain muda dan banyak kemunculan pemain terkenal yang dibidaninya.
Sabtu, 19 Desember 2009
Marseille tear-away Hatem Ben Arfa could make Manchester United move - report
After the successful capture of Gabriel Obertan in the summer, the Red Devils are reportedly tracking another Ligue 1 winger...
According to a report in La Provence, Olympique de Marseille outcast Hatem Ben Arfa could be snapped up by Premier League giants Manchester United.
Ben Arfa has found pitch time very hard to come by with les Phoceens over the last year due to his inconsistent form. But Red Devils boss, Sir Alex Ferguson believes he can be the steadying hand to guide the former Olympique Lyonnais youth back on track.
Not considered a favourite of OM coach Didier Deschamps, there have been rumours for the last six months that the 22-year-old could leave the Stade Velodrome. Indeed, the Greek press appear convinced that the left-sided player could switch to Olympiacos this winter.
La Provence even stated that a meeting has taken place between Ben Arfa's representatives and the Red Devils, claims that the player's agent rejected in Saturday's L'Equipe.
"Regarding the future of Hatem, three people are involved. Hatem, Michael Ouazine and myself," explained Jean-Jacques Bertrand.
"For now, we have not established contact with any club. But do not rule out a move. Maybe OM have had contact with interested clubs."
Ferguson has long tracked the enfant terrible of the French game, echoing back to his surprising move for Girondins de Bordeaux youngster Gabriel Obertan.
Obertan seemed to stagnate in France, but his form has been rejuvenated since his move to Old Trafford. Should United swoop for Ben Arfa, their Scottish boss will hope for a similar success story.
Kamis, 17 Desember 2009
Ferguson: Anderson Is 'Flying' At Manchester United
Brazilian hitting some good form.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the form of midfielder Anderson.
The 21-year-old Brazilian struggled to make an impact at the beginning of the campaign, but United's injury situation has allowed him to grab his chance in the first team.
And Ferguson thinks the youngster is destined for a successful future at Old Trafford.
"Midfield is the hardest area for our young players to progress because we have some excellent players operating in that department," the Scot told United's official website.
"But Anderson has certainly cranked up the contest for places after hitting great form. He took his time - he's only 21, remember! - but he has settled and matured."
Ferguson is also pleased that the intense competition for places has not taken the edge off the player's confidence and positive mentality.
"The competition has not dimmed his self-belief, which is important. He has a Brazilian belief in his own ability and he is going to become a top player," the manager added.
"He is flying at the moment and he certainly wants to play. In fact, he has a face on him like a bag of tripe when I don't play him."
Manchester United target CSKA Moscow defender Uros Cosic - report
Manchester United are looking towards Russia for defensive reinforcement, and are considering a move for CSKA Moscow's Serbian defender Uros Cosic.
Rated by his club as being better than fellow-countryman Nemanja Vidic, the 17-year-old could move to Old Trafford next year, according to The Daily Mirror.
However, CSKA are desperate to hang onto the youngster and have even tried to enlist the support of Kremlin president Dmitry Medvedev in a bid to grant Cosic Russian citizenship.
"I must stress that we would like to keep Cosic," said CSKA president Yevgeni Giner.
"We even offered him Russian citizenship. It now depends upon the President Medvedev whether it is granted or not.
"I have not seen such a great central defender before, not to mention that he is only 17.
"But Manchester United would also love to have him.
"They have already made several attempts to approach me about him, asking if I was ready to negotiate.
"They can see - the boy is going to grow into a bigger star than Vidic."
Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer flattered by Manchester United interest
The interest of the Red Devils flatters shot stopper Neuer...
Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is one of the most sought after young stoppers in Europe, with teams such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United keeping tabs on him.
The 23-year-old has been mooted as a potential replacement for Edwin van der Sar when he finally hangs up his gloves and Neuer himself is absolutely delighted that the English champions are monitoring him.
"I really want to play Champions League football next season. We're all thinking about our careers and so am I. Hopefully Schalke manages to qualify for the Champions League," said Neuer to Sport Bild.
"I know that Manchester United are keeping tabs on me. They've sent scouts to several Schalke games and they watched me in action with Germany Under-21s against England last summer.
"I am absolutely flattered that a big team such as Manchester are interested in me. That shows that I'm on the right track and that I haven't made too many mistakes.
"Bayern are also believed to be interested in signing me, but I have never spoken with anyone about a possible move."
Selasa, 15 Desember 2009
England coach Fabio Capello still monitoring Manchester United striker Michael Owen
Door ajar for recall after prolonged absence for "important" player...
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has been given a glimmer of hope in his efforts to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
The 30-year-old striker has not played for England since appearing in a friendly defeat to France in March 2008 and making what would be a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance had seemed an unlikely proposition.
But Capello, who last month described the furore surrounding Owen's exclusion as tormenting, has suggested that he is still firmly in his sights.
"He is not a tormentor," said the Italian, as quoted by the Press Association.
"He is one of the players that I follow."
The United striker has been in good form of late, and may yet usurp his younger striking rivals to earn a place in Capello's final 23-man squad.
"I saw the last game he played, on television, and he scored three goals in the Champions League but the next game he did not play," Capello added.
"For this reason, I ask myself why? Why [Wayne] Rooney plays always and Owen not? He is one of the important England players."
Manchester United intensify pursuit of Douglas Costa - report
Manchester United are to step up their pursuit of Brazil Under-20 international Douglas Costa, according to a report from the Daily Mirror.
A reported £20 million deal for the player never materialised at Old Trafford in the summer, but the Gremio winger's price tag has been halved by his club as they are in financial difficulties.
A left-sided wide player, Costa has been compared to Lionel Messi and could be the long-term successor to Ryan Giggs at Old Trafford.
He was one of the stars of the Brazil side who finished runners-up in October's Under-20 World Cup.
Kamis, 10 Desember 2009
Manchester United coach Paul McGuinness hails Paul Pogba's maturity
Youngster has handled spotlight well…
Paul Pogba is set to help Manchester United begin their FA Youth Cup campaign this week, and the 16-year-old Frenchman has been praised for his mature attitude in dealing with the attention focused on him in recent weeks.
Pogba was at the centre of an 'inducement' row, in which his former club Le Havre accused United of using illegal methods to entice the player to break his contract in France. And United youth coach Paul McGuinness has praised Pogba for not allowing himself to lose focus.
"He is a very impressive player who has a lot of stature but also a lot of ability," said McGuinness, according to Press Association Sport.
"But the most impressive thing has been the way he has handled all the attention.
"In a way it is part of being at Manchester United. Can you handle that attention?
"But his personality has been just what you would want.
"Without that it would have been very hard to make such a big change and have all the attention, but he has taken it all in his stride."
McGuinness, meanwhile, is relishing the beginning of another Youth Cup campaign for the Red Devils.
"We all get a buzz when the Youth Cup comes around," he added.
"It is exciting.
"I see these lads training every day and I know what they are capable of. If they really bring that out in a game we could get a really good performance.
"Of course there is a lot of additional pressure and nerves to take into account, which means you don't always get it.
"But that is only natural. We go into these games with a lot of anticipation because it is a little test for them.
"We want to see whether they can pass it and move on to the next one."
Rabu, 09 Desember 2009
Gabriel Obertan can be Manchester United's next supersub – Michael Owen
Coming off the bench gives French youngster an edge...
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has hailed the impact that Gabriel Obertan had on last night's Champions League victory at VfL Wolfsburg.
The French winger came on as a second-half substitute in Germany and helped clinch a 3-1 win with"It is great to come on after 70 minutes," Owen said, according to Press Association Sport.
"There are always a few tired legs you can use your fresh ones against.
"Gabriel is very quick and tricky as it is. But when he is playing against defenders who are tired he gets that little edge, which is what I have found out when I have come on. a fine dribble and cross for the second goal of Owen's hat-trick.
The 20-year-old was out with a back injury for the opening three months of this campaign but has now begun to show the kind of form that Owen thinks could play a crucial role for United.
"If you go back to 1999 [the Champions League final, when United beat Bayern Munich with two late goals], it was two substitutes that changed the game. More and more, substitutes are important because the further you get in the competitions the tighter the games become."
Last night's victory meant that United have now gone 15 away games unbeaten in the Champions League (excluding last year's final against Barcelona), something for which Owen feels they deserve tremendous credit.
"It is a cracking record," he added.
"There are no easy away games in the Champions League but our back four has been very solid for a few years now, long before I joined the club.
"This year it has had to be chopped and changed quite a lot so the guys back there deserve a lot of credit."
