Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted to have agreed the signings of two Serbian players - winger Zoran Tosic and striker Adem Ljajic - from Partizan Belgrade.Twenty-one year-old winger Tosic joins United with immediate effect and will wear the number 14 shirt, while 17 year-old Ljajic will remain with Partizan for 2009.Sir Alex said of Tosic (pictured above right): "He's a young wide left player. We like wide players at this club."We've been watching him for over a year and he's now a regular in the Serbian national team. Hopefully he does well here."We'll give him time. He's not played since December 10 so he'll need time to adjust and get used to the tempo of our game and also the training."Once he's done that, I think he could play a part this season."
A press conference for Tosic will be held next week, once the necessary paperwork has been filed with the relevant football authorities. It's set to be the only player unveiling at Old Trafford in this transfer window, with Sir Alex telling us:"That's the end of the transfer business for Manchester United this season. There definitely won't be anything else in January."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
QUOTE UNQUOTE - WHAT SIR ALEX SAID IN 2008
Sir Alex Ferguson's 66th year was a great year for United. To celebrate his turning 67 this week (New Year's Eve), we recall some of his best quotes from the past 12 months...“Wayne's said to me half a dozen times, 'I played centre-half for the school you know'. I said: 'Yes, but not against Drogba'.”Picking his back four vs Chelsea - without Rooney“Ronaldo's goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header. His spring and courage to go in front of the defender surprised the Roma player. It was a centre forward's header - it reminded me of myself.”Reliving Cristiano's goal against Roma away"How would I be without all this, please tell me? And anyway, my wife wouldn't let me retire. She kicks me out of the door at 7am every morning. She's quite a formidable person.”Sticking around after winning title number 10"I've had three European finals when it tipped down with rain so when the rain came in Moscow I said: 'This will do for me.' I was delighted to see it and with [John] Terry slipping... it's amazing."Enjoying the weather in Russia
“That's the first penalty shoot-out I have ever won in a big game. I've lost three with Aberdeen and three with United, so seventh time lucky - magnificent.”Celebrating the spot-kick victory in Moscow“I'm going to check what he had for breakfast, something must have upset him.”Responding to Mark Hughes' claim that City v Chelsea is now bigger than Liverpool v United“You can't beat Frank Sinatra. I was actually supposed to have dinner with him one night, but we lost to Charlton so I cancelled it and went home!”Revealing - and missing - his musical hero
“That's the first penalty shoot-out I have ever won in a big game. I've lost three with Aberdeen and three with United, so seventh time lucky - magnificent.”Celebrating the spot-kick victory in Moscow“I'm going to check what he had for breakfast, something must have upset him.”Responding to Mark Hughes' claim that City v Chelsea is now bigger than Liverpool v United“You can't beat Frank Sinatra. I was actually supposed to have dinner with him one night, but we lost to Charlton so I cancelled it and went home!”Revealing - and missing - his musical hero
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hayden has no plans to quit
Under pressure Australia opener Matthew Hayden insists he has never thought about retirement.
The left-hander has scored just 56 runs in his last six innings, including knocks of eight and 23 in the Boxing Day Test defeat to South Africa.
Such a bad slump means the 102-Test veteran could well be playing for his international future in the final match of the series against the Proteas.
However, Hayden insists he is strong enough to bounce back having been written off before during his distinguished career.
Agitated
"I'm not sure going after you lose a series, in the middle of the series, would be the right time to go," he said. "There's absolutely no doubt about that.
"So I didn't think about it for a minute.
"I've never been first picked in the side and that's held me in good stead because I think 'wow I've got to play well'.
"That's been a great needle in my side that's agitated me to make sure I'm working harder than anyone else.
"I've been written off many times before and really loved and thrived on the fact I've come back and enjoyed playing Test match cricket for Australia."
The 37-year-old acknowledges that his performances since he returned to the team from a heel injury during the tour of India have been average by his usual lofty standards.
Despite his recent struggles Hayden still averages over 50 in Test cricket, though he knows he really cannot afford to fail again in Sydney if he wants to keep his place in the line-up.
Strategy
"Performances have been average for me and I guess I live and die by the standards that I've set over a 15-20 year career," he said.
"I understand I need to get runs. I've always kept it very simple in Test match cricket. I have a certain strategy (and) sometimes it doesn't work and the result is evident.
"But I prepare the same way every time. I've loved playing for Australia, I'm very proud to represent my state and my country and I'm going to work and train over the next few days as hard as I ever have before.
"I'm going to go in with a certain strategy and a clear mind and enjoy whatever result may or my not come my way."
source:sky sports
The left-hander has scored just 56 runs in his last six innings, including knocks of eight and 23 in the Boxing Day Test defeat to South Africa.
Such a bad slump means the 102-Test veteran could well be playing for his international future in the final match of the series against the Proteas.
However, Hayden insists he is strong enough to bounce back having been written off before during his distinguished career.
Agitated
"I'm not sure going after you lose a series, in the middle of the series, would be the right time to go," he said. "There's absolutely no doubt about that.
"So I didn't think about it for a minute.
"I've never been first picked in the side and that's held me in good stead because I think 'wow I've got to play well'.
"That's been a great needle in my side that's agitated me to make sure I'm working harder than anyone else.
"I've been written off many times before and really loved and thrived on the fact I've come back and enjoyed playing Test match cricket for Australia."
The 37-year-old acknowledges that his performances since he returned to the team from a heel injury during the tour of India have been average by his usual lofty standards.
Despite his recent struggles Hayden still averages over 50 in Test cricket, though he knows he really cannot afford to fail again in Sydney if he wants to keep his place in the line-up.
Strategy
"Performances have been average for me and I guess I live and die by the standards that I've set over a 15-20 year career," he said.
"I understand I need to get runs. I've always kept it very simple in Test match cricket. I have a certain strategy (and) sometimes it doesn't work and the result is evident.
"But I prepare the same way every time. I've loved playing for Australia, I'm very proud to represent my state and my country and I'm going to work and train over the next few days as hard as I ever have before.
"I'm going to go in with a certain strategy and a clear mind and enjoy whatever result may or my not come my way."
source:sky sports
Lorenzo-Vera two clear
A second-round seven-under-par 65 from Michael Lorenzo-Vera saw the Frenchman take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the South African Open.
Teeing off on the 10th hole at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Lorenzo-Vera compiled a blemish-free round which peaked through the midway stages thanks to six birdies in seven holes.
He leads the way on a 12-under total from Lee Westwood (68), Ernie Els (67), Charl Schwartzel (65) and Damien McGrane - the Irishman's eight under 64 giving him the joint best round of the day.
He shared the honour with early clubhouse leader Thomas Aiken, whose 64 allowed him to move on to nine-under overall, alongside Gareth Maybin and Dave Horsey.
Two-time champion Retief Goosen, who shot a 66, leads a group of seven players at eight-under-par, while another well-known South African, Rory Sabbatini (71), is back at seven under alongside five others, including Chris Wood.
Fitness test
Lorenzo-Vera later admitted that his main aim coming into the competition was simply to test his right wrist, which he injured two months ago after falling over some stairs.
"It feels pretty good, pretty cool to be leading because I had two months of rest because of my wrist," said the 23-year-old, who was playing in his first tournament since suffering the injury.
"So I was just coming here to find some new feelings.
"Today was just like yesterday, the putting was very good. The first nine, the putts were not very good, I think mainly because they were long putts. But the second nine I hit the irons much closer. But everything was good."
The Biarritz-based player added that his expectations for the weekend had now increased somewhat.
"I hope this time I'm going to catch it," he said. "There were few occasions last year that I let it go, so I'm just going to try and make it a good weekend.
"I'll be aiming to hit a lot of greens in regulation like I did today."
Four-time winner Els said he was optimistic of his own chances going into the weekend.
He said: "It's only the second round, halfway through the tournament and still so much to happen. I'm at 10 under and pretty pleased with that. I had a nice day and even if a guy is at 15 under I don't care.
"We've got two rounds left. If I'm two shots behind with two to play I still have a chance to win, so there's still plenty of golf left."
McGrane, who won the 2008 Volvo China Open, attributed his own success on Friday to the inspiration provided by the round of playing partner Schwartzel.
"It was strange the way it (his round) happened," he said. "We had a good three-ball and Charl had four birdies to start his game straight away today and I had one par and four birdies to follow him.
"I think I was brought along by his momentum. He was playing well and he's a world-class player, as you know, I just got into the game and went along with his birdies.
"So both of us fed off each other a little bit and it's nice to see both of us at the top of the leaderboard."
Improved
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke both had improved rounds on Friday, with the former six shots off the lead after carding a 68 to go with his 70 from Thursday.
Clarke fared even better following his opening day 74, with four birdies and an eagle seeing him shoot a 67.
World number eight Henrik Stenson, the highest ranked player at the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event, shot a 71 for a three-under total.
But England's Justin Rose could only just make the cut after his two-over-par round left him one-under for the tournament.
The only major name to miss the cut was defending champion James Kingston, who backed up his 72 from Thursday with a two-over 74.
source:sky sports
Teeing off on the 10th hole at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Lorenzo-Vera compiled a blemish-free round which peaked through the midway stages thanks to six birdies in seven holes.
He leads the way on a 12-under total from Lee Westwood (68), Ernie Els (67), Charl Schwartzel (65) and Damien McGrane - the Irishman's eight under 64 giving him the joint best round of the day.
He shared the honour with early clubhouse leader Thomas Aiken, whose 64 allowed him to move on to nine-under overall, alongside Gareth Maybin and Dave Horsey.
Two-time champion Retief Goosen, who shot a 66, leads a group of seven players at eight-under-par, while another well-known South African, Rory Sabbatini (71), is back at seven under alongside five others, including Chris Wood.
Fitness test
Lorenzo-Vera later admitted that his main aim coming into the competition was simply to test his right wrist, which he injured two months ago after falling over some stairs.
"It feels pretty good, pretty cool to be leading because I had two months of rest because of my wrist," said the 23-year-old, who was playing in his first tournament since suffering the injury.
"So I was just coming here to find some new feelings.
"Today was just like yesterday, the putting was very good. The first nine, the putts were not very good, I think mainly because they were long putts. But the second nine I hit the irons much closer. But everything was good."
The Biarritz-based player added that his expectations for the weekend had now increased somewhat.
"I hope this time I'm going to catch it," he said. "There were few occasions last year that I let it go, so I'm just going to try and make it a good weekend.
"I'll be aiming to hit a lot of greens in regulation like I did today."
Four-time winner Els said he was optimistic of his own chances going into the weekend.
He said: "It's only the second round, halfway through the tournament and still so much to happen. I'm at 10 under and pretty pleased with that. I had a nice day and even if a guy is at 15 under I don't care.
"We've got two rounds left. If I'm two shots behind with two to play I still have a chance to win, so there's still plenty of golf left."
McGrane, who won the 2008 Volvo China Open, attributed his own success on Friday to the inspiration provided by the round of playing partner Schwartzel.
"It was strange the way it (his round) happened," he said. "We had a good three-ball and Charl had four birdies to start his game straight away today and I had one par and four birdies to follow him.
"I think I was brought along by his momentum. He was playing well and he's a world-class player, as you know, I just got into the game and went along with his birdies.
"So both of us fed off each other a little bit and it's nice to see both of us at the top of the leaderboard."
Improved
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke both had improved rounds on Friday, with the former six shots off the lead after carding a 68 to go with his 70 from Thursday.
Clarke fared even better following his opening day 74, with four birdies and an eagle seeing him shoot a 67.
World number eight Henrik Stenson, the highest ranked player at the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event, shot a 71 for a three-under total.
But England's Justin Rose could only just make the cut after his two-over-par round left him one-under for the tournament.
The only major name to miss the cut was defending champion James Kingston, who backed up his 72 from Thursday with a two-over 74.
source:sky sports
Redknapp hopeful over Defoe
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has not given up hope of agreeing a fee for Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe.
Former Pompey boss Redknapp signed Defoe from Tottenham last January and he is now eager to bring the England international back to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp, who took over in North London in October, has previously voiced fears that he will be priced out of the market should Pompey decide to sell Defoe.
But the Spurs boss remains interested in the forward, despite recognising that Portsmouth - who recently agreed to sell Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid - cannot be pressured into allowing players to leave.
"If we could agree a fee with Portsmouth, then fine, he is a good player," Redknapp told Sky Sports News when asked about interest in Defoe.
Fantastic
"But if Portsmouth do not want to sell him, then that is up to them.
"They haven't got to sell him if they don't want to. If they say, 'no' then that is the end of the story.
"It is like Diarra. They didn't want to sell Diarra, but they got a fantastic offer."
Redknapp - who is also rumoured to be tracking Pompey's Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson, and Atletico Madrid's former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia - has also reiterated his interest in West Ham attacker Craig Bellamy.
"We made an offer and they turned it down," added Redknapp. "He belongs to West Ham and if they don't want to sell that is their prerogative.
"We can't force them to sell him but, yes, he is a player I like."
source:sky sports
Former Pompey boss Redknapp signed Defoe from Tottenham last January and he is now eager to bring the England international back to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp, who took over in North London in October, has previously voiced fears that he will be priced out of the market should Pompey decide to sell Defoe.
But the Spurs boss remains interested in the forward, despite recognising that Portsmouth - who recently agreed to sell Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid - cannot be pressured into allowing players to leave.
"If we could agree a fee with Portsmouth, then fine, he is a good player," Redknapp told Sky Sports News when asked about interest in Defoe.
Fantastic
"But if Portsmouth do not want to sell him, then that is up to them.
"They haven't got to sell him if they don't want to. If they say, 'no' then that is the end of the story.
"It is like Diarra. They didn't want to sell Diarra, but they got a fantastic offer."
Redknapp - who is also rumoured to be tracking Pompey's Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson, and Atletico Madrid's former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia - has also reiterated his interest in West Ham attacker Craig Bellamy.
"We made an offer and they turned it down," added Redknapp. "He belongs to West Ham and if they don't want to sell that is their prerogative.
"We can't force them to sell him but, yes, he is a player I like."
source:sky sports
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wayne Rooney confident Manchester United can catch rivals
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United are well placed in a three-horse race for the Barclays Premier League title. Sir Alex Ferguson's side are seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two matches in hand, both at home, to Wigan Athletic and Fulham and the England striker is looking forward to the run-in against Liverpool and Chelsea.
"I think we are in a good position," Rooney said. "We would have liked to have played those two matches in hand but we've got them to come. If we can get some good results in those games we would be in a really good position.
"You can never write Arsenal off and they are a good team and Aston Villa are doing well as well but in the end I think it will be down to one of the top three."
United have won both their league matches since returning from the Club World Cup in Japan, but Dimitar Berbatov's solitary goal against Middlesbrough last night was only the club's fourth in their last six league matches.
Despite converting just one of 25 chances against Gareth Southgate's side, Rooney believes it is only a matter of time before United start firing on all cylinders again. "I thought we played well, created a lot of chances and could have scored four or five goals," he said. "If those chances go in everyone speaks differently. If we don't score it is a worry but we got the goal that mattered."
Ferguson warned his players after the match that they have to start turning their dominance into goals on a more regular basis if they do not want to slip up in their attempts to haul in the top two. Chelsea have scored 40 times in 20 matches and have a goal difference of plus 31, well in excess of their two main rivals.
Rooney admits it is something which the United players are conscious of and are trying to rectify. "Of course we want to score more goals," he said. "Going into the last game of the season last year our goal difference could have won the league.
"We want to try to get our goal difference up but this stage of the season is a difficult period and you are just looking to get points on the board. We missed some good opportunities against Middlesbrough, the goalkeeper [Ross Turnbull] made some good saves but that is football, it happens.
"It has happened a bit more than we would have liked this first part of the season so hopefully we can start taking those chances."
"I think we are in a good position," Rooney said. "We would have liked to have played those two matches in hand but we've got them to come. If we can get some good results in those games we would be in a really good position.
"You can never write Arsenal off and they are a good team and Aston Villa are doing well as well but in the end I think it will be down to one of the top three."
United have won both their league matches since returning from the Club World Cup in Japan, but Dimitar Berbatov's solitary goal against Middlesbrough last night was only the club's fourth in their last six league matches.
Despite converting just one of 25 chances against Gareth Southgate's side, Rooney believes it is only a matter of time before United start firing on all cylinders again. "I thought we played well, created a lot of chances and could have scored four or five goals," he said. "If those chances go in everyone speaks differently. If we don't score it is a worry but we got the goal that mattered."
Ferguson warned his players after the match that they have to start turning their dominance into goals on a more regular basis if they do not want to slip up in their attempts to haul in the top two. Chelsea have scored 40 times in 20 matches and have a goal difference of plus 31, well in excess of their two main rivals.
Rooney admits it is something which the United players are conscious of and are trying to rectify. "Of course we want to score more goals," he said. "Going into the last game of the season last year our goal difference could have won the league.
"We want to try to get our goal difference up but this stage of the season is a difficult period and you are just looking to get points on the board. We missed some good opportunities against Middlesbrough, the goalkeeper [Ross Turnbull] made some good saves but that is football, it happens.
"It has happened a bit more than we would have liked this first part of the season so hopefully we can start taking those chances."
Cristiano Ronaldo to go home to find missing spark
Sir Alex Ferguson will consider allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Portugal to recharge his batteries before Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League showdown with Chelsea on January 11. Ronaldo has cut a snarling, fractious figure in recent weeks, having been involved in a series of altercations with opponents, but the idea of a short break is regarded at Old Trafford as a routine course of action from which the winger might benefit.
Ferguson has often given his younger overseas players dispensation to return briefly to their homeland during the winter months, with Anderson and Carlos Tévez back in Brazil and Argentina respectively this week, and now would appear the ideal time to allow Ronaldo a brief rest, particularly given that United’s next two matches are against Southampton in the FA Cup third round on Sunday and Derby County in the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg a week today before they face Chelsea at Old Trafford. Ronaldo may be involved against Southampton, but he is almost certain to sit out the Carling Cup tie.
Ronaldo could be said to be in need of a change of environment, having struggled for his best form in recent weeks and he has also been involved in a succession of spats with opponents. The Portugal winger angrily squared up to Emanuel Pogatetz at half-time during United’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday, having been fortunate to escape punishment for kicking out at Scott Brown, of Celtic, Michael Dawson, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, and Andy Wilkinson, of Stoke City. The dispute with Pogatetz continued into the players’ tunnel at Old Trafford, with Ronaldo furious that the defender grappled him to the ground at a corner in the final minute of the first half.
Related Links
Angry Ronaldo in Old Trafford tunnel rage
Berbatov keeps United in the title hunt
Multimedia
Ronaldo must not lose temper like Zidane
Has Ronaldo lost the plot?
Ferguson would be reluctant to acknowledge a link between Ronaldo’s recent antics or form and any decision to rest him, but even on United’s television station on Monday night the player’s conduct was a matter of debate. Lou Macari, the former United player, said that “the Ronaldo of last season” had not been seen for several weeks and that it is essential he finds his best form during the second half of the campaign, with his team seven points behind Liverpool in the Premier League, albeit with two games in hand.
Ronaldo missed pre-season training and the opening weeks of the campaign while recovering from an ankle operation, having also spent much of the summer distracted by his planned transfer to Real Madrid, and, while he scored seven goals in his first nine appearances after returning to the starting line-up in September, his form has dipped markedly in recent weeks.
Anderson, the midfield player, is expected to return to the United squad against Southampton on Sunday, having flown to Brazil after his team’s success in the Club World Cup in Japan before Christmas. Tévez is due back in Manchester at the weekend, having been given permission to return to Argentina for what Ferguson called a “family issue”, but it is not clear whether he will be back in time to figure in the FA Cup tie. “When their parents and families are far away, you have to be patient with them,” Ferguson said.
United also had to be patient against Middlesbrough, with the only goal of the game coming through Dimitar Berbatov with just 21 minutes remaining, but the forward has echoed Ferguson’s belief that profligacy in front of goal is the main threat to his team’s ambitions this season. “Maybe we must work on our concentration in the final third of the field,” Berbatov said. “The boss tells us all the time not to lose our concentration because it will be very important in the crucial games coming up. We will keep working on that and, as long as we keep making chances, hopefully the goals will come.”
source:the london times
Ferguson has often given his younger overseas players dispensation to return briefly to their homeland during the winter months, with Anderson and Carlos Tévez back in Brazil and Argentina respectively this week, and now would appear the ideal time to allow Ronaldo a brief rest, particularly given that United’s next two matches are against Southampton in the FA Cup third round on Sunday and Derby County in the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg a week today before they face Chelsea at Old Trafford. Ronaldo may be involved against Southampton, but he is almost certain to sit out the Carling Cup tie.
Ronaldo could be said to be in need of a change of environment, having struggled for his best form in recent weeks and he has also been involved in a succession of spats with opponents. The Portugal winger angrily squared up to Emanuel Pogatetz at half-time during United’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday, having been fortunate to escape punishment for kicking out at Scott Brown, of Celtic, Michael Dawson, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, and Andy Wilkinson, of Stoke City. The dispute with Pogatetz continued into the players’ tunnel at Old Trafford, with Ronaldo furious that the defender grappled him to the ground at a corner in the final minute of the first half.
Related Links
Angry Ronaldo in Old Trafford tunnel rage
Berbatov keeps United in the title hunt
Multimedia
Ronaldo must not lose temper like Zidane
Has Ronaldo lost the plot?
Ferguson would be reluctant to acknowledge a link between Ronaldo’s recent antics or form and any decision to rest him, but even on United’s television station on Monday night the player’s conduct was a matter of debate. Lou Macari, the former United player, said that “the Ronaldo of last season” had not been seen for several weeks and that it is essential he finds his best form during the second half of the campaign, with his team seven points behind Liverpool in the Premier League, albeit with two games in hand.
Ronaldo missed pre-season training and the opening weeks of the campaign while recovering from an ankle operation, having also spent much of the summer distracted by his planned transfer to Real Madrid, and, while he scored seven goals in his first nine appearances after returning to the starting line-up in September, his form has dipped markedly in recent weeks.
Anderson, the midfield player, is expected to return to the United squad against Southampton on Sunday, having flown to Brazil after his team’s success in the Club World Cup in Japan before Christmas. Tévez is due back in Manchester at the weekend, having been given permission to return to Argentina for what Ferguson called a “family issue”, but it is not clear whether he will be back in time to figure in the FA Cup tie. “When their parents and families are far away, you have to be patient with them,” Ferguson said.
United also had to be patient against Middlesbrough, with the only goal of the game coming through Dimitar Berbatov with just 21 minutes remaining, but the forward has echoed Ferguson’s belief that profligacy in front of goal is the main threat to his team’s ambitions this season. “Maybe we must work on our concentration in the final third of the field,” Berbatov said. “The boss tells us all the time not to lose our concentration because it will be very important in the crucial games coming up. We will keep working on that and, as long as we keep making chances, hopefully the goals will come.”
source:the london times
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