Carrick: Welbeck still key

Danny Welbeck won't struggle for games this season, according to Michael Carrick, despite Manchester United's wealth of attacking options.
Robin van Persie's strong start for the Reds – four goals in three games – has naturally elevated him to the top of the pecking order and Sir Alex has since imported 18 year-old striker Angelo Henriquez from Chile. Competition for places is part of life at United, though, and Welbeck wouldn't have signed a new four-year deal if he didn't believe he could improve upon last season's impressive form.
"We've got five options up front, really, and Danny has played in different positions," Carrick told reporters in Chisinau, where England faced Moldova in a World Cup 2014 qualifying match on Friday night.
"He's also played out wide and done fine. But I think he'll play more than his fair share of games up front and score enough goals. Watching the likes of Robin and Wayne [Rooney] will improve him as the years go by."
Van Persie's electric start to his United career hasn't escaped Carrick, who admits he's loving playing alongside the Dutchman this season.
"To get off the mark like he did at home with pretty much his first touch of the ball was special. Then his hat-trick was much needed because we were in a tough position. It’s a better start than he could have hoped for and he will be looking to carry it on.
"When the ball came to him for his first goal at Southampton I was so confident it was going to be a goal. To have someone like that in your team is satisfying because you know if you supply him with the right ammunition he will put it away.
"Hopefully Robin has a few more hat-tricks and goals in him for this season."

Ryan Giggs still believes international retirement was the right decision

Ryan Giggs maintains the belief he made the correct decision to retire from international football and has backed Wales to recover from their disappointing start to World Cup qualifying.

The Manchester United star in 2007 ruled himself out of representing his country in a bid to prolong his club career and it has proved beneficial as he continues to play in the Premier League at the age of 38.
Giggs admits he will always have slight regrets when watching Wales, as was the case on Friday night when Chris Coleman's side lost to Belgium in their opening qualifier for the 2014 World Cup, and there are always calls for his return.
However, the man who this summer was Team GB's Olympic football captain is in no doubt about the long-term benefits, as he told Sky Sports News: "I decided to retire just to prolong my career, which I think was the right choice.

"The good thing is there are still plenty more games to go and you have got plenty of time to turn it around so hopefully we can do that"
Ryan Giggs Quotes of the week

"But, of course, you think back to when you were playing for Wales and the great memories and you want to do the best for your country. Unfortunately I have retired now."

Man Utd striker Robin van Persie proud to have played for MUFC and Arsenal FC

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie says he is proud to have played under current boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Van Persie, who left Arsenal last month to join United in a £24million, is one of only two players to have been managed by both Ferguson and Wenger, the other being defender Mikael Silvestre.

And speaking to OnsOranje, the 29-year-old was keen to recognise the "special" coaches who have helped him throughout his career.

"I have had special coaches all in their own way," Van Persie said.

"[Bert] van Marwijk, Wenger, [Marco] van Basten, Ferguson. Piece by piece they are special.

"I think I have been [one of] the only players ever who has worked under Wenger and Ferguson. That's special."

Van Persie has made a superb start to his United career, scoring four goals in three games, including a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-2 win over Southampton.

The Netherlands international missed a penalty during the game at St. Mary’s, and admits he is still disappointed by his spot-kick.

"A career won't be always a bed of roses. You have disappointments," he added.

"Look at my missed penalty kick against Southampton last Sunday. That is what you call a disappointment.

"Taking a penalty kick in that way when you are 2-1 behind. That's just bad.

"I couldn't explain it, not even to myself. And what you do next? Do you stay disappointed? Or are you going to hunt, and get over it?

"In the game I put it behind me, thankfully. Many people can get swept up after something like that. It's happened to me [before] and it's all over then.

"Someone who is 18 years old wouldn't score two times after it. I wouldn't have done a couple of years ago.

"You have to be lucky, but you also have to force it."

Manchester United and England midfielder Tom Cleverley impresses Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs has tipped his Manchester United team-mate, Tom Cleverley, to become a star this season.

Midfielder Cleverley on Friday night delivered another impressive performance when pulling the strings in an advanced role while making his competitive England debut during the World Cup qualifying thrashing of Moldova.
The 23-year-old appears to be a big part of Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson's plans and this season he has also started all three of United's Premier League games.
Cleverley endured a frustrating, injury-hit 2011/12 campaign but his blossoming form for club and country, as well as his displays for Team GB at the Olympics, bode well.
And his captain at the Games, Giggs, told Sky Sports News: "He is a really good player. He had a really good start last season and then got injured and it was a bit of a stuttering season.
"But, this year, I was with him at the Olympics and he was brilliant and he has started the season on fire.
"Hopefully he can go through the season injury-free and I am sure he will play lots of games for United and England."

Kagawa hungry for action

Whether it’s a crucial game for United or a low-key international friendly, Shinji Kagawa just wants to play.
The midfielder appeared in the first half of Japan’s 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates in Niigata on Thursday, a warm-up for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Iraq.
Some online reports suggested he’d been hauled off by coach Alberto Zaccheroni after a poor performance and others mischievously claimed he had broken his leg.
The likely truth is that he was wisely being rested for the more important game ahead. Nevertheless, when asked afterwards if 45 minutes was too short for him, Kagawa replied: "You can say that.
"I wanted to play longer. I always want to score but the coach makes the decisions.
"We all found it tough because of the hot weather, which should be good preparation for our next match.
"I don't know what kind of tactics Iraq will employ but I want to play well with my team-mates and score a goal."

Wayne Rooney: I was lucky

Wayne Rooney considers himself lucky, despite requiring surgery on a gashed right thigh following Manchester United’s recent 3-2 win against Fulham.
The England striker’s leg was ripped open in the dying minutes of last month’s Barclays Premier League clash when Hudo Rodallega’s studs accidentally came down on his thigh. Footage of the incident shocked viewers and team-mate Danny Welbeck recoiled in horror at the sight of the wound.
Remarkably, Rooney insists “it didn’t hurt at all” and said doctors told him the damage could have been far worse.
“I was quite lucky it didn’t touch any of my muscle and the surgeon said it was 1mm or 2mm away from my artery,” he revealed.

Internationals: Cleverley stars

Tom Cleverley sparkled from the outset on his competitive England debut to play a key role in a facile 5-0 mauling of Moldova in the World Cup qualifiers.
The midfielder, wearing No10 and playing in an advanced role, earned a penalty from the first real attack of the game when his shot was handled by Simeon Bulgaru. Frank Lampard converted the spot-kick before heading a second and the match was over as a contest before half-time thanks to Jermain Defoe's near-post effort.
Michael Carrick came on for Steven Gerrard for the second half and Danny Welbeck was introduced at the expense of Defoe on 68 minutes. After Cleverley had decent attempts in both halves, he was heavily involved with fellow Academy graduate Welbeck in assisting James Milner's fourth strike. A hugely-deflected Leighton Baines free-kick rounded off a one-sided affair.
Two-goal Lampard, the Chelsea midfielder, told ITV Sport afterwards: "Tom Cleverley's a pleasure to play alongside. He's going to be part of the team for years to come."
Robin van Persie carried on from where he left off last weekend with another goal and another header from a corner. The deadly Dutchman met Wesley Sneijder's set-piece from the left with a perfectly-guided finish as the Netherlands defeated Turkey 2-0.
Patrice Evra was also on the winning side after playing all 90 minutes of France's 1-0 triumph in Finland and Nani was outstanding in the first half as Portugal toiled somewhat against Luxembourg but ran out 2-1 victors with Cristiano Ronaldo on the scoresheet.
Joshua King came off the bench to make his debut for Norway in Iceland and went close to scoring - seeing a goal disallowed and also hitting the woodwork. However, Egil Olsen's side slipped to a 2-0 defeat with ex-Red Magnus Eikrem starting in midfield.
Jonny Evans played in Northern Ireland's 2-0 defeat to Russia in Moscow with the visitors adopting an approach that was criticised by coach Fabio Capello. The Italian said he was upset with a defensive formation and "long ball" tactics deployed by Michael O'Neill's side.