Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the speed of Manchester
United's play in the second half as Wigan Athletic were beaten 4-0 at
Old Trafford.
Speaking on MUTV,
the manager praised his players for remaining in top gear and extending
the winning margin as last season's narrow title defeat to Manchester
City continues to frustrate him.
"It was a pleasing part," said Sir Alex, of the conviction to keep going forward with the points safely in the bag.
"Last year, we lost the league on goal difference and it won't happen again.
"I
thought the first half of the game never got started. Wigan were taking
a minute for every goal-kick and slowed the game down. They kept
possession well and are quite an aggressive team to play against, giving
a lot of fouls away and stopping the game that way.
"Once we got
the speed of the game right in the second half, it made a difference for
us as we became more aggressive in terms of getting the ball back and
making good tackles in midfield. That set a pattern with the crowd as it
got them up. Scoring the first goal is always important in these type
of matches and we ran out good winners."
Although disappointed
with Javier Hernandez's early penalty that drew a comfortable save out
of Ali Al-Habsi, Sir Alex was thrilled to see Paul Scholes grace another
landmark appearance with a goal.
"It wasn't a great penalty," the
boss confessed. "It can affect you a little bit in the sense you think
you're having a good start but have to start again. We had a lot of
strikes on goal in the first
half without scoring. Danny Welbeck, in particular, had five strikes on goal.
"In
the second half, we played the way we want to play and should play all
the time with pace, speed and very good penetration. It turned out to be
a good day for us.
"It's fantastic Paul scored - that is what we
always remember him for as a young player, ghosting into the penalty
box. Obviously, as he's got older, he doesn't need to do that as we
prefer him to play in central midfield but he scored on his 100th
appearance, 200th, 300th, 400th, 500th, not his 600th, but now on his 700th appearance and it's fantastic."
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Powell eyes goals aplenty
Nick Powell was delighted to display his goal threat after
capping his United debut with a superb long-range effort in the Reds'
victory over Wigan.
The 18-year-old cracked home the fourth goal of a rousing second-half display from the hosts, and is keen to bring attacking menace to United's midfield after excelling as a striker with Crewe Alexandra last term.
"It's great to make my debut," Powell told MUTV. "To then cap it off with a goal is what I've been working for. Dario (Gradi, Crewe's director of football) used to say my game isn't just attacking and defending, it's about goals as well and I proved that last season and hopefully I can do that for United."
Despite his impressive cameo, however, the summer signing from Crewe insists that he will keep his feet on the ground and continue learning from his elder peers. "My dad will keep me in touch, I'll tell you that," he laughed. "No, I'm just going to go home, have this great feeling and I'll keep myself on the ground.
"When I first came on it scared me a little bit, to be fair, because I'm only used to 5,000 people now and then, but it's a great atmosphere - the fans are great. It wasn't the hardest game because they made it easier for me but I'm happy to be on the pitch getting minutes.
"I learn every day, especially from the midfielders - Scholes, Carrick, Giggsy - they're all great, they've all been through it and won trophies. That's what I want to do, so I hope to learn off them every day."
The 18-year-old cracked home the fourth goal of a rousing second-half display from the hosts, and is keen to bring attacking menace to United's midfield after excelling as a striker with Crewe Alexandra last term.
"It's great to make my debut," Powell told MUTV. "To then cap it off with a goal is what I've been working for. Dario (Gradi, Crewe's director of football) used to say my game isn't just attacking and defending, it's about goals as well and I proved that last season and hopefully I can do that for United."
Despite his impressive cameo, however, the summer signing from Crewe insists that he will keep his feet on the ground and continue learning from his elder peers. "My dad will keep me in touch, I'll tell you that," he laughed. "No, I'm just going to go home, have this great feeling and I'll keep myself on the ground.
"When I first came on it scared me a little bit, to be fair, because I'm only used to 5,000 people now and then, but it's a great atmosphere - the fans are great. It wasn't the hardest game because they made it easier for me but I'm happy to be on the pitch getting minutes.
"I learn every day, especially from the midfielders - Scholes, Carrick, Giggsy - they're all great, they've all been through it and won trophies. That's what I want to do, so I hope to learn off them every day."
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Manchester United show interest in Ogbonna, Ranocchia
Manchester United are following Italy defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Andrea Ranocchia.
The two players will be on the pitch when Torino play host to Inter on Sunday evening, and Manchester United will send scouts to watch the two defenders in action.
The Red Devils are looking to reinforce their back line in January and have singled out Ogbonna and Ranocchia as the most likely candidates.
Torino have so far managed to reject the temptation of cashing in on Ogbonna, but they certainly wouldn’t be able to resist a big money offer from one of the interested clubs.
Club president Urbano Cairo revealed earlier this week that the 24-year-old could leave if one of the clubs match the €20 million asking price.
Inter are also demanding the same amount if they are to part ways with Ranocchia, which clearly suggests United will have to splash the cash in order to sign one of the two Italy internationals.
The two players will be on the pitch when Torino play host to Inter on Sunday evening, and Manchester United will send scouts to watch the two defenders in action.
The Red Devils are looking to reinforce their back line in January and have singled out Ogbonna and Ranocchia as the most likely candidates.
Torino have so far managed to reject the temptation of cashing in on Ogbonna, but they certainly wouldn’t be able to resist a big money offer from one of the interested clubs.
Club president Urbano Cairo revealed earlier this week that the 24-year-old could leave if one of the clubs match the €20 million asking price.
Inter are also demanding the same amount if they are to part ways with Ranocchia, which clearly suggests United will have to splash the cash in order to sign one of the two Italy internationals.
Juve To Challenge United for Youngster
Serie A side Juventus will challenge Manchester United for young Italian striker Domenico Berardi. The 18-year-old has caught the attention of a number of clubs although he has only broken into the first-time at Serie B side Sassulo
this season and reports from Italy earlier this week claimed United
boss Sir Alex Ferguson has sent representatives to watch Berardi and
monitor his progress.
“Many scouts are following him,” Sassulos director-general Nereus Bonato said. “I would say all the top clubs are.
“An 18 year-old who has made his debut certainly triggers some interest, but let me make it clear that there have been no talks.
“Clubs will continue to follow him and maybe in January we will ask them for some more information.
“Manchester United? A few British clubs have made moves. There have been requests to the club and although we have received some rumours about clubs in the Premier League there has been nothing direct.
“Meanwhile, we have to put him in a position to give his best and to work for the good of the team. In time, you’ll see.”
Berardi broke into the Sassulo first team under new boss Eusebio di Francesco and Sassulo have surged to the top of Serie B with a 100 percent record in their opening three games. He scored in the win over Crotone and is now being linked with Juventus.
“We have good relations with the Bianconeri,” Bonato added. “If they are interested in Domenico then we will happily sit down and talk with them but we then must evaluate any proposal but he will not move from Sassulo before next June.”
“Many scouts are following him,” Sassulos director-general Nereus Bonato said. “I would say all the top clubs are.
“An 18 year-old who has made his debut certainly triggers some interest, but let me make it clear that there have been no talks.
“Clubs will continue to follow him and maybe in January we will ask them for some more information.
“Manchester United? A few British clubs have made moves. There have been requests to the club and although we have received some rumours about clubs in the Premier League there has been nothing direct.
“Meanwhile, we have to put him in a position to give his best and to work for the good of the team. In time, you’ll see.”
Berardi broke into the Sassulo first team under new boss Eusebio di Francesco and Sassulo have surged to the top of Serie B with a 100 percent record in their opening three games. He scored in the win over Crotone and is now being linked with Juventus.
“We have good relations with the Bianconeri,” Bonato added. “If they are interested in Domenico then we will happily sit down and talk with them but we then must evaluate any proposal but he will not move from Sassulo before next June.”
Sir Alex hails milestone men
Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Ryan Giggs, Paul
Scholes and Rio Ferdinand as the trio near personal milestones for
United.
Giggs will make his 600th Premier League appearance if he is involved against Wigan, while Scholes and Ferdinand are one shy of 700 and 400 senior outings for the club respectively.
Sir Alex credits the players’ longevity to the way they have looked after themselves and believes Giggs is perfectly capable of playing into his 40s.
"My personal feeling is that Ryan can play for another couple of years," the Reds boss said.
"Paul's a different physical specimen to Ryan and he's had his injuries – two knee injuries, an eye injury – and yet he's playing his 700th game. It's phenomenal.
"Rio's also playing his 400th game. It's a landmark for the three players and it's a great example to the younger players about what can be achieved if they
sacrifice in football. These players have done that or they would never have got to this stage."
While Giggs and Scholes can no longer play every week, they undoubtedly still have plenty to offer the side, as the latter proved in his inspirational cameo at Southampton in United’s last game.
The pair have spent two decades under Sir Alex’s tutelage and the boss counts himself fortunate to have been able to work with them for so long.
"You can’t judge Ryan’s performances at the moment because I haven’t played him!" said Sir Alex. "But he will be involved in a lot of games this season, as normal, and I’m sure we'll see his ability.
"Paul came on against Southampton and it was like opening a door to another room. He brought order to the game. His selection and accuracy of passes changed the game.
even though he was only on the pitch for 25 minutes. Southampton didn't know what to do with him.
"That's a great credit to the lad. He'll always produce quality. He could be playing in 10 years in a former players’ game and still show what a fantastic player he is.
"I'm lucky to have worked with them both. It’s not a matter of being proud to have had them. It’s more a matter of saying, 'I'm lucky to have had two devoted players like that'. It's been brilliant."
Giggs will make his 600th Premier League appearance if he is involved against Wigan, while Scholes and Ferdinand are one shy of 700 and 400 senior outings for the club respectively.
Sir Alex credits the players’ longevity to the way they have looked after themselves and believes Giggs is perfectly capable of playing into his 40s.
"My personal feeling is that Ryan can play for another couple of years," the Reds boss said.
"Paul's a different physical specimen to Ryan and he's had his injuries – two knee injuries, an eye injury – and yet he's playing his 700th game. It's phenomenal.
"Rio's also playing his 400th game. It's a landmark for the three players and it's a great example to the younger players about what can be achieved if they
sacrifice in football. These players have done that or they would never have got to this stage."
While Giggs and Scholes can no longer play every week, they undoubtedly still have plenty to offer the side, as the latter proved in his inspirational cameo at Southampton in United’s last game.
The pair have spent two decades under Sir Alex’s tutelage and the boss counts himself fortunate to have been able to work with them for so long.
"You can’t judge Ryan’s performances at the moment because I haven’t played him!" said Sir Alex. "But he will be involved in a lot of games this season, as normal, and I’m sure we'll see his ability.
"Paul came on against Southampton and it was like opening a door to another room. He brought order to the game. His selection and accuracy of passes changed the game.
even though he was only on the pitch for 25 minutes. Southampton didn't know what to do with him.
"That's a great credit to the lad. He'll always produce quality. He could be playing in 10 years in a former players’ game and still show what a fantastic player he is.
"I'm lucky to have worked with them both. It’s not a matter of being proud to have had them. It’s more a matter of saying, 'I'm lucky to have had two devoted players like that'. It's been brilliant."
Rooney making good progress
Wayne Rooney is recovering well from the horrific leg gash he sustained against Fulham three weeks ago.
The striker required surgery on a wound that missed his femoral artery by mere millimetres, and yet his Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident the striker will return soon.
"Wayne's doing very well," Sir Alex said. "The scar's healed well and he's training terrifically.
"The issue now is when do we decide to bring him into the game? We have to take the medical advice on that one.
"He's training very well but he’s not back in football training yet. All his work is being done with the physios at this point in time."
Meanwhile, Sir Alex confirmed both Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa trained on Friday, despite suffering injury scares during the week.
Van Persie limped out of Holland's World Cup qualifier against Hungary at half-time, while Kagawa withdrew at the 11th hour from Japan's clash with Iraq.
The striker required surgery on a wound that missed his femoral artery by mere millimetres, and yet his Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident the striker will return soon.
"Wayne's doing very well," Sir Alex said. "The scar's healed well and he's training terrifically.
"The issue now is when do we decide to bring him into the game? We have to take the medical advice on that one.
"He's training very well but he’s not back in football training yet. All his work is being done with the physios at this point in time."
Meanwhile, Sir Alex confirmed both Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa trained on Friday, despite suffering injury scares during the week.
Van Persie limped out of Holland's World Cup qualifier against Hungary at half-time, while Kagawa withdrew at the 11th hour from Japan's clash with Iraq.
Sir Alex credits Martinez
Sir Alex Ferguson praised Wigan Athletic from the boardroom
to the dressing room ahead of his fifteenth league meeting with the
Latics.
Wigan's steady improvement since their 2005 promotion to the top flight is reflected in their results against the Reds - after 14 straight defeats (15 if you include the 2006 League Cup final), they finally beat United 1-0 in the last meeting.
That surprise win at the DW Stadium in April helped Roberto Martinez's side to comfortably retain their top-flight status - Wigan went on to finish three places and seven points above the drop zone - and also dealt a huge blow to United's title hopes.
"When you come to the end of the season and you drop points it has a big impact," Sir Alex said on Friday.
"I think it was Everton [4-4 at Old Trafford] which killed us. But you could easily say it was the Wigan game. I thought they played very well that night as they were fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. It was an understandable result in such a tight game."
The United boss admires his opposite number at the DW Stadium, and his loyalty to the Latics.
"There’s a consistency and continuity in the management at Wigan," said Sir Alex. "Roberto Martinez turned down opportunities to speak to two or three clubs over the last few years and they also have a great chairman in Dave Whelan.
"They could be a club on the rise in the next few years. I don’t think they’ll ever get massive crowds – it tends to be a rugby league town – but
they’re doing well on the football pitch.
"They've changed to playing with three centre-backs and it’s proven useful for them. It suits them in many ways. The great thing about Roberto Martinez's teams is they try to play football all the time and that's a great credit to him."
Wigan's steady improvement since their 2005 promotion to the top flight is reflected in their results against the Reds - after 14 straight defeats (15 if you include the 2006 League Cup final), they finally beat United 1-0 in the last meeting.
That surprise win at the DW Stadium in April helped Roberto Martinez's side to comfortably retain their top-flight status - Wigan went on to finish three places and seven points above the drop zone - and also dealt a huge blow to United's title hopes.
"When you come to the end of the season and you drop points it has a big impact," Sir Alex said on Friday.
"I think it was Everton [4-4 at Old Trafford] which killed us. But you could easily say it was the Wigan game. I thought they played very well that night as they were fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. It was an understandable result in such a tight game."
The United boss admires his opposite number at the DW Stadium, and his loyalty to the Latics.
"There’s a consistency and continuity in the management at Wigan," said Sir Alex. "Roberto Martinez turned down opportunities to speak to two or three clubs over the last few years and they also have a great chairman in Dave Whelan.
"They could be a club on the rise in the next few years. I don’t think they’ll ever get massive crowds – it tends to be a rugby league town – but
they’re doing well on the football pitch.
"They've changed to playing with three centre-backs and it’s proven useful for them. It suits them in many ways. The great thing about Roberto Martinez's teams is they try to play football all the time and that's a great credit to him."
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