Fergie : Rafa one of the good guys

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted his great admiration for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

Ahead of tomorrow's big FA Cup showdown at Anfield, Fergie told leaguemanagers.com: "I enjoyed his company in the last Uefa coaches' seminar, it was good.

"We sat beside each other on the coach going to the meeting and I think he's a straightforward guy. That's good to see and it does your players good.

"They can see the quality of the person - success has not changed him."

And Ferguson added: "We don't like to see people changing within our own confines.

"I don't like to see United players change and I'm sure that Rafael is the same. He doesn't want to see his players change.

"Managers like Rafael put the marker down about what they are and hopefully it transfers itself to the players."

United vs Liverpool

Kickoff: 12:30PM UK (8.30 pm MALAYSIA time)

On the telly: Sky Sports CH80 Astro

Date: Saturday February 18th 2006

Recent meetings:

Manchester United held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield last September, but beat the Reds at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago thanks to a late Rio Ferdinand header. Last year, the Red Devils did the double over Liverpool, making them one of the only teams Rafa has not masterminded victory against.

Recent form:

Manchester United: Loss 4-3 @ Blackburn, win 4-2 vs Fulham, win 3-1 @ Pompey

Liverpool: Loss 2-0 @ Charlton, win 1-0 @ Wigan, win 1-0 vs Arsenal

Other team news/facts:

-Liverpool have not beaten United in the FA Cup for 85 years during a spell in which they have played nine ties, including the 1996 final. The last time they met was the fourth round in 1999 when United scored two late goals to win 2-1

- Robbie Fowler is cup tied after appearing and scoring a hat trick in a match for Manchester City earlier this year.

-The Reds have not defeated United in an FA Cup fixture in eighty-five years!

- The last time the Reds made it to this stage of the FA Cup, they were knocked out by Portsmouth (2004).


One to watch:

Liverpool: Luis Garcia. The little Spaniard is often the difference maker in matches like this (just ask Arsenal).

Manchester United: Wayne Rooney. The ex-Bluenose has not scored in 2006 yet but will be pumped against these longtime rivals.

Wayne Rooney compilation

Sources:

Yousendit
Filefront
Megaupload
Credit to :
Redcafe



Size: 21MB
Time: 00:02:34
Music: Arctic Monkeys - The View From The Afternoon
Made by: Some guy called Chazo
Thanks to: Footyfanatic, Richie, IhabX7, ManCh

Awards
08/11/2002 - The first award Wayne had received as a professional player was the October Goal Of The Month award from ITV. His amazing 30-yard strike against the champions Arsenal was enough to convince the judges. David Moyes presented him with the award at Bellefield.

09/12/2002 - Wayne Rooney was named the Young Sports Personality of the Year at the star-studded BBC sports awards. The 17-year-old striker was handed the gong by England coach Sven Goran Eriksson as his manager David Moyes watched on from the audience. Wayne widely recieved criticism from a number of papers for chewing gum and having the top button of his shirt undone when he collected the award.

03/11/2004 - Following Wayne's Champions League hat-trick against Fenerbahce, he was named the 'PFA Fans' Player of the Month' for October.

13/12/2004 - Rooney won the 'Golden Boy' prize for the best young player in Europe.

19/09/2005 - Won the FIFPro young player award.

Everyday United

You can now see United's stars as you have never seen them before - trying their hands at other sports on a limited edition charity DVD.

Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been a boxer? Who would win the titanic tennis clash between Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand? And, most crucially, has Wayne Rooney ever seen a golf club before, let alone held one?

The Everyday United DVD, which encourages people to build physical activity and sport into their everyday lives, is part of United’s support for Sport England’s recently launched Everyday Sport campaign and will be on sale priced £7.99 from the Everyday Sport website.

Proceeds from sales will go back into the Everyday Sport campaign, which encourages people to build physical activity and sport into their everyday lives. The campaign is set to get England moving in the battle against obesity and in the countdown to London 2012.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said of the project: “We are delighted to be able to take part in Everyday United. All of us recognise that in the positions we are in, it is important to play a part in inspiring others to get active - whether it is taking up a sport or just playing for fun.

“It is a benefit to your health and well-being, and can even help with something as simple as how you approach the day. I enjoy a nice brisk walk as well as a session in the gym – it all counts, not matter how old you are."

"If you enjoy it, it's good for you and you can easily fit it into your daily life, then you've got to be onto a winner. I think Everyday Sport is a first class idea."
Alan Smith on Everyday Sport

The DVD is soundtracked by music from Rio Ferdinand's Whitechalk music label, and the England defender is another who is encouraging everyone - young and old - to become more active.

Sources:

Official DVD link

Download DVD Previu

UTD IN FOR NEW 'ROY'

From the Mirror:

UTD IN FOR NEW 'ROY'
EXCLUSIVE
By Simon Mullock

MANCHESTER UNITED are on the verge of landing Argentina hardman Aldo Duscher in a £7m deal.

The Deportivo La Coruna midfielder - seen by Sir Alex Ferguson as Roy Keane's replacement - has confirmed he is having talks with the Reds.

Duscher said: "It's true that Manchester United have made contact again and this time a transfer looks the likely option."

Sunday Mirror Sport understands the 26-year-old has told friends his switch is "certain" to be completed this summer.

United have also made an enquiry for another Argentine - Inter Milan's Esteban Cambiasso.

The 25-year-old, signed by Inter from Real Madrid on a free last year, has been nicknamed 'Hard as Nails' by San Siro fans.

But Inter have said they are willing to sell if United are prepared to hand them £5m plus defender Mikael Silvestre.


And from The People:

FERGIE'S DUSCH PURSUIT
EXCLUSIVE BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
By Steve Bates

ARGENTINE star Aldo Duscher is back on Manchester United's radar - and fast becoming the target of a summer swoop by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson, desperately seeking a top-class defensive midfielder for next season's double assault on the Premiership and Champions League, dispatched his brother Martin - the club's main European scout - to watch Duscher TWICE for Deportivo La Coruna in the past three weeks.

The talent spotter watched Deportivo play Atletico Madrid and Valencia as United's search for a major midfield star to cover the departure of Roy Keane hots up.

Duscher, signed from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for £10m in 2000, first came to prominence when he broke David Beckham's metatarsal at Old Trafford just weeks b e fore the 2002 World Cup.

The tough-tackling Argentinian. who is 27 next month, is physically imposing, experienced, aggressive and has the kind of pedigree Fergie's looking for in a midfielder.

The United chief took a close look at signing the Deportivo star in the transfer window, but the Spanish club quickly ruled out any move, placing a £12m fee on him.

But with Duscher out of contract in the summer of 2007, he will only have a year left on his contract once this season finishes.

Nistelrooy to added goals collection

Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal at Portsmouth inched him closer to joining a select band of United legends who have scored 150 goals for the club.

Van Nistelrooy - who with 19 Premiership strikes to his name is four clear of Thierry Henry in the race for this season's Golden Boot - is now just two away from adding his name to a list that includes George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, but only Mark Hughes from recent times.

His tally of 148 has been achieved in only 208 appearances.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: 'I have noticed I am only two away.

'It is a goal to achieve and if I could do it next week, and help the team, it would be fantastic.'

Milito : I couldn't imagine..

Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito admits his four goals against Real Madrid were a dream come true.

The Argentine was outstanding during the 6-1 rout in the first-leg of last night's Copa del Rey tie and said afterwards: "It has been an impressive game.

"To score four goals is something I've dreamed about, but also something that I've never thought possible. We played fluently, with calm and moved the ball well."

Zaragoza goalkeeper Cesar also said of the win over his former club: "It was incredible. People are very happy. The blow is the goal we conceded.

"In the Bernabéu 90 minutes are very long. My ex-teammates are hurt. That's logical."

Gravesen: Real Madrid teammates support me

Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen insists no problem exists between himself and teammates after reports emerged that Real stars are concerned with his physical approach in training games.

Before Monday's clattering of Pablo Garcia, Gravesen had also battered Antonio Cassano and Sergio Ramos in training last week.

However, he said yesterday: "I do not read the Spanish press. The only thing which is important for me is what the club, my teammates and the trainer think - and they have supported me and praised my performances on the pitch.

"What I listen to is the support I receive from my teammates. They know me inside-out. I don't know why the press writes about the things they do. I am a different person and maybe they don't understand that."

Walcott coming along well

Arsenal's £12 million teenager Theo Walcott is adjusting to life at Highbury.

The 16-year-old striker, whose transfer from Southampton could eventually cost £12million, netted his first goal in Gunners' colours for the against Portsmouth on Tuesday.

"He has done fine," said reserves coach Neil Banfield. "It has been a massive step for him. He has taken it well in his stride and he is feeling fine.

"Theo is getting used to the players and the way Arsenal play.

"He is coming to terms with it, is a smashing lad, very level-headed and a pleasure to work with."

Banfield added on the club's official website, "He showed us flashes of what he has got.

"It was his first game, he has new players to get used to. He has shown a terrific attitude, a terrific willingness to play for the team and has all the attributes you are looking for in a young player."

Cantona slammed Fowler

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona says new Liverpool signing Robbie Fowler can never recapture his past glory.

Cantona is worried Wayne Rooney's career at the top could be over within five years.

At 20, Rooney is a key player for Manchester United and England, but Cantona fears his career path could follow that of Robbie Fowler.

"I love Rooney as a player. But I am a bit worried. Rooney can become the best player in the world at 25, 26, if he knows that in football you need to be strong, train hard, go to bed early, be careful what you are eating, what you are drinking, what you do in life," Cantona told the Guardian. "Fowler was so good at 18, and four, five years later, at 23 or 24, finished, not even [playing regularly] for England, not even for the best teams. Finished. Completely. Out. Why?"

WE Can Beat United!

Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari believes the club can beat Manchester United on Saturday. The two clubs meet in a evening kick off game and both teams are desperate for 3 points.


"The team have been losing so it has been difficult but hopefully we will get some wins and things will improve.

"I believe the goals are just around the corner and once one comes there will be a lot more.

"Of course we can beat Manchester United - and we have to beat them to pull away from the bottom of the table.

"I have to work hard and together with the rest of the team, that is the most important thing for me.

"If I score or anyone else scores it doesn't matter. We just need to score.

"I think we will stay in the Premiership if we work as a team and as a squad."