Man Utd´s Rio Ferdinand gets four-match ban

January 29, 2010

Rio Ferdinand was banned for four matches on Thursday after failing in an appeal against a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The charge related to an incident in United’s 4-0 win over Hull on Saturday in which Ferdinand, returning from three months out injured, appeared to catch Hull’s Craig Fagan in the face with a swinging arm.

The offence would normally result in a three-match ban but Ferdinand’s appeal was deemed “frivolous” by the FA disciplinary panel which examined the appeal and an extra match suspension was added.

The ban takes effect immediately, ruling Ferdinand out of United’s Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

The 31-year-old will also sit out matches against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton next month but he will be available for the League Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley on February 28.

By appealing against the charge, Ferdinand delayed the FA’s announcement of his punishment until Thursday, ensuring he was able to play in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which United won.

Nemanja Vidic was on the bench for that match following his own recovery from injury and the Serbian centreback is expected to partner Jonny Evans against Arsenal.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal, Craig, Craig Fagan, disciplinary panel, emirates, fagan, Ferdinand, football association, HULL, london, manchester city, match, offence, Portsmouth, premier league, Rio, rio ferdinand, three months, vidic, violent conduct, Wembley

Vidic: No Fergie feud

January 6, 2010

Nemanja Vidic insists he has a “marvelous understanding” with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson despite rumors of a recently-turned-sour relationship between the United pair. Vidic has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.

Several news reports have linked Vidic to a move to Santiago Bernabeu, following the footsteps of former United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Speculation of the Serbian’s move away from Old Trafford was fueled by his withdrawal from Sunday’s FA Cup defeat by Leeds.

“Everybody in the club knows that I have a marvellous understanding with my coach Ferguson,” Vidic told Sportski zurnal.

United said Vidic tweaked a nerve in his leg. According to the club, he needed the rest. Wes Brown stepped in to take his place as United crashed to a shocking defeat to Leeds.

And after hearing rumors linking him to a move away from England once again, Vidic was eager to deny reports of a rift with Ferguson.

“Ferguson said that he didn’t talk with the club doctor but he didn’t say that he doesn’t believe in my injuries and that we are in a fight,” Vidic said. “I am not unhappy at Old Trafford. I am just injured.

“I hope that I will be able to play as soon as possible.

“The doctors told me that I will not be able to play for the next seven or 10 days so I don’t think that I will play against Birmingham City on Saturday but I should be okay after that.”

It is quite known that Vidic wants to match the top earners with a new United contract. However, news suggest that his wife, Ana, is discontented with life in England.

Still, the current United player of the year has always said that he is content with life in Manchester and remains one of the top defenders in the English Premier League.

Tags: Ana, birmingham city, England, English Premier League, FA Cup, footsteps, LEEDS, life in england, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, money move, news reports, old trafford, premier league, ronaldo, Santiago, serbian, shocking defeat, sir alex ferguson, sportski zurnal, top earners, vidic, wes brown, winger

Man Utd´s Vidic set for Villa return

December 12, 2009

Nemanja Vidic is set to make a return to the heart of Manchester United’s defence when the English champions face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Serbia international was one of eight United defenders to miss the midweek 3-1 Champions League win at Wolfsburg, due to illness.

Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to rely on a back-line that included Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick and had Patrice Evra as the only recognized defender.

But first-choice centre back Vidic is set to return against Martin O?Neill?s side to bring some much needed defensive strength.

However, with Rio Ferdinand, John O?Shea and Jonny Evans all likely to miss the festive programme, United manager Ferguson may have to call on Carrick at the back once again if Wes Brown does not return from an ankle injury against ambitious Villa.

Despite the disruption caused by their lengthy injury list, United made up ground in the title race last weekend, with their 4-0 win over West Ham and Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City moving Ferguson’s team within two points of the leaders.

United have responded to their fitness problems with four straight wins that have seen them score 13 goals.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has been one beneficiary of the growing sick list at Old Trafford and now he is is determined to hold down a first-team place.

With Fletcher and Carrick being pressed into more defensive roles, the 22-year-old Gibson has featured in five games in the last month and has come up with three goals.

“It is a difficult time for United,” said Gibson. “Obviously I don’t like players being injured but it has given me a chance to prove myself.

“From not playing at all to playing three games in a week is tough going,” he added.

“But the manager has shown enough trust in me and I feel I have taken my opportunities so far. Hopefully, they keep coming.

“As everyone knows, it is very difficult to make it at United but if you do it, you reap the rewards.

“The gaffer (Ferguson) is famous for giving chances to young lads. If you take your chance he sticks with you, so hopefully I will keep getting a few more games,” Gibson said.

Although they have coped admirably without so many defenders, Scotland midfielder Fletcher said it was vital Ferguson got his first-choice back four in place as soon as possible.

“We have a few problems and the sooner our defenders come back the better,” Fletcher said.

“But if not we’ll have to rally round as a team like we did in midweek and try to put in a professional performance.

“We always go into games thinking we have enough quality to win the match, no matter what the team is.

“But we want our defenders fit because we have some big games coming up and need everyone available.”

Despite United’s ongoing injury concerns, Villa manager Martin O’Neill insisted his fifth-placed team would be far from over-confident for their trip to the champions.

“If you had listened to Sir Alex talking before their European game this week he mentioned that the most important thing for him was Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.” O’Neill said.

“He might not have every single option available to him but he’ll have a lot more options available to him on Saturday, you can guarantee that.

“Manchester United couldn’t have won the number of championships they have without having one of the strongest squads in European football.

“It will be tough.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: ankle injury, carrick, CHELSEA, darren fletcher, darron gibson, England, english champions, five games, Fletcher, John, john o shea, lengthy injury, Manchester, manchester city, Martin, martin o neill, Michael Carrick, Neill, old trafford, patrice evra, republic of ireland, return to the heart, rio ferdinand, scotland, sick list, Sir Alex, sir alex ferguson, vidic, wes brown, west ham

United defensive woes deepen as Vidic stays home

December 7, 2009

Manchester United have been left with just one regular defender for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Wolfsburg after Nemanja Vidic failed to recover from flu in time to travel to Germany.

The Serbian centreback was left at home along with Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both suffered injuries in Saturday’s 4-0 win at West Ham, longer-term absentees Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans, and Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael da Silva.

France left-back Patrice Evra is the last first-team defender standing and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is resigned to fielding a makeshift back four against the German champions.

Michael Carrick is expected to stand in in central defence, as he did after Neville went off on Saturday, and his fellow midfielder Darron Gibson is also able to operate at the back.

Alternatively, Ferguson could gamble on handing a debut to Oliver Gill, the 19-year-old son of United’s chief executive David, who is a specialist defender but has made only nine appearances for the reserves this season.

United, who need a point to ensure they finish top of their group, have also opted to travel without Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs while first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar remains sidelined by injury.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, central defence, da silva, darron gibson, David, defensive woes, dimitar berbatov, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, Fabio, France, gary neville, german champions, Germany, john o shea, John O'Shea, league tie, Manchester, Michael Carrick, Neville, patrice evra, Rafael, Rio, rio ferdinand, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, van der sar, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham

Ferguson faces defensive headache as injuries mount

December 6, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is struggling to field a recognisable back-four in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Wolfsburg after Wes Brown and Gary Neville were forced out of Manchester United’s 4-0 victory at West Ham.

Goals from Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney completed a comfortable victory on Saturday for the reigning champions, who are now just two points behind Chelsea following the leaders’ defeat at Manchester City.

But the victory was achieved despite Ferguson having to make late changes to his plans when Nemanja Vidic withdrew from the trip to Upton Park after suffering from flu.

That forced Ferguson to pair Neville and Brown in central defence, with midfielder Darren Fletcher operating as a makeshift right back.

But he was forced into further changes when Neville hobbled out of the action after just 34 minutes with a groin problem that is expected to keep the former England defender out for a number of weeks.

Midfielder Michael Carrick was introduced from the substitutes bench to partner Brown and is now certain to continue in that role against Wolfsburg.

By then Ferguson hopes Vidic will have recovered in time to partner Carrick while young defender Ritchie De Laet is also likely to start.

“It’s becoming a headache to us,” Ferguson said. “Losing Vidic to flu, we put Gary Neville to centre back and he goes off after 30 mins.

“Michael Carrick did very well and then Wes Brown had to come off towards the end. I’m hoping we’re going to have a back four for Wednesday. Vidic should be okay and I’ll probably play Michael Carrick and Nemanja again.

“We put Michael as substitute in case anything happened to the back four because he has the height, the composure, the pace and experience to play there.

“There was an option to play De Laet but away from home at West Ham is difficult and I felt an experienced player was important.

“I would have liked to play him from the start but I had to err on the side of caution and I’m glad I did.”

Scholes’ goal in first half added time had set United on their way and came after the midfielder, 35, had this week hinted he may consider retiring at the end of the season.

Ferguson, though, believes Scholes is playing as well as ever and is exerting a positive influence on Gibson and United’s other young players.

He said: “Paul Scholes is an incredible player and he’s conducting play so well just now. He’s making it look good for us.

“Darron and Anderson are young boys, both 21, and are going to be great players. But they have to accept that in Paul Scholes they see the finished article, a man who has been doing it for 15 years at the highest level and it’s a great example to them and it will rub off I’m sure.”

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola conceded his side had been well beaten although their cause wasn’t helped by an illness to Rob Green that led to the keeper vomiting in his penalty area during the second half.

Zola said: “Their finishing was excellent – especially the first two goals.

“We had worked on our defending all week and we were succeeding. The second goal was just a fantastic strike and from then on we were chasing the game and we got hit on the counter-attack.

“Our approach was working quite well but it’s fair to say that we didn’t threaten them enough. Don’t forget that they are the champions and are a great team.

“Rob Green felt sick at the start of the second half and later on he vomited in the goalmouth. We decided to take him off after the fourth goal.

“We have a lot of injuries but I don’t really have too many options to strengthen the team in January. Maybe I might be forced to pull my boots on myself.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, central defence, CHELSEA, composure, darren fletcher, darron gibson, de laet, Don, England, gary neville, groin problem, london, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Michael Carrick, midfielder, paul scholes, recognisable, Ritchie De Laet, sir alex ferguson, upton park, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham

Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham

December 6, 2009

Paul Scholes sent Manchester United on their way to a comfortable 4-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park as Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions kept up the pressure on English Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Scholes fired the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time before Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney completed the victory.

United’s win meant Chelsea started Saturday’s late kick-off match against Manchester City knowing defeat would leave them just two points clear of the defending champions.

Scholes, 35, had spoken this week of his growing frustration at his failure to influence games in the manner he once did and hinted that he may consider retirement at the end of this season.

His goal, though, proved a timely reminder that the former England midfielder still possesses the quality to conjure something out of nothing and remains an invaluable member of manager Ferguson’s squad.

Prior to Scholes’s strike at the end of the first period, United had failed to create clear-cut chances against Gianfranco Zola’s struggling side despite being in almost total control of the game.

Before kick-off it is likely that Ferguson may have had some concerns about fielding a patched-up back four that was weakened by the late withdrawal of Nemanja Vidic with a bug.

With Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans also injured, Ferguson was forced to partner Gary Neville and Wes Brown in the centre of defence with Darren Fletcher slotting in as a makeshift right-back.

However, with Carlton Cole missing until well into the new year with a knee injury, Zola’s team are desperately lacking up front and they simply didn’t have the strength to unsettle the visitors.

Experienced Mexican striker Guillermo Franco battled hard but he was lacking in support and the only real opening that fell the home side’s way during the first period came from a careless back pass from the normally reliable Ryan Giggs.

Giggs presented Zavon Hines with time and space in the United box but the veteran midfielder recovered to deny Jack Collison when Hines delivered a low cross in front of Tomasz Kuszczak’s goal.

That chance came after just ten minutes and the Hammers would have to wait until well into the second period until they created a second opportunity.

In between, the visitors took total control with Giggs showcasing the more positive side of his game with a series of darting runs down the left that continually stretched the home defence.

A Giggs corner presented Valencia with the chance to flick a header onto the roof of the net.

And the same two players combined again in the build-up to Scholes’s goal when Valencia recovered the ball following a Giggs cross to keep alive a move that exposed West Ham’s defensive weaknesses.

Three times West Ham failed to clear the ball and when Danny Gabbidon’s weak defensive header fell to Scholes, the midfielder took the ball down expertly on his chest and lashed in a fierce left-foot shot.

The half-time introduction of Alessandro Diamanti added some urgency to West Ham’s play but there was never any chance of them getting back into the game once Gibson struck United’s second.

The young Irish midfielder is fast developing a reputation for his powerful shooting and he showed why in the 61st minute when he capped a Giggs-inspired break with a powerful 20-yard drive that gave Robert Green no chance.

West Ham simply wilted at that point and nine minutes later Valencia made it three when he turned home Anderson’s low cross from inside the six-yard box.

The Ecuador international then turned provider sixty seconds later when he delivered a carbon-copy ball, this time for Rooney to finish with ease.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, alex ferguson, Anderson, Antonio Valencia, Carlton Cole, Danny Gabbidon, darren fletcher, darron gibson, Ecuador, England, English Premier League, first period, gary neville, gianfranco zola, Guillermo Franco, invaluable member, jack collison, league leaders, london, Manchester, manchester city, paul scholes, Rio, rio ferdinand, robert green, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, something out of nothing, timely reminder, upton park, Valencia, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham, Zola

Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham

December 5, 2009