Evra Race Row Rages On

Evra Race Row Rages On




The dispute between Manchester United substitutes and Chelsea groundstaff in April remains unresolved as both parties have denied charges levelled against them...


Chelsea had just beaten Manchester United in a crunch league game that put the two at level pegging at the top of the table.

Manchester United substitutes were warming down on the pitch after the match, but were halted by ground staff when running into the penalty area - which is forbidden - and despite being just minutes from finishing their warmdown, the dispute continued, as the grass was being cut in that area and the ground staff were unwilling to wait for the United players to finish.

There was a coming together between several ground staff and United substitutes with punches being thrown. The two groups had to be separated by stewards and a thorough investigation has since ensued.

Evra, who ran the width of the pitch to confront groundsman Sam Bethell, has claimed that he was racially abused by the groundsman, despite not hearing the remark himself and having to be informed by a team-mate.

The Frenchman was, after extensive investigations that concluded last week, charged with improper conduct, and Bethell levelled with a charge of abusive language in relation to nationality and race.

Both Bethell and Evra have denied the charges and have each requested personal hearings.

Fletcher: The Banter Just Fires Me Up

Fletcher: The Banter Just Fires Me Up



Manchester United’s Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that he has to put up with plenty of mickey-taking at Old Trafford because he shares the same nationality as the boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.


Darren Fletcher has borne the brunt of plenty of jibes since establishing himself ain the Manchester United first-team squad - and says there are still people at the club who don’t think he has the talent to become a star at Old Trafford.

The Scotland international has been the subject of several transfer rumours this summer, but is determined to tough it out at United.

He has endured accusations that he is afforded preferential treatment by Ferguson because they are both Scots, but knows it is only his ability that has kept him at club since he first broke into the first-team in 2003.

He said of the jibes when talking to The Manchester Evening News: "He [Fergie] gets called my dad, my granddad, you name it.

"I get it all the time and I'm sure people think that's why I'm in the team.

"I've been there since I was 12 and maybe he took a special interest because I was Scottish. But I know when I signed it didn't matter if you were Scottish, Norwegian or whatever. If you are not good enough, you won't get in the team.

"I've been in the youth team with a lot of Scottish players. A lot of Scottish players have been there and I don't think the manager would have had the success he's had if he only wanted Scottish players in his team.

"I get a lot of people saying I'm only picked because I'm Scottish and that's fine. It's water off a duck's back. People will say what they want, there is nothing you can do about that."

Everton, Sunderland and Birmingham have all been interested in signing Fletcher, 24, this summer, since the end of last season, but Ferguson has not been tempted to sell.

He agrees he has a strong relationship with Ferguson, but no stronger than that enjoyed by his United team-mates.

"We can talk about Scottish football, but at the same time he's talking to Ronaldo and Nani about the Portuguese game," he said.

"He loves his football that much that he goes home and watches all these games. He will talk to me about Celtic and Rangers and the Scotland game, but at the same time he will talk about Sporting Lisbon's game.

"You can say what you want. I never came to Manchester United because Alex Ferguson is Scottish.

"I came to Manchester United because they were the best team in the Premier League and Alex Ferguson was the best manager.

"You want to learn from the best and if I didn't achieve it here I always said I could say I gave my best and if I came up short then fine.”

He added: "There is competition for places, which drives you on, but until you are at the stage when you are not needed, then you have to move on. I've not felt like that, but who knows what the future holds or when your time is up at United?


"The manager decides that or if you feel you are not helping the team or playing enough games and then it is time to go.

"But until that time comes I'm going to work hard and take every disappointment and use it as a fuel to get into the team."

Rooney Down As United Rue Africa Trip

Rooney Down As United Rue Africa Trip




Manchester United's powerful forward, Wayne Rooney, looks destined to miss the season's curtain raiser as a viral infection picked up in Nigeria keeps the 22-year old sidelined.

Manchester United's country-hopping tour saw them take on a variety of South African teams before taking on Portsmouth in Nigeria, in what would have been seen as a warm up to this Sunday's annual showpiece, the Community Shield.

However, the effects of pre-season have not gone to plan for head coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, together with injuries to various squad members, it has now emerged Wayne Rooney has picked up a 'nasty' infection, too.

Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "He picked it up in Nigeria - it's not nice. It's 12 days to the season starts and he's not been able to train."

Manchester United are also without free-scoring wing-wizard Cristiano Ronaldo. Reports last month, from Portugal physiotherapist Antonio Gasper, revealed that Ronaldo could be out until October, as he is recovering from an ankle operation.

Ferguson continued: "I worry about whether we are going to have a team ready for the start of the season. Nani is suspended, Anderson is at the Olympics, and I doubt if we will get Rooney fit after the virus."

Rooney Is Special - Ferdinand

Rooney Is Special - Ferdinand





Rio Ferdinand has spoken in glowing terms of team mate Wayne Rooney and has tipped him to inspire the Red Devils to another successful season.


Despite scoring 15 goals last season and helping United to win the Premier League and the Champions League, the England striker was largely overshadowed by team mate Cristiano Ronaldo who thoroughly outscored him.

With Ronaldo’s future at United unclear and with a move to Real Madrid on the cards, Ferdinand knows should Ronaldo leave, the onus of replacing Ronaldo’s goals will fall on the United attack, and in particular on Rooney.

Rooney’s performances last season have drawn criticism from some quarters, however Ferdinand clearly feels this is unfair. Speaking to the People, he said: “I can't believe that some people were going on about Wayne not having had a great season - he scored 15 goals and had 15 assists. A lot of players would be delighted with that.”

Despite being outscored by Ronaldo, Ferdinand admitted that there was a lot more to Rooney’s game that goals and that he shouldn’t be judged on his goalscoring alone.

“When you play alongside Wazza and watch what he does in games you realise he's a special talent,” said Ferdinand before adding, “You just need to look at him running into the left-back position and making tackles.”

Out Of Position

Ferdinand also pointed to the fact that Rooney was often played out of position last season, as United at times played with only one up front.

“He had to take the responsibility of leading the line on his shoulders and he was awesome,” admitted the centre back before adding, “He played out of position a lot. He played on the left and sacrificed himself so many times for the team.”

However, it appears that this season may be different, especially if United sign Dimitar Berbatov, as has been widely reported in the press. If United do sign another striker, Ferdinand feels this can only benefit Rooney.

“I know the manager wants to see Wayne playing in his more accustomed position, just off the front,” Ferdinand confessed, “Maybe that will happen if we sign a striker and then you'll see how dangerous he can be.”

Certainly the defender feels Rooney is more effective playing up front, and he tipped him to make a big impact as United look to defend the two trophies won last season. Ferdinand concluded: “I’m confident if he is playing up front for 30 games in a season and I wouldn't bet against him doing that."

Giggs: Ole changed the game

Giggs: Ole changed the game




Ryan Giggs insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed the game when he came off the bench against Espanyol in his testimonial on Saturday.

Sir Alex introduced the 35-year-old Norwegian in the 68th minute and Giggs says he saw instant results.

“As soon as he came on he created a few chances for himself,” Ryan told MUTV. “The goalkeeper pulled off an unbelievable save. We weren’t creating anything until he came on but he got us playing and we created those chances. He’s still got it.”

Giggs said Solskjaer was one of the most intelligent forwards he ever played with.

“He was a dream for a winger like myself because I always knew where he’d be. You could put the ball in the box and know Ole would be in there, finishing it off. He’s a dream to play with and so much more than a ‘super sub’.”

Paul Scholes was similarly gushing in his praise for the striker, who was forced to retire in August 2007 after news he would require another operation on his damaged knee.

“If anyone deserves a testimonial it’s Ole,” he said.
“He’s been fantastic ever since he came over from Norway in 1996.

"The fans turned out today to show their appreciation for what he did for this club.

“There were a few times during his career when he could have moved, when he wasn’t getting as much football as he perhaps would have liked.

“But he always stayed and always made sure he was ready to come on and change the game. He was a top, top player for this club.”

Report: United 1 Espanyol 0

Report: United 1 Espanyol 0



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played 25 minutes in his testimonial, as United beat Spanish side Espanyol 1-0 thanks to a goal from Fraizer Campbell.

That the youngster left it until the 82nd minute to seal the victory was ironic given Solskjaer’s penchant for late winners, as was the calm Campbell exuded in dinking the ball over goalkeeper Alvarez Cristian.

Ole, now 35, looked sharp during his time on the pitch and you can’t help but wonder what role he would have played in the 2008 European Cup final had injury not forced him to retire in August 2007. Against Espanyol he proved he still has the smarts to play at the top level.

Of course, the score on Saturday was always going to take a backseat to Solskjaer on his special day. The Norwegian, who scored 126 goals during his Old Trafford career, emerged last out of the tunnel to walk with his children through a guard of honour formed by the two teams.

Presentations of gifts followed before the match kicked off, the Reds attacking the Scoreboard End. Solskjaer didn’t start – instead he would come off the bench, as he did 150 times for United.

The match began at a sharp pace, with Espanyol winning two quick corners before the Reds clicked into gear. Carlos Tevez was his usual busy self, harrying defenders and keen to get touches on the ball. Nani, making his first pre-season appearance, almost sent the Argentine clear on 14 minutes with a delightful clip over the Espanyol defence.

Nani should have opened the scoring five minutes later when Paul Scholes’ cheeky chip bounced off the post and into his path. He only needed to hit the target, but pulled his shot wide of the right-hand upright. Fletcher and Tevez were similarly wayward shortly afterwards, before Espanyol had their captain, Daniel Jarque, to thank for keeping scores level.

Jarque slid in to block Scholes’ shot on the line after a wonderful, flowing move that began with Tevez skipping past Ivan de la Pena just inside the visitors’ half. In fact, Tevez was the star of the first 45 minutes and Espanyol struggled to come to grips with his speed and strength.

After the break, Nemanja Vidic headed wide from close range, but it was the Spanish side who looked more dangerous. Manager Bartolome Marquez rung the changes at half-time and it was a new-look Espanyol who emerged for the second period.

Sir Alex, too, reshuffled his deck, bringing on Tomasz Kuszczak, Wes Brown, Mikael Silvestre and Fraizer Campbell at the interval.

But it was the substitution made in the 68th minute that really brought Old Trafford to its feet. After a brief warm-up on the south touchline, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer entered the fray to a rapturous standing ovation. His first touch was met with resounding cheers, a trend that continued until the final whistle.

In a two-minute spell just after his introduction, he very nearly found the net, first with a sumptuous left-foot half-volley that brought a spectacular finger-tip save from Alvarez Cristian, and then with a curling shot from the edge of the box that Cristian dealt with rather less convincingly. Two chances, two shots on target: it summed up Solskjaer perfectly.

When the fourth official held up his board indicating three minutes of added time, you couldn’t help but cast your mind back to that memorable night at the Nou Camp in May 1999. This time, however, there were no injury-time heroics, just a cacophonous appreciation for one of the greatest men to ever pull on a United shirt.

Attendance: 68,868

United: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 46); Simpson, Ferdinand (Brown 46), Vidic (Evans 62), Evra (Silvestre 46); Gibson (O’Shea 62), Fletcher, Scholes, Nani (Campbell 46); Giggs, Tevez (Solskjaer 68)

Booked: Tevez, Scholes

Blatter: OK, Ronaldo's Not A Slave

Blatter: OK, Ronaldo's Not A Slave




FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists there is ‘modern slavery in football,‘ but claims his likening of Cristiano Ronaldo to a slave has been distorted by the media.


“I have never said that Ronaldo is a slave," Blatter claimed today while talking to in Hanoi on a trip to Vietnam.

"But I said slavery with young people, youngsters that European clubs are trying to get 13, 14 and 15 years old boys and bring them to the big clubs. This is in my expression, this is modern slavery.

"I have never mentioned that for Ronaldo," he said.



"But the press ... they have distorted it. Ronaldo is not a slave."

Blatter was rationalising remarks he made last month when he urged Manchester United to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford if he wants to join Real Madrid.

The Swiss administrator said then it was not right for United to hold him against his will, even though Ronaldo is under contract to the Red Devils.

"We should also protect the player and if the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found," Blatter said in that interview. "Because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it’s not good for the player and for the club ... I’m always in favour to protect the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave. In football there is too much modern slavery."

It was those contentious comments caused widespread criticism and ridicule to be heaped on Blatter‘s head. Manchester United understandably did not find his remarks helpful. They continue to insist that Ronaldo will not be leaving for Madrid until he has at least honoured his current lucrative contract, though Madrid continue to harbour public ambitions of signing him.

Blatter added to the debate today by saying that Ronaldo and the two clubs will find a solution.

"They will solve this problem," he said "We have nothing to say, Fifa is not going to intervene, let it be as it is now." That suggested he had learned his lesson after wading in previously with his opinion.

Blatter was on a one-day trip to Vietnam to inaugurate the first phase of a Fifa-funded centre to train talented young footballers, reports Associated Press.