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18/10/2007 14:59, Report by Steve Bartram

Tigers pounce for Campbell

Championship side Hull City have reportedly signed United striker Fraizer Campbell on loan until the turn of the year.
The 20-year-old striker has featured for United's first team side twice this season, as a substitute against Manchester City and Coventry City, and he will hope for more senior action with the Tigers.
City's first team coach, Steve Parkin, told the official Hull website: "I don't think it's any secret that we like Fraizer and he's coming to us from a good club.
"We believe he can do a good job and the important thing for us now is to make him feel very much at home and get him into the fold as quickly as possible. We have a very tight-knit, super group of lads and I'm sure he'll enjoy his time here."
Parkin also revealed that the Tigers have been monitoring Campbell's rapid progress for some time, and he is confident that the pacy forward can be a hit at the KC Stadium.
"We've watched Fraizer over a period of months rather than weeks," said Parkin. "Our chief scout Bob Shaw has seen him on several occasions as have Brian Horton and myself.
"He was also on the television a number of times during Manchester United's pre-season because he played a lot of games.
"I think we're all aware of his ability and what he can bring to us. It's all about giving him the confidence and opportunity to show that, which is something I'm sure we'll do."

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18/10/2007 08:31, Report by Steve Bartram

Owen pushing for return

Owen Hargreaves hopes to finally resume his promising start to life with United against Aston Villa this weekend.
Injuries have restricted the England midfielder to just three appearances since joining from Bayern Munich, but he hopes to finally make his return at Villa Park.
"I hope this is it for me injury-wise. I have missed enough games," Hargreaves told The Sun.
"I've been involved with football for quite a while and know injuries are part of the game, but I've tried to take more precautions as I've got older."
Owen has been out of action with tendonitis since facing Sunderland at the start of September, but an injection in his knee has been widely regarded as a success, hopefully clearing a path for his return.

And, with Michael Carrick still missing with a fractured elbow, Hargreaves' return would be a timely one as United aim to extend a six-game Premier League winning streak.

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18/10/2007 09:02, Report by Steve Bartram

Phil catches Robbo's eye

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson is confident that loan signing Phil Bardsley will be a sound addition to his squad.
The Blades have struggled in the Championship after their controversial relegation from the top flight last term, but Robbo is hopeful that Bardsley bring solidity to his side's backline.
"Phil is a good pro and has come here to perform," Robson told the official Sheffield United website.
"I am confident he will do a good job for us and we are always looking to improve the squad. He also has experience out on-loan after spells at Burnley, Rangers and Aston Villa."
Bardsley has found first team openings limited at Old Trafford, but has already caught his new manager's eye in his short time training with the Blades.
Robson said: "He's fitted in with the lads straight away and he goes straight into contention for Saturday.
"It's important for me that Phil brings the right balance to the back four. He is a specialised full-back and that creates a more defensive sound unit."

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18/10/2007 08:12, Report by Nick Coppack

Reds around Europe

Wayne Rooney was left "gutted" after England threw away a single-goal lead in Moscow last night.

It was Rooney who fired England into a first-half lead with a stunning volley, but Roman Pavluchenko came off the bench to score twice and hand Russia the win. One of those goals came from the penalty spot, after Rooney was adjudged to have fouled Konstantin Zurianov (although replays suggested the offence was outside the area).

England's Euro 2008 hopes now hinge on Israel pinching at least a point off Russia in the next round. Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand will miss Croatia's visit to Wembley Stadium in November after picking up a yellow card in Moscow.

United stars were also in action elsewhere, with Cristiano Ronaldo capping Portugal's unconvincing 2-1 win over Kazakhstan with a 91st minute volley from Nani's cross.

Darren Fletcher returned to action and played a full 90 minutes in Scotland's defeat in Georgia. Fletcher fractured his leg in the Scots' famous victory over France on 12 September but the injury was relatively minor and Sir Alex may now include the 23-year-old in the Reds' squad for Saturday's trip to Villa Park.

Patrice Evra was an unused substitute as France beat Lithuania 2-0, although they needed two late goals from Thierry Henry to do so, while John O'Shea played the full 90 minutes as Republic of Ireland snatched a late equaliser at home to Cyprus.

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Papers: Knight warns Reds
18/10/2007 11:17

Knight: United in for a fight
Zat Knight has warned Manchester United they will be in for a shock when they visit Aston Villa. The defender reckons Martin O'Neill's men are turning Villa Park into a fortress and that they can see off United in the same way they shocked Chelsea. Knight said: "We can get something out of the game and hope to create another upset, like we did against Chelsea a few weeks ago. United are in good form at the moment but they are beatable. We just have to hope we can catch them on a bad day. Playing it at our ground will help as well, as we are trying to turn Villa Park into a fortress."
Andrew Haigh, The Sun
In transfer news, the Daily Mirror claim that Phil Bardsley would be happy to turn his three-month loan at Sheffield United into a permanent transfer, while the Daily Mail tips United to make a £7million bid for Partizan Belgrade striker Stevan Jovetic.
Round up by Steve Bartram

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19/10/2007 14:16, Report by Ben Hibbs

Carry on Giggsy

Ryan Giggs this week signed a new contract to ensure he'll be pulling on the red shirt for another 18 months. But Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Welshman can carry on beyond summer 2009.

That would see Giggs pass his 36th birthday and most likely pass Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s all-time highest appearance-maker.

“We hope Ryan can play for even longer [than the end of his new contract],” said Sir Alex. “He's looked after himself and is an example of professionalism.

“I signed him when he was 14, so he’s coming up for his twentieth year at the club, that’s only a year less than me. It’s absolutely phenomenal that he’s been running up and down the wing for such a long time. It’s amazing.

“He could only have done it by looking after himself and following the procedures of a professional footballer - training properly and living the right lifestyle. You very rarely hear gossip about Ryan in the newspapers, he’s never been a high-flyer.”

And even when Giggs does hang up his boots, there will be a role for him at the club. Contrary to the path taken by recently retired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Giggs may not take up a coaching role.

“It’s our intention that he will stay on at the club,” added Sir Alex. “Players like Ryan, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have played all of their football lives here.

“Ryan is not showing an inclination to stay in the coaching at the moment. But I think all players should prepare to
become a coach. Some players don’t want to stay in the game. Many great players have been the same. But then, all of a sudden, it comes to walking out the door and they have to ask where they are going. They end up falling back into the game.

"I’ve had several players here that have said they’d never be a manager in a million years. But then I hear different and I find myself giving them the call and saying, ‘welcome to hell’. It’s difficult. You maybe don’t want to be a manager. But you’ve had a great playing career and you don’t want to miss the drug. They miss the Saturday morning feeling. That’s what does it for them.”

Sir Alex feels that it is vitally important that United’s great players are fully acknowledged for their services to the club.

“We need to make sure we recognise the deeds of our great players," he said. "There are particular jobs that we need former players to do. Bobby Charlton, for example, is fantastic in his role as an ambassador for the club, as well as his role as a director. The amount of travel he does for the club is incredible.”

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19/10/2007 14:00, Report by Ben Hibbs

Van der Sar ready to return

Edwin van der Sar is hoping to make his comeback from a toe injury against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Dutch goalkeeper, who turns 37 at the end of the month, feels he has overcome the injury that forced him out of the 1-0 win over Birmingham City three weeks ago.

He didn't play for his country in the recent two-week international break, but he believes he is now ready to take over the reins from stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

"My foot feels good," he told the Press Association. "I went away with the national team last week and, in my opinion, I could have played on Saturday. But the progress was not quick enough. There was no point in taking a risk and aggravating it, so I decided not to play and focus on tomorrow's game.

"I'm not worried about it. I have been lucky in my career so far that I have not had many injuries. It is strange to have two weeks without playing a game. Last year, I had a calf injury but that is about it.

"I am looking forward to playing again. When you are injured you have to work harder than when you are fit. That is why everyone wants to get back as quickly as possible to get playing again and feeling part of the team."

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19/10/2007 11:20, Report by Ben Hibbs and Adam Bostock

Boss hopes for birthday boy Vida

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to make Nemanja Vidic's birthday weekend by declaring him fit to face Aston Villa, while Edwin van der Sar has confirmed he could play.

Vidic, 26 on Sunday, was withdrawn from the Wigan game a fortnight ago after just 21 minutes, and he has since missed Serbia's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, the big defender could now return to action in United's trip to the Midlands.

“We don’t have many changes from Wigan. I’m hoping that Vida will be ready,” said the boss at his pre-match press conference.

Van der Sar limped off with a toe injury against Birmingham City, but he is also expected to return at Villa Park. However, the Reds are still without Owen Hargreaves, Gary Neville and Louis Saha. The Frenchman is still troubled by a knee injury, although he could make Tuesday's Champions League match with Dynamo Kyiv.

"Owen isn't ready," said the boss. "We've had to follow the procedures laid out by the doctor that gave him the injection, and part of that means he won't play against Aston Villa. I think after next Saturday (Middlesbrough) we'll be talking about him getting close then.

"Gary is doing very well," he added. "We've already had a few practice matches for him and we're trying to organise another for Wednesday to bring him on a bit. He's very close now. There was no set-back [when he missed the Liverpool Reserve game], it was too early."

Sir Alex happily had no new injuries to report as Rooney, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher and O'Shea all returned fit after playing for their countries in midweek.

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19/10/2007 13:56, Report by Chris McKenna

Reds can't rely on Villa Park record

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping United's excellent record at Villa Park continues on Saturday when the Reds travel to face Aston Villa.
United haven't lost away to Villa since 1995 but Ferguson has warned against complacency and ensured his team will be prepared.
"We have a good record against Villa, we don’t take that for granted and we know were going to have to work," he said.
The Reds got back to scoring ways with their demolition of Wigan at Old Trafford but Sir Alex feels it will be a tighter affair on Saturday.
"It always is tough to go to Villa Park, the interesting thing is when we go to Villa, there is never a lot of goals."
Aston Villa haven't lost at home since the opening day of the season and United's manager admires what Villa boss Martin O'Neill has done so far.
"Martin has done a great job and galvanised that club again, and one of the great respects that you can give to Martin is that he has given young players a go," said Ferguson.
The youth system at United has played a big part in the Reds' recent success and Sir Alex notes O'Neill has taken a keen interest in Villa's younger players.
"There are quite a few young players breaking into that first team at Aston Villa which is very encouraging for the management and very encouraging for the fans."

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19/10/2007 07:25, Report by Steve Bartram

Tevez gets Basile's backing

United striker Carlos Tevez is in buoyant mood after receiving a public vote of confidence from Argentina coach Alfio Basile.
The 23-year-old forward started both of his side's World Cup 2010 qualifying matches but, despite not scoring, Basile has assured the press that Tevez is an automatic choice.
Argentina started their campaign with back-to-back victories over Chile and Venezuela, and after the latter Basile said: "My main forward, at this moment, is Tevez. There are some style differences with other players, but I always field the players I like most."
Tevez was quick to show his appreciation for the gesture, telling Clarin newspaper: "Considering that competition for the starting positions is big because there are a lot of great players in my position, I'm happy, because it's a vote of confidence from the coach.
"To hear the coach say I will be the team's number nine is a bonus for me. It motivates me a lot. It's a very important sign of support to me."
Despite his lack of goals, Tevez insists the team's fortunes take priority over his own.
"To play at number nine you don't have to be big," he said. "You just have to work hard, play well and try to do your best for the team. You cannot think about just scoring. Goals will come. I don't worry - I would worry if the team lose and I don't score, but we've clinched two good results in the opening qualifiers."

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Papers: Tevez number two?
19/10/2007 09:29

Tevez's double
Carlos Tevez's younger brother Miguel has joined Manchester United on a 2½-year deal. Miguel Tevez impressed on his two-week trial at Old Trafford during the international break. Miguel, 17, was brought to boss Alex Ferguson’s attention by his assistant Carlos Queiroz. The midfielder began his career with Argentine side Boca Juniors - his brother’s first club.
Neil Custis, The Sun

United are linked with another 17 year-old in the Daily Mail, namely Macaulay Chrisantus who helped Nigeria to win the recent World Under-17 Championships and has reportedly been the subject of a £1.5m bid from Spurs. The Daily Mirror says Louis Saha has not trained all week and will miss Saturday's trip to Aston Villa. The Mirror's news pages report the 15-month jail sentence handed to Sir Alex Ferguson's assailant at Euston station in London, and show United topping the table for fan arrests in the Premier League.
Round up by Chris McKenna

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20/10/2007 15:56, Report by Ben Hibbs

Report: Aston Villa 1 United 4

United’s excellent form at Villa Park continued with a 4-1 victory characterised by the passing, movement, vision of the Reds' blossoming strike pairing, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

Rooney scored twice, but could have scored double that after seeing a penalty saved and a shot rattle off the crossbar. Tevez was as tenacious as ever but, more importantly, his link-up play crucial to the Reds going forward. Villa, who took the lead through Gabriel Agbonlahor on 13 minutes, ended the match with nine men after Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson both saw red. In truth the match was all but over after United’s three-goal blitz before the break.

Without Vidic, Saha, Hargreaves, Carrick Neville, and with Ronaldo on the bench after suffering a slight knock on international duty, Sir Alex was forced to reshuffle. Anderson was handed only his second league start, while Gerard Pique deputised at right-back as Wes Brown filled in for Vidic.

It took two minutes for United to get the first chance when Scott Carson picked up a backpass from Wilfred Bouma 12 yards out. Rooney teed up Ryan Giggs on the volley, but the Villa wall blocked the effort. A promising start. But Martin O’Neill's side are made of stern stuff and, in contrast to the early run of play, they managed to strike first. Ashley Young’s cross from the left found Agbonlahor with time to glance his header past Edwin van der Sar. There was a hint of offside, as Luke Moore appeared to block van der Sar’s line of sight. But the goal stood.

Undeterred, United piled on the pressure, and chances soon followed. Evra’s cross from the left
allowed Rooney to nod the ball back to Nani, who volleyed just over. Then after 25 minutes United’s intricate passing found a way through. Anderson, Nani, Scholes opened up space for Tevez, whose one-two with Rooney put him through on goal. But Carson was quick off his line and saved with his legs.

The Reds deservedly pulled level after 36 minutes following a low and dangerous Nani cross from the right. It caused indecision in the Villa defence. Zat Knight seemed to think Carson was coming to collect, but also knew that the slightest of touches would send the ball into his own net. Rooney gladly capitalised, nipping in behind Knight and tapping home the equaliser.

The understanding between Rooney and Tevez was the signature of United's first-half performance. Tevez drops under the radar of opposition defences, and he caused all kinds of problems for Villa's defence. Charged with linking midfield with attack, he executed the task perfectly for United’s second goal on 45 minutes. Using Giggs’ run as a decoy, the Argentina international cut inside from the left and carved Villa’s defence wide open with a pass to Rooney. United’s no.10 coolly slotted home his second of the match. It was the perfect time to take the lead. But Sir Alex’s men weren’t finished there. From a corner in injury time, Pique had his header cleared off the line before Craig Gardner volleyed Ferdinand’s rebounded shot in off the bar. It was a dramatic, but utterly deserved, turnaround.

The odds were further stacked in United’s favour during a five-minute spell around the hour mark. First, Rob Styles, perhaps slightly harshly, sent off Nigel Reo-Coker,
whose two bookable offences comprised clumsy rather than malicious tackles on Anderson and Tevez. Then, after Tevez was brought down by Carson whilst clean through on goal, he dismissed the Villa shot-stopper and awarded a penalty. However, substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor made the most of his first touch, saving low and to his right from Rooney’s spot-kick. The English front man’s hat-trick was proving elusive, seconds later he smashed a shot from 12 yards against the bar.

Tevez, who deserved a goal for his efforts, should have scored shortly before being replaced after 73 minutes by Darren Fletcher. He found space in the box and had just Taylor to beat, but the Villa goalkeeper spread himself well to deny Tevez. Taylor would be beaten, however, albeit via a wicked deflection. Giggs danced through the Villa defence from the right flank before seeing his left-footed shot cannon off Martin Laursen and beyond Taylor to complete the win. Villa Park remains one of United’s favoured grounds on the Premier League circuit, and a performance of this quality so soon after an international break bodes well.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Pique, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Scholes (O'Shea, 77), Giggs (Ronaldo, 77); Tevez (Fletcher, 73), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Simpson.

Aston Villa: Carson (sent off, 66, Taylor on); Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Gardner (Osbourne, 54); Barry, Reo-Coker (sent off, 60), Young, Agbonlahor, Moore (Maloney, 54).
Subs not used: Davies, Petrov.

Barclays Premier League
Villa Park, Sat 20 October

ASTON VILLA 1
Agbonlahor (13)

MANCHESTER UNITED 4
Rooney (36, 44), Ferdinand (45), Giggs (75)

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20/10/2007 15:59, Report by Chris McKenna

Boss: Our best display so far

Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's forwards have really hit form after the Reds scored four goals for the second game running.

Speaking after United demolished Aston Villa 4-1 in their "best performance of the season", the boss acknowledged it had taken a while for his forward line to click into gear.
"I think there's been a disappointment that we haven't scored more goals," said Sir Alex.

"That's a big surprise considering the players we have but Tevez and Anderson missed pre-season so it took them a while to get the fitness needed at this level. Rooney missed the first four games of the season and Ronaldo was suspended, so it's understandable."

Sir Alex believes the goal-shy start to the campaign is well and truly behind United.
"We are delighted, the performance in particular was absolutely superb and I think it's probably our best of the season," he said.

Villa were reduced to nine men when midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and goalkeeper Scott Carson were sent off. Sir Alex backed both decisions by referee Rob Styles but denied they were decisive moments in the game.
"I don’t think the red cards made a difference to the scoreline but they did give us an easier task. Reo-Coker was unlucky, but he committed two bookable offences as they were both late tackles. You can't afford to do that in the modern game.

"As for Carson being sent off (for bringing down Tevez), there is a lot of sympathy in that situation but the letter of the law says he has to go."

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20/10/2007 20:09, Report by Chris McKenna

Wayne enjoys winning tonic

Wayne Rooney bounced back from his midweek woe with England to score two goals against Villa but insisted United's win was the real morale-booster.

"It's been a disappointing week for England but at United we've got a good run of form going," Rooney told MUTV.

"The main thing is we got the three points. We had seen all the results today before we played and we knew we had to win. It was a good professional performance today."

Rooney is pleased that his partnership with Carlos Tevez has started to work well.
"I can play as the one going in behind and looking for the ball, and he can do the same so we can switch," says Wayne. "It's quite easy to play up front with him, he's a great, intelligent player."

Rooney also admired how United's Premier League newcomers Nani and Anderson performed against Villa.

"They’ve come in today and done really well, a lot of people don’t realise how young they are," said Wayne.

"They’ve got great confidence and belief. I think they were great."

United's number ten could have capped a great day for himself with a hat-trick but his second-half penalty was saved by Villa's substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

"I take penalties in training and normally I just smash them," he added. "But I don't know what happened with that one."

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20/10/2007 15:42, Report by Adam Bostock

Eight straight for Arsenal

Arsenal claimed their eighth consecutive win in the Barclays Premier League with a hard-fought home victory over Bolton.

Kolo Toure eventually broke the deadlock against the Trotters, who were under the temporary charge of Archie Knox, a former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. Tomas Rosicky then made sure of the points as the Gunners preserved their 100 per cent home record. Their next visitors? United on 3 November.

Manchester City are third thanks to their fourth 1-0 win at Eastlands this season, against Birmingham City. Liverpool are perhaps fortunate to be fourth after coming back from 1-0 down to win at Everton with Dirk Kuyt's injury time spot-kick, awarded for handball by ex-United player Phil Neville who was sent off. The Toffeemen also had Tony Hibbert dismissed for a foul on Steven Gerrard, prior to Kuyt's first penalty.


Chelsea also won away, beating United's next league opponents Middlesbrough 2-0 with an early goal from Didier Drogba and a second-half addition by Alex.

Avram Grant's side are still below Blackburn Rovers who were impressive 4-2 winners over Reading. Rovers scored three goals in a 14-minute spell in the first half, through Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz and Tugay. McCarthy later grabbed a second goal from the penalty spot while Kevin Doyle replied for Reading with his double.

Portsmouth are above both Blackburn and Chelsea on goal difference after winning 2-0 at Wigan with late strikes by Benjani Mwaruwari and Glen Johnson.

Finally, Fulham's disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Derby County enabled the Rams to climb off the bottom with six points to Bolton's five.

TeamPGDPTS1 Arsenal9+15252 Man Utd10+12233 Man City10+8224 Liverpool9+11195 Portsmouth10+7186 Blackburn9+518
Results - 20 October
Arsenal 2-0 Bolton
Aston Villa 1-4 Man Utd
Blackburn 4-2 Reading
Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Fulham 0-0 Derby
Man City 1-0 Birmingham
Middlesbro 0-2 Chelsea
Wigan 0-2 Portsmouth