March 27th, 2013 at 1:00 PM
By Glenn HamiltonManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants his team to target a record points total for this season. United currently sit 15 points ahead of nearest rival Manchester City with nine games left.
Chelsea currently hold the record for highest points total (95) in the 2004-05 season and Ferguson would be delighted if his team could beat that record. To achieve it, United would have to win seven more matches to equal Chelsea's record and could finish the season with 101 points if they win their remaining Premier League fixtures.
Ferguson would consider that a fantastic season which would see United crowned for the 20th time and set a record for most points that would not be easily matched in the future. United have certainly, thus far, put the bad memories of last season's final day behind them. Aided by the summer capture of Robin van Persie, United could be looking at a very successful season.
Read more... Join the Conversation... March 26th, 2013 at 12:00 PM
By Glenn HamiltonSir Alex Ferguson has admitted he is shocked at how many points Manchester United are ahead of their nearest rivals this season. United have a 15 point lead in the Premier League with only nine games left to play.
The United manager expected a much tougher test this season after losing the league on goal difference last May. United set out to make sure that did not happen again but the amount of distance they have put themselves in front by this season was a welcome surprise. Every season in the Premier League is expected to be a tight affair with at least two teams very close to eachother for the title but United's lead may be unreachable for nearest rivals Manchester City as they would have to claw a 15 point advantage back in nine games. United's goal difference is superior as well so City potentially would need 16 points to be named champions.
Speaking to Sirius XM, Ferguson said, "With Manchester City coming on the scene in the last couple of years, and Chelsea and Arsenal and Tottenham, you have teams vying for that top four position. I expected it to be really tight. The first point was that, after last season, we wanted to make sure we didn't lose it on goal difference, and that has improved markedly. But I never thought we would be 15 points clear at this stage of the season."
Read more... Join the Conversation... March 24th, 2013 at 2:00 PM
By Glenn HamiltonFrustrated Manchester United midfielder Anderson is reported to want a move away from the Old Trafford club in order to increase his first team chances. The Brazilian is worried that a lack of first team appearances will hurt his chances of playing for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.
Anderson has not been able to hold down a first team position since joining the Red Devils and after his chances have been few and far between again this season, the Brazilian wants a summer move away from the club. Goal.com reports that the midfielder is frustrated at his lack of opportunities and wishes to play for his country in next summer's World Cup. A number of South American clubs are reportedly interested in Anderson and his former club Porto may also be interested in bringing him back on loan.
The loan deal for Anderson scenario may appeal most to United who do not believe that the amount they want for the player will be matched. Sir Alex Ferguson may yet hold hopes for Anderson and may favor a loan spell for the midfielder so he can get first team experience with the possible intention of bringing him back.
Read more... Join the Conversation... March 22nd, 2013 at 2:00 PM
By Glenn HamiltonSir Alex Ferguson was fined by UEFA on Friday for failing to hold a post match interview with the media after Manchester United's loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Scot was fined $13,000 by the European football governing body after he was left infuriated over the referee's decision to show Nani a red card.
Real Madrid were able to score two quick goals after Nani's controversial sending off, a turn of events that left Ferguson enraged at referee Cuneyt Cakir. Real were able to use their man advantage to eliminate United at the second round and move ahead to the quarterfinals. The red card made Ferguson all the more irate given that the Red Devils were 1-0 up at the time of the offense.
Champions League rules state that the clubs have to make their managers available for comments within 20 minutes after a match has completed. As it was, Ferguson sent his assistant coach Mike Phelan to conduct all interviews with the press and explained to the media that Ferguson was too distraught to speak.
Read more... Join the Conversation... March 21st, 2013 at 12:00 PM
By Glenn HamiltonDays after Rio Ferdinand was called up to the England squad and pulled out, the Manchester United defender is flying out to Qatar to follow a pre-planned fitness routine. Ferdinand has been met with criticism for his decision to pull out of the England team after bemoaning Roy Hodgson's decision to omit him for the Euro tournament last summer, but the defender has continually cited his strict fitness plan with United as the reason.
Ferdinand will fly to Qatar to train at the Aspire Academy in Doha which is a pre-planned trip set forth by United to ensure the defender stays fit for the remainder of the season. Ferdinand will also take part as a guest pundit for the England versus San Marino match on Al Jazeera television. Ferdinand has pointed out that his plans to travel to Qatar is no different from the last international break.
After having a well publicized dispute with fellow England defender John Terry over alleged racial comments issued to his brother Anton last season, Hodgson controversially left the United center back out of the England squad in the Euro 2012 tournament. Ferdinand was upset by the snub but remained open to a future call up. The recent call from Hodgson came as a surprise for Ferdinand and United but given his recent excellent form, Hodgson could not risk not calling the defender to his team.
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