Gooner Lad » Manchester United

I can only get better says Nicklas Bendtner

goonerlad — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:58:04 +0000

Gunner striker Nicklas Bendtner believes he can only get better after coming through his own injury hell

The Denmark international made what was only his second appearance since a three-month lay-off after groin surgery in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Emirates Stadium, which put a massive dent in Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League title hopes.

Manager Arsene Wenger did not move to replace injured forward Robin van Persie during the transfer window, instead placing his faith in the likes of fit-again Bendtner and England international Theo Walcott.

Bendtner, who turned 22 last month, has endured a difficult campaign so far this season, having escaped a car crash with only minor injuries last September.

Chris Smalling signed by Manchester United – Wenger too slow

goonerlad — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:13:18 +0000

Just a quickie: Manchester United have signed Chris Smalling from Fulham after having a bid accepted by the Cottagers this morning. Arsenal were also in the running but their offer was turned down. Arsene Wenger hinted that the race wasn’t over a few hours hours ago but the United outfit moved quicker and have now wrapped up the deal.

Ferguson snaps up young Senegalese star

goonerlad — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:42:22 +0000

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has snapped up Senegalese striker Biram Diouf from Norwegian club Molde, despite hinting last week that he had concluded his summer spending. The 21-year-old, will arrive in Manchester next week to take a medical but will immediately be loaned back to his current club until the end of the Norwegian season in January.

Averaging a goal every other game for Molde, Diouf is known to have impressed several clubs around Europe with Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Feyenoord and Red Bull Salzburg all linked with the striker in August 2008.

“We signed a young player yesterday from Norway, who we’ve been looking at for two years,” Sir Alex Ferguson told the club’s official website.

More here at Sport.co.uk

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Van Persie to Man Utd?

goonerlad — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:47:25 +0000

Gunner striker Robin van Persie is being tracked by Manchester United, according to The Sun newspaper.
Also interested in the 25-year-old who has just one year left on his contract is Inter Milan.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has suggested in the recent past that he’s not averse to selling to Premier League rivals if the price is right, but do you think his policy is correct?

Would you rather sell van Persie to Inter Milan at a bargain price, or would you sell to the highest bidder even if it happened to be Manchester United?

Darren Fletcher Red Card Fate Decided on Monday

goonerlad — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:22:30 +0000

Darren Fletcher will find out on Monday whether he will be able to play in the Champions League final after Uefa agreed to consider a letter of appeal from Manchester United against the Scotland midfielder’s dismissal in the semi-final, second leg against Arsenal on Tuesday. But Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, does not expect the appeal to succeed.

Fletcher was shown a red card for a challenge on Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, but United have written to the governing body to claim that the sending-off – which rules him out of the final against Barcelona in Rome on May 27 – was incorrect on the grounds that Fletcher made contact with the ball before he touched Fabregas.

Read the full story here at Times Online

It was over before it started: Wenger

goonerlad — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:04:03 +0000

After losing 3-1 to Manchester United last night, manager Arsene Wenger admitted that the tie was over before the match had really started.

United had scored 2 goals in the first 10 minutes after mistakes from Kieran Gibbs and Manuel Almunia, with Ronaldo capping off the perfect United performance with another goal in the second half.

Despite the early setbacks, Arsenal never really looked like scoring against a well-organised United defence over the two legs and keeper Edwin van der Sar was never really tested.

Wenger said: “The most disappointing thing tonight is that we don’t feel like we’ve played the Semi-Final of the Champions League because we were out of it after 10 minutes.

Read the full post here at: Arsenal Mania

Fergie sets goal target in battle with Gunners

goonerlad — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:05:18 +0000

SIR ALEX FERGUSON will order his Manchester United team to go for goals as they look to secure a place in the Champions League final at Arsenal tonight.

Despite dominating the first leg at Old Trafford last week, United travel to the Emirates Stadium with just a single-goal advantage.

Crucially, however, they did not concede a precious away goal, meaning that if they do score against Arsene Wenger’s men, the Gunners would need three to set up a meeting with either Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome on May 27.

As United have not conceded that many since their semi-final hammering by AC Milan at the San Siro two years ago, it seems an unlikely scenario. Hence the manager’s call for Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and company to find the net.

“We have to go there with the intent of trying to score,” said Ferguson, “The important thing is to have a threat and, hopefully, we manage it. “We have the ability to score and if we can it would put us in a very strong position.”

United’s position in what Ferguson believes will be an “engrossing game” is strengthened by the likely availability of Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.

The defensive duo were both rated doubtful at one point.

However, Ferdinand has shrugged off the rib injury suffered in the first-leg and the bruised lung that forced him to cough up blood in the home dressing room at Old Trafford. Evra should be fit, despite missing training yesterday with a leg injury. United are bidding to become the first club to defend the Champions League in its modern form.

“There is nothing I don’t know about Arsenal and there is nothing they don’t know about us,” said Ferguson. There is nothing you can hide.

“The challenges and clashes we have had with Arsenal in the past don’t reach the proportion of this one. “If we got the away goal, Arsenal have got to score three, and that is an advantage. But it will be a tight game. Wenger feels the Emirates crowd can prove “vital” in Arsenal’s quest to overturn United.

“They will be vital,” the Arsenal manager said. “It was one of the loudest Old Traffords I have seen.

“That was because Champions League semi-finals are maybe the most difficult games and most important games for everybody as you are 90 minutes from the final.

“We have the opportunity to put that pressure onto them, and certainly our fans will contribute to that.”

By Hugh MacDonald

Source: Evening Times