Last edited by beavis; 11-03-2012 at 10:17.
Everton sign Gibson
Everton have confirmed the signing of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson.
The Republic of Ireland international, 24-year-old, has signed a 4-and-a-half-year contract at Goodison Park and joins for an undisclosed fee.
Reports suggest that the deal is worth in the region of £2 million.
Gibson was a product of the United academy and made his debut in a Carling Cup tie against Barnet in October 2005.
He departs Old Trafford having made 31 Premier League appearances, scoring 3 times.
Gibson failed to agree a move to Sunderland last summer and has been restricted to only 2 appearances this season.
He was also involved in a night out with Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans over Christmas that angered manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Some advice from Rooney helped convince midfielder Gibson to move to Goodison Park.
"I was speaking to Wayne about it a bit and after that and coming to see the facilities it was an easy decision", Gibson, who is in the squad to face Aston Villa on Saturday, told local radio reporters.
"He told me it was a great club and he really enjoyed his time and the people here."
"Having a word with him and people like Tim Cahill and Phil Neville convinced me to come."
Reds duo could depart
Sir Alex has confirmed that there could be a couple more outgoing moves before the end of the transfer window.
In an exclusive interview with MUTV, the boss admits that he hopes to loan out Mame Biram Diouf and appreciates 'keeper Tomasz Kuszczak needs regular football.
Diouf's winner on Friday against Stockport means he is the leading goalscorer at Reserves level this season, with 9 goals in 9 games, while Kuszczak has slipped behind Ben Amos in the pecking order and only featured 3 times for Warren Joyce's side.
"I'd still like for Diouf to go out on loan", stated Sir Alex.
"It would probably do him the world of good."
"Kuszczak needs to get football. I'm surprised nobody's actually come in for Tomasz."
Ferguson ticks off Rooney
POZE MECI
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he expects better from Wayne Rooney.
The Manchester United striker missed from the penalty spot during his side's 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, prompting a ticking off from his boss.
Trotters goalkeeper Adam Bogdan saved the England striker's first half spot kick although Rooney did have a hand in 2 of the 3 goals as he assisted strikes from Paul Scholes and Danny Welbeck.
The former Everton man scored 2 in the FA Cup victory over rivals Manchester City last weekend, yet despite admitting the 26-year-old "had his moments" against Bolton, Sir Alex is adamant Rooney can improve.
"Wayne had his moments but he can do better", he told The Daily Mail.
"I think missing the penalty kick maybe upset him a little bit. But it's a good punishment."
The victory over Owen Coyle's side moves United level on points with City at the top of the Premier League table although Roberto Mancini's men can pull 3 points clear again on Monday when they face Wigan Athletic.
Ferguson hopeful of Rooney return
Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful attacking duo Wayne Rooney and Nani will be available for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea this Sunday.
The pair has missed United's last 2 games - the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Liverpool and their 2-0 win over Stoke City on Tuesday.
But Ferguson is optimistic Rooney and Nani could be available for their crucial trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend, as well as long-term absentee Ashley Young.
"We're hopeful Wayne Rooney, Nani and possibly Ashley Young will be fit for Sunday", Ferguson told MUTV.
Lindegaard sidelined for United
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard will miss up to 6 weeks with an ankle injury.
Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea is expected to take over, if he's fit for Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge.
Ben Amos is also vying for a spot after the 21-year-old made his Premier League debut in United's 2-0 win at home to Stoke City on Tuesday.
Out-of-favour Tomasz Kuszczak is not believed to be an option Ferguson will consider, as the Polish 'keeper has committed to leaving the club at the end of the season.
"Young will return recharged"
Sir Alex Ferguson is banking on Ashley Young returning to the sort of form he displayed at the start of the season for Manchester United.
The June acquisition from Aston Villa has been impressing in training after recovering from the ankle problem he sustained against Fulham in December.
The manager admits that Young was starting to look a little tired at the time of the injury and may well have been rested in any case.
Returning fresh and fully recharged, the winger should be capable of injecting pace and energy to the team at a crucial stage of the campaign.
"When Ashley got his injury at Fulham it was just at a point when his game was starting to shade a little bit because his early form was fantastic and we were really pleased with him", said Sir Alex.
"But there was just a couple of games before his injury when it looked as if we were ready to give him a break anyway."
"It was an enforced one and he is really fresh now. His training performances for the last 2 weeks have been really good."
"It is good to have players back because we have, in fairness to the players who have been carrying the burden of limited resources, done fantastically well."
"The only pressure when you get your full squad is on me picking the team now. That is the biggest pressure when you get them all back, who do you play and who do you leave out? It is not going to be easy."
I'll be back
Cleverley back to face Liverpool
Tom Cleverley is set to return to action for the first time since October in Saturday's crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.
The midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the 1-0 win at Everton on 29 October but is ready to make his comeback against Kenny Dalglish's side.
Cleverley was due to play in the Reserves' postponed clash with Chelsea at the start of the week and he was not selected for Thursday's Manchester Senior Cup defeat to Man City, leading to speculation he would be involved in the first team this weekend.
Chris Smalling could also take his place in defence after missing the Chelsea draw with a knock, but Phil Jones will only be back for the Europa League trip to Ajax next week.
"There's not much change on the injury front for us", Sir Alex added.
"I think Smalling could be available, but all the rest is as it was last Sunday."
"Phil Jones got a knock against Manchester City, which he never quite recovered from. He'll be fit for next week. He'll be fit for the Ajax game."
Valencia out for a month
Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia will miss next Thursday's Europa League round of 32 second leg against Ajax at Old Trafford after being ruled out for a month with a hamstring problem.
Valencia, 26-year-old, sustained the injury in the build-up to Javier Hernandez's 85th-minute goal during Thursday's 2-0 first leg victory in Amsterdam and will also sit out key Premier League fixtures against Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur.
"He has a hamstring injury unfortunately", said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after the match at the Amsterdam ArenA.
"It will be 4 weeks. It's a blow to lose Valencia, but bit by bit we are getting stronger with Nani and Ashley coming back."
"Tom Cleverley has played a bit of football and Phil Jones has played a full game which is good for us. Chris Smalling was on the bench but will play in the return match at Old Trafford on Thursday."
Nani contract discussions open
Manchester United have opened talks with winger Luis Nani as they look to tie him down to a 4-year contract, according to a report.
Despite having 2 years yet to run on his current contract, the new deal would reportedly see Nani's basic wage rise to a reported £130.000 per week, The Sun have reported.
The increase would see him join the same bracket as Old Trafford's highest earners and cement his place as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's key men.
The winger, 24-year-old, has been in inspired form this season and Ferguson seems confident that the Portugal international can surpass his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo's achievements and become a United legend.
Despite an unconvincing start to life in England, the £18 million signing from Sporting Lisbon has improved rapidly since 2007, and was last year voted player's Player of the Year at United.
Evans hails De Gea progress
Jonny Evans believes goalkeeper David de Gea is gaining in confidence after a string of impressive performances.
De Gea has impressed in recent weeks during matches against Ajax, Liverpool and Chelsea and team-mate Evans feels the former Atletico Madrid man can only continue to improve.
Evans told reporters: "Now his presence is building. The language barrier is being broken down and he is coming out of his shell a bit".
"He has a joke now and is not afraid of getting involved in some of the dressing room chat. That is settling him down."
The Northern Ireland international also suggested De Gea had actually benefited from the language barrier during the first half of the season, shielding him from criticism which followed some high-profile errors.
"Probably it was a good thing David couldn't speak English at the start", Evans said.
"It seemed like he was coming into training and nothing was affecting him. He was just getting on with his game."
"But it was because he couldn't read or understand what was going on around him. Overall, that was probably better."
Evans spoke highly of his team-mate's abilities and believes he has shown real character in recent weeks after a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
"David had a big price tag when he came to us during the summer", he said.
"People had these huge expectations. From day one, his shot stopping has been unbelievable. He pulls off saves that are amazing."
"He just needed a bit of confidence. I am sure everyone at Manchester United has been through stages when it has not gone well. Then it is down to your character to pull you through."
"We have underperformed in Europe"
Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that Manchester United had a bad season in European football.
The Red Devils were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages and have struggled to beat teams on home soil in continental matches.
The side's 3-2 loss at Old Trafford against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night in the last 16 of the Europa League was another hiccup in a tough campaign for Ferguson's men.
"We had a bad year in Europe", the veteran boss said after the defeat.
"We conceded 3 against Basel, 2 against Benfica, another 3 against Bilbao and 2 to Ajax. That tells its own story."
"Maybe it is just one of those years where we are having to re-stock and assess how we should approach games at home."
Cleverley could return
Tom Cleverley is likely to return for United's Barclays Premier League clash against West Bromwich while Anderson offers another midfield option to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cleverley has been training this week and is in contention for a place after injuring his ankle in the home game against Ajax. Anderson came on in the 61st minute of the loss to Athletic Bilbao as a replacement for Ji-sung Park after being out since the FA Cup victory at Manchester City.
"I think Tom will be involved", Sir Alex told MUTV's Countdown to kick-off.
"Obviously the problem when you have players out for such a long time is when you can get them back into the fray."
"For instance, Ando played for half an hour and it was a good half-hour for him as he'd not played for 2 months."
In updating the team news for Sunday, the manager also confirmed Chris Smalling could struggle to be fit in time after opening up a head wound on Thursday.
"We'll have to look at that issue and see what the problem is", he added.
"I imagine he'll be doubtful for Sunday but I think everyone else is ok."
Ryan Giggs has labelled former AC Milan and Italy defender Paolo Maldini a "legend" after defying critics to succeed for 25 years.
The Welshman broke Maldini's appearance record for playing at a single European club when he made his 903rd appearance for Manchester United against Fulham, but the 38-year-old has been quick to praise the impact that the Italian defender had on football.
"Paolo Maldini is a legend. He played at the highest level for 25 years", Giggs told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I ask myself why a person like Maldini, who has so much experience, still hasn't got an important role in football?"
"I remember that during EURO 1996, people said that Maldini was old, but yet his career lasted until 2009."
Giggs has been in good form so far this season, scoring 2 league goals in 19 appearances and helping to guide his side to the top of the Premier League with 8 games left in the fight to retain the title.
Blackburn Rovers vs Man United preview
Blackburn Rovers will be hoping history repeats itself when they host English Premier League leaders Manchester United on Monday.
Rovers recorded a shock 3-2 win against United at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve, but currently sit 3 points clear of the relegation zone following their loss to Bolton Wanderers last week.
United on the other hand have won their last 6 Premier League starts and lead local rivals Manchester City by 3 points on top of the table.
With 8 games remaining, Mexican forward Javier Hernandez knows the equation is simple for United, who, along with City, have bowed out of all cup competitions this season.
"It's a part of the season that all the players want to be involved in", Hernandez told ESPN.
"It's a long season so these final few games are more emotional for everyone, but we have a big chance to win the Premier League again."
Rovers have won 3 and lost just one of their last 5 games at home, while United are aiming for their first win at Ewood Park since October 2008.
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