Date Home - Away
13/05 v Wigan (A)
Man United, Barcelona protests not admitted
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body today rejected the protests of Manchester United FC regarding the suspension of Darren Fletcher, and FC Barcelona regarding the suspension of Eric Abidal and the yellow card of Daniel Alves.
Fletcher decision
The Control and Disciplinary Body decided not to admit the protest submitted by Manchester United in relation to midfielder Darren Fletcher's red card in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal FC.
Suspensions to serve
Similarly the Control and Disciplinary Body did not admit Barcelona's protest against the red card of Eric Abidal and the caution of fellow defender Daniel Alves in the semi-final second leg against Chelsea FC. All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their bans when Barcelona meet Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May.
Deadline
In reaching its decision, the Control and Disciplinary Body concluded (i) that the protests had not been submitted within the required 24-hour deadline of a match for filing protests – as specified in the disciplinary regulations – and (ii) that even if they had been admitted they would have been rejected as unfounded as there were no grounds for contesting the referees' original decisions. The decisions of the Control and Disciplinary Body can be appealed within three days of the dispatch of the written decision.
Darren Fletcher's hopes
The United midfielder was sent off in the second leg of the semi-final victory over Arsenal, by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti. The Reds submitted a protest against the dismissal, but the Control and Disciplinary Body today decided not to admit this protest.
Similarly, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body did not admit Barcelona's protests against the sending off of left-back Eric Abidal and the yellow card shown to right-back Daniel Alves during their semi-final second leg match against Chelsea. They, like Fletcher, will now serve a one-match suspension covering the final.
A United spokesman said, "Darren is an honest player and we felt we should do what we could to try and help him become eligible for the Champions League final by initially protesting his dismissal.
"While we have great sympathy for Darren, we respect UEFA's decision not to admit the protest and we will therefore not be appealing against today's ruling."
Similarly, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body did not admit Barcelona's protests against the sending off of left-back Eric Abidal and the yellow card shown to right-back Daniel Alves during their semi-final second leg match against Chelsea. They, like Fletcher, will now serve a one-match suspension covering the final.
A United spokesman said, "Darren is an honest player and we felt we should do what we could to try and help him become eligible for the Champions League final by initially protesting his dismissal.
"While we have great sympathy for Darren, we respect UEFA's decision not to admit the protest and we will therefore not be appealing against today's ruling."
Ji-sung Park says he wants to win every game from now until the end of the season
The South Korean, who’s scored in two of the last three fixtures, is determined to get his hands on the Barclays Premier League trophy this Saturday when the Reds meet Arsenal at Old Trafford.
For that to happen, United must beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night and take at least a point off the Gunners.
“I’m confident we’ll win the title,” Park told ManUtd.kr. “One win and one draw is enough for us but I want to win the rest of our games, starting at Wigan.
“No other team has a match on Wednesday – it’s our game in hand – so after we play there we’ll all have played 36 times. It’s a great opportunity to put a bigger gap between us and the other teams.”
The Reds’ winger played his part in the Reds’ most recent win, in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Park played an hour and even had an early opportunity to put the Reds ahead.
“I know I had a chance to score and that would been great, but I’m happy with the result. It’s always special to play in the derby and to win 2-0 was very good.”
For that to happen, United must beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night and take at least a point off the Gunners.
“I’m confident we’ll win the title,” Park told ManUtd.kr. “One win and one draw is enough for us but I want to win the rest of our games, starting at Wigan.
“No other team has a match on Wednesday – it’s our game in hand – so after we play there we’ll all have played 36 times. It’s a great opportunity to put a bigger gap between us and the other teams.”
The Reds’ winger played his part in the Reds’ most recent win, in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Park played an hour and even had an early opportunity to put the Reds ahead.
“I know I had a chance to score and that would been great, but I’m happy with the result. It’s always special to play in the derby and to win 2-0 was very good.”
United moved to within four points of an 18th championship success with a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, and the Reds’ game in ha
Let’s face it - there is no shortage of contenders. Among the glut of superstars at the Theatre of Dreams, cases can easily be made for PFA Player of the Year Giggsy, our record-breaking stopper Edwin Van der Sar (surely nearly 24 hours of top flight football without conceding deserves some recognition!) and Nemanja Vidic, the solid Serbian rock in the heart of our defence.
But my top dog of 2008/09 is a precocious talent whose indisputable love of the game leads me to believe he would be happy with any position on the park as long as it meant he could kick a football for 90 minutes. That man goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.
United fans love a player who embodies the battling spirit that we all know we would at least try to demonstrate, if Sir Alex ever handed us the opportunity to grace the hallowed turf of Old Trafford. A player who, when the going gets tough, is willing to run that little bit faster, jump that little bit higher and tackle that little bit harder.
But it is not just this steely determination and insatiable desire to win that makes Wayne Rooney such an impressive specimen; it is that he combines these attributes with flair, skill and outstanding vision.
This season, particularly in the latter stages, Rooney has been pushed out to the left wing in a move that has drawn accusations of ‘wasting his talent’ from outsiders. But those who regularly watch United know that Wayne is capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck, wherever he plays.
Yes, he should perhaps score more goals and yes, I do still panic slightly when he loses the ball and the red mist appears to descend, but his ability to change the game in an instant and to drive the team from start to finish, is unquestionable.
United's player of the year award is named after Sir Matt Busby and Wayne perfectly represents the youthful exuberance and sheer excellence that so characterised Sir Matt’s sides. That’s why Wayne gets my vote.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
But my top dog of 2008/09 is a precocious talent whose indisputable love of the game leads me to believe he would be happy with any position on the park as long as it meant he could kick a football for 90 minutes. That man goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.
United fans love a player who embodies the battling spirit that we all know we would at least try to demonstrate, if Sir Alex ever handed us the opportunity to grace the hallowed turf of Old Trafford. A player who, when the going gets tough, is willing to run that little bit faster, jump that little bit higher and tackle that little bit harder.
But it is not just this steely determination and insatiable desire to win that makes Wayne Rooney such an impressive specimen; it is that he combines these attributes with flair, skill and outstanding vision.
This season, particularly in the latter stages, Rooney has been pushed out to the left wing in a move that has drawn accusations of ‘wasting his talent’ from outsiders. But those who regularly watch United know that Wayne is capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck, wherever he plays.
Yes, he should perhaps score more goals and yes, I do still panic slightly when he loses the ball and the red mist appears to descend, but his ability to change the game in an instant and to drive the team from start to finish, is unquestionable.
United's player of the year award is named after Sir Matt Busby and Wayne perfectly represents the youthful exuberance and sheer excellence that so characterised Sir Matt’s sides. That’s why Wayne gets my vote.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
Patrice Evra
United moved to within four points of an 18th championship success with a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, and the Reds’ game in hand in midweek could send Sir Alex’s men six points clear of second-placed Liverpool.
“We’re nearly there,” Patrice told MUTV. “If we win against Wigan, it will be very important for winning the title. But it’s not finished yet. Now we need a good recovery before we play our next game.
“We have a Champions League final to look forward to, but we have to put that to the back of our minds and concentrate on the league.
“The win against City was very important for the team. When you play in the league after playing in the European Cup, that can be tough. It’s the Manchester derby and we are all very happy, it was an important three points. Liverpool won and went top yesterday, so we knew we had to do our job.”
Evra is close friends with Carlos Tevez, and with all the speculation surrounding the Argentinian’s future at United, Patrice was pleased to see his team-mate play well and get on the scoresheet.
“It was very crucial for the team to get the second goal just before half time,” he said. “Carlitos is a world-class player and he showed his quality. You could tell City felt a bit down after that goal. I am very pleased for Carlitos. Whenever he plays, he respects the shirt of Manchester United. He is a great professional.”
“We’re nearly there,” Patrice told MUTV. “If we win against Wigan, it will be very important for winning the title. But it’s not finished yet. Now we need a good recovery before we play our next game.
“We have a Champions League final to look forward to, but we have to put that to the back of our minds and concentrate on the league.
“The win against City was very important for the team. When you play in the league after playing in the European Cup, that can be tough. It’s the Manchester derby and we are all very happy, it was an important three points. Liverpool won and went top yesterday, so we knew we had to do our job.”
Evra is close friends with Carlos Tevez, and with all the speculation surrounding the Argentinian’s future at United, Patrice was pleased to see his team-mate play well and get on the scoresheet.
“It was very crucial for the team to get the second goal just before half time,” he said. “Carlitos is a world-class player and he showed his quality. You could tell City felt a bit down after that goal. I am very pleased for Carlitos. Whenever he plays, he respects the shirt of Manchester United. He is a great professional.”
Tevez
Spurs are fighting Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid to land Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian striker believes his time is up at Manchester United but wishes to stay in the Premier League. Sources close to Tevez have told SunSport that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp loves the player so much he will try to buy him from his owners for around £25million. Wheeler-dealer Redknapp is planning a major clearout at White Hart Lane in a bid to raise substantial funds for new players. He wants rid of Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, England attacker Darren Bent and midfielder David Bentley - and will also consider offers for others. Redknapp can guarantee Tevez first-team football and is convinced the popular striker would be a major hit in North London.
Shaun Custis, The Sun
The Mirror and the Mail both report how United’s 2-0 derby win over Manchester City was marred by the joint “mutiny” of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘Strop stars spoil United’s derby day delight’ was the Mail's headline.
However, The Guardian reports that Sir Alex Ferguson was unfazed by the duo's behaviour. The United manager said he had “no problem” with Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted and also insisted he has no issue with Tevez going public with his grievances: “Not at all, if he keeps scoring I’ve got no problem.”
Shaun Custis, The Sun
The Mirror and the Mail both report how United’s 2-0 derby win over Manchester City was marred by the joint “mutiny” of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘Strop stars spoil United’s derby day delight’ was the Mail's headline.
However, The Guardian reports that Sir Alex Ferguson was unfazed by the duo's behaviour. The United manager said he had “no problem” with Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted and also insisted he has no issue with Tevez going public with his grievances: “Not at all, if he keeps scoring I’ve got no problem.”
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