Mixed fortunes for Euro Reds

United winger Zoran Tosic played over an hour for Serbia on Tuesday but could not prevent his side crashing out of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship at the group stage.

Much-fancied Serbia had two men sent off as they went down 3-1 to hosts Sweden, with all the goals coming in the first half in Malmo.

The result consigned Tosic's side to third place in Group A, while second-placed Sweden booked a date with England in the semi-finals on Friday.

Reds striker Fraizer Campbell got an hour of action for Stuart Pearce's side as they secured top spot in Group B with a 1-1 draw against Germany on Monday, Everton youngster Jack Rodwell grabbing the goal.

The draw meant Germany finished above tournament favourites Spain to seal a place in the other semi-final, where they will face Group A winners Italy.

Report by James Tuck

08/09 Review: Fletcher

While Darren Fletcher is far too modest to expect to be the first name on the team sheet, he graduated in 2008/09 from big-game mastermind (specialist subject Arsenal) to a player who made a bucketload of starts in central midfield…

Start to finish: My, how the Reds were in debt to Fletch as the title defence stuttered into gear back in August. The Scot scored United’s first two goals to secure a point against Newcastle on the opening day and a tricky win down at Portsmouth on the following Bank Holiday Monday. A third league strike of the season added another point to the tally in that ‘game of two halves’ at Goodison in October, but it was Fletcher’s tireless running, flawless chasing down and chasing back, and thrusts forward in support of his team-mates that characterised a season ill-deserving of its cruelly curtailed finish.

In position: In early season, with Ronaldo out injured after Euro 2008, Fletch was picked to play right midfield, a position he frequently filled in 2003/04 after David Beckham’s departure. But with Ronny back, he reverted to his preferred, deeper central role, enjoying success alongside Carrick (predominantly), Giggs, Paul Scholes and Anderson.

Season highlight: Against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the surprise inclusion (and dominance) of Giggsy stole the headlines, but Fletch’s movement and creativity were equally impressive. Chelsea’s much-vaunted trio of Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel couldn’t get near United’s central pairing, who were in a different class.

Vital contribution: Given the freedom to get forward against Portsmouth, Fletch ghosted in at the near post to convert Patrice Evra’s low ball.

Any lows? We'll never know whether Darren would have nullified Barcelona's midfield geniuses in the Champions League final, following his controversial red card in the semi at Arsenal.

Any other business? In December, Fletch scored one of United's five goals in the FIFA Club World Cup final. In February, he took time out along with Ben Foster to take a training session for kids from the National Deaf Children’s Society. The kids learned plenty about football, and Darren and Ben learned how to do their names in sign language.

www.manutd.com

Blog: Strength in reserve

Two cups won, a second-placed league finish and a glut of players promoted to first-team duties. It’s safe to say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first season in management bodes well for the future...

My first year in charge of a team was a challenge, a new challenge for me, but I felt I was ready for it and it was a good experience - very enjoyable indeed.

By starting my coaching career at United, I have stayed in the same familiar environment. Some of the players I played with come down and play for me once in a while, Gary [Neville] and Wes [Brown] for example, so that’s enjoyable. It’s also great to see the young players, with the talent they have and their whole careers in front of them, and we just try to give them a little bit of advice and help along the way.

One of the most satisfying parts of the job is when you see the young lads making up the step up to the first team - it was brilliant for so many of them to make their debuts last season. They’re great players and they have their careers ahead of them. When they play with better players in the first team, they’re ready to take the step.

The gaffer recognises that they’re ready and they can be thrown in at the deep end. We train them every day to be good professionals and they know every day is a chance to impress me and Warren [Joyce] and that we then tell the gaffer who’s ready.

The players are great, a joy to work with every day. Me and Warren have been trying to show them how to be good professionals and they responded really well all season.

I enjoyed my first year as a coach, even if the grey hairs are coming!

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

www.manutd.com

Papers: Reds in for Sergio

Fergie's £45m Sergio swoop
Manchester United have targeted Atletico Madrid’s £45m striker Sergio Aguero. Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his sights on the young Argentine star after giving up on Valencia’s David Villa, who is expected to join Real Madrid. Aguero – nicknamed Kun – has scored 37 league goals in the last two years for Atletico and is only still 21. Chelsea have already made contact over the talented striker, but were put off by his £200,000-a-week wage demands. United would be prepared to offer Aguero, who is married to Diego Maradona’s daughter, a five-year deal at £120,000 a week, but again hope the lure of Old Trafford would be enough to attract him. Atletico’s president Enrique Cerezo has made it clear recently that the club would be willing to listen to ‘interesting’ offers for their star player.
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star

In other news, ESPN - the American sports network that has won the rights to show 46 Barclays Premier League matches next season - will set up a new stand-alone channel to screen the games as it seeks to build a powerful presence in UK sport.


Round up by Gemma Thompson