Report by Ben Hibbs
Several dates and kick-off times for United's fixtures in the first few months of the 2009/10 campaign have been changed, afyer Sky and new Barclays Premier League rights holders ESPN chose the matches they will screen live.
So far ten matches have been given new dates and/or start times. They are as follows:
United v Birmingham Sun 16 August KO 13.30 Live on Sky
Burnley v United Wed 19 August KO 7.45pm (was Tuesday, until Birmingham match moved to Sunday)
United v Arsenal Sat 29 August KO 5.15pm Live on Sky
Tottenham v United Sat 12 September KO 5.15pm Live on ESPN
United v City Sun 20 September KO 1.30pm Live on Sky
United v Sunderland Sat 3 October KO 5.15pm Live on ESPN
Liverpool v United Sun 25 October KO 2.00pm Live on Sky
United v Blackburn Sat 31 October KO 5.15pm Live on ESPN
Chelsea v United Sun 8 November KO 4.00pm Live on Sky
United v Everton Sat 21 November KO 5.15pm Live on ESPN
Blog: Time for Ando to step up
Report by Ben Hibbs
There have been big changes at Old Trafford this summer, from which Ben Hibbs feels Anderson must come of age and kick on next term...
Whenever a talismanic and iconic player departs for pastures new, the inevitable clamour to find his replacement begins, people often seeking a like-for-like alternative. The truth is, there arguably isn’t a player in the world that poses the same threat Cristiano Ronaldo does, so I think we need to look elsewhere for a hero-in-waiting.
Identical replacements for players are hard to find, although I’m sure Antonio Valencia will be a hit at Old Trafford next season. The players that define a team come in different forms, and positions. There are several candidates in the current Reds squad to take over Ronaldo’s crown. Wayne Rooney is a prime contender, displaying all the qualities to characterise the way this Reds team plays, and he will be United’s most important player next season, no doubt. Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic epitomise the team’s classy and aggressive brand of defensive solidarity.
Owen Hargreaves is another potentially influential component of the side - and getting him fit again remains one of the most important targets of the summer for Sir Alex Ferguson. Hargreaves, more than anyone in the squad – perhaps with the exception of the outstanding and still underrated Darren Fletcher – performs that crucial role of disrupting opposition attacks, before restarting the United assaults.
But there’s one other player I believe has the charisma, personality and ability to define this team for years to come: Anderson. He rapidly earned respect among United supporters in a hugely impressive first season at OT but, after a disrupted summer and one or two niggling injuries throughout the campaign, we only saw glimpses of his talent last term.
There isn’t always time or patience for transition at United, and with Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez departed, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs edging towards the end of their careers, there’s a vacancy that Anderson seems primed to fill.
Sir Alex once told me that when he had Anderson watched at FC Porto he had to temper the excitable reports he received back from his scouts, who were queuing up to lavish grand praise on the young Brazilian’s shoulders. Best young midfielder in the world, some said. Now could be the time to prove it.
Yes, he hasn’t scored yet (apart from in penalty shoot-outs, of course), but that will come. For a player of his skill and passing accuracy, it’s only a matter of acquiring the composure that comes with age to overcome his stuttering record in front of goal. When one goes in, plenty more could follow – and can you imagine his goal celebrations? He promised (or threatened) to tear his shirt off and run round the pitch when he finally breaks his duck.
His goal tally is only a minor issue, it’s his energy, skill and vision that are his greatest assets to United. It’s time for Anderson to step forward; next season he has to, and I’m sure he will.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
There have been big changes at Old Trafford this summer, from which Ben Hibbs feels Anderson must come of age and kick on next term...
Whenever a talismanic and iconic player departs for pastures new, the inevitable clamour to find his replacement begins, people often seeking a like-for-like alternative. The truth is, there arguably isn’t a player in the world that poses the same threat Cristiano Ronaldo does, so I think we need to look elsewhere for a hero-in-waiting.
Identical replacements for players are hard to find, although I’m sure Antonio Valencia will be a hit at Old Trafford next season. The players that define a team come in different forms, and positions. There are several candidates in the current Reds squad to take over Ronaldo’s crown. Wayne Rooney is a prime contender, displaying all the qualities to characterise the way this Reds team plays, and he will be United’s most important player next season, no doubt. Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic epitomise the team’s classy and aggressive brand of defensive solidarity.
Owen Hargreaves is another potentially influential component of the side - and getting him fit again remains one of the most important targets of the summer for Sir Alex Ferguson. Hargreaves, more than anyone in the squad – perhaps with the exception of the outstanding and still underrated Darren Fletcher – performs that crucial role of disrupting opposition attacks, before restarting the United assaults.
But there’s one other player I believe has the charisma, personality and ability to define this team for years to come: Anderson. He rapidly earned respect among United supporters in a hugely impressive first season at OT but, after a disrupted summer and one or two niggling injuries throughout the campaign, we only saw glimpses of his talent last term.
There isn’t always time or patience for transition at United, and with Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez departed, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs edging towards the end of their careers, there’s a vacancy that Anderson seems primed to fill.
Sir Alex once told me that when he had Anderson watched at FC Porto he had to temper the excitable reports he received back from his scouts, who were queuing up to lavish grand praise on the young Brazilian’s shoulders. Best young midfielder in the world, some said. Now could be the time to prove it.
Yes, he hasn’t scored yet (apart from in penalty shoot-outs, of course), but that will come. For a player of his skill and passing accuracy, it’s only a matter of acquiring the composure that comes with age to overcome his stuttering record in front of goal. When one goes in, plenty more could follow – and can you imagine his goal celebrations? He promised (or threatened) to tear his shirt off and run round the pitch when he finally breaks his duck.
His goal tally is only a minor issue, it’s his energy, skill and vision that are his greatest assets to United. It’s time for Anderson to step forward; next season he has to, and I’m sure he will.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
Anderson
Paul Scholes
Ryan Giggs
Rio's ready to go again
Report by James Tuck
Rio Ferdinand believes a thorough pre-season workout over the next few weeks will be crucial to United's chances of success in 2009/10.
The Reds embark on a four-game tour of Asia late next week and Rio says the conditions and varied opposition in the Far East will provide ideal preparation for the long campaign ahead.
"The most important thing about pre-season is getting some good training done," the Reds defender told MUTV. "One of the main reasons we’ve been successful in the last few years is because we’ve had a good base from pre-season.
"It takes a bit of time to get acclimatised to the humid conditions in Asia, but it’s a good exercise to play against different teams that pose different threats."
First up for Sir Alex's men is a game against a Malaysia XI on Saturday 18 July. During pre-season in 2001, the Reds thrashed a team largely comprising Malaysia Under-23 players.
And next week's opposition will be similarly youthful after coach K.Rajagobal named only four senior players in his 28-man training squad. Rajagobal believes the experience of facing United will benefit his younger players in December's South East Asian Games.
"I hope everyone understands that the national team's main objective is the SEA Games, involving the U-23 players," he said.
More than 65,000 tickets for the friendly at the Bukit Jalil Stadium have been sold already and tour organisers ProEvents expect a complete sell-out.
Rio Ferdinand believes a thorough pre-season workout over the next few weeks will be crucial to United's chances of success in 2009/10.
The Reds embark on a four-game tour of Asia late next week and Rio says the conditions and varied opposition in the Far East will provide ideal preparation for the long campaign ahead.
"The most important thing about pre-season is getting some good training done," the Reds defender told MUTV. "One of the main reasons we’ve been successful in the last few years is because we’ve had a good base from pre-season.
"It takes a bit of time to get acclimatised to the humid conditions in Asia, but it’s a good exercise to play against different teams that pose different threats."
First up for Sir Alex's men is a game against a Malaysia XI on Saturday 18 July. During pre-season in 2001, the Reds thrashed a team largely comprising Malaysia Under-23 players.
And next week's opposition will be similarly youthful after coach K.Rajagobal named only four senior players in his 28-man training squad. Rajagobal believes the experience of facing United will benefit his younger players in December's South East Asian Games.
"I hope everyone understands that the national team's main objective is the SEA Games, involving the U-23 players," he said.
More than 65,000 tickets for the friendly at the Bukit Jalil Stadium have been sold already and tour organisers ProEvents expect a complete sell-out.
Papers: Swede dreams?
Ibrahimovic could be on United's hitlist
Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Manchester United boss Fergie, who yesterday completed the £3.5million signing of Bordeaux winger Gabriel Obertan, has missed out on several of his top targets to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. Lyon striker Karim Benzema opted to join Real Madrid, while Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery revealed his desire to play in La Liga. That has left Fergie with limited options in terms of finding a forward to supply the goals without Ronaldo - despite the free signing of former England striker Michael Owen. Now Inter striker Ibrahimovic, 27, has emerged as a target, with Fergie having had the Sweden international watched on several occasions last season by his European scouts. Inter would be reluctant to sell £30m rated Ibrahimovic, twice voted Serie A Player of the Year, but sources in Italy suggest they may be persuaded by a sizeable fee.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
According to The Sun, new signing Gabriel Obertan will miss United's pre-season tour of Asia because of a slight ankle injury. The same paper claims the Reds will miss out on signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, with the Dutch striker set for Stuttgart.
The Mirror also claims Richard Eckersley will spend all of next season on loan at Championship side QPR. The versatile defender was apparently the subject of Premier League interest, but will go to the Championship in order to gain more regular action.
Round up by Steve Bartram
Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Manchester United boss Fergie, who yesterday completed the £3.5million signing of Bordeaux winger Gabriel Obertan, has missed out on several of his top targets to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. Lyon striker Karim Benzema opted to join Real Madrid, while Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery revealed his desire to play in La Liga. That has left Fergie with limited options in terms of finding a forward to supply the goals without Ronaldo - despite the free signing of former England striker Michael Owen. Now Inter striker Ibrahimovic, 27, has emerged as a target, with Fergie having had the Sweden international watched on several occasions last season by his European scouts. Inter would be reluctant to sell £30m rated Ibrahimovic, twice voted Serie A Player of the Year, but sources in Italy suggest they may be persuaded by a sizeable fee.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
According to The Sun, new signing Gabriel Obertan will miss United's pre-season tour of Asia because of a slight ankle injury. The same paper claims the Reds will miss out on signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, with the Dutch striker set for Stuttgart.
The Mirror also claims Richard Eckersley will spend all of next season on loan at Championship side QPR. The versatile defender was apparently the subject of Premier League interest, but will go to the Championship in order to gain more regular action.
Round up by Steve Bartram
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