He was Edwin Van Der Saar's choice to replace him when he retired from Man Utd. But Fergie ignored his recommendation and went for David De Gea instead.
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Chitchat The Official TCSS Thread
- Thread starter Alamaking
- Start date
He was Edwin Van Der Saar's choice to replace him when he retired from Man Utd. But Fergie ignored his recommendation and went for David De Gea instead.
The big one tonite
Liverpool vs Man Utd K.O. 3a.m.
Based on cuurent performance and home advantage, Liverpool have the edge.
Tough week for United, as well as Europa Cup mid week, they also face Chelsea in the EPL next Sunday.
Liverpool vs Man Utd K.O. 3a.m.
Based on cuurent performance and home advantage, Liverpool have the edge.
Tough week for United, as well as Europa Cup mid week, they also face Chelsea in the EPL next Sunday.
Paul Scholes reckons it's a win for Liverpool.
By Arindam Rej, Man United correspondent
from espnfc.com
Paul Scholes: Manchester United lack identity, Liverpool favourites to win
Paul Scholes believes that Jose Mourinho's Manchester United remain a work in progress and Liverpool are favourites to win when the two sides meet at Anfield on Monday.
Scholes played for United through much of their period of dominance in English football, and while the Red Devils have won the last four Premier League meetings between the two sides he feels Liverpool could now have the edge.
The former England international believes Jose Mourinho has caused confusion with his team selections since taking over from Louis van Gaal in the summer, leading to a mixed start which leaves United in sixth place in the table and three points adrift of Jurgen Klopp's team.
"If you were betting, you would be betting on Liverpool," Scholes told BBC Sport. "He [Mourinho] was not ruthless enough in the off-season. There is so much confusion about who should play.
"What I saw of Mourinho at Chelsea is that he had 13 or 14 players who played every week. He never rested players even in the League Cup or whatever competition he was in.
"With United, it is still a settling-in period. It is going to take a bit of time for them to knit together and see what they are about. Is there an identity to the team yet? I don't think there is."
When Mourinho won the title with Chelsea in 2015, he used only 19 outfield starters in the whole of the season, and he has already used 15 with United this season.
Liverpool over
Chok dee
Chok dee
A no score piss poor game but Mourinho will be the happier of the two managers.
David De Gea's saves preserve draw for Man United at Liverpool
Manchester United and Liverpool played to rare goalless draw in their heated rivalry as neither side could find a breakthrough at Anfield on Monday night.
United keeper David De Gea made a few excellent saves as the matchup ended 0-0 for the first time since September 2005, a run that spanned 27 fixtures between the teams.
United started on the front foot but could only manage a few long-range efforts from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a first half with plenty of hard tackles but few chances at goal.
Liverpool started showing signs of life after half an hour when Jordan Henderson sent a long cross toward Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian's header was straight at De Gea.
The second half began with a near-howler from Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, whose poor pass went straight to Paul Pogba, but the Frenchman's pass to an offside Ibrahimovic ended the threat.
Ibrahimovic then had a clean look at goal in the 55th minute as he met a superb Pogba cross but could not put his header on target from four yards out.
Liverpool responded four minutes later with their first truly dangerous opportunity when Joel Matip played a ball through to Emre Can, who danced around the United defence before striking a low shot that De Gea did well to palm aside.
Daniel Sturridge's disappointing 100th Liverpool appearance then came to an end as Adam Lallana came on in his return from a groin injury.
Liverpool looked more lively after the substitution and Philippe Coutinho brought the fans at Anfield out of their seats with a long blast that appeared headed for the top corner before an outstretched De Gea made a fingertip save.
With the game still deadlocked in the 77th minute, Jose Mourinho replaced Marcus Rashford with Wayne Rooney, who had started on the bench for the third straight Premier League game.
Antonio Valencia then made an impact at both ends, first with a long sideline run that led to a corner -- Marouane Fellaini heading wide -- and then with a crucial tackle within his own box to interrupt a one-two between Brazilians Coutinho and Firmino.
But the breakthrough would not come and Liverpool settled for their first goalless draw at home in the Premier League in 33 games, the last coming in December 2014 against Sunderland.
Manchester United and Liverpool played to rare goalless draw in their heated rivalry as neither side could find a breakthrough at Anfield on Monday night.
United keeper David De Gea made a few excellent saves as the matchup ended 0-0 for the first time since September 2005, a run that spanned 27 fixtures between the teams.
United started on the front foot but could only manage a few long-range efforts from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a first half with plenty of hard tackles but few chances at goal.
Liverpool started showing signs of life after half an hour when Jordan Henderson sent a long cross toward Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian's header was straight at De Gea.
The second half began with a near-howler from Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, whose poor pass went straight to Paul Pogba, but the Frenchman's pass to an offside Ibrahimovic ended the threat.
Ibrahimovic then had a clean look at goal in the 55th minute as he met a superb Pogba cross but could not put his header on target from four yards out.
Liverpool responded four minutes later with their first truly dangerous opportunity when Joel Matip played a ball through to Emre Can, who danced around the United defence before striking a low shot that De Gea did well to palm aside.
Daniel Sturridge's disappointing 100th Liverpool appearance then came to an end as Adam Lallana came on in his return from a groin injury.
Liverpool looked more lively after the substitution and Philippe Coutinho brought the fans at Anfield out of their seats with a long blast that appeared headed for the top corner before an outstretched De Gea made a fingertip save.
With the game still deadlocked in the 77th minute, Jose Mourinho replaced Marcus Rashford with Wayne Rooney, who had started on the bench for the third straight Premier League game.
Antonio Valencia then made an impact at both ends, first with a long sideline run that led to a corner -- Marouane Fellaini heading wide -- and then with a crucial tackle within his own box to interrupt a one-two between Brazilians Coutinho and Firmino.
But the breakthrough would not come and Liverpool settled for their first goalless draw at home in the Premier League in 33 games, the last coming in December 2014 against Sunderland.
As usual, Mourinho blaming others.
Jose Mourinho blasts defensive Liverpool for lack of quality chances
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted Liverpool and not his side should be criticised after the goalless draw at Anfield.
United's defensive tactics saw them have just 35 percent of possession, their lowest total in the Premier League since Opta started collecting data in 2003.
Nevertheless, despite managing just one shot on target and winning only one corner, Mourinho claimed Reds counterpart Jurgen Klopp should be the one under the spotlight.
"Last season United won here. Liverpool had 14 shots on target and United had one,'' said the Portuguese.
"How many shots on target did Liverpool have on target today? Two [official statistics actually recorded three].
"Two shots on target with 65 percent of possession. You have to be critical of Liverpool. It is their problem, not our problem.
"I think it was a good performance. It was a difficult match for us and for them and I think we controlled the game tactically and emotionally and it is not easy to do both things here.
"The result I think is acceptable. We wanted more. For long periods in the game we thought that could be possible but we didn't score and, if you don't score, you don't win. But I think it was very positive performance.
"We stopped them playing, but they also did very well from the defensive point of view.
"They played [Emre] Can and [Jordan] Henderson for some reason and they did that for 90 minutes, so they normally project more players in attack.
"They were very cautious. They kept always Can and Henderson in position. They had only one player behind the three more offensive players.
"I think it was their intention to try and control us, which they also did well.''
Jose Mourinho blasts defensive Liverpool for lack of quality chances
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted Liverpool and not his side should be criticised after the goalless draw at Anfield.
United's defensive tactics saw them have just 35 percent of possession, their lowest total in the Premier League since Opta started collecting data in 2003.
Nevertheless, despite managing just one shot on target and winning only one corner, Mourinho claimed Reds counterpart Jurgen Klopp should be the one under the spotlight.
"Last season United won here. Liverpool had 14 shots on target and United had one,'' said the Portuguese.
"How many shots on target did Liverpool have on target today? Two [official statistics actually recorded three].
"Two shots on target with 65 percent of possession. You have to be critical of Liverpool. It is their problem, not our problem.
"I think it was a good performance. It was a difficult match for us and for them and I think we controlled the game tactically and emotionally and it is not easy to do both things here.
"The result I think is acceptable. We wanted more. For long periods in the game we thought that could be possible but we didn't score and, if you don't score, you don't win. But I think it was very positive performance.
"We stopped them playing, but they also did very well from the defensive point of view.
"They played [Emre] Can and [Jordan] Henderson for some reason and they did that for 90 minutes, so they normally project more players in attack.
"They were very cautious. They kept always Can and Henderson in position. They had only one player behind the three more offensive players.
"I think it was their intention to try and control us, which they also did well.''
Claudio Ranieri 'very angry' despite Leicester's Champions League success
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insisted he was still angry with his side despite the Foxes taking a giant step towards the Champions League knockout stages.
Riyad Mahrez's winner sealed a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen to maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe and keep them top of Group G.
They are five points clear and will reach the last 16 with victory in Copenhagen on Nov. 2 having already beaten Club Brugge and Porto.
Leicester have more points, nine, in the Champions League than they do in the Premier League, eight, and Ranieri admitted he is unhappy they are so inconsistent.
"It's unbelievable. It's Leicester," he said. "I'm very proud. For one side, I'm very proud. For the other side, when I think of the Premier League, I'm very, very angry. But it's OK, because also in my career this has happened.
"When for the first time you go and play in a big competition, you lose something when you go back in your league. This is normal, but we want to change this.
"It's just psychological. Because when we play in the Champions League, all the specials are switched on. You're very, very smart, focused in every situation. You pay this, you spend a lot of energy, mental energy, in the Champions League.
"When you come back a little more down, it's normal. But we want to change this mood now, because the Premier League is now important. The Premier League is our priority.
"But of course also Champions League because now, in one month, three matches, we're in or out. We are in a good position. Our destiny is in our hands. We want to continue this way.
"We are the record team [the only side who have played three and won all three Champions League games so far]. We have to stay calm now and change our mentality in the Premier League because Crystal Palace is another tough, tough, tough match."
Mahrez's first-half winner had Leicester in control and Islam Slimani was denied a second when his header was ruled out for offside but the Foxes needed a wonder save from Kasper Schmeichel to bank the points.
The goalkeeper produced a wonderful one-handed stop in the 89th minute to deny Andreas Cornelius and earn praise from Ranieri.
"Thank you to Kasper, thank you to all my players. Because in every high ball, Copenhagen are very, very strong. Now I'm already thinking about what happens when we go to Copenhagen," he added.
Defeat was Copenhagen's first since May but boss Stale Solbakken, who saw Cornelius head wide in the first half, believes they can gain revenge in two weeks.
"I can live with that. Now we can start counting again," said the former Wolves manager. "That doesn't bother me. The only thing I'm disappointed with is the result.
"They had two to three chances and we had two or three big chances. We lost concentration one time and that cost us the game.
"I'm very, very satisfied with the players. Now we've met the two favourites in the group away and it was very, very close in both games. The players have a good feeling we can beat them at Parken in 14 days."
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insisted he was still angry with his side despite the Foxes taking a giant step towards the Champions League knockout stages.
Riyad Mahrez's winner sealed a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen to maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe and keep them top of Group G.
They are five points clear and will reach the last 16 with victory in Copenhagen on Nov. 2 having already beaten Club Brugge and Porto.
Leicester have more points, nine, in the Champions League than they do in the Premier League, eight, and Ranieri admitted he is unhappy they are so inconsistent.
"It's unbelievable. It's Leicester," he said. "I'm very proud. For one side, I'm very proud. For the other side, when I think of the Premier League, I'm very, very angry. But it's OK, because also in my career this has happened.
"When for the first time you go and play in a big competition, you lose something when you go back in your league. This is normal, but we want to change this.
"It's just psychological. Because when we play in the Champions League, all the specials are switched on. You're very, very smart, focused in every situation. You pay this, you spend a lot of energy, mental energy, in the Champions League.
"When you come back a little more down, it's normal. But we want to change this mood now, because the Premier League is now important. The Premier League is our priority.
"But of course also Champions League because now, in one month, three matches, we're in or out. We are in a good position. Our destiny is in our hands. We want to continue this way.
"We are the record team [the only side who have played three and won all three Champions League games so far]. We have to stay calm now and change our mentality in the Premier League because Crystal Palace is another tough, tough, tough match."
Mahrez's first-half winner had Leicester in control and Islam Slimani was denied a second when his header was ruled out for offside but the Foxes needed a wonder save from Kasper Schmeichel to bank the points.
The goalkeeper produced a wonderful one-handed stop in the 89th minute to deny Andreas Cornelius and earn praise from Ranieri.
"Thank you to Kasper, thank you to all my players. Because in every high ball, Copenhagen are very, very strong. Now I'm already thinking about what happens when we go to Copenhagen," he added.
Defeat was Copenhagen's first since May but boss Stale Solbakken, who saw Cornelius head wide in the first half, believes they can gain revenge in two weeks.
"I can live with that. Now we can start counting again," said the former Wolves manager. "That doesn't bother me. The only thing I'm disappointed with is the result.
"They had two to three chances and we had two or three big chances. We lost concentration one time and that cost us the game.
"I'm very, very satisfied with the players. Now we've met the two favourites in the group away and it was very, very close in both games. The players have a good feeling we can beat them at Parken in 14 days."
Arsenal over 3 1/2
Manchester City + 1
Benfica + 1/4
Atletico Madrid - 1 1/4
Chok dee !
Manchester City + 1
Benfica + 1/4
Atletico Madrid - 1 1/4
Chok dee !
Man City well beaten tonite.
Messi hat-trick
Bravo was shit
Tactically, Guardiola got it all wrong.
Thinking he's made a big mistake letting Joe Hart go. And why the hell didn't he play Aguero???
Messi hat-trick
Bravo was shit
Tactically, Guardiola got it all wrong.
Thinking he's made a big mistake letting Joe Hart go. And why the hell didn't he play Aguero???
Guardiola is a fussypot where it comes to players. His gripe about Aguero is that he doesn't close down opposing players enough, unlike DeBruyne.
Ajax over 2 1/2
Sparta Praha + 1/4
Villarreal - 1/4
Nice + 1/4
AZ Alkmaar - 1/2
Anderlect + 1/2
Sassuolo + 1/4
Young Boys over 2 1/4
Chok dee !
Sparta Praha + 1/4
Villarreal - 1/4
Nice + 1/4
AZ Alkmaar - 1/2
Anderlect + 1/2
Sassuolo + 1/4
Young Boys over 2 1/4
Chok dee !
Pogba leads Man United to win over Fenerbahce in Van Persie's return
By Richard Jolly
espnfc.com
MANCHESTER, England -- Three quick thoughts from Manchester United's 4-1 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.
1. Pogba helps Man United to Mourinho's joint-biggest win
It has been said before but it may prove to be the game that kick-starts Paul Pogba's Manchester United career. The world's most expensive player trebled his goal tally since his £89 million move as his new employers equalled their biggest win under Jose Mourinho. Fenerbahce were brushed aside, losing 4-1, as United positioned themselves to reach the last 32 of the Europa League.
If the opening half hour was a continuation of Monday's stalemate at Anfield, United cut loose thereafter. They were three goals ahead by the interval, four to the good soon afterward. Pogba and Juan Mata, their current and former record transfers, were catalysts.
They got two penalties in three minutes. First Simon Kjaer fell into Mata. Pogba scored his second United goal from the spot. Then Sener Ozbayrakli clattered into Anthony Martial. He, too, converted coolly from 12 yards. The change of penalty takers was intriguing, but both Frenchmen were equally accurate.
Pogba's second goal, and United's third, was terrific, whipped into the top corner from 20 yards. He celebrated with a coordinated dance with Jesse Lingard that was eye-catching for altogether different reasons. Lingard made his mark in a rather better way, finding the bottom corner for the fourth goal.
He excelled on the right, Pogba in a deeper role. Picked as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's support act in Monday's stalemate with Liverpool, the Frenchman was back in the centre of midfield on this occasion.
Mata was also terrific, particularly with a classy pass to release Martial for the second goal. It will be intriguing to see if it earns him a place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, though this guess is that Pogba will operate as the No. 10 to allow Mourinho two specialist defensive midfielders.
Mourinho had made seven changes. He was able to spare an eighth regular the second half, with Chris Smalling substituted. When Lingard was replaced with 25 minutes remaining, it prompted the thought that he may have earned himself a place at Stamford Bridge, too. Pogba was the third man removed, going off to a standing ovation.
2. Rooney returns but others take penalties
As referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot, Old Trafford anticipated a goal. The familiar chant of "Rooney, Rooney" broke out. Except that this time they were not serenading the penalty taker. For the second time in three minutes, Rooney watched on as a teammate found the net.
It felt significant that he was not on spot-kick duties. He was overlooked for not one, but two Frenchmen. Even as he was restored to the starting lineup, there was evidence he is slipping down pecking orders. Mourinho's decision had consequences, even if only statistical ones. Had Rooney taken and scored both penalties -- no guarantee, given his mixed record from 12 yards -- he would be on 248 United goals, only one behind Sir Bobby Charlton's club record.
Instead he continues to toil, so near and yet so far. The supporters' backing ought to offer solace. Perhaps a part in United's third goal will, though his pass was behind Lingard, who did well to tee up Pogba. His role in the fourth was better; his pass to Lingard was simple, but accurate.
So it was a third assist of sorts since he stopped being a first choice. But even his presence in the team, after four substitute appearances, was scarcely an indication of an improvement in his fortunes. Rooney's previous start came against Northampton. His next may come against Fenerbahce in the return game; it is certainly unlikely to be in the glamour games with Chelsea and Manchester City, particularly as others overshadowed him here.
3. Van Persie scores on his return
There was a different sort of journalist at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Van Persie sat in the front row of Dick Advocaat's press conference and asked a question: would he be playing? The answer in the affirmative was belatedly supplied, 24 hours later.
Old Trafford old boys are often welcomed back. The ovation for Van Persie was nonetheless more rousing than those for many other alumni, both before and during the game. The Stretford End rose in a chorus of "Oh Robin van Persie" when he took a corner.
It helped, of course, that they were three goals ahead by that stage. United's supporters could afford to be gracious. They were cheering on 12 men, 11 in the colours of United and one in yellow and blue. They were revisiting a time when they willed Van Persie on every week. Time froze for an instant as one shot curled narrowly wide, beyond a beaten David De Gea. Once again, the Dutchman's name was sung.
They seemed to be willing him to score. Eventually he did, tapping in a low cross. Those applauding and grinning included Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager who brought him to Old Trafford. That predatory strike was a reminder of the gifts that brought him 30 goals in his terrific debut campaign, in 2012-13. He is a lesser player now but scoring for a Fenerbahce team who starved him of service was no mean feat.
By Richard Jolly
espnfc.com
MANCHESTER, England -- Three quick thoughts from Manchester United's 4-1 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.
1. Pogba helps Man United to Mourinho's joint-biggest win
It has been said before but it may prove to be the game that kick-starts Paul Pogba's Manchester United career. The world's most expensive player trebled his goal tally since his £89 million move as his new employers equalled their biggest win under Jose Mourinho. Fenerbahce were brushed aside, losing 4-1, as United positioned themselves to reach the last 32 of the Europa League.
If the opening half hour was a continuation of Monday's stalemate at Anfield, United cut loose thereafter. They were three goals ahead by the interval, four to the good soon afterward. Pogba and Juan Mata, their current and former record transfers, were catalysts.
They got two penalties in three minutes. First Simon Kjaer fell into Mata. Pogba scored his second United goal from the spot. Then Sener Ozbayrakli clattered into Anthony Martial. He, too, converted coolly from 12 yards. The change of penalty takers was intriguing, but both Frenchmen were equally accurate.
Pogba's second goal, and United's third, was terrific, whipped into the top corner from 20 yards. He celebrated with a coordinated dance with Jesse Lingard that was eye-catching for altogether different reasons. Lingard made his mark in a rather better way, finding the bottom corner for the fourth goal.
He excelled on the right, Pogba in a deeper role. Picked as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's support act in Monday's stalemate with Liverpool, the Frenchman was back in the centre of midfield on this occasion.
Mata was also terrific, particularly with a classy pass to release Martial for the second goal. It will be intriguing to see if it earns him a place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, though this guess is that Pogba will operate as the No. 10 to allow Mourinho two specialist defensive midfielders.
Mourinho had made seven changes. He was able to spare an eighth regular the second half, with Chris Smalling substituted. When Lingard was replaced with 25 minutes remaining, it prompted the thought that he may have earned himself a place at Stamford Bridge, too. Pogba was the third man removed, going off to a standing ovation.
2. Rooney returns but others take penalties
As referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot, Old Trafford anticipated a goal. The familiar chant of "Rooney, Rooney" broke out. Except that this time they were not serenading the penalty taker. For the second time in three minutes, Rooney watched on as a teammate found the net.
It felt significant that he was not on spot-kick duties. He was overlooked for not one, but two Frenchmen. Even as he was restored to the starting lineup, there was evidence he is slipping down pecking orders. Mourinho's decision had consequences, even if only statistical ones. Had Rooney taken and scored both penalties -- no guarantee, given his mixed record from 12 yards -- he would be on 248 United goals, only one behind Sir Bobby Charlton's club record.
Instead he continues to toil, so near and yet so far. The supporters' backing ought to offer solace. Perhaps a part in United's third goal will, though his pass was behind Lingard, who did well to tee up Pogba. His role in the fourth was better; his pass to Lingard was simple, but accurate.
So it was a third assist of sorts since he stopped being a first choice. But even his presence in the team, after four substitute appearances, was scarcely an indication of an improvement in his fortunes. Rooney's previous start came against Northampton. His next may come against Fenerbahce in the return game; it is certainly unlikely to be in the glamour games with Chelsea and Manchester City, particularly as others overshadowed him here.
3. Van Persie scores on his return
There was a different sort of journalist at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Van Persie sat in the front row of Dick Advocaat's press conference and asked a question: would he be playing? The answer in the affirmative was belatedly supplied, 24 hours later.
Old Trafford old boys are often welcomed back. The ovation for Van Persie was nonetheless more rousing than those for many other alumni, both before and during the game. The Stretford End rose in a chorus of "Oh Robin van Persie" when he took a corner.
It helped, of course, that they were three goals ahead by that stage. United's supporters could afford to be gracious. They were cheering on 12 men, 11 in the colours of United and one in yellow and blue. They were revisiting a time when they willed Van Persie on every week. Time froze for an instant as one shot curled narrowly wide, beyond a beaten David De Gea. Once again, the Dutchman's name was sung.
They seemed to be willing him to score. Eventually he did, tapping in a low cross. Those applauding and grinning included Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager who brought him to Old Trafford. That predatory strike was a reminder of the gifts that brought him 30 goals in his terrific debut campaign, in 2012-13. He is a lesser player now but scoring for a Fenerbahce team who starved him of service was no mean feat.
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