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Manchester United 2014-2015

yinyang

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Can we go back to #4 in wee hours tomorow morning? :p

By Conor McNamara
BBC Match of the Day
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Monday, 20

TEAM NEWS
West Brom skipper Chris Brunt could be fit to face Manchester United on Monday despite injuring his groin on international duty.
Forward Victor Anichebe is a doubt with a hernia problem.
United captain Wayne Rooney is suspended after his red card against West Ham.

Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick are training again and could feature, if they can prove their match fitness.

MATCH PREVIEW
"Judge me after three months," announced Louis van Gaal when he arrived at Old Trafford with Brazilian sand still between his toes from the World Cup.

Those three months have passed. Only three competitive games have been won. As honeymoons go it has been tough; a large transfer dowry has been badly needed.

Lawro's prediction
"This will be a test for United, but I would expect Louis van Gaal's side to show some improvement at the back and be able to cope with it.

"During the international break, Van Gaal will have had the chance to take a step back and look at some of United's games and performances in his first few months in charge and work out where to go from here in terms of tactics and formations."

While many observers have indeed presented their own 'Three-month LVG report cards', you could argue that a glance at United's fixture list suggests the next month will give a much better indication as to how the Dutchman should be judged.

After The Hawthorns, three of the next four assignments for United are against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal. All three will be judgement days of their own.

United spent the international break inside the Premier League top four - occupying a Champions League qualifying spot for the first time in more than a year.

Victory at West Brom would mean a first away win in the job for Van Gaal, who has so far travelled to Sunderland, MK Dons, Burnley and, most recently, Leicester without success.

The Hawthorns will not be an easy destination. Alan Irvine's side have only lost once in their five home fixtures. The Baggies have won their past two in front of their own fans, most recently beating Burnley 4-0.

United fans will remember Saido Berahino announcing himself at the top level just over a year ago by scoring in successive games against Arsenal and at Old Trafford.

He was barely a month out of his teens at the time and only managed a further four league goals by the end of the campaign.

A year wiser, Berahino has scored more goals for West Brom this season than all of his team-mates combined.

It can take time to settle in - sometimes more than three months - whether you are a young English striker or an old Dutch master.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

•Manchester United have never lost at West Brom in the Premier League (W7, D1).
•There has only been one draw in their past 18 top-flight meetings at The Hawthorns - the 5-5 draw in May 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge.
•West Brom have only beaten the Reds once in the Premier League (D3, L12).
West Brom

•West Brom have only won two of their previous 18 Premier League matches on a Monday (D7, L9).
•The Baggies have only lost one of their five home games this season in all competitions (W2, D2, L1).
•They are one goal away from conceding their 500th in the Premier League.
•Five of Saido Berahino's six goals this season have come at The Hawthorns.

Manchester United
•Victory at The Hawthorns would see United win three consecutive league games for the first time in 2014.
•However they are without a win in their past five away league games - their worst run since 2001. It is 18 years since they went six away games without a win in the Premier League.
•Angel Di Maria has been involved in six goals in his five Premier League appearances (three goals, three assists).
•Robin van Persie has scored four goals, and assisted two, in his past seven league appearances against West Brom.
 

yinyang

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Van Gaal eager for first away success at West Brom
• Published: 20 Oct 2014 at 12.44 Writer: AFP

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his team's away form is better than their record suggests as they look for a first win on the road at West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Everton's Phil Jagielka (R) challenges Manchester United's Robin van Persie during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester, on October 5, 2014
United have taken just two points from their opening three Premier League games away from Old Trafford this season and threw away a two-goal lead to lose 5-3 at Leicester on their last trip almost a month ago.

But Van Gaal, whose side have recovered from a poor start to the season to climb to fifth place in the table ahead of Sunday's matches, claims the points they have amassed on their travels are not a true reflection of the way they have performed.

"We played very good at Leicester City," the Dutchman said. "We gave it away by certain circumstances -- you can remember that.
"But the other matches, we played two draws and we could have also won those matches," Van Gaal added.

"We were the better team, we created chances but we didn't score," he said. "So we have to wait and see if that tendency is going through.
"When it is not, OK it is not, but we have to wait and see if that is true. We start on Monday against West Bromwich Albion with a victory I hope."

United have also dropped points away from home this season at Sunderland and Burnley, and may not find it straight-forward at the Hawthorns, even though Albion are in sight of the relegation zone.

- Difficult West Brom -
The Midlands club beat Burnley 4-0 in their most recent home game and their only defeat in four matches was a 2-1 loss at Liverpool just before the international break.

"I think West Brom are very difficult to beat, especially at their home,” Van Gaal added. "They are dangerous opponents. But no opponent in the Premier League is easy to beat.

"We have to start with a victory after the international break because we have won the last two games.
"But West Brom did that too (recently), so they also want to win the match. It won't be easy.”

United have been helped lately by an easing of their injury problems. After missing up to 10 players at various stages in the early weeks of the season, only Antonio Valencia (hamstring), Jonny Evans (ankle), Paddy McNair (hamstring) and Jesse Lingard (knee) are unavailable for Monday's match, along with captain Wayne Rooney, who will be serving the second of a three-match ban.

Meanwhile, West Brom boss Alan Irvine has said only an offer well in excess of pound sterling15 million ($24 million, 19 million euros) would be enough to persuade them to sell Saido Berahino.

The 21-year-old forward has starred for club and country so far this season with five goals for the Baggies in addition to reaching double figures for England's Under-21s en route to qualification for next year's European Championship.

Several of England's elite clubs have been linked with Berahino -- Tottenham Hotspur being the latest -- and Albion have by no means discouraged bids after Irvine recently admitted they would be prepared to cash in if the price was right.

But he said: "I would be absolutely astonished if anyone could sign Saido from us for pound sterling15 million.
"It doesn't sound a lot. You look at some of the fees going around in the transfer market that's just been, everybody seems to start at pound sterling7 million.
"Ross McCormack went for pound sterling11 million from one Championship club (Leeds) to another (Fulham).
"To me, pound sterling15 million doesn't sound like a lot of money for a talented, young, English player."

Chris Brunt (groin) has not trained since returning from Northern Ireland duty but is expected to be passed fit, however Silvestre Varela (groin) remains sidelined and Claudio Yacob will miss the game for personal reasons.
 

yinyang

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Manchester United planning shock £20m bid for former star Gerard Pique.
By Jeremy Cross / Published 20th October 2014

SHOCK BID: Could Gerard Pique be heading back to Manchester United?

_78414177_pique_getty.jpg

United boss Louis Van Gaal is still desperate to sign defensive re-enforcements and has put Barcelona's Pique at the top of his wanted list.

Van Gaal has been told he has more funds to spend in the next transfer window and has made a centre back his priority.

Pique, 27, has stated his desire to remain at the Nou Camp, but United bosses are confident of being able to lure him back to Old Trafford.

Pique joined United from Barca in 2004 and spent four seasons with the fallen giants.

He made just 12 league appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson and was sent to Real Zaragoza on a season-long loan in 2006.

He returned to United but was sold back to Barca for just £5m in 2008 and went on to establish himself at the Spanish giants.

Alongside former captain Carles Puyol, Pique has helped Barca win four La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

But Pique has fallen down the pecking order this season since Luis Enrique took charge as Barca boss.

He has made just five league appearances, with Enrique picking both Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano ahead of him.

 

yinyang

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Match preview tonight. Pundits condemn MU to dung pile. Here's hoping we get away with at least a home draw :p

TEAM NEWS
Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria is expected to overcome a thigh injury in time to face Chelsea.
Wayne Rooney is suspended and Radamel Falcao is nursing an injury but fit-again Michael Carrick could play for the first time this season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says striker Diego Costa has 'a little chance' of playing after a virus and a hamstring problem, but Loic Remy is out.

Cesar Azpilicueta is suspended, but Ramires could return from injury.

MATCH PREVIEW
There have been many column inches comparing and contrasting Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, two of the most intriguing and fascinating coaches, and egos, in the game.

For three years they worked together at Barcelona - or rather Mourinho worked for Van Gaal. It was the Dutchman who schemed his way to four trophies and the Portuguese who did the opposition analysis, the odd session on the training pitch and made the tea. Actually, I'm kidding about the tea.

Van Gaal has described Mourinho's role at Barca at that time as "the substitute coach", which can either be quite derogatory or quite a compliment depending on which tone of voice you use and which coach you're substituting.
Mourinho, in turn, has been quoted as saying "we are both great coaches". Whilst this is palpably true, it does nothing to undermine Jose's reputation for being comprehensively acquainted with his own abilities.

Lawro's prediction
"United's defence is still a big worry, and the way they conceded their second goal against West Brom on Monday was frightening.
"They were all over the shop and I am just not convinced by Rafael at right-back, who seems to be at fault for a lot of their goals."

Surprisingly, given their A-list CVs, they have only been in opposing dug-outs once before in a competitive fixture - the 2010 Champions League final won by Mourinho's Inter against Van Gaal's Bayern. Neither man will have forgotten.

Last season, Chelsea shut up shop at Old Trafford and took a 0-0 draw. It's significant that the game was played in late August, United's second Premier League game of the season and before the cracks had started to appear. What must have seemed like a good point to Mourinho at the time was in fact two points fewer than both Manchester City and Liverpool took at United.

Mourinho used the same tactics away from home at all his big rivals last season, almost offering a draw to the home side. The only times the home side turned down the point and went for all three (Manchester City and Liverpool) they paid the price and Chelsea won.

Both sides have improved on last season, but with Wayne Rooney suspended, and especially if Diego Costa plays, I expect Mourinho to be consoling his old boss at full-time with a generous smile.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last three league matches against Manchester United, conceding just one goal.
The Blues are the only team to have beaten United more often in the Premier League (15) than they have lost (13).

Manchester United
Manchester United have won three consecutive league games at Old Trafford.
After eight games, they have one more point than they did at this stage last season under David Moyes.
They have kept only two clean sheets in nine competitive games under Louis van Gaal - these came against newly-promoted sides Burnley and QPR.
United have not won any of the 11 Premier League games that they have been losing at half-time in 2014 (D3, L8).
Angel Di Maria has assisted a goal in four of his last five league appearances for United. He has now provided 18 assists in league matches in 2014 - four more than any other player from Europe's top leagues.

Chelsea
Chelsea remain the only undefeated team in the Premier League this season and have dropped just two points.
Jose Mourinho's team are unbeaten in 11 Premier League matches, winning nine and drawing two.
They have gone seven games without defeat away from home in the league (W6, D1).
Chelsea have scored in every league match this season - scoring twice or more in seven of their eight fixtures.
Cesc Fabregas has been involved in eight goals (one goal, seven assists) in eight league games for Chelsea.
 

yinyang

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Rear job cockup, more than famliar story?

MOTD2 analysis: Man Utd let down by disorganised defence
MOTD2 pundit and former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel expands on his TV analysis of how United lack Chelsea's discipline in defence after seeing them rescue a draw against the Premier League leaders at Old Trafford.

Manchester United might have snatched a late point against Chelsea on Sunday but the game still highlighted the big difference between the two teams defensively and showed why Jose Mourinho's side are so far ahead of them in the table.

Both teams have excellent young goalkeepers in David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois but, in front of them, things are very different.

Courtois plays behind an incredibly well-organised defence. In contrast, United's back four is full of uncertainty and insecurity, something that was particularly evident at set-pieces at Old Trafford.

Familiarity the way forward at the back
United's pairing of Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling was the eighth different centre-half combination Louis van Gaal has used in nine Premier League games.

Chelsea have used one - John Terry and Gary Cahill - who have played all 810 minutes of their league matches so far.

Cesar Azpilicueta was suspended and missed the Old Trafford clash but, until he was sent off in the first half of their win over Crystal Palace last week, Chelsea's entire back four had remained unchanged throughout every league game.

Speaking as a former United goalkeeper, I know that kind of settled line-up makes a huge difference when you are defending as a unit - and I am talking about the goalkeeper here too, not just the back four.

If you break attacks down into situations involving, say, triangles involving three defensive players, then you are obviously in a much better position when each of you understands the strengths of the other individuals.

For example, as a goalkeeper, if I am in a situation with my two centre-halves, or with a centre-half and full-back, I want to know who is fast, and who is good at heading and tackling.

Also, they need to know if I am good at closing down angles and if they can push attackers into certain areas because of that.

Chelsea did that in the second half against United, when Courtois saved Van Persie's shot from out wide; he was there and waiting for it.

I remember being in that position and waiting for the guy to shoot and knowing you are going to save the ball because your defenders have pushed the attacker into an absolutely perfect situation for you.

To get that kind of relationship, you need to play together all the time, which is why you see the best teams in the world rotate their forward players far more than their defenders.

United look a long way off it at the moment. United's defence need to take responsibility
On Sunday, De Gea played exceptionally well and was trying to bring some sort of stability to their defence with the way he controlled his six-yard box and came for crosses.

But, whoever is in Van Gaal's defence, he does not seem to have enough commanding players who can stand on their own two feet.

He needs a centre-half who can take the team by the scruff of the neck and say "this is what we need to do". That player is not in their squad yet.

In my time at United, we always had defenders who were leaders and who took responsibility. For various reasons, that is not the case at the moment.

Rojo and Smalling had never played together in the centre of defence before the Chelsea game, but that was not their only problem.

I am not convinced Rojo is a centre-half. He doesn't look like one, and he does not have that calmness about him.

He looks more like a very aggressive left-back or left-sided midfielder, and he plays like one too.

Against Chelsea, he was playing passes up through the middle of the pitch, which you only do when you are a full-back and playing up the line, and he was giving the ball away.

Alongside him, Smalling has never really stamped his authority on the team as a centre-half.

He looks a bit nervous and insecure in that position. I would like to see him play next to someone who is big and strong, and who can direct him, because Smalling would be perfect next to someone like that.

But Smalling is not a leader and it is not good for United for Smalling to play next to someone like Rojo, who is insecure as well.

What did not help Smalling was seeing Rafael booked after 12 minutes of the match.

Eden Hazard caused Rafael problems down United's right
From the start, it was obviously a clear tactic from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to put Eden Hazard down that flank to irritate Rafael. It was also obvious from the start that it would work.

Once Rafael was shown a yellow that added to the insecurity of the United defence because they knew that, next time Hazard ran at Rafael, he cannot do anything.

Stopping him becomes another job for Smalling, who has enough to deal with.

These problems at the back have consequences for United further up the field too.

Any attempt to build a successful team starts with getting the defending right - it was always our first priority during my time at the club.

It is not the case that you want to be a defensive team but you have to have some security in order to allow others to go on and create goalscoring opportunities.

For as long as I can remember, United's mantra has been to be really brave and to attempt things in attack that others would not.

But players can only do that if they know that, if they take that gamble and try something special, then if the ball breaks up the other end they have got the players who are capable of dealing with it.

At the moment, their players look afraid of losing the ball.

De Gea has developed into top-class keeper. David de Gea's form is one of the few positives Van Gaal can take from his side's defending since he took charge.

This season, he has made some stunning saves against Sunderland and Everton, as well as against Chelsea to deny Hazard moments before Didier Drogba put them ahead.

At 23, he is only a year older than Courtois and they have lots in common - as well as the fact both of them have played for Atletico Madrid - they have won domestic titles, won the Europa League and played around 200 first-team games at a young age.

Courtois made two fine stops from Robin van Persie at Old Trafford
Their career development has not quite been the same, because Courtois has played in a Champions League final, is an established international for Belgium and has starred at a World Cup.

“ Shot-stopping is something David de Gea excels at but I would like to see him stand out in other areas too.”
He has arrived in the Premier League with all that experience, whereas De Gea had to learn while he was being put through the mill by the British press, right from the moment he arrived at Old Trafford.

For a few months it felt like there was a story every day about how bad he was, and I think that has really toughened him up.

He has got better at every aspect of goalkeeping. Shot-stopping is something he excels at but I would like to see him stand out in other areas too.

De Gea is adding that authority to his game but I want to see him be more commanding and more of him pushing his team further forward, which is what he did against Chelsea.

There was nothing he could do about their goal, which came from the corner after his brilliant save denied Hazard.

There were so many mistakes that led up to that chance - Smalling tries to tackle Hazard and Rojo is just looking round, rather than covering him.

De Gea got them out of jail but even then his defence still lost concentration, and no manager in the right frame of mind would tell Rafael to go with Drogba, which is what happened.

Chelsea scored from the corner after this superb David de Gea save denied Eden Hazard
In the end, Chelsea also conceded a goal because of a lack of organisation at a set-piece but that was under slightly different circumstances.

The way they lined up for a similar free-kick 20 minutes earlier, they had their small players stood away from the goal and their six-footers - Drogba, Branislav Ivanovic, Terry Cahill and Nemanja Matic stood in a line across the area.

At the free-kick where United equalised, Ivanovic has been sent off and where he would have been was exactly where the goal was scored from.

With him on the pitch it was hard to see United finding a way through.

Peter Schmeichel was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

 

yinyang

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Nov fixtures.

What's your take on Derby sun? Will the red devils be whipping boys (at least on paper)? And next biggie vs Gunners:p

Sun 2 Nov 2014 - Premier League
Man City v Man Utd 13:30

Sat 8 Nov 2014 - Premier League
Man Utd v Crystal Palace 15:00

Sat 22 Nov 2014 - Premier League
Arsenal v Man Utd 17:30

Sat 29 Nov 2014 - Premier League
Man Utd v Hull 15:00

 

yinyang

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Big derby match preview tonight

TEAM NEWS
Manchester City will be without David Silva for up to four weeks because of a knee injury sustained in Wednesday's League Cup defeat by Newcastle.

Yaya Toure suffered a groin injury in that match but is likely to be fit.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal denied reports Wayne Rooney had suffered a foot injury and the striker will return after his three-match ban.
Radamel Falcao has been ruled out with a leg problem, but Antonio Valencia returns after a hamstring injury.

MATCH PREVIEW
City's dominance in recent times might see United fans disagree, but this is a golden era for Manchester derbies.
With the results of league clashes between the teams being balanced since 2001, I cannot recall a derby since then being anything other than an intriguing prospect, and this - the 151st league meeting - is no different.
City have won five of the last six in the Premier League, including the last three, and they will be favourites to extend that run here - or will they?

In Manuel Pellegrini's own words after Wednesday's League Cup defeat by Newcastle, the Premier League champions are "in a difficult moment with a lack of trust".

Lawro's prediction
"Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala looks like he should be the complete defender but he makes some strange decisions. That could be him having just arrived from Porto, where he probably only had half a dozen tough league games a season, but he needs to adjust to the intensity of the Premier League where any team can beat you and embarrass you."

They certainly lacked lustre and leadership in midweek, although the returns of Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta should sort that out.
Neither has been in their greatest form this season, but this is their sort of game and one in which they should shake the rest of the team into performing well in.

The new-look United team is undoubtedly improving as they get used to one another and the Louis van Gaal way, helped along by late goals and arguably favourable decisions in the last couple of games.

Wayne Rooney - the record scorer in the Manchester derby - should be back to add to the side's strongest area.
At the other end of the field, I'm looking forward to seeing whether Marcos Rojo is the man to handle the threat of fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero.
Add Angel Di Maria, Edin Dzeko, Robin van Persie, Yaya Toure and the rest and we've got a World Cup cocktail and a half to enjoy!

It's not long ago that discussions were rife about City "closing the gap" on United after all those years of being the second team in Manchester.

Now, after a season in which blue was comfortably the dominant colour, the debate might be about United getting closer again themselves. Premature? Maybe. We'll find out to some extent here.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester City have won five of their last six league meetings with Manchester United, including both games last season, when they scored seven goals and conceded just one.
Victory would see City record four successive league wins against United - a feat they last achieved courtesy of a 4-1 win at Old Trafford in December 1970, when Francis Lee scored a hat-trick.
United have the better overall record, winning 59 encounters to City's 42 in the league.

Manchester City
Defeat would mean City suffer back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time under Manuel Pellegrini.
The last time they lost consecutive top-flight games was in October 2010, when they were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal and 2-1 by Wolves.

City have kept just two Premier League clean sheets so far, against Newcastle and Aston Villa, with the latter match their only shut-out in eight top-flight games since the opening weekend.
Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero both have four goals in five league games against Manchester United, while Yaya Toure has scored three in his last four against the Red Devils.

Manchester United
The Red Devils have also recorded just two clean sheets this season - in league matches against Burnley and QPR.
Their tally of 13 points is one fewer than at this stage last season, and represents their poorest start to a top-flight campaign since 1990.

They have conceded six league goals from set pieces this season. Before this weekend, only Crystal Palace (seven) had a worse record. Prior to the latest round of games, United were one of four Premier League teams without an away win - along with Burnley, Sunderland and QPR.
 

yinyang

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Useless Smalling should not be selected for the 1st team for a long time.
What a kamikaze act! Suicidal, changed outcome ...lucky only got away with -1 goal :(

Man Utd: Louis van Gaal angry at 'stupid' Chris Smalling
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Chris Smalling's sending-off in the Manchester derby was "stupid".

Smalling was dismissed before half-time for two bookable offences - the first for charging down Manchester City keeper Joe Hart's drop kick, the second for a wild challenge on James Milner.

"In a derby you have to be careful - the second yellow card is a stupid yellow card," Van Gaal told BBC Sport.

"The sending-off is not one of those things. As a player you have to control your aggression.

"I didn't see the first yellow but with the second, you know you already have a yellow, so have to handle it differently. I said that to the players."

Despite Smalling's dismissal, United improved after Aguero's goal, with Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria both drawing good saves out of City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

MOTD2 analysis
Danny Murphy: "Especially with them playing against 10 men, you might not expect that City would drop deeper and deeper when they went 1-0 up rather than continue pushing forward in search of a second goal, but there were reasons they had that mentality."

"The red card had an influence on the game but, despite being 10 men against 11, we played better in the second half than the first because of willpower of this team," added Van Gaal.

"We are very close. You saw it against Chelsea and now against Manchester City. They are the two best clubs in this league and the difference is zero I think.

"When you see what we did with 10 men you can be proud as a coach."

Van Gaal also defended midfielder Marouane Fellaini against accusations that he spat at Aguero after the striker went down under a first-half challenge.

Former Wales international Robbie Savage:
"Manchester United are level on points with West Brom. Don't get me wrong, I think Alan Irvine is doing a great job there, but United have spent £150m on new players and that is unacceptable. When are we going to start asking serious questions of Louis van Gaal in press conferences because I haven't heard it yet."

"The TV has shown that he is shouting and sometimes when you shout there's a little bit of saliva with it," Van Gaal said. "I don't think that he's a spitting figure."

The Football Association will wait to see if referee Michael Oliver mentions the incident in his report before deciding whether to take action against Fellaini.

If the alleged spit was not seen by the referee or any of his assistants, the FA video review panel could take disciplinary action against the Belgian if they think it was a deliberate act.

 
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yinyang

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Another rear end Dutch job? :p

Manchester United plot cut price January move for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar
BBC Nov 04, 2014 22:30 By John Cross

United boss Van Gaal is plotting a reunion with his former Netherlands skipper as he looks to solve the Red Devils defensive woes

Double Dutch: LVG could turn to his former Netherlands skipper Louis van Gaal wants Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar to solve his defensive injury crisis.

Manchester United boss Van Gaal is ready to make a cut-price January move for Vlaar to help patch up his back four. Arsenal are also watching developments closely but Van Gaal’s Dutch connection may help if Villa are forced to sell in January.

It comes after United’s latest defensive injury blow saw Marcos Rojo ruled out for up to three months with a dislocated shoulder.

That comes on top of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans all suffering injuries this term and United want to plug the gap.

Villa fear losing Vlaar, 29, in January as he is out of contract next summer when he can leave on a free transfer.

They have been trying to tie him down to a new deal and further talks are planned before the window opens.

Man United defensive performance 2014-15 (League only, per game)
10.6
Shots conceded
2.8
Shots blocked
18.7
Tackles
12.1
Fouls
18.1
Interception

But Van Gaal knows Vlaar from their time together with the Dutch national team, he was outstanding at the World Cup and sees him as an ideal solution.

Villa value Vlaar at around £12m in January but it is unlikely that United would pay that much.

Arsenal tried to get Vlaar on transfer deadline day in the summer but Villa weren’t budging even though he has yet to commit his future to the club.

United have also been looking at Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte, 20, and German World Cup winner Mats Hummels but know Vlaar could be on the cheap in January
 

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Man Utd prepared to accept £20m for former Chelsea star Juan Mata
MANCHESTER UNITED are willing to offload former Chelsea and Spanish international Juan Mata for £20m
.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...-Juventus-Atletico-Madrid-Stars-Update-Latest

According to Spanish reports Louis van Gaal has yet to witness Mata justify his £37.1m price-tag, and is prepared to try an recoup some of his sizeable transfer fee in January.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are two of a number of European clubs interested in prizing the tricky attacking midfielder away from Manchester, and certainly have the financial muscle to make the deal happen.

The fact that United are willing to lose £17.1m on a player they signed a mere eleven-months ago reflects Mata's difficulty in acclimatising to Van Gaal's demands.

Mata has completed just three 90-minute matches for United this season - a worryingly low amount for a player of his calibre.

If Mata is to leave United, It's been claimed he will opt to return to his native Spain - leaving Diego Simeone's champions in pole position.

But a return to former club Valencia is also on the cards, with Peter Lim's hefty cash injection allowing boss Nuno Espirito Santo to compete for the signatures of coveted international stars.


 

RubbingWarmPusi

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He played quite well last week I thought.



Man Utd prepared to accept £20m for former Chelsea star Juan Mata
MANCHESTER UNITED are willing to offload former Chelsea and Spanish international Juan Mata for £20m
.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...-Juventus-Atletico-Madrid-Stars-Update-Latest

According to Spanish reports Louis van Gaal has yet to witness Mata justify his £37.1m price-tag, and is prepared to try an recoup some of his sizeable transfer fee in January.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are two of a number of European clubs interested in prizing the tricky attacking midfielder away from Manchester, and certainly have the financial muscle to make the deal happen.

The fact that United are willing to lose £17.1m on a player they signed a mere eleven-months ago reflects Mata's difficulty in acclimatising to Van Gaal's demands.

Mata has completed just three 90-minute matches for United this season - a worryingly low amount for a player of his calibre.

If Mata is to leave United, It's been claimed he will opt to return to his native Spain - leaving Diego Simeone's champions in pole position.

But a return to former club Valencia is also on the cards, with Peter Lim's hefty cash injection allowing boss Nuno Espirito Santo to compete for the signatures of coveted international stars.


 

ThosayMaureenNeo

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United and Arsenal can try anything but they cannot beat me. I will be going for an unbeaten season to make my Russian boss happy.


Another rear end Dutch job? :p

Manchester United plot cut price January move for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar
BBC Nov 04, 2014 22:30 By John Cross



But Van Gaal knows Vlaar from their time together with the Dutch national team, he was outstanding at the World Cup and sees him as an ideal solution.

Villa value Vlaar at around £12m in January but it is unlikely that United would pay that much.

Arsenal tried to get Vlaar on transfer deadline day in the summer but Villa weren’t budging even though he has yet to commit his future to the club.

United have also been looking at Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte, 20, and German World Cup winner Mats Hummels but know Vlaar could be on the cheap in January
 

yinyang

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Money to spare?

Salford City: Class of 92's takeover alongside Peter Lim is approved
The acquisition of non-league Salford City by a group of former Manchester United footballers and their business partner Peter Lim has been approved.

Ex-United quintet Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who agreed to take over the club in March, will have 50% ownership.

Lim, who has just taken over Valencia, has acquired the other 50% stake.

The Football Association and the Northern Premier League have both ratified the deal.

Salford City are currently third in Division One North of the Northern Premier League, six points behind leaders Darlington 1883 with two games in hand.

They play in the eighth tier of English football, alongside FA Cup giantkillers Warrington Town.

Singapore-based self-made billionaire Lim, 61, is estimated by Forbes to be worth £1.5bn, but withdrew a £320m bid to buy Liverpool in 2010.

When the link-up was announced in September, the Neville brothers, Giggs, Scholes and Butt said they have known Lim for more than 10 years, and expect "exciting times" for the club.


_78932601_classof92.jpg
 

ThosayMaureenNeo

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On paper they have the pedigree and the financial backing so we will definitely be hearing more of them in future. Perhaps I may end up managing them.


Money to spare?

Salford City: Class of 92's takeover alongside Peter Lim is approved
The acquisition of non-league Salford City by a group of former Manchester United footballers and their business partner Peter Lim has been approved.

Ex-United quintet Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who agreed to take over the club in March, will have 50% ownership.

Lim, who has just taken over Valencia, has acquired the other 50% stake.

View attachment 17999
 

yinyang

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Dec fixtures, with early games highlighted

MU Dec.jpg
 

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yinyang

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Manchester United are in the midst of an injury crisis, with 10 first-team players currently unavailable.

The international break has been particularly unkind to Louis van Gaal, with Michael Carrick, David De Gea and Daley Blind joining the wounded within the United squad.

It's not complete doom and gloom, as five of the 10 players injured could return in time to face Arsene Wenger's side at the Emirates on Saturday, but even in a best-case scenario and those players do come back, they are not going to be at full fitness.

Manchester United injury list and suspensions
United-injuries.jpg

Marcos RojoThe defender dislocated his shoulder against Manchester City and is expected to be out until Christmas - and potentially longer

Here is an XI (plus captain Wayne Rooney, who is fit and will play barring injury on England duty) that are huge doubts for the crunch Premier League clash.

(4-4-2) Goalkeeper: David De Gea

The first-choice goalkeeper dislocated his finger during training for Spain, though the extent of the damage is not fully known. Has been superb for United this season, with a number of crucial saves.

Right-back: Rafael da Silva

The Brazilian has not played since the draw with Chelsea, though he could play return Arsenal. United's best option at right full-back.

Centre-back: Jonny Evans

Has had a torrid time when he has played this season, and was part of the United teams that lost to MK Dons and Leicester and drew with Burnley. Not played for two months but could also return.

Centre-back: Marcos Rojo

Dislocated his shoulder in the Manchester derby, the Argentine will definitely not play at the Emirates.

Left-back: Daley Blind

Impressed in central midfield during Carrick's absence and equally adept in central defence or left-back, where he played at the World Cup. Early indications are that he suffered knee ligament damage on Netherlands duty. Marcos Rojo dislocated his shoulder in the Manchester derby
Right midfield: Jesse Lingard

Started the first game of the season against Swansea at wing back but came off after 24 minutes and hasn't returned. Not likely to come back until at least December.

Centre midfield: Michael Carrick

Pulled out of the England squad but hinted that he would only miss the two matches for Roy Hodgson's team. Has played just two matches for United this season after injury.

• Blind suffers suspected knee ligament damage
• Dislocated finger rules De Gea out for up to four weeks
• Di Maria explains why PSG move collapsed
Centre midfield: Phil Jones

Mostly plays at the back for Van Gaal, but equally capable of playing in midfield, Jones last played in the draw with West Bromwich. Another that could return at the Emirates.

Left midfield: Ashley Young

He too last played in the draw at The Hawthorns, one of just four appearances this season. He is currently out with a groin injury with no set return date. Radamel Falcao has struggled since arriving at Old Trafford
Striker: Radamel Falcao

The Colombian may well play at the Emirates but he continues to struggle with numerous injuries. The loan star has played just five matches this season and has just one goal for his new club.

Striker: Wayne Rooney

Barring injury on England duty, the captain will play - we were a man short of a full XI.

 

yinyang

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Man United revenues down over Champions League failure

Manchester United has said that its revenue fell by 9.9% to £88.7m for the three months to the end of September.

The Old Trafford club lost out on payments from Nike from failing to qualify for the Uefa Champions League.

The fall in income could have been more but was partially compensated for by an increase in sponsorship money and a lower wage bill.

Club boss Ed Woodward said 2014-15 financial results would reflect "absence from the Champions League".

But he said the club had "signed the largest kit sponsorship deal in the history of sport in the first quarter and, with that concluded, we are excited to focus our efforts on the meaningful growth opportunities in sponsorship, digital media and retail and merchandising".

The club's kit deal with Adidas, which kicks in at the start of the 2015-16 season, is worth £750m over ten years.

On top of this, it signed five additional sponsorship deals in the quarter.

However, revenues from both broadcasting and matchdays fell as the cost of missing out on Europe's premier club competition for the first time in two decades took its toll.

On the positive side, Manchester United said employee benefit expenses for the quarter were down 6.6% compared to the same quarter a year ago, thanks mainly to lower player wages.

United, majority owned by the American Glazer family, reiterated that its full year revenue would be between £385m and £395m, around £40m lower than the previous year.

The club is currently seventh in the Premier League table, having made an indifferent start to the season under coach Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal was drafted in at the start of the season after Alex Ferguson's replacement David Moyes left.
 

MeeSoupOzil

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In real terms its a lot of moolah but this club can handle it if its just for a season or two.



Man United revenues down over Champions League failure

Manchester United has said that its revenue fell by 9.9% to £88.7m for the three months to the end of September.

The Old Trafford club lost out on payments from Nike from failing to qualify for the Uefa Champions League.

The fall in income could have been more but was partially compensated for by an increase in sponsorship money and a lower wage bill.

Club boss Ed Woodward said 2014-15 financial results would reflect "absence from the Champions League".

But he said the club had "signed the largest kit sponsorship deal in the history of sport in the first quarter and, with that concluded, we are excited to focus our efforts on the meaningful growth opportunities in sponsorship, digital media and retail and merchandising".


 
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