║ Barclays Premier League Season 2013-14 ║

[EdenHazard]

Liverpool icons converge on Anfield for 'Celebration of the 96' charity game

Apr 21, 2014 6:49:00 PM

A team of local legends drew 2-2 with their international counterparts in a special match to remember those who died in the Hillsborough disaster, with Robbie Fowler scoring twice

By Garry Doolan at Anfield

Some of Liverpool's greatest ever stars returned to the famous Anfield pitch for a 'Celebration of the 96' charity match on Monday.

The clash between the Local Legends and International Legends was organised as a celebration of the lives of those fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989.

There was a barely a seat to be had in the magic old stadium as some of the finest players ever to wear the red jersey pulled on their boots again for a match that also raised funds for the Hillsborough Family Support Group, the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

Both sets of players wore '96' on their backs rather than traditional squad numbers but there was no danger that they would not be identified by the fans who idolised them all at various stages through Liverpool's last 40 years.

Among the stars were many who had won league titles, FA Cups, League Cups, Uefa Cups and the Champions League. All had aged, many had turned grey and piled on the pounds but each was met by a massive round of applause as they ran out individually onto the pitch from the famous tunnel.

Perhaps the biggest welcome pre-match, though, was given to current manager Brendan Rodgers, who was cheered to the rafters as he walked the perimeter of the pitch 20 minutes before kick-off.

The Ulsterman, whose late father was an avid Reds fans, said: "I feel honoured, blessed and privileged to lead this club every day and occasions like this only strengthen those feelings."

Current Reds captain Steven Gerrard was also in the stands, fresh from a 3-2 win at Norwich City on Sunday which put his side within touching distance of a first Premier League title in almost a quarter of a century.

Gerrard, who lost his 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, at Hillsborough, declared: "The 96 were all football fans who followed LFC everywhere and the most fitting way to honour their memory is by putting on a game they would have loved."

The match was preceded by a moving rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' by local chorister Jack Topping. Liverpool's rousing anthem is usually sung by the massed ranks of the Anfield choir but, on this occasion, there was perfect silence in the stands as the 12-year-old belted out the famous song.

There was little goalmouth action in the early exchanges but still plenty to entertain the fans. The crowd took to playfully booing striker Michael Owen, who joined Manchester United after leaving Liverpool, each time that he touched the ball and also shouted for Danish legend Jan Molby to shoot on sight each time he took possession.

The deadlock came close to being broken when Steve McManaman nipped through the back of the International rearguard after 15 minutes but was denied by keeper Sander Westerveld. As the Local Legends, managed by Kenny Dalglish, piled on the pressure, Owen and Robbie Fowler both fired shots high and wide.

The International Legends, led by Gerard Houllier, then almost grabbed a 35th-minute opener but Spanish great Luis Garcia drove a lot shot just wide of David James's far post.

The stalemate was eventually shattered three minutes from half-time when Fowler - who scored 183 goals in total during two spells at Anfield and was simply known as 'God' by the fans - latched onto a through-ball from Jason McAteer to round Westerveld before slotting the ball into the empty net at the Kop end.

Both sides rang the changes during the break and the switches paid dividends for the International Legends, who levelled after just five minutes. Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer showed a glimpse of the fine touch which made him such a firm favourite during his six years at Anfield when he drove home a long-range shot from the edge of the box. The shot took a noticeable deflection off Michael Thomas on its way into the net but was still credited to Smicer, best remembered for his goal in Liverpool's dramatic 2005 Champions League victory over AC Milan in 2005.

As the legs inevitably tired in the closing stages, there were more changes. Comedian John Bishop was brought into the fray but was then almost sent off just minutes later for clattering into midfielder David Thompson.

But Bishop was at the heart of the International Legends' second goal, on 77 minutes, when his shot bounced out off the post for Bruno Cheyrou to belt the rebound past James.

Then two minutes from time, Bishop had a penalty saved by James at the Kop end after David Burrows had clattered into Jari Litmanen.

With the seconds ticking away, the Local Legends were awarded their own penalty after Fowler was tripped and the striker picked himself up off the floor to slot the equaliser.

A specially carved wooden trophy was presented to both captains after the final whistle, as International skipper Sami Hyypia enthused: "It was great to see the stadium full today. It was a great occasion and all the players thoroughly enjoyed it."

"It was a great afternoon," said Ronnie Whelan, who turned out for the Local Legends. "This place has seen some great occasions but this was memorable also. The sun was shining and it was a fitting tribute."

 

[EdenHazard]

Why Manchester United couldn't waste another penny on Moyes

Apr 21, 2014 10:15:00 PM

The Scot is set to be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford after a disastrous first season in charge of the club and he can have few complaints as the issues continued to mount

By Duncan Castles

As embarrassing and as painful as it must have been, it was not the defeat at a ground where David Moyes established his Premier League coaching credentials across 11 years of assiduous, considered work that killed his hopes of being allowed a second summer transfer window at Old Trafford.

For United's key decision makers, Moyes has been a dead man talking for at least a month.

Nor was the avalanche of unacceptable results - the snowballing list of unwanted Premier League-era lows - the critical factor in electing to dismiss a manager who turns 51 later this week. What likely undid Moyes was the damage his man management was inflicting upon United's bottom line.

Time and time again this season Moyes has sought to lay the blame for the club's unprecedented under-performance – from champions by 11 points to eliminated from all domestic contention by the end of January – on the squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson. And as the executive vice-chairman promoted alongside him last summer encouraged Moyes' efforts in overhauling United's scouting department while telling public and press that the replacement Scot's job was safe, he grew confident of an immense summer investment in new players.

Discussion of a £100 million-plus (€120m) spend on transfer fees alone became as common as a Moyes press conference emphasising the dire need to restructure. His recruitment plan involved the extraordinary measure for an elite European club of signing as many as six top-class players in the peak period of their careers, namely over the age of 25. And all this on top of the near £65m (€80m) in transfer fees already thrown at Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, plus a club-record contract controversially awarded to Wayne Rooney.

In eight years of ownership by the Glazer family, Ferguson's net transfer spend averaged out at under £20m (€24m) a campaign. The strategy Moyes proposed to turn his own failing results around was that he be entrusted with more than five seasons worth of such expenditure in one single summer splurge.

If such logic was never likely to appeal to owners whose interest in football has always been about profit rather than pleasure, Moyes' ability to destroy value in the players he'd been hired to work with counted heaviest against him.

Amongst Moyes' first requests as United's manager was that Nani be retained on a contract that made him one of the club's very best paid professionals. Less than a month into their first Premier League campaign together, Moyes had fallen out with the Portugal international and ultimately asked that he be sold. In total, the Scot has granted Nani just six League starts.

Ashley Young has 12, Shinji Kagawa 11, Javier Hernandez five. All are in what should be the most productive periods of their careers. All were regarded as prime assets under Ferguson. All have diminished - perhaps plummeted - in value as Moyes has continously kept them sidelined throughout the season.

In his handling of Rooney, Moyes undermined the team in a different manner. Pushed towards the periphery by Ferguson over his attitude to training, lifestyle and the club that had made him one of England's wealthiest sportsmen, Rooney wanted out as United's new manager was arriving.

Moyes correctly calculated that the striker could be retained by making him feel special again. No one had been more important than Robin van Persie to Ferguson's final League title, yet it was Rooney who was to be the central focus of United's new and decidely unimproved attack; his treatment around the training ground giving evidence to the Englishman's restored status.

As it became clear that an individual who'd fallen afoul of Ferguson and twice backed United into a corner over new contracts was to be rewarded with the most lucrative deal the club had ever paid, discontent with Moyes grew. The word amongst senior players was that their new boss simply did not understand the essence of United as a football club.

In his promotion of Rooney, his team selections, his overly cautious tactics, his man management and his words, they saw a man contradicting the principles Ferguson had worked so diligently to instil within them. Gradually, the unease of senior players – Ryan Giggs notable amongst them – turned into a consensus that Moyes was the wrong man for the job. Ultimately, representations were made to the board that a change of manager was essential.

United's hierarchy was already thinking the same way. By March, the sensible precaution of assessing candidates to replace Moyes had begun. By the end of that month, the word within the club was that Moyes was "dead" and that the six-year contract with which the Glazers had sought to bolster the first managerial appointment since they purchased the club would have its unpublicised break clause activated by the summer.

 

[EdenHazard]

David Moyes sacked as Manchester United's owners finally lose patience with the manager

David Moyes' short-lived reign at Manchester United is over. The club confirmed on Tuesday morning that Sir Alex Ferguson's successor had "left the club" after less than a season in charge

Gone: David Moyes has left Manchester United Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Telegraph Sport, and agencies
9:56AM BST 22 Apr 2014

Manchester United says manager David Moyes has left the Premier League club after less than a year in charge, amid heavy speculation he was about to be fired.

Moyes endured a miserable time in charge, with Sunday's 2-0 loss at his former club Everton the latest setback.

The club announced the dismissal of the 50-year-old Scot in a 33-word statement on its Twitter account saying: "Manchester United announces that David Moyes has left the club"

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

It is understood that long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs will be announced as interim manager later on Tuesday.

There will be no shortage of takers when it comes to seeking a successor for Moyes, who turns 51 this Friday.

Louis van Gaal is among the front runners. The former Barcelona manager has an impressive CV and will be available this summer when he leaves his post as Holland coach.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is among the fans' favourites to take over, but the club are understood to favour other candidates.

Diego Simeone is a highly regarded figure in European football after taking Atletico Madrid to the top of the Spanish league and into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, many fans would like to see Giggs take the post on a long-term basis, despite his lack of managerial experience.

Moyes slipped into United's base in Carrington un-noticed on Tuesday morning.

Succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 13 league titles during his time at the club, was always going to be difficult, but few expected this season to have gone so badly.

The list of unwanted records broken by Moyes is as embarrassing as it is long. United are guaranteed to end the season with their worst points total in Premier League history, they have failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost two decades while Moyes' home record is the worst of any United boss since 1978 when Dave Sexton was in charge.

United are seventh in the Premier League with four matches to go, with Europa League qualification now also looking unlikely.

Moyes won 27, drew nine and lost 15 of his 51 games in charge.

The Scot was dogged by claims he was not up to the job ever since he took over last July.

Moyes had enjoyed 11 critically-acclaimed years at Everton, leading the club to five top-six finishes. The Toffees qualified for the Champions League for the first time under Moyes' stewardship - although they lost in the qualifying stages of the competition - and he also took the Merseyside club to the FA Cup final in 2009.

But all those achievements were small fry compared to what his predecessor achieved.

The enormity of the task in hand seemed to overwhelm Moyes from day one.

Moyes upset some within the club by bringing in his own coaching staff, while the likes of Rene Meulensteen, Eric Steele, and Mike Phelan departed.

Moyes also botched his first transfer window as United boss. The Scot pursued Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas when the Spaniard had no intention of leaving the SpaniSh giants.

Thiago Alcantara joined Bayern Munich ahead of United, while the club made a real hash of their attempts to sign Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines on the cheap.

United's bid of £28million for the pair was branded ''derisory and insulting'' by Everton.

Baines stayed and United ended up buying Fellaini for £27.5million when they could have bought him for £4million less had they acted quicker.

Moyes rarely looked comfortable in front of the cameras, and for that reason many felt Jose Mourinho, who left Real Madrid to rejoin Chelsea last summer, would have been a better option.

 

[EdenHazard]

Diego Simeone prepared for his Old Trafford audition when Atlético Madrid take on Chelsea

Atlético Madrid coach has taken his side to the top of La Liga and the Champions League semi-finals and is admired by Manchester United

Fools' Gold: Would Diego Simeone be tempted by the Manchester United job? Photo: AFP

By Matt Law
1:52PM BST 21 Apr 2014

Diego Simeone can enhance his reputation inside the corridors of power at Manchester United by masterminding a Champions League success over Chelsea.

Atlético Madrid’s Simeone is among the managers United will consider to replace David Moyes if they decide to sack the Scotsman. United chiefs will therefore watch with interest as Atlético take on Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final in Madrid tomorrow night.

Simeone has done a superb job since replacing Gregorio Manzano at the Vicente Calderón in 2011, earning himself a reputation as one of Europe’s best coaches. Atlético are four points clear at the top of La Liga, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, and knocked Barca out of the Champions League to set-up the semi-final clash with Chelsea.

Simeone has already guided Atlético to Copa del Rey, Europa League and Uefa Super Cup glory during his three years in charge.

The former Argentina international midfielder is the man whom ex-United star David Beckham kicked to earn his infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup.

The biggest drawback in terms of Simeone for United is that he does not speak fluent English and extended his Atlético contract until 2017 last March. But a two-legged Champions League victory over Chelsea and their manager Jose Mourinho would attract more support for Simeone inside Old Trafford.

 

[EdenHazard]

Burnley promoted to the Premier League after beating Wigan Athletic

On the up: Burnley have been promoted to the Premier League Photo: PA

By Si Hughes
5:18PM BST 21 Apr 2014

Burnley’s miraculous rise was confirmed on Easter Monday. After promotion had eluded them on two occasions in the previous nine days, deliverance from the Championship was finally sealed at a raucous Turf Moor.

This is a spectacular achievement by Sean Dyche and his team. If money counted for everything, Burnley would be fighting to avoid relegation to League One. Yet Dyche has fostered a spirit in which passion from the terraces has been harnessed by sheer effort and determination.

Burnley, who spent one season in the Premier League four years ago, have one of the lowest budgets in the league and, indeed, the smallest squads. Yet playing with organisation, skill and positive thinking, it felt inevitable that Burnley would realise what once seemed an improbable target.

The outcome was settled in the first half by goals from Ashley Barnes and Michael Kightly. Burnley were too powerful and too dogged to disappoint the capacity home crowd or to ever really be troubled by Wigan.

Supporters had waited to invade for the final 10 minutes. At the final whistle they spilt onto the pitch: old and young; men, women and children. Somewhere in the middle was Dyche, his considerable frame being hoisted and thrown victoriously into the spring air by his players, Champagne spraying all over his suit.

Burnley is a town where the average annual salary is £7,000 below the national average. This promotion felt like an achievement by a community – the town’s football team – against all the odds. It really meant something here.

Dyche was quick to praise the board of directors for sticking with him last summer, when some questioned whether he was the right man to take the club forward following an 11th-place finish.

“They calmed everything down and outlined a few positive realities,” he said. “That gave us a freedom.”

A man of clear ambition, Dyche also spoke about his desire for this not to be the high of his managerial career. Perhaps there will be silverware elsewhere later on. He had been promoted four times as a player in the lower leagues, but nothing could match the feeling that accompanied this triumph.

“I think it’s historic,” he said. “The reason is this: the challenge of the Championship is getting harder and harder because clubs that get relegated are getting richer and richer. Then there are clubs getting richer by their backer.

“To do it automatically with a low budget in the grand scheme of this division using 22 players is incredible. I’m unbelievably delighted. This achievement might be a marker in the bigger picture of Championship football.”

There was a sense of occasion from the very beginning. Three times before kick-off, David Bowie’s Heroes rang out across the public address system – a subliminal reminder to the players of how they might be regarded in this part of Lancashire. A guttural roar greeted the teams, and Burnley swiftly got to work.

Wigan were under pressure from the off. From deep in midfield, Dean Marney sprung forward and sent in a cross. With Barnes charging in unmarked, the result was inevitable and via a volley Burnley were emphatically ahead.

They doubled their lead when a free-kick by Kightly, struck venomously from the left, took a nick off Stephen Crainey’s head on the way in. There was plenty of time to go, but it did not matter.

“We’ve built something here that’s marvellous,” Dyche concluded.

 

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Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp not interested in succeeding David Moyes as Manchester United manager

Jurgen Klopp has been ruled out as a potential successor to David Moyes at Manchester United after making it clear that he is committed to Borussia Dortmund

Staying put: Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is happy where he is Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Mark Ogden
9:29AM BST 22 Apr 2014

Head coach Klopp, 46, had emerged as a leading contender for the Old Trafford vacancy – confirmed with the news of David Moyes’s dismissal at 8.30am today – following his impressive work at Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons.

But Manchester United have been made aware that the German will not consider a move to United, with senior figures at Old Trafford being told of his ongoing commitment to the Bundesliga outfit.

Having signed a five-year contract at the Westfalenstadion last October, Klopp had been expected to be interested in a move away from Germany, with United and Barcelona both emerging as potential destinations.

But having inquired about Klopp’s intentions, United have been told that the former Mainz coach will not be pursuing a move away from Dortmund.

Klopp’s rejection has opened the door for Louis van Gaal to move into pole position for the United job.

The Holland coach, who has won the Champions League during his illustrious career at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is interested in the United job.

But with Holland’s World Cup commitments likely to be at the forefront of his priorities at this stage, United could be forced to wait until mid-July before the Dutchman could start work.

 

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Exclusive - Man United could have had Mourinho! Bosnich blasts board for letting Fergie choose Moyes

By Alex Varney (@lexvarney) | Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mark Bosnich says the Manchester United board blundered by putting their trust in Sir Alex Ferguson when appointing his successor.

Moyes was chosen by Ferguson as the man to replace him last summer when he retired after 26 years in charge at Old Trafford.

The 50-year-old duly endured a disastrous spell, which was brought to an end after just ten months on Tuesday morning.

And Bosnich claims United should have tempted a top manager like Jose Mourinho, who was available before sealing his return to Chelsea, rather than go for Fergie's fellow Scot.

"It is a great lesson to be learnt not to let your outgoing manager choose your next manager," blasted Bosnich, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast,

“For all Sir Alex Ferguson did, the choice of David Moyes was not the right one. It was poor. He should never have been allowed to do that.

“People have said none of the top managers would have taken the job but I disagree. I’m quite certain that a Jose Mourinho would have taken the job.

“Sir Alex Ferguson appointed David Moyes knowing it would take a lot of time for him to get up to speed and that people would still be thinking about him rather than concentrating on what they needed to, which was to have a smooth transition."

 

[EdenHazard]

Van Gaal 'very keen' on Manchester United job

Apr 22, 2014 1:01:00 PM

The experienced Netherlands coach has told friends he wants to replace David Moyes at Old Trafford after holding initial talks with a United delegation last week

By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Louis van Gaal wants to succeed David Moyes as Manchester United manager, Goal understands.

The Dutchman has told friends he is "very keen" on taking over at Old Trafford when his stint in charge of the Netherlands finishes after the World Cup.

As reported by Goal, Van Gaal met with a United delegation last week and further talks are expected to take place as the club step up the process of finding a successor to Moyes.

Jurgen Klopp has also been approached by United but the Borussia Dortmund manager publicly distanced himself from the job on Tuesday morning.

"Man Utd is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans," Klopp was quoted as saying in the Guardian. 'But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable."

Van Gaal, who turns 63 in August, would represent a relatively short-term fix and a considerable departure from the long-term planning trumpeted by United in the wake of Moyes’ appointment 11 months ago.

Some figures in the United boardroom have reservations about the Dutchman’s management style and abrasive reputation.

However, his outstanding CV, which features league titles in three countries, and long track record of success, coupled with his immediate availability, has impressed the Glazer family, who are leading the hunt for Moyes’ successor.

The Scot was sacked by United on Tuesday morning and player-coach Ryan Giggs has been placed in caretaker charge of the club until the end of the season.

Giggs’ lack of managerial experience is likely to count against him in the coming weeks as United prepare to make their second appointment in a year.

Van Gaal, who has been installed as the favourite to replace Moyes, has made no secret of his desire to coach a Premier League club after the World Cup.

The former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Ajax boss has already held talks with Tottenham but the Spurs hierarchy accept they would not be able to stop Van Gaal joining United if he was offered the job.

The Dutchman regards United as one of the world’s top clubs and believes they would represent a perfect final chapter of what has been a glittering coaching career.

Van Gaal is expecting further contact from United in the coming days but the Glazers, the American family who own the club, are also expected to sound out several managerial big guns.

These could include Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and, even more intriguingly, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who was ignored last year when Sir Alex Ferguson recommended Moyes to be his successor.

The Glazers are prepared to hand the new man a transfer kitty of more than £150 million to reshape a squad that has failed dismally this season.

Moyes was sacked two days after it became mathematically impossible for United to seal a top-four Premier League finish and compete in next season's Champions League.

It is believed that it had been written into the six-year contract Moyes signed last summer that he would only get a year's pay-off if he was sacked after finishing outside of the top four.

 

[EdenHazard]

Klopp: I don't want Manchester United job

By Liam Twomey
Apr 22, 2014 10:02:00 AM

The in-demand Dortmund boss admits he feels "very familiar" with the Red Devils fans but insists his commitment to his current club is "not breakable"

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says he is not interested in taking the Manchester United job, after the Premier League club sacked David Moyes on Tuesday.

The Scot was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning only 10 months into a six-year contract at Old Trafford, having presided over the club's worst campaign in the Premier League era.

Klopp was seen as one of the favourites to succeed Moyes this summer, despite having signed a new contract committing him to Dortmund until 2018 in October.

But speaking to the Guardian, the German said: "Man Utd is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable."

Klopp has established himself as one of Europe's most sought-after coaches after leading Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final.

Other front-runners to succeed Moyes are Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti.

Van Gaal is also wanted by Tottenham to succeed Tim Sherwood, but last week Goal reported that the Dutchman was taking time to weigh up his options having been linked with United.

 

[EdenHazard]

Manchester United confirm Giggs as interim boss

By Liam Twomey
Apr 22, 2014 10:15:00 AM

The club have confirmed that the 40-year-old will take charge of the final four matches of the season after the Scot was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning

Manchester United have revealed that Ryan Giggs will assume first-team responsibilities as interim coach until a permanent successor to David Moyes is appointed.

The Scot was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning just 10-months into a six-year contract, having presided over the club's worst campaign of the Premier League era.

And it has now been confirmed that Giggs, who has made a record 962 appearances for United and was widely expected to end his playing career this summer, will negotiate the final four matches of the season.

A club statement read: "Following the departure of David Moyes as manager, Manchester United has announced that Ryan Giggs, the club’s most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made.

"The club will make no further comment on this process until it is concluded."

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp had been installed as the early favourite to succeed Moyes, but has since ruled out the possibility of leaving the Bundesliga giants this summer.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti are both also thought to be in contention, but Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is the new front-runner for the post.

Van Gaal is also wanted by Tottenham to succeed Tim Sherwood, but Goal reported last week that the Dutchman was taking his time to weigh up his options amid speculation linking him with United.

 

[EdenHazard]

Ancelotti: I feel sorry for Moyes

By Enis Koylu
Apr 22, 2014 2:06:00 PM

The Italian believes plenty of clubs would already have dismissed the Scot but says he was surprised the Old Trafford hierarchy made such a ruthless decision

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his sympathy for sacked Manchester United manager David Moyes.

The former Everton coach was given the task of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford last May, but was dismissed from his post on Tuesday after just 11 months in the job.

Ancelotti says he was surprised that the Red Devils resolved to fire their coach so soon but says many other clubs would have taken the same decision.

"I was a little surprised because Manchester United don't have that custom of sacking managers," he told reporters.

"In another club, it would be completely normal, but after so many years with Sir Alex, it is a little surprising.

"I feel for Moyes, but this is the life of a coach. At time things don't go well and you are sacked. I'm sure Moyes will look for and find another job."

A 2-0 loss to Everton on Sunday ensured that United, who sit seventh in the Premier League, cannot qualify for next season's Champions League.

Club legend Ryan Giggs will take charge of the team for their remaining games this season.

 

[EdenHazard]

'Manchester United mayhem' - McQueen blasts Moyes sacking

Apr 22, 2014 1:48:00 PM

The former defender says he is totally shocked to see the Scot depart Old Trafford and says there are no guarantees his replacement will be able to put things right

EXCLUSIVE
By Russell Stoddart

Former Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen has described the Red Devils as a club in “mayhem” and attacked the manner in which David Moyes was sacked.

The 61-year-old insists that Moyes took over an “average team” this summer despite the club having just won the Premier League title by 11 points under Sir Alex Ferguson and was surprised to see the Scot leave.

“I’m totally shocked by the decision to sack David and the manner in which it was done was horrendous," he told Goal.

“It is total mayhem there and there are no guarantees whoever replaces him will be able to put things right. David was voted manager of the year by his peers three times, people forget that.

“Someone at the club, whether it was the owners or the chief executive obviously had enough after the 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday and couldn’t wait to get shot of him.

“Of course this season has been a huge disappointment, but it was always going to be a tough season and panic has set in.

“He wasn’t dealt a great hand at United because the team that won the league was on the way down. In many ways it got lucky last season as it was nothing more than an average United team.

“David was promised time and given a six-year contract. He was prepared to stick it out and prove people wrong, but the loyalty wasn’t there in return.

“He is an honourable man and, believe me, no one in the game works harder. He deserved better than to find out he was going to be sacked on Twitter.”

McQueen believes that Moyes never recovered from the calamity of his first signing, Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini for £27.5 million from his previous club Everton.

“I think his biggest problem was in the transfer market and the signing of Fellaini set the tone," he added

“Fans wanted to signings like Cesc Fabregas but that never happened and even the arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea in January did not have the impact it should have done.

“Manchester United have no divine right to win things and it takes time for a new manager to win the trust of players and make his own mark on the club.

“The club knows that a lot of money will have to be spent in the summer on half-a-dozen players but it looks like they don’t trust David to spend it wisely.

“It might take the next man twice as long to understand the club as it took David because they are likely to go for someone from abroad unlikely to have any insight into what makes Manchester United.

“Ryan Giggs might take the reins until the end of the season and with three home games and an away match at Southampton, he could win all four. What happens then? Do you give it to him full-time?

“United have got to be careful they get it right this time because as Liverpool proved over 20 years ago if you don’t you can go years in the doldrums.”

 

[EdenHazard]

Anxious City set to assess Silva injury

David Silva could miss Manchester City's BPL title run-in after being stretchered off in the second half of the 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Tuesday 22nd April 2014

Silva suffered a recurrence of a recent ankle problem and City's medical staff will spend Tuesday determining whether the Spaniard will be fit enough to play some part in his team's last four games of the season.

Silva's injury soured a businesslike 3-1 win over the relegation-threatened Baggies at the Etihad Stadium with two goals inside the first 10 minutes from Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero settling nerves before Martin Demichelis added a third after Graham Dorrans had briefly reduced the deficit.

Pellegrini said: "We will see tomorrow (Tuesday) what has happened. David played the last three games with pain in his ankle and that is why it wasn't possible for him to play against Sunderland (last week).

"He got a kick some weeks ago and every week he has played the game with pain. It is hard to tell without the doctors giving their assessment but hopefully it will be a short-term injury."

The win maintained City's title hopes as it moved them within six points of leaders Liverpool with one game still in hand.

There was little chance of a repeat of last Wednesday's frustrating 2-2 home draw with Sunderland after Zabaleta headed the opener when Baggies keeper Ben Foster palmed Aguero's initial effort into his path.

Aguero hit a sweetly struck second and it looked like being a night of damage limitation for the Baggies, whose defeat leaves them precariously placed three points above the drop zone going into Saturday's crucial home clash with West Ham.

But a brilliant strike from Dorrans gave the visitors hope and they even thought they had drawn level when Matej Vydra bundled the ball home only to be ruled narrowly offside.

Demichelis knocked home a Samir Nasri corner to restore City's two-goal cushion and in a much more low-key second period Foster had to be alert to deny both Dzeko and City substitute James Milner.

Baggies boss Pepe Mel has injury concerns of his own heading into the crucial game against the Hammers after defender Liam Ridgewell limped off in the closing stages with a knee injury.

Ridgewell is yet to be assessed by Hawthorns medical staff but Mel intimated the initial prognosis was not good, saying: "We have a feeling he may go on to miss the rest of the season. We will have a look at the tests tomorrow but the feeling is he won't be able to play."

Mel added: "The most important thing we can do is focus on Saturday which is really like a final for us.

"It really was as difficult game after conceding in the third and 10th minutes and we had to change everything we'd been working on during the week. After that the team did really well."

 

[EdenHazard]

Fans angry at United 'shambles'

Manchester United have been accused of turning themselves into a laughing stock with their handling of David Moyes' departure.

Tuesday 22nd April 2014

Moyes' nine-month reign at Old Trafford came to an end on Tuesday when he was sacked following a meeting at 8am with vice-chairman Ed Woodward at Carrington.

The dismissal did not come as a surprise as many national media outlets reported on Monday afternoon that Moyes was to be dismissed.

Although many fans wanted Moyes out after such a woeful season, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) believes it was wrong for the story to leak nearly 24 hours before an official announcement was made.

"It's a PR shambles," said MUST vice-chair Sean Bones.

"Manchester United's history shows they deal with things with class and dignity but that has not been the case here.

"The story leaked before David Moyes has been spoken to, and that's not the Manchester United way. There was no dignity or class in the way they went about it."

Although United fans never called for Moyes' head during games, it was clear that support for the manager was eroding with each of the 11 league defeats suffered by the club this term.

It was therefore no surprise that many chose to hail the news of his sacking when it was announced on the club's official Twitter feed.

Bones feels appointing Moyes was always going to be a gamble considering that the Scot's only previous experience came managing Everton and Preston.

"The appointment of David Moyes was seen by a lot of supporters as a risk," he said.

"Moyes wasn't proven at the very highest level, and Manchester United should be attracting the best and most proven managers in the world."

Ryan Giggs will take charge of the first team on a temporary basis but speculation has already begun about who United want as a long-term successor to Moyes.

Most fans appear to want Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, although he is not thought to be high on United's wanted list.

Whoever succeeds Moyes, Bones fears for the future of the club while the Glazer family are in charge.

"The problems lie a lot deeper than David Moyes," he said.

"They lie with the Glazers and how they run the club."

 

[EdenHazard]

Ryan Giggs: 'You've got to be natural as a manager and find your own style'

Manchester United's temporary coach shares his philosophy on coaching with our Midlands football correspondent

• Moyes sacked by Manchester United
• Giggs named interim United manager
• Daniel Taylor: Moyes has missed every possible target
• The downfall of David Moyes at United – in pictures
• Management hopefuls gain their grounding

Stuart James
The Guardian Tuesday 22 April 2014 12.08 BST

Ryan Giggs soaks up information during the pro-licence course at St George's Park. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Ryan Giggs, who has stepped in as a temporary replacement for David Moyes after his sacking by Manchester United, took part in a pro-licence management course with the Guardian's Stuart James in March this year.

During a break at the Football Association's new facility at St George's Park, he shared his thoughts on coaching and management with our Midlands football correspondent:

"I've always been someone who wants to learn. The course teaches you a lot but also you have interaction with the other students and the experiences that they've got. We did some stuff on sport science, we've got five or six sport scientists at Man United; one of the lads said they haven't got one and have only got 12 full-time staff. It just makes you feel how hard it is for them, the challenges that they've got that could be different from the challenges you've got.

"The other coaching courses you go on, you would do a bit of preparation and a bit of planning, but actually speaking and communicating, you probably wouldn't do a lot of. You would do it as player but wouldn't address a team or a group. These are all skills that they are teaching us how to get better and preparing you, really, for when you do have to do it.

"I think you've got to be natural as much as you can as a manager, find your own style, not try and be somebody else. Different people have different characteristics. Sparky [Mark Hughes] would go on the pitch and kick lumps out of everyone, you would think he would be the most outgoing person ever but he wasn't; he was quite quiet off the pitch.

"Roy Keane – what you see is what you get on and off the pitch; he'll tell you how it is. Paul Ince similar. Steve Bruce – different again, he was someone who helped you as a young player, a great character. And he's not changed, he's still the same person.

"I think what this course does teach you is that there is no right or wrong way, so I might have a playing philosophy but you have to be adaptable as well. Maybe you haven't got the players to play that way, which was what Carlo Ancelotti was saying [during an interview with John Peacock, the FA's head of coaching].

"I found that really interesting, it was similar to me, growing up on 4-4-2 really. He didn't sign Roberto Baggio because he didn't fit into his philosophy at the time. So you have to be adaptable and maybe not be: 'I'm going to play like this.' You evolve really."

 

[EdenHazard]

David Moyes allowed Man United to be knocked off their perch by Liverpool... for the Reds have enjoyed a 51-point swing as they head for the Premier League title

By Craig Hope
Published: 07:22 EST, 22 April 2014 | Updated: 09:10 EST, 22 April 2014

As recently as February and with an air of superiority, Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward labelled Liverpool the ‘club down the road’.

Thanks to the mismanagement of the now departed David Moyes, however, that very club has been allowed to disappear into the distance.

The Reds have motored clear of the champions who, under the steering job of Moyes, remained stuck in reverse.

End of the line: Moyes was sacked by Manchester United with immediate effect on Tuesday morning

Saying goodbye: United's owners, the Glazer family, lost patience with Moyes after a string of bad results

Power shift: Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool have enjoyed a 51-point swing over United under Moyes

On the slide: Players such as Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have underperformed as United relinquished their title

Turnaround: Only once have Liverpool finished ahead of United when, in 2002, they were three points better off

For only once in the history of the Premier League - in 2002 - have United finished behind Liverpool.

Based on last season’s final standings, though, the seismic shift in power can be illustrated by the 51-point swing between the North-West rivals.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United were some 28 points ahead of Brendan Rodgers’ side as they celebrated a 13th Premier League crown in May. Today, they trail the Reds by 23.

Woodward had been attempting to allay fears when, during a conference call with investors, he was quizzed about the financial implications of missing out on the Champions League.

‘Some of our competitors haven’t won the league for a long time but still sell many shirts, including one down the road,' he returned.

He was right. Liverpool do sell a lot of shirts. But they could soon be shifting a fair few more, and that would not have gone unnoticed at Old Trafford.

For that United’s regress has been painfully paralleled to Anfield progress, merely served to amplify pressure and scrutiny on Moyes.

Liverpool are everything United are not at present; energy, adventure, potency and guile.

Destiny: Liverpool are headed for their first English title in 24 years

Red alert: Liverpool were 3-2 winners at Norwich on Sunday as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 30

Looking up: Players such as Raheem Sterling have taken Liverpool to a new level this season

They are headed for a first English championship in 24 years and, soberingly for followers of United, their own sorry slide has aided Liverpool's ascent – for without those home and away victories over Moyes' men they would not reside at the summit of the table.

United have relinquished their title in previous years, of course. But never will it pain them more than the sight of their successors emerging from the red half of Merseyside. They have been knocked off their perch by their bitterest of rivals.

The blue half, meanwhile, are also set to finish ahead of United for the first time since 1990. For Moyes' former club Everton are currently on better terms to the tune of 38 points compared to last season’s finish.

And so it proved that United’s decline had been so rapid, so accelerated in such a short space of time, Moyes’ removal could not come quick enough for fans unable to see a brighter day on the horizon.

'Down the road', however, the sun is shining. Moyes, meanwhile, has left United in the dark.

 

[EdenHazard]

EXCLUSIVE: Paul Scholes in line for shock Man United return after David Moyes sacking

By Ian Ladyman
Published: 05:11 EST, 22 April 2014 | Updated: 05:57 EST, 22 April 2014

Manchester United will make a fresh attempt to bring Paul Scholes back in to the Old Trafford fold after the departure of David Moyes.

Scholes has hardly been seen at the club since doing some work with Under-19s manager Nicky Butt earlier this season after becoming disillusioned with what he felt were half-hearted attempts by Moyes to find him a role.

Now that Moyes has been sacked as United manager, the club will do everything they can to fit their former midfield player in to their coaching set-up as they look to retain a connection with the club’s glorious past behind the scenes.

Come in: Manchester United will make a fresh attempt to bring Paul Scholes back in to the Old Trafford fold

Out: Scholes has hardly been seen at the club since doing some work with reserve team manager Nicky Butt

The man in charge: Ryan Giggs was handed the job on an interim basis following David Moyes' sacking

With United set to appoint a foreign manager to replace Moyes the club are concerned that ties with the past could be cut.

Ryan Giggs is now the club interim manager and will be retained whatever happens this summer but Phil Neville could follow Moyes out of the club after serving as a coach under the Scot while brother Gary and David Beckham are pursuing other careers.

United had no plans in place to reintroduce Scholes to the coaching staff while Moyes was in charge and a source close to the club revealed to Sportsmail last month that the situation was unlikely to change.

Scholes teamed up with Butt to help his former team-mate coach the United youngsters for the UEFA youth league in the autumn but this arrangement was on a purely voluntary, non-contracted basis. It was orchestrated by Butt, rather than Moyes, and it remained a temporary role.

Last summer, Scholes turned down the chance to play a leading role on Moyes' staff, citing a wish to spend some time with his family before making his return to football.

Not that bothered? Moyes made half-hearted attempts to find Scholes a job at the club

However, he revealed to Sportsmail in an interview last July that he was desperate to return to United as soon as possible, saying: 'I will look to get back into it as soon as I can really – once I have had a nice holiday. I haven’t given it too much thought about a specific role but it is nice of United to give me the time off and let me know that there will always be a place for me if and when I want to come back.'

A United insider maintained that 'Paul knows there is always a place for him at the club' but it is understood that very few serious attempts were made by Moyes to persuade one of the club's greatest players to return to the club.

Since then, with senior United players utterly unconvinced over the merits of Moyes as manager, Scholes showed little inclination that he would be interested in returning under the Scot's regime.

 

[EdenHazard]

David Moyes was given less time at Manchester United due to their large debt

By John-paul Ford Rojas
Published: 08:40 EST, 22 April 2014 | Updated: 09:07 EST, 22 April 2014

Manchester United’s mountainous debt pile and wage bill meant its owners could ill afford to give David Moyes the same amount of time to succeed as his predecessor Alex Ferguson, it was claimed on Tuesday.

The costly failure to qualify for the Champions League and potential longer-term impact on the value of sponsorship deals added to pressure on the bottom line of a business that has recorded growing pre-tax losses for the last two years.

Investors in the club, whose shares are publicly traded on the New York stock exchange, may even already have “priced in” the assumption that Moyes would leave.

Out in the cold: Manchester United sacked David Moyes as their manager on Tuesday

Time's up: Economic analysts believe United's debt led to Moyes' sacking with shares falling during his tenure

Shares had fallen to around 14.50 US dollars (£8.60) a couple of months ago but were already back up to 18 US dollars (£10.70) ahead of today - a similar level to where they were when his appointment was announced last year.

Manchester United is labouring under the weight of vast debts, which were reported as £389.2 million in June, and which cost the club £70.8 million to service over the course of the financial year. Meanwhile wages were up 12% to £180.5 million.

Pre-tax losses were £8.8 million, up from £4.7 million in the year ended June 2012. The club reported a pre-tax profit of £12 million the year before that.

No good: Moyes' failure in qualifying for the Champions League has been seen as one reason for his dismissal

Analyst Louise Cooper said under Moyes, all the main revenue streams had been put under pressure by the failure of the team to make an impact on the pitch.

'Clearly Nike and other sponsors are paying for one of the best and most recognised football brands in the world - not one that cannot even make the Champions League,' she said.

'Poor performance on the pitch threatens match day revenues at exactly the time when season ticket renewals are being sent to fans for next season. And of course the fees from broadcasters will be lower if the club does not reach the top slots.'

The failure to qualify for the Champions League this year would cost an estimated £25 million alone. Large debts and wages were also a factor in precipitating action by owners the Glazer family, she added: 'The debt levels are so large, the Glazers cannot afford to let him stay. And the staff costs are also so large and predominantly fixed that he had to go.

Final straw: Moyes' final game as United boss came in their 3-0 Premier League defeat at Everton on Sunday

'It took Sir Alex Ferguson some years as manager to achieve the performance that he later become famous for. But the financial position of Manchester United is different now. The Glazers bought the club to make money, even if it is a trophy asset.

'The financials ensured that Moyes was not given the time to perform.'

Commercial revenues were up sharply to £152.4 million and these may be expected to hold up in the short term as the global Manchester United “brand” is not likely to be shaken immediately by the unhappy end to the Moyes era.

Club legend: United have announced Ryan Giggs (left) as their interim manager for the rest of the season

Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown stock brokers, said: 'It is obviously destabilising from a football perspective but in terms of a brand perspective, the momentum is not going to disappear overnight.'

But he said another year or two of relatively poor performance on the pitch may begin to concern investors.

A £150 million float of the club on the New York stock exchange in August 2012 saw half the proceeds pocketed by US owners the Glazer family and some of the rest being used to pay down the debt pile.

All smiles: Moyes' predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson had left the club as defending Premier League champions

The share sale of a 10% stake followed the highly-leveraged takeover of Manchester United by the Glazers in 2005.

That resulted in angry protests by fans’ groups and subsequent unsuccessful attempts to wrest control of it from the family. Much of the £800 million price tag paid by the Glazers had been financed by borrowing.

 

[EdenHazard]

David Moyes' reign is finally over... here are the five people to blame for Manchester United's sorry demise

By Charlie Skillen
Published: 08:18 GMT, 22 April 2014 | Updated: 09:40 GMT, 22 April 2014

With the sorry saga of David Moyes’ tenure at Manchester United having come to an end, Sportsmail points the finger at five culprits for the crisis at Old Trafford.

Gone! David Moyes has been sacked as the manager of Manchester United after a dismal first year in charge

5. Sir Alex Ferguson

The greatest manager British football’s ever seen called time on his 26-year reign in the perfect way on the pitch, wrestling the Premier League title back from noisy neighbours Manchester City.

Off the pitch, it was a different story. In choosing Moyes as his replacement, he could have put the house he built back years. United could have gone hell for leather for Jose Mourinho, but Ferguson’s vision took priority.

Instead of taking a real step back, Ferguson’s misguided faith in his protege has put a small dent in his gleaming legacy.

The Wrong One: Sir Alex Ferguson was instrumental in appointing Moyes this time last year

Leaving behind a lopsided and flawed squad irretrievably dependant on his management and his alone, Ferguson could have left his countryman a better hand, even if they were Premier League champions.

And as if any ‘next’ manager at United wouldn’t have to deal with the biggest shoes to fill of all time, the legendary boss’s glaring presence in the rafters overlooking another shambolic Moyes performance multiplied the pressure tenfold.

Ferguson will always be held in peerless esteem at United, but he should be well away from the next managerial appointment.

Missed: Ferguson left behind an unloved squad who were overly reliant on his management abilities

4. Marouane Fellaini

Moyes’ sole summer signing has been an unmitigated disaster.

The Belgian lacks every hallmark of a true United midfielder, and has caused more problems with his disciplinary record - see the disgraceful elbow on Pablo Zabaleta - than he’s solved with his on-field contribution.

In and out of the side due to fitness and form, Fellaini has shown none of the ability to physically dominate games, Toure-style, as he did for Everton.

His signing was an early indicator of a manager with a lack of ideas, who touted the club around half of Europe’s playmakers before overspending on his own player whose quality he’d supposedly taken a step up from.

3. Ed Woodward

One seismic change can rock a club, two can be a catastrophe.

United’s chief executive, who shared his first summer in charge with Moyes, is as much to blame for the club’s off-field decline.

Straight from the start of the transfer window, it was clear things weren’t quite right.

Oops! Moyes splurged £27.5m on central midfielder Marouane Fellaini - a chronic waste of money

Over-eager to make bold ‘statement’ signings to herald a new era at Old Trafford, United publicly and desperately courted players like Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera, whose supposed representatives turned out to be imposters.

Equally, the ridiculous notion they were competing for Gareth Bale made the club look foolish. These are things United just simply didn’t do.

Fast forward six months and the huge £37million deal for Juan Mata, a superb player languishing on Chelsea’s bench, was a similar ‘marquee’ signing, best performing in Wayne Rooney’s role at United.

Rooney was not given a jawdropping £300,000-a-week contract to be sidelined, so Moyes must now juggle two playmakers.

The buck stops with Moyes, but his life wasn’t made any easier by the new regime.

Not a clue: Chief executive Ed Woodward must hold some responsibility for the summer failings

2. Rio Ferdinand and the rest of the old guard

John Terry has had his best season in years since Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea, leading to England fans clamouring for his return to the national side.

No-one has mentioned ex-partner Ferdinand. The former colossus has played himself into semi-retired irrelevance this season.

He’s not the only one. Nemanja Vidic was a mere shadow of his former self before announcing he was off to Inter.

Off the radar: Central defender Rio Ferdinand has had a below-par season for the Reds under Moyes

Hampered by constant injury struggles, the advancement of his off-pitch activities have hampered Moyes at least twice.

Ferdinand gave a swiftly-canned interview criticising Moyes’ handling of telling players the line up, before an email from his ‘#5’ brand insinuated time was running out for the beleaguered boss.

Time has now run out, but when United’s most experienced players needed to take the lead, they were found wanting in the extreme.

On his way out: Serbian Nemanja Vidic is to join Inter Milan on a free transfer at the end of the campaign

1. David Moyes

No matter the other factors, Moyes failed the ultimate test on every level imaginable.

Exposed to be completely out of his depth at a club with United’s expectations, the former Everton boss’s outlook was completely at odds with a big-club mentality.

Moyes’ tactics were always reactive rather than forcing their style on the opposition.

Not good enough! Moyes has failed with every reasonable target set for him by the club's board

His vague pre-match hopes were only trumped in their oddness by assertions that a team of champions played well and had been unlucky after another horrendous defeat by one of the league’s lesser lights.

Seasons of transition have happened at United before, but it used to mean third instead of first, possibly picking up an FA Cup along the way.

Finishing below a team as erratic as Tottenham with a staggering 11 Premier League defeats is not transition, it’s a calamity.

Every week it seemed another middling team was breaking a decades-long hoodoo by winning at Old Trafford, or doing the ‘double’ over United.

Grim viewing! Moyes watched on glumly as his side were thoroughly beaten away at Everton on Sunday

Moyes had an awful record against top teams while at Everton, and when this continued at United with humbling a against bitter rivals Liverpool and City the majority of fans had turned.

He completely failed to drum up support within the squad, who rather than rally when the going got tough simply wilted even further.

Moyes must now hope he won’t be damaged goods for a club on a level below United.

Long touted for one of the game’s biggest posts due to his Goodison Park stewardship, when the time came Moyes failed on every count.

​

 

[EdenHazard]

Diaby 'fit and ready' for Arsenal return, says Wenger

Alex Fisher
Apr 22, 2014 6:23:00 PM

The French midfielder is expected to feature for the Under-21s and his manager says he could even make a first-team appearance before the end of the season

Abou Diaby could be part of Arsenal's squad for the final weeks of the season after a year out with a knee ligament problem.

The France international has been blighted by injuries at the Emirates Stadium, with his latest spell on the sidelines coming after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Swansea City in March 2013.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on Tuesday that the 27-year-old has returned to training and is fit to play a part in the remaining three Premier League matches of the campaign, although he remains cautious about rushing Diaby back.

"He is back in full training now and available to play," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "He might play a part of the game for the Under-21s.

"Yes of course [he could play for the first team this season], it depends how well he comes out of the game.

"He hasn't played for a year but physically he is ready to play, completely. It is now just decision-making, getting used to challenges again. He needs a game.

"Everybody [counted him out] but he is fit and ready."