MANUNITED.NETLANE.COM : TODAYS NEWS
Date: Tue Apr 28 06:22:57 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org

CONGRATS ALL REDS!  A good and well deserved win yesterday
with United having 54% of the play and over 20 shots on goal.
We can only sit and wait to see if the Arse can win their two home games this week.
If they do not and are only 3-4 pts clear of REDS next Monday  life will be exciting!

Jaap Stam has finally signed and our Survey this week asks "Will Palli Leave when Stam arrives?"
You can vote here:   http://www.red11.org/miva/survey.mv
Last weeks Survey result: 
Should Teddy be sold?: 409Votes 48%Yes 51%No  .......  a split decision! 

Your editor Barry Leeming


This Issue:
1. United Sign $16.7million Stam, Sheri Wants To Stay (Reuters)
2. ET Report United turn the screw
3. Daily Mail Report Crystal Palace 0 v 3 Man United
4. Daily Mail Articles: Alex Ferguson admits.....
5. Stam's Tidal Wave (D.Mail)
6. Fergie on Stam
7. Munich Match Re-think


++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++


Paul Scholes scores after 5 mins 1-0!



Subject:      LIST: Utd Sign $16.7million Stam, Sheri Wants To Stay (Reuters)

Monday April 27 9:25 AM EDT

United sign $16.7 million Stam to shore up defence
(adds byline, Ferguson quotes, background)

By Stephen Wood

MANCHESTER, England, April 27 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex
Ferguson has signed PSV Eindhoven's Jaap Stam in a bid to find a central
defensive partnership capable of underpinning his bid for European success.

The Dutch international is to join United for 10 million pounds ($16.7
million), a world record fee for a defender, and Ferguson was delighted to
have clinched the deal after a month of negotiations.

``Jaap Stam is a world class defender. I don't think there's any doubt about
that. It's what we need right now and I'm very pleased that, subject to the
formalities, we've finally got him,'' said the manager.

``He's a terrific defender who is quick and who can pass the ball and I'm
sure he'll do well for us.''

United have never adequately replaced Steve Bruce, their inspirational
captain, who left two seasons ago after leading them to a league and Cup
double.

Phil and Gary Neville and Norwegians Ronny Johnsen and Henning Berg have all
been used to partner or replace injury-plagued Gary Pallister without ever
looking rock solid.

Ferguson knows that to have any chance regaining the premier league title as
well and achieving his cherished dream of winning the European Cup he must
have defenders capable of stopping the likes of Ronaldo and Alessandro Del
Piero.

``It's fair to say that we've had to change our centre backs quite a lot
this season -- more often than we'd like -- but Stam will certainly be a
great addition,'' Ferguson said.

``We have to be stronger to handle everything that's involved with domestic
and European football and bringing in players like Stam will only help us.

``There could be more teams in the European Cup next year and that would
mean something like 10 group games. That puts a tremendous pressure on your
resources, so we need to be ready.''

Stam has agreed personal terms via his agent Ton van Dalen but the player is
yet to agree to them officially. He will finalise the details when United
bring him to Manchester ``in the next few days.''

The 25-year-old international said after winning the Dutch footballer of the
year award last month that he had always wanted to play for the English
champions.

``His dream has come true,'' PSV Eindhoven coach Dick Advocaat said on
Monday.

Stam had been contracted to play for the Eindhoven club until 2003 and PSV
had put a $28 million dollar price tag on him before finally agreeing to a
reduced fee on Sunday.

Stam, who won the Dutch league Cup and Supercup with PSV, began his
professional career at the comparatively late age of 19, playing for FC
Zwolle, Cambuur Leewarden and Willem II Tilburg before moving to Eindhoven.

His international debut came as a substitute against Germany in 1996 but he
made his name in a friendly against Brazil where he was impressive in the
air and in his marking of Ronaldo. He now has 11 caps.

``Stam's a real pro, he's very fast and he's a good header,'' Advocaat said.

``It's a very good thing for United. He's a real team player and one of the
best defenders in the world.''

Several English clubs showed an interest in Stam after he said he wanted to
play in the premier league.

The previous most expensive defender was Spain's Roberto Rios who moved to
Athletic Bilbao from Real Betis last year for $12.9 million.


Monday April 27 8:58 AM EDT
Sheringham determined to stay with United

MANCHESTER, England, April 27 (Reuters) - England striker Teddy Sheringham
is determined to stay with Manchester United.

Media reports have linked Sheringham with a return to his native London or a
move to first division Middlesbrough who could be promoted this season.

``The first thing I knew about these rumours was from reading them in the
papers, just like everyone else,'' he said on Monday.

``It's news to me if I'm supposed to be going to another club - as far as
I'm concerned, I want to stay at United next season. I'm very happy at
Manchester United.''

Sheringham, 32, has had a largely disappointing first season at Old
Trafford, since completing a 3.5 million pound ($5.8 million) transfer from
Tottenham last June.

He is still to score a premiership goal in 1998, although he scored in
England's 3-0 defeat of Portugal last week. ($ - 0.600 British Pounds)
Paul Scholes scores after 5 mins 1-0!



Subject:   ET Report United turn the screw

To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU

Palace resigned to fate in lower ranks as United turn the screw
By Henry Winter

Crystal Palace (0) 0 Man Utd (2) 3

 THE Premiership picture was clarified at the bottom but mildly muddied at
the top last night. Crystal Palace's home defeat, a recurring nightmare for
them, saw them slide into the Nationwide League while United moved within a
point of Arsenal, the championship leaders and overwhelming favourites.

Goals from Paul Scholes, excellent throughout, Nicky Butt and Andy Cole gave
United a deserved, routine victory on their first away meeting with Palace
since Eric Cantona's leap into infamy. For all their hard work and, at
times, delightfully flowing football, United are unlikely to catch Arsenal,
who can secure their first title since 1991 if they beat Derby County
tomorrow and Everton on Sunday.

Palace leave the Premiership with memories of some neat football, primarily
away from home, but their inability to defend, or retain possession in
midfield, cost them their place among the elite.

United needed only six minutes to expose Palace's defensive vulnerability at
Selhurst Park. The visitors' control, and particularly the timing of their
runs from midfield, proved devastatingly effective. Scarcely had a rare full
house settled into their seats than United were ahead. Teddy Sheringham and
Cole combined on the edge of the area, knowing that support would be
arriving. Scholes appeared at speed, racing past Palace's defenders to
strike a low, hard shot underneath Kevin Miller.

Palace's defenders were so exposed because their midfield failed to provide
any real protection, allowing United players to dash forward from the deep.
Tomas Brolin, in particular, resembled a pedestrian attempting to cross the
South Circular road with some heavy shopping.

The game flashed past him again as another United midfielder, this time
Butt, rushed through to score in the 21st minute. Cole, beautifully found by
Ryan Giggs, clipped the ball across the box where Marc Edworthy's attempted
clearance fell to Butt. One touch took the England midfielder through and
the second sent the ball disappearing past Miller.

Trailing by two goals in a game they had to win, Palace sought to find an
unlikely escape route. Neil Shipperley worked enthusiastically upfront,
occasionally bettering David May and Gary Pallister, but the support for him
was not consistent enough. Attilio Lombardo attempted to inspire his team
but his ambition was too often smothered by Scholes, again outstanding, and
Butt in central midfield.

Just before the half concluded, Palace's best two players, Shipperley and
Lombardo, engineered an opening down the inside-right channel. Lombardo
advanced threateningly but shot over.

United, as they often do, dominated the minutes immediately after the
interval. Cole went close, then Butt shot over, following a fine left-wing
break by Giggs and Sheringham.

Palace, to their credit, began to show signs of life. Edworthy, a good
captain wasted in an unfamiliar stopper role, started waving team-mates
forward. Michele Padovano dribbled from midfield but aimed his shot straight
at Peter Schmeichel.

Marcus Bent, otherwise engaged worrying about Giggs, delivered a superb pass
which the eager Shipperley fractionally failed to reach. Moments later, the
pair combined to more obvious effect, the move's developing promise lost
when Shipperley's shot was blocked.

But still Palace came on, desperate to cling to their Premiership status.
Shipperley should have scored, when Schmeichel failed to hold Bent's drive,
but he fired wildly over from yards out, a terrible act of profligacy that
seemed to encapsulate much of Palace's season.

United added a third five minutes from time. Scholes twice had efforts
repelled, although Miller had no chance with Cole's follow-up, a
straightforward tap-in.

And so Palace bowed out of the Premiership, their home form handicapping
them to the end. The club face a busy summer, sorting out their managerial
and playing staff, not to mention the boardroom.

Paul Scholes scores after 5 mins 1-0!




Subject:   Daily Mail Report Crystal Palace 0 v 3 Man United

It was, in the end, a painless execution - ruthless and efficient as
Manchester United condemned Crystal Palace to relegation while clinging
still to the coat tails of Arsenal in the Premiership championship race.
Ahead after only six minutes and two up in 22, United greedily took
advantage of a Palace side for whom the art of defending has long since
deserted them.

No matter what formation Palace play, be it 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, they are, it
seems always wide open and so they leak goals at an alarming rate.

It is the reason why their brief stay in the Premiership, the place in the
sun they have enjoyed for just a season, has now been enveloped by the dark
shadows of disaster and down they go to the Nationwide First Division.

What more could they expect after never coming to terms with the art of
defensive football, the organisation needed to survive at the highest level
and their own frailties at the back with 35 goals conceded at home, the
worst record in the league. United had their foot on Palace's neck almost
from the kick off. They showed no signs of conceding the title to Arsene
Wenger's Gunners. Instead Alex Ferguson chose his strongest side and they
played with a bristling intent.

Ferguson must have lost count of the times he has been told his title dream
is over and that his team will finish without a trophy this season.

He strode out behind his team, a man who had business on his mind. Within
six minutes United had delivered.

First there was the annoyance of a Palace attack to deal with, as early as
the 40th second and made more dangerous by the fact David May slipped and
let in Attilio Lombardo.

But the chance fell to the Italian's wrong foot and his shot was safely
smothered low down by Peter Schmeichel.

If Palace drew encouragement from that, it was short lived. United went on
to raise the level of their game to one the Eagles could not live with. Such
was United's domination that they might have had five goals by half time.

It wasn't that United had to be blindingly brilliant; they just fed off a
side who carelessly gave the ball away, were caught in possession and made
it easy for United to counter attack.

With so much pace and aggression in midfield, United imposed themselves on
the game after their first goal. They took an iron grip and kept it on.

It all began when Jamie Smith gave the ball away down the right side, Teddy
Sheringham fed Andy Cole who slipped it to Paul Scholes, giving him a simple
opportunity to drive the ball home. It immediately silenced a Selhurst Park
crowd who had already begun the banal chants of 'We hate Man United' and it
exposed Palace for what they were - a side desperately ill-equipped to
handle classy quick attackers.

Earlier, Nicky Butt had run on unchallenged as Palace retreated before him,
only to shoot wide. And so the pattern was set with Palace in desperate
retreat. So comprehensive was United's dominance that it appeared they might
score whenever they attacked.

When Smith gave the ball away again it was Sheringham who fired in a shot
that was blocked.

Then goalkeeper Kevin Miller denied Cole as the striker burst through the
middle. It was embarrassingly one-sided and Palace were so poor it seemed
only a matter of time before they would give away another goal. Their attack
only troubled United in fits and starts. Lombardo had a chance but, again,
it fell to his wrong foot and he was quickly closed down.

With Ryan Giggs so destructive down the left, Palace were always under
pressure there and Butt shot over from six yards. Palace just could not
clear the ball that bounced alarmingly in their box.

So it was no surprise when United got their second. Again it came from a
defensive error, this time Marc Edworthy giving the ball away and Butt was
there to drive powerfully beyond the resistance of the stranded Miller.

And still United came in waves of white shirts, varying the point of
pressure from left flank to through the middle. After half an hour David
Beckham swerved in a shot that was blocked, then Butt fed Giggs who shot
wide.

Cole put in Sheringham who couldn't hit the target and then Edworthy got in
the way of a Beckham shot.

Sheringham sent a header wide and Giggs missed as United continued to create
the kind of chances that could have seen Palace heavily embarrassed by half
time. The Eagles' only retaliation came when Lombardo shot wide when put in
by Neil Shipperley.

Such was Palace's defending that United were always encouraged to get at
them. It is a sad commentary how this south London side has fallen away
after winning promotion last season. There is even conjecture still about
the future of their new manager, for chairman Ron Noades still does not
believe that Terry Venables will join the club.

He has been quoted as saying: 'I believe Venables is the best coach in the
country, but in my view, Palace could not afford the sort of salary he would
require.

'I don't believe we have a benefactor with unlimited funds available. To
take on Venables would be a chance as in my knowledge of the club's finances
we could not afford him.'

It adds further fuel to the argument that behind the scenes at this club the
takeover by Mark Goldberg is far from settled.

Meanwhile Palace continue to bleed to death on the pitch. There appears to
be no money, no tactical knowledge and certainly not the players to stem the
flow of blood.

Whatever they will do for the remainder of the season it seems the team and
the club are in need of a major overhaul. And at the start of the second
half, although they began by pushing the ball around attractively there was
a lack of conviction about their play and United dealt easily with all they
could throw at them.

Even after the embarrassment of the first half, Palace had still not learned
their lesson. They continued not to mark, and three minutes after the
restart Andy Cole was left completely on his own when receiving a cross from
Sheringham which should have brought the third goal. Instead it saw him
guilty of one of the most glaring misses of the season.

No sooner had Palace survived that let off than United should have got a
third goal. This time a Beckham corner was helped on by Giggs and a Cole
header was cleared off the line by Smith with Miller beaten.

Then United produced another little cameo of flowing football again
involving Giggs and the clever Sheringham but this time Butt swerved his
shot wide. Palace's best chance came in the 69th minute. Gordon hammered in
a free kick that Schmeichel could not hold. The ball bounced off his chest
to Shipperley who was only six yards out but contrived to scoop the ball
over the goal.

United were unfortunate not to score again in the 73rd minute. This time
Sheringham receiving the ball just inside the box looked certain to get
number three but his right footed drive was well saved by Miller who leaned
to his right to make an inspired save.

Miller had no chance, however in the 84th minute when Cole tapped in from
point-blank range.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Miller; Smith, Edworthy, Ismael, Gordon; Bent,
Brolin (Fullarton, 68min), Lombardo (Hreidarsson, 87), Curcic; Padovano
(Dyer, 75), Shipperley. Booked:€smael, Fullarton.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Schmeichel; P Neville, May, Pallister, Irwin
(Clegg, 79); Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Giggs; Sheringham, Cole.

Referee: Peter Jones.
Paul Scholes scores after 5 mins 1-0!



Subject:  Daily Mail Articles: Alex Ferguson admits.....

Tuesday, April 28, 1998

Alex Ferguson admits only a total Arsenal collapse can gave Man Utd a chance
of winning the title.

The Reds boss was speaking after his team's 3-0 win at Crystal Palace where
United did all they could to keep the pressure on the Gunners as well as
confirming Palace's return to Division One.

But Arsenal still have two games and one point in hand on United, and
Ferguson insisted: 'We just have to hope there is a complete collapse from
Arsenal. But we won our game tonight and should set our stall out to make
sure we win our remaining matches and keep a bit of pressure on them and do
our best.'

Ferguson believes Arsenal have earned their position at the top with their
unstoppable string of spring victories.

'The way they have performed, you have to say they should win it in the next
two matches.

'A team that has won so many games in a row, you have to hold your hands up
and say that is excellent - it is championship form.'

Ferguson was nonetheless pleased with United's victory at Selhurst Park and
the three goals - from Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Andy Cole - that blocked
Palace's Premiership survival route.

'We should maybe have punished them a bit more. But at the end of the day we
have won 3-0 away from home, and you cannot be too unhappy about that,' he
said.


Soccer-Manchester United keep title hopes alive

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Manchester United maintained their slim hopes
of retaining the English premier league title on Monday with a 3-0 victory
over Crystal Palace, who were relegated.

United moved one point behind leaders Arsenal, with just two games to play.
Arsenal still have four matches left and are favourites to take the
championship.

Goals from Paul Scholes in the sixth minute, Nicky Butt in the 22nd and Andy
Cole in the 84th ensured United's victory over a Palace side who played as
though they were already down.

Palace still have three games to play but cannot climb out of the bottom
three relegation zone.

United could have had a hatful of goals in the first half as the Palace
defence was torn apart, but the London club recovered somewhat in the second
half.

United's Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who has missed several games
with an injured hamstring, again suffered and was not able to take any goal
kicks.
Paul Scholes scores after 5 mins 1-0!



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