www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Sat Oct 02 11:18:25 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Massimo Taibi and Mickael Silvestre return for United at Chelsea on Sunday
2. Schmeichel has no regrets ««
3. United quiet on Beckham "fine" «« + Cole & Sheri left out «« :))))
4. MEN - Cole sees light
5. Sun Never Sets on United Empire - from Toronto Globe & Mail
6. COLE EYES LAW EUROPEAN RECORD
7. To put the TOTAL European "Goal Record" straight
8. Two injured in reserves ««
9. ALLONS ENFANTS DE MANCHESTER!
10. MEN Report - White Knuckle Ride
11. BERG OFFERS NO EXCUSES
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
MANCHESTER UNITED DAILY NEWS Sat 2nd Oct 1999:
Barry Comment:
Let us NOT fret over Andy not being picked for England.
Just remember how many players have been injured playing for their country
recently. Ling live Andy Cole and Manchester United!
Read more in today's mews how close Andy is to a RED all time record!
Next match tomorrow Sunday - a relaxing Saturday
Uniteds unbeaten runs currently stand at:
29 games League
45 games League and Cup
38 games domestic League and Cup
Message from Paul Hinson:
The 40-game record Nottingham Forest hold is 40 games in domestic League
and Cup. United need to remain unbeaten against Chelsea/Watford
and Aston Villa in the Worthington Cup 3rd Round to beat it.
The League only record is 42 games, against by Forest, and we would need to
avoid defeat up to around January 15 2000 to manage that!
NEW Treble Background
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/bmp/treble_big.bmp
2359352 Sep 20 08:33 treble_big.bmp
or http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/treble_mufc.jpg
111250 Sep 20 08:32 treble_mufc.jpg
Group D ** Manchester United **
Olympique de Marseille * NK Croatia Zagreb * SK Sturm Graz
Manchester United FC Champions League Squad List
1 Mark John Bosnich 2 Gary Alexander Neville 3 Dennis Joseph Irwin
4 David May 6 Jakob Stam 7 David Robert J Beckham
8 Nicholas Butt 9 Andrew Alex. Cole 10 Edward Sheringham
11 Ryan Joseph Giggs 12 Philip Neville 14 Johan Jordi Cruyff
15 Lars Jesper Blomqvist 16 Roy Keane 17 Raimond RJH Van der Gouw
18 Paul Scholes 19 Dwight Yorke 20 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
21 Henning Berg 23 Michael Jamie Clegg 25 José Quinton Fortune
26 Massimo Taibi 31 Nicholas James Culkin 33 Mark Antony Wilson
34 Jonathan Greening
Real Audio - Last weeks Daily News Sound Archive:
Click on INDEX at http://www.red11.org/sound
*** FIXTURES ON 02/10/99 ***
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Bradford City v Sunderland
Everton v Coventry City
Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon
*** FIXTURES ON 03/10/99 ***
Chelsea v Manchester United
Newcastle United v Middlesbrough
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
Watford v Leeds United
West Ham United v Arsenal
************************
99/2000 fixtures/match reports are at
http://www.red11.org/mufc/992000.htm
Mark Bosnich's Personal Details
http://www.red11.org/mufc/bosnich.htm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 26/09/99 ***
Wimbledon 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur 17,368
*** CONDENSED LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 26/09/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 9 6 3 0 23 10 13 21
2 Leeds United 9 6 1 2 17 11 6 19
3 Arsenal 9 6 1 2 12 7 5 19
4 Sunderland 9 5 2 2 14 8 6 17
5 Chelsea 7 5 1 1 10 3 7 16
6 Aston Villa 9 5 1 3 11 9 2 16
7 Leicester City 9 4 2 3 14 11 3 14
8 Tottenham Hotspur 8 4 2 2 14 11 3 14
9 Everton 8 4 1 3 14 9 5 13
10 West Ham United 7 4 1 2 9 5 4 13
11 Middlesbrough 9 4 0 5 10 13 -3 12
12 Liverpool 7 3 1 3 10 9 1 10
13 Southampton 8 3 1 4 13 16 -3 10
14 Watford 9 3 0 6 5 9 -4 9
15 Coventry City 9 2 2 5 11 13 -2 8
16 Wimbledon 9 1 5 3 13 18 -5 8
17 Bradford City 8 2 2 4 4 9 -5 8
18 Derby County 9 2 2 5 7 15 -8 8
19 Newcastle United 9 1 1 7 18 22 -4 4
20 Sheffield Wednesday 9 0 1 8 3 24 -21 1
---------------------------------------------------------------
NEXT MATCHES
---------------------------------------------------------------
03-OCT-1999 [16:00] Manchester Utd. vs Chelsea (FA Premier League, AWAY)
16-OCT-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Watford (FA Premier League, HOME)
19-OCT-1999 [19:45] Manchester Utd. vs Marseilles (UEFA Champions League, AWAY)
The line-up for the testimonial game is:
Eric Cantona Peter Schmeichel
Zinedine Zidane Gabriel Batistuta
Paul Gascoigne Juninho
George Weah Alessandro Costacurta
Christian Ziege Lillian Thuram
Roberto Mancini John Collins
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED -
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
ALL FIXTURES at: http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix992000.htm
First Team Fixtures 1999/2000
All dates/times subject to change
Dates of possible cup ties also shown
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/07/99 Melbourne Australia pre-season W 2-0 - 60,000
18/07/99 Sydney Australia pre-season W 1-0 - 78,000
21/07/99 Shanghai Shenhua pre-season W 2-0 - 80,000
24/07/99 Hong Kong South China pre-season W 2-0 - 40,000
1/08/99 Arsenal Wembley Charity Shield L 1-2 - 70,185
3/08/99 Omagh Town Omagh Bomb Fund W 9-0 - 7,000
4/08/99 Wigan Athletic friendly W 2-0 - 15,000
08/08/99 Everton Away PL D 1-1 10 39,141
11/08/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home PL W 4-0 3 54,941
14/08/99 Leeds United Home PL W 2-0 1 55,187
22/08/99 Arsenal Away PL W 2-1 1 38,147
25/08/99 Coventry City Away PL W 2-1 1 22,024
27/08/99 Monaco - Lazio ESC L 0-1 - 15,223
30/08/99 Newcastle United Home W 5-1 1 55,190
11/09/99 Liverpool Away W 3-2 1 44,929
14/09/99 Croatia Zagreb Home EC D 0-0 - 53,250
18/09/99 Wimbledon Home D 1-1 1 55,189
22/09/99 Sturm Graz Away EC W 3-0 - 16,480
25/09/99 Southampton Home D 3-3 1 55,249
29/09/99 Marseille Home EC W 2-1 - -
3/10/99 Chelsea Away PL 16.00 "live on sky"
*11/10/99 Sir Alex Ferguson's testimonial OT [Schmeichel + Cantona]
13/10/99 Aston Villa Away WC 3 19.45
16/10/99 Watford Home PL 15.00
19/10/99 Marseille Away EC 19.45
24/10/99 Tottenham Hotspur Away PL 15.00
27/10/99 Croatia Zagreb Away EC 19.45
30/10/99 Aston Villa home PL 15.00
2/11/99 Sturm Graz Home EC 19.45
6/11/99 Leicester City Home PL 15.00
20/11/99 Derby County Away PL 15.00
24/11/99 ? EC
27/11/99 Sheffield Wednesday Away PL 15.00
30/11/99 Tokyo Palmeiras WCC 20.00
1/12/99 ? WC 4
4/12/99 Everton Home PL 15.00
8/12/99 ? EC
11/12/99 FAC 3 Will not enter ...
15/12/99 ? WC 5
18/12/99 West Ham United Away PL 15.00
26/12/99 Bradford City Home PL 15.00
28/12/99 Sunderland Away PL 20.00 "live on sky"
3/01/2000 Middlesborough Home PL 20.00
***** 5-14 /01/2000 Brazil WTC ***** [3-4 games]
* 8/01/2000 FAC 4 Will not enter ...
12/01/2000 ? WC sf i
15/01/2000 Leeds United Away PL 15.00
22/01/2000 Arsenal Home PL 15.00
26/01/2000 ? WC sf ii
* 29/01/2000 FAC 5 Will not enter ...
5/02/2000 Coventry City Home PL 15.00
12/02/2000 Newcastle United Away PL 15.00
* 19/02/2000 FAC 6 Will not enter ...
26/02/2000 Wimbledon Away PL 15.00
27/02/2000 ? Wembley WC f
1/03/2000 ? EC
4/03/2000 Liverpool Home PL 15.00
8/03/2000 ? EC
11/03/2000 Derby County Home PL 15.00
15/03/2000 ? EC
18/03/2000 Leicester City Away PL 15.00
22/03/2000 ? EC
25/03/2000 Bradford City Away PL 15.00
1/04/2000 West Ham United Home PL 15.00
5/04/2000 ? EC qf i
8/04/2000 Middlesborough Away PL 15.00
* 9/04/2000 FAC sf Will not enter ...
15/04/2000 Sunderland Home PL 15.00
19/04/2000 ? EC qf ii
22/04/2000 Southampton Away PL 15.00
24/04/2000 Chelsea Home PL 15.00
29/04/2000 West Ham United Away PL 15.00
3/05/2000 ? EC sf i
6/05/2000 Tottenham Hotspur Home PL 15.00
10/05/2000 ? EC sf ii
14/05/2000 Aston Villa Away PL 15.00
* 20/05/2000 Wembley FAC f Will not enter ...
24/05/2000 ? EC f
http://www.red11.org/mufc/match.htm
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Massimo Taibi and Mickael Silvestre return for United at Chelsea on Sunday
Foreign duo for Chelsea ««
Massimo Taibi and Mickael Silvestre return for United at Chelsea on Sunday,
despite their mistakes which cost the Reds a point last week.
It is back to Premiership business for both sides at Stamford Bridge after
their Champions' League ventures this week, and there is every possibility
Sir Alex Ferguson will be changing his side around despite that victory
over Marseille on Wednesday night.
Goalkeeper Taibi and defender Silvestre are both available again after
missing the European game, because they were not registered before the
August 31 deadline, but whether they both start on Sunday remains to be seen.
Taibi's blunders against Liverpool and Southampton could have cost United
more than just the two points they dropped last Saturday, and Sir Alex may
be thinking about giving Rai van der Gouw another taste of the Premiership
after keeping a 100 per cent record so far this season.
The United boss is unlikely to give any clues about his team until training
has finished tomorrow, but van der Gouw has made it clear he would like the
chance of playing in the Premiership again.
United: (probable) Taibi, Irwin, Silvestre, Berg, Stam, Beckham, Butt,
Scholes, Solskjaer (or Fortune), Yorke, Cole.
Subs: (also from) van der Gouw, P Neville, Clegg, Jordi, Sheringham.
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Schmeichel has no regrets ««
Peter Schmeichel, despite seeing his new club Sporting Lisbon knicked out
of Europe this week, maintains he has no regrets about leaving United.
The Great Dane and his new side were sent packing from the UEFA Cup by Erik
Nevland's old club Viking Stavanger, 3-1 on aggregate.
When asked if he had any regrets about quitting Old Trafford, he said: "No,
in no way.
"My family like it here very much, I like the country and the people. I
would love to get two or three years more here.
"I am sure we can start fighting for titles and qualify for the Champions'
League. We just need experience."
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: United quiet on Beckham "fine" «« + Cole & Sheri left out «« :))))
United quiet on Beckham "fine" «« Beckham:Fined for "hanky panky"?
United are refusing to confirm reports claiming they have fined David
Beckham 50,000 pounds for attending a celebrity party in London last week.
The club refuse to comment on claims that Beckham has been fined two week's
wages, the maximum permitted under PFA rules, for attending the Covent
Garden showbiz bash, twelve hours before the team was due to fly out to
Austria for a European game.
Beckham and his Spice Girl wife Victoria, went to the champagne bash for
the launch of Jade Jagger's jewellery collection last Monday.
They agreed to be photographed with the Rolling Stone's daughter after
being given an assurance that the picture would not appear in the national
press but the balloon went up four days later when the photograph appeared.
The day after United had beaten Sturm Graz in Austria the picture was
reproduced, showing Beckham at the party holding a glass and wearing a
bandanna.
It is understood Sir Alex Ferguson was furious because the player did not
ask permission to go to London.
There are no suggestions the Beckhams stayed out late, or that the player
was drinking two nights before a Champions League game, but it seems Sir
Alex Ferguson is far from pleased.
Whether the player has been fined or not will never be known because the
club will certainly not reveal such private matters.
It is also highly unlikely Beckham himself would ever admit to receiving a
punishment of that nature.
Coincidentally, the story emerges at a time when Beckham is under the
spotlight for his antics on the field of play - the FA recently taking the
unprecedented measure of calling him in for an informal chat about his
behaviour.
United's own action may help their cause when it comes to assuring the
authorities they have the situation under control.
------------------------------
Cole and Sheri left out ««
Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Nicky Butt have been omitted from the
England squad for next week's friendly against Belgium in Sunderland.
Cole and Sheringham have surprisingly been left out in favour of Chris
Sutton and Emile Heskey, scorers of far fewer goals this term.
Last time Keegan left out Cole he scored four in his next match against
Newcastle, hopefully a repeat is on the cards at Stamford Bridge.
David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville are all included.
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: MEN - Cole sees light
Cole sees light
By Stuart Mathieson
ANDY Cole could be given the chance to finally illuminate his England
career at the Stadium of Light a week on Sunday.
England boss Kevin Keegan is preparing to name his squad today for the
friendly against Belgium at Sunderland's stadium on October 10.
The Wearside workout is set to be an experimental match for Keegan as he
assesses the depths of the talent available to him.
With England's immediate Euro 2000 out of their hands and due to be decided
24 hours before the Belgium friendly when Sweden play Poland in Stockholm,
the match at Sunderland is an opportunity to take a less demanding look at
some international credentials.
It could mean a reprieve for Manchester United striker Cole after being
left out of Keegan's last squad for the double header against Luxembourg
and Poland last month.
The Reds' hitman's omission was a shock after his international career was
revived towards the end of last season under his former Newcastle United
manager and mentor.
His last appearance for Keegan was in June's 0-0 stalemate with Sweden at
Wembley and Cole has yet to score for England.
However, his reply to Keegan's decision to ignore him for those two
qualifiers was to slam four past Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Cole has now notched seven in four appearances since his last international
heartache and against Marseille on Wednesday night in the Champions League
the 27-year-old forward took his European Cup tally to 13 for United and
within one of Denis Law's all-time club record in the competition.
``If we get into the next round I am sure he will pass Denis Law's
record,'' says Dwight Yorke.
``I'll be right behind him. Hopefully there are going to be a few more
years with both of us notching up goals in this competition.
``We will continue to help each other. The understanding between us is as
strong as it has ever been.''
Cole's breathtaking overhead kick conversion against the French brought his
season's haul up to eight to move alongside partner Dwight Yorke as Old
Trafford's leading scorer.
The spectacular goal epitomized the confident form Cole is currently in and
it would seem an ideal time for Kevin Keegan to give the striker the chance
to break his international duck.
Liverpool's Robbie Fowler is a rival to Cole but the Anfielder is extremely
doubtful with injury.
Keegan could rest most of his regular Manchester United contingent for the
Belgium match as he did for the friendly with Hungary in Budapest last April.
Nicky Butt, who has returned to United's line up after injury, could also
be in line for a recall.
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Sun Never Sets on United Empire - from Toronto Globe & Mail
Article from Toronto Globe & Mail on a Canadian Sports reporters
view of United and the Marseilles Game
Sun never sets on United EmpireManchester soccer team has raked in riches
bycreating brand name known around the world
STEPHEN BRUNT
Manchester, England -- The fans on the tram bound for
the stadium,wearing team caps and T-shirts and scarves decorated
with the SouthPark cartoon characters sporting oh-so-familiar red
jerseys, were fromIreland. But they might just as well have been from
Tokyo, from Oslo,from New York or from Toronto, from anywhere in Britain
and perhapseven from Manchester.
Such is the power of the most valuable, most
successful, most identifiablefranchise in all of professional sport.
North American chauvinism is going to make many think
of the DallasCowboys here, or the New York Yankees or the Los
Angeles Lakers.None of those is even close.
Last year, Rupert Murdoch, through his European pay
television concernBskyB, offered $1-billion (U.S.) for Manchester United,
winners in1999 of the English Premier League crown, the FA Cup
and theChampions League title. That's nearly twice what was
paid not long agofor the Washington Redskins and equal to what is still
considered anoutrageous (and perhaps fictional) offer for a Los
Angeles NationalFootball League franchise from billionaire Marvin
Davis. (The Murdochdeal was eventually scuttled by the British government
because it wasseen as anticompetitive.)
Everyone in the sports world can learn from what's
taken place here inEngland's industrial heartland. Part of it has involved
taking NorthAmerican sports marketing methods and applying them to
the formerlytradition-bound business of British soccer. But they
also have gone farbeyond that at Manchester United, creating a brand name
that crosseslanguages and cultures.
Last night, as United played Olympique Marseilles in a
first-roundChampions League match at Old Trafford (packed, as it
is for everygame), there were Norwegian flags flying in the crowd,
Greek flags andthe flag of the Netherlands. There are Manchester
United fan clubsfound around the world.
And anyone on their way into the stadium last night
could have opened aManchester United bank account, signed up with a
ManchesterUnited Internet service provider, played a Manchester
United lottery,bought a ridiculous range of souvenir items from the
ManchesterUnited Megastore or had a picture taken with the three
championshiptrophies for a mere £15. They could have purchased the
goods of amyriad of corporate sponsors whose logos filled the
park.
The only product on the grounds so far unencumbered by
the team nameand colours are the grisly hamburgers served by various
fry wagons,patronized by those interested in tempting fate.
Once upon a time, this was a soccer team like other
soccer teams, whichhad gone through a series of cyclical ups and downs --
the tragedy ofMunich in 1958, when most of a great team was killed in
an airplanecrash, the miraculous rise of the Busby Babes who
followed, thebrilliance of the 1960s side led by Bobby Charlton and
George Best andfollowed by a period of steep decline in the 1970s. In
that, they werelike Arsenal, like Leeds, like Newcastle United and
like the other teamsthat are more often than not found at the top of the
tables.
In the past five years, though, Manchester United have
becomesomething else entirely. The team, built by dour Scot
Sir Alex Ferguson,the former factory shop steward, confidant of Tony
Blair and author of anew aren't-I-clever biography in the style of Donald
Trump, combinedhomegrown talent (such as glamorous David Beckham, who
is both Mr.Posh Spice and perhaps the best player in the world at
this moment) withcleverly placed international stars.
They became very, very good and the money poured in.
The moneymeant that in the relative free market of professional
football, they couldremain very, very good year after year. With that kind
of certaintyaround the on-field product, the off-field efforts to
make United the firsttrue world team could proceed without fear that they'd
some day bebattling against relegation.
And so even more money poured in. An independent
analysis of the1997-98 season had United's revenues at more than
$220-million(Cdn.), 50 per cent more than the take of the next
richest club,Barcelona. Much to the disgust of everyone else in
British soccer, theclub started to throw around that financial muscle,
playing by its ownrules -- opting out of this year's FA Cup playdowns,
for instance, so thatit could play in a world club championship tournament
in Brazil andholding out the threat of becoming one of the pillars
of a new superleague that may yet become fact.
In the face of all that, many have taken pleasure in
ManchesterUnited's stumbling start to this season, with its hints
that perhaps itsmaster plan isn't entirely foolproof. A shaky 3-3 draw
with Southamptonlast weekend suggested a team that might be bored, or
just a little past it.It was widely noted that Massimo Taibi, the most
expensive goalkeeperin England (and Ferguson's choice to replace departed
PeterSchmeichel) had let the tying goal dribble between his
legs because, heexplained afterward, the studs on his boots weren't
long enough.
Key injuries also have had something to do with
United's slightly offform, especially those to Ryan Giggs, who remains out
with hamstringproblems, and captain Roy Keane, whose knee may or may
not requiresurgery. Keane also is involved in a salary dispute
with the club that hasbeen fractious enough that Ferguson threatened to
transfer him unless heaccepts what the team has offered.
All of which made last night's match against Olympique
Marseilles all themore intriguing. It was, all involved with Manchester
United agreed,the team's most important game so far this year and a
must-win at home.Marseilles is just edging back into European
competition after thematch-fixing scandal that sent its club president to
jail and all but killedthe franchise in the early 1990s. They arrived here
without ChristopheDugarry (on suspension), with once great but now
sluggish FabrizioRavanelli and with a boisterous group of fans who made
life interestingfor any woman who dared walk beneath the stands in the
hours beforethe match.
Inside the stadium, that group of supporters seemed to
have doubled insize. That little loaves-and-fishes mystery was solved
just after theopening kick, as a banner was unfurled reading Maine
Road: Theatre ofYour Nightmares -- a play on Old Trafford: Theatre of
Dreams, anotherbrand name marketing concept. Maine Road is the home of
ManchesterCity, a team these days very much on the other side of
the tracks from itscrosstown rival, fighting to win promotion from the
First Division, notglamorous, not wealthy -- though it did become a bit
chic when theGallagher brothers from Oasis identified themselves as
supporters.
It can be safely said that nearly everyone in the
soccer world who is nota United supporter hates them -- simply because they're
too rich, toogood and too smug. It can be even more safely said that
no one hatesthem as much as those who love City, for a host of
reasons that are allself-evident. So becoming French for a night was hardly
a stretch.
The franco-City conglomerate had much to celebrate in
the first half.Though United controlled the play, Marseilles scored
the only goal whendefender Henning Berg, under no particular pressure,
inexplicablycoughed up the ball and Olympique striker Ibrahima
Bakayoko fired ithome in the 41st minute.
That made for a tense interval, and a tentative
beginning to the secondhalf, as Marseilles fell into a defensive shell.
Finally, in the 79th minute,on a set play from a free kick, Beckham, who does it
better than anyoneelse, bent the ball to Jaap Stam, standing in front of
the far post. Stamheaded the ball to the centre of the box, where Andy
Colebicycle-kicked it past Marseilles keeper Stéphane
Porato.
The winning goal wasn't quite so spectacular. Teddy
Sheringham, whohad come on as a substitute, headed the ball forward to
Paul Scholes,who briefly broke free just before running into Porato.
He tumbledtoward the goal and the ball came with him, allowing
him to scramble upfrom his knees and kick it home just before it passed
the touch line. Thatcame in the 83rd minute, after which Marseilles
couldn't come close tomounting a serious attack.
"The qualities of perseverance and determination paid
dividends for us,"Ferguson said afterward.
There was celebration here, at least everywhere but
City's part of town.There was celebration, also, in a whole lot of places
that have noconnection to Manchester but a team, a uniform, product
identificationand the universal allure of winning.
sent in by Bruce Barnes
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: COLE EYES LAW EUROPEAN RECORD
Andy Cole is just a goal away from gaining another entry in the Manchester
United record books.
His strike against Marseille on Wewdnesday took his Champions League tally
to 13, only one behind the club record held by sixties Old Trafford hero
Denis Law. The spectacularly executed overhead bicycle kick not only put
United back into a tie - and a competition - in which they were in danger
of losing - but brought the England discard level with former Busby Babe
Dennis Viollet in second place in the list of Reds' goalscorers in Europe's
premier club competition, in its various guises.
One can sense Cole's pride to be in the company of such great United
strikers: "I'm very proud to be up there on 13 goals," he said.
"I've taken a bit of stick from the lads now that I'm only one behind Denis
Law.
"If I get there I will be delighted with it. It's a great landmark for me
because Denis Law was such a great player. I'm delighted to even be as
close as I am to Denis Law's number of goals in Europe."
The goal helped United leapfrog the French side to top Group D at the
halfway stage of qualification with seven points. "I was delighted with my
goal from my point of view and also from the team's point of view because
this was one game we had to win," said Cole, scorer of eight goals already
this term.
"We still have to go out to Marseille and get a result. They're going to
come at us hopefully and if we play well, then I can't see why we can't
beat them out there as well."
----------------
Cole - closing in on European goalscoring record.
COLE CLOSES IN ON LAW RECORD
By David Anderson, PA Sport
Andy Cole feels honoured to be just one strike away from equalling the
legendary Denis Law's goalscoring record for Manchester United in Europe.
Law is United's leading marksman in Europe's premier club competition with
14 goals.
Cole's spectacular overhead kick against Marseille, which was reminiscent
of Law at his best, was his 13th for United in the Champions League.
He is now level with former Busby Babe Dennis Viollet and it seems only a
matter of time before he breaks Law's 30-year record.
Cole feels privileged to be in the company of such great United strikers.
"I'm very proud to be up there on 13 goals," he said.
"I've taken a bit of stick from the lads now that I'm only one behind Denis
Law.
"If I get there I will be delighted with it. It's a great landmark for me
because Denis Law was such a great player.
"I'm delighted to even be as close as I am to Denis Law's number of goals
in Europe."
Cole was delighted with his 79th-minute strike against Marseille, which
hauled United level, before Paul Scholes scored the winner four minutes later.
United are now top of Group D at the halfway stage with seven points.
They have one more point than Marseille, who they play next in the Stade
Velodrome in three weeks time.
"I was delighted with my goal from my point of view and also from the
team's point of view because this was one game we had to win," said Cole.
"We still have to go out to Marseille and get a result.
"They're going to come at us hopefully and if we play well, then I can't
see why we can't beat them out there as well."
Denis Irwin is also closing in on another United record in Europe.
The Republic of Ireland defender equalled Peter Schmeichel's club record of
36 Champions League appearances against Marseille and needs just one more
game to set a new best.
Like Cole, Irwin is thrilled by the prospect considering all the icons who
have played for the club.
I'm very proud obviously because there are so many great names up there on
the list," he said.
"Obviously with the way the competition has changed over the last few
years, we play a lot more matches now.
"But's it still great to be up there at the top."
Irwin claims he is not finished yet and he wants to enjoy a few more great
European nights with United.
"I've been here for 10 years now and I've been in the Champions League five
or six times," he said.
"I love playing football and I want to play as many games as possible.
"You can't beat playing in Europe and we've had so many great nights in
Europe and hopefully we will have some more great nights."
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: To put the TOTAL European "Goal Record" straight
RE: COLE EYES LAW RECORD
>Andy Cole is just a goal away from gaining another entry in the Manchester
>United record books.
>His strike against Marseille on Wewdnesday took his Champions League tally
>to 13, only one behind the club >record held by sixties Old Trafford hero
>Denis Law.
GOAL KING Denis has 28 goals in ALL Euro games!
Here is the complete list to put the record straight.
CL yes maybe, Andy has some ways to go before he beats a Denis Law TOTAL in
EUROPE!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Most European Goals
Denis Law: 4 Goals against against Waterford (1968)
3 Goals against Willem II Tilburg (1963)
Sporting Lisbon (1964)
Djugaarden (1964)
Waterford (1968).
***** 28 Denis Law 1963-1969
22 Bobby Charlton 1957-1969
14 David Herd 1963-1968
13 Dennis Viollet 1956-1958
***** 13 *Andy Cole 1996-
11 Tommy Taylor 1956-1958
11 John Connelly 1964-1966
11 George Best 1964-1969
10 *Ryan Giggs 1991-
9 *Dwight Yorke 1998-
8 Bryan Robson 1983-1994
8 *Paul Scholes 1994-
- -
Current-leading players
6 *Roy Keane 1993-
5 *David Beckham 1994-
* still playing
http://www.red11.org/stats
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Two injured in reserves ««
United's injury jinx continued last night when Jonathan Greening and Mark
Wilson picked up knocks in the reserves 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
Both had treatment this morning after the match at a rain-soaked Gigg Lane,
and have to wait until tomorrow before finding out if they have recovered
enough to be included in the squad for Sunday's trip to Chelsea.
United, without Mark Bosnich who withdrew because of a stomach problem,
took the lead on 23 minutes when Wilson fired in after Luke Chadwick's left
foot cross was palmed out to him.
Brazilian trialist Marcos Di Giuseppe equalised two minutes before
half-time when United failed to play to the whistle while claiming offside.
Quinton Fortune was again withdrawn at the break and once more United lost
their way in the second half.
Sunderland found stand-in keeper Paul Rachubka in excellent form and the
scoreline finished all square.
However, only Rachubka, Wilson and Danny Higginbotham - making his first
appearance of the season after his ban from Belgium - could take any credit
from their performance.
United: Rachubka, Clegg, Higginbotham, Curtis, Wallwork, Cruyff, Wilson,
Healy (Twiss), Chadwick, Fortune (Notman), Greening (Nevland).
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: ALLONS ENFANTS DE MANCHESTER!
ALLONS ENFANTS DE MANCHESTER!
The French retreated from Old Trafford with their confidence in tatters and
already conceding defeat in the battle to top group D in their Champions
League battle with Manchester United.
Marseille coach Rolland Courbis virtually admitted that Manchester United
were home and dry.
And Marseille went back across the English Channel with words ringing in
their ears from the United camp that will strike fear into their souls.
Courbis was already talking about their final game in Group D at home to
Croatia Zagreb as the one that will decide who will be second behind United
in the group.
Those two late goals by Andy Cole and Paul Scholes were the devastating
blow to Marseille's morale as United took over the top spot.
Courbis' defeatist words were all too obvious.
He said: ``United are top now, it will be down to the last game for us
against Zagreb to decide whether we qualify for the next stage with them.''
Such is the mastery United now achieve over their foes that they are
already talking in such terms even before the return match in Marseille
next month.
United defender Phil Neville summed up the mood by claiming: ``I feel if we
win in Marseille, that will be enough to qualify. We are certainly
confident now when we go out there that we are going to win. That will
really put us in pole position.''
And he clearly will not have any argument on that from Courbis.
Neville added: ``One of our biggest attributes here is that we never know
when we are beaten, we do fight to the end, surely people know that by now.
``We have been a goal down before you know, and we have fought back to win.
``It's a nice feeling when you know and feel you are never beaten. Once we
got that first goal, the crowd really got going.
``It was like a proper European night then because they had been quiet up
until then. They played their part in us winning.''
Neville went on: ``We deserved it, they only had about two shots on goal in
the whole game. We had so many more chances and at one point I thought it
was going to be one of those nights.
``But the forwards came up with the goods again, like they have done for
the last couple of seasons.
``That's where the experience of what we have achieved in the last couple
of years showed tonight.
``Because we didn't just hoof the ball forward and we showed a little bit
of patience. We knew if we kept playing our normal game the goals would
come.''
And if Marseille needed any more underlining of the United approach when
the two teams meet again next month, they came from Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: ``We will now go to Marseille top of the group and when we play
away from home in Europe we have a good record and are always a threat on
the break.
``That's how we will approach the game and they will know what a danger we
can be. We can always score away, that is such an advantage to us in Europe.
``The game will be a virtual reverse of the one you saw tonight. It will be
our turn to try to hit them on the break.''
---------------------------------------
Marseille boss says Utd are through ««
Marseille coach Rolland Courbis says United are already through to the next
stage of the Champions' League after defeating the French last night.
The Reds are top of Group D with seven points but still theoretically need
five more from their remaining three games to be assured of qualification,
although in reality four may be enough.
Courbis said: "United are top now, it will be down to the last game for us
against Zagreb to decide whether we qualify for the next stage with them."
Alex Ferguson is looking forward to the return clash in Marseille in three
week's time when the roles reverse and United will be able to counter attack.
He said: "You take risks and you deserve everything you get from a game
like that. I'm always confident that we will never give in."
Phil Neville said: "I feel if we win in Marseille that will be enough to
qualify. We're confident now when we go out there that we're going to win."
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: MEN Report - White Knuckle Ride
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 MARSEILLE 1
by Stuart Mathieson
MANCHESTER United fans are going to be as white haired as Fabrizio
Ravanelli watching the Reds defend the Champions' League.
If you thought last season stretched tales of heroic comebacks to the limit
and exhausted epic finales, then think again.
A season ticket to Old Trafford and a passport to the Reds away matches
should carry a Government Health Warning.
`Suicide squad' and `Masters of Suspense.' Call them what you like but
things ain't going to change. With potentially four extra European matches
on United's calendar this campaign, the white knuckle ride is going to be
even longer and as stomach churning.
Who else but the Stretford sadists could one minute be faced with the
possible ignominy of the European Cup holders going into the next
three-week Group D programme in October scrambling to stay out of the UEFA
Cup and the next be leading the section and going into this mini break with
the psychological advantage of being the favourites.
After an hour last night the prospect of battling to avoid that third place
spot which would have meant a consolation spot in the UEFA Cup was a
distinct possibility.
In Eastern Europe Croatia Zagreb were 3-0 up against Sturm Graz and level
on four points with the Champions' League holders. Marseille, courtesy of
Ibrahima Bakayoko's first half goal with more kamikaze help, were at that
stage five points clear of United and the Austrians.
Having shot themselves in the foot again, United were limping badly and
probably more than ever before were losing the look of a team capable of
another fanciful finale.
Why do I still doubt their comeback powers?
It was another remarkable rescue snatched from a night of frustration.
Marseille had the ominous giant Pierre Issa stationed right in front of
their back four. It gave the visitors a solid barricade and with that
French resistance it became obvious early that patience and frustration
were going to be much used words again.
Perez indicated that despite a steely backbone Rolland Courbis's side might
not rely on that alone and the full back got forward in the second minute
to send a 25-yard shot rising into the West Stand and give United a warning
about the danger of the counter attack.
While Ole Solskjaer may look alien as a left winger the role does allow him
to cut inside and he did that after six minutes after Andy Cole's sweeping
pass put him away. The Nou Camp hero crashed in a shot which 'keeper Porato
double-fisted away to safety.
Nicky Butt burst through from midfield after 12 minutes to latch onto
Henning Berg's knockdown from David Beckham's corner but the midfielder's
effort was saved by the keeper.
Ibrahima Bakayoko is only remembered in England as an expensive Everton
misfit but after a quarter of an hour the Ivory Coast striker gave a hint
of things to come and showed the quality so lacking at Goodison. Surrounded
by a host of Red shirts he did a couple of twists and then turned sharply
to fire at Raimond Van Der Gouw.
The incessant rain had made the Old Trafford surface a treacherous skid pan
at times but the slickness of the Reds' best move of the early exchanges
owed nothing to the pitch and everything to United's sharpness as
Solskjaer, Cole and Yorke swept forward with an interchange of passes.
Cole, however, couldn't complete the move satisfactorily and his shot
skidded wide of the post.
The best chance, though, was later to fall to his strike buddy Dwight
Yorke. Cole chased a long Beckham ball into the box and nudged a volleyed
pass into Yorke's path but he disappointingly weakly hit his shot at
Porato's legs.
The suicidal tendencies highlighted with a resigned laugh by Sir Alex
Ferguson at the pre-match conference surfaced again in the 41st minute and
you could hardly imagine Fergie would have been creased up by this one.
United were comfortably playing the ball along the back when Berg was
caught in two minds whether to move out or turn back to safety. In the end
he swivelled right into danger and Bakayoko seized on the error as the
Norwegian ran into the striker.
Bakayoko streaked away rifled the opener between Van Der Gouw's legs. If
he'd been offered such gifts on Merseyside maybe he'd never have been
labelled a Premiership flop.
Old Trafford couldn't believe they'd witnessed another present. Christmas
only comes this early in the big department stores!
Cole almost gave the Reds an early second half platform on which to build a
recovery before the real tension would set in.
He sped past Gallas in the area after taking Yorke's chest-down in his path
but the bullet shot skidded across the turf and just wide. The very same
path was then taken seconds later by Solskjaer's shot.
United's first-half enterprise was fast becoming a distant memory as they
toiled to make headway against the disciplined visitors who certainly
didn't look prone to the gift-wrapped goals which looked set to be the Reds
undoing.
Marseille continued to break up United's efforts and the holders confidence
and quality passing disintegrated as the minutes slipped by and the French
refused to buckle.
But those two missing ingredients `quality' and `confidence' were very much
in evidence when the revival sparked into life.
Beckham's high free kick to the far post was headed back into the danger
area by Stam and Cole's overhead kick was a peach of a finish. It took him
to within one goal of Denis Law's all time United record of 14 European Cup
goals and Cole's equaliser wouldn't have looked out of place in the Law
Man's collection.
Whereas Cole's goal was all about spectacular agility and ingenuity, Paul
Scholes' winner was downright persistence and drive.
Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke's headers took the ball through the now
tottering Marseille defence and Scholes bludgeoned his way through one
tackle, forced his way past the keeper's efforts to halt him and then as he
lay flat out he scrambled the ball home.
Match facts:
Shots on: United 8 Marseille 5 Shots off: United 9 Marseille 2
Goals: Cole (79), Scholes (83) for United. Bakayoko (41) for Marseille.
Bookings: P Neville for United.
Attendance: 54,276
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Subject: BERG OFFERS NO EXCUSES
By David Anderson, PA Sport
Henning Berg offered no excuse after the biggest blunder of his career
almost gifted Marseille victory over Manchester United.
The Norway defender was distraught after he was dispossessed by Ibrahima
Bakayoko and the former Everton striker raced through to open the scoring
just before half-time.
Berg could not believe how careless he had been and he was the most
relieved man inside Old Trafford when Andy Cole and Paul Scholes netted in
the final 11 minutes to cancel out his gaffe.
Goalkeeper Massimo Taibi blamed his short studs for his blunder against
Southampton last Saturday when he let Matt Le Tissier's gentle daisy cutter
pass through his legs, but Berg blamed only himself.
"It was a really bad mistake from me and you are not supposed to make
mistakes like that," he confessed.
"You could try and say that it was one of those things, but it should still
never have happened and I was very disappointed.
"I could probably try and explain it all day, but it wouldn't help.
"I got the ball and I thought he was going to chase me down, so I turned on
it.
"But he didn't chase me down and instead I turned straight into him and
he's nicked the ball off me and I've put him through one on one with Rai.
"It was a very stupid, stupid mistake.
"I was gutted and it's the worst I have ever felt on the pitch.
"I've made mistakes before, but you just don't do things like that.
"The boss could have tore straight into me and hammered me at half-time,
but he didn't and I think he maybe saw how bad I felt about it.
"I was just so happy when we got the two goals in the second half. It was
just fantastic."
Before the Champions League Group D game, boss Sir Alex Ferguson had
claimed he will never be able to stamp out his team's "suicidal defending"
as he called it.
United have looked sloppy at the back in their last three games and Berg
does not know what has happened to their once rock-solid defence.
"I don't know what's wrong with our defending," he said.
"Before the game we said we must keep our concentration and not make any
slip-ups.
"But then I go and make a mistake like that, which was stupid really.
"I just hope I don't do anything like that again."
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If ever they are playing in your town
You must get to that football ground
Take a lesson come to see
Football taught by Matt Busby
Manchester, Manchester United
A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes
They deserve to be knighted