www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Mon Apr 20 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. The RED-Devils Advocate: "The Devil May Care 4"
2. THE GOAL!!!! In US & Canada
3. Manchester United Reserves + Junior Teams Pontins/FA Premier Academy U-17/U-19
4. As Juventus hit top form United are warned: One mistake and it's all over
5. Old dog Sheringham still has the tricks to put bite on Juve
6. The Times defends Martin
7. Brilliant take on Edwards
8. FERGIE TO LAND BOSNICH ? (Mirror)
9. Please tell me I'm not dreaming...
10. Ferguson furious as dubious offside decision subjects his team to Villa Park replay
11. NEVILLE HAS MIND ON ITALIAN JOB
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Tues 20th April 1999:
20/4/1907:
Andrew Mitchell born in County Durham. A speedy Wingman, Mitchell
was bought from Darlington for £600 and made his only senior appearance at
Notts County in March 1933. He moved on to Hull City in June 1933.
20/4/1957:
United clinch their fifth League title after beating Sunderland 4-0 at
Old Trafford watched by 58,725. Billy Whelan 2, Duncan Edwards and Tommy
Taylor wrapped up the Championship with 3 games to spare. Team was:
Wood, Foulkes, Bryne, Colman, Blanchflower, Edwards, Berry, Whelan, Taylor,
Charlton, Pegg.
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
Suspensions take effect 14 days after the offence. The 'Official'
website confirmed the Villa game as the one he will miss.
This week sees a match so BIG on wednesday that the importance
cannot be measured! Good luck to REDS all over the world.
Subject: REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Comments: To: RedDevils@onelist.com, hylton@twimedia.com
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
Email Story
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This story was sent to you from Manchester United Official Web site
located at http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
by a friend, Paul Hinson, whose email address is
p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Story Follows:
REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Saturday, April 17, 1999 17:19
United's Academy Under-19 side successfully navigated their first play-off
match, against Millwall at The Cliff on Saturday morning. Luke Chadwick
was the star of the game, making one and scoring two of the Reds' goals in
a convincing 4-1 win. United now face Chelsea in the next round of the
competition. Read Cliff Butler's match report here.
To read the full story visit the Manchester United Official Web site at
http://www.manutd.com or go directly to the story at
http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
Important European Cup Ticket Info: (thanks to Mike)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
The following has appeared on the UEFA website regarding tickets for the
final. Subject to the minor matter of beating Juventus next week, this is of
particular interest to supporters outside England, since applications will
not be accepted from the countries of competing clubs.
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
UEFA Champions League Final
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999
Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
Apart from ticket orders from supporters residing in the countries of the two
finalist clubs - Manchester United FC (England) or Juventus FC (Italy) and
Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) or FC Bayern München (Germany) - which, for security
reasons, must be submitted to the clubs concerned, ticket orders for the
general public irrespective of their country of residence can be ordered
through the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football Federation).
Ticket Order Methods: Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Post Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Alberto Bosch, 13
E-29014 MADRID
Spain
Telephone ++34-91-369 5045
++34-91-369 4771
++34-91-369 4129
Fax ++34-91-429 8428
E-Mail rfef@tsai.es
Closing Date Thursday 29 April 1999
No supporter may purchase more than four tickets, subject to availability.
Tickets are for personal use only, and must not be resold or used for
commercial purposes. The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football
Federation) may reject or reduce any ticket order considered to be
unwarranted.
Tickets
Prices Pesetas
Category 1 14,000 Ptas
Category 2 10,000 Ptas
Category 3 7,000 Ptas
Category 4 4,500 Ptas
Written confirmation - by fax or mail - will be forwarded on receipt of an
order for tickets for this match, and the amount for the total price of the
tickets will be transferred to the Banco Popular Español.
Account Number: 0075-0591-17-0600300602
Banco Popular Español, Agencia 51, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 25, E-28014 MADRID
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
Today! Sheff Wed (H) 15.00 PL
21 European Cup Semi Juventus (A) 19.45 CL
25 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL Live Sky Sports UK
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULT ON 19/04/99 ***
Arsenal 5-1 Wimbledon
*** CONDENSED LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 18/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 32 19 10 3 72 32 40 67
2 Arsenal 33 18 12 3 48 14 34 66
3 Chelsea 33 17 13 3 49 26 23 64
4 Leeds United 33 16 11 6 53 29 24 59
5 Aston Villa 34 14 10 10 45 39 6 52
6 West Ham United 34 14 9 11 39 41 -2 51
7 Middlesbrough 34 12 14 8 46 42 4 50
8 Derby County 33 12 11 10 37 41 -4 47
9 Liverpool 32 12 8 12 57 42 15 44
10 Tottenham Hotspur 32 10 13 9 36 37 -1 43
11 Newcastle United 33 11 9 13 44 48 -4 42
12 Wimbledon 34 10 11 13 37 55 -17 41
13 Leicester City 32 9 13 10 34 41 -7 40
14 Sheffield Wednesday 33 11 5 17 38 39 -1 38
15 Everton 34 9 10 15 31 41 -10 37
16 Coventry City 34 10 7 17 35 47 -12 37
17 Charlton Athletic 33 7 11 15 35 44 -9 32
18 Blackburn Rovers 33 7 11 15 35 46 -11 32
19 Southampton 34 8 7 19 31 63 -32 31
20 Nottingham Forest 34 4 9 21 30 66 -36 21
*** FIXTURES ON 20/04/99 ***
Charlton Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur
*** FIXTURES ON 21/04/99 ***
Liverpool v Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United
*** FIXTURES ON 24/04/99 ***
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool
Derby County v Southampton
Everton v Charlton Athletic
Leicester City v Coventry City
Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Wimbledon v Newcastle United
*** FIXTURES ON 25/04/99 ***
Leeds United v Manchester United
Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 17 12 (71%) 4 (24%) 1 (6%) 41 (2.4) 16 (0.9) 40 (2.4)
Away 15 7 (47%) 6 (40%) 2 (13%) 31 (2.1) 16 (1.1) 27 (1.8)
Total 32 19 (59%) 10 (31%) 3 (9%) 72 (2.3) 32 (1.0) 67 (2.1)
Averages per game in (brackets)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Final 2nd legs to be played 21st April
Manchester United v Juventus [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev [3-3]
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: The RED-Devils_Advocate: "The Devil May Care 4"
www.red11.org REDitorial written by DMC Published: April 19th 99
http://www.red11.org/mufc/devilsadvocate
The Devil May Care 4
As far as the football is concerned we have witnessed some epic games
recently and none more so than last Wednesday night at Villa Park. We have
always enjoyed our semis in Aston but last week those of us who were lucky
enough to have been present will never forget it. The match had everything,
in fact if Hollywood had offered it as a script every single one of us
would have told them to piss off, it would surely be too far fetched even
for Hollywood. But it happened.
It was a night which tested our throats to the full and those of us who had
to speak to anyone the day after would have left them in no doubt of our
allegiance so croaky were the old vocal cords. "You sound like a frog"
someone told me, it was only then that this person was made party to the
truth. Never before did they know of my interest in football never mind my
fanaticism towards United, but on Thursday there was no hiding place.
Everybody knew.
And wasn't it funny walking out of Villa Park through the hoards of Arse
trying desperately to keep a straight face when it was plainly impossible!
Safety in numbers was called for then or a single Red would have been set
upon without mercy.
And in Manchester in the pubs apparently it was pandemonium. In one of the
pubs noted for it's sobriety if that's not a contradiction there was mayhem
when that goal was scored. Never before had scenes of such joy been
witnessed in this normally sedate establishment. It's reported that the
bonding that went on there that night could see several millennium births.
So we have reached the first Final, in fact the last Final at the Wemberly
we know. The last Final of the millennium. Surely right and fitting that
the record winners of the FA Cup will be the final name on that famous old
trophy before the year 2000. Let's bug the whole of the rest of football
and do this for posterity.
We are all wondering what will happen in Turin. One thing's for sure the
whole of the rest of Italy will be willing us to win so that they can have
a laugh at the Old Lady. Juve are the Italian United - no-one else likes
them, everyone else hates them. That doesn't mean to say we have anything
in common - they are still a bunch of barcodes after all.
So what of the European Cup? Again, how right and fitting that the name of
Manchester United should be enscribed as the first team ever to win the
trophy and have not qualified as champions. We are the Red Devils aren't
we. Why change the habits of a lifetime - buck tradition and go for it. Who
has ever told us what to do? Who has ever been able to dictate to us?
Talking of dictators, what about the BSkyB bid. Altogether now -
aaaaaaaaaaah! As I said before, no-one dictates to us if we don't want them
to- no-one - not even you Murdog.
I know there are some of you who may have misgivings about this, especially
now Martin's spouting on about not being able to afford to buy players,
putting up Season Ticket prices etc., but while he's throwing his toys out
of his cot and walking away with the ball let's consider a few facts shall
we.
What a hopeless case he is. It just goes to show what an incredible
business brain he has when as the so called head of the richest club in the
world can't quite grasp the fact that if the team are doing well the share
price will go up and thus Manchester United will make more money.
What does this astute person do - he spitefully says that because of the
naughty boys in IMUSA and SUAM, Manchester United can't now afford to buy
players in the summer. Perhaps someone a little closer than me to Martin
would like to remind him of that well known saying about cutting one's nose
off to spite one's face! As the Sergeant said to the Corporal in "It Ain't
Half Hot Mum", "stupid boy."
This is MR BUSINESS BRAIN 1999 who is running our club. A man who would
deny the single most important man in Manchester United over the last
decade, namely the Wizard Fergie, the opportunity to invest in the team.
Well done Martin you really are a superb servant of our club. You really do
have the best interests of Manchester United at heart - like f**k you do.
He's not just a touch mad that the share price has fallen dramatically,
that he's lost millions,is he? If he actually took time to think about it,
those nice people at IMUSA and SUAM have actually put him on the right path
to make millions more. But he's too bitter to see it so why doesn't he go
and join City where he'd be more than welcome.
Can't he even see that without the player investment over the summer we
wouldn't be in the position we are right now. Records are falling fast for
this outfit. They are about to eclipse the 1993-94 team with a bit of luck.
That team were the best I have ever seen wearing the Red shirts and this
lot are better and are hopefully about to prove it.
My advice is to buy shares now while the price is low and see your
investment grow, but the main thing is you will hold a vital stake in your
club which at the appropriate moment you can drive through Martin's heart -
metaphorically speaking of course!
We don't mean it Marty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we've shoved it up the Arse, ditched the Dirty Digger and all we need to
top off the month is to batter the Old Lady. Are there any scousers out
there who can give us tips on how this may be achieved?
DMC
Feedback/Comments/Email to: The RED-Devils_Advocate email -
red_devils_advocate@yahoo.com
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Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: THE GOAL!!!! In US & Canada
Hello Reds -- what a great week it was -- & will be!!!!
Giggsy's "fantastic" goal can be seen in the USA & Canada on the "English
Premier League Highlights" show on Fox Sports (this is on cable -- it's not
pay-per-view though so it won't cost $19.95 which was the cost for a prior
Reds match on PPV). I saw it yesterday on the 5 pm show. In fact I saw the
goal about a dozen times because I recorded the 2 hour program which covers
all PL matches, and for about 5 minutes foreign match highlights. In New
England the show is on NESN every week. There are numerous other regional
cable companies listed at the end of the program -- where it can be seen on
a regular basis. Check it out!!! The show is on several times (am/pm) this
week.
The program shows highlights of the Arse match for about 15 minutes and the
Reds match vs Sheffield Wed is the main match of the program -- this match
lasts for about 40 minutes.
Best Wishes to REDS Everywhere.
Richard TOF [The Oldest Fart], Connecticut, USA
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Manchester United Reserves + Junior Teams Pontins/FA Premier Academy U-17/U-19
Updated 19/04/99
by Paul Hinson
1997-98 1998-99
AUGUST
Thu 20 SUNDERLAND (H) - 0-0
SEPTEMBER
Wed 2 ASTON VILLA (H) 1-0 4-0
(Wilson 2, Jaszczun og, Greening)
Sat 5 Everton (A) 2-3 2-0 (Cruyff, Greening)
Thu 17 BIRMINGHAM CITY (H) 2-0 3-2
(Sheringham 2, Cruyff)
Fri 25 Liverpool (A) 2-2 2-0 (Notman, Cruyff)
OCTOBER
Thu 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST (H) 1-1 1-0 (Cooke)
Wed 14 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 2-2 3-2 (Greening 2, Wilson)
NOVEMBER
Tue 3 STOKE CITY (H) 4-2 4-1 (Notman, Wilson, Greening, Wood)
Mon 16 Leicester City (A) - 6-2 (Greening 3, Wilson, Clegg, Wellens)
DECEMBER
Wed 2 Leeds United (A) 0-3 1-5 (Sheringham)
Thu 17 Sunderland (A) - 0-2
JANUARY
Wed 6 Aston Villa (A) 1-0 5-1 (Solskjaer 2, Cruyff, Greening,
Mulryne)
Tue 19 Derby County (A) 4-0 2-2 (Wilson, Nevland)
Wed 27 DERBY COUNTY (H) 2-1 4-0 (Notman, Nevland, Chadwick, Wilson)
FEBRUARY
Wed 3 Birmingham City (A) 2-0 1-1 (Healy)
Mon 8 Preston North End (A) 6-1 1-0 (Mulryne)
Wed 24 Nottingham Forest (A) 1-0 1-1 (Clegg)
MARCH
Mon 15 Blackburn Rovers (A) 1-3 0-1
Mon 22 Stoke City (A) 2-1 1-3 (May)
Sat 27 EVERTON (H) 7-0 3-0 (Fitzpatrick 2, O'Shea)
APRIL
Wed 14 LEICESTER CITY (H) - 0-2
Thu 22 LIVERPOOL (H) 0-1
Wed 28 LEEDS UNITED (H) 1-1
TBA PRESTON NORTH END (H) 5-2
First 3 and last 3 Home fixtures at Old Trafford,
Kick-off 7pm.
Remainder at Gigg Lane, Bury, Kick-off 7.00.
All Saturday fixtures Kick-off 2pm.
Fixtures subject to alteration.
Appearances and Goals 1998-99 (up to and including 14/04/99)
Kennedy BAKIRCIOGLOU 1 0
Henning BERG 2 0
Russell BEST 0+1 0
Jesper BLOMQVIST 3 0
Wes BROWN 6 0
Nicky BUTT 2 0
Chris CASPER 2 0
Luke CHADWICK 4+2 1
Michael CLEGG 18 2
Andy COLE 1 0
Terry COOKE 6+1 1
Jordi CRUYFF 7 4
Nick CULKIN 8 0
John CURTIS 14 0
Ian FITZPATRICK 3 2
Ryan FORD 9+1 0
Paul GIBSON 3 0
Jonathan GREENING 16+1 9
David HEALY 5+4 1
Danny HIGGINBOTHAM 3 0
Ronny JOHNSEN 1 0
David MAY 14 1
Philip MULRYNE 14 1
Phil NEVILLE 2 0
Erik NEVLAND 8+2 2
Alex NOTMAN 8+1 3
John O'SHEA 9+1 1
Lee ROCHE 3+1 0
Stephen ROSE 2+1 0
Michael RYAN 1+1 0
Teddy SHERINGHAM 3 3
Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER 1 2
Michael STEWART 4 0
Dominic STUDLEY 1 0
Paul TEATHER 6+2 0
John THORRINGTON 1+1 0
Raimond VAN DER GOUW 10 0
Ronnie WALLWORK 7+1 0
Richard WELLENS 7+3 1
Paul WHEATCROFT 0+1 0
Mark WILSON 17+2 7
Jamie WOOD 0+3 1
Jaszczun (Aston Villa) 1 og
Pontins League Premier Division
Results from last week:
Stoke City 3 Everton 2
Birmingham City 1 Aston Villa 3
UNITED 0 Leicester City 2
Liverpool 3 Leeds United 2
Everton 0 Blackburn Rovers 0
Nottingham Forest 0 Sunderland 2
Preston North End 3 Derby County 1
All facts and figures updated by
Paul Hinson P.L.Hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk
Webmaster barry@www.red11.org
PONTINS PREMIER LEAGUE
P W D L F A Pts
Sunderland (-) 21 12 6 3 40 16 42
UNITED (2) 21 12 4 5 44 25 40
Liverpool (10) 18 8 7 3 21 14 31
Nottingham Forest (11)19 8 6 5 26 19 30
Blackburn Rovers (3) 20 8 5 7 30 23 29
Leeds United (1) 20 8 3 9 35 35 27
Everton (7) 18 7 5 6 22 22 26
Aston Villa (4) 20 7 4 9 31 33 25
Leicester City (-) 20 6 5 9 25 36 23
Birmingham City (5) 20 5 7 8 24 29 22
Stoke City (6) 18 5 4 9 20 28 19
Preston North End (9) 17 4 4 9 15 32 16
Derby County (8) 20 3 6 1124 45 15
Last seasons position in brackets
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester Senior Cup
MARCH
Wed 10 Oldham Athletic (A) 3-2 (Greening, Sheringham, M.Clegg)
Wed 31 Bury (A) 4-1 (May, O'Shea, Wilson, Fitzpatrick)
APRIL
Tue 6 Manchester City (A) 5-1 (Wilson 2, Healy, Greening, Ford)
Fri 16 BURY (H) 2-4 (Healy, Wood)
Mon 19 MANCHESTER CITY (H)
MAY
Wed 5 OLDHAM ATHLETIC (H)
MANCHESTER SENIOR CUP TABLE
P W D L F A Pts
UNITED 4 3 0 114 8 9
Bury 5 2 0 39 10 9
Oldham Athletic5 2 0 38 9 6
Manchester City5 2 0 36 10 6
Venues/Kick-off times to be decided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United FA Premier Academy U-19
SEPTEMBER
Sep 5 West Ham United (A) 0-3
Sat 12 DERBY COUNTY (H) 1-1 (Healy)
Sat 19 WATFORD (H) 2-4 (O'Shea, Chadwick)
Sat 26 WIMBLEDON (H) 4-0 (Healy 3, Chadwick)
OCTOBER
Sat 3 FULHAM (H) 4-0 (Healy 3, Evans)
Sat 17 Manchester City (A) 4-1 (Evans, Healy, Clegg, Daly og)
Sat 24 EVERTON (A) 1-0 (Knowles og)
Sat 31 LIVERPOOL (H) 1-1 (Healy)
NOVEMBER
Sat 7 Bolton Wanderers (A) 2-1 (Wheatcroft, Ryan)
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (A) 1-5 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 21 ASTON VILLA (H) 4-0 (Notman 3, Chadwick)
Sat 28 CREWE ALEXANDRA (H) 2-1 (Howard, Fitzpatrick)
DECEMBER
Sat 12 MANCHESTER CITY (H) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
JANUARY
Sat 16 Liverpool (A) 1-1 (S Rose)
Sat 30 BOLTON WANDERERS (H) 5-0 (Chadwick 2, Healy, Fitzpatrick, Howard)
FEBRUARY
Sat 6 EVERTON (H) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 13 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 0-4
Sat 20 Aston Villa (A) 2-0 (Healy, Ryan)
Sat 27 Crewe Alexandra (A) 0-1
MARCH
Sat 6 Crystal Palace (A) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 20 BRISTOL CITY (H) 1-2 (Wheatcroft)
Sat 27 Sheffield Wednesday (A) 0-0
-----------------------------------
KNOCKOUT COMPETITION;
APRIL Sat 17 MILLWALL (H) 4-1 (Chadwick 2, Evans, Fitzpatrick)
CHELSEA ?
Home fixtures played at the Cliff, Lower Broughton, Salford
Appearances and Goals 1998-99 (up to and including 20/03/99)
Luke CHADWICK 15+2 5
George CLEGG 12+2 1
Stephen COSGROVE 10+1 0
Jimmy DAVIS 1 0
Wayne EVANS 10+5 2
Ian FITZPATRICK 15+1 6
GAFF 1 0
David HEALY 10+1 11
Jason HICKSON 0+4 0
Kirk HILTON 13+1 0
Joshua HOWARD 9 2
Mark LYNCH 4 0
Alan MCDERMOTT 2 0
Allan MARSH 5+1 0
Alex NOTMAN 1 3
John O'SHEA 13+1 1
Paul RACHUBKA 17 0
Lee ROCHE 15 0
Stephen ROSE 14 1
Michael RYAN 11 2
Michael STEWART 15+1 0
Dominic STUDLEY 9+4 0
Mark STUDLEY 1 0
Marek SZMID 1 0
John THORRINGTON 8 0
Richard WELLENS 5 0
Paul WHEATCROFT 14+2 2
Lee WHITELEY 4+4 0
Neil WOOD 1 0
Daly (Manchester City) 1 og
Knowles (Everton) 1 og
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United FA Premier
Academy U-17
SEPTEMBER
Sep 5 West Ham United (A) 2-1 (Walker, Webber)
Sat 12 DERBY COUNTY (H) 4-0 (Szmid, Muirhead, Rose, McDermott)
Sat 19 WATFORD (H) 2-1 (Wood, Muirhead)
Sat 26 WIMBLEDON (H) 5-0 (Webber, Grogan, Wood, Lynch, Davis)
OCTOBER
Sat 3 FULHAM (H) 9-0 (Webber 5,Davis,McDermott,Lynch,Whiteman)
Sat 17 Manchester City (A) 2-0 (Davis, Webber)
Sat 24 EVERTON (H) 3-2 (Webber, McDermott, Davis)
Sat 31 LIVERPOOL (H) 2-2 (Lynch, Molloy)
NOVEMBER
Sat 7 WIMBLEDON (A) 1-1 (Webber)
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (A) 2-0 (Webber, Davis)
Sat 21 ASTON VILLA (H) 5-0 (Webber 2, McDermott, Davis, Samuels og)
Sat 28 CREWE ALEXANDRA (H) 1-1 (Webber)
DECEMBER
Sat 12 MANCHESTER CITY (H) 4-0 (Webber 2, Davis, Molloy)
JANUARY
Sat 16 Liverpool (A) 3-3 (Davis 2, Webber)
FEBRUARY
Sat 6 Everton (A) 5-1 (Wood 2, Walker, Davis, M.Rose)
Sat 13 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 1-1 (M.Rose)
Sat 20 Aston Villa (A) 5-1 (Nardiello 2, Molloy, Wood, Clark)
Sat 27 Crewe Alexandra (A) 1-1 (Strange)
MARCH
Sat 6 Crystal Palace (H) 3-0 (Wood 2, Davis)
Sat 13 Tottenham Hotspur (A) 2-2 (Davis 2)
Sat 20 BRISTOL CITY (H) 3-1 (Szmid, Muirhead, Davis)
Sat 27 Sheffield Wednesday (A) 1-2 (Whiteman)
-----------------------------------
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Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: As Juventus hit top form United are warned: One mistake and it's all over
Juventus gave Alex Ferguson a weekend preview of the ruthless streak they will
doubtless employ when Manchester United visit Turin on Wednesday.
They went to Rome and demolished Lazio 3-1, and it is ominous for United that
Juventus appear to be acquiring a taste for spiking the ambitions of opponents
who have been coveting trophies for what seems like an eternity.
With United it is their 31-year wait for a second European Cup. On Saturday it
was Lazio's progress to their first Italian Championship for 25 years.
The Rome club's Swedish coach Sven Goran Eriksson took a long, unhappy
look yesterday at the destruction which 'new' Juve brought to his season
and he
grimaced at the task which faces United on Wednesday.
He said: 'Manchester United have one chance to survive in Turin and that is to
play without making a single error. If they cannot do that they will not
succeed
because Juventus kill you by the speed they turn your error into a goal.
'I'm not saying they are a lucky team but against us they definitely did not
deserve to win. 'They scored with their very first shot, even though it was a
mistake from our keeper, and that immediately made it very tough.
'Then we made a single mistake in midfield, lost the ball and they instantly
turned that into a goal. 'Also, it will be a different Juve against United
because
they will bring so many good players back, including Paolo Montero who is one
of the best defenders in Italy.
'The other man who makes them so difficult to defeat is Edgar Davids who is so
strong physically and just takes control of the game. 'But I think Manchester
United are a great team, improving just as the English game is getting
stronger
by the season.
'United share characteristics with Juve in the way that each is able to
produce
its optimum in matches like the semi-final this week. Both teams are used to
handling the atmosphere in crucial games, they stay calm and never panic.
They are so closely matched.
'What will be crucial is that if you ask Juventus what they feel about
Wednesday they will tell you it is the single most important match they have
had for years, because they're not going to win any other trophies this
season.'
Juventus utterly dominated the crucial phase of Saturday's game despite
leaving Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Montero and Gianluca Pessotto in
the stand.
They are not unbeatable, but it's important to recognise what spurs them on -
their desperation to avoid ending the season trophyless.
The players and staff also fear the indignity, and destruction of their summer
holidays, which competing in the InterToto Cup would bring.
Football is not always about talent; sometimes it's about timing.
And the truth is that United could well find themselves at the wrong place
at the
wrong time in Turin on Wednesday.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Old dog Sheringham still has the tricks to put bite on Juve
Monday, April 19, 1999
Teddy Sheringham is too well-known to be thought of as a secret weapon. But
he has emerged from winter hibernation as the player who can hold the key to
Alex Ferguson's dream of domestic and European domination this season.
While Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole cavorted together through the months of
what they hope will become a history-making campaign, occasionally joined by
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Sheringham looked to have become a has-been.
But in the past fortnight he has shaken off the slumbers enforced by injury
and
loss of form to prove he still has a vital role to play as Manchester United
continue their attempt at the history-making treble of Champions League, FA
Cup and Premiership.
Ferguson insists he already knows his line-up to face Juventus on Wednesday
night and Sheringham now figures strongly for the kind of leading role which
many thought was beyond him at the age of 33.
Yet, his comeback has been as impressive as it has been dramatic. It began
with the final 12 minutes of the Champions League semi-final, first leg at Old
Trafford when he replaced Yorke, scored a 'goal' that was disallowed and
caused such consternation in the Juventus defence that a game they thought
won was snatched from them by Ryan Giggs.
It continued in last Wednesday's epic victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup
semi-final replay when even the Highbury defence found that the old dog's old
tricks still had something magical about them. And against Sheffield
Wednesday Sheringham provided confirmation that his sophistication,
intelligence and cunning remain intact as United eased through a practice
match that was supposed to be a Premiership contest.
The fact that Danny Wilson's side do not deserve even the Government's
minimum wage, never mind their huge weekly salaries, for their dereliction of
duty should not be allowed to detract from the contribution of the Old
Trafford
character actor who gave a bravura performance.
He was far too subtle for Wednesday as he meandered into nooks and crannies
to find the space from which to direct operations. At other times he took
centre
stage, scoring with a brilliant flick header and playing a part in the
build-up to
the other goals scored by Solskjaer and Paul Scholes.
Later, manager Ferguson gave the clearest indication that Sheringham, though
he has started a mere seven games this season, may be about to become a
golden oldie, saying: 'I know we have to score at least once in Turin, but we
can't afford to just chase the game, we have to show control and patience.
'I have a pretty clear idea of the team I'll play, but first I must analyse
in my own
mind what Juventus will do. I'm already certain they won't play for a 0-0.
'They're a high-class team and they'll try to beat us.'
That estimation of how Juventus will approach the game all but ensures that
Sheringham will be heavily involved at some stage and may even be given a
pivotal role. Yorke and Cole, whom Ferguson expects to be fit after a slight
ankle injury, are a fantastic sight when using their pace to destabilise a
defence.
But Juventus almost laughed in their faces at Old Trafford. Enter, stage left,
Sheringham.
Ferguson noted in that first game how his veteran managed to find space where
before there seemed none, even in such a short period.
He knows that helter-skelter tactics will invite disaster in Turin. He
knows he
needs a different, far more Machiavellian approach, and the studious
Sheringham, with his ability to pull the right strings at the right time, has
suddenly become extremely important.
It was Sheringham's deft over-head kick that provided Solskjaer with his 17th
goal of the season, a short-range jab that finished off Wednesday.
For the rest of the time Sheringham and his colleagues simply toyed with them.
The veteran headed the second just before the interval then delivered the ball
which Scholes belted past Pavel Srnicek, one of the few Wednesday players to
come out of the game with any honour.
Ferguson can count on having Peter Schmeichel back for Wednesday after he
damaged a groin against Arsenal. Denis Irwin also came on as United, finishing
with almost a reserve side, went through the motions.
But Giggs remains the big worry. He will spend the next 24 hours working on
mobility and having treatment after picking up an ankle injury following his
winner against Arsenal. Even with Sheringham back to his elegant best, the
loss of the Welshman would be a savage blow to a side looking for a second
miracle in a week.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: The Times defends Martin
Here's a contrasting view to the Martin piss-take article
posted by Dave Menashe earlier (BTW, Dave what was the
source of that article?) You may start to feel a little
nauseous as you read this article ...
Matt Dickinson says that anger over moves to tighten the
Old Trafford purse strings is misplaced
Expensive tastes: United are not willing to plunge so
heavily into the transfer market this summer after
allowing Ferguson to spend ?28 million to recruit Stam,
left, Yorke and Blomqvist
Fans' criticism of United a bit rich
For the crime of sharing a beer with Martin Edwards in a
bar in Lodz late last year, the punishment was to be
threatened with a bottle in the face. "How can you buy a
drink for that traitor," the Manchester United fan
snarled, his San Miguel brandished ever closer. In the
best journalistic traditions, I made my excuses and left.
The drinking holes will be out of bounds once again this
week as the lynch mob reconvenes in even greater numbers
in Turin. Some of the fans are on the warpath again and
the United chairman, as much as the Juventus supporters,
is at the top of their list.
His crime, apart from becoming chairman in the first
place, was to say that there will be no money available to
Alex Ferguson this summer beyond that needed to replace
Peter Schmeichel. "With spending £44 million over the next
two seasons developing the ground to a capacity of 67,000
and also on the new training complex at Carrington there
will be no more spending like last year [when £28 million
purchased Jaap Stam, Dwight Yorke and Jesper Blomqvist],"
Edwards said. "We have to make sure we do not go heavily
into the red. It is not a bottomless pit, that is the
reality of it." Cue howls of outrage.
The criticism will be nothing new to Edwards, who hears
little else, and there is no doubt that his timing could
have been better. The club has just been named the richest
in the world, with a turnover in 1997 of £87.94 million,
and supporters want to look forward to the second leg of
their European Cup semi-final against Juventus on
Wednesday rather than hear tales of hard times. But it has
reached the stage where the criticism of Edwards is as
demented as the Manchester Evening News poll that demanded
Ferguson be fired a year after securing the Double in 1994.
It is a fact of life that supporters share no more
affinity with a club's board than they do with their bank
manager - the responsibility to be prudent makes both
appear killjoys - but Edwards is facing a barrage of abuse
that goes beyond reason and it is time that the fans
acknowledged their good fortune instead.
If their greatest desire is to see the best players
coached by the best manager while they sit in the best
ground in the country, then surely they are wallowing in
the riches of Croesus at Old Trafford. And the man who has
made it possible, if not through his own abilities then
through astute delegation, is Edwards.
It was the supporters, after all, who wanted Ferguson
dumped in 1989, when the club was underachieving, and it
was Edwards who, with the advice of his board, ensured
that he stayed. The chairman has probably not been patted
on the back too many times for that. "Sack him," they
cried again when Ince, Hughes and Kanchelskis were sold,
but, mercifully, sanity prevalied among the directors.
It is the way of supporters that they want everything both
ways, never more so than when it comes to Old Trafford
financing. They want the club to be hugely successful,
which Edwards ensured by launching it on the Stock
Exchange, and yet they also want it run by some kindly
benefactor with a bottomless pit of cash. Life, except at
Ewood Park, is not like that. Those supporters
conveniently ignore the fact that many of them were hardly
rushing to put their funds into the club when the first
share issue was met by an underwhelming response. So much
for putting your money where your mouth is.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing for those with axes to
grind, so Edwards is still criticised for the proposed
sale to Michael Knighton for £10 million a decade ago,
never mind that it was Knighton, rather than Edwards, who
was seen as the screwball at the time. Now he is attacked
for accepting a £623 million offer from BSkyB - 40 per
cent owned by News International, owner of The Times -
that was legally impossible, never mind daft under any
rationale, to resist.
There are wider football arguments against the BSkyB
takeover, but they make least sense of all from the mouths
of United fans who may now, as Edwards's warning over
transfer funds suggests, lose out. There will be more
money to spend than he will admit and his gloomy forecast
is more an irritated response to those supporters who
opposed the BSkyB deal than a realistic assessment, but
the point is made nonetheless - Rupert Murdoch would have
allowed heavier spending on players.
So, United will carry on with the same board until the
next bid, probably a hostile one, and supporters can rest
assured that it is in safe hands. Soaring wages, which
have ruined other clubs, have been maintained at sensible
levels. The best manager in the country will shortly
become the highest-paid.
Yet still Edwards cannot win. The supporters want
big-money signings but whinge that Old Trafford is run
more like a corporation than a football club. They
complain that the ground needs expanding and yet, when the
prices go up to pay for the work - and are still cheaper
than many of their rivals' - the chairman is accused of a
rip-off. Supporters say he should sell the club and, when
he offers to, he is branded a traitor. Then there is the
issue of his £90 million worth of shares, which the real
supporter would, of course, happily donate to the club.
Are they sure?
Despite the fact that he knows more Manchester United
trivia than half the Stretford End combined, Edwards will
for ever have to live with the accusation that he is not a
committed fan. He will probably be told it to his face
this week in Turin. So it is no surprise to hear that he is
increasingly tired of the day-to-day running of the club
and may soon relinquish it for a place on the football
board only. Then some other poor soul will become chief
executive and get it in the neck for making United the
most successful club in the country. It is a thankless
task, even if it is a well-paid one.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Brilliant take on Edwards
What price European glory now? by Martin Samuel
Had Michael Knighton been able to locate a wad of money slightly slimmer
than that handed over for a new centre-half at Old Trafford last summer, it
could all have been so different.
Carlisle United might not now be stampeding towards the Conference, for
starters.
And Martin Edwards' share of the thwarted £623 million BSkyB bonanza would
have been less than the going rate for a rusty satellite dish.
Because he would have sold the richest club in the world to a passing
juggler for ten million quid a decade ago.
Edwards might talk about his dream and how it has been denied by spiteful
fans and the Monopolies Commission. But that gem from history is the reality.
In the recent memory of all but pre-teen supporters, he priced Manchester
United at slightly less than Jaap Stam. And got away with it.
If Knighton could have located the readies, Edwards' status would be that
of football's answer to the A&R man at Decca records who rejected The
Beatles on the grounds guitar bands were a thing of the past.
As we approach the end of the century, a journalist might have knocked on
the door of his Cheshire home.
"Hello, Mr. Edwards. I'm from The Express. We're doing a feature on the
biggest wally of the Millennium. I've already spoken to that bloke from
Decca and Gerald Ratner and if I could have five minutes of your time I'd
only be left with the fella who bought the Hitler diaries to do."
The film 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying' could have been
made for Edwards, whose greatest talent was in employing people to realise
a potential he clearly did not see.
And yet, this weekend, he has reinvented himself in interview - as the
visionary, the captain of industry, the man who sits at Old Trafford
plotting and planning his brilliant strategies, as opposed to a settler who
finds gold on his land, waiting for the first stranger to hit town with an
idea and a bankable cheque.
He had a dream, apparently, that with Rupert Murdoch's millions Manchester
United could be the best, most successful team in the land (he obviously
wasn't concentrating when they won the Double twice without Murdoch's help
a few years back - you know how distracting life can be in the world of
high finance).
He didn't know exactly how much BSkyB were to put in, but it was going to
be, like, a lot. But now these nasty old fans have stirred the Monopolies
Commission up and the whole thing is ruined and just for that no-one can
have any players except a replacement for Peter Schmeichel all summer.
Edwards didn't exactly stamp his little foot and lisp 'tho there!' at the
end of his speech but he might as well have.
Indeed, considering the childish tone of the whole outburst it wouldn't
have surprised if he'd concluded the whole thing with the words: "And do
you know something else? The goalkeeper we buy is going to be rubbish!
"We'll get him from Nottingham Forest or Ecuador or somewhere like that.
And he'll smell funny and keep llamas in the penalty box and have to keep
going home to see his mum. Just because you wouldn't let Sky buy my club.
See how you like it then."
Yet the fans Edwards dislikes so much may have enabled him to stumble into
even more money by accident.
During the delayed takeover bid, Manchester United's share price rose above
that offered by Sky and accepted by the board.
The club was worth even more than Edwards had sold it for - some City
analysts believe closer to a billion pounds, though a generally accepted
figure is around £800m.
It seems the chairman could have been, quite literally, selling Manchester
United short again - as he did at the weekend with an announcement that can
only drive a wedge between himself and the most important figure at Old
Trafford, manager Alex Ferguson.
When Ferguson is eventually dragged from his office at the training ground
shortly before his 90th birthday, he will be able to drive past Old
Trafford on his way to the retirement home and say to himself: "I built that."
Because while Edwards claims the reason for spending restrictions on the
field is a £44m ground improvement programme off it, he neglects to accept
the only reason 67,000 people want to come to see Manchester United is the
success given them by a remarkable manager, who, if he finds himself
short-changed in the summer, has every right to wonder if he might not be
better appreciated elsewhere.
There is little doubt that without Ferguson's knowledge of the shortcomings
of his squad last season and the investment to act on it, there would be no
treble campaign this season.
Ferguson replaced Gary Pallister with Jaap Stam, selected Dwight Yorke as
the perfect foil for Andy Cole and, most importantly, brought in Jesper
Blomqvist as cover for the injury-prone Ryan Giggs.
The Swede has started 17 games for United this season - 12 Premiership,
three Champions League, two FA Cup - and United have lost once and scored
42 goals in that sequence.
He has come on as sub on eight further occasions and, without him, United
would have very real problems going into Wednesday's game in Turin with
Giggs still a doubt.
He cost, in terms of the richest club in the world, small change - one
third of Yorke's transfer fee, yet the treble might not be on without him.
Now, on the other side of the pitch, Blomqvist II is needed. David
Beckham's fitness levels might be the envy of all, but so were Roy Keane's
until he got himself crocked in September and missed an entire season.
Suppose Beckham had similar misfortune - or just a niggling hamstring.
Where is his cover? And it is that sort of minor, yet vital, deal that
Edwards, in a fit of pique, claims Ferguson will be denied.
Not by him, of course. Oh no. Perish the thought. He had a dream, remember.
And in that dream he - well, actually, someone else - gave Ferguson all he
desired and United ruled planet football.
So it's not Martin who has caused this cash crisis in La-La Land. It's you.
The punters. The ones who turn up every week and pay money. Who sit on the
M6 watching 40 quid's-worth of petrol burn away en route to Southampton.
Who have helped create one of the most rapidly expanding business empires
in the world. Who mill around the megastore on the off-chance a new duvet
cover is on the market.
You callous lot. How inconsiderate. Keep your noses out in future or we'll
buy someone from City. We're not joking. Now leave us alone. Can't you see
Martin Edwards has got a business to run?
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: FERGIE TO LAND BOSNICH ? (Mirror)
ASTON VILLA goalkeeper Mark Bosnich last night agreed to sign for
Manchester United.
By HARRY HARRIS
The Aussie international had talks with United boss Alex Ferguson yesterday
and a move will be sealed this summer.
Bosnich will become one of the Premiership's top earners scooping
£50,000-a-week when the deal goes through - but Villa will not a penny for
the £5million-rated star under the Bosman ruling. However, Bosnich cannot
officially sign for United until after the season has ended.
And that will throw up an interesting situation as United must play Villa
at Old Trafford on May 1 as part of their tough run-in for the title.
Fergie has long been an admirer of Bosnich, just back in action after a
lengthy lay-off through injury.
He has been linked with a series of keepers - including Dutchman Edwin van
der Sar, Argentine Carlos Roa plus Ipswich's Richard Wright and Neil
Sullivan of Wimbledon - in his search for a long-term replacement for Peter
Schmeichel. However, the Bosnich swoop could be the only big-money deal for
United during the close season.
Chief executive Martin Edwards reported before United's victory over
Sheffield Wednesday that there was a block on the transfer kitty following
the collapse of BSkyB's £623m takeover bid. Ferguson is already planning
summer swoops to strengthen his squad for next season when the increased
Champions League schedule will result in a possible 60-match season when
added to domestic commitments.
He had been banking on another £30m investment to follow on from last
year's £28m splash on Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist. And
sources inside Old Trafford had suggested last week that there would be no
problem in handing Ferguson that kind of cash again to maintain United's
position as European front runners.
Now it looks as though Edwards has cut the purse strings to leave Ferguson
and the United fans bemused.
Ferguson said: "Martin Edwards has not said anything to me about money. To
be fair I have not asked him about it, but I will be having a chat with
him. The demands of the Champions League next season will be enormous and
we will need more players to cope with it."
Schmeichel confirmed he would be leaving Old Trafford, saying: "My decision
to leave is final."
And he added: "I gave them a full year to find a replacement. If they
wanted to go and have a talk with Mark Bosnich they could."
Choice
Ferguson's main target has always been to get a new No.1 - and Bosnich has
always been his first choice. The Villa star has been injured for most of
the season and then hinted that he fancied a move to Italy - Serie A giants
Roma were linked to a possible deal. Ferguson switched his attentions
elsewhere and Dutch star van der Sar became front-runner along with Roa.
The England call-up of Ipswich youngster Wright also caught Ferguson's
notice as did the performances and Scotland selection of Sullivan. Ferguson
had also planned to sign a young left-back, a midfielder schemer,
right-wing cover for David Beckham and possibly a left-sided centre-half.
Dreams of a mega-money move for Tottenham's England ace Sol Campbell have
also been dashed unless there were player swaps involved.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Please tell me I'm not dreaming...
From: "Paul O'Farrell"
Greetings Fellow Reds,
Apologies to those who aren't in Sydney, but this snippet of news has left me speechless....
>>> Pre season tour 1999 *** Sydney 17/7 <<<
Oh God, how I've longed for this moment.
United WILL be here in Sydney. It sure aint Old Trafford, and I doubt United will field
a full strength side, but even if it's a team of eleven Ralphie Milne's on crutches
that'll do me :- ))))
Sorry to ramble, it's probably boring for those of you lucky enough to go to OT,
but this piece of news means so much to this exiled Red....
Cheers all !!
Paul (N.R.T.F)
Sydney Oz.
ofarre@integral.com.au
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Ferguson furious as dubious offside decision subjects his team to Villa Park replay
Extended semi riles United - Times
BY OLIVER HOLT
MANCHESTER UNITED 0 ARSENAL 0
after extra time
THERE was finesse and there was finery at Villa Park yesterday afternoon,
but both were relegated to subservience. Baser virtues triumphed in this FA
Cup semi-final between the nation's two best sides and acquired a nobility
of their own in the process.
There was an occasional shimmy from Dennis Bergkamp, the odd piece of
vision from the Dutchman that took the breath away and one run in the dying
seconds of extra time that eliminated Roy Keane and Ronny Johnsen in a
couple of mesmeric shuffles and seemed as if it might be about to settle
the tie. There were some clever passes from Keane, too, and a brace of
dipping, curling free kicks from David Beckham and Ryan Giggs that
commanded awe because of their precision and power. They were like flowers
planted on barren ground.
This was a game of destructive beauty, a game where all creativity was
lost. That extra-time run by Bergkamp was stifled by a lunging tackle from
Gary Neville, Giggs's free kick was clutched by David Seaman and a late
break by Fredrik Ljungberg foundered on the excellence of Peter Schmeichel.
The one time that the ball did bulge the net, dispatched there by a fierce
half-volley from Keane in the 39th minute, it was ruled out by a dubious
offside decision that penalised Dwight Yorke, even though he was clearly
not seeking to interfere with play.
Alex Ferguson, the United manager, described the decision - which provoked
fury among the United players - as "absolutely ridiculous". Keane explained
why it angered his side so much. "We knew how tight it was going to be," he
said. "We knew there was only ever going to be one goal in it. That's why
we were so disappointed."
More than anything, this was a game that relied on the apparently ageless
excellence of the Arsenal defence for its inspiration. They were utterly
unbreachable yesterday, neutralising Yorke and Andy Cole and reducing
Beckham and Giggs to peripheral figures.
At the heart of that defence, a back four that has conceded only 13 goals
in the FA Carling Premiership this season, Tony Adams and Martin Keown
played as well as they have done all year. Keown, in particular, was
unyielding in the challenge, impossible to beat.
On the rare occasion that United had half an opening, when they might have
won one challenge in the opposing penalty area, Arsenal invariably won the
second. If Adams was beaten, Keown was there to mop up, and vice versa.
More often, they broke up play with a thudding tackle or a neat
intervention. To make United's attacking task even harder, Patrick Vieira
and Nelson Vivas worked away like demons in front of the defence, stopping
their opponents from running directly at Adams and Keown. They were a
formidable barrier.
Even when Vivas was sent off five minutes into the first period of extra
time, earning his second yellow card for elbowing Nicky Butt in the face,
Arsenal breathed hard, regrouped and returned to the task. Only two minutes
from the end, when Adams collided with Nigel Winterburn, did United have a
clear opportunity, and Yorke dragged his shot wide from ten yards.
That, in fact, was the game in microcosm. With Arsenal playing
conservatively, looking to hit United on the break, the onus was on
Ferguson's side to break them down. To do that, their forwards needed to be
on top form, their finishing at its most clinical, but Cole and Yorke fell
short of the performances that have made them such a feared partnership.
Indeed, it was Arsenal who forced the few half-chances there were before
the interval. Schmeichel had to arch his back to tip over a fierce header
from Adams in the 25th minute and, ten minutes later, the Danish goalkeeper
flung himself to his right to push out Bergkamp's shot after it had flown
at him through a crowd of players.
On the stroke of half-time, Yorke shot weakly and straight at Seaman after
an exchange of passes with Cole. Then, after the break, Cole failed to
convert an enticing cross from Gary Neville and, soon afterwards, struck a
tame shot into the arms of Seaman after Giggs had released him in the centre.
Nicolas Anelka, who had a subdued game, wasted a chance to break the
stalemate three minutes from the end of normal time when he wriggled past
Jaap Stam for the first time, but he sliced his shot high and wide.
Both sides tired in the second period of extra time and the chances came in
a flash flood as the game ebbed away. None of them were taken, leaving
Ferguson, in particular, to rue his side's profligacy.
"There was not much between the two sides," he said. "I think it was a
predictable result, to be honest with you. We had enough chances to kill
them off. We created more than them but we did not take them and that is
why we have to go to a replay."
It will take a mistake or a moment of brilliance to separate these sides on
Wednesday. Yesterday, neither was forthcoming.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): P Schmeichel - G Neville, R Johnsen, J Stam, D
Irwin (sub: P Neville, 85min) - D Beckham, R Keane, N Butt, R Giggs (sub: O
G Solskjaer, 99) - D Yorke, A Cole (sub: P Scholes, 113).
ARSENAL (4-3-3): D Seaman - L Dixon, M Keown, A Adams, N Winterburn - R
Parlour, P Vieira, N Vivas - N Anelka (sub: Kanu, 100), D Bergkamp, M
Overmars (sub: F Ljungberg, 90).
Referee: D Elleray.
------------------------------------
Matt Dickinson says the boys of the old brigade who constitute Arsenal's
defence continue to amaze by their resilience
Adams presents indestructable barricade
If Tony Adams is the Doctor of Defence, as his manager claims, then
yesterday he allowed the rest of us a glance at his thesis. The Arsenal
captain has produced some immense performances for club and country over
more than a decade, but few can have equalled this colossal display. Some
of his tackles would have stopped the traffic.
He must have been that good to have narrowly pipped Martin Keown to this
observer's man-of-the-match award. With some justification, Keown has
complained recently that he has not been recognised as a defender of
international calibre. So here goes. Martin, you are a great defender but
Tony, I am afraid, is still that little bit better.
In tandem, and with Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon and David Seaman in their
own resolute mood, the safest bet yesterday was that not even the country's
most prolific attack would be capable of breaching England's most steadfast
defence. The reduction to ten men, when Nelson Vivas was rightly dismissed
four minutes into extra time, only made Arsenal's stubbornness more
certain. The resilience is in the blood.
Adams threw himself into tackles with an enthusiasm that belied his 32
years and dodgy ankles, as well as embarking on the odd rampage upfield. At
one point in the first half, he charged forward with such unlikely speed
that he appeared to have got on the end of his own clearances and he, more
than anyone, did not deserve to lose this game.
There have been times this season when the pain in his legs has prompted
talk of retirement and he will prove irreplaceable when the day eventually
comes. They will clear the marble halls of Highbury for another bronze bust.
With Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane matching each other in magnificence in
midfield and both attacks sporadic in their effectiveness, this was the
sixth meeting in succession in which United have found themselves unable to
overcome their sternest rivals. It is a run of four defeats and two draws
that stretches back to February 1997 and, in the minds of the United
players, the little doubts must have started to become self-fulfilling.
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole must feel as though they are banging their
heads, as well as their shots, against a brick wall.
Arsenal will certainly have left Villa Park in the jauntier mood. Without
the burden of a European campaign to distract them, they will feel that the
return of Emmanuel Petit from his three-match suspension for the replay on
Wednesday will give them a slight edge.
They appeared less willing than United to gamble on throwing bodies forward
yesterday, but the Frenchman's versatility will allow them to do so in
greater numbers. Perhaps by Wednesday, Nicolas Anelka will have been taught
the rules of offside.
And, of course, there will still be that back four to protect David Seaman,
provided that they have all recovered from the aches and pains that prove
more reluctant to depart by the year. Winterburn, 35, was bleeding from his
chest early on after a strong challenge from Beckham and finished extra
time clutching his toes as cramp set in.
Meanwhile, Dixon, 35, could barely muster the energy to clear the ball past
the halfway line. It was left to Keown and Adams to carry them through, a
task they performed with remarkable calm as well as courage.
"They are tough, they are intelligent and they will recover for Wednesday,"
Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said. "They will make it. They have
made if before. We had our usual resilience and organisation and we needed
the brilliance at the back. We are still in the FA Cup because of our
defence." He could not have put it better.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: NEVILLE HAS MIND ON ITALIAN JOB
Gary Neville is playing mind games to crank up the pressure on Juventus
ahead of Wednesday's Champions' League showdown.
In a ploy manager Alex Ferguson would be proud of, Neville insists the
advantage lies with Manchester United going into the semi-final return.
Neville reckons Juventus could rue the chances they missed in the first leg
at Old Trafford before Ryan Giggs scored in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1
draw. He believes Giggs' goal has put United right back in contention and
he is
confident they can score in Turin's Stadio delle Alpi to complete another
Italian job.
''I think we probably came out of the first leg feeling a bit better than
Juventus did because they had led 1-0 until the 89th or 90th minute and
then we scored to dampen their spirits,'' he said. ''They had chances in
the first half to make it two or three so in those terms we've come out of
the game a lot better.
''We hope we can take the form we showed in the second half into this game
and play with the passing and movement we know we can. We want to get our
forward lads going again because we know if we get the ball into them, they
will score goals for us.''
United limbered up for their biggest game in two years by strolling past an
awful Sheffield Wednesday side at Old Trafford. After reading the riot act
to his side, Owls boss Danny Wilson agreed with Neville that United have a
good enough goal threat to win for the first time in Italy.
''I think they've got a great chance of going through,'' he insisted. ''You
can't write off a team with the talent Manchester United have, which I
think some are doing. When you've got the likes of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole,
Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, who
can all score goals, they've got to be a threat.
''I don't think Juventus will count their chickens too early, but I hope
they do because if they think it's a foregone conclusion, they might just
get a surprise.''
Ferguson is confident of leading United to their first European Cup final
in 31 years because of the side's immense fire power. His biggest problem
could be deciding who to play up front. He rested Dwight Yorke and Andy
Cole, who has had an ankle problem, for the game against Wednesday because
he feels they are going through ''a flattening out period''.
Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started for the second game
running and they netted a goal apiece in the first half before Paul Scholes
completed the scoring on 62 minutes. Sheringham, in particular, looked
sharp and his glancing header was his 250th senior goal.
Ferguson claims he has a ''good idea'' which two will face Juventus. ''I've
a fair idea of what my team will be,'' he said. ''I've got to analyse in my
own mind what I think Juventus might do and that has a bearing on how I
will set my team up. I think Juventus are a high-class team who will try
and beat us. I would just like to have all my players fit to make sure I'm
picking the right team.''
Ferguson should have his wish and apart from knee ligaments victim Henning
Berg, Giggs is his only injury worry. The Welsh international has dispensed
with his crutches and is in a race against the clock to recover from his
ankle injury.
He was due to start jogging yesterday and Ferguson said: ''We're just
waiting on Ryan and he is doubtful.'' United came through Saturday's game
unscathed which was hardly surprisingly because it was played with all the
intensity of a testimonial. No-one was booked, which says it all, although
Wilson insisted this was not because Wednesday hope to finish top of the
Fair Play league and possibly earn a European place.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
FERGIE - UNITED MUST SPEND MONEY EVEN WITHOUT BSKYB
Alex Ferguson could be at odds with his chairman Martin Edwards over money
for new signings this summer. Manchester United supremo Edwards claims the
collapse of BSkyB's
takeover bid could severely reduce Ferguson's transfer kitty. Edwards
claims the world's richest club is strapped for cash because they are
spending £44m on redeveloping Old Trafford and building a new training
complex.
Edwards had been banking on extra revenue from BSkyB and he now admits
Peter Schmeichel's replacement may be the only new face this summer.
Ferguson claims he has not discussed his close-season spending plans with
Edwards, but he believes he will need an even bigger squad next season to
cope with the demands of the expanded Champion's League.
''He (Edwards) had not said anything to me about money and in fairness I
haven't asked him,'' said Ferguson. ''So it's something I can't answer
until I have a chat with the chairman himself. But in the context of next
season the demands of the Champions' League are going to be enormous. We're
going to have to have a squad of players to cope with that. Young players
like (Wes) Brown and (Jonathan) Greening could augment the squad, but
you're definitely going to need a lot of players.
''You hope to get through the stages of the league and that's 12 games
immediately. With Premiership games that's 50 matches before you even talk
about another Cup tie. So you can see how the resources get drained.''
Edwards accepts Ferguson's point that he needs a huge squad, but he insists
there will be no repeat of last summer's £28m spending spree on Jaap Stam,
Jesper Blomqvist and Dwight Yorke.
''We're spending £44m over the next two seasons developing the Stretford
end and scoreboard end to expand the capacity to 67,000 and also the new
training complex at Carrington,'' he said. ''That was committed before the
Sky bid came in and we had to make sure we don't go heavily into the red.
It isn't a bottomless pit and that's the reality of it. We will have to
replace Peter Schmeichel, but that might be the end of our spending this
summer.
''There were no figures mentioned about how much money Sky would pump into
the club. However, we believe for some reason that they would have
supported the board with what they wanted to do. Obviously nobody is going
to write you out a blank cheque but the resources could have been better.''
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
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