Ole: I want to succeed Sir Alex

ESPN-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared his interest in succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United's manager.

Solskjaer is best remembered for the 91 goals he scored during his time at the club - including the winner in the 1999 Champions League final - and is a firm favourite with the club's fans.
He told talkSPORT: "I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United, because it's the best place to be.
"But to get there, to manage Man United, you need to go somewhere else and learn your trade so 15, 20 years from now maybe. I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United."
Solskjaer also took the time to contribute to the club versus country debate, declaring: "Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov are among a host of players who have been criticised for prematurely calling time on their international careers this year.
"When you get players who get to a certain age they start thinking about where the priorities should lie and I think that's when your responsibility towards your club is a big thing.
"I think Scholesy, Giggsy they've done fantastic after retiring from international football so we can't complain about that."
Solskjaer retired in 2007 after struggling with injury towards the end of his career.

 

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Cech: De Gea signing a 'huge gamble'

ESPN-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has questioned the wisdom of Sir Alex Ferguson signing David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. 

Following Van der Sar's decision to hang up his gloves at the end of last season, Ferguson handed over a fee in the region of £18 million to Atletico Madrid for De Gea.
The 20-year-old stopper won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico, but has not won a senior cap for Spain - and the suspicion remains that he is yet to be tested at the very highest level.
Now Cech has ramped up the pressure on De Gea by recalling the trouble Ferguson had replacing Peter Schmeichel, who was unconvincingly succeeded by the likes of Massimo Taibi, Fabien Barthez and Roy Carroll.
"It's a huge advantage for Manchester United to have a goalkeeper who is 20 because he can stay for many years," Cech told Sky Sports News.
"It's a huge gamble at the same time because he's joining, historically, a very successful club with great [former] goalkeepers like Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, and we all remember how many years it took to replace Peter Schmeichel.
"So let's see what is going to happen now Edwin van der Sar has retired because it's a huge task to fill the boots of Van der Sar."

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Valencia: I don't fear Young competition

ESPN-Antonio Valencia has welcomed the arrival of Ashley Young at Manchester United, with the Ecuador winger insisting he has no intention of leaving the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson continued his summer shopping on Thursday when wrapping up the deal to bring Young to Old Trafford from Aston Villa.
The arrival of the England international has prompted suggestions that Valencia, who performed well towards the end of last season after battling back from serious injury, could be vulnerable.
But while Valencia is aware of the challenge he faces, he insists it is one that he will take on with relish.
"I heard about this on the news," Valencia said. "I do not fear his arrival. "The season is long and under Alex Ferguson everyone will get their chance in United's key matches.
"Ashley is a good footballer and I believe he will help us towards more success. As for myself, I have two more seasons left at United and I am convinced I will fulfil those. And maybe a few more years too."
Commenting on reports linking him with Real Madrid and Juventus, he said: "There are rumours about other clubs but I have no news on that."

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Chicharito targets improvement

ESPN-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has vowed not to rest on his laurels after a stunning debut season in England.

Hernandez, currently on Gold Cup duty with Mexico, scored 20 goals for the Red Devils in 2010-11 following his arrival from Guadalajara last summer, to help United win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
The 23-year-old said in L'Equipe: "I am very happy that, as a squad, we won the English championship. This is a wonderful thing, especially after a title race so competitive. Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester City battled to the end, but we never doubted our strength.
"Our team has such soul and such spirit. Success is written into the DNA of this club. I'm at the best club in the world.
"Everything is done to succeed and win titles. There is only the Champions League defeat that sticks in the throat. Personally, I am extremely happy with my season, but I do not rest on my laurels. I want to do even better next season. I want to help this club to make history."
He said his goal tally had taken even him by surprise and that he had not expected to become a first-team regular so quickly.
"Early in the season, I thought I would have limited playing time, or very limited," he said. "At best, I thought my season would be coming off the bench late in games, trying to unlock a complicated situation.
"Basically, the aim for the season was essentially to adapt to the Premier League, especially physically, but gradually I got playing time, and I started to feel confident, scoring a few goals early in the season.
"Everything was so fast. I could not have hoped for it. I had a dream season."
Hernandez says his team's 2-1 win at Stoke on October 24 was when he really felt comfortable as a United player.
"There was a game that really made me realise that I could have an interesting season. It was the match against Stoke City in which I scored twice," he said. "Throughout the match, I felt perfectly at ease in the game. I felt like I had been playing for Manchester United for ten years!
"Thanks to my team-mates, I could express myself freely on the pitch. I think it was the pivotal game in my season. I will remember it all my life."

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Glazers linked with flotation and buy-out

ESPN-The long-term future of Manchester United is the subject of speculation as its Glazer family owners have been linked with both a sale to Qatar Holdings and a floatation on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

A report in The People says that United's current transfer splash - including imminent deals for David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young plus links with Luka Modric, Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri - is being funded ahead of a takeover by Qatar, who were linked with a buy-out throughout the 2010-11 season.
Qatar Holdings, a division of the Qatar Investment Authority, are said to have had a £1.5billion offer turned down last year and were rumoured to have handed over a £250 million loan to pay off some steepling Payment-In-Kind notes. United's spokesmen have always denied such a link and insisted the club is not for sale at any price.
Qatari interests have recently assumed full control of Paris St-Germain, and now sponsor Barcelona, which may bring into question the idea of a conflict if interest for the game's administrators.
The Sunday Times however, says that the Glazer family have held talks with investment banks to investigate listing the Premier League champions on the Hong Kong stock exchange, valuing the club at £1.7 billion, more than double the £790 million paid for the club in 2005.
Their interest is said to have been triggered by the successful floatation of companies like Samsonite and Prada in Asia. The club's annual revenue of £286m and operating profit of £91m were the highest in the Premier League but Red Football, the club's holding company, incurred a £79m loss through interest payments on the debts piled on to the Glazer family via a leveraged buy-out.

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Jones makes 'dream' move to United

EUROSPORT-Blackburn have stepped aside to allow Phil Jones to "follow his dream" of joining Manchester United.

Although Rovers have claimed Jones' switch to Old Trafford could eventually break their transfer record, United have not gone beyond the initial £16.5million offer that triggered a buy-out clause in the teenager's contract last week.
"Much as we would love him to stay on with us - and we made all efforts to convince him to stay - Phil has to finally follow his heart," said a statement on behalf of the Rovers' owners, directors and manager, released the club's official website.
Even as Blackburn owners Venky's were refusing to sanction the deal when it was first put together last Wednesday and were fielding renewed interest from Liverpool over the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson was secure in the knowledge Jones was not interested in going anywhere else.
So, once Jones' contribution to England's draw with Spain in their opening European Under-21 Championship group game was out of the way on Sunday night, further contact with Blackburn was made to assure the club any attempt at prolonging the transfer was futile.
Jones will formally sign a five-year contract once he returns from Denmark.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean confirmed those efforts included offering to make Jones the highest-paid player in the club's history.
"The offer we made he was staggering for a 19-year-old, but it wasn't the money," Kean told Sky Sports News. "Phil wants to play Champions League football now and we're not at that level.
"I'm sure we will be in the coming years, and we gave it a real good try and made him a fantastic offer, but I understand why he wants to go now. He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.
"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England, he's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."

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Qatar Holding denies plans to buy Manchester United

EUROSPORT-Qatar Holding has denied reports it is planning to buy Manchester United, a statement from Qatar's state-run news agency said. 

Qatar Holding Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Mohamed Al Sayed told Qatar News Agency that the fund was not, and never had been, in negotiations to buy the club.
Qatar recently acquired a 70 percent stake in French top-flight team Paris St Germain .
The Gulf state will host the 2022 World Cup.
 

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De Gea ready for United challenge

EUROSPORT-David De Gea claims he is not worried about the possibility of becoming one of the world`s most expensive goalkeepers if he joins Manchester United, and is only concerned about being a worthy replacement for Edwin van der Sar.

The Atletico Madrid man, currently on duty with the Spanish Under-21 side at the European Championships, is widely thought to be the man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has pinpointed to replace the retiring Van der Sar. A fee of £18million has been mentioned for the 20-year-old, but he claims that does not interest him.
"I feel incredibly motivated by the fact that Manchester United are thinking about me," he said.
"I like the fact that they are considering me as a replacement for a goalkeeper of Edwin van der Sar's calibre.
"I will need to keep on striving and working hard, as I am still in the outset of my career, and I still have much to do at this level.
"I hope I will still be playing when I am his age. It is hard to look so far ahead but it is something I want to do.
"The fact that I could become one of the most expensive goalkeepers ever does not interest me. The value that really counts is what you do on the pitch."

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Fergie: Don't bet against us

ESPN-Sir Alex Ferguson believes a Champions League final win over Barcelona at Wembley would end any debate about the merits of his current Manchester United side.

United were crowned champions for a record 19th time on Saturday, yet still the doubters remain. No one questions how good Barcelona are though, which is why Ferguson believes any criticism can be ended by beating Pep Guardiola's men in the Champions League final on May 28.
"Beating Barcelona would end all arguments about this team and that is their challenge at Wembley," he said after his 12th title triumph as United manager. "There is nothing wrong with accepting challenges and we are good at that. It doesn't matter where they come from, you have to stand up to the mark. We have shown resilience and our home form has been great. I think we are okay.
"They don't give in, that is their great quality. There are good ages in the team, a lot of good legs and a lot of speed. I know we are playing a terrific team in Barcelona but would you back against us in a big way? I don't think you would. We are capable of doing very well in the final."
Ferguson, however, said success for the likes of Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling would push the club on for more titles.
"I think that hunger will always be there because that is my job. We try to select properly and we try to produce players properly,'' he said. ''All the players we have produced through the years have had that quality, that hunger. That includes [Tom] Cleverley, [Danny] Welbeck and others. They have what we expect of Manchester United players.
"It is difficult to say where this team stands. We have had some great teams at this club. The 1994 team and the one in 1999 stand out but all the teams we have had here have risen to the challenge, which at this club is to win things.
''Some of the young players now have their first trophy - [Antonio] Valencia, [Darron] Gibson, Hernandez, Smalling - and that gives them the impetus to move on and realise what being a Manchester United player involves."

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Evra: Man Utd more of a team now

ESPN-Patrice Evra has suggested Manchester United are a more complete team without Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the Real Madrid man's blistering recent form for his new club. 

Ronaldo is vying with Lionel Messi to be classed as the greatest player on the planet - having scored a record equalling 38 goals in La Liga so far this season - and his loss was felt by Manchester United when he departed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 as Chelsea claimed the Premier League title the following season.

Losing a player of Ronaldo's quality would harm any team, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson worked on fashioning his team into a superb unit and it paid off as a 19th Premier League title was secured with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

The present United team lack the swagger of previous incarnations, but they have a solid spine and France left-back Evra feels teamwork has been the key to glory.

"When Cristiano Ronaldo was here he did a great job but the team was playing for him and maybe people forget that," Evra said. "But since Carlito [Tevez] and Ronny have gone United look more like a team.

"I don't say that we're better without Ronny but, sure, we look more like a team. That's an achievement as well.

"If you were asked to pick one player this season, I don't think anyone stands out. That's why the credit for winning the title this season goes to the Man United spirit."

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Giggs revels in surpassing rivals

EUROSPORT-Sir Alex Ferguson might be trying to reinvent history by claiming he never vowed to "knock Liverpool off their perch" but his players are making no attempt to conceal their delight.

So keen was Wayne Rooney to rub Liverpool's noses in it that within minutes of the final whistle at Ewood Park, he had shaved his chest hair into the number 19, posed for a picture, then sent it all round the world to over 500,000 followers on his Twitter account.
And Ryan Giggs was equally satisfied, saying: "It was tough as a United fan growing up in the 1970s and 1980s and seeing Liverpool winning everything. They are our biggest rivals and 20 years ago, when we were 11 behind, this was never on the cards."
He added: "Nineteen titles is a great achievement. But credit to the manager and the club. We have gradually clawed the lead back and overtaken them.
"I am no different to any other fan watching Liverpool. Getting into this position is a very special moment."
And, worryingly for Kenny Dalglish and his troops, United have no intention of slowing down.
There will clearly be another challenger next season in Manchester City.
But there is no chance of any United team meekly surrendering after what they have achieved for the past two decades.
"Just like when we won the first one after 26 years we won't rest on our laurels," said Giggs. "We will try to push through and extend that lead."
 

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Hernandez stunned by debut campaign

EUROSPORT-Javier Hernandez never expected to play such a pivotal part in Manchester United's glory quest this season.

The Mexican striker has enjoyed a stellar campaign for United, scoring 20 goals as the Red Devils strode to the Barclays Premier League title and reached the Champions League final.
Hernandez was also the man brought down by Paul Robinson to gain United the penalty which secured the point required to clinch a record 19th championship at Blackburn yesterday.
And, as he basked in the celebrations, the 22-year-old admitted he had been taken aback by his first season in England.
"This is unbelievable," he told MUTV.
"Of course I imagined that we could win the title but I never thought I would play so often and score so many goals. I am delighted to be part of this great team."

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United crowned champions

ESPN-A penalty from Wayne Rooney allowed Manchester United to clinch a record 19th league title following a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Tomasz Kuszczak was a surprise inclusion in the Manchester United line-up, and it was his mistake that allowed Brett Emerton to fire Blackburn into the lead on 20 minutes. The Polish goalkeeper palmed Emerton's initial cross into the path of Martin Olsson, who sent the ball to the back post for Emerton to volley home.
Although United monopolised possession throughout the opening period, they pressed without finding any penetration, with Steve Kean vindicated in his decision to hold a deep defensive line. The pattern continued in the early stages of the second period, but it was Blackburn who created the first clear-cut chance, as Olsson headed against the post.
United's dominance was eventually rewarded on 72 minutes, as Rooney slotted in a penalty following Paul Robinson's foul on Javier Hernandez - although the spot-kick was shrouded in controversy, with referee Phil Dowd consulting with the linesman before giving the decision. The game petered out to a forgettable conclusion, both teams settling for the draw.
Wolves' future is in their own hands after a 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light lifted them into 16th place, on 40 points.
The Black Cats were made to pay for their early profligacy when Jody Craddock, formerly of Sunderland, volleyed Mick McCarthy's men in front after Stephen Hunt's deep cross eluded the hosts' defence. Overturning the deficit promised to be tough for Sunderland, who had no recognised striker on the pitch - but they did manage to equalise through Stephane Sessegnon. The Benin international smashed in acrobatically at the far post after Wolves allowed a corner to bounce in their area.

At half-time, McCarthy threw on England international Matt Jarvis - and he played a pivotal role as Wolves reclaimed the lead on 54 minutes, standing up a cross for Steven Fletcher to nod home after Simon Mignolet missed the ball. George Elokobi made the points safe for Wolves by thundering home a header with 20 minutes left.
Blackpool remain in 18th place despite grinding out a dramatic 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road. Despite a lively start from Blackpool, it was Bolton who took the lead following a horrendous mistake from Alex Baptiste, who made a mess of clearing a free-kick, allowing Kevin Davies to pounce and fire into the top corner after six minutes. But DJ Campbell restored parity two minutes later, latching onto Gary Taylor-Fletcher's flick before calmly lofting the ball over Jussi Jaaskelainen.
 And, as has been the case so often at Bloomfield Road this season, the goals kept flowing: on 19 minutes, Jason Puncheon nudged the hosts in front by slipping a fine left-footed drive into the corner from the edge of the box. Although Bolton had lost ten of their last 11 away league games heading into this one, they didn't crumble - and Matthew Taylor made it 2-2 with less than half of the opening period gone. Campbell edged the Tangerines closer to only their third win of 2011 by netting on the stroke of half-time, sliding in to meet Charlie Adam's driven cross. With the second period not yet ten minutes old, on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge claimed his eighth goal in 11 matches for Bolton, nodding in from close range after fine work from Davies.
Blackpool's never-say-die attitude was again in evidence as they reclaimed the lead through skipper Adam, who looks set to leave the club in the summer, on 63 minutes. The Scotland international played a one-two with Taylor-Fletcher before unleashing a howitzer from 15 yards that earned Blackpool a vital three points - taking them to 39 overall - ahead of their trip to Old Trafford on the final day.
A goal from Youssouf Mulumbu earned West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 home win over Everton, who had Diniyar Bilyaletdinov sent off for a dangerous tackle on James Morrison.

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Pele: Hernandez can be next Messi

ESPN-Brazil legend Pele has been impressed by the impact made by Manchester United's Javier Hernandez this season and thinks the Mexican can be 'the next Lionel Messi'.

Pele has watched on as the 22-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm with 13 goals in 26 Premier League appearances for the club since his arrival in the summer. And the Brazilian has heaped praise onto the striker.
"There is no doubt that Hernandez is a promising player. He is excellent, I have seen some games of his on television and he is a fantastic footballer," Pele told a press conference. ''He could be the next Messi because he has great talent; he is a big surprise just as Hugo Sanchez was because he is another that scores a lot of goals.
"We should wait a little, because we still don't know how he will play in the Mexican team... but without doubt, he has huge potential."
However, Pele spoke in less glowing terms of the World Player of the Year, claiming that he has yet to replicate his club form for his country.
"There is a big difference between Barcelona's Messi and Argentina's Messi. When Messi plays in the Seleccion he is not the same player," he concluded.
 

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Hernandez loving Rooney link-up

ESPN-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has spoken of his "perfect" partnership with Wayne Rooney and compared his fellow forward to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hernandez has forced his way into United's starting line-up in recent months ahead of the Premier League's top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov. And the Mexico international is relishing the chance to play alongside Rooney.
"I always used to admire Wayne from a distance. Now it is a pleasure to play alongside him. Our relationship is perfect," Hernandez was quoted as saying by the Sun.
"Without doubt Wayne is one of the best forwards in the world. Wayne is better than Lionel Messi - at shooting.
"And better than Cristiano Ronaldo - at heading. All their styles are different but Rooney is a super class."
On his own superb start to life in the Premier League, he said: "Today football is not only about technique but physical preparation. I run many miles and work on my muscles to increase my speed. In Mexico I developed a similar system, although it wasn't so intense as here.
"The physical power is key to triumph in England. Only by making sacrifices could I have achieved something that seemed impossible when I arrived last summer. I wanted to learn and to take my chance when it came. Never did I imagine this success.
"Back in Mexico I used to watch the Champions League on television. Now I'm part of the best club competition in the world. We have a great chance to make the final after beating Schalke and Barcelona are favourites to be there as well.
"Everyone wants revenge over Barca for the 2009 final defeat and it would be magnificent to get it at Wembley."
 

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Man Utd rated most valuable club

ESPN-Manchester United and David Beckham continue to lead the Forbes lists of the most valuable teams and highest-paid players.

Manchester United and David Beckham continue to lead the Forbes lists of the most valuable teams and highest-paid players.

The American business magazine ranks United as being worth 1.86 billion US dollars (£1.12 billion), ahead of Real Madrid (£900 million) and Arsenal (£700 million).
It is the seventh consecutive year that United have topped the Forbes list and Real Madrid and Arsenal, now under the control of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, remain second and third.
Barcelona have dropped to fifth place, however, with German side Bayern Munich leapfrogging the Catalan team. AC Milan are the highest-placed Italian side on the list in sixth place, with Juventus in eighth and Inter Milan tenth.
Two other Premier League sides are in the top ten, with Chelsea (£400 million) in seventh place and Liverpool (£332 million) in ninth.
England midfielder Beckham continues to dominate the list of highest-paid players thanks to recent endorsement deals with Pepsi and Electronic Arts.
His earnings last year were estimated at 40 million US dollars (£24 million), ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (£23 million) and Lionel Messi (£19 million).
The full lists will be published in Forbes magazine's May 9 issue.

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Van der Sar still learning at 40

ESPN-Veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes the perfect blend of youth and experience is what makes Manchester United so competitive year after year.

Arsene Wenger's youth policy has come under fire more than ever this season and even captain Cesc Fabregas said in a recent interview that the club needs to add proven winners to its stable of talented youngsters to win trophies.
Chelsea are the other team clinging to United's coat tails on the Premier League ladder and Carlo Ancelotti's experienced squad is often criticised for being too old when their form wavers.
Van der Sar is convinced United have a happy middle of older heads who have been there and done that complemented by a crop of younger, hungrier talents who keep the experienced stars on their toes.
"On the one hand you have a young player who brings maybe enthusiasm and fresh legs, '' he said. "The on the other you have the experienced guys, who have the knowledge and the composure in important situations.''
Van der Sar, 40, will retire at the end of the season but he insisted he is still learning new things despite the fact he is nearing the end of a marathon career, much of which has been spent at the very top of the game.
United face Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday and Van der Sar has no intention of taking his foot off the pedal even though the end in is sight.
He said: "It is not just during the games, even in training you are always learning. That's very important because every time you step out onto the pitch you have to be on your toes and ready for all the things that can happen.''
Van der Sar admitted he was keeping an eye on the form of Chelsea and Arsenal, both six points behind United with five games to play. Chelsea visit Old Trafford on May 8 in what could be a title decider should the Blues capitalise on any other slip-ups by United in the run home.
Van der Sar said: "It is important to know what other teams are doing and to see how they are in winning and losing positions.''
United boss Ferguson could ring the changes following the goalless draw at Newcastle in midweek.
Rio Ferdinand, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia, Park Ji-sung might return to the starting line-up but Paul Scholes is sidelined through suspension.

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Ferdinand: Stop 'lynching' Wayne

ESPN-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has declared it time to stop ''lynching'' Wayne Rooney.

 Rooney will discover the extent of his punishment for the four-letter outburst at West Ham on Saturday that threatens a two-match ban that would rule him out of the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at Wembley on April 16.He put his problems behind him, netting the only goal in a 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that leaves United favourites to book a last-four clash with either Inter Milan or, more probably, Schalke later this month. And Ferdinand feels it is should be the signal to call a halt to the attacks on his team-mate's character.
''We should follow him as a footballer rather than keep lynching him for a lot of the stuff that goes on,'' he said. ''I wouldn't say he is innocent in a lot of the stuff that has happened but sometimes because of the player he is and who he is the reaction can be over the top.
''Wayne Rooney swearing on TV, as much as I don't condone it, is not front page news. There are bigger things going on in the world. There are things happening in Libya and Ivory Coast and we are talking about Wayne Rooney on the front page of newspapers because he swore at a camera. I don't condone it but because it is him everyone goes over the top.''
The final moments of Wednesday night's game saw Chelsea aggrieved after two penalty appeals were turned down as Patrice Evra brought down Ramires and Fernando Torres went down under pressure from Antonio Valencia.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised his side's performance, but claimed he did not feel guilty about the late penalty decision.
Ferguson said: ''Yeah, someone said it could have been a penalty. It was the first penalty decision we've had in seven years, so we're due one. But I don't feel guilty about that at all. It was a 50-50 from where I was and I don't know what the contact situation was.''
On a second penalty claim in the dying moments for which Chelsea striker Fernando Torres received the yellow card, Ferguson added: ''He dived, he got booked for it.''
Ferguson, however, was delighted with Rooney's performance after five days under the spotlight following his four-letter outburst at Upton Park on Saturday.
''Wayne just played his game. He got a lot of abuse and late tackles but he played his game and that shows the courage of the players,'' he said. ''He was important on the counter-attack and he was in tremendous form and he has given us a great chance of reaching the semi.
''He's now been more regular with his goalscoring which, in the last part of the season, is going to be important to us. That was important for us tonight. We were pleased with that performance.''
Ferguson also promised not to be complacent about the second leg at Old Trafford.
''We have to be very careful and have to give a top performance, but the atmosphere will help us,'' he said. ''I hope we get through Saturday's game without any further injuries. Anderson will be back against Fulham. It'll be a tight game at Old Trafford.''
United's one sour note was the sight of full-back Rafael being carried off with a knee injury which forced Antonio Valencia to go to right-back.
''They overloaded in midfield, and you have to be clever how you handle that,'' he added. ''Ji-Sung Park was fantastic in there and did a great job. We did well considering we had to take Rafael off, with Valencia going to right-back.
''It's an advantage, but the biggest advantage is Old Trafford. It'll be an electric atmosphere.''

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More injury misery for Hargreaves

ESPN-Owen Hargreaves has suffered yet another setback in his bid to regain his fitness after sustaining a shoulder injury in training.

Hargreaves has played less than ten minutes' football for Manchester United since September 2008 having had surgery on his knee problems on two occasions before tearing his hamstring on his brief comeback against Wolves in November.


He had made his return to training with the reserves earlier this month and there had been hope that he could feature again this season after he was named in the 25-man Premier League squad at the end of the January transfer window.

However, the 30-year-old has sustained yet another injury and the Daily Mail reports X-rays show he may have ligament damage that could rule him out for another month.

Hargreaves - a £17 million signing from Bayern Munich in May 2007 - is out of contract in June.

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Manchester United parent firm loses £109m in 2010

BBC-Manchester United's parent company made a loss of £108.9m in 2009-10, according to newly released financial results.

Red Football Joint Venture is the Glazer family parent company that owns the Old Trafford club.

Its loss, for the year to July 2010, includes one-off costs from setting up a £526m bond scheme last January to replace outstanding debts of £509m.

There was also a drop in player sale income, compared to the previous summer when Cristiano Ronaldo was sold.

That Ronaldo sale had netted the club £80m in the summer of 2009, and had contributed to a £21m profit the previous year.

Losses in 2010 included £30.2m interest on their £220m payment in kind (PIK) loans which have now been repaid.

Manchester United's club accounts were published in October and revealed losses of £83.6m.

The club is currently top of the Premier League, in the FA Cup semi-final, and in the Champions League quarter final, all of which offer revenues in terms of prize money and television monies.

Transfer

Earlier this month Manchester United chief executive David Gill told a Commons committee hearing into football governance that he was "comfortable" with the club's financial situation, including debt and interest repayment levels.

Mr Gill told the hearing that net debt of £370m and annual interest of £45m was not hampering United.

And he said that under club owners, the Glazer family, revenues had risen from £40m in 2006 to more than £100m.

In February it was revealed there had been a transfer of the ultimate parent company of the club, Red Football LLC, from Nevada to Delaware.

That has raised fears about the ultimate ownership of the club, as companies' beneficial ownership information is not registered in the small US state.

But Mr Gill insisted that "the ultimate owners, 100%, are the Glazer family".

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