Ex - United player News (various)

[troy andreas]

Bill Foulkes passes away

Bill Foulkes, 1932-2013



Born: 5 January 1932
Signed for United: 1 March 1950
United debut: v Liverpool, 13 December 1952
Appearances: 688 | Goals: 9


"Bill was a giant character in the post-war history of Manchester United. His contribution over almost 700 games and nearly 20 years will never be forgotten."

- Ed Woodward, executive vice-chairman

Manchester United is very sad to report that legendary centre-back Bill Foulkes has passed away, aged 81.

Foulkes joined the club in 1950 and made his United debut two years later against Liverpool. The St Helens-born centre-half, a Munich air disaster survivor, went on to make 688 appearances for the Reds during 18 seasons at Old Trafford. Only three men have bettered that total - Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton and Paul Scholes.

Renowned as a rock-solid pillar of some of United's most successful teams under Sir Matt Busby, Foulkes was a four-time league champion, FA Cup winner and European Cup winner, and very few players in the club's history have served United with such distinction.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward expressed his and the club's sadness at the news, saying: "Bill was a giant character in the post-war history of Manchester United. He was a very gentle man, who I was privileged to meet on several occasions, including most memorably with his team-mates at the Champions League final in Moscow, 50 years after his heroics in the Munich air crash.

"Bill's contribution over almost 700 games and nearly 20 years will never be forgotten. The thoughts of everyone at the Club – directors, players, staff and fans – are with Bill's family."

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2013/Nov/Manchester-United-legend-Bill-Foulkes-passes-away.aspx

[fajrinited]

Pemain yang masih hidup dari yang selamat dari tragedi Munich tinggal Harry Greg dan Sir Bobby Charlton.. Rest in peace Bill Foulkes..

[troy andreas]

"There are two elements to what we are trying to do - to produce players for Manchester United and to help them get a career in the game [if it's not here]."

- Brian McClair, Academy manager

McClair proud of Academy record

In a recent issue of Inside United, Manchester United Academy manager Brian McClair outlined the youth system's objectives - to prepare players for the first team at Old Trafford or at least in football elsewhere...

How would you assess the recent success of United's youth system?
We are in the third generation of youth development since Sir Alex came down here from Scotland. He reinvigorated the policy that was started by Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy. Going back all the way to then, they understood the possibility of developing your own young players. Sir Alex did that and had unbelievable success with it. What we’re delighted with, and I’m sure Sir Alex would be the first to say it, is the number of players who have come through that system over the last 20-odd years who have earned and are still earning a living in football. So we think, as a school of football, we’re right up there with any Academy. I’m fairly confident we have more people earning a living from the game than anyone else, in terms of the pure numbers.

Is it important that youngsters who come through the system have a career in the game, even if it's away from United?
Yes, because, when you start looking at six- and seven-year-old boys locally, and signing them on at eight, you have to be confident when you say to them and their parents that a certain number of them will do that. You don’t know at eight which ones they are because things change all the way along the pathway but we know, because of the results and end productivity, that a number will progress. If everything maps out, if they want to put the work in and the time, then they will earn a living as a professional footballer. All these players that have come through, a lot of them have been involved since they were pre-Academy age at development centres.

Would you agree with your colleague Paul McGuinness that fun needs to be part of a player's development?
Fun is the operative word. Everybody should have fun all the way through to the first team. Even then, they should have fun even if, ultimately, winning is the key and the priority. It’s a sport and being part of it should be fun – that’s crucial for me from whatever age, be it five years old or just outside the first team. Everybody who is involved, the coaching staff and the players, should be enjoying it because it’s a wonderful industry to be involved in and playing is only a small part of your life. It should be the most enjoyable part of your life if you love playing football. If you want to do something else afterwards or if you’re still involved in the game, it’s never as good as playing.

Some players appear to be late developers at the moment – is the game changing in that respect?
Well, players are playing for longer now like Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand for example. They are tending to play for longer and squad sizes have changed. You’re still looking to say is there a pathway and certainly, at this club, this pathway is for a five-year-old to eventually get into the Manchester United team.

If you look at the 2011 FA Youth Cup team, many players from that generation are really progressing, aren’t they?
At present there are two elements to what we are trying to do. One is to produce players for Manchester United – that’s our global mission. We want to develop them as human beings. Secondly, we are confident that at the time they get to those ages, if they choose that’s what they want, they will get a career in the game. So players that you could say have failed here because they’re not playing in the first team, are nonetheless having a great life for themselves at other football clubs. That gives you satisfaction too. All of us are involved in playing a little part, but the player makes himself. Nobody can make a player – no doubt about it – but you’re able to give him the platform to get to those places.

What are your thoughts on the new Under-19 UEFA Youth League?
It's fine. In terms of the age-group format, it’s something we could consider in England – to change to January birthdays [rather than have the age cut-off in the summer]. We currently have two distinct squads at United – Warren Joyce’s Under-21s and Paul McGuinness’s Under-18s - whereas some of the other clubs have a single group for the Under-19 Youth League that work together all the time. Our Youth League squad [coached by Nicky Butt] work together sometimes but not consistently day in and day out, and doing the same thing.

In the past you’ve advocated youth teams playing in festivals, with clubs competing at one training ground - is that something you'd still like to see?
There are all sort of discussions about what a youth team's programme of games should consist of. Does it necessarily have to be 11 versus 11 from September until the end of May? Nobody has really sat down for long enough and discussed what the needs of the player are. We need to have people who are like-minded and get them involved in the debate and discussion. We are always looking to see what the best thing is for football, and where Manchester United fits into that.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Exclusive-Interviews/2014/Jan/brian-mcclair-inside-united-interview-on-manchester-united-academy.aspx?pageNo=3

[Andi Istiabudi]

Semakin banyak keluarga besar United yang tampil di Piala Dunia 2014

Giuseppe Rossi Bisa ke Piala Dunia



Bola.net - Striker Fiorentina dan Italia Giuseppe Rossi dipastikan tak harus naik meja operasi guna menyembuhkan cedera lututnya.

"Giuseppe Rossi tidak perlu operasi!" tulis agen Federico Pastorello di Facebook.

Dilansir Football Italia, kubu Fiorentina menyatakan bahwa Rossi akan menjalani proses rehabilitasi selama dua bulan ke depan. Jadi, sepertinya dia akan fit tepat waktu untuk memperkuat Italia di Piala Dunia 2014.

Di Serie A musim ini, Rossi sudah mengukir 14 gol dan 3 assist dalam 18 penampilan. Sekarang, striker 26 tahun tersebut masih memimpin daftar top scorer sementara dengan keunggulan dua gol atas Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) dan tiga gol atas Carlos Tevez (Juventus). (foti/gia)

[zudomiriku]

Man United flop Djemba-Djemba signs with St Mirren until the end of the season

St Mirren have tied up a shock deal to sign former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba until the end of the season.

And the Cameroon international hopes starring for the Paisley club will provide a pathway to a place at this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Sir Alex Ferguson paid £3.5million to sign Djemba-Djemba from Nantes back in 2003, but he failed to establish himself at Old Trafford.


Unveiled: Eric Djemba-Djemba shows off his new number 99 St Mirren shirt after signing with the Scotland club


Flop: Djemba-Djemba signed with United as a 22-year-old but was a disappointment under Alex Ferguson

He went on to have spells with Aston Villa, Qatar Sports Club, Danish club Odense and Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Now 32, Djemba-Djemba was most recently with Partizan Belgrade but was released at the end of December having made 14 appearances.

Saints boss Danny Lennon moved to land the 24-times capped player to boost his options for the closing part of the season and feels his experience will be hugely beneficial.

‘I am delighted to announce the signing of Eric Djemba-Djemba until the end of the season,’ he told the club website.

‘He is a top drawer player who does a power of work in the defensive midfield area.

'At times I would have liked to play someone alongside Jim Goodwin in that role to protect the back four and give our creative midfielders more of a license to hit the opponents’ box.

'Eric has performed that role at the highest level for top European clubs.

‘He wants regular football to ensure he goes to the World Cup with Cameroon this summer and we are happy to give him that platform.’

The deal is still subject to international clearance so it remains to be seen whether Djemba-Djemba – who played at the 2002 World Cup finals - will go straight into the squad for Saints’ William Hill Scottish Cup trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice.

Lennon had already strengthened his squad by adding Adam Campbell, Gregg Wylde and Josh Magennis during the January transfer window.


Moved on: He was sold to Aston Villa for £1.35m, a fraction of the £3.5m Manchester United paid for him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2552377/Man-United-flop-Djemba-Djemba-signs-St-Mirren-end-season.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

Jarang dengar nama mantan pemain United ini

Eks Man United: Mental Arsenal Lemah

Bola.net - Mantan pemain Manchester United Danny Higginbotham menganggap peluang Arsenal menjadi juara Premier League musim ini sangat tipis. Menurutnya persoalan mental di tubuh The Gunners menjadi alasan utama mereka tak bisa mengangkat piala saat akhir musim nanti.

Arsenal gagal meraih kemenangan di dua pertandingan terakhir mereka kala bersua tim besar di Premier League. Mereka di bantai Liverpool 5-1 di Anfield dan ditahan imbang tanpa gol saat meladeni Manchester United di Emirates Stadium.

"Mental Arsenal lemah. Mereka selalu mencapai posisi seperti saat ini dan bermain bagus, kemudian malah terpeleset. Mereka sudah tidak menyabet piala selama sembilan tahun. Paling bagus mereka finish di tempat ketiga," ujar Higginbotham di program Drivetime.

"Mereka sudah tidak punya pemain bermental baja seperti [Patrick Vieira, [Emmanuel] Petit, bahkan [Thierry] Henry dan staf di belakang. Mereka tak punya cukup mental untuk melangkah lebih jauh. Mereka butuh pemain dengan tipe seperti itu."

Arsenal akan kembali bersua dengan Liverpool pada ajang Piala FA di Emirates Stadium malam ini.(ts/ada)

[iamsetia]

dan prediksinya salah..
ternyata arsenal berhasil menang 2-1 atas lvp di emirates..

[Andi Istiabudi]

Originally Posted by iamsetia

dan prediksinya salah..
ternyata arsenal berhasil menang 2-1 atas lvp di emirates..

Iseng browsing dan akhirnya saya baru tahu seperti apa rupanya si Danny Higginbotham ini, hehe..

[zudomiriku]

Robbie Savage Promises to Quit Punditry If Manchester City Win at Barcelona



ash promises based around football matches are all the rage at the moment, but TV pundit Robbie Savage's latest one will be one to watch when Manchester City travel to Barcelona in three weeks.

In the wake of the first game Savage told BBC Radio 5 Live he would stop working if City won the match:

@jasonmbbc @RobbieSavage8 @bbc5live that's added a few neutrals to supporting city next leg

— Justin Rees (@Bumpyjo) February 18, 2014

So there it is—assuming Savage is a man of his word, the career ends here—if Manchester City win in Spain.

Oddschecker has City at around 5/1 to win the match, according to a selection of bookmakers. In other words, a 5/1 chance of Savage calling time on the punditry.

And Twitter seems to rather like the idea (hat-tip to Eurosport for finding these examples):

Robbie Savage promises to stop working if Man City win the second leg. If you do exist, God, this would be a marvellous time to prove it.

— Steve Wright (@turnitupalittle) February 18, 2014

Motivation if ever it were needed: Robbie Savage "If Manchester City win the tie in the Nou Camp, I will stop working."

— Liam Snape (@Nortilus) February 18, 2014

Robbie Savage will apparently 'stop-working' if Man City progress in the Champions League ...*buys Man City shirt*

— David Walsh (@d_j_walsh) February 19, 2014

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1967035-robbie-savage-promises-to-quit-punditry-if-manchester-city-win-at-barcelona

[zudomiriku]

Tim Howard defends David Moyes after display from Goodison boobirds



American goalkeeper Tim Howard knows more than a little bit about the pressures of working for Manchester United. The 35-year-old Everton backstop made 45 appearances for the Red Devils before moving to Merseyside and becoming a Toffees hero.

It follows that Howard enjoyed playing for David Moyes, the now-Manchester manager who presided over the keeper’s rise to brilliance before leaving last summer.

So when Goodison Park boobirds tore into Moyes before, during and after Everton’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday, it did not sit well with Howard.

“We have brilliant fans, but that was unfair on him. He was the second coming, the messiah 12 months ago, and I don’t think as Evertonians we should forget that.”

“I love David Moyes. I think he is a brilliant manager. He was here for us and I will be forever grateful to him.”

Of course the news all day Monday was that Moyes is expected to be sacked within days, with Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt taking the coaching wheel for the rest of the season, and Louis van Gaal the favorite to earn the job permanently. Of course, Moyes has not been fired yet…

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/21/tim-howard-defends-david-moyes-after-display-from-goodison-boobirds/