Premier League: Robin van Persie deflated by Sir Alex Fergsuon departure as Manchester United boss

The 31-year-old striker admitted one of the main reasons behind his decision to quit Arsenal for the North West was to work with the legendary manager.

"We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he's a winner."

Van Persie on Ferguson

Van Persie, who signed for the Old Trafford club for a fee of £22.5million in 2012, was a Premier League winner in his first season scoring an impressive 35 goals in 53 appearances.

Premier League: Marouane Fellaini says he felt like scapegoat at Manchester United last season

The 26-year-old says the support of his family plus his determination and success with Belgium helped him maintain his mental strength even when things were going badly for him and the club.
Fellaini was former United boss David Moyes' only signing of the 2013 summer transfer window when he arrived at Old Trafford for £27.5million from Everton.
He did not score a goal in his first season at the club and failed to discover the form he had shown under Moyes at Everton, but he has found his feet under Louis van Gaal this term with some impressive performances.

"I didn't lose faith in myself. In football you have to be strong in the head. The mentality is important and I do have this quality so I can keep going." Marouane Fellaini

Asked if felt he was made a scapegoat last season, Fellaini said: "Yes a little bit. That is a difficult question. It is difficult to answer that.

England captain Wayne Rooney desperate to win trophies

The Manchester United striker is understandably in reflective mood this week as he gets set to become just the ninth England player to reach 100 caps on Saturday when he leads the team out for their European Qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley.
Of the eight names currently on the list, only Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore have got their hands on an international trophy, the World Cup on home soil 48 years ago.
Rooney has won five Premier Leagues but is yet to win anything with England in five major tournaments over 11 years and said: "To get 100 caps for England, there's not many players who have done it, would be a great achievement. I'll be proud to join that club and is something that myself and my family would be honoured by.

Premier League: Manchester United's Michael Carrick hopes to sign new contract

Carrick pulled out of England's squad for the double-header against Slovenia and Scotland after suffering a groin injury in training.
The 33-year-old will start his rehabilitation at Carrington later this week and United boss Louis van Gaal will aim to have Carrick fully fit by the time his team take on Arsenal a week on Sunday.
Carrick has only played twice for Van Gaal because of an ankle injury he suffered just before the Dutchman took over.
But he is more than happy with life under the former Ajax coach and he is keen to extend his contract, which expires next summer.
"My contract is up at the end of the season. I want to stay, of course. I've got nowhere else to go." said Carrick, who has been at Old Trafford for eight years.
Carrick confirmed talks over a new deal with United have yet to begin, but the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is not concerned.

FIFA Finally Votes to Bar 3rd-Party Trades

FIFA imposed a gag of silence last week upon members of its own executive committee. Those who had called in the media for disclosure of a report into allegations of bribes for votes relating to the next two World Cups — to he held in Russia and Qatar — were reminded by president Sepp Blatter that “the principle of confidentiality” must be respected.

Adidas Plans to Buy Back Up to $1.9 Billion in Shares

Adidas, the German sportswear giant, said on Wednesday that it would return as much as 1.5 billion euros, or about $1.9 billion, to shareholders over the next three years, primarily by buying back its shares.

The company also said it remained committed to paying an annual dividend to shareholders equal to 20 to 40 percent of its net income.

“We believe that our shares are currently significantly undervalued and this provides an excellent opportunity to optimize the company’s cost of capital, deploy cash and create further value for our shareholders,” Robin J. Stalker, the company’s chief financial officer, said in a statement.

Replacing Alex Ferguson Proves Tough

This is a Champions League week in Europe, but the United brand is missing from the tournament. Worse, the team had to fill the Monday night television slot reserved as a warm-up for the bigger shows to come.

Alas, United cannot even win before the national cameras. Having spent almost $300 million on big-name players during the summer transfer window, it scrambled to a 2-2 tie at West Bromwich Albion, needing a late goal to even achieve that.

Woe is United. Its sponsorship contracts with Chevrolet and Adidas are among the richest in the game, yet it plays right now in the shadows of where it needs to be.

Manchester United is owned by an American family, the Glazers, and its shares are floated on the New York Stock Exchange. The laws of finance and sports may not be far removed from each other: What goes up can go down.

Most valuable player of the season

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Best goal of the season

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RVP deflated by Sir Alex loss

Robin van Persie admits the departure of Sir Alex Fergsuon as manager of Manchester United had a profound effect on his form.

The 31-year-old striker admitted one of the main reasons behind his decision to quit Arsenal for the North West was to work with the legendary manager.
Van Persie, who signed for the Old Trafford club for a fee of £22.5million in 2012, was a Premier League winner in his first season scoring an impressive 35 goals in 53 appearances.
"My decision to come to Manchester was partly because of the presence of Ferguson, or excuse me, Sir Alex," Van Persie said. "And he told me he’d stay for another three years. I enjoyed his approach.
"We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he's a winner."

Van Gaal eyes three-year process

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted he feels 'lousy' over the club's start to the season and says it will take three years to develop a winning formula.

The United boss said he feels "lousy" about their poor start to the season - and admits he has under-achieved.
The club is four points worse off than they were at the same stage last season under David Moyes, that despite a summer spending spree of £150 million on six new players.
Van Gaal's appointment was greeted with great fanfare at Old Trafford this summer, and a near-perfect pre-season tour raised hopes of a tilt at the title.
But after 10 matches United are 10th in the Barclays Premier League having gained just 13 points - their worst start since 1986.

Warnock: Rooney key for United

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock says Wayne Rooney will play a major role in turning Manchester United back into a title-winning force.

Warnock takes his side to face Rooney's Red Devils at Old Trafford on Saturday looking to arrest an alarming slide in form.
The Eagles have taken just one point from their previous four Barclays Premier League games and slumped to a 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland on Monday night.
A trip to United may not be as daunting as in previous years with Louis van Gaal's side enduring their worst start to a season since 1986 but, with Rooney likely to be pulling the strings, Warnock believes the 29-year-old skipper remains a key figure at the club - despite a summer spending spree.
"I think he's been a mainstay in Man United and he will be instrumental in them getting right back to the top in the next two or three years," Warnock said of the England captain - who is set to win his 100th cap next week.

Nani not aware of any return to Manchester United in January

 

 Nani said he is unaware of any clause in his loan agreement with Sporting Lisbon that dictates a potential return to Manchester United in January.

"I don't think there is any such clause but that is for others to solve," Nani told reporters in Almancil during Portugal's practice ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier vs. Armenia. 
The Portugal winger rejoined his former club for the season after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford by new manager Louis van Gaal. He has revived

Fellaini eyes fitness run

Marouane Fellaini has his sights set on steering clear of injury so he can consistently produce his best form for Manchester United this season.
The Belgian's first campaign with the Reds was disrupted by two significant sideline spells, as well as other niggling knocks. That robbed him of a chance to get into a rhythm or put together a sustained run in the side. In an in-depth interview with the new issue of the club magazine, Inside United, Fellaini explains that now he is back to full fitness he intends to stay that way.
"It’s difficult when you come in and then you stop for a few weeks or months because of injury, and you have to wait again,” he says. "I want to stay fit now – very fit. I feel I can be dangerous if I stay fit."
The 26-year-old has certainly looked just that in recent weeks: dangerous. He broke his scoring duck against West Brom with a rocket of a strike, and it was his header that rebounded for Robin van Persie to equalise against Chelsea the following week, while against Crystal Palace at the weekend he had an effort scrambled off the line.

Shaw named Man of the Match

Luke Shaw was named Man of the Match for his performance in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, earning praise from one of Manchester United’s finest-ever left-backs in the process.
The 19-year-old took 55 per cent of the vote in the poll on our official Twitter account @Manutd, beating goalscorer Juan Mata (35 per cent) and Carrick (10).
England international Shaw, signed from Southampton last summer, helped the Reds keep a clean sheet for the first time in seven outings and stung the palms of visiting goalkeeper Julian Speroni with a goal-bound effort from long range in the first half.

Shaw's forward forays capped a superb showing as part of a makeshift back four and he continues to show excellent progress since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer and he is making United's left-back berth his own.

Arthur Albiston, United’s regular in that position for over a decade in the 1970s and 1980s, told MUTV: "You can almost forget about him for 10 years, that’s his position, he will be a regular for United and for England.
"It all happened for him quite quickly in the summer, with a big move, the World Cup, all the talk about him, but I think the manager was keeping his feet on the ground a little bit. He played really well against Crystal Palace and that’s what you can expect from him in the future.”

International Reds: Falcao ruled out

Colombia have confirmed Radamel Falcao will not feature in their upcoming internationals with USA and Slovenia.
The Manchester United striker has missed the last three Barclays Premier League matches with a calf problem and has not been included in coach Jose Pekerman's squad for the games in London and Ljubljana as a result.
However, United have had a number of other players called up for international duty, which will mean them travelling all over the world during the next 10 days or so.
England manager Roy Hodgson has recalled United duo Luke Shaw and Michael Carrick to the senior squad after Under-21 action and injury respectively, with Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney also in the squad. Rooney is expected to captain his country against Slovenia at Wembley before his team travel north to take on Scotland, with the first of those completing a century of England caps for the striker.

Van Gaal happy with formation change

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has seen positive signs from his recently "remodelled" team and is confident positive results will come.
For the last three games – the draws with West Brom and Chelsea and the narrow derby defeat – the boss has fielded teams with one striker instead of two.
He feels that change has aided the balance of the side and allowed the Reds to play at a higher level for longer; previously he had admitted to being frustrated by some of his team’s second-half performances so far this season.
"With the other system, I could play with two strikers but then the balance was gone," the manager explained at Friday’s press conference. "We had difficulties in the last half-an-hour.
"That is why I have remodelled the structure. Since that game [Everton], we have had fewer goals in favour but also fewer goals against. And we have played against the better teams in the Premier League on an equal level, more or less."

Wayne Rooney reveals captaincy responsibilities

Wayne Rooney has explained some of the other aspects of his Manchester United captaincy role as he enjoys fulfilling the responsibilities on and off the field.

The Reds skipper revealed to ManUtd.com he is assisting in a number of different areas, including youth development, and was kept busy during his recent spell on the sidelines because of a three-match suspension.
After returning with an impressive display in the Manchester derby, the England star will be a pivotal figure on the pitch again but remains hugely influential around the club.
When asked if there were any elements of the captaincy job that surprised him, he replied: "No, not really. As I've said before, there are different things you have to get involved in, in terms of meetings outside the club and trying to have an influence on the youth development in the club.

Fellaini: I never lost faith

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is looking forward to a better season this time around as he looks to improve upon last year’s showing at Old Trafford.

Despite being a big-money signing for the Red Devils, Fellaini never quite sparkled under David Moyes, featuring in just 25 matches in all competitions as United finished a dismal seventh in the EPL standings.
When asked if he felt he was made the scapegoat last season, Fellaini admitted, “Yes a little bit. That is a difficult question. It is difficult to answer that.
"I didn't lose faith in myself. In football you have to be strong in the head. The mentality is important and I do have this quality so I can keep going.
"My family helped me through it. I was also in the national team for Belgium at the World Cup and I played well and the team also played well. For my confidence that was important. I came back after the summer confident.”

Shaw: Don't write off United

Manchester United teenager Luke Shaw feels it would be foolish to write off the club's title prospects this early into the season.

United, who drew 1-1 with Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday, are eighth on the table with 13 points from nine games - 10 points behind the Blues.
"Of course we are still in the title race," Shaw, 19, said in the Daily Mail.
"It's a long season and we are at the start of it. You don't know what will happen during the middle of the season.
"We just have to keep winning the games coming up. There will be tough games but we know we are good enough to win them
"We know we have still got the best to come. I don't think we are playing our best at the moment and sometimes you saw that against Chelsea.
"It will take time but when we are all on form I think we are going to be a scary team to face."

Van Gaal won't take any chances on Man Utd injuries

FALCAO: One of four players unlikely to return to the starting lineup against Arsenal

Louis van Gaal is not expecting to be able to throw any of his comeback players into his starting XI at Arsenal following the international break.
Central defender Marcos Rojo is ruled out completely with his dislocated shoulder but the Carrington training centre treatment room is set to clear slightly during the break for the Euro 2016 qualifiers and friendlies.
Phil Jones has been suffering from shin splints after he returned from a hamstring injury for one match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last month. The England defender has played only four matches for Manchester United this season.
Jonny Evans has featured in just three league games this term and missed the last six after injuring his foot at Leicester City in September.

Manchester United transfer gossip: Khedira weighing up offer, Falcao 'upset', Firmino race

Manchester United will do battle with Chelsea and Arsenal for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira in January.
But convincing the German to leave the Santiago Bernabeu will not be straightforward, according to this report from the Daily Star.
Khedira will be a free agent in the summer and is weighing up whether to wait until then to make his move.
Another star in Spain, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, could also be on the move after holding 'crisis talks' with the Catalans over his falling out with coach Luis Enrique.
Chelsea are also interested in signing the centre-back, who has been sidelined of late by the club's new manager.
One target who definitely won't be making the move to Old Trafford any time soon is Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan.

Lineker hails Rooney as an England great

Wayne Rooney deserves his place in the "pantheon of English football's finest", according to former Three Lions striker Gary Lineker.
After three World Cups, two European Championships and 43 goals, the 29-year-old is on Saturday set to bring up a century of caps when Slovenia arrive for a Euro 2016 qualifier.
It is a feat just eight players have previously achieved in an England shirt and one which Rooney plans to celebrate by walking out at Wembley with his children, Kai and Klay.
The Three Lions skipper's 100th cap will see him bracketed alongside the likes of Bobby Moore, David Beckham and Sir Bobby Charlton - illustrious company which Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for his country, believes the forward deserves to be recognised alongside.

Mata: Manchester United waiting on Valdes decision

Football - FC Barcelona v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Second Round Second Leg - The Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain - 13/14 - 12/3/14 Barcelona's Victor Valdes Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Juan Mata has revealed that Manchester United are waiting for Victor Valdes to make a decision over his future.
The former Barcelona shot-stopper is training with the Reds as he steps up his return from the serious knee injury that forced him to miss the World Cup.
Valdes is currrently without a club after ending his 19-year association with Barca at the end of his contract in June.
But it is unclear whether United plan to offer the 32-year-old a deal, or whether he will seek a move elsewhere once fully fit.

Rojo facing fight to be fit for Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford next month

Rojo dislocated his shoulder in the derby defeat

Marcos Rojo is battling to be fit for Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford next month after scans revealed he’s suffering from torn ligaments as a result of his dislocated shoulder.
The Argentinian defender was stretchered off during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last week and missed the win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Louis van Gaal confirmed on Friday that Rojo did not need surgery and hinted the 24-year-old could possibly return in under six weeks.
But it’s understood Rojo has also torn his acromioclavicular ligament and is battling to be fit for the clash with Liverpool on December 14.
He looks certain to miss games against Arsenal, Hull, Stoke and Southampton.
And he could yet be ruled out for the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ side and the trip to Aston Villa a week later.
Van Gaal is also without Rafael, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans.

Saha unsure whether Man Utd can get into top four

Louis Saha has urged Manchester United to address their defensive problems in the January transfer window or risk missing out on the Champions League again.
United dropped to 10th place in the Barclays Premier League after Sunday's 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City and Saha fears his former club could now finish outside the top four for the second successive season.
David Moyes was sacked last April just 10 months after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as United went from champions to seventh - their lowest league position for 25 years - and replaced by the experienced Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
"I hope they finish in top four but I can't be sure," said Saha, who scored 42 goals in 124 appearances for United between 2004 and 2008.

Man United could send Angel Di Maria back to Real Madrid for Gareth Bale

This one is kind of a big deal. Gareth Bale, left, could move to Manchester United if the Red Devils are willing to send Angel Di Maria back to Real Madrid in return.

Bale for Di Maria in transfer whopperThe rumours of Gareth Bale's numbered days at Real Madrid have been circulating for a while. The heat turned up on said rumour when Manchester United were reported to be a possible new home.

Prepare for the whitest of white hot now, as The Daily Star are reporting that Carlo Ancelotti is willing to consider letting Bale go, but only if Manchester United send Angel Di Maria back to los Blancos in return.
You'll remember Di Maria moved from Real Madrid to United this summer as the brass at Old Trafford spent a record 153 million pounds bringing in players for new boss Louis van Gaal. While things haven't worked out thus far on the pitch, Di Maria has been a bright spot, always looking like the best player in the lineup for his new club.

High time for Wayne Rooney to justify his captaincy, wages at Man United

As is often the case with football fans, there are certain players who will always split the opinion of the supporters.
In the 2010-11 season, Dimitar Berbatov was the Premier League's top scorer, having scored more hat tricks by the turn of the year than Wayne Rooney had goals as Manchester United went on to claim that record-breaking 19th title. Huge sections of the club's fan base wanted rid of the "lazy" Bulgarian, though, with Old Trafford rarely singing his name and his goal tally being dismissed because he scored five in a single match against Blackburn.
Something strange occurs when a group of fans set upon a player, dishing out unfair and exaggerated criticism, and then a counter-group forms, one that lavishes unwarranted and magnified praise. Depending on who you spoke to, Berbatov was either the best striker in the league or one of the worst to have played for the club.
A similar situation can be found with Rooney this season, although the cause for complaint is not his laziness. If there was ever to be an insult thrown at the United and England captain, it wouldn't have anything to do with his lack of effort.

Exclusive: Jose Mourinho Turned Down Manchester United Job to Return to Chelsea

It is the first weekend of November, 11 matches into what can still be legitimately referred to as the new Premier League season, and Arsene Wenger is floating the idea of Jose Mourinho surpassing his own domestic record by winning the title with "100 points."

Over the past three transfer windows, Wenger has spent a net £88.8 million on transfer fees and pushed Arsenal's wage bill on to a par with Chelsea's.

A few days earlier, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal could be found talking of feeling "very lousy," per Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, about an initiation at Manchester United that has clearly not followed a famously self-confident plan.

Already on his third starting-formation change of the campaign, Van Gaal has elected to emphasise defence in an attempt to squeeze back into the Champions League again, while stating that United's restoration “will take three years, I hope.”

Manchester United defensive problems have made me improve - David De Gea

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal praises his team's victory over Crystal Palace and discusses United's positioning in the Premier League table.

David De Gea believes Manchester United's injury-hit defence has made him a better goalkeeper this season, but is confident the team will begin to find consistency in the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal named his third formation in just 12 games as well as selecting midfielder Daley Blind and 19-year-old Paddy McNair as centre-backs in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with injuries and suspensions restricting his quest for consistency at Old Trafford.