Carrick looking forward to road tests for Man Utd

Michal Carrick is looking to Manchester United's upcoming away games to test the quality of the team.
The Reds are unbeaten at home since the opening day of the season and picked up a routine victory on Boxing Day against Newcastle.
Louis van Gaal had to wait until November 22 for his first win on the road, a 2-1 triumph over Arsenal.
Since then the Reds have won at Southampton but could only draw at Villa Park last week.
With away games against Spurs on Sunday and Stoke on New Year's Day, Carrick believes coming through both games would suggest the team can keep up the pursuit of the top two in the league.
"The signs have been good in recent weeks," the midfielder told United's website.
"We were bitterly disappointed not to win last week [at Aston Villa] but we beat Newcastle and now have two big away games. They will be a good test for us to see where we are at.

Manchester Magic chief relishing a Haris Christmas cracker

Manchester Magic Under-18s

Manchester Magic chief Joe Forber says this year's Haris Tournament will be a Christmas cracker.
The traditional Amaechi Centre international under-18s showdown is in its ninth year.
And the participation of two top American prep school teams - Tilton and St Andrews - has helped raise the standard of the 2014 event, which takes place at the Amaechi Centre between December 27 and 29, even higher.
There will also be teams from France, Spain and Ireland as well as England.
Forber said: "I think it is probably the best line-up we have ever had.
"We have only had one American team in the past and I think these two prep schools will be very good.
"England Under-18s won it last year and they will be very strong again.
"I think there will be a different flavour this year and we've tried to strengthen right the way through."
That means Magic's under-16s, who have used the tournament as a learning experience in the past, will sit it out this time, with England's under-16s the only 'under-age' team as a late replacement for London Pioneers who have been forced to withdraw.

Pictured: Man Utd star Robin van Persie out to lunch with wife Bouchra

Robin van Persie saved Manchester United on Monday night with two goals against Southampton.
And as he prepares to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, he took the time to take his wife Bouchra out for lunch.
The pair were spotted out in Hale on Wednesday afternoon.
After a slow start to the season, Van Persie has hit form with three goals in his last three games, including a stunning strike in the 3-0 win over Hull.

Wayne Rooney blasts hectic festive Premier League schedule, claiming it will 'take a bad injury' before any changes are made

• Wayne Rooney has criticised the Premier League's festive schedule
• Premier League players play twice in 48 hours from Boxing Day
• Rooney claims it will 'take a bad injury' before any changes are made
• Louis van Gaal has been among most vocal critics of festive schedule 

Wayne Rooney believes it will take a serious injury before the Premier League bow to demands to overhaul the traditional festive schedule.

In joining the clamour criticising the fixture congestion, the Manchester United captain also claimed supporters are being short-changed by attending matches between exhausted teams.

United boss has Louis van Gaal has been among the most vocal critics of the Christmas fixtures, which saw sides play twice in 48 hours from Boxing Day.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has blasted the Premier League's hectic festive schedule

Rooney (right) and Radamel Falcao (left) look on during the match with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday - just two days after Boxing Day fixtures, which the former believes will only change once a serious injury is suffered

The Dutchman followed United’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur with the claim that it is ‘scientifically proven the body cannot recover in 48 hours’, and Rooney has now gone even further in calling for change.

Man United fan in the stand: Van Gaal has brought confidence back but performances need to improve

After the start to the season that United had experienced, it would’ve taken an optimistic fan to say that at this stage we would be sitting third and just eight points behind leaders Chelsea.
Now, after a run of six consecutive wins culminating in the 3-0 home victory against Liverpool, the Reds are back in the top four.
Louis van Gaal has overseen a remarkable progression in consistency for United, and now we look like a team that could go on a trademark surge during the Christmas period.
Although the results prove that United have been the in-form team in the league, the performances have to be questioned.
In games against Arsenal and Liverpool we gave away numerous opportunities - thankfully, neither team capitalised.
Against Stoke we were a goal-line clearance away from dropping two points and it is baffling how we came away with three points from Southampton away.

Pictured: Manchester United players deliver Christmas presents to young patients

The Reds squad visited the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and The Christie with goody bags ahead of Christmas.

Young patients at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and The Christie received a special visit on Monday.
The Manchester United squad headed to both hospitals to dish out goody bags, greet fans and spread cheer ahead of Christmas.
Juan Mata was among the Reds stars handing out gifts and heralded the 'unbelievable' work of the staff.
"I think it’s very nice for us to come here and try to make the children happy; they are not having a great moment right now but I hope we can put a smile on their faces at least for a bit," he said.
"All the people that work here are unbelievable; they are helping the children to get through this hard time and that it something that I will always respect."

Spurs v Man Utd: A firing Falcao and more to look out for

How fit is Falcao
It has been a question that has dogged the Colombian striker almost since his deadline day move, with the forward having to work hard to prove himself to Louis van Gaal.
Falcao's assist for United's first against Newcastle was glorious and the striker made it through 65 minutes. With less than two days between games, a start for the striker would be the most positive sign he has had yet of the manager's backing.
Fitness tests for the team
Spurs have developed a habit of scoring late goals under Mauricio Pochettino. They have won their last four league games 2-1 and are clearly fit enough to be able to produce goals and chances right through to the final whistle.
Van Gaal hasn't always been happy with United's concentration levels across games but they will all have to be drilled to keep Spurs out for the full 90.

Louis van Gaal: Man United 'don't have the fittest players'

Louis van Gaal admitted United do not have "the fittest players" after the Reds dropped points on the road again at Tottenham.
Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair were both substituted after Antonio Valencia's half-time withdrawal as United reverted to a back four at White Hart Lane.
The switch barely affected a plodding United attack in the second period and Van Gaal had a logical explanation for the substitutions.
"They were tired," the Dutchman laughed.
"We have to play a match within 48 hours, the body has not recovered, and I didn't have the possibility to change because we do not have the most fittest players.
"I said one month ago it is scientifically proven that the body cannot recover in 48 hours.
"When the FA allow that to play matches you see the second-half was much different from the first, not only for United but for Tottenham.

Tottenham 0-0 Manchester United: Harry Kane is like a young Thomas Muller? He certainly showed the quiet efficiency of Germany's World Cup winners

Fifty Tottenham appearances, 20 goals. And now a chance to impress against Manchester United. 

Louis van Gaal's side are a team on the up, but have struggled with injuries defensively this season. Against Spurs on Sunday, they started with Phil Jones, Paddy McNair and Jonny Evans. A British back three for a English forward to attack.

And attack he did. It took just six minutes for him to make an impact, nearly threading the ball through to Ryan Mason after brushing McNair off with ease. 

The game was quiet for large spells. Nobody was outstanding, and it finished goalless. Nevertheless, Kane was impressive, as always.

There was a moment midway through the second half that summed up his performance. He was anonymous at times, but worked hard behind the scenes.

Jose Mourinho is good looking, can speak five languages and wins everything... it's not fair, says Sir Alex Ferg.

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has shown there is no animosity between him and former managerial rival Jose Mourinho by heaping praise on him during a revealing interview.

Former Manchester United manager Ferguson, speaking to BT Sport on a show to be aired on Boxing Day, labelled his counterpart as 'good looking' and complimented his impressive trophy cabinet. 

'It is unfair really. He’s good looking, he’s got that sort of George Clooney bit in his hair now,' Ferguson commented. 'But I think he is a great example, he can speak five languages or whatever he can. 

VIDEO: Watch Sir Alex Ferguson speak to Clare Balding about old rival Jose Mourinho

Louis van Gaal warned third place finish is 'bare minimum' by former Manchester United striker Michael Owen

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has warned Louis van Gaal that finishing third is the 'bare minimum' this season.The Dutchman has been praised for overseeing a run of six wins and a draw which has lifted the Red Devils into third place in the Premier League.

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Louis van Gaal has overseen unbeaten run which has prompted talk of a possible title challenge

But Owen, now a BT Sport pundit, dismissed claims United were exceeding expectations after a poor start coupled with a crippling injury list.

Owen said on FootballTonight: 'Expectations before the season weren't between fourth and seventh

'A lot of people expected them to win the league.

Michael Carrick is the best English player in the game! Sir Alex Ferguson heaps praise on Manchester United's new vice-captain

Sir Alex Ferguson has lavished praise on Michael Carrick by insisting Manchester United's newly appointed vice-captain is the 'best English player in the game'.

Louis van Gaal's side have been in outstanding form since Carrick returned from an ankle injury he sustained during a pre-season training session.

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seven games since he started his first match under Van Gaal and Ferguson believes Carrick, who he signed from Tottenham for £18.6million in 2006, has played a huge role in his side's recent success.

Ferguson insists Louis van Gaal's Manchester United still possess 'great players'

Speaking to BT Sport, Ferguson said: 'They have still got great players – I still think Michael Carrick is the best central midfield player in English football, I really do.

'I think he is the best English player in the game.'

When Louis van Gaal gets his best players back... you watch Manchester United, warns Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his silence over Louis van Gaal’s modern Manchester United by predicting his old team will become a force in the Barclays Premier League in the new year.

Ferguson has largely watched from afar as Van Gaal and his injury-hit squad have struggled to keep up with Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the table.

But now Ferguson has backed Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney to propel United’s charge. ‘First of all, Louis van Gaal,’ said the former Old Trafford  boss. ‘I don’t know how he can expect to get the best results with the number of injuries he has had. When he gets the best players back — you watch United. He is a great coach and will do well.