Manchester United have responded to claims from Owen Hargreaves that they mismanaged his knee injury during his time at Old Trafford, stating their disappointment at their former player’s comments.
The England midfielder had an injury plagued time at the Premier League champions, and following his free transfer move to Manchester City has blamed United for his time on the sidelines.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team had initially declined to comment, but have defended themselves against the player’s criticism.
“Manchester Unitedis disappointed with Owen’s remarks after the game on Wednesday. The club gave him the best possible care for three years and is as disappointed as anyone he was not able to play a part in the team’s success at that time,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“It has shared all the medical records with Manchester City and is comfortable with the actions taken by its medical staff at each step of his many attempts at rehabilitation.
“United does not acknowledge any validity in the comments Owen is alleged to have made. Manchester United has some of the best sports medical staff in world sport, who have made a significant contribution to United’s on-pitch success in recent seasons,” it concluded.
Hargreaves returned to first team football for City in the Carling Cup in midweek, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham in a man of the match performance.
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By all accounts, we had a fairly successful January window. We moved on a few players who, for a number of reasons, needed to be moved out of the club and brought in a substantial amount in return (moving Paul Konchesky on alone feels like we gained an extra £50 million). In return, we got our money’s worth and what – I believe – will be a great strike partnership to last us for many years. In many ways though, the summer window could prove to be pivotal for both the club and for the Kenny (let’s be honest, it’s the worst kept secret). In the summer, the club needs to show it is ready to take the next step and invest again in the squad. But given our activity in January, the indications are positive, so let’s look at areas that need to be looked at when the time comes.
Starting with the area touted as Liverpool’s weakest by so-called football experts this season: defence. Many have claimed that the Red’s back 3/4/5 has been poor because of the personnel; that the likes of Agger, Kyrgiakos, Johnson and Skrtel are simply not good enough and that Carragher is a fading force. And while the latter is true, to a certain extent, Jamie is not finished just yet; nor are our defenders individually lacking. For proof of this, you only have to look at the last four games: 4 clean sheets. Kenny has played about with our back line (stop sniggering at the back), given the likes of Agger and Kelly another chance and we haven’t let a goal in for 360 minutes or 6 hours. By anyone’s margins, that’s an impressive feat. The facts are simple: we have good defensive players, they showed on Sunday that they’re capable of shackling a frontline that included Anelka, Drogba and Torres – three of the best there is and not only that, they made it look easy. So you may be wondering why, if I’m so impressed with our defenders, have I even mentioned it. Well, we still need cover. We have good young central defenders waiting in the wings, in Wilson and Kelly but given that Kelly appears to have made right back his own now (and the sad reality that Carragher is a fading force)means we need at least one new CB. We also need a first choice left back. Aurelio is a top-quality footballer but his fitness cannot be guaranteed. Once Konchesky moves on permanently, there will be a hole that needs filling and that must be a top priority.
Into midfield, and you have to say that there’s a handful of players that need to be moved on, either for our sake or their own. Namely: Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen and Jay Spearing. Poulsen was unlucky in that he joined the club too late in his career; when a change in pace was too much for him. He is not a bad player, despite what some will have you believe.
As for Cole and Spearing, sadly, they’re just not as good as we hoped they were. Cole mixes the odd moment of brilliance with total mediocrity. As for Spearing, he has effort and willingness to spare but that alone is not enough. Moving these three on could see us recoup about 10 million, potentially. Which we can put toward an area we are most lacking in going forward: out wide. We need cover for Lucas and probably another squad player that can fill in in midfield – adequately – when needed but if we only strengthen one position in midfield over the summer months then it has to be a wide player. We have enough creativity going forward to cope during this ‘transitional’ period and Suarez can fill in as an attacking midfielder if we were to get totally desperate but we must see the acquisition of a winger as being high on our list of priorities. If for no other reason than to give us something different in attack; to give us an alternative to plan A. Whoever the player is he doesn’t need to cost 30 million. As long as he can beat a man, can cross a decent ball in and is quite fond of the touchline, then our radar should be picking him up.
As for the other two key areas – goalkeeper and up front – we’re not exactly lacking. The January window saw one great striker replaced by two very good (albeit potentially great) strikers. We also have David Ngog who, despite barely playing at all lately, is still one of our top scorers and has oodles of potential. I believe that promoting Dani Pacheco to the first team squad permanently next season would see us quite adequately covered going forward. As for goalkeepers, it is hard to see past Pepe Reina. Should he – God help us – succumb to injury then we’ll need cover. Peter Gulacsi looks a top prospect and I’d be more than happy for him to be number two. The fact that Kenny prefers him as such to Brad Jones speaks highly of the regard the Hungarian youngster is held in. However, two backup keepers are usually required so we might need to bring in a decent, experienced third choice.
We’re in a period of what can only be referred to as ‘transition’, at the moment so sweeping and all-encompassing changes aren’t going to happen overnight. Should we bring in a left back, a wide player and some stronger cover in goal before next season though, that will have marked a successful second step, as far as I’m concerned.
Article courtesy of the excellent Live4Liverpool
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Liverpool recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over FC Gomel in the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday night.
First-half goals from Fabio Borini, Steven Gerrard and a second-half Glen Johnson strike made it an easy night at Anfield in Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive home fixture.
The Northern Irish manager picked Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini for specific praise after the victory.
“Luis is an incredible player. He has come back to us and looked great in training,” Rodgers confessed to Sky Sports.
“He is so creative in the box but he also presses very well when he doesn’t have the ball.
“He is the type of player I love. He is in love with football. He has such passion for the game.
“His combination work with Steven Gerrard and Fabio Borini was excellent.
“It is important for any striker to score because they are judged on their goals. But I brought Fabio here because I know he can score.
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“He is only 21 and has a lot of improvement left in him. But with his work-rate and his ability on the ball I think he will fit in very well to our team,” he concluded.
Manchester City laid down their title credentials smashing five goals past Tottenham at White Hart Lane with Edin Dzeko scoring four to maintain their 100% start to the new campaign.
The Citizens stormed back to the top of the Premier League after another rampant performance and have now scored 17 goals in their first three games.
£27 million striker Dzeko was the stand out performer as he put the Spurs defence to the sword scoring four and proving to be a nuisance throughout. Samir Nasri, making his City debut, was also bang in form whilst David Silva and Sergio Aguero kept up their fine starts to the new campaign.
Despite the scoreline the first 25 minutes was rather close with the home side having several good opportunities to break he deadlock. Rafael Van der Vaart had a free kick saved by Joe Hart before Gareth Bale should have at least hit the target only to blaze a volley over from 10 yards.
Those scares kicked the visitors into gear and Dzeko opened the scoring in the 34th minute tapping in Nasri’s cross from the left before the same two players combined again six minutes later with the Bosnian looping a header across goal and into the bottom corner leaving Brad Friedel motionless.
The second half saw City continue in the same vein scoring two goals in quick succession. Dzeko completed his hat trick in the 54th minute tapping in from Yaya Toure’s ball before Aguero smashed home from inside the box after a mazy run through the Spurs defence.
Younes Kaboul pulled a goal back with 23 minutes to go but Dzeko wasn’t going to let the hosts have the last laugh curling in a sublime effort from the edge of the area two minutes into added on time.
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Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise onto striker Dimitar Berbatov, whose hat-trick against Birmingham took his season tally to 17 for the season.
Ferguson’s men ran rampant at Old Trafford to post a 5-0 win, with Ryan Giggs and Nani adding to Berbatov’s treble.
And Ferguson said the Bulgarian’s game had been outstanding.
“It was marvellous,” Ferguson said. “He could have scored more and we were a bit wasteful at times with our finishing, but you can’t complain at that performance.”
“I think it helps when you score an early goal. When we scored they had to open up and I think we capitalised on that.”
The Scot also had kind words for Wayne Rooney who, despite not getting on the scoresheet, linked up well with Berbatov to turn supplier.
“The third goal was very, very exciting with the interchange between Berba and Rooney. It was right at half-time and it killed the match,” Ferguson said.
“Wayne showed fantastic control in the fourth goal to bring the ball from Edwin (van der Sar) out of the clouds.”
“The control of Rooney and setting up Ryan to square the ball for Berba – it was a fantastic goal.”
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish bemoaned some of his side’s defending in the encounter, and said his senior players were determined to make amends.
“You can’t come here and lose an early goal like we did. To lose a goal like that in the first minute was criminal,” McLeish said.
“I thought there was bit of apprehension. Coming to places like this is a lot about belief as much as anything and I thought we lacked that a little bit.”
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“It was a gift the second goal as well and was verging on the amateur.”
“You have to say we shot ourselves in the foot.”
“The feedback I’ve got from some of the senior players in the dressing room is that they are more angry than anything else. We have got to get the team right and the tactics right for the coming games.”
Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is potentially set to miss the start of the 2012-13 Premier League season, with an operation in the offing according to The Daily Mail.
The veteran battler played in all four of England’s Euro 2012 games in Ukraine and Poland, but has been carrying an Achilles knock that has taken its toll over the summer.
Parker may well opt to go under the knife in the off-season to sort out the problem once and for all, and as such would miss the start of Spurs’ campaign.
Tottenham start next term against Newcastle, and will look to get off the mark with a positive result.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail also indicate that Andre Villas Boas may well be winning the race to become Spurs boss.
The Portuguese trainer is supposedly in direct competition with Laurent Blanc for the vacant White Hart Lane hotseat, but is said to have impressed Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board in recent talks.
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Arsenal are set to increase their interest in Birmingham defender Scott Dann the Daily Mail understands.
The Gunners are pondering a £10 million move for the 24-year-old centre back and are sending chief scout Steve Rowley to run the rule over him this weekend.
Birmingham start their Championship campaign against Derby County on Saturday and Rowley will be in attendance to judge whether he’s the man to put an end to Arsenal’s defensive frailty.
Manager Arsene Wenger wanted to see Dann in action last weekend in a friendly against Everton but he missed the game due to a sever hamstring tear.
However he has now recovered from that and Rowley will make one final check before reporting his findings back to Wenger.
The Frenchman is desperate to bring a centre half to the Emirates before the transfer window closes with moves for Bolton’s Gary Cahil and Everton’s Phil Jagielka going cold.
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Wenger considers both to be overpriced by their clubs and has grown frustrated at the Toffee’s in particular over their valuation of Jagielka.
Arsenal know they will have to move swiftly if they want to capture one of the most sought defenders in England with interest from Chelsea and Liverpool also strong.
As Darren Bent’s move brings some life to the January window, the deal has certainly sparked plenty of debate. Steve Bruce feels bitterly disappointed at the conduct of the player, while Bent himself has defended his corner claiming that he is no mercenary. Clearly looking at forums it is hardly a signing that has Aston Villa fans overly convinced, therefore Bent really needs to hit the ground running to win them over.
In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories including more from the Bent deal; Mancini warns City defence to tighten up, while Cantona takes on a role at the New York Cosmos.
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Court papers reveal mystery £1m payment in Ronaldo deal – Guardian
Grant eyes Bendtner to ease turmoil – Daily Telegraph
Wenger hunt going nowhere – Sky Sports
Leeds hate mob ready for Theo – Sun
Mancini warns City’s defence to tighten up – Daily Telegraph
Bruce “Massively let down” by Bent – Mirror
Cantona takes role at New York Cosmos – Guardian
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Spurs to use public cash for Palace solution – Daily Telegraph
Babel desperate for Ajax despite Liverpool agreeing fee with Hoffenheim – Daily Mail
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Porto’s James Rodriguez with negotiations over a new contract with Nani yet to be concluded, according to the Sun.
The Portuguese winger’s current deal is not due to expire until 2014 and he is yet to commit his long-term future to the Red Devils, despite the club offering a reported wage hike to £130,000 per week. Therefore United have begun lining up contingency plans, with the 20-year-old topping their list of targets.
James earned a glowing reputation whilst playing for Argentine side Banfield and was brought to Europe by the Porto in 2010. But this season has served as his breakthrough year as he scored 13 goals in 26 league appearances as Portuguese outfit won their second consecutive league title.
Despite his youth he has already forced his way into the Colombia team and has represented his country five times at senior level, scoring his first goal in the 1-0 win World Cup qualifying group win over Peru.
Sir Alex Ferguson has frequently had scouts watch the energetic winger and he has been impressed with his development since moving to Europe. Should the Red Devils wish to launch an official bid to bring him to Old Trafford however, they could expect to pay no less that £20m.
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Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any more incomings at Manchester United admitting that he missed out on some targets reports the Guardian.
Three players have already been added to the United squad although a replacement for Paul Scholes has so far eluded Ferguson.
Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones all joined the Red Devils for big money this summer with the United boss fulfilling his goal of adding a youthful core to his side.
However Ferguson still wants a replacement for Scholes, who retired at the end of last season, but admits he’s missed he can’t see that happening.
He told the Guardian: “We lost five players in their 30s this summer. That helped finance the three younger players – Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea – I have brought to the club.
“At this moment, I can’t see another addition. The type of player we might have been looking for is not available. I am happy with the players I have got at this moment in time.”
A new playmaker is still a priority for Ferguson as he strives to replace Scholes. However finances are tight at Old Trafford and moves for Ferguson’s top targets have been considered too expensive.
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Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder has been on the Scot’s wish list for some time but his £35 million asking price and looks likely to stay at the San Siro for at least another season.