Watch: Manchester United 2 - 0 Fulham

Manchester United moved 10 points ahead of Arsenal with two first half goals for Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia - with both goals created by Nani for his 17th and 18th assist of the season. 

Wayne Rooney was serving his ridiculous 2 match ban and was missing, while Sir Alex Ferguson was up in the stands watching over his United team proudly as the eight changes from the midweek Champions League game against Chelsea proved enough to overcome Mark Hughes' Fulham side.

Nani's contribution for both of the goals was outstanding, skilfully weaving around the defenders and setting up Berbatov for the first, and then using his pace to reach the ball, getting round the goalkeeper and flicking it to Valencia for the second.

Rooney & Carroll Will Thrive on Jarvis' Delivery

You don't have to be an expert on Wolves players to know that Matt Jarvis has been their brightest star this season. He admitted that his first day of England training felt a bit like a first day at a new school, but revealed that the England players have made him feel welcome in what he described as a "fantastic feeling" being called up to play for his country.

It is a far cry from being released by Millwall when he was 16. His father explained that it was a "difficult time" for Jarvis who could have easily given up football because of the rejection, but he went on to say that Jarvis is "very, very determined". It is that determination then, that has seen him rise to such a level when he is playing in the top tier of the Premier League and on the verge of an England appearance - an achievement many a young boy dreams of.

Last September Jarvis signed a new contract with Wolves, keeping him at the club until 2015, but his outstanding shows of brilliance at times have not only alerted Fabio Capello, but many of the top managers around England.

Jarvis' crossing ability is just one of many qualities that many sides look to for a major source of goals, and having crossed the ball for Wolves 203 times this season alone, it is perhaps surprising that his side Wolves have not converted very many of them. The lack of real goal scoring prowess may be a reason, but there is no lack of that in the England team, with Carroll and Rooney leading the line.

Carroll had a blistering start to the Premier League season with Newcastle, scoring 11 in 19 appearances, and the 19 goals he scored the previous season to help Newcastle into the top tier had no shortage of blasted headers from pin-point crosses.

As for Rooney, his Manchester United form has been poor on the whole, but the rather large blip in the season has begun to pick up, with his touch and goal presence returning at last - to the relief of United fans. Last season he was United's top scorer - that is easy to forget after such a torrid time, and 34 goals in 44 appearances is an enviable achievement. Where did those goals come from? What source did he miss miserably at the start of the season? Antonio Valencia's crosses were sorely missed by Rooney, and as a result, is goalscoring form nose dived.

Matt Jarvis can help pick it up for England. His pace to get beyond a player and ability to cross into dangrous areas will see Carroll and Rooney thrive. Whether it be through a knock down by Carroll to the awaiting Rooney to finish, a direct header or a goal line scramble, those crosses will inevitably lead to chances and goals that could change a game.

I will look forward to see Jarvis in an England shirt, as I'm sure he will be too.

United v Marseille: What the Two Sides Say

Manchester United will host Marseille on Tuesday on the back of a simple win against a tired, exasperated and weary Arsenal side. United will hope to march on in the competition, aiming for the quarter finals -boosted by the news that Nani and Michael Carrick will be fit to play alongside long term absentee Antonio Valencia.

United

Sir Alex Ferguson emphasised the importance of experience at this stage of the competition against tough opposition. After all, it is a very rare occurrence when Sir Alex has not led United to this stage of the Champion League:

"It’s an important time, with us being involved in three tournaments. But we are experienced enough to do what we’re doing at the moment - taking each game as it comes."

"We have faced that situation a million times. You have to get on with it. The team needs to step up and perform though, we know that."

The return of Antonio Valencia is a massive boost to a United side who have lacked his skillful wing play, creativity and provision of goals. Rooney applauded Valencia recently, calling it "fantastic" to see him back on the football pitch after his broken ankle which was suffered in September in this very competition. Sir Alex knows all to well the importance of the Ecuadorian:

"With Antonio back it’s a fantastic bonus for us. It’s a great step forward considering he’s been out for such a long time."

"It’s a great selection poser for me to have. We missed him in the run-in last season so it’s a great boost. Hopefully it will help us, having everyone available.

More positive news on the injury front followed:

"Nani and Michael Carrick trained on Sunday and Monday and both will be involved tomorrow. But we are getting players back. Ji-Sung Park is making good progress and Owen Hargreaves has started training."

"It doesn’t matter how many players you have injured in the past, the important thing is to have them available for the run in. If we have that, then it will increase our chances."

On the actual game, Sir Alex acknowledged the strength of the opposition who also come into the game off the back of a 2 - 0 win against their Ligue 1 title rivals Stade Rennais FC. Ferguson said:

"We have to recognise that they are experienced and powerful. It's going to be a hard game, but it's always a terrific atmosphere at Old Trafford, that does help us."

Marseille

The French Champions recognise that despite United's less than convincing performances this season, they are the underdogs. Their manager, Didier Deschamps has been doing his homework on the Red Devils. Not only did he go to the United - Arsenal match at Old Trafford on Saturday, but he has been looking at the stat books:

"On paper you would expect United to qualify, but we have a little opportunity."

"If you look at the match purely from a statistical point of view, United have not been defeated at home for a long time. They have conceded only one goal in seven Champions League games and are a very strong side, so it is a tough task."

"In addition they are one of four or five teams who have a realistic chance of winning the Champions League."

Deschamps continued and spoke of the first leg, claiming the 0 - 0 result was better for United than it was for them:

"It was a good result for Manchester United … if you look again at stats, if you get an away draw and do not concede, around 70 percent of the time the team goes through when they play at home."

"We are talking about Manchester United here, they know how to manage whatever situation might occur on a European occasion."

Perhaps a stat that Deschamp may have purposely avoided is that Manchester United have never lost to French opposition at Old Trafford.

Rooney Appreciates the Importance of Valencia & VDS

Manchester United missed Antonio Valencia. They missed his pace, his skill, his clever shimmies around defenders, his sumptuous crosses into dangerous areas and his priceless assists. Wayne Rooney more than most missed the Ecuadorians individual qualities and has had possibly the worst season of his career in the winger's absence.

So Valencia's return to first team action against Arsenal on Saturday was a rare plus point in Rooney's season. His first start since that horrible broken ankle against Rangers in the Champions League last September was welcomed with a rousing ovation at Old Trafford, highlighting his importance to the team and the clubs success. Rooney was delighted:

"I can't tell you how good it is to see him back out there. It was Antonio's first game back after six months out and he looked like he'd never been away. It's fantastic for him and fantastic for us to have him back and playing the way he did."

Valencia's return to action is even more convenient when you consider Nani's absence after the Jamie Carragher horror tackle which ripped open his shin. Valencia will now make his return to Champions League football at Old Trafford against Marseille on Tuesday as United hope to progress further in the competition at the stage which Arsenal recently slipped up at to Barcelona.

Rooney praised Edwin van der sar's superb contribution to the FA Cup tie against Arsenal on Saturday as well, claiming that him and the rest of the team have been attempting to persuade the Dutchman out of his decision to retire:

"The players are trying to persuade Edwin to stay on too. I was speaking to him in the shower afterwards but it is his decision and we have to respect it."

"He is such a great goalkeeper. Despite his age he is still the best keeper in the world."

This is a sentiment shared by so many United fans who remember the huge difficulty in replacing their last consistently brilliant goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. It will cost a large fee to replace van der sar now, especially considering the current transfer market climate - it is however, something that United will have to get used to; not seeing the great Dutchman guard the goal anymore.

Rooney's comments come after the News of The World claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to sell Rooney in the summer transfer window. The paper's source claims that, "relations between Rooney and Ferguson are so strained that it is affecting other players," adding that, "Sir Alex is not pleased with the way Rooney has been playing... Rooney has been moaning about the squad again but Sir Alex has told him he should look at himself before criticising others."

I really can't see this being the case. Despite a bad season in front of goal, United do still look a better team when Rooney is on the team sheet. Sir Alex Ferguson knows it; Rooney's goals last season emphasise his importance to the team, and there is no way Ferguson would jump to the conclusion that Rooney isn't good enough for this United side anymore. His passion and desire was on show for all to see at Old Trafford against Arsenal, summed up in the crunching but fair challenge on Bacary Sagna, met with massive cheers from the United fans, impressed by Rooney's impressive show of commitment to the cause.

Valencia Back for Arsenal Game - Nani Out

It will come as no surprise that Nani will miss the Arsenal game on the weekend after the horrible tackle that he was the victim of which left him with a gaping wound on his shin. Apparently, the injury was worse than originally expected, and the Portuguese's injury swelled up so much, that they couldn't stitch it up to close the wound. This means that the influential creative spark in United's average midfield may be out for up to a month rather than a few games.

That bad news is countered with the report from the Daily Mail which claim that Antonio Valencia, who, as I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing, broke his leg against Rangers (terrible game) over half a year ago, "is likely to be in Manchester United’s squad to face Arsenal".

This is of course fantastic news, and the strikers will be delighted that Valencia could be back to deliver some sumptuous balls into the box for their predatorial instincts to strike home. He was left out of Wednesday's reserve game against Blackpool in which he was expected to play, as apparently, United didn't want to risk him on such a bad quality pitch.
On Monday Valencia played a 30 minute a half game for the youth team.

I'm quite worried however about United's midfield to play against Arsenal. It doesn't sound like Valencia will start, and Nani and Park are out, laving only Giggs as the natural winger. He wouldn't threaten the opposition with his speed, while Fletcher who could play on the right isn't the most adventurous of attackers anyway. Rooney may play on the wing, and Hernandez and/or Berbatov starting up top.

Surely United can't lose three in a row? Arsenal's Jack Wilshere hopes so - even off the back of the beating they got from Barcelona:

"We know Manchester United are a great team, but they have a European game next week, so they might play a weakened side, then we can go there and take advantage of that."

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson broke his media silence with this:

"Last season they (Arsenal) faded around the February to March period to leave Chelsea and ourselves in a two-horse race that saw us pipped at the post by a point.

"I think most pundits expected to see something similar this season, plus a challenge from Spurs and Manchester City to make it even more difficult for Arsenal to get back up to the top.

"But Arsene Wenger and his players have rearranged the pecking order somewhat to come storming through to lie in second place.

"Clearly they represent the main danger to us achieving our ambitions in a revival of the rivalry of a few years ago, and I am sure they regard us as the major threat to their hopes."

He had no excuses for the abysmal display at Liverpool in which United lost 3 - 1. Manchester United will be hoping for the good of their season and their teams morale, that the depressingly bad performance at Liverpool is not repeated against Arsenal this weekend.

Confirmed £30 million Bid for Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez is proving hot property, with clubs from England, Italy and Spain all seemingly interested in acquiring his compellingly attractive services. Being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't do your on the field reputation any harm it must be said, and it is therefore perhaps no surprise that Manchester United have been very strongly linked, as the £80 million from the Ronaldo sale still lingers pleasingly in the bank awaiting usage.

Now his club Udinese have confirmed that a 35 million euro bid has been placed for their star attacker, but frustratingly, they refused to identify the club who placed the substantial bid. 35 million euros is equal to £29.7 million. And because Udinese have not named the bidders, it opens the door to speculation as to who it was.

Udinese's chairman Franco Soldati said:

"Sanchez is of interest of British and Italian teams.

"Somebody has already offered (for Alexis Sanchez) a figure close to 30-35 million euros but I cannot say by whom (we have received it)".

What a tease!
He justified the large asking price by citing recent Premier League signings including Liverpool's signing of Luiz Suarez, and Chelsea's double splurge of cash on Fernando Torres and David Luiz - a combined total of around £90 million. Doldati continued:

"A evaluation of €25 million for Sanchez? Looking at what has been paid for (Luis) Suarez, (Fernando) Torres and David Luiz in England, I think Sanchez will also apply to more than €25 million,"

"But right now we don't want to look at the market. Each assessment will be made at the end of the season."

The 23 year old Chilean international, who has scored 11 goals in 23 games this season for Udinese has done what most footballers do when they are linked to bigger, better clubs - repeat the question and avoid answering it. In other words, he doesn't want to commit himself to his current club, just in case the speculation, or in this case solid bid, turns into a possible transfer:

"My future? For now I want to play football, this is my only desire."

"At the end of the season we'll see what happens. Udinese? We are playing very well, the coach motivates us every game as if it were a final. "

Manchester United, Chelsea, City, Inter and Real Madrid have been linked. We'll see where he goes - it'll be interesting. More news here whenever it comes.

Chicharito will Thrive on Valencia's Delivery

Manchester United may have coped well in his absence, but Antonio Valencia has been sorely missed at Old Trafford. His blistering pace on the right wing that has fans off their seats in anticipation - hoping, and often witnessing a dangerous delivery into a good area for the strikers to pounce on has sadly been absent since the wingers very unfortunate injury.

One loss in the Premier League all season isn't bad going for United, but boy would they welcome back their Ecuadorian winger who adds a fiery spark and invaluable energy into the United attack providing chance after chance for the strikers.

It is the kind of delivery that United's relative new boy Chicharito will thrive on.

Since Valencia's injury in September, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has proven himself as a deadly finisher, taking the nickname the "baby faced assassin" from United fans. His movement, his awareness of his surroundings, his pace, his vision, his unnerving ability to finish a move off with a delightful finish, have threatened to uproot a strike partnership worth a combined total of around £50 million in Rooney and Berbatov.

So just think of what the Mexican boy will do when he finds ball after ball flying into his territory - the oppositions box. I predict a fantastic partnership between him and Valencia in the future when the winger is fully recovered and back on form. It will be an exciting, and rather frightening prospect, especially for defenders.

Valencia showed it last season - his delivery and intelligent balls into the area helped Rooney to his highest ever scoring total. He provided the assists that Rooney has missed this season - as the English striker has gathered his lowest ever total of goals with seven (granted, the season isn't over).

With Rooney gradually building confidence, starting with his spectacular overhead kick a few weeks ago against City, Berbatov having his best United season by far, and with the little pea having an astonishing first year at Old Trafford, there will be healthy competition for the front spots. When Nani and Valencia occupy the wings, the strikers will have no excuses for a lack of goals, with the deliveries coming at them every two minutes, and hopefully the goals will come in, helping United to more trophies.

Exciting times, no matter what some say.

Manchester United Winger Not Leaving

Rumours that a transfer request had been handed in to Manchester United by their French winger Gabriel Obertan were rubbished by his agent today, who insisted that Obertan is happy at Manchester United and no transfer request had been handed in at any time.

Obertan, who was brought in by Sir Alex Ferguson in July 2009 - a £3 million buy from French club Bordeaux, was rumoured to have come to the conclusion that he is not good enough to make the grade at Old Trafford. He has not had a lot of pitch time in his short stay at the club, but this is to be expected from a player that was relatively unknown in the English Premier League at the time of his aquisition.
Obertan's representative, Karim Djaziri, claimed the Frenchman has not handed in a transfer request and is happy to stay at Old Trafford:

"I have read that Gabriel has handed in a transfer request, but no he has not done this. He is very happy at Manchester United and he doesn't want to leave.

Obertan was signed and unveiled along with Antonio Valencia, who came from Wigan, and although Valencia is currently out injured (but soon to return), the Ecuadorian winger is one of a few players whom fight for a place on the wings. Obertan should be taking tips from players such as Nani, Ryan Giggs and Antonia Valencia, in the hope that he can learn how to become an accomplished wing man. It seems his representative acknowledges this:

"He is still learning and he knows he is not ready to be a regular starter in the team, but he is working hard to be a member of the first team."

It is true that Obertan hasn't set United alight, and his career in Manchester hasn't really taken off yet, but at the young age of 21, and still quite inexperienced in English football, the Frenchman has much to learn, and has plenty of time to learn it. Who and where better to learn his trade than under the wing of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, who knows what it is like to be coming up through the United ranks?

Obertan has scored only one goal in the first team for United, which was in a Champions League game against Bursaspor, but he has been impressive in the reserves, scoring a handful of quality goals which must have impressed Ferguson. Young players like this need a chance, and therefore must be patient and prepared to work hard to prove that he is good enough to make the grade at United, because at United, only the best will do.

Schweinsteigers brother begs him to Join Man United

Bastian Schweinsteiger has praised the Premier League and its fans, and said that the atmosphere at Manchester United in particular was "fantastic". His comments come after rumours persistently linked the German international to the English League, with either Manchester United or Chelsea.

He even said that his brother, a big Manchester United fan, has been begging him to join the Old Trafford team. Schweinsteiger told the Sunday Times:

"I love the kind of speed of the English game but I don't know what will happen with me,"

"What I love is the atmosphere in English stadiums. When we played last year in Manchester it was fantastic.

"My brother is a big fan of Man U and he always says, 'Go to Man U, go to Man U.' I say, 'I can't, I can't."

He praised the strength of Chelsea too, saying that he likes the "Chelsea style". But what do these comments mean? His contract at Bayern Munich expires in 2012, however, it is unlikely he will stay in Germany for that long. If he doesn't renew his contract, then he could leave for a free transfer in 2012 - something that Bayern certainly would not want.

Schweinsteiger is known for his deadly accurate long range shots, as well as a brilliant delivery from set pieces. His energy is brilliant, and his creativity and reliability were vital in Germany's 2010 World Cup run, which saw them stand out as a very strong, young team. These attributes would certainly be welcomed in England, and he is more than capable for playing for a top team.

However, if the 26 year old was thinking of moving to Manchester United in the January transfer market, his hopes were dashed, as Sir Alex Ferguson ruled out any signings in January. The Scot said:

"We won't be buying in January, definitely not,"

"If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.

You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back."

He also said that Michael Owen's return would be like a new player returning. But are these just more excuses to avoid putting the club into more debt by spending money that United have not got? Whatever the reasons, if Sir Alex wants Schweinsteiger, he is not the only one, and if a bid is placed for the German play maker, Ferguson must be ready.

Michel Bastos to Manchester United

With Manchester United being linked with so many players since the summer transfer window closed, it is hard to decipher the rumours with some truth in them, from the ones with no substance at all.

One that may have more than just a hint of truth in it could be Michel Bastos joining United. The left back currently plays for the French club Lyon, however, their clubs current instability has made Bastos wonder if a move over seas would be a good idea - where better then, than at Old Trafford?

Rumours suggest that he may be coming to United to replace the resident left-back, Patrice Evra, however, I don't believe that. Evra is a very loyal Manchester United player and is a big character in the team as well as being good friends with most of the players. He seems very settled at Manchester United, and was even made captain a couple of time last season for the Red Devils.

Just because Bastos is a left back does not mean he has to play there. He is Brazilian after all - the most attacking defenders come from Brazil, and Bastos is known for playing much further up the pitch - on the left wing. An injury to Antonia Valencia has ruled him out for probably the rest of the season, and the wings seem under manned at United. So maybe, he could be coming in to add a larger threat down the wings. Bastos on the left, and Nani down the right - two pacey attacking wingers to provide for the strikers. Just what United need at the moment.

Antonio Valencia and Bobby Zamora's Injury Updates

As a footballer writhes in pain on the fresh green grass that they had been standing on only minutes earlier, it is terrible to think what the next few months of rehabilitation for both mental and physical issues will be like for them. A broken, fractured or dislocated bone is extremely painful for anyone, but for those who rely on their legs to earn them a living (granted, a very good one), such as footballers, it must be even more distressing.

Both Bobby Zamora and Antonio Valencia know the feeling, as both have recently suffered awful injuries that will rule them out, very unfortunately, for a while.

It has been confirmed that Bobby Zamora will be out for about five months after he had an operation on his broken fibula that he sustained in Fulhams 2 - 1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday.

Zamora's manager Mark Hughes said:

"Bobby will now be in bed with his leg elevated for two weeks. The operation showed ligament damage so we're probably now looking at five months. We want to help Bobby get back quickly and there are no concerns over his ability to get back to the level he was before he got injured."

The injury is even more cruel to the striker as he had just recently made his debut for England after years of trying. His progress and recent good form will now be interrupted by this unfortunate incident.

Antonio Valencia suffered significant ligament damage as well as a fractured ankle in an injury similar to that of Alan Smith when the now Newcastle man played for United against Liverpool. The winger underwent surgery yesterday after the injury was suffered against Rangers in the Champions League.

The good news for Manchester United fans is that, according the a United spokesperson, the operation went well, however he will still be out for a good portion of the season with a plate inserted to stabilise the fracture.

Sir Alex Ferguson had initially said that Valencia would probably miss the rest of the season with his injury, however, this might not be the case with the operation being such a success.

Both tackles that led to the broken fibula's of Zamora and Valencia seemed routine and not at all dangerous, but rather the studs were caught in the grass which led to the leg being dragged in an awkward direction - the momentum taking it further forward and doing the damage.

Man United's Antonia Valencia suffers break during draw.

Ten changes to the team that drew against Everton on the weekend, and to no prevail. A 0-0 draw came complete with a horrific injury to the flying winger Antonio Valencia - cruel blow to a bad few days for Manchester United as he looks to be out for a long time with a suspected ankle or leg break.



Valencia receives oxygen



Rangers went to Old Trafford with the main objective of defending their goal. They were tough to break down, and without the presence and vision of Paul Scholes, this was even harder for United to complete. The final ball from United was poor and they were restricted to a only couple of half chances and one or two long range efforts from Darron Gibson.

The injury to Valencia was a massive blow. There is always an impact on players when they see a teammate and friend in so much pain and with a grim few months ahead of him. Valencia was a big source of United's and Rooney's goals last season with his reliable crossing ability and good pace to get passed players. Giggs replaced the stricken Valencia, and the veteran will expect a lot more game time during the next few months and possibly longer as Valencia recovers. Nani will presumably occupy the other wing, with Park able to fill in and add more creativity, but Ferguson may be cursing that he didn't bring any more players in during the summer.

Tottenham also drew against Werder Bremen as they kicked off their Champions League campaign losing a two goal lead. An own-goal by Pasanen in the twelfth minute and then a goal from Crouch six minutes later set the game up well for Tottenham but the hosts came back to secure a draw at the end of the first half and start of the second. Considering the venue as well as the injuries to key players such as the extremely influential Luka Modric, this may be seen as a good result, however it will be dissapointing to lose a two goal lead despite the circumsatnces.

The other results are as follows

FC Twente 2-2 Internazionale



Barcelona 5-1 Panathinaikos


FC Copenhagen 1-0 Rubin Kazan

Bursaspor 0-4 Valencia



Lyon 1-0 Schalke


Benfica 2-0 Hapoel Tel Aviv

Berbatov back in Business?

Something to Prove? - Berbatov

A convincing 3-1 win against Chelsea in the Community Shield for Manchester United, with Valencia, Hernandez, and Berbatov getting on the score sheet. It turned out to be brilliant preparation for Manchester United as they head into the new season next Monday against Newcastle.

Rooney set up the first after a brilliant pass from Scholes and Valencia sweeped the ball into the net.

United new boy "Chicharito" scored an awkward, quite funny goal as he slipped as he went to place it and it came off his baby- face into the Chelsea net. While Berbatov scored a delightful chip at the end to nicely round off United's pre-season.

Berbatov had a hard season last season, as fans questioned his commitment as well as the price Ferguson paid for him, at £30 million. It was hard for him to live up to expectations as he walked in Rooney's shadow for much of the season, and as we willed him to grab a goal which would set him off on a goal-scoring run, nothing happened. But he has scored an early goal now, against quality opposition in Chelsea. It will do wonders for his confidence as he ran, smiling to the United fans after the goal to celebrate - a sight that wasn't seen very often at all last season.

He has pressure now for a starting spot with the impressive Mexican Javier Hernandez, or "Chicharito" as his shirt reads, as well as the experienced goal-scorer Michael Owen. His future is in his own hands, because Ferguson has shown that he has faith in him, by playing him many times, often with no reward. But with an early goal under his belt, and the United fans starting to warm to him, it could be Berbatov's season at the Theatre of Dreams.