Evra ready for Beckham

Patrice Evra gives us his view on the last 16 draw with Milan, and the prospect of playing against ex-Reds star David Beckham...

It’s not an easy draw because Milan have a lot of experience in the competition. We just need to remember what happened against them in 2007 and make sure we use that experience to win the two games.

I remember it was a very frustrating tie. We won 3-2 at home but we didn’t play very well. In the second game I was suspended and watched it on TV. It was very difficult to see my team lose 3-0 in that way, but after that game we had more experience and we won the Champions League the next year.

I am happy for David Beckham because he did a lot for United and I know he wanted to play again at Old Trafford. I will say 'welcome home' to him but I will make sure he doesn’t have an easy game! I like him because I have met him and he is a good person, a real gentleman. He’s a professional and that is why Milan wanted him. I like that type of player and he has one of the best right feet in the world. However, I will try to make sure he has a bad game!

I’m sure all his old team-mates who are still here are looking forward to welcoming him back, but I’m looking forward more to playing against Milan rather than just Beckham, because Milan are much more than one man. When we played Barcelona everyone asked me about Messi, but I was thinking about their whole team.

We are confident that we can reach our third final in a row. Our aim is to win it every year. I remember my target was to win the Champions League at least three times in my career. I’ve already won it once but I’ve also lost two finals. I’m still upset at losing those finals, especially last year. I will try to use my anger to make sure we get there again, but this time go one better and come back with the trophy.

Source: RedView

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United 3 - 0 Wolves

Mick McCarthy's vastly-changed Wolves survived for half an hour before losing out to a lacklustre Manchester United.

With 10 new faces from the team that beat Tottenham, Wolves fell behind to a Wayne Rooney penalty after Ronald Zubar handled Darron Gibson's corner.

Defender Nemanja Vidic soon made up for a wild volley by nodding in United's second from another Gibson corner.

An uninventive Wolves rarely threatened and Antonio Valencia fired in the third after clever work by Dimitar Berbatov.

After their shock defeat by Aston Villa, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with the three points which draw them level on points with leaders Chelsea, but the flat performance might give him a few concerns.

The talking point before kick-off could have been Ferguson's previous 899 league games in charge, but instead it was the visitors' surprising line-up that caught the attention.

After Saturday's 1-0 win at Tottenham, the Wolves team sheet revealed 10 changes by manager McCarthy with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann the only survivor from their White Hart Lane heroics.

Premier League rules state that clubs should "field a full strength team", although the governing body told BBC Radio 5 live it was unlikely they would launch any investigation into the Old Trafford match.

These are worrying times for Wolves with this defeat pushing them back into the bottom three after Bolton saw off West Ham on Tuesday night.

Despite regulars Stephen Ward, Jody Craddock, Richard Stearman and Nenad Milijas all being absent from the squad, McCarthy's team of unfamiliar faces justified their selection at the start as they shut out United's strike partnership of Rooney and the recalled Berbatov.

After firing a one-on-one at Hahnemann's legs and then seeing a deflected shot dribble just wide of the post, Rooney finally got the all-important opener with a penalty on the half-hour to settle the early jitters.

Gibson's corner looped into the box and, as Zubar leaped with the towering Vidic, the Wolves defender flapped with his arm and referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot.

The diving Hahnemann could do nothing to prevent the England striker hammering in his 12th league goal of the season and his 20th in the Premier League in 2009.

Just before the interval, the league champions doubled the lead after Vidic made up for an earlier high-and-wide volley that sailed over the bar.

It was another Gibson corner that created further havoc in the defence as the Serbian defender nodded the ball down and saw it squirm through the American keeper's hands.

The tepid exchanges continued in the second half and it was the visitors who almost pulled one back with a rare attack, but George Friend could only blaze over.

It was time for a change in personnel and McCarthy stoked up his attacking options by replacing the hard-working but largely ineffective Stefan Maierhofer with Chris Iwelumo.

Wolves soon conceded a third though, thanks to some trickery from Berbatov.

The Bulgarian picked up the ball on the right after a raking pass from Paul Scholes and hooked the ball over his head to Valencia, who hammered in a half-volley.

United's victory was a canter in the end, and after the Wolves fans chanted "we want our money back" it will be interesting to see which 11 they will be watching when they come up against fellow-strugglers Burnley at the weekend.

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Ryan Giggs named 'Personality of the Year' by BBC

Manchester United star Ryan Giggs was crowned 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Sunday's award ceremony.

The Welsh winger, 36, is the most decorated player in English football with a record 11th Premier League winners' medal secured this year.

Formula 1 champion Jenson Button was second with world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis securing third spot.

Giggs said: "I grew up watching this programme. To see the people that have won it and to be here is unbelievable."

He is the first footballer to claim the prestigious trophy since England midfielder David Beckham in 2001, with Michael Owen (1998), Paul Gascoigne (1990) and Bobby Moore (1966) the only other football winners.

With the public choosing their favourite from the shortlist of 10 by phone on the night, Giggs received 29.4% of the vote (151,842 votes) ahead of Button (18.74% - 96,770) and Ennis (15.58% - 80,469) with a total of 516,473 votes cast.

This year has seen Giggs win the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for the first time in April and the Wales Sports Personality of the Year award, and in a United shirt he has made his 800th appearance, scored his 150th goal and helping them reach the Champions League final.

The Cardiff-born star added: "I am playing for the greatest manager that has ever lived and I'm playing for the greatest club. Perhaps I've become more appreciated as I have got older.

"It's unusual for a 36-year-old to be playing with a team like Manchester United for 20 years but I am enjoying it and long may it continue."

After Ferguson revealed on Friday that his veteran playmaker had been offered a new contract for next season, Giggs said: "It was the first I had heard of it the other day so I was quite pleased. Hopefully there will be another year after that."

One of the most emotional moments at the Sheffield Arena was Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros - watching on a video screen from home - being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award.

The 52-year-old, still recuperating from a brain tumour that required four life-threatening operations, received a standing ovation before receiving the award from a tearful compatriot and golfer José María Olazábal.

Other vote totals were: cyclist Mark Cavendish in fourth (55,960), gymnast Beth Tweddle (38,907), Daley (36,929), tennis player Andy Murray (19,936), Strauss (17,237), boxer David Haye (13,916), athlete Phillips Idowu (4,507).

After the 10 contenders were introduced to a packed audience at the start of the evening, Major Phil Packer received the Helen Rollason award.

The Sussex-born man was awarded for his extensive charity work - which included running the London Marathon this year - and revealed he would be setting up the British Inspiration Trust after leaving the army next February.

The 15-year-old diver Tom Daley, who was already in the list of 10 for the main Sports Personality award, began the night in grand fashion by getting his hands on the Young Sports Personality trophy for the second time.

Next up was comedian Eddie Izzard looking a little more refreshed than three months ago when the 47-year-old was finishing his 43rd marathon in 51 days in aid of Sports Relief.

After being handed the BBC Sports Personality special award, Izzard said: "Everything was painful. People asked me if I enjoyed the running, but I enjoyed the stopping! I staggered, I ran and I crawled."

The team award went to the England men's cricket team following their Ashes success against the Australians this summer, led by captain and top 10 Sports Personality contender Andrew Strauss.

Strauss, in South Africa with the team, said: "What I am most proud about is that we have stuck together in some pretty tough times. That is what got us over the line in the Ashes and this award can act as a spur to achieve more in the future."

Fabio Capello was named Coach of the Year on the back of the 63-year-old Italian guiding England to the 2010 World Cup, while Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt claimed the Overseas trophy after his fireworks on the track.

The 72-year-old swimming instructor Doreen Adcock from Milton Keynes won the Sports Unsung Hero award.

Source: BBC

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Preview: 'United v Villa' (12-12-09)

PARK PRIMED FOR VILLANS' VISIT

Ji-sung Park is a man on a mission - to help United vanquish Aston Villa.

A win would at least keep Chelsea within reach - the Blues are now two points ahead - and could even put the Reds top if the leaders slip up at home to Everton.

Victory is far from a formality, however, even if United have won the last seven at home to Villa. As Park warns, history will count for little at 17:30 GMT on Saturday.

The Korean told United Review, “We have a good record against them but we have to look at the present - our past results won’t help us this time.

"Villa have been strong for the last few years and they’re more determined than ever to break into the top four. This season they have performed very well."

United's industrious winger is impressed with the squad Martin O’Neill has built at Villa Park, and knows the Reds will have to be on top form.

"They have a really strong team. Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Emile Heskey are all good. We'll have to be at our best."

Nemanja Vidic will return to bolster United's defence against Aston Villa on Saturday, but the Serbian will still be only one of two recognised defenders in the back four.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed to his Friday press conference that Vidic has overcome a recent bout of flu, and is likely to be joined by Michael Carrick in the centre of defence, with Darren Fletcher extending his recent stint on the right side of defence. Patrice Evra will continue at left-back.

"Having Vidic back is good news for us," said the boss. "Villa are prolific crossers of the ball so it's important to have someone like Nemanja in there.

"And if Villa play Heskey and Carew up front then we'll have a formidable task in dealing with them because they are big lads. But I think Vidic is the one player who can cope and we're delighted he's back.

"Michael will continue in the centre alongside Vida and Darren will play at right-back. We're certainly encouraged by the fact that players like Michael and Darren can adapt to playing in different positions and help us cope with the current situation."

The Reds' glut of rearguard concerns should ease, however, in the coming days and weeks. Rafael has started training, and is likely to be available for Tuesday's meeting with Wolves, while the same goes for Wes Brown, who starts training again on Friday. Edwin van der Sar remains out of action, but should return next weekend.

Gary Neville, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea are all still out, with Evans due back within a fortnight and O'Shea likely to be back for Leeds' FA Cup visit.

Source: manutd.com

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Fergie hails Owen hat-trick

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson saluted "fantastic" Michael Owen after the striker’s hat-trick helped the Reds triumph 3-1 at Wolfsburg to finish top of Champions League Group B.

Owen’s first treble for the club helped United overcome the absence of 14 players to record a memorable win over the German champions.

Asked about the former Liverpool forward’s contribution, Ferguson said on Sky Sports 2: “Fantastic. You know what he is. In the penalty box, he’s on the shoulder, making runs across defenders... the timing of the runs is fantastic and I’m really pleased for him.”

The victory was a record 15th away game unbeaten in the Champions League and only United’s third in 10 attempts on German soil.

Ferguson was also satisfied with how the rest of his makeshift team performed.

“There’s players with quality there. You’ve got to trust them. They’re doing their jobs and proving it tonight again.

“They’ve applied themselves and that’s important.”

Ferguson admitted his side had been fortunate not to concede a first-half penalty, however.

“It looks as if it was a penalty,” said the Scot. “Maybe we were a bit lucky there but sometimes you need a bit of luck in any game.

“Our control in the first half was very good but their threat towards the end with their speed on the counter-attack was very good.”

Owen view

Owen refused to take all the credit for the victory, saying the team as a whole had to dig deep to contend with so many absentees.

“Me getting three goals will probably grab the headlines, but it was a great team performance,” Owen added.

“I was playing deep with us having so many players out and we were trying to protect the back four.”

Owen, who turns 30 next Monday, hopes United will now be handed a favourable tie in the last 16 after progressing as group winners.

“It’s great being top so we play at home second,” he said. “But I’m not going to lie, you want as weak a side as possible

“(But) if a team’s got to first or second in the Champions League, there’s no weak sides, although you obviously want to avoid the big boys.”

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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West Ham 0 - 4 United

Source: football-highlight.com

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Yaya linked with Barca exit

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is becoming increasing unsettled at the club and his omission from the Barcelona team at the weekend against rivals Real

Madrid may be the final straw. Toure is now being linked with a move to either Chelsea or Man Utd in January with some sources also putting Manchester City in there too.

Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk said: “We are not happy with this obviously. He is not playing. It is very strange not to be having minutes. If a team like Chelsea or Manchester United would come to us, we are obviously open to talking without any kind of problem.

“Yaya won’t just sit and wait. He is 26 years old and is nominated for the Golden Ball award. It is ridiculous for a player like this not to be playing.

“I don’t know what will happen, but I can say once thing for sure: my player won’t be remaining on the bench. This is 100 per cent for sure.

“It would be a mistake for Barca to let him go. For instance, when Liverpool sold Xabi Alonso, Liverpool went downhill. That’s the same situation here. Yaya is a key player in organising the midfield and in attacking.”

Whether Yaya is of the same mould as Alonso is up for debate but he would certainly add some bite to the Man Utd midfield and would add quality to the team. Someone is needed to fill the Man Utd shirt that will have to be left by Scholes one day and although Yaya is still young he has experience of playing at the very top level, something that will prove valuable if he signs for united.

Written by Kampanart Wong, a sports editor who blogs about cheap football kits