QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS: NANI

United's midfielder Luis Nani.

The Reds winger - 24 this week - gives us an insight into his life off the pitch... 

What’s your favourite TV programme?

In England, it’s The X Factor. In Portugal, I like our soaps. They’re not like the English soaps, like Coronation Street and Eastenders. They’re more like comedies.

What do you miss most about home?

My mum and my family.

Can you cook?

Yes, I like Portuguese food. My favourite dish is feijoada (stew of beans with beef and pork). I have a machine in my house that does everything! It’s from Portugal, it’s called a Bimby. If you want to make feijoada, they say put this ingredient in, then half an hour later put this in... and it does it for you. It’s nice.

What was the last book you read?

I've got Giggsy’s book (My Life, My Story) and I’ve been reading that.

Who’s your best friend at United?

I have lots of friends… the ones who speak Portuguese are all close, but I get on with the English-speaking lads too; Fletch, O’Shea and the younger lads especially. Rio is like one of the young lads - he likes to have a laugh.

If United got to the Champions League final and you only had one ticket to give away, who would get it?

[Laughs] Only one?! My mum.

Source: RedView

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Scholes: Wolves could hurt us

Paul Scholes is expecting Wolves to attack United at Old Trafford on Saturday, just as they did in last week's Carling Cup encounter.

The Reds beat Mick McCarthy’s side 3-2 but had to work hard for the victory against an extremely resilient outfit. Although Scholes did not feature in that match, he is fully aware of the threat that Wolves pose and is anticipating an equally positive approach from the visitors.

“I know they haven’t had the best of starts this season but they’ve got players who can hurt you,” Scholes said.

“They showed they are capable of scoring goals at Old Trafford, they managed two, and I’m sure they’ll have a go on Saturday as well.”

The 35-year-old Reds midfielder also shrugged off suggestions that Wolves are an overly aggressive side, claiming that teams simply employ different styles of play.

“There are some teams that might not play the most attractive football but you have to find a way of winning games,” Scholes added.

“Their managers want to get the best out of them and find the best way of winning games and they do it their own way. It’s up to us to be able to play against that and find a way of winning.”

Source: RedView

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Wayne Rooney to miss the derby

Sir Alex Ferguson is pleased with the strength of his squad, despite injury set-backs for Wayne Rooney and Owen Hargreaves.

Rooney, who signed a five-year contract after an intense few days of speculation at Old Trafford last week, is currently recovering from an ankle injury and has been told to rest. He suffered the injury in training on 18 October, so a three-week absence would have meant he was back in the days leading up to United's visit to Manchester City on Wednesday 10 November, but he has effectively been ruled out of that game now.

"Wayne's away at the moment, so there's no recovery," said the boss. "He did his remedial work before he went away, but thereafter we're happy that he's resting." Asked if the three-weeks prognosis still applied, Sir Alex added: "I think it may be longer."

Nevertheless, the form of Javier Hernandez has been a huge bonus in Rooney’s absence, and Sir Alex feels his squad is looking strong. “The only injuries to report are the ones we know about. Ryan [Giggs] should start training on Monday, I think he’s progressed quite well now. Michael Owen unfortunately picked up a hamstring injury in training. That’s disappointing for him and he’ll be out for four or five weeks. “Owen Hargreaves is still recovering from a long-term injury. I can’t see [him playing in the next few weeks]. He was making very good progress when he first came back, but it seems to have stalled a little bit and he is back with the physios now. But they’re the only injuries we have at the moment and we have quite a strong squad at the moment. We hope it stays that way.”

Source: manutd.com

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Wayne Rooney will be out for 3 weeks

Wayne Rooney was for signing a new five-year deal, but an ankle injury has tempered out and keep him out for three weeks. Rooney has been hampered by serious lesions on one of his legs against Bayern Munich in the last term.

But with his future now seemingly resolved, Sir Alex has confirmed that his talisman will be out until the middle of next month.

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Wayne Rooney intent on leaving United

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's concerns over the club's squad strength are behind his decision to dramatically seek an Old Trafford exit.

The 24-year-old, whose deal expires in the summer of 2012, revealed he had spoken to chief executive David Gill.

A statement from Rooney read: "He did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad."

The England star added that he was "surprised" by some of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's comments.

On Tuesday Ferguson admitted he was "shocked" and "disappointed" to hear that the former Everton player intended to leave.

However in a strongly worded statement released only hours before United's Old Trafford Champions League clash against Bursaspor Rooney countered: "I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say [Tuesday] and surprised by some of it.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for the club. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me it's all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18."

Rooney has been linked with a number of clubs, including wealthy local rivals Manchester City, but he insisted that a concern over United's ability to attract the world's top players was at the heart of his decision to seek a move.

Source: BBC Sport

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Rooney's Future In Doubt As Man Utd Drop More Points

Over the weekend many would have thought that the biggest news story surrounding Man Utd would be the 2-2 draw at home to West Brom on Saturday, which saw Man Utd again lose a two goal lead to get their fifth draw of the league season. However the biggest story of the weekend was the news than Wayne Rooney is refusing to sign a new contract with the club and could leave as early as January.

Wayne Rooney has been in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons over the past couple of months with his form appearing to suffer for it. His performances in Man Utd shirts have been a shadow of what we have come to expect. The club have left him out of important matches appearing to want to protect the player but it appears as if there has been more to it with rumours that Rooneys relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson has deteriorated, possibly beyond repair.

The stories surrounding Rooneys refusal to sign a new contract are varied with some stating that the club simple won't meet his wage demands with others seeming to point directly to his relationship with his manager.

Unsurprisingly there will be a number of clubs interested in signing Rooney with Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona and Real Madrid all clubs linked with possible moves. Man City are thought to be the early favourites being able to meet the transfer fee and salary demands. Whether he will be seen in the new Man Utd shirt next season remains to be seen.

The speculation surrounding Rooney is the last thing Man Utd need. The club are not too far behind in the league at the moment but need to start wining games if they are to realistically compete for the title this season and with their top striker possibly looking towards the exit door it doesn't exactly inspire the other players in the team who looked to Rooney last year to drive the team forward.

There are sure to be a number of developments over the coming weeks with this story but if it proves to be true, and Rooney is heading for the exit door, then this will intensify the need for Man Utd to invest considerably in their squad. Man Utd already look weak in some positions and depend on players that are coming to the end of their careers. These players need to be replaced with top quality players and if Rooney goes, potentially relatively cheaply, it will be near on impossible to replace everyone with players of a similar standard.

Written by Colin Hill, a sports writer who blogs about football shirts.

Sir Alex wary of West Brom Albion

Sir Alex Ferguson says United must be on top form to avoid an upset against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.

The boss has warned his players not to underestimate Roberto Di Matteo's men, following their strong start to life back in the top flight.

“I think they had a bad game losing 6-0 to Chelsea right away but since then their form has been very good,” said Sir Alex.

“They have drawn with Sunderland at home, beaten Birmingham in the local derby and then they went to Arsenal and won 3-2. 

“That is good form and they’re playing attractive football so we expect a tough game. We have got to recognise their performance at the Emirates, three goals against Arsenal tells you something. We just need to make sure we perform properly.”

Although away wins in the league are still proving elusive, United have maximum points at Old Trafford. The Reds are also unbeaten anywhere this season, and have only once come close to losing in the manager's view.

“It’s only the Sunderland game where I feel we were probably a little bit lucky to get a point," admitted Sir Alex. "Sunderland played very well and I think we had a bit of an off day, but that can happen in the context of going through a season. We know our position at the moment [five points behind Chelsea], we just have to get on with it."

Owen Hargreaves wait continues

Owen Hargreaves will not line up against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday, contrary to reports in the media earlier this week. Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the midfielder has picked up a calf injury and is not available for selection.

“Owen’s not ready. He’s injured,” Sir Alex said. “He got a calf injury and has missed training for the last few days.”

The news contradicts reports from across the Atlantic that suggested Hargreaves was set to make his first senior start since September 2008. Dr Richard Steadman, who has overseen part of Hargreaves’ rehabilitation, was quoted this week as saying: “Owen should play some part on Saturday.”

But Sir Alex insists the statement is “not accurate”.

“I pick the team and I have been doing that for a while,” he said. “We’re having some difficulties with the doctor [Steadman] in Colorado. It’s not fair to the player, to the fans and to ourselves to say the player is going to be playing. It’s ridiculous.

“It’s a small interference that has caused a bit of confusion. Owen’s not available for West Brom.”

One player who could take to the pitch is Ryan Giggs. The Welshman missed United’s games against Valencia and Sunderland after picking up a hamstring injury in the Reds’ draw at Bolton in late September, but Sir Alex says he’s now ready to re-enter the fray.

“Giggsy’s been out for a couple of weeks but he’s fit again.”

Source: Red View & manutd.com

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