Manchester Utd

Man Utd reveal £12.3m profit drop
Manchester United made a profit of £46m for the year ending June 2005 - a drop of £12.3m from the previous 12 months. United chief executive David Gill, who now reports to new owner Malcolm Glazer, attributed the fall in profits to a drop in television money. Gill told BBC Five Live: "It's been a very profitable year for the club but, despite the drop, Malcolm Glazer is comfortable with the results." United paid £2.2m to agents, including £1.5m to buy Wayne Rooney from Everton. The club will officially announce United's financial results on Monday. Gill vigorously defended the £1.5m sum paid out to Paul Stretford's Proactive group in relation to Rooney's transfer. "Agents provide a service - the issue is who pays for it, the player or the acquiring club?" added Gill. "We operate in a market for world class players and one of the costs in acquiring them is the service of an agent. "In this particular situation, if Wayne had to pay, he would demand a higher salary. The money has to come from somewhere, it is just a reflection of the market place we are operating in." Despite United going out of the Champions League in the group stages this season, Gill is confident the club will report good figures for next year's results. "The forecast for 2006 is very good but I am not going to predict profits will be over £50m," he said. "But going forward, the new stadium expansion means there will be nearly 8,000 extra seats from the start of next season and the end of 2007 is looking very positive." Gill also reassured manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he had the club's full support, despite the team's early Champions League exit and their inability to mount a serious challenge to Premiership leaders Chelsea. "Alex has got the full support of everyone. I have no thoughts of a long-term replacement."

Police concern at Neville gesture
Greater Manchester Police has written to the Football Association and Manchester United to complain over Gary Neville's goal celebrations. United skipper Neville ran the length of the Old Trafford pitch to celebrate his side's winner against Liverpool in front of the opposition fans. A statement from GMP said: "Chief Superintendent Andy Holt has written a letter expressing his concern. "No criminal investigation is taking place at this stage." Neville had been subjected to taunts from Liverpool fans throughout the game and reacted after Rio Ferdinand headed United's winner against the club's arch-rivals. England right-back Neville was seen grabbing his shirt and gesticulating at Liverpool supporters in celebration. The FA may now decide to take action against the 30-year-old following the letter sent by GMP. English football's governing body are believed to be waiting on the referee's report and are expected to make a statement on Monday afternoon.

Eye problem ends Scholes' season
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an eye problem. Scholes, 30, has been suffering from double vision in his right eye since sustaining a blow to the head in the match at Birmingham on 28 December. "Paul Scholes has a medical condition affecting the vision in his right eye," said a club statement. "It is not a football related injury. A number of specialists have all agreed that he needs three months' rest." Scholes, who signed a new four-year contract last summer, scored the last of his three goals this season in the 3-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day. The news could force manager Sir Alex Ferguson into the transfer market earlier than he intended. Ferguson had already said he would be looking to find a replacement for Roy Keane in the summer, but the loss of their most senior midfielder will be a big blow to United. With Alan Smith currently sidelined with an ankle injury, they had to resort to a makeshift partnership of Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea against Liverpool on Sunday. And even the future of that combination could be in doubt after O'Shea had to come off at half-time with a rib injury required an X-ray.

Ferguson seeking new midfielder
Sir Alex Ferguson says he is keen to sign a midfielder before the January transfer window shuts. Manchester United's midfield line-up was depleted against Blackburn in the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday because of injuries and suspensions. "We know it is going to be difficult but we would like to bring someone in," said the United boss. "We have to get someone who can add to the squad because we are light in the midfield area." United were without John O'Shea, Park Ji-Sung, Paul Scholes, Quinton Fortune and long-term absentee Gabriel Heinze for the 3-2 aggregate win over Blackburn. But Ferguson conceded that he may struggle to find the right acquisition in time and may have to settle for a loan-signing. He said: "We are exhausting our knowledge of central midfielders in Europe, particularly one we can get on loan. "It is impossible really because there is only a week left which is not a lot of time to start negotiating fees and things but we could just run out of time."

Tunnel row mars Carling Cup semi
Manchester United and Blackburn could face disciplinary action after players clashed in the tunnel at half-time of their Carling Cup semi-final. The Football Association will await the report of referee Graham Poll before deciding whether to investigate. Blackburn boss Mark Hughes blamed United's Rio Ferdinand for inciting the melee in a clash with Robbie Savage. "It started because Rio clipped Robbie Savage as they were leaving the pitch - I don't know why," said Hughes. "Robbie then asked him why he had done it and everyone else ran in to make sure nothing happened," he added. But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told Sir Stanley: "I never saw anything." Savage pursued Ferdinand down the tunnel as they left the field at half-time during the second leg of the semi-final, which United won 2-1. They were followed by most of their team-mates, coaches and match stewards. There was no television evidence but the FA may still investigate based on the referee's report. Under Law 12, if Poll had seen anything untoward as he returned to the dressing rooms, he could have dealt with it at the time. Depending on the match report of the Hertfordshire official, the FA could then seek further observations from both clubs, as well as possibly the police, before deciding if any formal action is necessary. The FA is also likely to look into comments Hughes made after the game about the general performance of Poll.

Hat-trick hero still going strong
David Bentley's hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers against Manchester United on Wednesday night was the first Premiership treble to be scored against Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Southampton striker Egil Ostenstad thought he had scored three times against United in a thumping 6-3 win for the Saints in October 1996 - but one strike was later credited as a Dennis Irwin own goal by the Football Association's dubious goal panel. In fact you have to go back to New Year's Day 1992 for the previous time a player managed the same feat in the top-flight, when Dennis Bailey hit three for QPR as they thrashed United 4-1 in the old Division One. Despite being in the days before wall-to-wall television football coverage, Bailey's goals were seen by millions as the game was shown live to a shocked evening audience. "Without a doubt that was the highlight of my career," Bailey told Sir Stanley. "United were unbeaten at Old Trafford, in a race for the title - and the whole country thought they would win. "But the QPR team really hit it off that day and we could have scored six or seven. For me to get a hat-trick made it a great occasion for myself and the club." Since Bailey, only one other player has scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford - Ronaldo, who bagged a treble for Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2003. "I am in quite good company," Bailey added. "It was great for someone like Ronaldo to do it, and again now Bentley has scored three it brings back some great memories. It is nice when people do remember and mention your name as one of the few people to do it previously." Bailey is now 40 and in the final year of a sports and community studies course at Birmingham University. But he is still putting on his boots every Saturday for his 19th senior club - Stratford Town of the Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance - and he is still recognised for his Old Trafford hat-trick. "You do come across the odd United fan who will tell you they remember that day clearly," he said. "I have also had a few meetings with Manchester City fans and also Leeds fans. They won the title that year and I think it was pleasant viewing for them. "I am still playing and still enjoying it - but the body isn't! This could be my final year as a player but I haven't made my mind up yet." Bailey puts his long playing career down to being a born-again Christian - not the usual response from a footballer. He said: "My lifestyle has definitely helped prolong my career. It's been the main factor in my life. It's helped me to be disciplined and basically keep my feet on the ground. "I probably appreciate the gift I've got a lot more - it's brought me a lot of pleasure myself and also to share that with others." As well as studying and playing, Bailey has also coached school children with an organisation called Sports Pursuits. "It's great going into school and teaching kids not just football but other sports as well and helping them on the discipline side of it and the values of sport - hopefully that can be take on into their schoolwork and into their general lifestyle." But he has also given help to some unlikely recipients - namely controversial Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty, a QPR fan who wrote to Bailey last year. "He has a rock and roll lifestyle but I would give the same advice to young players and kids in how to get on in life, not to be distracted by things and to make the most of what you've got," Bailey said. "Whether you're a rock star or an ordinary person on the street, basically I would say whatever talent or gift you've got or whatever your dream or goal is - I would always say give 100% - work hard at it and try and do what's right."

Mikel to launch contract appeal
Manchester United and Chelsea target John-Obi Mikel is to appeal against a court's decision not to consider his contract dispute with Lyn Oslo. His lawyers allege the contract with the Norwegian club was forged. If it is proved, then the 18-year-old midfielder's deal with United, who he believes he was pressured into signing for last April, would become invalid. "The ruling is wrong," said lawyer Helge Morten Svarva, who is taking the case to the Oslo appeals court. Nigerian Mikel has been told by the city's district court to pay Lyn Oslo 150,000 kroner (£13,000) in legal costs, which Svarva also said would be contested in the appeals court. Chelsea have also become embroiled in the saga, with United and Lyn writing to Fifa claiming that agents acting on behalf of the Blues attempted to induce the player to breach agreements he had made. They want Fifa to consider imposing a transfer ban on Chelsea as well as barring them from certain tournaments.

Ferguson denies interest in Adu
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is not interested in bringing DC United's American teenager Freddy Adu to Old Trafford. The 16-year-old's agent Richard Motzkin told Sir Stanley on Sunday that both United and Chelsea had held "friendly discussions" with him. But Ferguson told MUTV: "We are not interested in Freddy Adu. "We have watched him as a youngster, but there is no interest in signing him at the moment." The 16-year-old, who made his international debut for the USA in January, is a prime target for Europe's top clubs. On Sunday, Motzkin said: "Chelsea and Manchester United have talked with us about Freddy and are interested. "Those discussions have taken place over the years and will continue." Motzkin's comments followed reports that Premiership champions Chelsea were close to a deal for the Ghanaian-born forward. Any deal for Adu would have to be agreed with both the player and Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd
Liverpool recorded their first FA Cup win over Manchester United in 85 years with an impressive Anfield victory. Peter Crouch headed home Steve Finnan's cross after 19 minutes to give Rafael Benitez's side a deserved place in the quarter-finals. Edwin van der Sar had saved brilliantly from Harry Kewell seconds earlier as Liverpool dominated a poor United side. United's misery was compounded by a serious late ankle injury to substitute Alan Smith as he blocked a free-kick. Liverpool restored Pepe Reina in goal and Crouch up front - but United lost Rio Ferdinand when he failed a fitness test on a hamstring injury. United captain Gary Neville was inevitably jeered after his goal celebration in their victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford. And he had a painful start when he was bundled over the touchline by Kewell inside three minutes. Liverpool's power dominated a lightweight United midfield in the first 45 minutes, but chances were at a premium. Van der Sar produced a brilliant save to stop Liverpool taking the lead after 18 minutes, turning Kewell's header around the post from Steven Gerrard's free-kick. It was the briefest of reprieves as Gerrard worked the resulting corner to Finnan's whose cross was met by Crouch. Van der Sar got a hand to the striker's header, but it trickled across the line via a post. Reina did not have a single moment of anxiety in the first-half, and Liverpool should have doubled their lead after 34 minutes when Finnan fired over an open goal from another dangerous Gerrard free-kick. Sir Alex Ferguson reacted to United's wretched display by sending on Louis Saha for Mikael Silvestre at the start of the second half. But Liverpool almost added to their advantage within seconds of the re-start, Wes Brown heading John Arne Riise's cross narrowly over his own bar. United finally posed their first threat after 52 minutes when Neville's cross almost caused confusion between Reina and Finnan, but the defender kept his composure to clear. Kewell squandered a great opportunity to give Liverpool a vital cushion when Gerrard's corner fell to the unmarked Australia in the area, but his shot was wayward. United lacked inspiration, but sparked briefly into life late on, Giggs shooting just over and Cristiano Ronaldo forcing Reina into a save low down. Smith had been sent on in a bid to get United an equaliser, but he was stretchered off with a serious ankle injury after rushing out to block Riise's free-kick. Liverpool were not troubled during seven minutes of injury time as they booked their spot in the last eight.

Smith describes broken leg agony
Midfielder Alan Smith hopes to make a full recovery after suffering a horrific leg break in Manchester United's FA Cup defeat by Liverpool. Smith broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle after falling awkwardly. "When I looked, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble," the 25-year-old told Sir Stanley. "But the doctors are very positive, I've had an operation and now it's a question of starting on the road back." Smith collapsed in agony after he tried to block a John Arne Riise free-kick in the closing stages of the fifth-round tie. The midfielder is expected to be out for at least nine months after undergoing surgery on Sunday. "The leg will be in plaster for several weeks and everyone connected with the club is wishing Alan all the best for a speedy recovery," said a United statement. The severity of the injury and the shocked reaction of players from both teams drew comparisons to the career-ending injury suffered by Coventry defender David Busst at Old Trafford in 1996. Busst told the Sun: "It did bring back memories of what happened to me and you could tell by the players' reactions how horrendous the injury was. "When I did mine, Peter Schmeichel could not bear to look and there were a few of the United players who were covering their faces on Saturday. "But Smith is a strong-minded and determined character and that will help him get through this." Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, who came back from a broken leg last season, also backed Smith to recover. "After the game I went straight to the United dressing room - I wanted to see him and say that I knew how he was feeling," said the Frenchman. United's players were visibly shocked by Smith's injury "I just told him to be strong. The break looked to be bad but he can recover from it well and get even stronger afterwards." United defender Gary Neville admitted he was "stopped in his tracks" by Smith's plight. "Alan's injury puts it all into perspective," Neville told Sir Stanley. "We didn't get the chance to see him immediately after the game but all our thoughts are with him. "It made what was a bad day 10 times worse. Sometimes things happen that stop you in your tracks, no matter how big the game you're playing in." United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said of the injury: "It's one of the worst I've seen. It's a very long-term injury." The game was delayed by five minutes as Smith received treatment. United's medical team were given help by Liverpool club doctor Mark Waller as Smith waited to be carried off on a stretcher.

FA fines Neville for celebrations
Manchester United's Gary Neville has escaped a ban but been fined £5,000 after being found guilty of improper conduct by the Football Association. The 31-year-old was also warned about his future behaviour after an incident at Old Trafford in January. The United skipper had celebrated his team's winning goal in the Premiership match by running to the Liverpool fans and holding the badge on his shirt. Neville did not attend the hearing but gave evidence via video link. The defender was the subject of constant baiting from Liverpool fans when the two teams met at Anfield on Saturday in the FA Cup. Liverpool won 1-0 and after the tie Neville said: "I nail my colours to the mast and I expect and accept it is not going to be accepted by the Liverpool fans. "I have been to Anfield a lot down the years. The reception was not too bad and as long as the abuse doesn't boil over on to the pitch, I don't have a problem with it. It is part of the game."

Heinze looks to be back in March
Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze is aiming to be back in action in four weeks following his cruciate-ligament injury in September. The Argentine told the club's website: "I expect to play again in one month. "The Argentina doctor, Donato Villani, has evaluated me and we are all optimistic. I have worked hard and the results have been very positive." The 27-year-old, injured in a Champions League game at Villarreal, has not given up on playing at the World Cup. He has been delighted with his progress after his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, expressed reservations in December as to whether he would play before the end of the season. Heinze said: "I have a bet with Sir Alex Ferguson about returning to the field this season and I'm going to win in. "I think about the World Cup in Germany as the big final target for my rehab."

Man Utd 4-0 Wigan
Manchester United hit Wigan with a devastating second-half goal salvo to win the League Cup for the second time. Wayne Rooney cashed in on confusion between Arjan De Zeeuw and Pascal Chimbonda to fire United ahead. Gary Neville crossed for Louis Saha to score United's second before Stephane Henchoz gifted the ball to Saha to set Cristiano Ronaldo up for their third. Rooney rounded off a blitz of three goals in seven minutes to ensure United will end the season with a trophy. In the opening seconds Gary Teale outstripped Mikael Silvestre to whip in a cross which Senegalese striker Henri Camara headed wide when well-placed, setting the template for an action-packed game. There were only three minutes gone when Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt clutched his hamstring after innocuously fielding a ball and was clearly in trouble. With replacement keeper John Filan warming up, Rooney thumped a header against the Wigan bar. Rooney was in ebullient mood and was the driving force as United applied the early pressure. United were finding too much space for Wigan's liking and with Ronaldo at his mercurial slick-footed best, De Zeeuw and Henchoz were at full stretch in the heart of the Latics' defence. There was little finesse about United's opening goal, inevitably scored by Rooney. Edwin Van der Sar's long punt downfield was flicked on by Saha - and De Zeeuw and Chimbonda collided to leave Rooney with a clear run on goal to slot clinically past Filan. Rooney coolly slots home Man Utd's opener But Wigan showed the spirit which has typified their first season in the Premiership and Jason Roberts tricked his way past Neville and Wes Brown did superbly to head clear as Paul Scharner closed in. Wigan carried the game to United at the start of the second half and Camara showed skill and pace to beat Rio Ferdinand but Van der Sar got his angles right to beat the shot away. But just as Wigan were pressing for an equaliser, United struck a mortal blow to their hopes with a second goal. Ryan Giggs picked his way past a couple of tackles in midfield before sweeping a pass out to Ronaldo, who in turn laid the ball into Neville's overlapping run. Neville's cross was met by Saha and although Filan saved his first effort, the Frenchman converted at the second attempt. Graham Kavanagh and Stephane Henchoz know the game is up United effectively killed the game off two minutes later when Henchoz gifted the ball to Saha who slid a pass for Ronaldo to fire a shot across Filan. A rampant United made it three goals in seven minutes when Giggs' free-kick was won initially by Saha, and then Ferdinand headed the ball goalwards for Rooney to spin and tuck away his second goal. Although Wigan were staring at an act of damage-limitation, they went searching for a consolation but found United's defence in a mean-spirited mood. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown (Vidic 83), Ferdinand, Silvestre (Evra 83), Ronaldo (Richardson 73), O'Shea, Giggs, Park, Saha, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Howard, van Nistelrooy. Booked: Ronaldo. Goals: Rooney 33, Saha 55, Ronaldo 59, Rooney 61. Wigan: Pollitt (Filan 14), Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz (McCulloch 62), Baines, Bullard, Kavanagh (Ziegler 72), Scharner, Teale, Camara, Roberts. Subs Not Used: Jackson, Johansson. Booked: De Zeeuw. Att: 66,866. Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Glazers' first win buoys Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased to give the Glazer family their first trophy since they took over Manchester United. With three members of the Glazer family witnessing victory in Cardiff, Ferguson said: "I'm delighted for them, they have put a lot of money in. "I don't so much feel relief that we have won a trophy, more an assuredness in knowing we could win this cup. "Any trophy you win is important and we're delighted. We've been criticised but we've never devalued this cup." Meanwhile Ferguson defended his decision to prefer Louis Saha instead of Ruud van Nistelrooy to spearhead Manchester United's Carling Cup win. Van Nistelrooy was left on the bench despite being United's top scorer this season and did not get in on the action. The Dutch striker looked a disconsolate figure as he trooped down the tunnel alone while his team-mates celebrated their victory over Wigan. Ferguson said: "Ruud is disappointed and I would expect him to be. I was dropped myself in a cup final when I was the top scorer. "Finals are terrible for those who are left out but Louis deserved to play as he's scored in every round. "There's a danger sometimes that you can overlook him and not give him his credit." Manchester United captain Gary Neville dedicated their Carling Cup victory to injured team-mate Alan Smith. Smith broke his leg in United's FA Cup exit at Liverpool and Neville said: "This is for Smudger. "We were devastated last week, and after Alan picked up a really bad injury we knew he couldn't be here today. "We've taken a lot of criticism over the last year, and rightly so, but hopefully this can be the start of something special."

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