Manchester Utd

Ballack dismisses Man Utd rumours
Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack has moved to end speculation he could join Manchester United. And Bayern insist United have not made an offer for the Germany captain. Ballack, 28, whose contract expires next year, said: "I'll be playing for Bayern until 2006. We're aiming high, and I want to be a part of it." Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "Ballack has a contract until 30 June, 2006. We won't be letting him go before then." Chairman of Bayern's supervisory board, Franz Beckenbauer, is also keen to keep Ballack, but realises the player could consider his options. "We would be really glad if he would stay here," Beckenbauer said. "We would go up to our limits, but we know that his following contract would be his last big one. It is his right to get the best contract."

Ferguson backs tough Man Utd tour
Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Manchester United's Far East tour of Hong Kong, Japan and China. United flew out to Hong Kong on 21 July and face four matches and a heavy schedule of commercial and media duties before returning on 31 July. "The travel and conditions in Asia can make this trip quite a daunting prospect," Ferguson told the latest edition of United's official magazine. "But their preparation will be spot on," added the United manager. FAR EAST SCHEDULE 23 July Man Utd v Hong Kong National XI 26 July Man Utd v Beijing Hyundai 28 July Man Utd v Kashima Antlers 30 July Man Utd v Urawa Reds He added: "They have completed a great deal of their pre-season work in Portugal and back at our training ground in Carrington before they embarked on the trip. "And the four games we play in the Far East will add to their stamina and sharpness before the season starts." The omens over the Old Trafford club's pre-season trip do not bode well as their last trip to the Far East was before the 2001/2002 season and saw them end the campaign trophyless. A tour of the US West Coast prior to the 2003/2004 season yielded the FA Cup while a trip to the US East Coast the following year again ended without any silverware. But, when United toured Europe in their build up for the 2002/2003 campaign, they ended up winning the Premiership. And Ferguson knows the importance of his side not suffering the slow start to the season which has blighted their title challenge in past seasons. He said: "Over the years we have been slow starters but it's never really worried me. "That's because we've always seemed to come back strongly in the second half. "But I had to question that thinking because Chelsea turned last season into a sprint from the start to finish. "So I'm determined we're going to be more physically ready to hit the ground running at the start of next season. "We must be better prepared, not simply because we'll be involved in an early Champions League qualifier, but because we don't want to be playing catch up again in the Premiership." United winger could miss the whole trip because he is in Portugal where his father has fallen ill.

Ferguson rules out Saha loan deal
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any chance of striker Louis Saha going out on loan. The 26-year-old forward has struggled since signing from Fulham for £12.8m and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. But Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News: "There is no chance of Louis Saha going. "All these clubs are asking about a loan but that is absolutely ridiculous. They must think we're stupid." Saha has just started just 16 league games since arriving at United in January 2004. He has suffered from injury problems, but also faces stiff competition up front from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith. But Ferguson still sees him as a key figure as the club aims to win back the Premiership title. "You just want him to be fit," he added. "His career here has been fragmented because of injury but, if he stays fit, you can add another 15 goals easily to our tally."

Ferguson lays down title gauntlet
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned rival Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho his Manchester United side are ready to wrestle the title back to Old Trafford. United finished third and 18 points behind Chelsea last season. But Ferguson said: "Arsenal went through a season not losing and Chelsea lost only one game last season. But this club is ready to challenge them. "The bar might have been raised but there is still nothing between our side and Chelsea's." He added: "This club is used to challenges," he said. "We have always been faced with them, always accepted them and come through. "And we are looking forward to this challenge. "There is no doubt that in the last three years the standard of the Premiership has increased. "Chelsea had an unusual season last time and I think they will find that difficult to replicate. "Last season our preparation was hampered - this time it will not be. Mourinho is expecting a tougher Premiership challenge after winning the title in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. "The other teams are not happy because they lost," he said. "They have the quality and conditions to improve and have set new targets. "We are the champions and everyone wants to beat us. "For example Sir Alex Ferguson is saying Manchester United cannot lose a game. "I've seen quotes from players like Ryan Giggs and Steven Gerrard saying how much they want to win and this makes it difficult for us."

Hong Kong 0-2 Man Utd
Manchester United kicked off their Far East tour with victory over Hong Kong. Youngsters Giuseppe Rossi and Dong Fangzhuo both scored in quick succession late in the second-half to break down the home side's resistance. Rossi met a Ryan Giggs cross to net from close range, while Dong made the most of a mistake by the home keeper and finished with a clever chip. New signings Park Ji-Sung and Edwin van der Sar started the game, along with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney. United dominated early on and Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Park and Paul Scholes all had chances in the first half but failed to finish. Van der Sar was also called into action, diving to his left to tip over an explosive drive by Wai Lun Au. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson completely changed his line-up at the interval, with several unfamiliar names being given a run-out. Dong was making his first senior United appearance, after spending his entire career at the club so far on loan at Belgian side Royal Antwerp. The Chinese prodigy is not able to play for the club in the United Kingdom because of work permit regulations. Rossi's goal kept up his impressive form in United's pre-season friendlies. Ferguson told MUTV: "It was a typical goalscorer's goal. You think of players like Gary Lineker scoring like that, and he has great potential. "We created lots of chances and played some great football. It was nice to win it, and nice to see young players score too."

Dons enjoy win against FC United
AFC Wimbledon enjoyed a 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester on Saturday as the two fan-run clubs met at Kingsmeadow. Trialist Ricci Crace got the only goal on 56 minutes for the Ryman Premier side, in front of a crowd of 3,301. FC United manager Karl Marginson said: "I'm proud of all the lads - I knew they could play, but now I know they can handle a big occasion." Dons boss Dave Anderson added: "They were an unknown quantity, but it turned out to be a really useful workout." AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 after Wimbledon FC's move to Milton Keynes was sanctioned by an FA commission - while FC United were created in June 2005 by disaffected Manchester United fans following Malcolm Glazer's takeover.

Neville ready for critical season
Manchester United defender Gary Neville said it is crucial that the Reds bounce back to win a trophy next season. United finished last season without silverware, ending up 18 points behind champions Chelsea in the Premiership and losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal. "This is as important a season as I can remember," said the 30-year-old. "Questions are being asked because we have not won the title for two seasons and the expectation around the club means we have to perform." Neville said United's league failure last season was because the side dropped too many points against the lesser teams in the Premiership. "We are not just competing against Chelsea," he said. "Our problem last season wasn't playing against teams at the top of the league, it was dropping points in games against the ones near the bottom. "There are 38 games in a season and only two of them are against Chelsea. We could lose both of them and win the other 36. "We have to concentrate on our own performances and be mentally strong against the teams we are expected to beat."

Kenyon brands rivals 'hypocrites'
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has branded Arsenal and Manchester United "hypocrites" after their criticism of the Premiership champions. The Blues have been criticised by their rivals after being found guilty of "tapping up" Arsenal's Ashley Cole. But Kenyon said: "It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. "There have been two kids on the block for 12 years. Now there is suddenly a third kid threatening to be more successful. They don't like it." He added: "That is what this nonsense is about. They are trying to blow us off course, they are trying to blow us away from our plans and stop us winning. "Is it disrupting us? Not really, but it is time consuming. But it is not going to stop us from being a successful club. We have to accept it but we don't like it." Kenyon, currently in the United States on Chelsea's pre-season tour, also spoke out about the Cole 'tapping-up' affair, when both Chelsea and their manager Jose Mourinho were found guilty of making an illegal approach for the England full-back. Kenyon claimed such incidents "go on every day" and that Chelsea players are regularly the subject of such approaches. He said: "Some of the instances where Chelsea have been villified go on every day and, guess what, it goes on with Chelsea players too. "But we have chosen not to complain. But we will not put ourselves in that position again."

Ferguson dismisses Keane rumours
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims that captain Roy Keane was axed from Manchester United's Far East tour because of disciplinary reasons. Newspaper reports had alleged that Ferguson and the Republic of Ireland midfielder had a bust-up at United's recent training camp in Portugal. But Keane's adviser Michael Kennedy said the 33-year-old was absent from the tour because of a hamstring injury. And Ferguson said: "Roy Keane is injured, it is as simple as that." Ferguson added: "You cannot travel if you are injured. There is nothing else to say." Keane's adviser Kennedy said at the weekend: "He remained in Manchester to continue his treatment for a hamstring injury. "Any disagreement he may have had with his manager is a private matter and will not be the subject of comment." It had been alleged that Keane was annoyed over the fact that families were allowed to travel with the players to the training camp. Reports suggested he was angry he had cut short a family holiday to attend the camp - only to find out it was a relatively informal affair. The row shows no sign of abating despite Ferguson's denial. In some of Monday's newspapers, it is claimed Keane will reject a new contract because of the alleged disagreement, while the Daily Express even suggests the Irishman will be stripped of the Old Trafford captaincy. However, The Times insists the pair will resolve any differences. Throughout Keane's 12-year career at Manchester United, he has been an increasingly close confidant of Ferguson. But the combative midfielder also has a history of voicing criticisms of the way training camps are set up. He stormed out of the Republic of Ireland's camp ahead of the 2002 World Cup because he was unhappy with the way it was being run. United began their tour on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong and will travel to China for a match against Beijung Hyundai on Tuesday. They then fly to Tokyo for two more games against Kashima Antlers on Thursday and Urawa Reds next Saturday.

West Ham clinch Bellion loan deal
West Ham have taken Manchester United's David Bellion on a year-long loan. Bellion, 22, has not seen first-team action since January and is still one month away from full fitness after breaking his leg in May. "He can break a deadlock with his pace as he is without question one of the quickest players in the Premiership," boss Alan Pardew told the club website. "With my recent signings I've looked for people who play the stylish brand of football West Ham fans demand." The former French U21 international joined United from Sunderland for £2m in 2003 but has played only 40 appearances in all competitions since moving to Old Trafford, scoring nine goals. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feels the move will benefit Bellion, saying: "He is only 22 and like other young players he needs the match experience. "I am sure he will come back a better player for United." Pardew says Bellion is unlikely to be the last new arrival at the club, having missed out on Liverpool striker Milan Baros and Monaco's Emmanuel Adeybayor. "It may go to the wire as far as the transfer deadline is concerned, but I am determined not to buy a player just for the sake of it," said Pardew. "We have to keep our cool and make sure we get the right player, someone who brings an extra dimension to the abilities of Teddy Sheringham, Bobby Zamora and Marlon Harewood. "David Bellion was wanted by a number of Premier League clubs and I feel it is a great compliment to this Club and its supporters that he wanted to come to West Ham."

Clubs await Champions League draw
Liverpool and Chelsea could end up in the same group in Thursday's draw for the Champions League group stages. Uefa altered its rules to allow holders Liverpool to defend their title, but the governing body is not keeping them apart from the English champions. However, Uefa rankings mean the Reds will not be drawn in the same group as Arsenal or Manchester United. Rangers are also in the draw at 1500 BST after Wednesday's qualifying win over Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus. England have four teams in the group stages, a total matched by Italy and Spain, while Germany have three. With the exception of Liverpool, Uefa will ensure that no two clubs from the same country will be drawn in the same group. Chelsea and Arsenal were the automatic qualifiers from England after finishing first and second in the Premiership. Manchester United eased through with a 6-0 aggregate win over Hungarian side Debrecen in the third qualifying round. Holders Liverpool saw off Total Network Solutions in the first qualifying round and Kaunas in the second - before squeezing past CSKA Sofia 3-2 on aggreagate in the third. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions League qualifiers: AC Milan Ajax Anderlecht Arsenal Artmedia Bratislava Barcelona Bayern Munich Benfica Chelsea Club Brugge Fenerbahce Inter Milan Juventus Lille Liverpool Lyon Manchester United Olympiakos Panathinaikos Porto PSV Eindhoven Rangers Rapid Vienna Real Betis Real Madrid Rosenborg Schalke Sparta Prague Thun Udinese Villarreal Werder Bremen

Newcastle 0-2 Man Utd
Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a goal apiece as Manchester United overcame Newcastle. England striker Rooney lashed home the opener after pouncing on Jean-Alain Boumsong's error in the 66th minute. Albert Luque thought he had scored on his Newcastle debut but his goal was ruled out for offside. Van Nistelrooy glanced a header wide and had a penalty appeal turned down before sealing the victory with a low shot in injury time. Newcastle put new signing Luque straight into the side, placing him in a three-pronged strike force alongside Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer. And the Spaniard quickly made an impact, unsuccessfully appealing for a penalty after colliding with John O'Shea early on. On 13 minutes, Luque thought he had made a dream start to his Newcastle career when he put the ball in the net after Shearer's shot was saved by Edwin van der Sar. Newcastle's three-man midfield was coping well, particularly against a slightly out-of-sorts Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal winger did break through once, but was thwarted by Shay Given who rushed out of his goal to block smartly. Emre was forced off after 23 minutes when he tore his hamstring and Newcastle were forced into reshuffling their line-up as want-away midfielder Jermaine Jenas came on. But a strangely subdued Manchester United could not take advantage, finding Newcastle, who had by now replaced Dyer with Shola Ameobi, a stubborn opponent. However, Newcastle did not look like scoring their first goal of the season and in turn becoming the first team to breach Manchester United's defence this term. And neither did the hosts look like conceding. So it continued after the break. As did the procession of injured Newcastle players leaving the field as Bowyer limped off to leave one original member of the starting midfield remaining. Van Nistelrooy should have opened the scoring when O'Shea delivered a superb cross from the right, but the Dutchman glanced his header wide. It served as a warning for Newcastle as Manchester United tried to increase the tempo. Then a lapse in concentration from Boumsong allowed Rooney to nip ahead of him and collect Van der Sar's long kick before rifling the ball home. Moments later, Ronaldo looked as though he was hauled back by Stephen Carr when he was through on goal but the referee deemed otherwise. If United were unhappy with that decision, they soon had another contentious one to ponder when Van Nistelrooy tumbled in the area under challenge from Given and was booked for diving. But the Dutchman did finally register when he converted Rooney's cross in injury time to secure a victory which leaves Newcastle second-bottom of the table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "Newcastle were a very determined team - very, very difficult to break down. "We stepped up our passing in the second half and played with increased pace, which we needed to do because we were far too slow in the first half. "It wasn't a great performance but once we got in front I was quite confident." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle: Given, Carr, Boumsong, Taylor, Babayaro, Dyer (Ameobi 38), Bowyer (Faye 55), Parker, Emre (Jenas 23), Shearer, Luque. Subs Not Used: Elliott, Harper. Booked: Parker. Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Keane, Fletcher (Smith 85), Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo (Park 85), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Howard, Brown, Giggs. Booked: Ronaldo, van Nistelrooy. Goals: Rooney 66, van Nistelrooy 90. Att: 52,327 Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Man Utd not planning Ballack bid
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says he will not make a bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack, 28, before next week's transfer deadline. Ferguson says no-one will join before 31 August and is focusing on grooming Alan Smith to succeed Roy Keane. "There will be nothing before the transfer window," he confirmed. "Roy sees characteristics in Alan that he saw in himself as a young player, which could help Alan develop into a very good player in that position."

Ferguson refuses to defend Rooney
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said striker Wayne Rooney deserved to be sent off in Wednesday's Champions League draw in Villarreal. Rooney was dismissed for sarcastically applauding referee Kim Milton Nielsen after receiving a yellow card. Ferguson said: "I don't think he (Rooney) gave himself a chance. You can't applaud the referee like that. "The referee may have picked his prey giving Wayne a yellow card, but I think he had no choice with the red." Ferguson revealed he was unsure why Rooney had been red-carded at first. "I thought it was for touching the referee, but it was obviously for applauding him," said the Scot. Rooney's temperament has repeatedly come into question and he was lucky to avoid being shown a red card in England's World Cup qualifying defeat to Northern Ireland seven days ago. Ferguson admitted that the former Everton striker needs to stamp out his indiscipline. "He's 19 years of age and a fiery character," said the Old Trafford chief. "We hope with maturity these things will evaporate. "The important thing is to retain all his strength. We want to keep the good points and eradicate the bad ones." Ferguson said Rooney's dismissal could have cost his side a vital victory against their Group D rivals. "It looked as if we were starting to control the match," said Ferguson. "We might have gone on to get a good result for ourselves. It certainly took away one of our best players. "We were getting good momentum to our own game, but we then went down to 10 men and we have done well to get a result." Ferguson's troubles were compounded by an injury to defender Gabriel Heinze, who could be sidelined for weeks after damaging a knee against Villarreal. "We'll have to examine it and he'll probably have a scan but it looks like he'll be out for a few weeks anyway," said Ferguson

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