Wayne Rooney admitted the first penalty in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park should not have stood, according to Michael Brown.
It was Brown who was adjudged to have fouled Rooney, but he insists Rooney admits he slipped over and that it wasn’t a foul.
“Wayne Rooney said to me that he slipped,” Brown told portsmouth.co.uk.
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Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of selling Nani in January or this Summer.
The Portuguese winger has struggled to keep his place in the team this season due to the form of Antonio Valencia and the emergence of Gabriel Obertan, but Sir Alex says he may get a chance against Spurs in the Carling Cup.
“Some big clubs have been mentioned for Nani, like Milan and Benfica, but there has been no contact made with us – and we wouldn’t entertain selling him anyway,” Ferguson is quoted by the Sunday Mirror.
“He is only 23. If someone came in for Nani in January we would tell him that he is going absolutely nowhere.
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A 4-1 scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story of a very hard fought Manchester United victory over a resurgent Portsmouth.
Despite being rock bottom of the Premier League, Portsmouth rallied under new boss Avram Grant and gave united a real run for their money in the first 45 minutes. They will consider themselves unlucky to go in at half time with the score level at 1-1.
The second half was the complete opposite as United dominated the game, but their extra quality allowed them to use their killer instinct and beat the ‘keeper 3 times, albeit with two from set pieces.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the first half when Michael brown stomped on his foot inside the penalty area. Referee Mike Dean gave a penalty which Rooney duly dispatched to the goalkeepers left.
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Kuszczak – 7 - Excellent shot stopping. Overall very solid performance.
Neville – 6 - Competent defending. Supported Valencia. Some good crosses.
Brown – 6 - Solid. Long passing. Decent blocks. Late challenges. Did his job fairly well despite Pompey pressure.
Vidic – 6 - Brute. Hard but careless tackling. Interceptions. Harsh pen. Fought bravely for the ball in every challenge.
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Following speculation in the tabloids that a Summer move to one of the Spanish giants could be on the cards, Nemanja Vidic has pledged his loyalty to Manchester United.
The commanding defender had been linked to both Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent weeks, but insists he wants to be part of United for years to come.
“I am glad to have been part of this club for so many years, if I could be one of the bases on which a new team is built I would be very happy,” he said.
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Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of the threat Portsmouth will face under new manager Avram Grant this weekend.
Manchester United will travel to Portsmouth on Saturday for what will be Avram Grant’s first game in charge, and Sir Alex knows that “new manager syndrome” may well be in effect.
The term refers to the way a team raises their game following the appointment of a new manager as the players all try to impress the new boss.
“There will be a response from their players,” he said. “You always have when you change manager,” he said.
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Wes Brown has been hailed as the “best natural defender in the country” by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United defender has stepped in for the injured Rio Ferdinand and has formed a solid partnership with Nemanja Vidic.
“I must say that Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown have been absolutely fantastic in recent games,” said Ferguson.
“It just reminds you that when Wes Brown is fit, he is the best natural defender in the country. He’s a fantastic defender.
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Gary Neville has no sympathy for the way Liverpool have crashed out of the Champions League this season.
The Manchester United captain suffered the same fate in 2005 when they finished bottom of their group, not even qualifying for the UEFA Cup (now Europe League) and Neville believes you get exactly what you deserve in football.
‘As a team, you get what you deserve don’t you?’ he said.
‘We are where we are because we deserve to be there and it’s the same with Liverpool.
‘We went out ourselves a few years back. They just haven’t performed well enough in the Champions League to get the results.’
Foster – 7 - Not at fault for goal. Largely untested otherwise.
Neville – 7 - Did the best he could.
Brown – 7 - Defended well. Good header at the end.
Vidic – 8 - Largely monstrous. Intercepted, headed, tackled.
Rafael – 6 - Got forward fairly well but at fault for goal. Out of position, though.
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D7MUTBCHSMY9 Edwin van der Sar is shocked at the way the Champions League group stages are looking at this stage of the campaign.
With teams like Liverpool and Barcelona facing the possibility of going out of the competition at the group stage, van der Sar is just thankful United are safely through to the knockout stages.
“The other groups are crazy,” Van der Sar told the M.E.N.
“It used to be the case that you always wanted to be first in your group but there are a couple this time where you know already that the runners-up would bring a difficult draw in February.
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