The London club won two titles under Mourinho after spending big on players, but Sir Alex rebuilt his squad and wwnt on to win the Premier League in 4 of the next 5 years.

Manchester City‘s spending has eclipsed what Chelsea spent on their way to winning the league, but Ferguson believes his team can still win the title.

“The indications this[Manchester City's title challenge] would happen were there of course,” Ferguson told MUTV.

“They weren’t buying any kids. They brought a good deal of experience.

“But that shouldn’t frighten us. We have a job to do being Manchester United, as we have proved over the years.

“How we handled the Chelsea situation will hopefully apply itself again.”

The United boss also refuses to dismiss Tottenham Hotspur who are now level on points with United after beating Everton 2-0 on Wednesday.

“Tottenham are a threat.

“You can’t dismiss them. They are playing fantastic football.

“Somewhere along the line one of those three teams are going to win the league.”

United continue their title challenge at home to Bolton on Saturday.

If you are thinking of making some online football bets and are unsure which bookmakers to choose, we advise you to come and do your online betting with coral!

The Irish midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford and was fined a week’s wages last month after turning up for training worse for wear after a night out with team mates Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney.

Gibson has managed just one Premier League appearance for Manchester United this season, despite severe injury problems in midfield.

It is understood that Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni may have influenced Gibson’s decision to move, after stating that he would struggle to make Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad if he was not playing regular first team football.

Gibson’s £1M move would make him David Moyes’ second signing of the Janury transfer window, after securing the signing of USA’s Landon Donovan on loan.

Gibson could make his debut in Everton’s clash with Asdton Villa on Saturday.

Come and make some bwin football bets today on any upcoming Manchester United games that may take your fancy. Make sure you don’t miss out on bwinbetting.com’s fantastic betting odds!

In recent years the popularity of online bingo in the UK has soared, especially with younger people who love to chat with their friends.  People who watch Manchester United games are oftentimes going straight to online bingo sites after the game to chat and talk about the game.  Young women have really taken to playing online bingo and chatting and if young women are on a site then you know that young men will be there as well as they look to talk to the women.

Since we are talking about youth we have to mention Manchester United going with a youth movement.  Players like Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley are now very much part of the future for Manchester United.  Manager Alex Ferguson is smart enough to know that young players are the key to future success for United. “I believe in young people,”Fergusonsaid. “You need a foundation at a football club and that is vital. You can build a first team, but you really do need the back-up and the foundation to make it a football club.”Fergusonhas done this in the past as he took an 18-year old Cristiano Ronaldo and helped him adapt. “Cristiano came to us at 18, just a young lad fromPortugalwho didn’t know the country.” Ferguson said, “But he learned the language, adapted very well and he has turned out fantastically as a human being, just as was the case with the Nevilles, Scholes, Beckhams, Giggs and all those lads.”

There are actually some similarities between watching Manchester United and playing online bingo.  Young people like to do both things and on many instances they will be watching United games and playing later in the day.  The online bingo chat rooms are definitely getting some people who love to talk about Manchester United football.  Both men and women love Manchester United and it is becoming obvious that many of them also love to online bingo games.

WhenFergusonfirst took over Manchester United in 1986 he had to change the culture from losing into winning and the playing style from one that was haphazard to one that was more disciplined.  It took a few years but in 1990 the team won the FA Cup overCrystalPalace. The following year it was Manchester United winning the European Cup overBarcelonaand since 1991 it has been unprecedented domination forFerguson’s team. Manchester United has won 12 Premier League titles, 4 League Cups, 4 FA Cups, 2 European Championships and 1 Intercontinental Cup since 1991.  They have also won the FIFA Club World Cup withFergusonat the helm.

World’s Most Valuable Team

Manchester United has plain and simply become a soccer betting power under the leadership ofFerguson.  A recent Forbes magazine article listed Manchester United, who is owned by the Glazer family with a value of $1.86 billion dollars.  And yes, that is more than even the Dallas Cowboys who are owned by Jerry Jones.  Manchester United may also decide to sell shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that would take the value of the team up to $2.7 billion dollars.

Winning in Different Ways

Fergusonhas shown through the years that he can win with a team of young players like the teams he had that featured David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes or with older teams like the one he has now led by Wayne Rooney. He has shown the ability to coach difficult players and get the best out of them.  He handled Eric Cantona and his temper, David Beckham and his ego and Wayne Rooney with his outbursts.

Greatness Continues

There is really no comparison in the sporting world to Alex Ferguson. The closest you could probably come to is Phil Jackson who led the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers to multiple titles in the NBA. The difference is that Ferguson has done it with one team over a longer period of time and he is still at it, with Manchester United still a force in soccer today.

The 29-year-old has not kicked a ball for the champions since limping out of the opening-day win at West Brom.

The Old Trafford club captain returned for his country Serbia on Tuesday and missed a second-half penalty in the 1-0 Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to Slovenia.

He later admitted it was “time for a change of generations and for some older players to say goodbye to the Serbian jersey”.

Now, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering recalling his no-nonsense central defender in a bid to shore up a leaky rearguard. Those following the football betting online will know the side have shipped plenty of goals this season.

The Scot was unimpressed with the manner of the goals conceded in the 3-1 win over Chelsea last month and the 3-3 Champions League draw with Swiss side Basle and wants Vidic back in for the white-hot atmosphere on Merseyside. Fans will hope to see Man United bowling over their opponents.

Young defenders Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have performed with credit in Vidic’s absence but Ferguson will know top-four hopefuls Liverpool would relish the chance to expose any frailties at the back and will give his skipper every chance to prove his fitness between now and Saturday lunchtime.

Team-mate Patrice Evra voiced his concern United had become a soft touch of late and stressed it was time to go back to basics.

“I want us to go back to the way we were playing before the Chelsea game,” said the France full-back.

“We have to defend together, be very compact and not give our opponents too many chances. I was disappointed after the Chelsea game because they created a lot of chances and if it had finished 4-4 no-one could have said anything.”

The midfielder, who is also in the latest Man United football bowling video, had been expected to miss his country’s crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers after being taken ill and had been left out of the original squad.

However, after a rapid improvement he has decided he is fit enough to play at least some part in the country’s forthcoming matches.

Scotland manager Craig Levein said: “Darren will arrive today and I have not 100 per cent ruled him out of tomorrow. He feels better. I have to wait to see him and assess him.”

Even if Fletcher misses Saturday’s match, he is certain to be involved against Spain on Tuesday, he added.

However, Levein will no doubt be desperate to have his captain line up against Liechtenstein as defeat in that match would put an end to Scotland’s hopes of making it to Euro 2012, making the game against Spain a dead rubber. Fans of mobile betting should remember this.

Even victory tomorrow will leave the side with a tough task as they will then need to take at least a point off the reigning world champions in order to secure second spot which would see them progress to a two-legged play-off match, with the winners of that tie heading to Euro 2012.

There was a further injury boost for Levein with the news that Kenny Miller has recovered from a groin injury, although he will still be some way from full fitness as the Cardiff City man was only able to take part in a light training session on Friday.

The Scot is without eight senior players ahead of the visit of the Swiss champions, in particular with the absence of strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez.
Rooney is currently out with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss his side’s trip to Stoke on Saturday in the Premier League, and is unlikely to feature at all in the squad to face Thorsten Fink’s side. Those looking at the online sports betting will be wondering what sort of impact this will have.

Hernadez added to the list of injured players when he was taken off during the 1-1 draw with the Potters at the Britannia Stadium. If he is unable to shake off the knock to his leg, Ferguson may have to use Danny Welbeck alongside either Dimitar Berbatov or Michael Owen against the Swiss outfit.

Ferguson’s problems also extend to his defence as Jonny Evans has been out of training with a problem to his ankle. That should signal a central partnership between English pair Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones on Tuesday evening.  Skipper Nemaja Vidic is still out with a calf problem, and Chris Smalling is unable to return from his groin injury. Fans of Betfair should keep a close eye on things.

United will be looking to build on the point they picked up at Benfica in their first Champions League game this season. They face the current leaders of the group, after Basle defeated Romanian side Otelul Galati on the opening round of fixtures.

The Swiss side are currently third in their domestic league after nine games of their campaign, six points behind leaders Luzern.

The England international has had a stop-start campaign so far this season. He limped out of United’s opener against West Brom with a hamstring injury. However, he returned for the trip to Bolton, but has not featured since with a calf problem.

Despite the loss of Ferdinand, United have had the perfect start to the defence of their Premier League title, they have won all five of their opening fixtures, and have a two-point lead at the top of the table ahead of neighbours Manchester City. Those looking at the sports betting will know United are firm favourites.

The Red Devils are also without their skipper Nemanja Vidic, and Brazilian Rafael Da Silva. However, new signing Phil Jones has settled well into the back four and made an immediate impact since his move from Blackburn this summer. Jonny Evans has also stepped into the side in the absence of United’s first choice centre-backs.

Stoke have had a solid start to the season so far, and are unbeaten at the Britannia Stadium. They held Chelsea to a draw on the opening day, and beat Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool side two weeks ago in front of their home crowd.

Sir Alex Ferguson sees this weekend’s game as a huge test for his side. Although they do have a fine record against the Potters on the road, winning all three of the games there since Stoke were promoted into the Premier League. Those looking at Betfair should remember this.

The United boss is hoping Ferdinand will be available for the game to add experience to his defensive line.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m hoping Rio will be OK for Saturday.

“When you go to Stoke you need a bit of experience.”

Fryers was one of 11 changes made by Sir Alex Ferguson for the match at Elland Road, which provided a fearsome atmosphere ahead of kick-off.

However, the 19-year-old held his own in the contest, contributing towards a clean sheet before being taken off with ten minutes left.

With Ferguson looking to compete on four fronts again this season – their FA Cup, Champions League, Carling Cup and premier league odds all suggest they will -  then Academy players like Fryers look likely to get their chance, especially in the league cup.

And if he continues to play like he did in Yorkshire on Tuesday, then more first-team appearances are surely just round the corner.

“It was really good to come up to the first team, it was a massive experience and it was great to play against Leeds at Elland Road,” said the Manchester born youngster.

“It was a massive night for me. It was quality and a massive step up, so I was happy to get 80 minutes in.

“I had to come off with a bit of cramp so now it’s all about working hard with the Reserves and getting fitter so that I’m ready for whenever these changes might come again.”

I would bet on the Premier League  holders going far in the competition with performances like we saw on Tuesday. What makes United such a threat in competitions like the Carling Cup is that the sides Fergie put out are not just the youth team – a tactic commonly employed by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Instead the Scot ensures there is plenty of experience in the starting line-up as well. Tuesday was a prime example, with the likes of Michael Owen, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov all starting.

Expect many of those players to take a step back when league matters resume at the weekend. But United fans can be content with the fact that should injuries strike, there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings to pick up where the first-team left off.

The former England regular only played a bit-part in United’s 19th league title success, with strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez enjoying much of the game time towards the business end of the season, which saw the Red Devils also reach the final of the Champions League.

Owen’s contribution was limited due to the successful partnership of Rooney and Hernandez, with fellow striker Dimitar Berbatov also contributing after he was named the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League. Those following the Premier League betting predictions will know it seemed like Owen wouldn’t get a look in.

The former Liverpool goal machine knew his chances at Old Trafford would be limited and has revealed he did have concerns his time with the Red Devils would come to an end following last season.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “Last year, I didn’t feature as much but still had some great times. But overall, last season was disappointing from an appearances point of view.

“I have loved every minute here. It remains to be seen what type of role I have throughout the season but the season is still young.

“I have a head on my shoulders and I understand you cannot be given guarantees in football.”

Owen chances have been limited once again this season, with Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda also battling for the attention of manager Sir Alex Ferguson. People who bet on Premier League weekend games will know he has to work hard to get a place in the squad.

It looks like injuries and suspensions will influence how much game time Owen will enjoy this term but the 31-year-old will continue to trouble defence when given the opportunity.

The young Spaniard has come in for substantial criticism following a hesitant start to his Old Trafford career leading his manager to protect him on a number of occasions.

However, he is slowly improving and at a mere 20 years old still certainly has time on his side and Ferguson has made no secret that he sees the youngster as his long-term number one. Those following the sports betting will be keeping an eye on the battle for the number one shirt.

Despite Ferguson preferring De Gea, Danish stopper Lindegaard is adamant he is not at United to sit on the bench and is still hopeful of claiming the number one spot and was pleased to show off his talents in Portugal. However, fans of mobile sports betting should bear in mind De Gea will be back in nets at the weekend.

“I enjoyed it very much, it was a great night. It’s a great stadium to play at, a very loud audience and also I could hear our own fans which was nice. This is why I came to United, to play these kind of games,” he said.

When asked about whether he was happy to sit on the bench, the former OB Odense man bluntly replied: “What answer do you expect to that question? I’ve said a thousand times before I’m not here to pick my nose.”

The former Atletico Madrid keeper has not had the best of starts to his time at Old Trafford. In the first live football of the season, the Community Shield, he was to blame for both of Manchester City’s goals. He let a Shane Long effort slip through his grasp against West Brom and was even questioned when he let a Theo Walcott shot go through his legs against Arsenal.

Thankfully for United supporters his errors have not proven too costly, and their premier league odds remain high after three stirring victories out of three. But there remains some nagging doubts about his ability to cope with playing for a club like United. This fear is re-enforced by tne memories of the struggle Ferguson had in replacing Peter Schmeichel 10 years ago, they don’t want another Massimo Taibi.

However, a frank and honest interview with De Gea suggests he can cope with the pressure and like most players can be cut a bit of slack in his first few months at the club.

“When you do things wrong, even though it’s a [just] couple of mistakes, the press has every right to criticise you. Especially when you’re a goalkeeper, who is always under the spotlight. What happened is something normal and no big deal. Now it’s in my hands to change those early negative criticisms into praise.”

 ” [I want to] improve in every training session and in every match, but above all keeping intact my confidence in my abilities and in what I can bring to the team. I’m surrounded by very good people and that means that we can do big things this year. We have to have faith and belief that we can do it. Only that way will I continue to grow as a goalkeeper and having the necessary confidence to become a key player.”

Wise words from such a young player and ones that hopefully mean – following an international break – he can put his early mistakes behind him and prove his critics wrong.

The team that went down at Wembley back in May had an average age of 29, with 40-year-old Edwin Van Der Sar and 39-year-old Ryan Giggs in the starting line-up.

After the game there was much talk of an end-of-an-era, with the likes of Gary Neville,Paul Scholes and Van Der Sar all retiring. The Champions League betting began to question Sir Alex Ferguson‘s ability to build yet another United team.

However, the Red Devils side that took to the field on Sunday had an average age of 23 and carried a freshness and enthusiasm about it that points to a brighter future.

Ferguson has been a master at re-moulding his squad through time, with many highlighting three distinct sides – Cantona and co in the mid 90s, the treble winning outfit in 1999 and the other European Cup winning side in 2008.

Now he appears to have done so again, combining big money imports, shrewd bargains and home-grown players to once again fashion a side that looks capable of competing for top honours.

The oil-fuelled rise of Manchester City is also a factor in this latest red revolution. Ferguson likes nothing more than a challenge and just like when Chelsea struck oil 10 years ago Fergie looks like responding to City’s emergence by raising his team to yet another level. Those who bet on the Premier League certainly seem to think title number 20 is on its way to Old Trafford.

There is, of course, a long, long way to go and one of the challenges facing a young side is how they cope when things don’t go their way.

However, as Alan Hansen found to his cost 15 years ago, whoever suggests you can’t win anything with kids could be made to look very foolish.

As for this season, it certainly looks like the current champions could be crowned the Premier League frontrunners yet again. Sir Alex Ferguson’s highly impressive squad will be a tough test for any team that faces them, especially so with strikers such as Javier Hernandez.

In Hernandez’s first season at Old Trafford he capped a total of 45 appearances along with 20 goals, which is an incredible stat considering it was his first season in one of the more tougher leagues. All Manchester United fans and football fans alike should expect even more from the Mexican international Javier Hernandez this season – I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he won the top scorer accolade for the Premiership season of 2011-12. Look out for him in the betfair champions league fixtures where he is also set to succeed.

In conclusion to the title, Manchester United certainly have what it takes to win the Premiership this season. They’ve got an excellent squad managed by one of the best managers to date and it’s hard to see any other club coming close.

David de Gea joined from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid for a fee thought to be in and around the region of £18 million – a hefty price tag for a somewhat unproven goalkeeper. So far in his Manchester United career he has made 3 appearances and conceded 3 goals – 2 of which should have been easy saves for the youthful stopper. To me de Gea looks to be a little shaky, his positioning is a tad off at times and he’s not the typical build of a goalkeeper – which in turn makes it difficult for him to defend set pieces. Only time will tell as to whether de Gea will be a hit at Old Trafford.

Last night, Danny Welbeck’s performance for Manchester United against the injury-ridden Tottenham was outstanding. He managed to net a goal with a highly skillful assist to boot. Last season Welbeck played for Sunderland and he captivated the Black Cats by making 28 appearances and scoring 6 goals. Various sources had suggested that Welbeck was to be loaned out for another season. But this was not to be as the England international currently features in Sir Alex’s first team plans. Those who like to bet on football will want to keep an eye on this one.

Tom Cleverley is another one of Ferguson’s youthful players that have finally made it into his first team. Last season saw Cleverley impress Wigan fans by making 25 appearances and scoring 4 goals. Early in his Manchester United career Cleverley has mesmerized fans with his incredible passing and his ability to ghost past players. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United look to be strong contenders for this years Premier League title and the Champion’s League trophy.

The Red Devils showed last season that they were capable of scrapping for wins and grinding out points and so it has proved again in the opening two matches of the season.

Last weekend they were 2-0 down to Man City at Wembley but stunned their city rivals to triumph 3-2 in the final minute.

At the Hawthorns on Sunday they appeared in complete control, before goalkeeper David De Gea’s error handed West Brom a lifeline. That looked to have secured the home side a point heading into the final throws of the game, but Young’s dart into the box and a stray leg from Steven Reid, gave United the sort of win we expect from them. You can bet on the Premier League Champions being there or there abouts again this season.

The fact it was Young who got the goal (or at least played a heavy part in it) I believe is significant. I predict big things for the former Villa and Watford player this season. The fact he can play on either wing and up front, as well as displaying tremendous confidence in his own abilities (i.e. arrogance), he has all the hallmarks of Cristiano Ronaldo, a player Nani – Young’s team-mate on the other wing – was supposed to succeed.

However, that is not to say the Portuguese hasn’t stepped up his game in recent years – 13 goals and 17 assists last season was a fine effort. But the arrival of Young now gives Sir Alex Ferguson the chance to deploy both on either wing, with a certain Wayne Rooney in the middle.

It is a mouth-watering combination for United fans and one I believe will prove ruthlessly effective for the Champions, leaving them as my favourites in the football betting stakes this season.

The key trio of Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville have all retired from Old Trafford while Sir Alex Ferguson has allowed the experienced stalwarts of John O’Shea and Wes Brown to join Sunderland.

In place of this veteran quintet the United gaffer has replaced them with 20-year-old goalkeeper David de Gea and 19-year-old Phil Jones, while recalling the likes of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck from loan spells with view to giving them extended time in the first team. Those looking to bet on Champions League winner will be wondering if they are up to the job.

Ferguson has spent big and brought in England international Ashley Young and also looks to sign Dutch superstar Wesley Sneijder – with the latter bringing Champions League winning experience to Old Trafford if the move comes through.

It is definitely a case of evolution taking place at United this summer and you have to wonder how much of this was prompted by Ferguson watching his side get comprehensively dismantled by Barcelona in the Champions League final back in May. The Champions League 2012 best odds show Barca are still the side to beat.

Winning the Premier League will be top priority, but success in the Champions League should also be high on the agenda at Old Trafford. It is going to be a big test of the new generation at the club as the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are going to push them domestically.

With the addition of Young, and the possible arrival of Sneijder, there will be a new flair and pace in the United side and adding them to the likes of Nani, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez makes the side a formidable attacking force.

Maybe they could be closer to Barcelona in the Champions League this season, but it is going to be a big campaign at Old Trafford one way or another.

Tevez was seen as the driving force behind City’s successful quest for Champions League football while Berbatov became something of a maligned figure, especially in the shadow of the sprightly figure of Javier Hernandez, the new darling of the Stretford End. True their contrasting styles make the Bulgraian harder to like – English audiences are notorious for liking players who ‘put the effort in’ rather than those who are more selective about when they break into a sweat – but they still ended the campaign neck-and-neck in the scoring charts.

Berbatov’s omission from the squad for the Champions League final showed how much his stock had fallen. He would deliver the goods when he played, but in the games that mattered Fergie didn’t seem to trust him. That is always a bad sign. Those who bet on Premier League will know that Berbatov sometimes seems like a flat-track bully.

So the news that the United boss could sell the Bulgarian to Paris St-Germain is hardly a surprise, and once again demonstrates the Scot’s ruthlessness when it comes to discarding players. He won’t let nostalgia or emotion get in the way of the club’s progress – as plenty of players have found to their cost.

He seems to know exactly when a player has reached his peak and pocketing £18million for a 30-year-old in the final year of his contract would be a great bit of business, regardless of his goals last season. Those looking at the Premier League betting predictions should bear this in mind.

True it may pile the pressure on Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez but what odds on Ashley Young chipping in with a few? Or Danny Welbeck? Hell even Michael Owen may score.

The thought of Young and Nani rampaging down either wing is an enticing one for Red Devils supporters, and with the presence of plenty of young, attacking players to choose from it appears Berbatov’s days at Old Trafford are indeed numbered. And once again Fergie seems to have timed it exactly right.

The Mexican was revealed to have suffered “mild concussion” on the training ground, yesterday, but recent reports indicate that he was hospitalised for much of last night with the condition. Hernandez is recovering in his hotel room, according to United coach, Alex Ferguson. “We took him to hospital, he had a scan, [and] it was all clear”.

Ferguson notes that Hernandez, who goes by the moniker, Chicharito, or ‘little pea’, will not play for a “couple of weeks”. The Scotsman claims that Hernandez’s absence will have only a minor impact on United’s schedules, as he was unavailable for the club’s next fixture, a friendly against Barcelona, before he succumbed to injury. “He will travel with us though”, Ferguson continued.

It seems likely, however, that Hernandez will miss United’s clash with Manchester City in the Charity Shield on Sunday August 7 2011. Those following the Premier League betting will wonder what impact this will have on the side’s early season form.

Chicharito joined Manchester United in 2010 from Mexican club, Guadalajara, and found his feet quickly at Old Trafford, scoring an average of one goal a game during the 2010/11 season. He has been a staple of the Mexican national side since 2007, when he was called up for the U20 squad. Chícharito is the son of Javier Hernandez Gutierrez, a footballer who played for his country at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Hernandez’s concussion was incurred prior to United’s friendly match with the MLS All-Stars, which the Red Devils won 4-0. Fans of football betting wouldn’t have been surprised by the result.

United’s tour of the USA is said to have drawn “huge crowds”. The club has played matches against New England Revolution, the Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire, and, of course, the MLS All-Stars. United will complete the tour in Washington on Saturday, which a mouth-watering tie against Barcelona.

The Red Devils have an abundance of goalscoring talent at their disposal for the upcoming Premier League season with six players all battling for a place in the starting XI at Old Trafford.

Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Michael Owen, Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck are the men competing for a regular place in the plans of manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Fans of Betfair football online betting will know what a quality strike force this is.

As the Premier League’s joint top goalscorer last season, Berbatov publicly admitted his disappointment on missing out on playing in the Champions League final against Barcelona back in May.

The Bulgarian has been linked with a move away from United this summer, with a return to the continent on the cards as Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris St Germain are all reportedly interested in the 30-year-old. Those looking at the title odds for Premier League 2011-12 will be wondering if he is set to stick around.

Ferguson has insisted all six strikers will have to get used to the fact it will be a squad effort next season that will bring success to the club, but has admitted he understands Berbatov’s frustration.

He said: “I’d understand [if he wanted to leave] but you could say that about them all.

“I don’t pick the same team every week do I? I’ve only done that once in the last three years.

“So they all understand it’s the squad that wins the games, wins the cups and I’ve got a good squad that will be used in exactly the same way.”

With Macheda scoring goals in pre-season, Welbeck enjoying a decent loan spell with Sunderland last season, Owen looking for more game time, and the Rooney-Hernandez combination working well last term; Ferguson really does have some tough decisions ahead of him.

Phil Jones was their first signing for £16 million from Blackburn and he joined on a five-year deal.

Many fans have doubts as to whether Phil Jones is up to the high-standards that The Red Devils have adopted over the years. Then again, he’s only 19 and is playing under the wing of proven defenders, including England international, Rio Ferdinand and Man United’s captain, Nemanja Vidic. However, it may take him a while to settle in and anyone looking at the football betting should remember this.

The Red Devil’s second signing was Aston Villa’s talented winger, Ashley Young. The 26-year-old England international that plays best as a winger, but can also embrace the striker-role, left Aston Villa for a transfer fee of around £17 million. Last term, Ashley Young was a shining star in a team that was suffering an all-round poor season and anyone following the Premier League betting will know he helped Villa stay up.

He’s a pacey winger with many positive attributes, including his ability to score goals, and his precise crossing. He should be a danger-man for all types of foe come the 2011/12 Premier League season.

The third signing that manager Sir Alex Ferguson made was the stopper from Spain, David de Gea. De Gea, along with his Spanish Under-21 teammates, managed to cap an excellent victory over Switzerland in the final of the UEFA Under-21 Championship final.

He has been highly tipped to be a huge success with Manchester United, following in the footsteps of United legend, Edwin van der Sar. He looks to be a solid keeper with plenty of potential and should fill Van Der Sar’s gloves very well indeed.

After 466 appearances and over 100 goals for the club he had been at since the age of 14, Paul Scholes ended a glittering career with a list of honours even the best of players dream about. It is not easy to replace one of the greatest and most accurate passers the game has ever seen but it appears that Internazionale’s Sneijder is willing to fill the void after expressing his willingness to join the Red Devils. Malaga has also expressed interest in the Dutch midfielder, however it is apparent that Sneijder is pushing for United. Those keeping track of the Premier League odds will no doubt be following the saga.

Sneijder is one of a couple of targets Sir Alex has been on the prowl for as a replacement for Scholes having already placed a bid for Arsenal‘s Samir Nasri. Nasri has attracted attention from both colours of Manchester as City have also been chasing him which could be moving United towards Sneijder as a more practicable option.

The former Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder has earned praise from all over for club and country, being named the best Midfielder in Europe by UEFA as well as making the FIFA and UEFA Teams of the Year in 2010. He has also proved instrumental in his international career with 21 goals in 76 appearances and helped guide the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final. When Sneijder has scored for the Netherlands, they have never lost and only drawn a single game.

Gary Neville, who retired during last season after almost 20 years with the Red Devils, saw United beaten comprehensively in the Champions League final for the second time in three years by Barcelona. Those looking at the Champions League 2012 best odds will be wondering if things can change.

Pep Guardiola’s side are commonly thought of as the best side in Europe, if not the world, and will start next season as favourites to defend their Champions League title.

Barcelona are the side that other teams aspire to and look to knock off their perch, with Neville claiming United are going to be a stronger team next year as they strive for a third Champions League trophy. Anyone placing a Champions League bet may want to bear his words in mind.

The 36-year-old former England man told the Manchester Evening News he is confident United are making “progress” and will not be so easily beaten if they come up against Barcelona in next season’s Champions League tournament.

He said: “I think the likes of Man United and Real Madrid will get past Barcelona in the next two years.

“Next season will be tougher for them because teams like United and others will learn. Things go in cycles.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy overhauling his squad as they prepare for next season’s Premier League and Champions League exertions, spending over £50 million already on goalkeeper David de Gea, defender Phil Jones and winger Ashley Young.

With Sir Alex Ferguson a man who doesn’t allow players who believe they are bigger than the club or the team’s cause to stick around at Old Trafford for very long, and with Ashley Young newly arrived in Manchester to provide additional competition for places on the wing, with Nani already ruing the level of competition in midfield at the club, could it be that the next few months sees the beginning of the end for Nani‘s career in the north of England? Those looking at the Manchester United odds might think Nani is surplus to requirements.

Should Nani continue to seek reassurance from Ferguson that he still has a big role to play at the club, as he apparently did after the Champions League final when he was left out of the first eleven, it seems likely that the United manager’s patience will wear out faster than it did with the likes of David Beckham, who clearly knew when his time was up in the Premier League. The football news indicates Nani is on his way out.

With Nani also aiming a swipe the way of the club this week by stating that he “has” to welcome every new player who signs for United regardless of his actual feelings deep down, it would seem that the rumbling of discontent surrounding the Portuguese winger could yet prove to be his downfall as the Premier League champions seek to get rid of any dead wood in their squad before the start of another long domestic season.

A rebuilding process is undoubtedly occurring at Old Trafford and Young is certainly one man who will flourish in the future as well as the current. He is gradually cementing his place as a central figure in Fabio Capello’s more urgent rebuilding plans at national level and whilst £16m can never be considered a cheap transfer fee, it represents good value for a player who cost Aston Villa nearly £10m over four years ago. The Man Utd betting indicates he should do a good job for them.

Young’s main characteristics, pace and positional flexibility, are high on the manager’s list of priorities. Capable on both wings and with both feet, he is ideally suited to playing anywhere across the front of a 4-3-3 formation as well as an orthodox winger in 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 set-ups.

He is a good finisher, as his haul of 28 league goals in four full seasons at Villa Park suggests. This allows him to be employed as a centre forward, but is out wide that he is most effective, where he can employ his pace, dribbling ability and crossing proficiency to devastating effect.

United fans will see the best of Young over the next five years, but fortunately for them, they will also see it in the forthcoming campaign. He has all the attributes to become the star in what has sometimes been a workmanlike United line-up.

With Manchester United facing off against Arsenal early on in the new Premier League campaign, and the Red Devils all too aware that they can ill afford to start the season poorly and expect to claw things back once again, since so many more sides are now capable of seriously challenging for the title, the early season battle between the two sides could prove to be a massive opportunity for both clubs, but one that United will clearly be expected to win, adding more pressure to the shoulders of the United players. Those following the latest football betting odds will know these games will be crucial.

Despite a successful season last time around, United will be lining up next season without at least two familiar faces, as Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes have both hung up their boots, and the success of the replacements for these two key players will be crucial if Manchester United are to stay as top dogs in English football.

That said, should United find themselves in possession of a goalkeeper who has not adapted well to the Premier League or the pressure that playing for United brings, they will certainly not be looking forward to facing a team that is certain to pose an attacking threat at Old Trafford and one that forced Edwin Van Der Sar to pull out all the stops in a man of the match performance last season in the same fixture. Anyone looking to bet on Premier League action will know the replacements will have to be up to the job.

If United can come through this test successfully, then we will know who the favourites for the league are from a very early stage.

United’s rivals are all, for differing reasons, likely to be opening their chequebooks with regularity in the coming weeks and the Red Devils cannot be left behind. Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and in particular Liverpool will be stronger opposition next term and new blood is needed at the champions. Anyone placing a Man Utd bet will realise this.

Ferguson has been fortunate that his experienced stalwarts have not departed the scene at the same time, but the feeling that a new era is about to begin remains. Centre back Phil Jones is the first piece in the jigsaw that appears to being put together with youth and Englishness as key ingredients. Ashley Young also fits this profile.

United will need to look at other nationalities to fill the goalkeeping and midfield creator vacancies, with David de Gea, Luka Modric and Wesley Sneijder leading candidates. All carry high price tags and the clearout of some fringe players to balance the books is inevitable.

Supporters would be happy with these prospective acquisitions to go alongside Jones and Young, who have the potential to become long-term England servants as well as United ones. Chris Smalling also has a long international career ahead of him and will be a key figure for United this season as the personification of the new dynasty in development.

The Spanish boss led his side to beat United 2-0 in the Champions League final of 2009 to ensure a historic treble of trophies for Barca in his first season in charge at the Nou Camp.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted in the run-up to the Champions League final this time around that he is searching for a way to stop the trio of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta after they tore his side to shreds in Rome.

That trio are likely to form the lynchpin of Barcelona’s attacking play against at Wembley and Guardiola will be hoping for the same result again to ensure another La Liga and Champions League double for the Catalan giants. Those looking at the Champions League betting would think there was only one side playing though, and United have more than enough to match them.

United have just come off winning the Premier League and Guardiola rested all of his stars for Barcelona’s last league campaign of the season, meaning they have had added rest – although that is likely to make much difference come Wembley. Anyone who has placed a Champions League bet should bear this in mind.

Guardiola admits that he does “admire” United and knows they will pose a massive challenge to his team come the final.

“Manchester United are a fantastic rival, but they have an advantage because two years ago we beat them – winning (games like that) can confuse you,” he added.

“You can’t be favourites in a final against Manchester United anyway – they are a great team.”

Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic was given a chance to impress in the team’s final match of the season and he has urged Guardiola to give him an opportunity in the Champions League final against United.

With the likes of Edwin van der Sar sure to retire at the end of the current season, and players like Paul Scholes predicted to be coming to the end of their playing days at the top level of the game despite calls from Gary Neville to stick around at the club for just a year or two longer, the timing of a new influx of talent isn’t entirely unexpected. This is particularly the case since the long-term futures of a couple of returning loan players, such as Danny Welbeck, are not yet known.

It hasn’t yet been revealed who the new faces that will be unveiled at Old Trafford over the summer are, but Ashley Young is a name that is refusing to go away when it comes to United transfer rumours, and fans are still holding out faint hopes that Wesley Sneijder will change his mind as to the next destination in his career. Those following the football betting odds will be keeping a close eye on United’s transfer dealings.

With Manchester City revealing this week that the Sky Blues are not planning on investing heavily in their squad over the summer, since the owners are keen to focus more on one or two quality additions rather than a vast number of star names, and with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s intentions not yet known despite an expected purge of talent at the club this summer, it could well be that United start next season as the favourites to finish the season at the top of the table once more.

It is therefore worth listening to any opinions that the 37-year-old midfielder has to give about the club, and this week he has been staunchly defending the current form of the Premier League champions, who have come in for immense criticism despite stealing the league crown away from Chelsea this season. Those following the in-play betting will know things haven’t been as straightforward as they might have been.

A record of just five wins in 19 away league games has caused some to accuse the champions of lacking the flair and creativity that previous United squads containing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo have been able to boast. However, with Giggs believing that the nervy and unpredictable nature of the current season has forced the side to be less flamboyant in attack while sometimes appearing more vulnerable at the back, it is nevertheless fair to say that a never-say-die attitude has pulled United through on more than one occasion this season, wins from losing positions against Blackpool and West Ham notable examples of this and those following the online betting will know how much this helped.

With United’s 19th league win pulling them clear of Liverpool‘s previous record of Premier League titles, surely it’s the case that such a dominant side in the modern era deserves untainted respect, even if they haven’t been consistently dazzling this season.

Despite winning a record 19th domestic league title to make them the most successful English club in history there seems to still be discussions about how good this United team is.

Many onlookers reckon this is the weakest United side in many years under Sir Alex Ferguson, but they could be on for a remarkable league and Champions League double if they overcome the challenge of Barcelona. The Champions League betting may make them underdogs, but they could still chalk up a win.

The Catalan side are regarded from most sides to be the best side currently playing across the globe and United could be out for revenge after Barcelona beat them in the 2009 Champions League final.

Ferguson, has led United to their 59th trophy in the Premier League, reckons beating Barcelona and making it 60 for the club would “end all arguments” about how good the team really is. Those who have placed a Champions League bet would agree with this.

He claims his side possess “great quality” and they are capable of winning the Champions League final at Wembley.

“I know we are playing a terrific team in Barcelona, but would you back against us in a big way? I don’t think you would,” the veteran Scot added.

“We are capable of doing very well in the final. There is nothing wrong with accepting challenges, we are good at that.”

With the Premier League title wrapped up, Ferguson could rest a lot of players for the final game with Blackpool to ensure they are fit for the Champions League final later in the month.

With United now in a strong position for his successor, whoever that turns out to be, to take over, and with Fergie well aware that he can’t really do much more than he has already done at the club, he must surely be thinking about how easily he could slip away from Old Trafford and yet still be remembered as the greatest manager in the club’s history, even surpassing Sir Matt Busby. Those looking at mobile betting sites would have to agree.

However, should the United manager continue to find himself watching on as Manchester City spend more and more cash and perhaps begin to overtake United in terms of silverware, then surely he will have left it too late to give up when he is at the top of his game, and will instead be remembered for leaving a legacy that was impossible to live up to for his successor due to the state he left the club in. Fans of football mobile betting will be wondering how the side will get on when he eventually does go.

With many fans worried about the future of the club while the Glazer family remains in control and continue to suck as much money out of their investment as they possibly can, despite the problems it will cause United for years to come Sir Alex‘s departure will be a tough time for the club, no doubt about it.

One of those assets comes in the form of midfielder Darren Fletcher, who Ferguson believes is a big game player comparable in stature and influence to the likes of Mark Hughes and other former United legends. With Ferguson seeming to blame United’s 2009 defeat in the final to the La Liga champions on the absence of Fletcher in the middle of the park, the importance that he places on the Scot is clear for all to see. Anyone following the Champions League betting should keep a close eye on his fitness.

Unfortunately for United fans, though, the Scot has been forced to miss much of the last couple of months after struggling with a stomach virus that has resulted in him shedding more than a stone in weight. Fletcher made his comeback against Schalke in the Champions League but the United manager is well aware that his team’s opponents in the semi-finals didn’t, unfortunately for neutrals, end up providing the sort of stern test that you would normally expect in such a crucial game.

With Ferguson therefore handing the midfielder a trio of games in which to prove his match fitness, including the team’s remaining league fixtures against Blackburn and Blackpool, it remains to be seen whether he recovers in time to make the starting line-up at Wembley.

If Fletcher fails to do so could United end up blaming another Champions League final defeat on the Scot’s absence in years to come?

Not being the favourites an uncommon occurrence for United but Barcelona are the greatest team in the world and they will be looking to that 2009 Champions League final in Rome for motivation.

That day Lionel Messi, Xavia and Andres Iniesta ran United ragged and it is something the English side will be looking to avoid happening again.

United captain Nemanja Vidic reckons his team are more prepared for the Barca threat than they were two years ago as the Spaniards play the same style of football and will offer them “no surprises” this time around.

The defender told Serbian website b92 that United will not be thinking about the Champions League final until it is mathematically assured they have won the Premier League title, which could happen this weekend against Blackburn. Anyone planning to bet on Champions League games should remember they may play a weakened team in their final league match of the season.

“They haven’t changed their style in years but they will be a tough prospect and definitely the favourites in the final,” added Vidic.

“Maybe we have a little bit of an advantage in logistics because we are closer to the venue, but we know that their fans will turn up in numbers just like our own.”

Sir Alex Ferguson recently claimed he was planning to go all-out attack on Barcelona as he looks to play the Spaniards at their own game.

The United boss said his attacking options could cause the problems to Barca that people expect they are going to give to them in the Champions League final.

Barcelona however are clearly the best footballing side on the planet, not just in this era, but possibly ever. One just has to look at the number of completed passes that they managed over their two-legged semi final in comparison to their opponents and bitter rivals Real Madrid to see that the play the game in a different way to most sides, and again this is bred into them from the moment they take their first tour of the Nou Camp.

Both sets of players have a clear idea of what their club expects from them, but only one side can emerge from the Wembley showpiece as the continent’s finest side and the Champions League betting suggests it should be an excellent match.

Mourinho clearly went the wrong way about defeating them in the semi finals. Perhaps buoyed by his side’s ability to play ugly and win in their recent meeting in the Copa Del Rey final, he seemed to see a 0-0 home draw as the key to defeating Guardiola’s side but in a one-off final Ferguson will have no such luxury, and must have a go at Barcelona from the first whistle and those following the football betting should remember this.

Stand off them and they will pass you to death, but get in their faces – not in the cynical and overly-physical manner in which Jose Mourinho instructed his players to compete – and playing them as equals, rather than simply as a force to be stopped at any cost, and they will become as mortal as any side United have faced and defeated in the Premier League this season.

But looking back on this season, why?  May is going to be hectic, for sure, but this is Manchester United we’re talking about. This is what Manchester United thrive on.  The pressures of a title decider against a team who has clawed back a 15-point deficit in two months of league football or a Champions League final against perhaps the one side in world football that can dictate the way the match will be played.

Of course, things at the moment are very real, anyone ready to place their free bet in the final stages of the season will tell you that.

Dreams of a treble are over and in the Premier League, it certainly has not been all guns blazing from Fergie’s men.  But can you really say it has been all season? The Manchester United class of 2010/11 is a well-oiled machine of good players who compliment each other well enough to grind out a result if things are not going to plan.

Yes, Sir Alex has admitted there is no ‘Ronaldo factor’ to this side, perhaps a sign that as a whole they have improved since his departure.  It’d be disrespectful to suggest that Ronaldo alone won the Premier League title in 2009, but he certainly played a starring role.

This year, who could you say has played that starring role, in a season which they should end as champions for the 19^th time?  Giggs? Valencia? Nani? Hernandez? Vidic? Van der Sar? It’d be hard to single any individual out, as this has truly been a team effort.

Chelsea arrive at Old Trafford with their tails wagging, having gone on such a strong run in the league.  This culminated in the sort of lucky win over Tottenham Hotspur that is synonymous with champions.  But lest we they also visited in the Champions League a few weeks ago.  The Blues were valiant on that evening, but in reality were rather outclassed.  Should the worst happen come Sunday; the Reds can afford themselves the knowledge that their domestic season will still have some life left in it.

Fast-forward to the end of May and Manchester United vs Barcelona II, the clash which has everyone talking.

How do those placing regular free bets think United can topple the Catalans?  Admittedly, man-for-man the La Liga side are probably stronger than United.  But in one key figure, United have an advantage.  Of course, that advantage is the most important individual in their history, one Sir Alex.

Make no mistake, the next few weeks will sleepless for the Scot, who will be going into overdrive plotting Barcelona’s downfall.  He’ll no doubt be better for the experience of defeat to them in 2009, but as wonderfully pointed out by Gordon Strachan on Wednesday’s television broadcast, it’s time for Fergie to unleash the psychological superpowers that has so often had his foes running scared.

This means that, if you want to purchase a top-price season ticket at the club, you’ll have to fork out a whopping total of £950 just for the luxury of watching 19 Premier League games (Champions League games aren’t included in this sum), a figure that many fans will deem unpalatable at this time of economic doom and gloom. Most people make Manchester United betting tips for the title, but it’s getting harder for the average fan to afford to see them in action.

However, with club officials stating that the price increase is in line with VAT increases despite absorbing the initial increase when the VAT rise came into play earlier this year, and with Arsenal also angering their fans by raising ticket prices for games at the Emirates Stadium, it would seem that fans don’t have much of a voice when it comes to changing the minds of those who make the financial decisions.

One of the elements of the latest price increase that has angered United fans the most is the fact that it has come at a time during which the Glazers have managed to cut prices at the NFL franchise they own, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with some ticket prices there reduced for American fans by as much as 30%. United fans following the transfer rumours will at least be hoping to see the side splash some cash this summer.

By failing to replicate this price cut at United, the Glazers have once again left themselves open to criticism that United is just their toy and a financial investment with which to make as much money as possible, rather than a club that they well and truly care about in the long term.

It would take almost a sporting miracle for Schalke and Real to make it through, meaning a repeat of the 2009 final – and 2008 semi-final – is almost a certainty.
For United then a revenge job is in their sights after they were completely dismantled in the2009 final in Rome.

That day Lionel Messi led Barca’s charge in a complete performance by a truly world-class side. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he knows what went wrong in that game, so his belief will be put to the test. Anyone looking to place a Champions League bet will be keeping a close eye on things.

Real Madrid‘s recent success over their great rivals was – in typical Mourinho style – based on tight, stifling defensive play with the hope they can nick a goal at the other end. I don’t expect United to do that but nor do I see them open up against Barca either. The Catalan outfit will out pass anyone so if you are open at the back they can rip you apart.

However, as Mourinho found to his cost, you can’t sit back and hope for the best either. If they have any weakness it is at the back and a relative lack of height and weakness from set pieces mean there is an opening there for United.
It should all make for a fascinating contest and against two top sides and a game worthy of Wembley Stadium. Just don’t ask me to guess the result!

Sir Alex Ferguson‘s teams rarely lose twice in a week and so after that frustrating defeat to rivals Manchester City at Wembley last weekend and a weary draw with Newcastle on Tuesday, the pressure was on against in-form Everton on Saturday. Those who bet on Champions League games should bear this in mind.

The Toffees didn’t offer much in attack, but David Moyes’ team have a reputation for solid and determined defending, if there is anyone who could hang on for grim life for 90 minutes it was them.

And so it almost proved as wave after wave of Red Devil’s attack were repelled by the Blue wall. United’s title rivals Arsenal had found to their cost what can happen if they fail to convert chances and pressure in home draws with the likes of Blackburn and Sunderland.

But there appears a fierce will to win in the United side, something that is drilled into the players by Ferguson and almost transcends who is actually playing in the team – they have always had this attitude ever since their first Premier League title under the Scot in 1993. Anyone looking to bet on Champions League winner this season should remember this.

And so it proved again with Javier Hernandez – the baby faced assassin for the 21st century- finally broke the deadlock with yet another perfectly timed header to send Old Trafford into euphoria.

It was the least that United deserved on the day given their dominance and Everton’s increasing lack of attacking ambition into the second half, but points in the Premier League aren’t won by having more possession or shots on goal. You need substance over style sometimes and United are masters of it, especially as this stage of the season.

Games against Arsenal and Chelsea may still mean there is a twist in the title tail, but given United’s form going into the business end of the season – a champions league semi-final awaits too don’t forget – not even they can stop United’s charge to a record 19th title.

Fortunately for Sir Alex Fergusons men, they are still in the run in to pick up a Premier League and Champions League trophy as the closing stages of the season heats up.

In true Man United fashion, you can expect them to bounce back strongly from the disappointing weekend defeat, and Newcastle United will fear it will be them who will be on the end of a Red Devil backlash at St James Park tonight. Fans looking at the live scores goalwire will be expecting this. United have shown time and time again this season how difficult they are to beat and their team is filled with players who know how to respond and how to win games.

After Arsenal failed to reduce the deficit with their game in hand on Sunday, a win for United tonight will almost nail down the record breaking 19th English Title for Sir Alex’s men. A win would see United 9 points clear if Arsenal who face a hugely difficult tie with North London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday and such a margin will be very difficult to close with few games remaining and livescore fans will realise this.

Man United will also be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney tonight after his two-game suspension for swearing. Had Rooney played on Saturday it could well have been a different story, his recent form has been very impressive as he is finally finding his feet after a difficult year, Newcastle will certainly have to be on the very top of their game to deal with him, as I’m sure Rooney and United will produce an excellent performance tonight.

Their relatively low points total at this stage compared to previous season should not be seen as a sign of regression, but rather an indication of how much the standard of the teams in the Premier League has improved. But although a nineteenth top division title would have been Sir Alex‘s main ambition at the start of the season, the collection of silverware doesn’t look as though it will finish there.

The fact that Manchester City – their opponents in this weekend’s FA Cup semi final – are coming off the back of a morale crushing 3-0 loss at Anfield on Monday, and in the process lost their talisman Carlos Tevez following a hamstring injury certainly appears to stack the FA Cup odds in the Old Trafford outfit’s favour, and after their 3-1 aggregate win over Chelsea in the Champions League, morale will be sky high even with Wayne Rooney suspended. Following a victory there, a somewhat more routine win against either Stoke or Bolton would be viewed by many as a mere formality.

Their Champions League quarter final victory lines up an intriguing fixture against the winner of the Inter Milan vs Shalke tie, and then a potential final, against either Real Madrid or Barcelona. One thing is clear: winning against such opposition will not be a matter of doing just enough – a skill they have honed so well this season. Against either Spanish side, there will be nowhere to hide and even with home advantage, Man United will have to be at their absolute best to take home the trophy – luckily for them though, being the best comes very naturally to them.

With this in mind, it is worth considering the implications of his absence from the United side as the title race reaches its exciting and unusually unpredictable climax. Those looking at the Premier League odds should certainly bear it in mind. If Rooney’s absence helps Fulham in their upcoming battle at Old Trafford this weekend, then we may just see the striker’s odd decision to express his joy in what many deem to be a despicable way come back to haunt his club and finally make Sir Alex Ferguson think twice about whether he can turn the thug that is Wayne Rooney into a man who can be a top professional and a nice guy (although the latter may just be a stretch too far even for a master like Ferguson) while helping United in the process.

If this does not come to pass and United manage to triumph with ease against both Fulham in the league and Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final tie, then Rooney may once again get away with it, something that surely is not a good thing for either Rooney or fans of football in general.

However, the fact remains that even if Rooney’s absence doesn’t hurt United in the short term, his actions have already done plenty of harm to football as a whole and to people who argue that the sport is still very much open for families and people of all walks of life.

With the club preparing to honour his career with a testimonial at Old Trafford against Italian giants Juventus, it’s sure to be a special night for all involved with the club and all involved with the development of a man who made his debut at the age of just 17. After making a total of over 600 appearances for the Red Devils and boasting a full to bursting trophy cabinet including Premier League trophies, FA Cups, League Cups, and of course a Champions League medal, the defender made the right decision to retire earlier this season after a run of games that had threatened to take some of the gloss off an otherwise glittering career.

Neville’s decision to retire has opened the door for a number of youngsters including Rafael to state their claim for a long-term place in the starting line-up at the back for United but Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief that the transition has been such a seamless one. With Chris Smalling repeating the ease with which Rafael has slotted into the first team, Smalling replacing Rio Ferdinand seamlessly in crucial games, it seems a safe bet that United wouldn’t be in such a comfortable position in a trio of competitions as they are now if a couple of new faces hadn’t made the step up so easily. Most people make Manchester United betting tips for the title and it now seems this could be the start of another great era.

Whether these faces can turn into a golden generation for Fergie and repeat the heroics of Neville’s generation does, however, remain to be seen.

“Rooney had admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language, but claimed that the automatic penalty of two games was clearly excessive,” they said.

“The Commission did not accept the claim and Rooney will begin the standard two-match suspension with immediate effect.”

The ban will mean the striker will miss his side’s game against Fulham this weekend as well as the semi-final. The domestic ban doesn’t apply to the Champions League so Rooney will be available for United’s quarter-final second-leg against Chelsea. The FA Cup betting offers still suggest United are in with an excellent chance though.

Rooney followed up his hat-trick with the winning goal against Chelsea this week’s Champions League quarter-final, and it looks as though the 25-year old has finally rediscovered his shooting boots. Sir Alex will have plenty of options available to him without Rooney but none probably as affective as the England man.

With United criticised before their Champions League tie with Marseille earlier this week for lacking an element of fantasy that has characterised their starting line-ups in years gone by, Rooney for one doesn’t seem too bothered with that sort of claim, which was made by Didier Deschamps before kick-off. After all, the football betting odds suggest United are headed for glory.

For Rooney, the manner of victory is clearly unimportant, with the former Everton man simply focused upon writing the history books, with United still hopeful of creating a successful next chapter at the end of this season. Manchester United may be lacking the spark that they’ve boasted in previous seasons, when the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo lit up the Old Trafford stage, but they are still in with a chance of winning what would be an extraordinary treble this year.

The Champions League quarter-final draw later this week will provide us with more clues as to the likelihood of this being achieved, but still being in contention for the treble at this stage of the season is something that the Red Devils players should be very proud of regardless of the end result come May.

With Javier Hernandez one man who has injected a touch of magic into the United squad this season after making an instant impact at the club, could it be that the young Mexican forward finishes the season in a manner that befits his strong start, scoring the goals that propel United to a magical treble?

“You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway – and we didn’t get that,” Ferguson told MUTV after the defeat to Chelsea. And he was right. He’s essentially been punished for telling the truth. The FA – ridiculed up and down the country for the pointless organisation that it is – think that punishing a big name lets everybody know that they’re still in control of the beautiful game.

Let’s explore a few other examples of United’s harsh punishment by the FA.

1. Drugs tests

Rio Ferdinand was banned for eight months and given a £50,000 fine for missing a drugs test.

Christian Negouai of Manchester City received a £2,000 fine and no ban for the same offence.

2. Celebrating a goal

Gary Neville kissed the badge on his shirt and celebrated in front of Liverpool fans after United secured a last minute win. He was fined £5,000 for his troubles.

Robbie Fowler scored against United for Manchester City and celebrated by holding up five fingers to the Old Trafford crowd, referencing Liverpool’s five European Cup wins. No punishment.

3. Red cards in friendlies

Steven Gerrard and Neil Mellor were given red cards during pre season in the Amsterdam tournament. No further punishment was given by the FA, with a spokesman at the time saying, “If a player gets a red card in a friendly he gets a ban for his next friendly, not for competitive matches.”

Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were sent off in the same tournament three years later and were handed three game bans by the FA. The pair missed the opening three games of United’s Premier League campaign.

4. Elbows

Javier Mascherano swings his arm at Jermain Beckford while playing for Liverpool against Leeds. No punishent.

Rio Ferdinand swings his arm at Craig Fagan of Hull and was given a three game ban, increased to four games after an unsuccessful appeal.

So it’s clear that over the years the FA have singled out United for special punishment. It if of course not helped by the incessant media witch hunts that occur every time it’s perceived that United have gotten away with something. See the recent furore surrounding Wayne Rooney’s elbow on James McCarthy. That was still being talked about two weeks after the event, but Jamie Carragher’s potentially career ending tackle on Luis Nani barely made the papers. Which is worse? A cheeky elbow that could cause a bruise or a small cut, or a shin high lunge that could easily have snapped Nani’s leg in half? Steven Gerrard’s elbow to the back of Michael Brown’s head was much worse than the Rooney incident and received very little media coverage. No incensed pundits and journalists were launching witch hunts for the slopey headed Phil Collins fan to be banned retrospectively. And it’s not because of an agenda against Manchester United, it’s because the club sells more papers and attracts more clicks.

So back to Ferguson’s ban. Why so severe? Other manager’s make comments about referes every week and are very rarely chastised for speaking their minds.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez escaped punishment for claiming that Rooney received special treatment by referee Mark Clattenburg. “If my player had done that, he would have been very, very lucky to stay on the pitch.” This is a clear swipe at the referees integrity, claiming that he favoured Manchester United.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan echoed his manager’s sentiments. “If it was any other club or player, you can bet your life he would have been sent off. But officials seem intimidated by the words ‘Rooney’ and ‘United’.

“Manchester United are allowed to get away with things the rest of us get pulled up for. And you can’t have one set of rules for one club and another for the rest.”

So it appears – as usual – that it’s one rule for Manchester United, and one rule for everyone else.

I’ll leave you with this: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger served a one game ban for pushing the fourth official in 2000. One game for assaulting an official, while Ferguson is expected to serve five games for telling the truth about a terrible refereeing performance. There’s nothing like consistency eh?

The Portuguese winger, who has been in blistering form for United this season, suffered a gashed leg against Liverpool and was expected to miss at least a few games with the problem.

However, he has recovered quicker than sports betting pundits expected and will be looking to terrorise the Marseille defenders at some point this evening, even if he doesn’t quite make the starting line-up.

Perhaps Ferguson will look to get the job done without Nani so he can have more time to recover, only bringing him on if United need a goal or two.

The Red Devils certainly have to score at some stage if they are to win the game with the score at 0-0 after the first-leg. They will also be wary of Marseille going forward, because a goal for the French Champions means that United need two.

This could be when Nani is introduced. If the home side find themselves a goal behind with 20 minutes to go, that is the stage for the Portuguese international.

Ferguson may hope it doesn’t come to this, but it is positive for the team that Nani is available should he be required.

With regards to other team news, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia are expected to be involved, as is Nemanja Vidic who missed training after picking up a knock in the FA Cup victory over Arsenal.

The biggest selection issue for Ferguson, aside from whether to risk Nani, will be whether to go with Hernandez or Berbatov up front alongside Wayne Rooney.

Regardless, those placing sports bets believe that United have enough to get the job done tonight. They need to make sure they don’t take their opponents lightly of course, but they should follow Tottenham into the last eight of the Champions League.

With Gibson obviously keen to fight on work his way into the first team, the question now is whether or not those at the club deciding upon the exact intricacies of his potential new contract will be equally as keen for the player to do just that. Perhaps one of the most alarming signs from Sir Alex Ferguson‘s point of view will be the comment from the 23-year-old that he is “happy enough” with his form and has “no complaints” about the way things are going. If Gibson’s involvement in and influence on the team so far this season really is enough to satisfy him, will he fit nicely into Ferguson’s definition of a player motivated enough to make an impression at the club and be representative of the future of such a famous institution? After all, the Manchester United betting always suggests they will challenge for trophies, and an attitude like that doesn’t seem good enough.

Perhaps Gibson is taking solace in the fact that Michael Carrick has been offered a new deal at the club recently, despite coming under intense criticism this season and being a perceived weak point in the starting line-up. If Carrick is some of the main competition keeping the midfielder out of the first 11, then perhaps the future may be bright for the youngster after all.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZchW7MBe6OA

If the likes of Rooney and Nemanja Vidic display the kind of performances that they are more than capable of, then we all know that they can be a real contender not only to defeat Marseille on home turf but also to go on and win a third European Cup under a man who would then surely be indisputably known as the club’s greatest ever manager. That said, those who have placed a Champions League bet on United will be a little worried now.

However, if the Red Devils continue to frustrate and perform in a pedestrian manner that has seen top sides rip them to pieces whilst allowing the minnows of the league to get decent results against them when they are not at fortress Old Trafford, then a plucky Marseille side could be enough to see a team that regarded reaching the semi-final as a minimum expectation dumped out against unexpected opposition.

Although Fergie may think that his side are immune to this scenario as they look to continue to dominate against weaker sides who find themselves daunted by the atmosphere and surroundings of Old Trafford, you only need to think back to a lucky, but hugely determined and unfancied Porto side to remember a team that went to Old Trafford, failed to be intimidated, and then rode their luck all the way to a Champions League crown that United fans know could easily have been theirs. United must be on their guard, or complacency could be their downfall.

The 37-year-old midfielder has committed to the club for the 2011-2012 season, taking him into his 22nd season with the club. After Alex Ferguson snapped the ‘Welsh Wizard’ from the clutches of rivals Manchester City in 1987, Giggs has been the focal point of Fergusons hugely successful teams which spans over two decades.

In his record breaking 862 appearances for United, Giggs has won 11 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, 1 UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup as well as the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. Making United the most dominating, successful clubs in England and Europe. Goalwire live score fans will know just how influential he has been.

A true role model in every sense of the word, Giggs is the ultimate professional. With the amount of accolades he has achieved, he is one of the most decorated players in the History of the game. And so he could be forgiven for taking his foot off the pedal with nothing else to win or achieve within a career that has produced so much.

It his to his admirable credit however, that he is as motivated now as he ever has been, as he continues to produce unbelievable form at the very highest level of world football and still has an impact on the goalwire live scores.

With the motivation and professionalism, it has allowed him to build and maintain immense levels of fitness. He is such an influential figure both on and off the pitch at Manchester United, who will have possibly the biggest void to fill in the clubs history when he does decide to retire.

At his current rate however, Manchester United fans and the footballing world will believe he has the potential to play into his forties.

An inspiration to the footballing world, long may his career continue.

In truth the United defence were extremely comfortable in the Stade Veledrome. The closest Marseille came to scoring wasn’t even a shot on goal. A cross-shot from Andre Ayew that just avoided Brandao at the far post during a brief spell of Marseille pressure early in the second half was the best they could muster.

At the other end United were similarly unadventurous, with a deflected Darren Fletcher strike the sum total of their efforts, despite the presence of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney in the starting XI.

In the end it was a performance befitting of United in Europe this season. They have only conceded one goal in the tournament and progressed through their group with the minimum of effort, but they really need to play better if they are to feature in the Champions League final betting.

With three consecutive away matches and a FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal or Leyton Orient to come, Ferguson perhaps needed his players to conserve energy levels in this game.

Their ‘not playing well but winning’ strategy has kept them in the hunt for three trophies and you wonder what they can achieve if they do ever step it up a gear.

They certainly need to do that in the second leg of this match, but given Fergie’s track record of managing his players in a season run-in, I thoroughly expect them to do so.

In contrast to these rather daunting fixtures, Arsenal have home fixtures in the Premier League and the opportunity to win the first silverware of the season by defeating an underperforming Birmingham side in the Carling Cup final at Wembley. Although this season has shown that no fixture in the Premier League is ever going to be an easy one, the chances are United come out of this spell having lost at least a percentage of their lead unless they can really show that they are a great side by going to Anfield and Stamford Bridge and defeating two sides determined to show that they are not just also-rans. The Betfair Football betting suggests this will be a really tough task.

However, with United having shown time and time again, both this season and in previous years, that they are the only side in the country that really can handle the pressure when they need to, the odds have to be in their favour to see them end the season securing a record 19th title. That is, of course, if the likes of Nani and Rafael are able to show that they understand the history and mentality of a club that still boasts the likes of Giggs and Scholes, who of course helped to bring United back to the summit of English football.

The 36-year-old midfielder has played his entire career for the club since making his debut back in the 1990s and his trophy cabinet is littered with winners’ medals from the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and also the Champions League. Most people looking to bet on Premier League winner are backing him to add to that haul.

With United sitting top in the Premier League title race with a four-point advantage over Arsenal behind them, still in the FA Cup and also facing a Champions League last-16 double header with Marseille, there could be glory on three fronts for the club and the football predictions reflect this.

Many fans will remember their treble-winning season back in 1999 and think the same could be on the agenda this season, with Scholes thinking it could be a glorious campaign for United if they squad all stand up and keep performing over the remaining games.

The veteran said: “There are 12 games left in the league, the FA Cup is getting down to the latter stages and Europe is starting again.

“Every game becomes more important. It is the time to stand up and start playing.”

United’s win last time out over Manchester City saw Wayne Rooney score a spectacular goal which could have signalled his return to form.

Dimitar Berbatov is United’s top scorer with 19 goals however he dropped to the bench for Rooney.

The Bulgarian claims the Englishman is “number one” in the striking department at Old Trafford and if Rooney continues on this rich vein of form then United will certainly maintain their lead in the Premier League title race.

O’Shea – 6 Poor first touch at times but generally played well.

Smalling – 9 Exceptional performance from the youngster. Can only get better.

Vidic – 7 Caught out of position a few times, but made up for it with some good tackling.

Evra – 7 Still looking suspect defensively, but got forward well to support Giggs.

Nani – 8 Another fantastic goal for Nani and another assist. Theres no stopping him at the moment.

Fletcher – 7 Kept things ticking over in midfield without doing anything that stood out.

Scholes – 7 Dictated play for much of the game. Replaced by Carrick late on.

Anderson – 6 Tracked back well but didn’t have much influence on our attacking play.

Giggs – 8 At 37 years of age he’s still got it. Brilliant first time pass to set up the opening goal.

Rooney – 8 He was ni and out of the game and didn’t play particularly well, but the spectacular way in which he settled the match more than made up for it.

The former Manchester City player was clearly distressed with the fact that Manchester united won 2-1 with a spectacular goal from Wayne Rooney and was unable to hold back his emotions.

The unprofessional rant came moments after replays showed the winning goal, with Summerbee claiming that the moment of brilliance was the only thing that separated the two teams.

The bitter blue neglected to take into account the fortuitous way that City equalised, with Edin Dzeko’s shot deflecting off the back of David Silva past Van der Sar, and instead claimd that City had been the better team on the day.

Bizarrely he claimed that the away side had dominated for 60% of the game, then when shown the actal possession statistics of 54%-46% he laughably backtracked and said, “I’m not into stats”.

It was car crash television for Manchester City fans, but hilarious for any reds still tuned in and even Jamie Redknapp and Dwight Yorke struggled to contain their disbelief at what the mentalist was coming out with.

Clearly unhappy with the replays being shown, Summerbee added, “I wish you’d show some of our chances too”. He also claimed that someone will “come here and take United apart some day, like we did”.

The man sums up what it’s like to be a Manchester City fan. bitter, deluded and with no real grasp on reality.

This is how it feels to be City…

Video via ManUnitedYouth on Twitter

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Roj2eqffes

If Rafael can start to show that he can be a longstanding part of a defence that could go on to establish United as the single most successful club in British football, whilst also starting to generate an intense hatred on the behalf of Liverpool fans (something Neville managed throughout his successful career to the delight of United supporters), he may just have the talent to one day rank alongside the now retired Neville as a United great. The Premier League best odds certainly suggest he will help the side claim the title this season.

However, if Rafael starts to allow his existing defensive frailties to be exposed by some of Europe’s (or the Premier League’s) top attacking players, he may find that he is no longer seen as the only player who has successfully managed to take over from the Neville, Giggs and Scholes generation and make his position his own. With Ferguson never a man to keep a player at the club out of sympathy, Rafael will need to show that he is capable of continuing to show the level of improvement that had left Ferguson more than happy to see Neville retire without an experienced replacement brought in. Those who like a Premier League bet will know that United are never ones to sit on their laurels when players don’t work out.

With Rafael still at the start of his career in relative terms, only time will tell if he can realistically be talked about in terms of eventually enjoying a testimonial game in honour of his services to United in the same way that Neville is at the moment.

But you have to have a modicum of sympathy for the Scot and his Italian counter-part Roberto Mancini, whose preparations for this weekend’s Manchester derby (with a early kick-off don’t forget) have been hampered by their players jetting off to all  corners of the world for a clutch of international friendlies. Plenty of fans will be following the livescore goalwire, but they’ll be more worried about this weekend’s games.

Therefore I can understand why many of their players have been instructed to stay behind, either though negotiation or apparent ‘injuries’.

Ferguson has negotiated an agreement with the Serbian football association so that the club captain, Nemanja Vidic, can stay in England while City have done the same for Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko.

But, perhaps highlighting the difference in the relationships between Premier League clubs and domestic FAs, the likes of Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have ‘knocks’. Watch them magically recover in time for Saturday though.

It just proves though that the timing of international matches needs to be looked at, otherwise International coaches will be frustrated as they will keep having drop-outs, therefore weakening their squads. People’s interest in the live football scores also wanes.

Alternatively we will have cases like Steven Gerard last November when he injured a hamstring late on in the England v France game – when he was only supposed to play 45 minutes – and missed three weeks of Liverpool‘s season, angering the club’s management.

Unfortunately it is just another issue to add to the already lengthy FA/Premier League/UEFA problematic relations list and one I can see being solved anytime soon.

United’s unbeaten run in the Premier League stretched back to last season and stood at twenty-nine matches, and so far this term – until their game at Molineux anyway – they had accrued fifteen wins and nine draws from their twenty-four matches. Now with their record broken however, it only remains to be seen whether or not they can muster the spirit to continue on a campaign which has seen them open up a lead at the top of the league. Next up they face a tough test at home against their most bitter of rivals, Manchester City, and will need to show that they can bounce back during a campaign in which they have been more resilient than resplendent. Still, those who have placed a Premier League bet on the side winning the title won’t be too upset at the way things have gone.

Despite Roberto Mancini’s complaint last week about his defence shipping too many goals this season, so far this campaign they have conceded pretty much the same number as the side they re secretly hoping to emulate – twenty-two compared to United’s twenty-four – and as a result, should pose a far more challenging test to break down than any other outfit that Manchester United have been pitted against of late. And all the signs are that this showdown will be a low-scoring affair, as in the only games that Ferguson’s team have faced other sides from within last season’s top four – at home against Arsenal and away to Tottenham – there has only been the one goa and the Premier League tips suggest another tight game.

Almost certainly, Fergie will again be setting up a disciplined outfit, armed with the knowledge that as league leaders, the impetus will be on the visitors to claim the three points and whittle down the gap that the Old Trafford outfit have opened up at the top.

The current league leaders came undone for the first time this season against a spirited Wolves side fighting for their Premier League future. After going ahead through an early Nani goal, United never got going as goals from Wolves pair George Elekobi and Kevin Doyle meant Mick McCarthy’s side can add the scalp of Man Utd to victories over Chelsea , Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

Ferguson admitted to being disappointed in defeat against a Wolves side whose quality isn’t reflected in their league position, but is happy with his squad this season.

“The players have done us proud” the Man Utd boss said. “It was an opportunity for us to continue the great run we’ve been on, (but) the consistency we have shown in the last two months has been terrific.

Ferguson will reflect on a disappointing day at the office, and will rue not being able to capitalise on the slip ups of Arsenal and Chelsea, who both dropped points on Saturday.

The injury to captain Rio Ferdinand during the warm up further compounded the Scot’s misery, but Man Utd assistant manager Mike Phelan refused to blame the England international’s absence for the result. He said: “It doesn’t help, but the result wasn’t down to Rio’s withdrawal.”

“Of late we have been starting well, and we got the goal that we wanted and controlled most of the game in the first half.”

“But second half we were never in the game. We didn’t create chances or put them under intense pressure like we can do.”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will hope the result is the start of a run of form which takes them out of the relegation zone. The midlands-based club currently sit second bottom of the league, joint on points with bottom club West Ham and two points behind 17^th placed club West Brom.

Who would have predicted this result? Perhaps you should make the most of Free Scratch Cards in the coming days. As this Wolves win proved – anything can happen at the moment!

The Manchester United striker has endured a torrid time do far this season, scoring only twice in the Premier League before last night. But his part in the win means that his side remain 5 points clear of title contenders Arsenal, and equal the club record of 29 games unbeaten. Bigfreebet are likely to see rapidly decreasing odds of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side matching Arsenal’s “Unbeatables” as United continue to win.

But now the former Everton striker believes Chelsea have put their poor run of form that saw them slip to 5^th in the league behind them, and will be involved in the race for the title.

“We certainly haven’t written Chelsea off…they are a big, strong side and we know if anyone is capable of going on a run it is them” said Rooney.

He added: “But we know it’s up to us where the title goes and I hope we can win it”.

Chelsea looked to have recovered from their poor run which saw the current title holders record only one win in nine. But since suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of relegation threatened Wolves, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won 4 of their previous 5 games, including a 7-0 thumping of Ipswich in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile Manchester United continue relentlessly in their pursuit of an unbeaten season. With 14 games remaining in the league Rooney hopes he will be able to score more often to help his side’s cause. He said: “I am delighted to have scored and hopefully I can go on a run now and help the team to win games “. Manchester United now face Wolves on Saturday, where big free bet believe they will be able to continue their unbeaten run,  while Chelsea face Liverpool, with new striker Fernando Torres in line to face his old club on his debut.

The form of Dimitar Berbatov and super-sub Javier Hernandez though – with 20 and 11 goals respectively this season – has meant Rooney’s goal drought has not had much of an impact on the side.

But with their rival’s reinforcements set to liven up the title race Rooney’s two goals against Aston Villa signalled a spectacular return to his best and reminded those at Stamford Bridge and Anfield that United didn’t need to strengthen their forward line as they have plenty of attacking talent already.

The Red Devils have now gone a club record 29 league games unbeaten and talk of a complete unbeaten season – like the Arsenal invincibles side of 2004 – are beginning to emerge excited from the United terraces and messageboards. Anyone looking to bet on Premier League winner should give serious thought to backing United.

To have got so far without the best form of their star striker is remarkable enough – remember he apparently ‘carried’ United for much of last season before his injury against Bayern Munich in April coincided with stuttering finish to the season that allowed Chelsea to eventually finish top dogs. The Premier League betting now suggests the title is United’s for the taking, but they can’t afford to slip.

So with a fit and firing Rooney on board, United are an even more fearsome unit and appear well set to push on and claim yet another Premier League title, regardless of what has been spent elsewhere.

The Red Devils are sitting top of the Premier League and are unbeaten despite not hitting top form consistency, while they are also in the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League. Anyone looking to bet on Premier League winner probably has to look no further than United.

Rooney has also failed to hit top form this campaign and endured a troubled first half of the season due to high-profile problems in his home life and then transfer speculation – after he handed in a transfer request before doing a U-turn and committing himself to United.

The England striker has a lot to do to win back round some of the United fans and he needs to do that on the pitch, something that could be just round the corner as Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov have looked to be forming a top partnership in recent weeks and the Premier League tips suggest they can fire the side to glory.

If Rooney can get the goals to bring the Premier League title to Manchester United that would certainly put him back in the fans’ good books.

He said it was a “relief” to have the contract sorted and he knows it was the “right decision” to stay at Old Trafford.

“I feel good. My form has been good in recent games. As a striker, you always want to be scoring goals and I just want to score as many as possible until the end of the season,” Rooney added.

“It’s been a tough time, but I’m looking forward to helping the team win trophies.

United have two games in hand on their rivals in the Premier League title hunt and could open the gap at the top as they play Birmingham on Saturday and Blackpool three days later.

This season has been unpredictable in just about every way – Chelsea have blown a clear lead in the title chase, newly-promoted Blackpool have done the double over Liverpool and tongues have barely stopped wagging over the future of just about every manager whose team has suffered a prolonged spell in the lower half of the table – but one reassuringly familiar aspect is the irrepressible Red machine, which just rumbles on and on. To be fair, most football predictions take the side’s ability to ground out results these days, but it’s still a sight to see.

Sir Alex Ferguson‘s team remain unbeaten on their quest to overhaul bitter rivals Liverpool’s record number of top division titles, and despite Harry Redknapp’s claims that he simply could not see Man United continuing undefeated until May, what he and every other fan in the country has not seen is just what the Reds are capable of once they hit top form.

Their best players in each position – Ferdinand in defence, Nani in midfield and Rooney up front – have still not managed to hit top form for consistent periods of time, and should they do so, then Ferguson may end up making his opposite number at Spurs eat his words, something the football odds suggest could happen easily.

Manchester United invariably finish a season stronger than they start – a scary statistic for their potential rivals for the title – and as a result, everyone’s best chance at beating them may have already passed. On top of that, with a run of fixtures which sees them face Birmingham, Blackpool, Aston Villa – a side they historically do very well against – and Wolves before they have to face Man City, they could well have clear sky between themselves and any chasing pack before their rivals have a chance to do anything about it.

Ferguson doesn’t know how to lose, and his history of success in the Premier League speaks for itself, and as a result it would be a brave man who bets against them this time out.

As Sir Alex Ferguson remarked afterwards, there was very little for either goal keeper to do in the end, and Edwin Van der Sar can thank one man for that; Nemanja Vidic.

The United defence wasn’t struggling in his absence, far from it. Missing from the FA Cup game against Liverpool, his team mates duly subdued the threat of Liverpool to record an easy 1-0 win over their rivals.

But those paying close attention to football bets note that United’s away form has been a cause of worry this season, drawing seven times before Sunday and winning only two, while their defence has been relatively leaky, conceding the joint most goals away from home out of the top four.

And Spurs offered a different proposition to the struggling Liverpool side. The first half of their season has been full of verve and attacking intent, the antithesis of Liverpool under both Hodgson and now Kenny Dalglish.

Craft and guile is their game, with the added string of the aerial ball to Crouch and his ability to feed Van der Vaart goals this season to their bow.

Anticipation ahead of the game saw the contest billed as the most exciting game of the season. While it may not have lived up to the hype in some respects, Vidic’s performance deserves its plaudits.

Committed as ever in the face of defending with a man down after Rafael’s sending off, the Serbian held firm time and time again, frustrating a Spurs side that eventually ran out of ideas.

In doing so he stopped Spurs from scoring in a game for only the fifth time this season; the second time Vidic has achieved this feat this season.

Ferguson will rejoice at the return of his defensive rock, and paired with England Captain Rio Ferdinand, United can look forward to plenty more clean sheets.

If Vidic held firm in the face of the Spurs onslaught,  football betting pundits will suggest the Serb won’t be helping his goalkeeper pick the ball out of the net too many more times this season.

The 23-year-old Irish star is a fringe player at United but has had opportunities to play as United have remained unbeaten so far in the Premier League.

This, coupled with defending champion Chelsea‘s slump in form, has seen Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side take the advantage in the title race and sit two points clear and the Premier League betting predictions suggest it’s theirs for the taking.

They are ahead of local rivals Manchester City by two points, having also played two games less, but they are not affected by the in-fighting and problems behind the scenes that are making things difficult for City manager Roberto Mancini.

City may have the money to spend but they are finding it hard to create a united team capable of going for the title. Mancini has spent £37 million on Edin Dzeko this month and that could further upset the volatile strikers already at Eastlands such as Mario Balotelli and Emmanuel Adebayor, and that could have a major impact on their Premier League title bid.

Gibson has reassured United have a “good group” that are all gunning in the same direction.

“The spirit is so good within the squad and everyone is so tight together, no-one wants to upset it,” said the player.

“This is a great club and we have a great manager, who knows what he is doing and how to keep players happy.

United are likely to be boosted at the weekend by the return of Wayne Rooney for their trip to Spurs. The England man missed the FA Cup game but should be fit for Sunday and anyone looking at the Premier League weekend betting should bear this in mind.

Although he has not been firing on all cylinders, there is no doubt he has the quality to ignite United’s Premier League title bid into top gear.

Adler has done everything he can to try and engineer a move to Old Trafford, making a “come and get me” plea during an interview with the Mirror. The 25-year-old has a £15million clause in his contract at Leverkusen, allowing a move and Adler is desperate for United to trigger it.

“I have told the board of Leverkusen that I am not willing to discuss any kind of new contract until April. The board of the club are aware of the special clause in my contract. I have higher ambitions and everyone knows that Manchester United is my dream club,” he said.

The football predictions hint the German international Adler would be the strongest candidate to take over from Van der Sar if he signed. Lindegaard is inexperienced at senior level and Tomasz Kuzczak looks set to leave Old Trafford after five years of sitting on the bench.

The Polish stopper has been waiting patiently for Van der Sar to step down, only to see Sir Alex go out keeper shopping when his chance looked to have come. The former West Brom player has made it known he will be looking to find out his manager’s plans before deciding on his future.

“Of course I would like regular football. I need to see what the boss wants to do, whether he wants to play me or sell me. But definitely I want to play,” the player said.

United are most people’s football betting tips for the title this season, but they will need to ensure they find the right keeper if they are to carry their success on into future seasons.

If Fergie does decide to splash the cash on Adler, then Kuzczak could well be on his way out of Old Trafford. Whoever gets the nod to step into Van der Sar’s sizable boots will certainly have a big job on their hands.

The two have history. Yolkie, the warrior in question, claimed back in October that Jordan Henderson would be signing for United and that Karim Benzema would join him if we could find a buyer for Michael Owen.

“Ok, Jordan Henderson is basically a done deal & Benzema is the forward who “will sign” if we can find a buyer for Owen,” he said via his Twitter account.

Yolkie’s claims were met with much scepticism. After all, how can a simple United blogger acquire inside information like that without having a source within the club to feed him information? He was laughed off as a nobody.

Fast forward a few months and we’re now heading to Liverpool fans forum RAWK, where a member started a new thread comparing Liveropol’s plight under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson to the Hillsborough disaster where 96 people tragically lost their lives.

The ridiculous and offensive text was soon copied and pasted to various forums, including RedCafe, to a thread dedicated to laughing at the deluded ramblings of RAWK members.

Sad though it is, this sort of deluded posting is not a rarity over on RAWK. In fact I’ve even written about them in the past.

Credit to the staff on RAWK, they quickly deleted the post and banned the user. However, in what would appear to be a way of distancing themselves from the post, the administrators are now claiming that it was the result of a hacked account.

Now let’s get back to Yolkie. Today he waded into the situation by claiming on his Twitter account that it “looks like someone from redcafe did it”. A bold claim I’m sure you’ll agree, but Yolkie was undeterred from attacking a United forum with nearly 40,000 members.

Many headed over to the Twitter battleground to ask Yolkie to explain his actions. Some thought he was trying to be controversial to gain recognition. Others thought his unsubstantiated claims were retaliation due to the ridicule his Henderson/Benzema claims received.

Yolkie though would not explain his comment. Instead he went on the defensive by claiming that he had been attacked by members of redcafe, then accused others of lying about his comment while simultaneously deleting his Tweets to hide the evidence.

The Tweet that Yolkie denies making

He also claimed to have “never even heard of the place until they targeted me”, but later added that his claim “wasn’t defamatory or a statement, and it was based on their disgusting track record.” This being in defence of the comment that he now claims he never said.

The whole situation has now descended into a ridiculous stand off, with RedCafe still awaiting an explanation from Yolkie, and Yolkie unable or unwilling to provide proof of his claim.

One thing is for certain, nobody has come out of this looking good, but the prize for village idiot of the day goes to Yolkie, for turning on one of the largest online communities of United fans because his feelings were hurt after his claim to be in the know regarding United’s transfers was rightly questioned.

As one RedCafe member put it, “I’d be surprised if he’s ITK about what’s in his pockets.”

With direct comparisons made to the largely incomparable Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani was never going to find it easy to win over the United faithful quickly but it would seem that, slowly but surely, he’s doing just that after a solid start to the season that culminated in a stunning curled winner last night against Stoke.

The winning goal ensured that United stretched their impressive unbeaten run to 20 games, Nani’s goal wiping out Dean Whitehead’s headed equaliser that pulled the away side back into contention after Javier Hernandez’s flicked opener and the football predictions suggest they are only going to get better. The goal from Nani came just seconds after a spell of play that appeared to sum up everything that is wrong with the player, Nani waiting far too long when in a decent position to play the ball to Dimitar Berbatov in the box.

In that respect Nani still has much to learn about the urgency of the English game, along with the fact that selfish play doesn’t fit well with the mentality of most English football fans, but last night wasn’t the first occasion that the United faithful have had Nani to thank for keeping their unbeaten run intact this season and the football betting now indicates they can push on.

United are now being spoken about in the same breath as Arsenal‘s historic invincible team of 2004, the Gooners then going 38 games unbeaten. Nani, now back to full fitness after suffering a hip injury that kept him out of the side over Christmas, himself believes United are in a “great position” to match the feat of the North London club and one thing’s for sure, you wouldn’t bet against just that happening.

But the unconvincing nature of their performances, instead of pointing towards a weaker team than in previous seasons actually shows just how good a team United are.

Those following the latest scores note that you don’t go 20 games unbeaten, a Premier League run bettered only by the 2003/04 Arsenal ‘invincibles’ side, without being a very good side.

Well drilled by manager Sir Alex Ferguson they play with a fierce determination and will to win, which can over come many obstacles, which in United’s case is the sale and non-replacement of key players and the aging of established stars.

They also still have a squad full of match winners, who on their day can produce a moment of magic to seal a game. With Wayne Rooney rested against Stoke on Tuesday it was left for Nani to be the main man, curling home a beautiful effort from the edge of the area just after the hour.

Those following the football live scores note that it is this ability to grind out results that makes them such a threat in the title race. Main opponents Manchester City and Arsenal arguably have as many flair and creative players in their side if not more, but you get the impression that on a bad day they are less likely to scrape a result as United are. Chelsea looked just as ruthless early on this year, but their poor recent run has highlighted obvious flaws in their aging squad.

Spurs are definite dark horses, but it remains to be seen whether they can last the pace. It’s been a while since they were last in a title race after all.

But for United the run continues and if critics are right in claiming they haven’t played well this season, the rest of league better brace themselves for when they do.

Teams around United have struggled to pick up points while the red half of Manchester has been able to pick up the points without performing particularly well, and it seems Sir Alex Ferguson is happy enough with his squad not to add to it during the January transfer window.

Despite being linked with a replacement for the soon to retire Edwin Van der Sar, Ferguson has showed little interest in recruiting new players over previous January transfer window.

When quizzed on the possibility of any new arrivals, Ferguson replied “definitely not”, putting paid to rumours suggesting Tottenham target Luiz Suarez will be wearing a Man Utd Shirt before long.

Whether United will suffer from Sir Alex’s policy of looking far and wide for value for money remains to be seen, but will only serve to perpetuate rumours of a lack of funds being made available from the much maligned Glazer family.

With Manchester City looking to add their already bulging squad with Wolfsburg goal-machine Edin Dzeko, Ferguson is likely to come under increased pressure from fans to get the chequebook out.

The United boss will look to continue their unbeaten run against Stoke and prove his squad is more than capable of winning the league without any new additions.

One man heading in the opposite direction is Italian youngster Federico Macheda who looks set to join an Italian team on loan.

He joins a host of other United players out on loan looking for first team football. Ferguson has high hopes for the talented youngster and hopes a loan spell will help the player develop and help him gain a first team spot when he returns.

By Pete South

But back in 2003 there was another Ronaldo strutting his stuff on the Old Trafford turf – only this one was wearing a Real Madrid shirt.

The 27-year-old Brazilian plundered a marvellous hat-trick in a truly exceptional performance to send the Spanish side through to the semi-finals and wreck United’s Champions League dream.

Taking a 3-1 lead into the game Madrid pushed further ahead after 12 minutes when Ronaldo converted Guti’s defence splitting pass before Dutchman  Ruud Van Nistelrooy brought United back into the game a few minutes later, although it would have needed the home side to pull off one of their Champions League specials if they were to get back into the game.

But with United pressing Madrid were always confident they were just out of reach and sought to exploit the spaces at the back early in the second half.
On 50 minutes Roberto Carlos was played in by Figo and the Brazilian laid the ball off to his compatriot Ronaldo for a simple finish.

Despite another equaliser from Juan Veron, Ronaldo was not to be denied and he all but sealed the game and his hat-trick with a rasping 25-yard drive after 58 minutes. The Champions League best odds already indicated United were down and out, so the watching fans could only appreciate his genius.

David Beckham came off the bench to score two late goals which gave United a win on the night but it was too little too late. The real hero was the man who departed the field to a standing ovation mid-way through the second half – the fans knew they had seen a world-class performance from a truly gifted player.

Although disappointed after the game Sir Alex Ferguson probably echoed the fans sentiments when he said despite going out it was a special match to have been involved in.

The Ligue One outfit will be no pushovers of course, they did beat Chelsea at the Stade Velodrome earlier this month after all. But a side of United’s experience in the competition should be good enough to make it through and the Champions League predictions reflect this.

United have yet to really reach top gear this season but Fergie has them well drilled and they are experts at pulling out results when it matters, last Monday’s narrow win over Arsenal on Monday is a case in point.

Much of the build-up to the tie will be dominated by Gabriel Heinze, who will make his first return to Man United since leaving under a cloud three years ago.

The 32-year-old, who moved from PSG in 2004, took the Old Trafford club to the court of arbitration for sport in August 2007 after they had rejected an offer for the defender from bitter rivals Liverpool. Heinze hoped to force through the move but the court upheld United’s claim. Heinze eventually joined Real Madrid before moving to Marseille in the summer 2009.

The tie will be tough on the French South Coast, coach Didier Deschamps is doing a great job in reviving the 1993 European Champions, but I feel United will have enough to finish the job off in the second game at Old Trafford.

The football transfer rumours suggest Bruce hopes to sign the youngster on a permanent deal when the January transfer window opens, although it remains to be seen how keen United are to sell Welbeck. The 20-year-old has been impressive in the first half of his season-long loan deal at the Stadium of Light, scoring five goals.

Welbeck’s latest eye-catching performance came in one of the few games this weekend, when he the winner against Bolton, talking the Black Cats up to sixth and keeping the club’s European hopes alive. The striker was part of an intimidating front three and linked up well with Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan on numerous occasions to cause the Bolton defence plenty of problems. Welbeck’s predatory instincts were on show as he reacted quickest in the area to score with a diving header to give his side the win and the football tips suggest he could even help drive Sunderland into Europe.

Sir Alex will certainly be aware of Welbeck’s form this season and won’t be overly keen on offloading the young English forward. A season of Premier League football was always going to make or break Welbeck’s United career and so far he has done all he can to impress his United boss, with a string of quality displays for his loan club.

Welbeck has shown his ability to play in a number of positions and has definitely proved he can bring something to Unite next season. There are a number of quality young forwards already at Old Trafford but a full season of first team football will add plenty to the striker’s game and his power and pace would give Fergie another option in attack.

No matter what Bruce buys Sir Alex for Christmas, it looks as though Welbeck will be heading back to Old Trafford come the end of the season.

The Brazilian has enjoyed mixed fortunes since moving to Old Trafford from FC Porto, but his recent form has prompted the club to extend his existing contract.

Last week we wrote how Anderson could reignite United’s title challenge, and his performance against Arsenal on Monday seemed to reinforce this.

His incisive passing and driving runs are what has galvanised the team in recent weeks and if he can add goals to his repetoire he can become a world class midfielder for United.

“This is the best Club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years.  I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this Club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract,” Anderson told manutd.com.

Sir Alex Ferguson added: “We are delighted Anderson has signed a new contract.  Anderson has developed tremendously since joining the Club and he has fantastic potential at only 22 years of age, he is going to be a really top player.”

Vidic has revealed that being handed the captaincy has allowed him to think more closely about his responsibilities on the pitch, and in particular his behaviour, his training, and the way in which he communicates to the other players and organises the back line, helping them to upset the fixed odds week after week. Whilst Vidic should be applauded for the manner in which he’s helped United keep their fine unbeaten record going so far this season (make sure you’re starting to seek out the best odds for this team to go unbeaten this year), it’s also great to see Ferdinand play like a true captain on the pitch when he is fit enough to make the starting line-up.

With Ferdinand’s man of the match performance on Monday night against Arsenal a real case in point in this respect, United should count themselves lucky that they have leaders across the pitch who perform for the good of the team whether or not they’re in possession of the captain’s armband. If a toothless Arsenal side could have said the same on Monday, perhaps the result wouldn’t have gone the way of the efficient Red Devils.

The Gunners have often attempted to claim moral victories, believing their “pretty football” sets them apart from United and Chelsea, but even that excuse is starting to escape them.

From the moment Howard Webb blew the whistle to start the game at Old Trafford last night, it was clear that Arsene Wenger had sent his team out with the clear intention of using systematic fouling to break up United’s passing game. It would be wrong to say there were any horribly reckless fouls from the Arsenal players, but the constant cynical fouling every time United were on the break meant that it was surprising Howard Webb took so long to brandish his yellow card.

In truth neither side played particularly well, but the difference between the two was that Sir Alex Ferguson set his tactics out like he so often does against Arsenal with the intention of stifling their play in midfield, hoping to break on the wings with Nani and Park feeding Wayne Rooney who was operating as a lone striker. Together with the defensive solidity of Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidic and it’s proven repeatedly to be a winning formula against Arsenal.

The team that carved out the better chances was the home side, with Arsenal creating very little beside one header straight at Edwin Van der Sar and a scuffed shot that was blocked easily by Vidic. That hasn’t stopped Arsenal players having a good old moan though, led as usual by their manager.

Instead of accepting that his team once again came up woefully short against a big team Wenger chose to criticise the pitch, which he claimed ruined the game as a spectacle.

“The technical quality of the game was average on both sides because the pitch was very poor in my opinion and the game suffered a lot from it,” said the Arsenal boss.

While young midfielder Jack Wilshere echoed his manager’s comments, “To be honest, the pitch was shocking – I think they wanted to stop us playing!”

Now this may be a simplistic way of viewing things, but isn’t the pitch the same for both sides? And isn’t it also extremely hypocritical of a player whose team committed twice as many fouls as their opponents to claim that United tried to stop them from playing?

Andrei Arshavin added: “We didn’t deserve defeat. The match was a battle, but we lost.

“Manchester United had more luck than us during the game but we were not able to create anything special near their goal. If it wasn’t for a ­fortunate bounce at the end of the first half, we would have gone in at 0-0 and the second half would have been easier.”

Yes Andrei, and if we had scored the penalty it would have bee 2-0. And if my aunty had a penis she’d be my uncle. Ifs and buts don’t matter in football. Results are what matters and points in the bag. And not for the first time it is Arsenal who have walked away from a big name with nothing.

Instead of talking about who was lucky and blaming pitches and tactics, it’s about time Arsene Wenger had a long hard look at himself and his players and realised that things need to fundamentally change at Arsenal before they’re considered to be serious title contenders once again.

Those following the latest scores last night will know that they weren’t at their best again against Arsenal, but they did just enough to grab the win and go two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Ji-Sung Park was the hero, heading home Nani’s deflected cross mid-way through the first half for the only goal of the game.

The South-Korean is one of Fergie’s most trusted players, always finding himself in the starting line-up in the games that matter. His goal yesterday was his 4th goal against the Gunners.

His other trusted pairing is defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The duo have had their injury problems in recent years but when they are fit United are a much tougher nut to crack. They comfortably held Arsenal at bay on Monday night – no mean feat when you consider the Gunners had the likes of Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh in the starting line-up.

Their title win two years ago was based around a record run of clean sheets – 14 in succession between November 2008 and March 2009. Ferdinand, Vidic and goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar were all key components of that run two years ago and Fergie will hope the trio remain fit this season because if Monday is anything to go buy they remain as solid as ever.

Another huge clash awaits the Red Devils on Sunday when they travel to Stamford Bridge to play Champions Chelsea, who are without a win in seven league games. This is certainly one to keep an eye on when following the latest football scores this weekend.

Another three points there and United could be five points clear at Christmas.

Not bad for a side who apparently haven’t played well all season.

It was Manchester United who walked away with 3 points from Old Trafford after withstanding an onslaught of professional fouls from Arsenal.

For a team who often complains about their treatment at the hands of other teams, it was the Gunners who showed their hand early on. Referee Howard Webb was called into action several times in the first five minutes, as Arsenal put in late and dangerous challenges on United players, apparently to show that they can mix it with the big boys.

Webb was very lenient with the offending players, instead preferring to try and let the game flow. Arsenal had other ideas though, halting many of united’s flowing attacks with cynical fouls that often went unpunished.

When Ji Sung Park opened the scoring in the first half it was no more than United deserved for their efforts. One side had come to play football, the other to hack and kick.

The media darlings will no doubt escape any form of criticism is tomorrow’s papers though. The collective media blindness to Arsenal’s dark side is as frustrating as it is ridiculous.

Arsene Wenger’s men have deliberately set out with a game plan to rough up Manchester United players in two consecutive games now, and it’s time they were named and shamed as the dirtiest team in the league.

Fortunately for United, it’s not a tactic that wins games and as recent results against Arsenal show, it’s our class that usually wins out over their dirty tactics.

United defender Chris Smalling is no different with regards to his excitement for this game. The 21-year-old has stated that he and his team mates ‘don’t have any need to fear’ Arsenal and can go into the match with confidence.

The former Fulham man went on to say: “We will have 70,000 fans cheering us on. They should be intimidated more than we are. It is a massive game.”

As we all know, the Arsenal game is followed by another important clash as Alex Ferguson’s men travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea next Sunday.

This was always going to be a crucial period in United’s season and it has been made even more significant by how close things are at the top of the table. As things stand, just two points separate the top three with Manchester City and Tottenham not too far behind either.

Smalling admits that United have always earmarked the next couple of weeks as an important time in the team’s season.

He said: “When the fixtures first came out everyone saw this as a pivotal period. We didn’t get into top gear during the first month of the season. Now it is time for us to kick on and send out a message because we are getting stronger as a team.”

Ferguson’s men are unbeaten in the Premier League this season of course, despite not playing to their best on a number of occasions. In fact, had it not been for Chelsea’s recent slump, United would have been a few points adrift at this stage.

The Blues have been poor though and United have started to pick up their form at just the right time. The next two games are where they make all the hard work of going unbeaten pay off.

Smalling – who clearly wears his Manchester United shirt with pride – will be determined to help maintain the unbeaten record to help the Red Devils join the X Factor winner in being Christmas No.1 this year.

I have taken at look at the approximate ages of players in five years time. The aim is to look at who we have coming through that can replace these players.

Van Der Sar 45, Rafael 25, Rio Ferdinand 37, Vidic 34, Evra 34, Valencia 30, Nani 29, Anderson 27, Fletcher 31, Rooney 30,
Berbatov 34.

Here is how things look like in five years time with the players we currently have available.

Man Utd team in 2015

Kuschak 33 / Lindegaard 31, Rafael 25, Evans 27, Smalling 26, Fabio 25, Nani 29, Anderson 27, Fletcher 31, Obertan 27, Rooney 30
Hernandez 27.

What I think is clear is that the foundations are there for this team. However of course, it depends on how well the defence in particular develop as players.

There are obviously players I have missed out, but I have selected the first eleven as opposed to a whole subs bench. As we all hope, there are three of four young players to come through during the five years. They can potentially fill up the substitutes bench for the club.

Sir Alex is leaving the next Manchester United manager is a good position, with a decent squad and room to improve it. Every Manchester United fan will arguably have fears about how well the next manager does. Whether they have the experience for example or whether they can handle the big players. All perfectly valid questions as I am sure you would agree.

The policy of not buying players over and around the age of twenty-five on this evidence is looking strong and logical. If we can also get some return in the twilight years of the careers of Berbatov and Ferdinand for example, (like Giggs and Scholes) then there is every reason to be positive.

If the club are able to sign two or three big name signings along the way to add to the squad, then there is potential for United to continue to challenge for the title.

What do you think? Do you share my optimism?

He was struggling for form, having trouble nailing down a starting spot in the team and looking like the £15 million paid to Porto to secure his signature was a risk that hadn’t paid off for Sir Alex Ferguson.

His troubles were not limited to the football pitch either.  The Brazilian was pulled unconscious and “lifeless” from his burning car after crashing it in Braga, Portugal in the summer, and spent several hours in hospital. We don’t want to see a repeat of that now he’s back in the UK, and I hope for his sake that his car insurance is in order, maybe he should pay a visit to moneysupermarket!

Fast forward four months and Anderson’s career has seemingly been reignited. His energetic performances have breathed new life into a United midfield that has been devoid of creativity and attacking intent due to the dips in form to both Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher.

His performance last night in particular was a sign of what Anderson is capable of when he puts his mind to it. Comfortably the best player on the pitch, he controlled the midfield and orchestrated much of United’s good forward play. He scored the vital equaliser that ensured United topped their Champions’ League group and avoided European giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid in the first knock out stage, and would have had a couple of assists to his name had Dimitar Berbatov been more clinical in front of goal.

His incisive passing through the Valencia defence to the United strikers as well as his long balls out wide to Nani and Park were exquisite, and while it’s far too early to talk of him replacing the genius of Scholes, the signs are definitely there that he has the potential to come very close.

What has sparked this drastic turnaround is anybody’s guess, but just like Nani over the last twelve months, Anderson is slowly beginning to win round his doubters and could prove to be a vital cog in the United machine as they chase a record 19th Premier League title.

To establish who is the better defender we have to assess their various strengths and weaknesses

The categories will be:

• Aerial abilty
• Positional sense and anticipation
• Recovery
• Speed
• On the floor
• Strength
• Errors
• Leadership

Aerial ability

Given that Vidic’s main strength is his ability to connect head with ball like a magnet, it’s no surprise that he comes on top in this battle. His aerial dominance helps us repel long ball tactics as well as crosses from the wings. Having said that, Rio is also excellent in the air, just not as good as Vidic.

Positional sense and anticipation

Both players have excellent positional sense, but for me this is a trait that Rio excels at. His ability to anticipate attacks and be in the right place at the right time to step in and relieve an opponent of possession is one of his strongest assets. Vidic isn’t half bad either. But he does find himself out of position from time to time and that’s why we sometimes see him diving in for those last ditch sliding challenges or his trademarked rugby tackle when the defender has got past him.

Recovery

This is one Rio’s, hands down. While the England skipper has the pace to recover from errors, Vidic is often left with only the option to bring down his opponent, leaving us facing a free kick in a dangerous area, or worse having 10 men, though the red cards usually only happen with Fernando Torres, who seems to have Vidic in his pocket.

Speed

No contest in this one. While Rio isn’t as quick as he was before his injury, he’s still faster than Vidic.

On the floor

This is another one that’s Rio’s. While Vidic dominates in the air, so does Rio on the ground. I have no fear when through balls are played to strikers when Rio’s on the pitch, because more often that not he’ll simply glide in and take possession.

Strength

This is a close one. While Vidic is known for his all acton style, Rio is a beast of a man and seldom gets knocked off the ball by a striker. If I had to choose who’s the strongest I’d say Rio, but I’ll call this one a draw.

Errors

While errors used to be Rio Ferdinand‘s only downside, he has now cut them out of his game and been excellent for the last three of four seasons(when fit). Vidic has shown a tendency to struggle against quick strikers who can turn him and then outpace him. This again leads to either a goal or having to deal with a dangerous free kick as Vidic as to resort to bringing down the attacker.

Leadership

Nemanja Vidic may be wearing the captain’s armband these days, but it’s clear that Rio Ferdinand is our leader on the pitch. Vidic tends to take a backseat while Rio dishes out orders and organises his back line. He’s often the one leading from the back too, with inch perfect long balls out to our wide men, playing it over the top to our strikers or brining the ball into midfield, such is his confidence and ability on the ball.

Current form

On current form, Vidic has not reached the heights of the previous two campaigns and has had some very dodgy moments to say the least. He’s still having a good season and is up there mong the best in the world, but by his own standards his performances have dropped a little this season.

Rio is having an excellent season. While he hasn’t played as many games s Vidic, he has not put a foot wrong when he has played. Looks to be back to the usual calm and composed defender he was before his long term injury lay off. No coincidence that the shaky looking defence that dropped silly points to late goals earlier in the season has looked almost inpenetrable since his return.

Recent history

2007/008 was undoubtedly Rio’s best season in a United shirt. In the absense of Gary Neville he captained the team to Premier League and Champions League glory, leading by example every step of the way. He barely put a foot wrong all season and was by far the best defender in world football at that time. To find a player who has matched or exceeded Rio’s level of that season you have to look at Nesta and Maldini.

Vidic’s standout season was 2008/2009. While Ferdinand spent much of it injured, Vidic was staking hsi claim to be the best defender in the world. He helped United to a clean sheet record and a third consecutive Premier League title. He was also excellent in the 2009/2010 season, but it has to be said that he never reached the performance levels of Rio in 2007/2008.

Some bonus tackling stats:

Rio Ferdinand has not given away a single free kick this season. His last foul was against Blackburn at the tail end of last season. That’s 810 minutes without committing a foul.

Some might argue that that’s because he doesn’t put in many tackles. Wrong! He has made 44 tackles this season, while Vidic is just ahead on 53.

While comparisons can be drawn between the two and people generally have a favourite, I think it’s important that they’re both United players and we’re very lucky to have both of them. Together they form the best central defensive partnership in world football and have formed the base of our recent success in the Premier League and Champions League.

So there you have it. I’ve made my case and Rio Ferdinand comes out on top. Now you make yours. Who is better?

That leads me to suggest that in the next two matches (West Ham and Blackpool) he should be dropped to the bench. I think Rooney could do with having sixty minutes on Tuesday night and his partner needs to be Javi Hernandez. They need to strike up some sort of partnership, especially as we have the busy Christmas period and the New Year, which means games will come thick and fast.

So that means also giving them a game together on Saturday against Blackpool away. As due to injuries they have had very little time to form any sort of understanding. Giving the pair this time together will mean that during the season later on, Hernandez can step in for either Roo or Berbatov and make an impact.

I hope, that Hernandez can use the Blackpool game to fill his boots, get some confidence. He has showed ability and confidence but we will need to rely on him to score at key times. You also give Javi a start in the Valencia game. This is alot to ask for such a young and new player, but with Owen out, Javi has a big role to play this season.

Berba can still have a role to play but you bring Berbatov back for the big one the Arsenal game, on Monday the 13th of December.

Rafael – 7 Excellent supporting Nani on the right wing. Nothing much to do in defence.

Ferdinand – 8 Majestic. The little Blackburn threw at him was mopped up with class and ease.

Vidic – 7 One mistake almost allowed Blackburn in early on, but a good game overall.

Evra – 7 Got forward at every opportunity. Seems to have developed a taste for scoring goals after his header last week. Didn’t score today but not for lack of trying.

Nani – 8 Scored a fabulous goal and had a hand in several others. Great to see him back on form after a lull in his performances of late.

Carrick – 8 Dictated the tempo of the game, albeit without much opposition.

Anderson – 8 His energy and driving runs through midfield galvanised the team today.

Park – 7 Seems to have found some form of late. Chipped in with his fifth goal of the season.

Rooney – 8 Didn’t manage to get himself on the score sheet but was magnificent on his Old Trafford return. It’s no coincidence that his return has coincided with our best performance of the season.

Berbatov – 10 i don’t think I’ve ever given a player a rating of 10 before but if ever a player deserved it it’s Berbatov. Five goals today from the Bulgarian! Magical stuff.

But even I was surprised by his latest comments regarding the state of the game and how it’s driven by money and greed.

“Football is only about money, and I don’t like it,” he grunted.

“There are so many agents with really young footballers. It’s awful, as these young players are not interesting in winning titles, they only want money.

It seems the irony of his words were lost on him. Tevez left the biggest club in the world to go and play for a team that has not won a trophy for a three and a half decades. To hear him talk of values and greed is like being told you’re a bit of a druggy by Pete Doherty.

He has joined the mercenary ranks of Manchester City and taken the massive pay cheque that came with it. But he’s also taken on the burden of playing for a club that are perennial losers and the stress continues to show.

He has repeatedly spoken of his desire to retire from football early and go back home to Argentina.

“Today, the young players have no education at all, and I don’t want to listen to them. When I played in Boca, when [Martin] Palermo or [Juan Roman] Riquelme talked, I listened to them. So I don’t want a young player to tell me ‘why did you do that?’ in the dressing-room. I would punch him, as I have won 13 titles in my career.”

Not wanting to communicate with idiotic footballers who make career choices based on salary offers rather than trophy winning potential is an admirable quality to have, but not when you’re too dense to realise your own hypocrisy.

We are also massive Manchester United fans and are now looking to see how we can help United bloggers with their blogs.

We’re offering all United bloggers a free website health check so that you can get the most from your online presence.

Why does your website need a health check?

Your website represents your blog and it’s important that it is optimised not just for search engines, but for your readers too. Research suggests that if a visitor has not engaged with your website within five seconds, they won’t engage at all.

Our team will assess your existing website to see what can be done to maximise your traffic. We’ll find ways to make it load faster and suggest design changes to help communicate with your visitors better and ultimately keep them on your website longer.

So what’s the catch?

There isn’t one. Our website evaluation is a completely free service. We’ll provide you with a full report of suggested changes that can be made to optimise your website, and you are free to take that to any design agency in the world to get the work done.

To take advantage of this offer please visit Manchester Design Studio.

The Cash Dash is a race in two giant zorb balls, across the Bloomfield turf, between one home and one away supporter. The winner will be the fan who crosses the finishing line first, and will earn themselves £250. There will also a £250 donation to Blackpool’s Trinity Hospice.

So if you fancy representing Man Utd, register your details at www.wonga.com/blackpool

And if you don’t know what a “zorb ball” is, here is Blackpool’s Ian Holloway demonstrating! http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~2136928,00.html

O’ Shea – 6 Some scary moments up against Weiss.

Smalling – 7 Nothing much to deal with.

Evans – 6 A lapse in concentration almost let Rangers sneak in.

Fabio – 7 Kept his flank quiet nd was our only outlet on the left wing as Giggs driften inside.

Nani – 6 Struggled to get going and was subbed off midway through the second half.

Scholes – 8 Dictated the tempo of the game until he was forced off wthrough injury. Not that Rangers made any attempt to win the battle in the middle of the pitch.

Carrick – 7 Kept things ticking over. Not much in terms of creative passing.

Giggs – 5 Should have been subbed off instead of Nani.

Rooney – 7 Plenty of energy and determination. Got into some good positions. Just lacking match sharpness. Coolly taken penalty.

Berbatov – 6 Some good build up play but not enough in front of goal. Badly in need of a goal to get out of his slump in form.

Subs:

Anderson – 7 Always looking for a forward pass. Looks as though he needs to lay off the pies though.

Obertan – 6 No real impact.

Hernandes – 6 Had one effort on goal. Should have one better.

You would expect that Liverpool fans would be glad to see the back of the man that led them to their lowest league finish since 1999, but strangely that isn’t the case for many.

Quite the opposite is true in fact. Any criticism of Benitez on Liverpool fans forum Red and White Kop is met not only with derision but open hostility. Threads are locked, users are banned and the moderators preside over a place full of delusion that they have helped create.

Users pointing out that Benitez has now taken an Inter Milan team that won the treble – a feat only previously matched by Manchester United in 1999 – and turned them into a defensive minded laughing stock in 6th place are told that it’s not his fault. No, it’s because Mourinho played his players into exhaustion last season by winning so many trophies. It’s also the fault of club president Massimo Moratti for not investing in the squad(where have we heard that before).

In the eyes of RAWK users Benitez can do no wrong. He is held in such high regard that they compare him with true Liverpool greats like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. The infamous rant that cost him team its first title in two decades is seen as a majestic speech from a hero that dared to stand up to Sir Alex Ferguson, who apparently controls the referees and the FA.

Contrast that with Roy Hodgson. A man tasked with turning the p*ss poor squad left by Benitez and improving it. No defence is made of the start to his Liverpool career. No blame is attached to the owners of the club as it was for Benitez’s failings. No, Liverpool’s plight is down to Hodgson’s negative tactics. I’m not sure irony is a strong enough word to descibe how epically stupid this notion is.

Have we all got it wrong then? Fans of rival clubs, journalists and other Premier League managers saw Benitez as an object of ridicule towards the end of his Liverpool career when we should have been viewing him as the hero he really was.

One Liverpool fan had this to say:

In every great epic adventure, and supporting LFC is an epic, there is always someone who has to bravely sacrifice themselves selflessly before the bittersweet victory is won. For us it was Rafa.

Another added:

If Roman spends money this Jan and Rafa goes there [If Ancelotti leaves] they could dominate for a few years yet.

It doesn’t stop there though. Inter Milan fans on the Forza Inter forums have been calling for Benitez to be sacked because they see him as the clueless buffoon that he is, but Liverpool fans from RAWK have registered on their forums to defend Benitez!

You really couldn’t make any of this up and you don’t even have to. Liverpool fans are really that ridiculous without even trying. it’s almost as if they support Benitez instead of Liverpool. To support a man that led you to 7th place after making himself look like a numpty with his facts rant and spending over £300 million is idiotic to say the least. But to sign up to another team’s forum just to defend his honour is bordering on insane.

If he Nani and Berbatov can put together some kind of form and partnership then there is a case for United winning the title. I think him returning will raise everybody’s game as they will want to and enjoy playing with Wayne. He is someone who everyone looks up to as an example in relation to effort and to win them the game.

The return will bring pace to the United forward line which has been missing. It might also allow Hernandez to form some sort of partnership with Rooney. He may be able to improve Javi, if the two are given a regular run of games. I also hope it will lift Nani’s game, after his decent start to the season.

One area in which he won’t be able to have any effect is probably the back line. Who look a very long way away from keeping five or six cleansheets on the bounce. It is definitely a worry and Rio Ferdinand looks far from his best so far, he simply looks off the pace.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvmVaSdg_M8

Last night’s bore draw was about par for the course for City’s season. Mancini regularly opts to play not one, not two, but three defensive midfielders on the pitch, restricting City’s attacking options considerably.

It’s the Italian “we must defend well and try to sneak a goal” attitude that will ultimatey hold City back from becoming real title challengers.

The derby last night was about the most boring I’ve watched in recent years. City were highly defensive, showed very little in attack and had no real desire to try and win the game. More than half an hour had passed before they had a meaningful effort on target, and even that was from a free kick.

It honestly felt like a home game, where one of the relegation battlers is visiting Old Trafford and their tactic is to put every man behind the ball and try to play for a draw.

It actually feels disappointing to come away from their often half empty stadium with just a solitary point after completely dominating possession of the ball.

City’s players will be in no doubt about what the fans thought of their performance as they were booed off the pitch at the final whistle by arguably the worst fans in the league. All that money spent on big name signings and even now they only fill the stadium when United come to town. And we were treated to glorious renditions of “Carlos Tevez is a blue, he hates Munichs” all night. A couple of our own fans didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory last night, but it’s a bit different when the entire stadium is mocking the dead of years gone by. utterly classless from the City fans, but that’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from them.

So here’s to 34 more years of turgid, defensive, unimaginitive football and being booed off the pitch by their own fans.

Rafael – 7 Looks to have nailed down the right back position. Another good performance before injury forced him off.

Vidic – 8 Dominant alongside Ferdinand.

Ferdinand – 8 City never stood a chance with him and Vidic at their best.

Evra – 7 Still not back to his best, but is slowly improving. Went off injured.

Nani – 6 Not much to aim for up front, but plenty of effort and tracked back well.

Fletcher – 8 You can buy all he £20M midfielders you want, but you can’t buy a Fletcher.

Carrick – 8 Regaining form with every game. Excellent performance tonight.

Scholes – 8 Another masterclass from the Ginger Prince tonight. City couldn’t get near him.

Park – 6 Similar to opposite winger nan. Plenty of effort, but it didn’t quite come off tonight.

Berbatov – 7 Somewhat isolated up front, but held the ball up well and brought others into play.

Subs:

O’Shea – 6 Kept Adam Johnson quiet.

Brown – 7 Got forward well while keeping his flank quiet.

Hernandez – 5 No real impact

Mary D’s, on Grey Mare Lane, was daubed with graffiti last night ahead of tonight’s Manchester Derby.

The insults included, “Manchester is Red”, “34 years” and “Foe c*nts”.

While the first two are certainly true, the reference to Marc Vivien Foe is utterly dispicable and the United ‘fans’ involved should be ashamed.

It is one thing to taunt your rivals over a lack of success, but another to taunt them over the tragic sudden death of one of their former players.

We’ve suffered enough with people mocking the dead of Munich, but we’ll no longer be able to claim the moral high ground while we have rebel elements of our own fanbase lowering us to their level.

The 15 year old made his debut for Norway’s under-15′s this Summer, playing in defeats to france, Spain and the Netherlands.

Despite being on the losing side in all three games, Mills was named player of the tournament.

Mills is expected to move to Manchester United in February 2011 where he will join the Manchester United academy, coached by Paul Mcguinness.

The Norwegian youngster joins a growing group of promising young stars that look set to light up Old Trafford in the future.

After having his powerful shot saved at the near post, the ball looped up in the air and was heading back towards the world’s most expensive player.

But instead of controlling it and whipping a ball into the box, he passed the ball with his back, to Xabi Alonso who was unmarked in a better position.

Ronaldinho eat your heart out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQV3mj7aTN0