Man Utd vs. Fulham

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Sunday, 14 March 2010 Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, live on Sky Sports 1 & highlights on Match of the Day 2

• TEAM NEWS

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick returns to the squad for Sunday's game with Fulham, having been banned for Wednesday's win over Milan.

He looks set to replace Paul Scholes, who has played twice in five days.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey is poised to make his first league appearance for two months after returning from a knee injury against Juventus on Thursday.

Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka were cup-tied for that game, while Danny Murphy has a slight groin problem.

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Man Utd

Injured: Anderson & Hargreaves (both knee), Brown (metatarsal), De Laet (leg), Giggs (broken arm), O'Shea (thigh), Owen (hamstring)

Fulham

Doubtful: Dikgacoi (ankle)

Injured: A Johnson & Pantsil (both knee)

• MATCH PREVIEW

Fulham arrive at Old Trafford hoping to secure their first ever league double over Manchester United, following their impressive 3-0 win at Craven Cottage last December. The result remains the champions' heaviest defeat of the season to date.

Manchester United might be the Premier League's form team going into the weekend, but Fulham have lost only one of their last six league games and Roy Hodgson and Mark Schwarzer were named manager and player of the month respectively for February.

Schwarzer might just have to be at his very best at Old Trafford to stop a rampant United side at present. Wayne Rooney and co have scored 23 goals in their last six home leagues games, with the in-form England striker helping himself to 10 of those.

At the other end United are proving just as emphatic. It's now 609 minutes of league football (10 hours and nine minutes) since they last conceded at home, when Gabriel Agbonlahor scored for Aston Villa in a 1-0 win on 12 December.

However, one man who thrives on matches against United is Fulham captain Danny Murphy. He fired his fifth career goal against them last December to set the west London side on their way to that 3-0 win.

He previously scored three match winning goals in four seasons at Old Trafford as a Liverpool player.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United have won each of their last five home games against Fulham.

• Fulham's only victory at Old Trafford in their last 14 attempts (47 years) was a 3-1 win in October 2003.

• In the last two Premier League games between the two clubs, Fulham have scored five goals and kept two clean sheets.

• Goals are usually a prerequisite in this fixture: 57 scored in 17 Premier League matches - an average of over three goals per game.

Man Utd

• Could keep a third consecutive league clean sheet for the first time this season. However, their opening day 1-0 win over Birmingham preceded back-to-back clean sheets at the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

• United have only the fourth best record against sides within the top half of the table, behind Chelsea, Aston Villa and Arsenal.

• 63 points from 29 league games is United's lowest points total at this stage of the season in four years.

Fulham

• Victory would see Fulham become only the fourth club in Premier League history to win three successive games against Manchester United; a feat previously achieved by Liverpool (twice), Arsenal and West Ham.

• Fulham have not scored in 365 minutes of away league football since Clint Dempsey netted five minutes from time in their 3-2 defeat at Stoke during January.

• Roy Hodgson's side are without an away Premier League win since their opening day victory at Portsmouth.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Man Utd

Rooney: 30 goals (23 league); Berbatov: 9 goals (9 league)

Fulham

Zamora: 15 goals (8 league); Duff: 8 goals (6 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Jones

Assistant referees: John Flynn & Mick McDonough

Fourth official: Mike Dean

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Man Utd (W1-0 v Wolves, a): Van der Sar, Brown (Neville 46), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Gibson (Diouf 62), Scholes, Carrick, Nani (Park 73), Berbatov. Subs Not Used: Foster, Rafael Da Silva, Fletcher, Obertan.

Fulham (D0-0 v Sunderland, a): Schwarzer, Hangeland, Baird, Hughes, Shorey, Etuhu, Duff, Murphy (Greening 58), Gera, Davies, Zamora (Elm 84). Subs not used Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Riise, Smalling, Kelly.

• MOST RECENT MEETING

Fulham 3-0 Man Utd (19 December 2009)

Fulham scorers: Murphy 22, Zamora 46, Duff 75

From BBC

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Ferguson explains Hargreaves' delayed Man Utd return

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will make a delayed comeback after injury in a reserve game next week, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Hargreaves has been out with a knee injury since September 2008 but was set to play in a reserve match on Thursday.

"Owen went to see a specialist on Thursday," said the United boss. "There is nothing wrong and the idea is for him to play in the next game."

But United held him back, saying it would disrupt his training schedule.

The 29-year-old's next chance to play is in the reserve team's match against Burnley at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground next Thursday, where he is expected to start.

The England international, who joined Manchester United in 2007 from Bayern Munich, has suffered long-term problems with tendinitis and played only three games for his club in 2008.

In a bid to solve the problem, he had knee surgery under the guidance of specialist Dr Richard Steadman in America and returned to United's Carrington training base 12 months later.

But his expected return to training within a couple of months did not materialise and his comeback has been continually delayed although United remain hopeful he could feature in the title run-in.

Ferguson added he is expecting veteran winger Ryan Giggs to make his return after a broken arm against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 21 March.

"Ryan will be fit for the Liverpool game," confirmed the Scot. "His performances in training have been fantastic.

"He's had a month's rest, and we will be getting a fresh player back, which is good."

From BBC

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Rooney should aim to beat Ronaldo tally - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's 42-goal season for Manchester United.

England striker Rooney reached 30 with two against AC Milan as United beat them 4-0 to send them crashing out of the Champions League 7-2 on aggregate.

"That has to be his goal now doesn't it?" said Ferguson referring to Ronaldo's 42-goal tally in 2007-08.

However, Rooney said: "I'm delighted to get two more goals but I haven't set a target. I just want to keep scoring."

The 24-year-old, who also scored twice in the first leg in Milan, added: "Overall, it was a great result and we are delighted to get through.

"The first goal was vital. We set out to get an early goal to kill the game off and when we got it we shattered Milan's confidence.

"That was the major turning point. Now we can just look forward to the quarter-finals draw [on 19 March] and see how it goes from there.

"There is no preference. They are all difficult games at this stage of the competition."

ROONEY'S UNITED GOAL RECORD 09-10: 30 (so far this season) 08-09: 17 07-08: 18 06-07: 23 05-06: 19 04-05: 17

Former team-mate David Beckham, currently on loan from La Galaxy to AC Milan, hailed Rooney as one of the best players in the world after his latest performance.

The veteran England midfielder Beckham said: "Wayne is such an exceptional talent.

"Without a doubt he is one of the best players, if not the best, in the world at the moment with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."

Ferguson added: "Wayne continued tonight what he has done all season - he was absolutely sensational.

"(But) it was a marvellous performance from all my players, especially in the second half when our second goal effectively ended the contest.

"When we play with that tempo we're very difficult for anybody to play against.

"Ji-Sung Park, in particular, showed sacrifice, intelligence and discipline and we needed that against [Milan midfielder] Andrea Pirlo."

Asked who he would like to face in the last eight of the competition, Ferguson added: "With the kind of team I've got, it doesn't matter who we get."

Beckham, despite his disappointment on the night, admitted he will remember the occasion for a long time thanks to the rapturous reception he received from United's supporters on his return to Old Trafford.

"It was a disappointing night because we lost the game, but returning here is always special," he said. "It was an unbelievable reception I got, incredible, and I have to say thank you.

"If this is my last appearance at Old Trafford, I'll take the memory of the fans away with me - they were incredible.

"Of course I now want United to go on and win it. They deserve it."

Beckham left the field wearing a green and gold scarf thrown to him by a fan protesting against the Glazer family, who own the club, but he denied that meant he is anti-Glazer.

"I'm a Manchester United fan. I saw the scarf there, I put it round my neck," he said. "It's the old colours of United, that's all I knew.

"To be honest it's not my business. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do.

"It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a United fan and I will always support them.

"Obviously you can hear it week in and week out. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out."

Milan coach Leonardo, meanwhile, admitted his side had simply been outclassed at Old Trafford.

"I guess we can analyse the game in many ways, but the one thing we cannot deny is the performance of United," said the Brazilian. "They played a truly great game.

"Conceding a goal so early made a comeback even more complicated for us.

"In the first leg we played an equal match. We lost but we dominated for some periods. Today was different.

"We have some problems but United is a very strong team, they can use your mistakes in the best way. They are very clinical and that is what you have to be in this competition."

From BBC

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David Beckham lauds 'exceptional' Wayne Rooney

David Beckham hailed Wayne Rooney as one of the best players in the world after he fired Manchester United into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The England striker scored twice, as he did in the first leg, as United beat AC Milan 4-0 to seal a 7-2 aggregate win.

Beckham said: "Wayne is such an exceptional talent.

"Without a doubt he is one of the best players, if not the best, in the world at the moment with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."

Rooney was again in irresistible form as United romped past Milan on an emotional night at Old Trafford.

Despite carrying a 3-2 lead into the tie from the first leg at the San Siro, United were grateful for an early Rooney header to settle their nerves and when the frontman bagged his 30th club goal of the season just after the break, the hosts went on to win comfortably against the Italian giants.

ROONEY'S UNITED GOAL RECORD 09-10: 30 (so far this season) 08-09: 17 07-08: 18 06-07: 23 05-06: 19 04-05: 17

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged the 24-year-old to see if he can surpass the 42 goals Ronaldo bagged in a sensational 2007-08 season.

"That has to be his goal now doesn't it?" said the Scot. "He continued tonight what he has done all season - he was absolutely sensational.

"(But) it was a marvellous performance from all my players, especially in the second half when our second goal effectively ended the contest. When we play with that tempo we're very difficult for anybody to play against.

"Ji-Sung Park, in particular, showed sacrifice, intelligence and discipline and we needed that against [Milan midfielder] Andrea Pirlo."

Asked who he would like to face in the last eight of the competition, Ferguson added: "With the kind of team I've got, it doesn't matter who we get."

Beckham, despite the disappointment of the night, admitted he will remember the occasion for a long time thanks to the rapturous reception he received from the United supporters.

"It was a disappointing night because we lost the game, but returning here is always special," he added. "It was an unbelievable reception I got, incredible, and I have to say thank you.

"If this is my last appearance at Old Trafford, I'll take the memory of the fans away with me - they were incredible.

"Of course I now want United to go on and win it. They deserve it."

Beckham left the field wearing a green and gold scarf thrown to him by a fan protesting against the Glazer family, who own the club.

"I'm a Manchester United fan. I saw the scarf there, I put it round my neck," he added. "It's the old colours of United, that's all I knew.

"To be honest it's not my business. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do.

"It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a United fan and I will always support them.

"Obviously you can hear it week in and week out. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out."

Milan coach Leonardo, meanwhile, admitted his side had simply been outclassed at Old Trafford.

"I guess we can analyse the game in many ways, but the one thing we cannot deny is the performance of United," said the Brazilian. "They played a truly great game.

"Conceding a goal so early made a comeback even more complicated for us.

"In the first leg we played an equal match. We lost but we dominated for some periods. Today was different.

"We have some problems but United is a very strong team, they can use your mistakes in the best way. They are very clinical and that is what you have to be in this competition."

From BBC

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Man Utd 4 - 0 AC Milan (agg 7 - 2)

David Beckham's return to Old Trafford was brief and ended in the disappointment of comprehensive defeat as Manchester United swept past AC Milan into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rooney's 13th-minute header set United on their way to a comfortable victory

Beckham only made a 27-minute appearance as a substitute, and while he was deservedly given a rapturous reception on the ground where he was once idolised, he found himself overshadowed by Wayne Rooney's latest masterclass.

AC Milan's hopes of reaching the last eight were already extinguished by the time Beckham entered to a standing ovation with United leading 3-0 - and Rooney was the man responsible as he repeated his two-goal demolition of the Italians at the San Siro on home territory.

Rooney headed United in front from Gary Neville's cross early on and extended United's 3-2 advantage from the first leg even further seconds after half-time after good work by Nani. Ji-Sung Park drilled in the third on the hour as United exerted complete control.

Darren Fletcher added the fourth with a diving header from Rafael's cross three minutes from time to put added gloss on a hugely satisfying evening for Sir Alex Ferguson as he bids to take United to the Champions League final for the third season in succession.

Beckham made a greater impact than most of his hapless colleagues after his introduction, with some trademark crosses and a full-blooded volley that flew straight at Edwin van der Sar.

And with the football business successfully concluded, United's supporters conducted a protest against the Glazer family, with huge banners unfurled around Old Trafford and thousands of green and gold scarves, the symbol of their discontent, on display.

Joel and Avi Glazer were in attendance at Old Trafford, and they were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling against their regime as the protests swept around the ground.

Fletcher's goal interrupted the well-orchestrated demonstration, but as a show of strength it was as impressive as some of United's play as they outclassed Milan.

Beckham milked the applause at the final whistle, but he had received a brutal demonstration of the gap between the club he left behind and the one he graces now, albeit on a temporary basis.

And Old Trafford's joy was complete as news filtered through that Real Madrid, regarded as one of their major rivals, had fallen at the hands of Lyon in the Bernabeu.

Ferguson enjoys 'fantastic' night for United

Beckham's hopes of celebrating his Old Trafford comeback with a place in Milan's starting line-up were dashed when he was only named on the bench - and he watched anxiously as Rooney posted the early warning signs.

The England striker was narrowly off target with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area, then the unlikely figure of Neville followed suit with a left-foot effort from long range that dipped just over the bar.

Milan had opportunities of their own amid the early sparring, with Ronaldinho's header falling agonisingly wide for Milan after Nani had unwittingly flicked on Andrea Pirlo's free-kick. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar then betrayed his reputation as an accomplished marksman with a desperate piece of control with only Van der Sar to beat.

United, in the predictable form of Rooney, made them pay for the failure to take those half-chances as they took the lead after 13 minutes.

Neville delivered a cross his old friend and former team-mate Beckham would have been proud of, and Rooney maintained his lethal form in the air by flashing a header past Christian Abbiati.

Milan's resolve was drastically reduced by this early setback and United were able to take control for the remainder of the half, with Fletcher almost adding a second with a rising drive that was only inches away.

Beckham was in the middle of receiving a standing ovation as he warmed up in the opening moments of the second half - only for Rooney to interrupt with United's second and decisive goal.

Great credit must go to Nani, who played in an inviting cross from the left flank with the outside of his right foot for the incoming Rooney to steer another expert finish past Abbiati.

If Milan harboured any hopes of rescuing this lost cause, they were finally snuffed out as Park put United three up on the hour. He took a Paul Scholes pass in his stride before evading his marker and burying his finish in the far corner beyond Abbiati.

Milan had been generous enough, and coach Leonardo then gave Old Trafford even more of what it wanted by sending on Beckham for a 27-minute cameo, which was greeted with a rapturous standing ovation.

The admiration for Beckham was arguably surpassed two minutes later when Rooney was replaced by Dimitar Berbatov. Old Trafford again rose as one for the England striker, who departed after delivering yet another virtuoso performance.

Fletcher's goal merely completed the formalities and, after Pippo Inzaghi missed a glorious chance to bag a consolation for Milan from a teasing Beckham cross in injury-time, United departed with confidence growing that they are on course to reach the final in Madrid in May.

From BBC

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David Beckham 'excited' by return to Manchester United

AC Milan's David Beckham says he is excited to face Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time but maintains he wants them to lose.

The midfielder will line up against his former club in the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie, with Milan needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit.

But the 34-year-old, still revered by United fans, said: "I'm not nervous.

"Coming back to Manchester as a Milan player is exciting. It will be a tough game for us but nothing is impossible."

Doubt remains as to whether Beckham will start the match but if he does play at Old Trafford it will be the first time since he left United for Real Madrid in 2003.

He faces a United side boosted by the return to fitness of Wayne Rooney - who scored twice in the first leg - but that will be without Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick through injury and suspension.

Beckham received a hero's welcome on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said he was unsure whether his former player would feature and was struggling to predict Milan's team as a result.

United will go for victory - Ferguson

"I am finding it difficult to pick their team, I don't know whether Beckham will start," said the Scot.

"I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game.

"But he will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic. That is the threat. There are a lot of threats in their team of course, but we are well aware of David's."

Asked whether Beckham had a chance of starting, Milan coach Leonardo skirted round the issue.

"For Beckham, it is obviously something special to have the opportunity to play against Manchester United given his history at the club," he said.

"When we saw the draw we knew it would be an unbelievable situation for him. But knowing David, and his attitude, I am sure he can cope."

Whether he starts or not, Beckham admits this is the first time he has ever wanted the club he supported as a boy to lose.

Beckham mobbed on Manchester return

"I will always be a Manchester fan and this is perhaps the first time in my life that I want them to lose," he told the AC Milan website. "I'll meet up with many friends and all the people who supported me for many years on the night.

"I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.

"But I also know what it means for opponents to play there. It is always difficult to win, especially 2-0. We know we'll have to go for it, play good passes and create many moves, we have many players who can score. We are aware of the fact that it will be a very difficult match, but nothing's impossible.

"Milan have a lot of experience in Europe, they're one of the best clubs in the world."

If selected, Beckham could once again line up against former team-mate and long-term friend Paul Scholes, who believes the return to Old Trafford of the ex-England skipper will ensure a cracking atmosphere.

"United fans still love him for what he did for this club and he will get a fantastic ovation," said Scholes, who made the United first-team alongside Beckham in the 1990s.

"He will need to be watched though. If you give him time and room on the ball there is no doubt he will pick players out. From free kicks as well, his delivery is as great as ever."

Milan will have to create history if they are to reach the quarter-finals - Manchester United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg.

"We are very focused - the first leg has given us a good opportunity to come here and achieve something," said Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini.

"But we know it will be a huge battle and a huge achievement if we pull it off."

Ferguson, meanwhile, has urged supporters to keep their protests against the Glazer family's ownership of the club away from the match.

There has been some suggestion that fans will delay their entrance into the match by 10 minutes, but Ferguson said: "They won't do that, it is too important a game.

"Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, the fans will be united and singing with one voice to get us through."

From BBC

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Man Utd vs. AC Milan (agg 3 - 2)

Champions League last 16 second leg
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday 10 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports 2

Manchester United will be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney from injury for Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg tie against AC Milan.

The in-form England frontman sat out Saturday's 1-0 defeat of Wolves with a knee problem but trained on Tuesday.

Wes Brown, however, misses out due to an injury sustained against Wolves, while Ryan Giggs (arm) and Michael Carrick (ban) are also unavailable.

David Beckham could start on the bench for Milan on his Old Trafford return.

The 34-year-old has not started a match since lining up in the first XI in the first leg in Milan and may have to content himself with a role as substitute again.

However, If selected, it will be the first time the former Manchester United midfielder, who was mobbed by supporters on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, has played at Old Trafford as a member of the opposition since he left for Real Madrid in 2003.

And he will almost certainly come up against Rooney, who has made a swift recovery from a recent knee problem.

"It was a worry with Rooney," said Ferguson of his 28-goal front-man. "Looking at him last Friday I didn't think he had any chance.

"But he has progressed and he plays and we are pleased at that because given his form at the moment I am sure that whatever match he went into he would be an absolute threat to anyone."

Rooney's return could mean Dimitar Berbatov drops to the bench with Ferguson favouring one man up front in recent European games.

United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg and have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Chelsea in 2008 and losing last year to Barcelona.

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Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Neville, De Laet, Park, Scholes, Obertan, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Fletcher, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

From BBC

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Manchester United's Wes Brown faces six-week lay-off

Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown faces a lay-off of four to six weeks with a broken bone in his foot suffered at Wolves on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was hurt after a challenge with Matt Jarvis and left Molineux with his foot in a protective boot before having a scan on Sunday.

"It's just unfortunate," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said. "He has had a career blighted by injury."

There had been fears the injury would rule him out of the summer's World Cup.

But the news will be concerning for England boss Fabio Capello as Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson is only just making his way back from a knee ligament problem which has kept him out since the end of December.

England's campaign in South Africa kicks off on 12 June against the United States.

Brown will miss Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return leg against AC Milan and a majority of United's end-of-season fixture programme.

However, with nine games remaining in the Premier League, as well as the ongoing Champions League campaign, Ferguson added: "We hope to get him back for some of the season."

It is another bad injury for the right-back, who has also slotted in at centre-back, and comes just over a year after breaking a metatarsal.

Brown won his 23rd cap for England against Egypt last Wednesday and is expected to be in Capello's squad for the World Cup.

United head to Old Trafford on the back of an impressive 3-2 win in Italy but with a growing injury list which already includes Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O'Shea (leg).

However, striker Wayne Rooney has overcome a knee problem.

From BBC

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Manchester United await Wes Brown foot injury verdict

Manchester United are waiting to discover if defender Wes Brown has broken a bone in his left foot.

If the England international has broken the fifth metatarsal he is likely to miss the Premier League's final stages and possibly this summer's World Cup.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury in a challenge with Matt Jarvis in United's 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

Brown left Molineux with his foot in a protective boot and had a scan on the injury on Sunday.

He broke a metatarsal just over a year ago.

He won his 23rd cap for England against Egypt last Wednesday and is expected to be in Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup in June.

However, if test results show he has broken another metatarsal, he faces a race against time to be fit for the finals in South Africa.

A United spokeswoman told BBC Sport the club was waiting for the results of the scan before making any comment.

From BBC

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Sir Alex Ferguson dismisses Red Knights link

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected claims he is supporting a potential takeover of the club by a group of wealthy fans.

It had been suggested Ferguson would invest his own money in the club if the bid by the "Red Knights" succeeded.

But Ferguson insisted the reports are "absolute rubbish - there is not an ounce of truth in it".

On Sunday one of the "Red Knights" told BBC Sport that they had had no contact with Ferguson.

A United spokesman added: "[The owners] the Glazer family and the manager enjoy 100% trust in each other."

The debt level of more than £700m incurred under the Glazers on a once-debt free company has caused unease among some supporters.

Thousands of fans have joined the green and gold protest against the Americans, who bought the club in 2005, by wearing the colours of Newton Heath - the club was renamed Manchester United in 1902.

And the Manchester United Supporters Trust, which is running a vocal campaign to bring about a change of ownership, says membership has doubled to about 100,000 in the past month, with much of that growth coming following the "Red Knights revelation".

Ferguson has some friends among the Red Knights and has said he has "no problem" with the protestors.

"There were plenty of green and gold scarves on Sunday [in the Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa] and I was delighted to see them supporting the club," he said.

"We are quite happy. As long as they are supporting Manchester United they can wear whatever they like.

"I have no issue with the Red Knights. I know some of them. I don't deny them the right to protest.

"If they want to try and buy the club that is entirely up to them."

According to The Observer, senior City financers allied to the consortium had claimed Ferguson was supporting the controversial bid.

The so-called Red Knights include Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill, acting in a personal capacity, lawyer Mark Rawlinson and financier Keith Harris.

It has been reported that 60 investors have pledged up to £1.5bn ($2.26bn) to buy the club, but a statement from the Red Knights last week said the figure was purely speculative.

US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer, who bought United for £800m, has said the club is not for sale, while the club's chief executive David Gill said the owners were "running the club the right way".

According to the latest accounts that were released in January, debts at United's parent company Red Football Joint Venture have increased to £716.5m.

Red Football Joint Venture is owned by the Glazer family and secures its debts against the football club, but the accounts also confirmed that six of Malcolm Glazer's children were each given loans worth £1.67m from the parent company.

All are directors of Red Football, and such a practice is legal, but Harris, who is the head of merchant bank Seymour Pierce, has said it did "not create a good impression of the directors' governance of the company".

From BBC

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Wolverhampton 0 - 1 Man Utd

Paul Scholes grabbed the winner to earn Manchester United a laboured win over strugglers Wolves and send his side back to the top of the Premier League.

Paul Scholes celebrates the strike that takes United back to the top of the table

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani's pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes's 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

Phelan shrugs off Rooney absence

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined £25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy's controversial decision to field a weakened side.

But there will be no repeat this time around following a performance full of valour, intent and no little talent from a line-up that has been unchanged in four matches.

Kevin Doyle was the star turn as he performed well against Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - the first time United's first-choice centre-back pairing had played together since October last year.

The Irishman had the first chance of note, dragging wide from inside the area, and was then heavily involved in a fine counter-attacking move on the half hour that ended with David Jones's shot being charged down bravely by Michael Carrick.

Neither of those were as gilt-edged as the chance that fell to Stephen Ward, though, the midfielder rising unmarked six yards out only to head Matt Jarvis's cross straight at United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

United, denied any room across the park by Wolves' hassle and harry, were desperately missing Rooney, unavailable after aggravating a knee injury on England duty in midweek.

Ferdinand hails 'inspirational' Scholes

Dimitar Berbatov, up front on his own, was at times sublime but at others ineffective, while Nani, Scholes and Darron Gibson were unthreatening.

The best the visitors managed before the break was when Gibson got an out-stretched foot onto Nani's deflected free-kick, but his effort dribbled wide.

Ferguson's side did at least up the tempo in the second half, and Patrice Evra almost forced the opener when he burst onto Gibson's pass, only to see his original effort blocked and the follow-up cleared by Kevin Foley.

Still, though, a lack of spark in the United ranks only added to Wolves' confidence levels and McCarthy's side continued to look the more likely to score.

Our luck will change - McCarthy

That was until Scholes' intervention, with the veteran midfielder's neat finish rounding off 100 Premier League goals 16 years after his first.

After that, in truth, United could have had plenty more. Ji-Sung Park forced a good block running on to an excellent Berbatov pass, while Mame Diouf wasted two fine openings, heading a Gary Neville cross over at the back post and then dragging a shot wide on the counter-attack.

However, there was still time for a twist in the tale and Vokes almost provided it in injury time.

The substitute looked odds-on to score and snatch what would have been a vital point for the hosts when Ronald Zubar's prodded pass fell to him unmarked eight yards out with the goal gaping, but he somehow contrived to sweep the ball over the bar and leave McCarthy with his head in his hands.

It means Wolves, with only four home games to come from their remaining 10 matches, have it all to do to retain their Premier League status this season.

But United continue their charge for a fourth straight title, even if, on this evidence, they must be eagerly awaiting Rooney's return from injury.

---

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy
"We played well but I'm sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change.

"Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it's the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other.

"But we'll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson:
"We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn't take it.

"Our form is good and we're managing without some players, which is important at this time of year.

"And we have players coming back - that was the first time that back four has played together for a year and a half."

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Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney doubt for Milan tie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears that Wayne Rooney could miss the Champions League second-leg match with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The striker was unavailable for United's 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee injury playing for England in midweek.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us," said Ferguson.

"It wasn't looking good when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," added the United boss.

United coped without Rooney in the win at Molineux, with Paul Scholes scoring the solitary goal in a hard-fought win that took the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table.

United are already without striker Michael Owen, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old Rooney had been struggling with the knee problem before last weekend's Carling Cup final but still played in England's win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley, much to Ferguson's chagrin.

"I don't think he should have played on Wednesday," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no."

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all.

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I can't believe it."

Rooney was a substitute in United's 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa, but came on after Owen pulled up with the hamstring injury and scored the winning goal.

Rooney admitted to a knee problem after the match but still played 86 minutes in England's 3-1 victory over Egypt on a Wembley pitch which has drawn widespread criticism over the last week.

The turf was seen to cut up last Sunday leading to Ferguson partly blaming it for Owen's hamstring injury.

Rooney has been a key figure for United this season, scoring 27 goals this season, including two in United's 3-2 first-leg win in Italy, while he leads the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals.

"It is hard to quell the enthusiasm of people like Wayne," Ferguson added.

"He is restless. He can't sit down. He is always on the move. Even in hotels he is moving from one table to another. If we are away in Europe he is walking about all the time.

"You don't want to take away from him but age does some good things for you.

"Eventually you see you can't be doing this running about all the time. You have to take a rest sometimes."

From BBC

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