No image available
/ 12 October 2005

Eriksson unlikely to make big changes

Sven-Goran Eriksson has reiterated his faith in the England players who have made such an inept start to this season, signalling that he is unlikely to make significant changes to his first XI before the World Cup kicks off in June. Eriksson broke with his normal pattern of behaviour on Saturday.

No image available
/ 28 September 2005

Ferguson on the defensive after win

Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn into a debate about Manchester United’s tactics following their important 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Champions League group game at Old Trafford last night. The long-serving United manager saw his team go top of Group D with goals from Ryan Giggs and, five minutes from time, a scrambled winner from Ruud van Nistelrooy.

No image available
/ 27 September 2005

United slam Old Trafford fans

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has slammed the fans who booed manager Alex Ferguson off the pitch after their 2-1 defeat to Blackburn as stupid. ”People have been crying out for us to use a 4-4-2 formation and we played with that system for the first time and lost,” he said.

No image available
/ 27 September 2005

Are Man United crumbling?

Manchester United’s empire seems to be crumbling. United manager Alex Ferguson was booed as he left the field after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Blackburn at Old Trafford. Ferguson has stopped talking to most of the media — including the club’s own television station. United are already 10 points behind Chelsea and fading fast.

No image available
/ 19 September 2005

Bolton snatch victory from Manchester City

Bolton snatched victory against Manchester City on Sunday after an injury time penalty from Gary Speed earned the Trotters a 1-0 win at the City of Manchester stadium. Richard Dunne’s needless handball gifted Sam Allardyce’s men the chance to take the three points and send City, who hit the woodwork four times, reeling to their first defeat of the season.

No image available
/ 16 August 2005

Australia hold out for dramatic draw

Australia clung on for a draw to deny England victory with just one wicket standing in a thrilling finish to the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford on Monday. Last-wicket pair Brett Lee (18 not out) and Glenn McGrath (five not out) survived the final four overs after captain Ricky Ponting fell for 156, his Test best score against England, having batted for nearly seven hours.

No image available
/ 14 August 2005

Warne defies England on rainy day

Shane Warne helped Australia save the follow-on with his Test-best score against England as rain washed out most of the third day of the third Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday. Australia, after only 14 overs’ play was possible, closed on 264 for seven, having got past the follow-on target of 245.

No image available
/ 11 May 2005

Chelsea cruise past United

Chelsea rewrote the Premiership record books with a 3-1 win away to Manchester United as goals from Tiago, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Joe Cole cancelled out Ruud van Nistelrooy’s opener at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Chelsea, secured a record 29th league win in a season and broke United’s record of 92 points in a season.

No image available
/ 25 April 2005

Ferguson was ready to substitute Rooney

Wayne Rooney was hailed as ”phenomenal” by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after defying injury to score the wonder goal that inspired United to a crucial 2-1 win against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday. Rooney was set to be substituted by Ferguson just seconds before beating Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given.

No image available
/ 17 February 2005

Keane hits out at ‘diving’

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has hit out at ”diving” in the Premiership and insists it’s a problem that is getting worse. The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international is becoming increasingly irritated by the number of players collapsing to the ground under no, or minimal, contact. He was a victim himself at Highbury earlier this month.

No image available
/ 27 January 2005

Chelsea’s bid for four titles on course

Chelsea’s bid to win an unprecedented four titles in one season stayed on course as Jose Mourinho’s Blues beat Manchester United 2-1 on Wednesday to set up a League Cup final showdown with Liverpool. Chelsea will meet record seven-time winner Liverpool in the February 27 final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

No image available
/ 18 January 2005

‘It’s for Chelsea to throw away now’

Manchester United captain Roy Keane has conceded that only a Chelsea collapse can prevent the London club collecting a first top-flight title in 50 years. The midfielder turned in a vintage display during United’s 1-0 win away to Liverpool on Saturday, a result that kept the Red Devils third and just a point behind second-placed champions Arsenal.