UNITEDVIEW IS A NON PROFIT FAN SITE, WHICH IS 100% UNOFFICIAL
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Last game
UNITED 3-0 Everton
Current form: L W W D L W
League position: 2nd
Champions League: Group stages
Carling Cup: Quarter final
UNITEDVIEW News
OWEN ENJOYING LIFE AT UNITED
Firstly, are you happy with your contribution so far in a United shirt?
Yeah, I am. In my own mind I never doubted I’d score goals if I stayed fit and was given time on the pitch. How can you fail to score goals in a team like this? You’re playing with such good players that it’s impossible not to get chances.
Four goals in 17 appearances only tells half the story. If you break that down into minutes played, it’s actually a very good strike-rate…
In Madrid it was a similar story – I didn’t start every game but I ended up with the best goals-to-minutes ratio in the league. You can twist stats whichever way you want. A goal every one-and-a-half games sounds good, whereas four goals in 16 games isn’t quite so impressive. But they’re both accurate. At the end of the day, all I’m concerned about is playing and scoring as many times as I can.
How are you adjusting to making so many appearances from the bench?
I’ve played in a team that was struggling and I much prefer life at a winning club, even if that means I don’t play every minute of every game. I’m here at a club that’s full of quality, training with top players every day and working under a top manager. I’ve had my fair share of starts and minutes on the pitch this season so I’m not about to complain.
Have you heard ‘Michael Owen is a Red’ ringing around Old Trafford?
[laughs] I’m not sure Gary Neville’s too pleased with me nicking his song! To be honest, 10 years ago I wouldn’t have dared dream I would one day play for United, so it’s a nice surprise. I’ve been very fortunate to end up here and there’s no better feeling than playing, scoring, winning a match and hearing the fans sing your name.
Your winner in the Manchester derby helped endear you to United supporters…
Definitely. That moment was really special. When I retire and I’m thinking about the top five or six thrills I got out of football I’ll definitely think about my goal in the World Cup against Argentina and scoring two in an FA Cup final. But scoring that goal against City is right up there with those moments.
Often the best way to get over a defeat is to play again… and quickly. Was it frustrating to have an international break after losing at Chelsea?
You could look at it like that but we didn't have that desperate desire to get out there and prove anything to anyone. When we lost at Liverpool it was a different story – we didn’t perform well at Anfield – but at Chelsea there’s no way on Earth we deserved to lose that game. We walked away from Stamford Bridge with our heads held high and feeling pretty happy with the way we played. There were plenty of positives to take out of that performance.
The general consensus among fans is that a five-point gap in November isn’t the end of the world. What’s the feeling among the players?
As an outsider for many years, the image I have of Manchester United is of a team that only really hits top gear around Christmas. I remember a lot of unbeaten runs in the latter part of seasons and, looking ahead at our fixtures, we’re aiming to embark on one of those now. We’ve got a good opportunity – we don’t play any of the ‘big’ sides again until the end of January – so there’s definitely no need to panic over a five-point gap.
FLETCHER ON TOP OF HIS GAME
Not many would have thought that Darren Fletcher would go on to be one of United's most important players at the age of 25. His recent performances have proved that the United midfield need his energy, tackling and reading of the game. And the simple fact is that United are a weaker side without the Scotsman in the team -many say that the Champions League final against Barcelona would have turned out differently if Fletcher had participated.
Michael Carrick may have exaggerated comparing him to the world's elite at this moment, but it'll be a decent bet to say that Fletcher would be up there in a few years time.
"Darren is one of the best midfielders around at the moment. His performances are at the highest level and it is great to play alongside him. He really is on top of his game."
Fletcher scored a brilliant goal against Everton, and he later admitted that it was one of his finest goals. He also went on to praise Antonio Valencia, who seems to be gaining more confidence every week.
"The main thing with a strike like that is to get your foot over the ball and fortunately it went in the back of the net. It was one of my best strikes."
"Antonio is a top-class player. He is getting used to the way we play and he was in the groove again. He is a really strong physical lad who can get goals. We have seen that in training and I believe he is going to get a lot for Manchester United."
POST MATCH REACTION
Carrick
"I think it was very important for us to bounce back with a good win. Everton always had a threat with Louis Saha up there and Yakubu coming on, so we had to keep pushing for another goal. It was nice to see the second and third go in. It meant we could play our football and relax a little bit.
"It's been a tad frustrating when we haven't been able to kill teams off at home. We've been creating enough chances to do it, but the goals just haven't been going in for us. Thankfully they did against Everton and although we could have had a few more, I think the scoreline reflects fairly on the game."
"You can see how much it meant to Fletch to score. It was a stunning volley. His performances are really at the highest level now. He's one of the best midfielders around at the moment and it's great to play alongside him. He's really on top of his game.
"It was nice for the midfielders to chip in and help the strikers. We've got to score goals to win matches and we can't just rely on the front two to do it every week. The midfielders have started the season well and we need to contribute a few more but as long as we're winning, who scores is really not an issue. It's winning that matters."
Fergie
"I was pleased. It was a controlled performance. We showed a lot of patience, particularly in the first half when we were trying to open them up. Fortunately we got the first goal at the right time."
"They made a change, bringing Yukubu on and going direct. They have a lot of power and height up front which you have to handle. But the second goal put us in the comfort zone and from then on I didn't think we could lose it."
"That's the name of the game for us [to kick on now]. I stand by the view that if we get to New Year within a point, in front or round about the leaders, we have a big chance in the second half of the season."
Fletcher
"It's a busy period now and it's all club, club, club. The Champions League is important for us, but we've done our job in the tournament now so we can look forward. We need to kick on and put a run of league wins together. Beating Everton was a good start. They came and made it difficult for us but we kept the ball and we were patient and took our chances when they came."
"We are five points behind Chelsea, but we want to win every game from now until the end of December. We have already qualified for Europe and the World Cup qualifiers have all finished, so we need to concentrate on the league because we want to win a fourth title in a row."
EVERTON PREVIEW
A statistic referred to in Andy Cole's article in the Manchester Evening News made me realise how much less of a goal threat United are this season. We have scored just 23 goals this season; behind Arsenal (36), Chelsea (29) and Liverpool (27). It was a completely different story last season and even the season before, when goals were very rarely a problem for United as home games would often produce 2 or more goals. An over used cliche it may be, but Ronaldo's departure really has left a big hole in the squad. Hopefully it's a hole that isn't big enough to cost United dearly.
Seeing as Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, and a player who's being compared to George Best, the said hole was always going to be big. To say that goals have been taken out of the team is a commonly made mistake. What United have is a squad that has the potential to score goals, but for some reason haven't stepped up to the plate. Losing a player like Ronaldo, who you can rely on to produce the goals almost every week seems to have affected the team, who are now looking around at each other wondering who they can depend on now. It's only been in the last few games that the midfielders have really started to contribute as an attacking threat instead of just leaving it to Rooney and Berbatov.
Despite the defeat at Stamford Bridge, a lot of positives can be taken from the game because it was rather nice to see the United players actually turn up for a big game. We were very lucky against Arsenal and Anfield was a disaster. However there was a determination and drive about the team last Sunday which wasn't seen during this season's previous top 4 games. Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson hardly gave Lampard and the rest of Chelsea's midfield a tough afternoon. Vidic and Ferdinand didn't feature, so Evans and Brown had to fill in at the back. They put in brilliant defensive displays, keeping Drogba and Anelka quiet throughout the match. This all meant that United were by far the better side on the day and quite frankly were robbed.
To prevent themselves from falling further back in the title race, Fergie's side will aim to beat a stuttering Everton team to Old Trafford on Saturday. David Moyes' side have won four out of their last nine games and find themselves 12th in league. It's early days, but Everton really need to get their act together to keep the chances of City finishing in the top 4 as small as possible. Arteta's absence is a good explanation to their relatively disappointing start, as he was often at the centre of Everton's attacks last season. Another reason is that Moyes has had to work with a small squad this season, yet again.
The Toffeess will do well to put a decent team out at Old Trafford. Jagielka, Arteta, Howard, Phil Neville, and Saha are all amongst the absentees. Meanwhile United will be without Ferdinand, Neville and Fabio.
The injuries are likely to mean that Everton will put a below average side out on Saturday, so I predict a United victory.
Van Der Sar
O'Shea Brown Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Anderson Nani
Rooney Berbatov
United 2-0 Everton, Rooney first scorer.
FERGIE'S MISTAKE WAS NOT BUYING TORRES
SIR Alex Ferguson made one of his biggest mistakes when failing to sign Fernando Torres, according to Andrew Cole. Former United star Cole reckons Fergie missed out on the best striker on the planet when the Spain international moved to Liverpool in a £26m deal from Atletico Madrid two years ago. But Cole also believes that in Wayne Rooney United have a player close to challenging Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the finest in the world.
Ferguson took a long look at Torres when trying to find the man to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy's goals in 2006. But he opted not to firm up his interest with an offer and Torres eventually became a record signing for Liverpool, establishing himself as one of the deadliest finishers in Europe. He has gone on to score 60 goals in little over two seasons at Anfield and since been linked with a mega-money move to Old Trafford.
Liverpool boss, Rafael Benitez, this week insisted he would quit the Kop before allowing his star man to leave for any price. And Cole believes his former manager will be kicking himself for missing out on a man who has terrorised United with two goals in his last two games against them.
"I know Manchester United watched him closely, but decided that given the likely fee he wouldn't be good enough to play at Old Trafford," said Cole. "United scouts judged him receiving the ball in all different positions and watched his reactions. We all make mistakes and not signing Torres was one because I've spoke to several of the current United players about him and they all say the same thing: `Top, top player.'
"Torres stunned me when he arrived from Atletico Madrid because he settled so quickly. The Premier League is totally different to the Primera Liga, but you wouldn't know it watching Torres. He reminds me of that great Liverpool goal-scorer Ian Rush. He seems to drift in and out of games while always remaining a threat. At times, Torres can make out he's almost uninterested, and then tunes in, just like that, and he's away with the ball with fantastic pace.
"Torres's game isn't just about the box, but he's most dangerous there because his close control allows him to take possession in confined areas. He can transfer the ball from foot to foot to create space to get in a shot."
While Ronaldo replaced van Nistelrooy's goal output, the Portuguese international's departure last summer has left a massive hole in United's attack. Neither Dimitar Berbatov nor Michael Owen have shown signs of filling that goal void, which has prompted Ferguson to look at host of options at home and abroad. Valencia's David Villa is a long-term target, Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg is another option, while Carlton Cole is also interesting the United manager.
It remains to be seen if Ferguson will move to strengthen his forward line during the January transfer window or at the end of the season - but he has already voiced his concerns over United's lack of firepower. With only 23 goals in the Premier League this term, they trail Arsenal (36), Chelsea (29) and Liverpool (27) in the scoring stakes. With eight goals in all competitions, Rooney, has been one of the few attacking highlights since the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but even he has managed only one goal in his last seven appearances.
Still, Cole is convinced the England international is close to being considered among the very best in the world.
"Wayne Rooney is a great forward," he said. "He can play centre forward, right and left wing. He would probably play in net and do well - he actually plays in net a lot during training at Carrington. Rooney's work ethic is faultless, he plays for the team and he's got everything. When United look at young new players, they search for seven or eight key attributes. They'll usually sign a player if they have six. When they first saw Rooney at Everton they privately admitted that he had everything.
"United fans call him `the white Pele.' He's not at Pele's level, but Rooney is thriving in Ronaldo's absence, has started the season really well and is nudging towards the level of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo. Rooney can change a game and he's Manchester United and England's most important player.''
HOW THE AFRICAN NATIONS CUP AFFECTS THE LEAGUE
Following the weekend's World Cup action, the full list of qualifiers for January's African Cup of Nations is now known. The 2010 event takes place in Angola from January 10-31 (the group stage ends on January 21), meaning many of the Premier League's top stars will be missing for some crucial domestic fixtures - not only during those dates, but also in the week or so leading up to the event.
As always, the tournament is bad news for many top-flight managers and fans alike. But how bad? Wanting to find out who will be most affected, we've taken a club-by-club look at who will be hit most due to the call-ups and what they can do to combat the withdrawals.
Arsenal - Alex Song (Cameroon), Emmanuel Eboue (Ivory Coast)
Arsenal have a rich history of African players playing at the Emirates, but only have two who will be away in January this time around - Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue. Song, who helped Cameroon to the final in 2008, will be the bigger miss for the Gunners and he looks set to miss key games, including a home clash with Manchester United and trips to Goodison Park and Villa Park - a tough month for the Gunners. Denilson will likely come in to replace him, but does he have the quality to be as influential?
Aston Villa - Moustapha Salifou (Togo)
Villa are only missing one player in Moustapha Salifou when he represents Togo in January. Considering Salifou is not in the Martin O'Neill's first-team plans, the African Cup of Nations should have little impact on their season. Habib Beye's Senegal have not qualified.
Birmingham - None
With £40million to spend, Alex McLeish will be able to focus on transfers safe in the knowledge that none of his current squad will be involved in Angola.
Blackburn - None
Blackburn have several African players but Sam Allardyce won't have to worry. Christopher Samba's Congo have not qualified and neither have Benni McCarthy's South African side. El-Hadji Diouf has quit internationals but his Senegal haven't qualified in any case.
Bolton - Danny Shittu (Nigeria)
Shittu won't be a big miss for Bolton given he's been unable to hold down a first-team place. Gary Megson therefore won't be too concerned - unless he suddenly sees his other centre-backs such as Gary Cahill and Zat Knight heading to the treatment room after the festive action.
Burnley - Andre Bikey (Cameroon)
Newly-promoted Burnley have made an impressive start to their season in England's top tier but they will be without the Cameroonian Andre Bikey come January. The defender will miss games away to Manchester United and at home to Chelsea. Perhaps more importantly to Owen Coyle's side, he will also be unavailable for the matches against Stoke and Bolton. Michael Duff should deputise in Bikey's absence.
Chelsea - Michael Essien (Ghana), Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (both Ivory Coast), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
Chelsea are arguably the side who most fear the arrival of the African Cup of Nations every other January. As was the case in 2008, they will be missing four key players. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will represent the much-fancied Ivory Coast, so could well be missing all the way to the final, while Michael Essien (Ghana) and John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) will also be unavailable. The early-season form of Drogba and Essien has been impressive and they will be sorely missed, but the Blues' January schedule looks to be reasonably favourable. A home clash with Sunderland followed by away matches to relegation contenders Hull, Birmingham and Burnley mean Carlo Ancelotti should be able to have adequate cover. The recent lifting of a transfer ban will also help should they need replacements.
Everton - Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Victor Anichebe (all Nigeria)
The Toffees are another side, like Chelsea, where their squad will take a big hit come January because of the Nigerian contingent at Goodison Park. David Moyes has been without Victor Anichebe since February due to injury, but Joseph Yobo has played virtually every game so far this season and will be badly missed. Striker Yakubu will also be pined for if Louis Saha finds himself with another injury. The one piece of good news for Toffees' fans is that South African captain Steven Pienaar will be going nowhere - his side have failed to qualify.
Fulham - John Pantsil (Ghana), Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)
Fulham are affected due to Nigeria and Ghana's participation. Nigerian midfielder Dickson Etuhu is an important part of Roy Hodgson's team and so is full-back John Pantsil, who will represent Ghana. The pair will miss crucial home games against Portsmouth and Villa along with trips to Spurs and Blackburn so Hodgson may have to rejig his squad to cope with the losses. However, South Africa aren't involved so Kagisho Dikgacoi will be available. Likewise, Diomansy Kamara's Senegal won't be in attendance in Angola.
Hull City - Kamel Ghilas (Algeria), Daniel Cousin (Gabon), Seyi Olofinjana (Nigeria)
If Phil Brown is still in charge come January, his team will be severely depleted by participation in Africa. He would probably have always expected Kamel Ghilas and Seyi Olofinjana to be heading off, but Gabon's surprise qualification means he will also be robbed of Daniel Cousin's services too. All three will be absent in a demanding month, which includes games against Manchester United and Chelsea. The home match with Wolves is probably of higher importance and Brown will hope to have some of his men back for that. Better news is that Kamil Zayatte's Guinea have missed out, while Ibrahima Sonko's Senegal are also not taking part.
Liverpool - None
At least the African Cup of Nations is not going to add to Rafa Benitez's woes. His transfer policy has been questioned in many quarters, but what he has not done is sign players who leave for a month biennially. Even Nabil El Zhar, very much a fringe player at Anfield, will be around as Morocco have not qualified.
Manchester City - Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Kelvin Etuhu (Nigeria)
One suspects Mark Hughes would have had his finger crossed for a Togo defeat last weekend. That could have seen them miss out. However, Emmanuel Adebayor will now join Kolo Toure in Angola. At least Hughes knows the money is there if he wants to buy a replacement. Toure will be a bigger miss in defence than Adebayor due to the number of attacking options Hughes possesses. Perhaps he will turn to Benjani Mwaruwari, whose Zimbabwe team have not qualified.
Manchester United - None
There will be no re-jigging required for United come January as they have no African players. Given they face Arsenal away at the end of January, that is good news for Red Devils fans. It could be a key period, especially given title rivals Chelsea who, in contrast, will be badly hit by international call-ups.
Portsmouth - Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana), Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda (both Algeria), John Utaka, Nwankwo Kanu (both Nigeria), Aruna Dindane (Ivory Coast)
Financially-stricken Portsmouth are the most affected in terms of numbers and could see as many as six players depart for Angola now that Kevin-Prince Boateng has declared himself available for Ghana. Pompey look sure to still be involved in a dogfight and games against West Ham, Fulham, Manchester City and Birmingham could be vital in the relegation scrap. At least Aaron Mokoena (South Africa) and Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) will be around due to their nations not qualifying. With a transfer embargo still in place at present, it could be a tough time for Pompey. The likes of Danny Webber and Tommy Smith may have to step up in what will be a depleted forward line.
Stoke - Mamady Sidibe (Mali)
The Potters have dodged a bullet, mainly because their African contingent is almost enitrely made up by Senegalese players. Salif Diao, Amdy Faye, Abdoulaye Faye and Ibrahima Sonko (the latter currently on loan at Hull) are all Senegal internationals but the 'Lions of Teranga' have failed to qualify. That means striker Mamady Sidibe is the only player in question here - and even he may not be jetting off given he's recovering from a long-term injury. In any case, Stoke's squad is much stronger than it was so they should be able to cope - perhaps Tuncay Sanli will actually get to start a game!
Sunderland - John Mensah (Ghana)
Steve Bruce will see John Mensah leave for Angola to represent Ghana, but he has only started one game so far this season. He looks set to miss the home games versus Bolton and Stoke and away trips to Chelsea and Everton. Unless injuries mount up in the New Year, the tournament should have limited impact on Sunderland.
Tottenham - Sebastien Bassong, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both Cameroon)
Harry Redknapp's rejuvenated squad could be without the Cameroon internationals Sebastian Bassong and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the latter having made his debut earlier this year, something which could disrupt their top-four push. The pair will miss the crunch clash at Anfield, plus games with Hull, Fulham and Birmingham. Spurs have a big squad though, and the likes of Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson should be able to provide adequate cover.
West Ham - None
No hammer blow from Africa for the Hammers. They will even get to keep Herita Ilunga, whose DR Congo have not qualified. That's all good news for Gianfranco Zola as his side continues to battle against the drop.
Wigan - Richard Kingson (Ghana)
There are plenty of South Americans in residence at the JJB but few Africans. In fact the Latics will only lose back-up keeper Richard Kingson, a key member of the Ghana squad, in January.
Wolves - George Elokobi (Cameroon)
Wolves would appear to have little to fear from the African Cup of Nations. Defender George Elokobi has declared his interest in playing for Cameroon but so far he's yet to be capped by the Indomitable Lions.
Football 365
FERGIE'S JANUARY SPENDING
SIR Alex Ferguson doesn't make a habit of spending heavily in the January transfer window and I don't expect him to this season either. He will know United have not hit the heights yet this season, but he cannot fail to be pleased with the way the campaign has gone so far.
With Owen Hargreaves set to return and Gabriel Obertan making a promising start, Fergie can only hope there is more to come. That doesn't mean he won't do some fine tuning in the New Year.
Even if United's defence has looked shakier than usual in recent weeks, I remain confident about the personnel and the strength in depth. But that is arguably not the case in midfield and attack.
Much will depend on how Hargreaves returns - and should he make a full recovery from his double knee operation, Ferguson will be able to call upon a truly world class performer to boost an area where United have been found wanting on occasion.
The Reds boss is too reliant on Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the centre. United have looked shot-shy this season - and for all their promise, Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda don't look ready to push for regular first-team places. Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen are impressive foils for Wayne Rooney, but you wonder if Ferguson will be tempted to add more firepower in January. He has already hinted he would like to spend during the window, which is not his usual style.
United find it difficult enough to find a bargain with prices usually inflated when they come knocking - add to that the fact that they've got the best part of £80m burning a hole in their pocket and it is understandable Ferguson will look to tread carefully. What's more, the very fact he will be looking for someone in January will convince selling clubs United are desperate and therefore willing to pay over the odds.
It was the inflated transfer market that convinced Fergie to spend only modestly last summer, and I'd be surprised if he is willing to change that philosophy in January. So don't expect Europe's biggest names to arrive at Old Trafford this winter.
David Sadler, Manchester Evening News.
MOURINHO TARGETS UNITED
JOSE MOURINHO has targeted Manchester United as the ideal venue for a return to English football, and is optimistic that Sir Alex Ferguson will recommend him as his successor when he retires. Mourinho is in his second season at Internazionale, but does not see his long-term future in Italy, where the sport’s hierarchy has proved unreceptive to methods that have brought him five league titles in the past seven seasons.
Mourinho recently signalled his intention to return to English football given the right opportunity, stating that the Premier League is the place best suited to his style. “I am thinking about the future in terms of youth development and the age structure of my first team,” he said of his work with Inter, “but Italy is not the country for this. England is the country. And my football is English football.”
His prime target is the United job. Mourinho developed a strong personal relationship with Ferguson and has been given reason to believe the Scot will play a significant role in appointing his successor. While Ferguson, 67, has set no firm date for his departure, there have been indications that he will go after winning one more European Cup. He has said he will not be doing the job at the age of 70.
However, Mourinho sought to reassure Inter yesterday that he was staying, without actually denying the words quoted were his. “I am very sorry a sincere tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson has been used in bits in a media outlet and in a different way from which my input was requested and above all with totally different aims,” Mourinho told Inter’s website. “As you can read from a correct translation of some of my quotes, I explained I love Inter, I am happy at Inter and that I am building for Inter. This is the reality and will be so until the end of my contract.” His contract runs until 2012.
Mourinho’s interest in taking over United has affected his thinking on managing Manchester’s other club. He was asked twice last season if he would be prepared to replace Mark Hughes as the Manchester City manager, but declined both times.
The Times
FERGIE PUNISHED OVER "UNFIT" COMMENTS
Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a touchline ban by the Football Association after admitting a charge of improper conduct. The Manchester United manager has been hit with a four-match match ban, two of which are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, following a Regulatory Commission hearing on Thursday.
The suspended sanction will be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge over the next 18 months on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.
He has also been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct
following comments he made about referee Alan Wiley.
Ferguson described the official as 'unfit' following United's 2-2 draw with
Sunderland last month, although he later apologised for his remarks.
Commission Chairman Peter Griffiths QC said "Each member of the Commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game.
"Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities. "The Commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate.
"He should never have said what he did say."
Sky Sports
GARY NEVILLE WRITING FOR THE TIMES OF MALTA
We go to Chelsea today for the top of the table match and these 'big four' clashes are always important. If Chelsea win they will go five points clear at the top so we obviously wouldn't want that to happen. The league isn't won in November, but we're all jostling for position in the pack and we want to stay as tight to our rivals as we can going into Christmas so that we're in a good position in January and February when the race starts to hot up. At this moment in time, it's not necessarily about hitting top form or running away with the league - it's about getting in the best position to strike.
Some people are saying that Chelsea are our main rivals for
the title but I think Arsenal and Liverpool are still in contention. There
are only a few points in it, and Arsenal could go level with us if they
win their game in hand. It is too early to call it a two-horse race; there
is more quality in the league than that. That said, Chelsea have certainly
looked solid. Their manager Carlo Ancelotti is playing his strongest team
every week and they have definitely got a bit of a rhythm together. I've
been impressed by Chelsea for the past few seasons, they have been our main
challenger for the past four or five years.
They are a very powerful team with good strength and excellent centre forwards
in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who are a real handful. Then they have
the threat from midfield with Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard, who are
two really good goal-scoring midfielders with a physical presence.
Lampard is a real danger; he's always sniffing around and
knows where the ball will land. He is someone we have to pay real attention
to because he scores goals at important moments.
Ancelotti has changed Chelsea's system. For many years they played 4-3-3,
they've now gone to a 4-4-2 with a diamond. This is certainly something
our management team and coaches will be considering before the game. It
is never an open game when we play Chelsea. I would imagine it will be tight;
both teams will not want to give anything away. It's always been a difficult
place for us to go, even before they were challenging. I anticipate both
teams will respect each other, and obviously both teams will want to win,
but it will be nowhere near as open as our 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow in
the Champion's League last Tuesday.
We caused ourselves problems by conceding soft goals in the first half against
CSKA. Then the manager gave us instructions at half time not to concede
any more goals and we lost one straight away in the second half. Every time
we attacked we looked dangerous, but when you lose three goals at home it
makes it very difficult and we were happy with the draw in the end. When
you're losing 3-1 with five minutes to go you'll take anything. We were
all frustrated at conceding three goals at Old Trafford, not just the manager.
But to come back from two goals down with five minutes to go shows good
character and the never-say-die spirit that we know we've got.
I was frustrated a bit in the first half but I enjoyed it in the second half when the ball came over to the right-hand side a lot more. Antonio Valencia and I seemed to have a lot of joy getting down that side. He was working the left back very well and I was getting into the spaces. In the last 20 minutes in particular it started opening up and that can be the case at Old Trafford - you can wear teams out for 70 minutes and then they find it very difficult in the last 20. If it had gone on another five minutes I think we probably would have scored another goal to be honest.
The referee's decision to deny Darren Fletcher a penalty and
book him for diving was terrible. Anyone who knows the character of Fletcher
would know that he never dives. It was a definite penalty but sometimes
you get them and sometimes you don't. The manager suggested afterwards that
we should be able to appeal yellow cards and I agree when a card is given
for something so blatantly wrong. But I suppose there would be so many appeals
coming in that they would have to employ a lot more people across Europe
to deal with every single situation.
Igor Akinfeev, the CSKA goalkeeper, made some good saves and he had an excellent
kick on him. There have been rumours linking him with a move to our club,
but I'm not aware of any interest in him from us.
The most important thing is that we have qualified. I don't agree that it will be difficult for the players and fans to motivate themselves for the last two group games. We always get good crowds at Old Trafford, so we'll get near 70,000. These games are important because we want to win the group and also because we can use our squad in the busy month of December. Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are really struggling to qualify, but it does not surprise me because the quality of the opposition is so good now throughout Europe. If you look at the Russian teams, the eastern European teams, they have excellent quality. The Turkish and Greek teams spend a lot on players.
Then there are the Dutch, English, Spanish, Italian, German, French and Portuguese teams who are always strong. If you're not at your best you could come unstuck.
OBERTAN READY FOR LIFE AT UNITED
It must have been frustrating getting your big move then having to sit on the sidelines. Are you pleased to finally be playing now?
After four months of just waiting and resting, I’ve been really looking forward to starting my career as a Manchester United player. I wanted to feel part of the squad, part of the group, and be involved in the games. So I’m feeling really good right now.
Saying that, did the time out help you to settle in England?
I think there were definitely some positives to it, and even though I was frustrated at not playing I tried to look at it in a positive way. In my disappointment, there were good things I could take from it. I got to know everybody at the club, I could begin to understand how things work here and get settled in England.
What are your early impressions of the club? 
Manchester United has made a huge impression on me already. I knew it was a big club, of course. Bordeaux is a big club in France, but you come here and it is totally different. This is a world class club and it’s a totally different organisation. The quality of the players is different as well. Here there are only international players. Everything is quicker and the quality of the football is unbelievable.
Did you see your move to United coming or was it a surprise?
I knew United were interested because Jim Ryan (head of youth development) came to watch me play four years ago. I knew there was interest there but I didn’t expect the move to happen so early in my career. But I felt ready for it, I knew I was ready for the challenge and the change in my life. It was like a new beginning for me and I am just glad to be here and have the opportunity to play for this great club.
What are the main footballing differences between England and France?
The quality at United is higher than I experienced in France. Also the amount of contact, there are a lot more physical challenges than in France, and the speed of the game – it’s so fast. It's much slower in France, where you have time to look for space around you or pick out a pass. Here, everything is in a rush, because if you don’t rush then you will be tackled and lose the ball.
You seem to have the right attributes to cope with that…
I’ve always liked English football. When I was in France I would watch English football every weekend. And I think you're right, for my qualities I believe this is the best league in Europe for me. I’m quite fast and I like to attack and be in one v one situations with defenders.
What was it like making your debut at Old Trafford? What was going through your mind as you were about to come on?
I felt proud to be here and glad to get my first real injury out of the way. Obviously I’d played in the Reserves and enjoyed playing against Barnsley in the cup, but stepping out at Old Trafford is something else because I’ve never played in a stadium like that before. I was so excited and just couldn’t way to play and get on the pitch. It felt like the first step. I was a bit nervous at first, but after five minutes it felt like I’d been playing here for three years or something. The fans really get behind you and it’s a great sensation.
The fans have taken to you really quickly, chanting your name at matches…
I am very proud of that. It gives you a huge push when you are playing and you hear people singing your name. It’s like you have other forces behind you. It’s also made me feel very welcome here, and if I hear the fans singing my name I just want to give them something back by playing well and keep working hard for them.
And what do you hope to achieve at United?
At first I just want to be part of the squad, be in the group that travels to all the games, and get a few minutes in each game to begin with. Then, if I keep working hard and show what I can do, I have ambition. So, why not aim to be a regular in the team? I might need a year to achieve that, but I hope I can do it.
Official site
