Archive for August, 2007

Ferguson: Our Attacking Football Makes Us Winners

Ahead of his club’s match with Chelsea in the Community Shield today, Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken out about the potential of his current side.

On top of the already championship winning squad, Ferguson has strengthened his team with new signings Nani, Andersson and Hargreaves, with Tevez expected to sign next week.

Whilst Ferguson focuses on the exciting attacking football Manchester United play, he is quick to emphasise the need for his players to fulfill their potential.

“There is plenty of entertainment there – there is no question about that,” Ferguson said.

“But we still have to be winners. It’s all right saying there is potential but the potential has to be realised.

“At the end of the day, we have to be winners. I think we did it last season the right way.

“I hope this time we’ll look to improve in terms of the attacking part but we want to be winners.

“That gives great responsibility to the back four and Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick in midfield.

“We play attacking football because we think it is winning football – we don’t do it to look pretty.”

Drogba: United Hurt Me Like Hell

Manchester United cruised to Premiership victory last season after topping the table throughout the year. Sir Alex Ferguson defied all the press who had written him and his club off, finishing six points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side.

Didier Drogba, who despite being the highest scorer in the league could not carry the weight of the rest of his team, has revealed today ahead of the Community Cup how painful it is to have conceded the title.

“Knowing they [United] have the Premier League trophy for a year hurts like hell,” Drogba said.

“Since the season ended it has been painful sitting around thinking of their players enjoying the trophy instead of us.

“The whole Chelsea squad has felt it, it is not nice, and now it is up to us to go out and win back the title.

“The way last season ended is still fresh in our minds. It was horrible we could feel the Premier League slipping away.

“After spending all year battling for it, it wasn’t to be for us.

“Now United will keep the trophy until next May. That hurts even more.

“To win it three years in a row would have been special but United were strong throughout the season and it is fair to say they played better football for large parts.

“All I have thought about in the last few months is getting our trophy back. This Chelsea team is built to win things.”

Heinze Set To Rot In The Reserves

A move between fierce rivals Manchester United and Liverpool has not occurred for decades. Rafa Benitez was keen to end this tradition, bidding the asking price for United’s second choice left back, Gabriel Heinze.

As the weeks have gone by, Sir Alex Ferguson has remained adament that he will not sell the defender, who was once a fans favourite, to Liverpool.

Ferguson has asked for loyalty from Heinze, after the club have stuck by him, despite spending the past two seasons plagued with injury. However, if Heinze continues to seek a move to Liverpool, it is likely that the manager will freeze the player out, paying his wages, but not giving him any first team football.

Reports today suggest Ferguson is livid with the player, and if a deal cannot be resolved for another European club, Heinze will be forced to see out his contract playing in the reserves.