Rooney Returns!

Wayne Rooney will return to the bench for Manchester United as the Red Devils look to open up a five-point lead at the Barclays Premier League summit by beating Fulham at Old Trafford.

Rooney has missed seven games since limping out of the home win over Wigan with a hamstring strain.

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to leave him out of the squad for Sunday's FA Cup trip to Derby, a decision that has proved to be a wise one.

It allowed Rooney to get an extra day's training under his belt that should ensure he plays some part against Roy Hodgson's men, even if Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov are expected to be handed the starting spots in attack.

"The plan is for Wayne Rooney to be involved tomorrow night and he will start on the bench," Ferguson told Key103.

"We have handled him in the right way.

"He is training now. His performances have been excellent and he is back to his best.

"The decision not to involve him on Sunday was a good one because he was able to train and that extra day has brought him on a lot."

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Derby v United - Preview

Derby County tested United in both legs that was just when they first appointed Nigel Clough as their new manager. Since taking charge he has quickly changed the fortunes of the clubs, as now the Rams are in top form. Clough is a manger without much experience but has helped the club from spiralling towards relegation.

Kris Commons, who scored that marvelous strike in the first leg of the League Cup, will also be a threat against United on Sunday.

“We’re more confident this time round,” Commons said. “Before it was just a dream to try and beat them. Now we know it is half-dream, half-reality.”

Man Utd on the other hand are likely to field a side packed with both youth and talent and will do their best have to prevent a hungry, in form Derby side.

Derby County

Bywater

Connolly - Albrechtsen - Addison - McEveley

Barazite - Green - Savage - Teale - Commons

Hulse

Man Utd

Foster

Rafael - Vidic - Evans - Evra

Park - Scholes - Fletcher - Giggs

Tevez - Welbeck

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I have the best - Fergie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he possesses the best squad in the Premier League.

After a slow start to the season,The Red Devils have now hit their stride and a run of only one defeat in 23 matches in all competitions sees them topping the table.

In addition, United's defence has been impregnable of late after going a record-breaking 13 league matches without conceding a single goal.

After being questioned on Ferguson's best side, the vastly-experienced Scottish tactician said he does not have a favourite starting XI, insisting that it is now a squad game.

With United going strong in every competition this season, the Old Trafford chief believes he possesses the strongest squad in England's top flight.

"People sometimes ask me what I consider to be my best side, and the short answer is that I don't have one," said Ferguson.

"I select the team that I consider is the best for each particular match. I have got a great many factors in mind, ranging from the tactical to who needs a rest and who we play in the next game.

"I can give you my best 14 or 15, but better than that, all I can say is that is a squad game and that we have a damn fine squad. In fact it is the best.

"Everyone has done so well and rallied around when we have had injuries that I'm beginning to dread picking the team.

"I feel guilty when I am forced to leave someone out who has not only done nothing wrong but who has played exceptionally well. It puts the club in a strong position, of course, but it doesn't make the manager's job very easy."

The 2008/09 campaign is now at the business end of the season and Ferguson is pleased his troops are showing the grit and determination needed to retain their Premier League title.

"We're at the time of the season where you expect the players to kick on," he continued. "We've seen it over the years.

"The present group I've got seem to have a gear where they can find. For instance, when we went to Stoke it was lively pitch and we'd just got back from Japan but we scraped a result because we never gave in.

"It was an important marker to lay down and, having come back from the World Club Cup in Japan, we needed to win that game. Once we won that, we've gone on."

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Giggs is the best - Vidic

Nemanja Vidic has held Ryan Giggs up as the perfect role model for any young player.

Giggs signed a one-year contract extension that will allow him to complete an incredible 19th season at Manchester United.

Already the 35-year-old is the most decorated player in English football history and given United's present dominance, the chances are Giggs will be adding to his collection over the next 18 months.

Vidic has been a team-mate for just three years of Giggs' near two-decade stint. Yet the Serbia defender has been around long enough to be aware of the standards Giggs sets.

And, should any player ever ask Vidic for the finest example of a professional footballer, he would have no hesitation putting the Welshman's name forward.

"Young players need to look at Ryan," he said.

"He is a complete professional and any young player can learn from him about how to develop themselves and how to have a big career and a long career.

"He has done very well this season and I am glad he has signed a new contract and will be part of this squad for another 18 months."

It is only a week ago at West Ham that Giggs - set to be followed in his successful contract negotiations by skipper Gary Neville - sauntered in off the touchline and scored a magnificent goal to put the Red Devils back to the Premier League summit.

"He has been at this level for 18 years," said Vidic. "To do that at Manchester United is not easy.

"In order to keep winning trophies for that long you don't just need football ability, you must be mentally tough as well."

Giggs' greatest goal was his memorable solo run and finish against Arsenal, voted the best ever in the FA Cup.

Having failed to become the first player for well over a century to complete a fifth win in the competition two years ago when United were beaten in the final at Wembley by Chelsea, victory over Derby at Pride Park on Sunday would leave Giggs just three wins away from making amends.

United have already been to the midlands outfit once this season, 24 hours after Nigel Clough had been installed as permanent successor to sacked Paul Jewell.

They were beaten too as Kris Commons lashed home the winner.

On that occasion, the Red Devils, who have Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans available but not Wayne Rooney who has been given extra time to get over his hamstring injury, had another game to tidy up the mess.

There will be no such safety net this time around if United lose again.

But Vidic, knowing the stakes are high, is not expecting a repeat.

"We only have one game this time around and we know it will be hard," he stated.

"Derby will want to finish it tomorrow as well. They don't want to come to Old Trafford because they know it will be more difficult for them there.

"They have a good team and the atmosphere will be quite intense.

"But we have the experience from last time and if we take our chances, I am sure we can do well.

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SAF expects an improvement from United on second Derby visit

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players he expects a significant improvement when Manchester United play Derby County in the FA Cup tomorrow compared with their last visit to Pride Park. On that occasion United lost 1–0 in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final, with an enraged Ferguson describing it as his team’s worst performance of the season and singling out the usually reliable Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic for criticism in the dressing room.

The damage was only superficial, with United winning the second leg 4-2 at Old Trafford, but Ferguson was as angry as at any other stage this season. The manager felt his side “could have lost by four goals” and, in particular, he was disappointed by the contribution of his more experienced players in an experimental line-up.

“Maybe, in some respects, what happened is a good thing because we’ll know what to expect now,” Darren Fletcher, the midfielder, said yesterday. “We’ve played against them a couple of times and it won’t be a shock to us this time. I’m sure it’s going to be a similar type of game. They’re going to come at us at 100 miles per hour and it will be a good atmosphere but I’m sure we will be ready for them this time.”

United will, however, have to try to navigate a way into the quarter-finals without Wayne Rooney, while Derby are having a mini-revival under the management of Nigel Clough, with three wins in succession since dropping into the Championship’s relegation places.

“I’m really surprised that they’re struggling,” said Fletcher. “They did well against us. They looked impressive and showed that, on their day, they can raise their game and cause problems for anyone. I’m sure their manager is looking at them and saying, ‘Why can’t you perform like that in the league?’ But this is a one-off cup game and they will see it as the chance of a big scalp to knock out Manchester United.”

Rooney is still recovering from the hamstring problem that has kept him out of United’s past six games as well as England’s friendly against Spain this week. He has resumed full training but Ferguson believes it would be safer to bring him back in Wednesday’s league game against Fulham at Old Trafford and, with a Champions League tie coming up against Internazionale later this month, he is not prepared to take any risks.

“We would never jeopardise anything,” said Mike Phelan, Ferguson’s assistant. “We have numerous players in the squad that we can use and Inter Milan is always in your mind.”

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Clough hopes 4 another win over United

The Derby County manager Nigel Clough is hoping for another shock result against the Premier League champions in tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Just over five weeks ago, Clough, who had been appointed to manager the Rams the day before, watched from the Pride Park stands as Derby beat Manchester United 1-0 in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

It was a weakened United side that played that night, and although Derby were defeated 4-2 in the second leg at Old Trafford, they still caused Ferguson’s side problems – Clough’s side scored three in total against a United defence that has not been penetrated in the league since 8 November.

Although Ferguson has conceded the FA Cup is low on his list of priorities as his team chase five trophies, Clough is convinced he will not want to be embarrassed again.

“We showed we could cause them problems over the two matches, and certainly we did down here,” said Clough. “Defensively in the first half at Old Trafford we weren’t very good and that is why we lost the tie at Old Trafford. But going forward we created chances, scoring three goals in the two games, which is a rarity against United these days.

“Certainly, I think the home leg will have a bearing, even though there are bigger competitions in their eyes, given the Champions League and Premier League.

“I think they will be a bit more cautious. If they had come here and won two or three nil, he [Ferguson] would probably think he could put the same side out and do it again. But there will be a little doubt there, and in the players’ minds as well we hope.

“All we have to do is relax and play. There’s no point getting too nervous, too het up, and think we’re playing Manchester United, the best team in the country, the world. We just have to say ‘Hold on a minute’, calm ourselves down and play our stuff as well. It’s very important we do that.

“We’re preparing exactly the same for them as for anybody, the same as it will be for Blackpool on Wednesday – which I hasten to add is a more important game for us.”

The Rams are without the suspended Jay McEveley, whilst Luke Varney is sidelined with a groin strain.

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Rooney to miss Derby county clash??

Manchester United will not jeopardise Wayne Rooney's fitness by rushing him back to action for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Derby.

Rooney has been absent with a hamstring injury for almost two months and was expected to return at West Ham last Sunday.

However, the England striker was left out for the win at Upton Park and seems unlikely to be risked this weekend either as the Red Devils chase a quarter-final place.

With the first leg of their Champions League knock-out clash against Inter Milan due to be played at the San Siro on February 24, United are not keen to risk Rooney just now.

So, the chances are Rooney will not be considered until next Wednesday's Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford.

"We are still assessing Wayne," said United assistant-boss Mike Phelan.

"He has done a little bit of work but we are not going to rush that situation because we have important games. We will ease him back in as quickly as we can.

"If he is available terrific, if not we will look at it for the next game against Fulham because we would never jeopardise anything."

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Vidic - Proud to be in United

Nemanja Vidic is proud to be part of Manchester United's record-breaking defence - but 13 successive Premier League clean sheets would mean nothing to him without victories to go with them.

United have won 11 of those matches, meaning they have surged to the top of the Premier League table while still having a game in hand over all their main rivals.

Sir Alex Ferguson may swap his defenders around for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Derby on Sunday, especially as Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans have recovered from foot and ankle injuries respectively.

But Vidic has assured Red Devils supporters there is no intention among the defenders who do play to let their standards slip as the hunt for trophies becomes more intense.

"I am very proud and happy to be part of a team that created the record," said the Serbia international.

"We are delighted to have the new record but we will try to keep going and doing the same things we have done in the past because the most important thing is to win games."

Nevertheless, having dedicated his professional life to stopping opponents finding the net, Vidic takes immense satisfaction from a run that dates back to Samir Nasri's goal for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 8.

Vidic and Edwin van der Sar are the only ever-presents during that amazing run and the 27-year-old admits he has allowed himself a few moments of satisfaction to reflect on a run that might continue against Fulham next Wednesday.

"I am very happy to be part of this defence," he said.

"I have been there all the time and it is a nice feeling to know you have not lost a goal for so many games.

"As defenders we can take a lot of credit because our job is to keep clean sheets.

"It is obvious we have done well over the last few months and I have really enjoyed it."

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United - Second richest in the world !!

Manchester United may be champions of World and Europe and about to reveal record profits - but they still lag behind Real Madrid in the list of the world's richest clubs.

The strength of the euro against the pound has helped Real Madrid maintain their position at the top, despite a 21% increase in revenue for United, according to the Deloitte Football Money League.

Barcelona are third in the list, while Bayern Munich have climbed above Chelsea (fifth) and Arsenal (sixth) to be fourth.

United are due to announce their figures shortly, but Deloitte are predicting the club will reveal revenue of £257million in 2007/08 compared to £210million in the previous 12 months.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "Real Madrid's 4% revenue growth is more modest than recent years, but the club have doubled their revenues since 2002 and have a lead of £32.5m over Manchester United.

"Real have announced they are budgeting for revenues of 400m euro (£360m) in 2008/09, so it will be difficult for rivals to replace them at the top of the Money League next year.

"Manchester United's success in winning the Premier League and Champions League has contributed to significantly-increased revenue in 2007/08, but the depreciation of the pound against the euro means they remain in second position."

All the English clubs suffered from the currency issue - Barcelona's revenue increased by only 6%, while Chelsea and Arsenal enjoyed rises of 11.5% and 18% respectively yet both Premier Leagues sides saw themselves fall a place. Liverpool, however, have gone up a place to seventh with a 25% rise in turnover.

Jones added: "If the value of the pound had not depreciated, there would have been nine, rather than seven English clubs in the top 20 - and Manchester United would have topped the Money League ahead of Real Madrid."

English clubs should continue to feature heavily in the list in future years following last week's announcement by the Premier League of a slight increase in domestic broadcast rights to £1.78billion for 2010-2013. Overseas rights are expected to increase even further.

Celtic, however, have dropped out of the top 20 clubs in the Money League - and Manchester City have come in.

Deloitte Football Money League (2007/08 revenue)

1 (last year - 1) Real Madrid £289.6m
2 (2) Manchester United £257.1m
3 (3) FC Barcelona £244.4m
4 (7) Bayern Munich £233.8m
5 (4) Chelsea £212.9m
6 (5) Arsenal £209.3m
7 (8) Liverpool £167.0m
8 (6) AC Milan £165.8m
9 (11) AS Roma £138.9m
10 (9) Internazionale £136.9m
11 (12) Juventus £132.6m
12 (13) Lyon £123.3m
13 (16) Schalke 04 £117.5m
14 (10) Tottenham £114.8m
15 (15) Hamburg £101.3m
16 (19) Marseille £100.4m
17 (14) Newcastle £99.4m
18 (-) Stuttgart £88.3m
19 (-) Fenerbahce £88.1m
20 (-) Manchester City £82.3m

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Glory Glory Man United - Lyrics

Glory Glory Man United is the football chant sung by the fans of Manchester United FC. Manchester United fans have been singing this song since the early 1980s.Manchester United fans claim that this song was adapted in the 1960s but with the lines 'In Seventy-Seven it was Docherty, Atkinson will make it Eighty-Three' prove that this song was adapted much later than claimed. It is in fact Tottenham Hotspur that used the song in the Glory Days during the 1960s, as well as Hibernian FC who recorded 'glory glory to the hibees', also in the 1960s.

Here are the lyrics...

Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching up up up!

Just like the busby days and days gone by,
We’ll keep the red flags flying high,
Your gonna see us all from far and wide,
Your gonna hear the Mans that sing with pride.

United, Man united,
We’re the boys in red and we're on our way to Wemberly!

Wemberly, Wemberly,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wemberly,
Wemberly, Wemberly,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wemberly

In ’77 in the stockham team,
Back in December '83,
And everyone will no just who we are,
They'll be singing que sera sera

United, Man united,
We’re the boys in red and we're on our way to Wemberly!

Wemberly, Wemberly,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wemberly,
Wemberly, Wemberly,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wemberly

Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching up up up!

Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching up up up!

Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching up up up!
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