Man Utd Blog

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Lille Still Protesting Goal

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Lille could appeal to the Court of Arbitration after Uefa rejected their protest about Manchester United’s winning goal in the Champions League.

The French side were angry that Ryan Giggs’ free-kick was allowed to stand to give United a 1-0 first leg win.

Uefa had rejected an intial protest by Lille, who followed up with an appeal, but that has also been turned down.

Lille hoped to get the goal and result over-turned, but Uefa’s ruled there was “no proof of a technical error.”

Uefa has also charged Lille with the improper behaviour of their players, who appeared to contemplate leaving the pitch in protest at United’s goal.

Giggs’s strike was the only goal of the first leg of the last 16 tie, with the second leg taking place on Wednesday 7 March.

A statement from Uefa’s appeals body added: “Lille will have the possibility of making a further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within three days of receiving notification of the Uefa appeals body’s ruling.”

On an incident-filled evening, United fans were involved in a crush scare in the Stade Felix-Bollaert and Uefa’s control and disciplinary body will discuss the safety and security issues on 22 March.

Giggsy Until 2010?

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Ryan Giggs can continue playing for Manchester United for at least another two or three seasons, according to assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.

Saturday’s trip to Liverpool will mark his 700th appearance in a United shirt and his 16th year in the top flight.

Giggs, 33, says he does not know if he can play on beyond the end of his contract in 2008.

But Queiroz said: “We expect his contribution to be another two or three years without any problems.”

“He’s still got lots in the locker now,” said the Birmingham City manager, also talking exclusively to the BBC.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes on and does 20 years at the top because he’s got all the attributes to carry on – and make no mistake, he’ll still have that same hunger in his stomach that epitomises a top player.”

Queiroz said Giggs’s longevity was “a fantastic, outstanding achievement”.

“It is very rare to find a player who is able to complete 16 years in one club playing at the level of Giggsy,” the Portuguese added.

“It is an outstanding, amazing career. To be not only on top of, but one step ahead of the demands and goals Manchester United have is really something fantastic.

“And that tells us something about his personality, the way he is committed to and his passion for the club and the game, his motivation and concentration at training sessions.

“If you lose that desire, that fifth gear in your stomach, you just can’t do it.”

Queiroz added: “After 16 years, Giggs is Manchester United. The way he plays, with so much fantasy, creativity and entertainment – but also outside the pitch as a professional – he is really a role model for the game.

Ronaldo, Rooney still friends

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Rooney and Ronaldo

Going into this year�s Premiership season, one of the biggest sources of controversy was the relationship of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney after the incident that the two were involved at the World Cup that ended with Rooney getting a red card.

There were a lot of speculations that surfaced before the start of the season. Ronaldo had said that he was unhappy because of the taunts and jeers that he was receiving from some Manchester United fans and rumors were floating that he wanted out of Old Trafford. Fortunately, everything sorted itself out in the end and the result is a stronger, more driven team that has excellent chances of winning the Premiership title.

Ronaldo says that he and Rooney are still very good friends and that the incident at the World Cup has only resulted in their friendship growing stronger. This may sound like a PR sound byte but his statement actually has the ring of truth in it � just look at the great way both Rooney and Ronaldo has been playing all season and you know that it can only be achieved with a complete understanding of the two players and with absolutely no animosity. They have stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and the whole team has benefitted because of it. Bravo!

[tags]Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, World Cup, Old Trafford [/tags]

Heinze stays put in Old Trafford

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Heinze

To say that Manchester United has been playing extremely well is a gross and unfair understatement. The team is doing superbly and each match seems like they are just getting better and better and at this point they are almost nigh invincible (just erase those late goals from Henry).

One ManUtd team member who is definitely happy at the direction the team is headed (read: UP) is Gabriel Heinze. The full-back missed practically all of the last term because of an injury he suffered. But now that he has recovered his health it looks like Heinze has a renewed vigor to show ManUtd fans and Sir Alex Ferguson that he is a vital part of the team. There have been a buzz that a number of teams are actually keen on getting his services amid rumors that he is actually not happy with some of the roommates.

Heinze is an important part of this great team and he himself said that at this point he has no plans of transferring. Besides, why leave a team that is on the verge of claiming a title this year.

[tags]Gabriel Heinze, Sir Alex Ferguson, ManUtd [/tags]

Cantona: United Will Be Champions, Bien Sur!!

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Manchester United legend Eric Cantona is certain the Old Trafford side will win the Premiership this season.

“For sure they will be champions,” Cantona told the BBC’s North West Tonight programme.

“It’s a new era, a new generation. They have a great team but they have a lot to prove. They need to do it. United have been brave from the start and have a good atmosphere, where they work very well with young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Cantona praised manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the rebuilding he has carried out at old Trafford and establishing a team to challenge for the title.

“Ferguson is the kind of manager who can help the greatest player with a lot of experience and also help the young players. Not all managers can do that, but he can do that and find the balance on the pitch to have a strong team.”

The 40-year-old Frenchman has also been impressed with the heir to his number seven shirt at United, Cristiano Ronaldo.

“He needed to have experience and to score goals – now he has that and is a world-class player,” Cantona said.

He said he was not surprised the Old Trafford faithful had stood behind Ronaldo, despite the Portuguese winger’s role in Wayne Rooney’s sending off in the World Cup quarter-final against England.

“It can be difficult in another club than Manchester United,” Cantona said.

“But the fans of United are very faithful and behind you, they are the best. He plays for United and is one of the members of the family.”

[tags]cantona,ronaldo,man utd,premiership,wayne rooney[/tags]