Stuart Mathieson
September 05, 2009

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has backed under-fire Anderson to confound his critics and become a United legend. The Brazilian midfielder has come under increasing pressure to live up to his hefty price tag and reputation.  A reported bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson has only added to doubts about his future - but a goal for the reserves on Thursday night was the best way to grab his manager's attention. And reserve boss, Solskjaer, insists Anderson will reproduce the form that made him an instant fan-favourite in his first season at Old Trafford.

"Ando has shown his qualities and attitude," said Solskjaer. "Now it is a case of him taking his chance when he gets it and putting down a marker to stay in the team. "He is going to be a big player for Manchester United." The 21-year-old, who cost around £18m when signed from Porto in 2007, volunteered to play for the reserves against Wigan. It was his response to calls from Ferguson for a bigger effort to win back his place.

Solkjaer belief

Though Fergie has denied a row with Anderson, the Brazilian is desperate to prove he is no one season wonder. And Solskjaer is convinced he can do so. "It was all glory for him in his first season, but then you sometimes get a bit of a reaction to that," he said. "It happens to a lot of players. "But with Cristiano Ronaldo gone, we need players like Anderson to step up and say `here is what all the talk was about when you signed me.' "It is always going to be a big challenge at United to get a place in the first team. "No player at United is going to step aside and say `here you take my place.' "You have to fight for it and he is more than capable of doing that as he is proving.

"He volunteered to play for the reserves. Asking to play just shows his professionalism and determination to succeed."

Meanwhile, Solskjaer takes United to Sir Matt Busby's birthplace on Sunday vowing to uphold the legacy Lanarkshire's most famous son left at Old Trafford. United's reserve side tackle Motherwell at Fir Park for the Sir Matt Busby Shield, a match arranged to commemorate the former Reds manager's 100th birthday.

"Not long after I came to the club from Norway, I had a long chat with Sir Bobby Charlton," recalled Solskjaer. "Sir Matt had passed away by then but I always remember Sir Bobby telling me about a lesson that had been passed down from him. "He basically used to remind his players before every game that the people coming to watch them worked hard for a living all week. When they came to the football on a Saturday they want to be entertained.

"That is a fantastic lesson for any young player to be taught."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/spo...on_to_come_good

Manchester United defender Craig Cathcart has returned to Old Trafford for treatment on a hamstring injury.

Cathcart, who spent last season on loan at Plymouth, suffered the setback in Northern Ireland Under-21s 2-0 defeat by the Czech Republic in a European Championship qualifier.

The injury completed a difficult week for the 20-year-old, who seemed on the verge of a move to Newcastle, only for it to break down at the last minute.

Blackburn defender Johnny Flynn has also been ruled out of the next qualifier against Iceland on Tuesday after pulling up with a knee injury.

omfg...Rooney missed from 2 yards T T

Rooney's got couple of very good chances. Well done

I think he'll do better against croatia next week. Nothing much from carrick tho..just his usual passing routine

Berbatov.. scored one penalty, and had three assists.

omfg...Rooney missed from 2 yards T T

Well? Whoever condemned Berbatov for his easy miss?

CEPAT CONDEMN ROONEY LA CEPAT LA WOI CEPAT LA!

HE MISSED FROM 2 YARDS LA BABY STUFFS LA WOI.

C'MON LA EVEN MY CAT CAN DO THAT.

Ryan Giggs has revealed that he will bow out of the game at the top level and confirmed he will definitely stay in football in some capacity.

Giggs, the most decorated player in the history of English football, is closing in on his 36th birthday and knows that he must at least entertain the idea of what he will do once he hangs up his boots.

But for now the Welshman insists he is feeling as fresh and as fit as he has at any point during his illustrious career.

The winger also stated that he had no interest in dropping down the leagues once his time at Old Trafford does eventually come to an end, instead highlighting that he will seek new challenges away from the pitch.

"Football is my life, but I'm not going to be playing at 40 - and I will look for another challenge within in the game," he told the Sunday Mirror.

"When my body tells me I can't sustain playing at the highest level any more I know it will be time for me to call it a day.

"I want to finish playing at the top. I have no intention of playing in the lower leagues to sustain my playing career. I have done my coaching courses and would like to stay in the game in some capacity.

"I think there are numerous opportunities that will allow me to stay in the game, be it in coaching, the media or training in some capacity.

Bitten by the bug

"I am told that you can inadvertently fall into management - like Mark Hughes and then you get bitten by the bug."

Giggs went on to explain that the secret to his longevity was partially down to his failure with the Welsh national team.

"I've been lucky that ever since my career began I have had proper periods of rest," he added.

"Playing for Wales we never qualified for major championships, which I deeply regret, but it has helped me.

"For 18-years I've consistently had six or seven-week rests during the summer. And the decision to retire from international football in 2007 was made to enable me to sustain my playing career at Manchester United."

The all-time Red Devils appearance maker admits he has learned to cope with defeat a lot better over the years, but with United chasing a record fourth straight title this season no-one will be pursuing the crown harder than Giggs.

The 35-year-old has seen many world-class players leave Old Trafford during his time at the club, notably Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and the veteran is confident United can succeed without Cristiano Ronaldo.

"The club won't stand still because players have left," he declared. "We will continue to evolve under the manager and maintain our challenge for silverware.

"People are making a far bigger thing of it outside the club than we are.

Prove people wrong

"Obviously Cristiano was a world-class player and will be missed - but how many times have players left United and we have been written off only to prove the critics wrong?

"I have seen great players come and go, but the drive and determination to succeed remain the same.

"Don't underestimate the manager. I have discovered over the years he always seems to come up with the answers."

Dimitar Berbatov has pledged to do all he can to win over those who continue to criticise his playing style.

The Bulgaria international has come under fire from certain sections of the Manchester United support since moving to Old Trafford from Tottenham last summer.

His languid approach to the game often suggests that he is not giving his all, and is merely going through the motions.

As United's record signing he accepts that expectations on his shoulders are high, but he insists that he is as committed to the cause as any of his Red Devils team-mates.

"There is a winning mentality and at United success is expected season after season," Berbatov told the News of the World.

"I am aware I came with a big price tag and I am ready to prove this season just what I can do. We have a chance to make it four titles in a row and that means making history if we succeed.

"I would not say my playing style is laid back, it is just a different style.

Running

"I like time on the ball and I like space. If I can get that, then I know I can free up players like Nani and Wayne Rooney, who do lots of running.

"I am ready to sweat blood for this club. I want to create and score goals and I know I can be part of a trophy-winning team this season."

United's hopes of landing a fourth consecutive Premier League crown were dealt a blow this summer with Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to join Real Madrid.

However, Berbatov is confident Sir Alex Ferguson's side can cope in his absence and has singled out Wayne Rooney as the man to spearhead their trophy quest.

"Wayne is the biggest talent in the Premier League," he added.

"We have lost a great player in Ronaldo, but even when he was at the club Wayne was still the biggest natural talent for me.

"He has much more to his game than Ronaldo. I wish Cristiano well, but he is our past now and Manchester United can become bigger and better without him."

the highlights.. 

Btw, the player tat scored the 1st goal..
Is he the Forentina player?
He performed quite well in Forentina.. A very confident young lad...

imagine a world cup without messi and ronaldo

and babel too