Casillas; Dani Alves, Evra, Terry, Vidic; Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard; Ronaldo, Messi, Torres <-- a lineup like this on their day can kill opponents like nobody biz .. fuhhh

Saw this manutd.com:


any prediction?
mine will be
giggs..ferdinand...neville...keane...solskjaer...ronaldo...rooney...RVN...vidic...evra...VDS

Nearly four years into his Old Trafford career, Patrice Evra has blossomed into one of the world’s leading left-backs.

The archetypal modern full-back blends grace with grit and Patrice is certainly as strong going forward as he is defending. Blessed with abundant energy and aerial ability that belies his short stature, he also has the necessary skill and pace to beat his marker and his darting runs down the wing add an extra dimension to the Reds attacks. It's not just United fans who think he's top, either: his performances earned him a place in the PFA's Team of the Year in both 2007 and 2009.

Patrice’s time at OT has been littered with trophies already – nine in total, including the Champions League – but he speaks ceaselessly of the desire to win more. A firm favourite among the United faithful, the charismatic Frenchman is fiercely proud to play for United and is openly fascinated by the club's rich history.

Here's to Patrice sticking around well into the new decade.

Edwin van der Sar's arrival in July 2005 ended United's six-year search for a long-term successor to Peter Schmeichel.

Many guardians of United's net tried and failed to hold on to the position. Even a World Cup-winning number one, Fabien Barthez, didn't hang around for the long haul.

Van der Sar's formidable presence - especially behind the Ferdinand-Vidic pairing - helped to re-establish United as the kings of English football in the second half of the decade, gleaning three consecutive league titles. Edwin was also instrumental as the Reds won the European Cup in 2008 - who could ever forget his penalty save from Nicolas Anelka, and his joyous roar in the Moscow rain?

Edwin's greatest feat - and the one which best demonstrates his powers - came in 2008/09, when he didn't concede for a record 14 league games in a row, from November to March. For 1,311 minutes he was what all keepers dream of being - simply unbeatable.

Gary Neville’s contribution to the decade may not have been as spectacular as that of some other players, but it was no less vital.

The ultra-reliable right-back has been there since the Reds’ very first match of the noughties against Necaxa in the World Club Championship.

He became United's first ever local-born club captain after Roy Keane's surprise departure in 2005, a natural choice given Nev's prominent leadership skills and no-nonsense attitude. Even at 34 he still motors up and down the touchline supporting the attack as if he was still in his mid-twenties.

He's won five league titles this decade, only missing out on a sixth in 2007/08 because of an injury that curtailed his entire campaign. His efforts earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year in both 2005 and 2007.

Gary has played over 350 times since 2000, and was first choice for England long into the decade. His contribution and commitment to the United cause cannot be overestimated.

Benfica reject Di Maria bid
English champions thwarted in their attempts to sign Argentine

Sir Alex Ferguson has kicked off the January transfer-window action by bidding for Benfica winger Angel Di Maria.

Ferguson has reacted to Manchester United's stuttering defence of their title by offering £9million plus Nani for the 21-year-old Argentina international.

The United manager witnessed Di Maria's scintillating form at first hand when he was at Goodison Park for the second leg of Benfica's Europa League rout of Everton recently.

Rafael and Fabio will be back to boost United's depleted defence against Hull on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed at Thursday's press conference.

Rafael has been sidelined since the home defeat to Besiktas last month with a foot injury, while Fabio returned from the bench at Fulham last week. Both Da Silva twins are set to be thrust into action at the KC Stadium to bolster a threadbare backline.

"We rushed Fabio back a little bit, but given the situation we find ourselves in sometimes you have to do that," admitted the boss. "Rafa's only trained for a few days but he will be involved on Sunday."

Sir Alex also confirmed Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic should both be available for the home game against Wigan on 30 December, and that the Reds' medical team are working to get one of the centre-backs fit for this weekend.

"We're trying to get one of them fit for Sunday, but we'll have to see," added Sir Alex. "The young boy [Ritchie] De Laet did okay in the last game at Fulham until we lost the first goal.

"The power and the strength of [Bobby] Zamora made things difficult for us and we looked fragile from then on. It's understandable in a way - you can get away with playing midfielders at centre-back once or twice, but it proved to be very difficult for us at Fulham."

The United boss is expecting an equally tough game against an improving Tigers side, saying: "Hull will be encouraged by our injury problems, and I'm sure they'll have a go at us.

"We have to make sure we are better attacking-wise than we were at Fulham. We had quite a bit of possession, but didn't make a lot of chances. We have to improve the imagination of our play on Sunday."

Rio Ferdinand joined the Reds in July 2002 as the world’s most expensive defender and, over the course of the decade, he has developed into one of the finest on the planet.

After helping United reclaim the Premier League crown from Arsenal in his first season, the talented and cultured centre-half has gone on to become one of the Reds' most influential and consistent performers. His leadership qualities have seen him made skipper for club and country on numerous occasions; indeed he captained United to Champions League, Club World Cup and Carling Cup glory. He has also chipped in with valuable goals, perhaps most dramatically with an injury-time winner against Liverpool in January 2006.

Rio has consistently justified his world-class defender tag with a string of calm and collected displays and, over the last few years, has formed an imposing partnership with Nemanja Vidic. Both played a crucial role in the team's record-breaking clean-sheet run last season on the way to a third successive title.

Manchester United will travel to the KC Stadium to face Hull City on Sunday with the majority of their defence still sidelined.

The champions were thumped 3-0 at Fulham last time out, with their defensive frailties there for all to see as up to six of their backline missed out through injury.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to play three at the back against the Cottagers, with Ritchie De Laet, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher filling in.

United were torn apart by Roy Hodgson's men, but Ferguson admits that he could use the same system against Hull at the weekend.

Despite the heavy loss, United are still just four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea after the Blues could only draw 1-1 with West Ham last Sunday.

However, United could go into the game seven points behind Carlo Ancelotti's side if the West Londoners beat Birmingham on Boxing Day.

The Tigers will no doubt make life hard for the champions, with manager Phil Brown seemingly easing the pressure off his shoulders after a number of positive results in the past month.

Despite the fact that the club are without a win in three, two of those games have been at Aston Villa and Arsenal, Hull are unbeaten at home in six, although they are still hovering precariously over the relegation zone.

Even though United go into the clash without a number of recognised defenders, it remains to be seen whether Hull will be able to test the visitors' shaky backline having scored just 17 goals in the league this season, the second worst tally in the top flight.

Tigers news

In contrast to their opponents, Hull have just two injuries, albeit to arguably their two most influential players.

The Tigers had looked to be moving up the table thanks to some sterling performances from the charismatic Jimmy Bullard, but the midfielder has been ruled out for six to eight weeks after injuring his knee at Aston Villa.

Although the news came as another blow for the injury-plagued 31-year-old, the fact that scans revealed no ligament damage would have been met with a huge sigh of relief by everyone at the club.

Fellow midfielder Ian Ashbee remains sidelined while he recovers from his own serious knee injury.

Red Devils news

Ferguson admits that he has had to rush back Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva for the clash and both should start. That could mean Patrice Evra moving from left-back to central defence alongside Carrick.

The Scot is also hopeful that one of either Nemanja Vidic (calf) or Wes Brown (hamstring) can return for the trip.

Fellow defender Jonny Evans (calf) remains sidelined but could feature against Wigan in midweek. Gary Neville (groin), John O'Shea (thigh) and Rio Ferdinand (back) look certain to miss out once more.

Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar looks no nearer to recovering from the knee injury he picked up in the 3-0 win over Everton so Tomasz Kuszczak should continue in goal.

Ryan Giggs (hamstring) looks likely to be absent again while Nani (foot), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Federico Macheda (hamstring) could all join him in the stands.

Possible starting XIs

Hull: Myhill, Gardner, McShane, Dawson, Zayatte, Geovanni, Fagan, Boateng, Olofinjana, Garcia, Hunt.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Fabio, Valencia, Fletcher, Anderson, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov

By Nick Teale

Arsène Wenger has chosen Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs as his Premier League Player of the Decade.

During Tuesday's exclusive webchat with Arsenal.com the manager opted for the Welsh midfielder after being asked who he would select as the best player to have graced England's top flight over the last 10 years.

Giggs was awarded PFA Player of the Year at the end of last season and recently collected the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Now he has been named as Wenger's Premier League Player of the ‘Noughties'.

"As a non-Arsenal player I would say Ryan Giggs because he has combined style with winning," explained the manager.

"Also I feel sorry he could never attend the World Cup, somewhere where people get a lot of compliments when they do well. But despite that if you look at his club record it is quite impressive."

[Wednesday, December 23, 2009]

does any1 realize or is it just me, it seems that, welbeck is playing yet macheda, our superb goal hero last season seems to be left out? Maybe cuz welbeck is muscular and he's being chosen over macheda? Personally i would want to see some macheda magic. Any1 agree?

Ryan Giggs (hamstring) looks likely to be absent again while Nani (foot), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Federico Macheda (hamstring) could all join him in the stands.

none. hehe.

even if they lose and we won, we still be in the 2nd place provided that arsenal will lose their game in hand. otherwise, third spot will be us. and please don't discount teams like villa, spurs and city. they are trying hard to challenge for top 4 spot.

By Aidan Magee, 26/12/2009

FEDERICO MACHEDA is being lined up for a January loan move to Real Zaragoza.

The Italian striker played a key role in the final games of last season in earning Manchester United their third successive Premier League title.

But he has not appeared in the League this term and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a loan request from Zaragoza's caretaker boss Victor Munoz.

Macheda, 18, is likely to make the move to Spain until the end of the season.

Newcastle are also interested in taking Macheda on loan but it is thought Ferguson will see La Liga as a better learning environment than the Championship for the young striker.

The two clubs have enjoyed an excellent relationship since United loaned Gerard Pique, who is now with Barcelona, to the Spanish club three years ago.

Zaragoza's sporting director Pedro Herrera said: "With our money problems it is necessary to search for loan deals and these have worked well in other years. Macheda is on our agenda, that is certain."

An unnamed French club have asked to be kept informed of developments.

By Greg Gobere, 26/12/2009

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has entered the race to sign Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has already earmarked the £12m-rated centre back as one of his top priorities in the midst of his side's patchy form and injury crisis.

But United have serious defensive problems of their own and watching makeshift centre halves Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick ship three goals at Fulham last weekend has forced Fergie to look for experience in the January transfer window.

Chiellini has mentioned on more than one occasion that all is not well at Juventus and is ready to test himself in England.

Manchester United may not be able to offer the Italian international, 25, as much as their rivals in terms of wages.

But Ferguson knows the guarantee of regular Champions League football with one of the biggest clubs in the world will put his side right at the front of the queue for his signature.

Chiellini's agent Davide Lippi said: "It will be difficult for such an important player like Chiellini to leave Juventus but we will see what happens in January.

"I have not heard anything from Mancini yet but I could not rule out a move to Manchester."

Ferguson and Mancini are also both looking at Palermo defender Simon Kjaer, 20, but the United boss would not mind losing out to his city rivals on this occasion due to the sheer experience that Chiellini offers.

Apart from in 2006 when The Old Lady were relegated to Serie B, Chiellini has been playing regular top-flight football in Italy since 2004 as well as establishing himself as a first team player for the national side.