February 03, 2010

Ryan Giggs believes Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney is edging closer to the select group of players currently regarded the best in the world.

The 24-year-old has just completed a memorable week, which began with his first four-goal haul in the victory over Hull.

Rooney then headed home the injury-time goal that secured another Wembley appearance for the Red Devils at the expense of Manchester City in the Carling Cup, before finally finishing off a sensational second goal in United's demolition of title rivals Arsenal at the weekend.

And Giggs believes Rooney's form could soon earn him the kind of recognition currently enjoyed by Lionel Messi, Kaka and former Old Trafford team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, the three men widely acknowledged to be the best on the planet.

"He is getting nearer that group," said the veteran Welshman. "You have seen it for England and for us on the bigger stages. That is what all the top players do.

"The best thing is that Wayne is still developing. He is 24 now but he is only going to get better.

"His appetite is strong and he is a great player to have in your team."

Rooney's talent has never been in question since he first burst onto the scene as a raw teenager with Everton, scoring a memorable winner against Arsenal at Goodison Park in 2003.

He followed that up by becoming one of England's key men at Euro 2004 before moving on to United, where his talent is set to earn him a lucrative new contract this summer.

It is a different quality Giggs notes.

Rooney quality

At the level he has operated at for almost two decades, pure ability is almost taken for granted. What Giggs likes about Rooney is his willingness to keep working when events conspire against him.

"Even if he is not playing well he still causes problems for the other team," he said. "That is a very rare quality.

"Even with players who are genuine match-winners, if they are not playing so well, normally you don't see them.

"But if Wayne is not having the best of games, which is not very often, he never gives up.

"He believes he is going to create chances. He believes he will get them and he believes he is going to score goals.

"More often than not, he does."

Chelsea's failure to beat Hull at the KC Stadium last night means United are only two points behind Carlo Ancelotti's men as they chase a record fourth successive championship win.

The dilemma for Ferguson now is when to give Rooney a break.

A meeting with basement boys Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday would appear to be an opportunity, especially as United visit Aston Villa on February 10 in another of those "must-win" games.

Yet Ferguson also knows Rooney's importance to his side is growing, with Giggs chiming in with his manager's assessment that the Merseysider has moved his contribution to a different level now he is concentrating on the core aspects of his job.

"Wayne has taken his game to another level," said Giggs.

"Everyone knows what Wayne is like. He wants to be involved. He wants to set up the play and finish the moves.

"Sometimes you cannot do that but he has learnt to be patient.

"He has developed his game so that now he is a goalscorer as well as joining in with the overall play.

"I know if I am putting the ball in the box, with his movement and bravery, Wayne is going to get on the end of things.

"Wayne has worked hard at that part of his game and he has definitely improved."

Stuart Mathieson and Peter Spencer

February 03, 2010

MULTI-millionaire Fred Done is one of the mysterious Red Knights looking to potentially make a bid to buy United, it can be revealed.

MEN Sport is aware the Salford-born bookie, who until the start of this season was the Reds' official betting partner, has been approached by a legal 'Mr Fixit' to be part of the group of Manchester-based big hitters looking to replace the Glazers.

The lifelong United supporter has become increasingly disillusioned with the direction in which the club has been going under the controversial ownership of the Glazer family.

Just last month, he criticised the owners, telling MEN Sport: "From what I can see, the Glazers have not put any value on the club since taking over. When they finally cash in and sell up they will leave the club a poorer place than when they took over.

"If we are not careful we could end up like another Portsmouth, who look like they are headed for administration.

"Sponsorship will be the next thing to drop off. And don't tell me that United are too big to go bust. Just look at the Royal Bank of Scotland and AIG.

"I think both David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson are being forced to work with their hands tied behind their backs. My criticism is entirely of the Glazers."

Self-made tycoon Done, who has been invited to talks with fellow interested parties, is the first of the 50-strong rich Reds interested in being part of a Barcelona-style management of United to be identified.

Barcelona style

Fans own the Spanish giants with a board of directors in control under a elected president.

Done, whose Warrington-based betting empire has 840 shops in the UK and is the biggest independent bookmakers in the world, will be having further hush-hush discussions next week.

Keep-fit fanatic Done, 66, who lives in Worsley, would not discuss in detail his involvement, merely saying: "I have always got United close to my heart."

The wealthy Red Knights are coming together in an attempt to provide the financial muscle that might tempt the Glazer family to sell United. It is likely to cost the would-be buyers over £1bn if they are to persuade the Americans to end their four-and-a-half year ownership of the Reds.

The group of rich businessmen has been galvanised into action following the recent announcement of United's figures and the launch of a bond issue, drawn up to help manage United's £716m debt, which is more than twice oversubscribed.

Experts in the City of London believe that points to United being in good financial shape.

But supporters have not been placated and want the once debt-free club to be owned by a Supporters' Trust but run by professionals.

Football finance expert Keith Harris, a United fan and CEO of investment bank Seymour Pierce, has been approached by the Red Knights as the move to buy out the Florida-based Glazers escalates.

He has said: "We don't know if the Glazers can be made to listen but there is serious intent on the part of people who have support in their hearts. The time feels right."

Harris, Done and the other Red Knights have been heartened by the fast-growing anti-Glazer green and gold scarf protest campaign backed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST).

Edwin van der Sar believes United’s superior experience could be a key factor from February as the finale to an exciting league campaign unfolds.

Most of his team-mates have won the league at least once – summer signings Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia being the obvious exceptions.

Edwin feels that could prove vital in the title race, especially now it’s so tight at the top. After 24 games played, Chelsea are just two points and two goals better off than United, having only drawn their game in hand at Hull City on Tuesday night.

“Experience definitely helps,” Edwin told ManUtd.com.

“You’ve been there before - you’ve been through narrow escapes and played in must-win games and you know how to handle them. The more you go through these situations the better you are at dealing with them. There’s a moment in your career where it clicks and you think, ‘I’ve been in this situation before, I know what to do, I know what to expect’. That comes in handy sometimes.”

Van der Sar’s assured presence in goal has aided an improvement in United’s form, since his mid-January return from injury. The Dutch keeper sees the galvanising of the changing guard in front of him as an important part of his role.

“In general, we tend to coach the same way and to play in the same system. But every player has their own characteristics,” said Edwin.

“You have to understand the qualities and the character of your team-mates. Sometimes one defender is quicker than another, or one is better at heading the ball. Whoever comes into the defence brings their own personality and style with them. As a goalkeeper you try to make sure everything glues together and you work well together.”

Edwin van der Sar was speaking to ManUtd.com's Ben Hibbs.

Antonio Valencia has impressed in his first term at United and although he now faces stiff competition from Nani for the right-wing berth, the Ecuadorian is loving life as a Red...

Besides Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, you’ve played more games than anyone for United this term. Did you expect that?
To be honest, no. I thought I’d be used sparingly at first and then more as I settled in at the club, but as a footballer you train hard so that you’re always prepared to play. Then it’s down to the manager to make the decisions, and he has given me lots of opportunities. I’m really enjoying my United career so far, and this is just the start.

You were voted ManUtd.com's Player of the Month in both November and December. Is it nice to be recognised by fans?
It’s a source of motivation to keep working harder and harder and to keep trying to win these awards. The fans are incredibly important, so it’s very nice to get their recognition.

Why has your goalscoring improved so much since your Wigan days?
I’m getting into the box more than ever before in my career. I’m encouraged to get forward and there are a lot of balls coming in from the left side, so I’ve been able to get to the far post and get on the end of a few crosses.

How do you rate United's chances of winning some trophies this season?
We want to win as much as we can. You could see our determination in the Carling Cup semi-final, and I'd really like to play at Wembley. It would be great for me to sample any kind of silverware in my first season. We want to win trophies at all costs and to retain the Premier League title and make it four in a row. That is very, very important to us.

Would the success be celebrated in Ecuador - do United have more fans there now you're here?
I wouldn't say all of Ecuador are now United fans, but certainly my family and friends have converted. They’re all big football fans, though; they don’t just watch the games for me. A lot of them came over to Manchester in December and stayed to watch a couple of games. Luckily one of those was the Wigan game, so they got to see me score!

Antonio Valencia was speaking to ManUtd.com's Steve Bartram.