United's players head out en masse this week to join up with their national squads for friendlies and World Cup qualifiers over the next ten days, and the break comes at a timely point for the Reds.

On the back of two straight league defeats, this is a chance for the players to take a step back, then return and regroup for the clash with Aston Villa a week on Sunday.

There's good news as Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani both only have a friendly against 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa on Saturday, so they will be fresh for their return to United duties.

Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney are both suspended for the Villa match (along with Paul Scholes) so they will look to keep up their match sharpness with Serbia and England respectively.

For England, who face Slovakia in a friendly on Saturday and Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday 1 April, United have three other representatives - Ben Foster, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick.

Serbia meet Romania in their Group Seven qualifier on Saturday, after which Vidic will return to Carrington. Also in that group, Patrice Evra's third-place France will be aiming to close the gap with a double header against Lithuania, who occupy second spot.

Several Reds face far-flung journeys; Carlos Tevez is in the Argentina squad for their clashes with Venezuala and Bolivia, while Brazil, a point ahead of Argentina in second (though trailing South America qualifying group leaders Paraguay by six points), have Anderson in their squad for matches against Ecuador and Peru.

Ji-sung Park is confident ahead of South Korea's meeting with their northern counterparts (they also have a friendly against Iraq on Saturday). The effervescent midfielder says he isn't too fatigued after travelling to his homeland. "I'm not too tired and we have time to prepare in order to give a good performance," Ji told Korean reporters.

Dimitar Berbatov will hope to be fit to face Villa for United, and he'll have two weeks to try and get over his injured ankle sustained against Fulham as he pulled out of the Bulgaria for their matches with the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.

The Irish are level on points with leaders Italy in Group Eight, and Darron Gibson and John O'Shea will be hoping to help give a good showing first against Bulgaria then in a crunch clash away to the Italians.

Northern Ireland have Jonny Evans in their squad for two matches in Belfast, against Poland and Slovakia, while Darren Fletcher's Scotland - second in Group Nine - face vital matches against leaders Holland and third-placed Iceland.

Elsewhere in the United squad, goalkeeper Ben Amos is in England's Under-20 friendly to face Italy on Tuesday 31 March, while Danny Welbeck and Danny Drinkwater, are in England's U19s for a friendly with Czech Republic on Wednesday 25 March.

Stuart Mathieson

March 24, 2009

FIFTEEN years ago today United were embroiled in accusations of indiscipline that threatened to wreck the 1994 Dream Team's double ambitions.

Eric Cantona was being labelled the 'enfant terrible' after two red cards in the space of four days at Swindon and Arsenal. The Reds drew both matches 2-2.

United's French talisman was banned for five matches as a result.

Premiership leaders and title holders United had won just one game in five matches in that bleak period.

Roy Keane was also booked at Highbury and his yellow card haul forced him to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Oldham.

Old Trafford's crime sheet was the topic of the moment in spring 1994 as Sir Alex Ferguson's powerful machine was in danger of self-destructing.

Fast forward to the present day, and those discipline demons have surfaced again to threaten the quintuple bid.

Three players have been sent off in two matches and Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney are banned for the next match.

Heated

After United's heated night in London against Arsenal 15 years ago, Fergie was asked about the discipline problem.

"We've not been doing anything any different. Maybe the referees are reading the papers," the United boss replied.

And Paul Parker, who was right back in that Dream Team, believes Ferguson's words then are as relevant today and it should serve as a warning to the United squad as suspensions begin to eat into their numbers.

"I remember Eric deserved to go against Swindon because of a tackle on John Moncur but against Arsenal I don't think he should have been sent off," Parker told M.E.N. Sport.

"But referees are human. They read newspapers. They watch TV and disciplinary incidents are bound to get imprinted on the mind.

"Certain players will be planted in the back of their minds because of recent situations. They are not biased against individuals but things stick in the mind. They are very reactive. I am sure that is what happened in Eric's case in the second match at Arsenal. If a player has a bit of moodiness about him or fire in his belly then opposition fans get up for it and referees react.

"Wayne Rooney, for instance, will have had the Liverpool defeat in his head all last week. He's a big football supporter and, as an ex-Evertonian, the thought of handing Liverpool the title initiative and ultimately maybe even handing them the crown will have eaten away at him. He then comes on as sub at Craven Cottage with United losing and all that will be in his head.

Intention

"It can be a time bomb. If he says he didn't throw the ball at Phil Dowd I accept his word but once you point the gun the intention is there.

"Fans want to see players hurting after a defeat like the 4-1 against Liverpool.

"Everyone would soon be on their case if they didn't react and didn't look like it was painful for them. And take away the fire in Rooney and would he be the same player?

"But all that said, you cannot put your team at risk with petulance or dissent. And players have to understand their responsibilities."

As the reality of back-to-back defeats set in at Fulham, Cristiano Ronaldo also began wobbling on a disciplinary tightrope.

His animated reaction to tackles, retaliatory challenge on Danny Murphy and persistence in showing the mark made on his thigh when he was caught by defender John Pantsil added to the tension by enraging the crowd.

The World Player of the Year tested referee Phil Dowd's patience and the official yellow-carded him for the Murphy lunge and warned him he was close to a red following the tantrum over the Pantsil incident.

"Ronaldo is not helping Manchester United or helping his team-mates by generating that kind of atmosphere," added Parker.

"Stamping your feet or exaggerated hand gestures just wind up the opposition fans even more and undermine your own concentration.

"It is not show ponies that are needed at this stage of the season, it is shire horses who will work hard.

"Nine times out of ten you don't play great football during a title run-in. It is a battle and you have to stand up and be counted. This time of the season is do or die and the last bit of the season makes or breaks you as a Manchester United player. It is how United have reacted in this period of the campaign that makes the difference between a United player and an average Premier League player.

"It was a nasty atmosphere when we went to Swindon for that match when Eric was sent off. It was horrible.

"Being reduced to ten men was a handicap but players stood up to be counted and we got a late equaliser to draw 2-2. Sleeves were rolled up and we got something from it.

Message

"United need a Gary Neville at the moment on the pitch. I think he would have sorted Cristiano out on Saturday. I don't mean he would have physically got him by the scruff of the neck but he would have got the message across and told him a few home truths that his reactions were not helping the cause. Referees have a difficult job. We might think some of the rules are petty but they have to implement them.

"It is their job and they want to progress so they have to work with the guidelines they have been given. They have to come down on petulance and dissent so the message to the players is: `Don't load the bullets. Don't make it easy for referees to punish you.'"

Fergie had around half an hour with his squad at Craven Cottage before they dispersed for the international break.

Parker says they will have left "with a flea in their ear".

"Everybody wants to see the gaffer come out in public and have a go at them but that is not his style," Parker added.

"The players have got to be told to calm down and he will do but it will all be done in private. Fergie spoke to Eric Cantona after his misdemeanours but he didn't announce it to everyone. But he will have got the message, believe me.

"He won't allow any indiscipline to continue.

"He'll be demanding commonsense and calm from his players. He will make them aware of the fact that they mustn't allow opponents and opposition fans to get under their skin.

"The `94 team cracked a bit at that point because of the indiscipline but we quickly recovered because it was a team full of strong men.

"We refocused on the job and won the double.

"This team now needs to learn their lessons and pull together. Individuals don't win trophies, teams win trophies.

"Sir Alex has been there many times before and he'll get a reaction."

Stuart Mathieson

March 25, 2009

BEN Foster has the character and ability to force England boss Fabio Capello to tear up his selection criteria.

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele insists the Italian needn't worry about the Reds deputy keeper if he promotes him above David James or Robert Green for the Wembley friendly with Slovakia on Saturday.

A confident display against the Slovaks could lead to a start in England's XI for the World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine in London next Wednesday.

Capello has stood by a personal unwritten rule that he wouldn't consider players who were not playing regularly for their clubs.

But 25-year-old Foster is on the verge of convincing Capello it is time for a rethink.

Foster hasn't played a single minute of first team football for United since his Carling Cup final heroics against Tottenham 25 days ago.

Foster has understudied Edwin Van der Sar in all the Reds five Premier League, European Cup and FA Cup matches since winning the Man of the Match trophy at Wembley. His extra-time saves and penalty shoot-out stop won the cup for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Glory

He hasn't even played for the Reds reserves since his hour of glory.

But Steele believes his charge can bridge the gap and forge a future as the country's number one.

"Ben has the potential to be England's number one there is no doubt about that," said Steele. "I look at the other England goalkeepers like Paul Robinson, Robert Green, and Chris Kirkland when they were at a comparable age and you say he has got a very good chance.

"I even go back to a previous generation when David Seaman and Chris Woods were around and look at them at 25 and I still think Ben is as good as they were.

"Do I think he is ready for England now? My question is 'why not?' You saw what he did in the Carling Cup final that was a big, big game for Ben in terms of his development.

"Edwin Van der Sar is at the stage of his career now where we expect Ben to push him more next season so the Carling Cup final was a big game for him. It was a huge opportunity. So there was pressure on.

"It was no coincidence that certain members of the England management team were there.

"The Carling Cup proved a lot of things about Ben. It showed he could step into a big game and a big atmosphere and handle it. We all knew he had the ability, but what we needed to see was him on big stages.

"For United and England they are all going to be big stage games so it was important for his progress and development that he could come in and play like he did.

"The only way you find out if a player can handle the situation is to play him. So far, Ben made his debut at Old Trafford for England a couple of years back against Spain and he handled that.

"The Carling Cup final was another big one and he did it again. I don't think he will be fazed if he gets the England call up. If Fabio Capello chooses him for either or both games, it won't worry Ben. Not at all.

"Even before I worked with Ben at United the thing I liked about him when I watched from a distance was his calmness. He has shown that in every big game chance he has had.

"I was delighted with Ben at Wembley against Tottenham. Some of the things he did in that 120 minutes were great. The crosses he dealt with when Spurs had their really strong period in the second half. He came and punched and caught and took command when he was needed.

Instrumental

"People will talk about his save from Jamie O'Hara in the penalty shoot-out that set up the win like they talk about Edwin's save against Nicolas Anelka in the Champions League shoot out in Moscow. But they forget the saves that helped United get to those finals.

"Ben, for instance, was instrumental in getting United to Wembley. He made one save in the semi final which I think was his best he has made for Manchester United.

"We were 3-1 up against Derby at Old Trafford and he made a terrific save low down to his left hand side from Gary Teale. We went right down the other end of the pitch and scored to make it 4-1 and we were in the final.

"Keepers are always involved in defining moments and that was a defining moment to get us there. They can also come at a time when you have been inactive for long periods of time.

"That is what he will be called on to do if and when he plays for England. He will have nothing to do for 60 minutes, but the question is can he perform and make a decision when the moment arrives? Is he playing the game and not the occasion?

"If you play for United you have been very well prepared for playing international football because you have played on a very big stage.

"Premier League football and Manchester United together is the best preparation you can have for being an international goalkeeper."

Foster's England squad rivals David James and Robert Green are playing regularly in the top flight for Portsmouth and West Ham respectively.

But for anyone carping that Foster hasn't got the up-to-date senior background to cope with the intensity of an international Steele says United's training sessions will have provided the Reds stand-in with the necessary preparation.

Experience

"Because of the experience and level of the playing ability at United the goalkeepers face top quality intense work every day in training," Steele added. "Switch off for one minute in training and you have a Rooney, Ronaldo or Tevez who can bend the ball round you and make you look a fool.

"The intensity of the training here is such there is always competition and the element of having nothing to do then you are called upon to swing into action. Ben gets enough of that practise believe me."

David James will be almost 40 when the World Cup in South Africa comes around in the summer of 2010. If England qualify Foster could be in pole position to be first choice for the gloves.

"Ben has now got a foothold in the Premier League here at United," Steele says. "We want him to be a major part of what Manchester United do but on the back of that is his England chance."

Stuart Mathieson

March 31, 2009

BEN Foster has got the whip hand for both United and England, according to ex-Reds number one Alex Stepney.

He is still not first-choice for either club or country, with Edwin van der Sar and David James blocking his path, but he is tipped to take over both in the near future.

And Stepney is urging Foster to stay patient and not feel like he needs to move to take the England jersey.

"For Ben at the moment it is like a racehorse coming round Tattenham Corner in the derby and he's only got the straight ahead," said former England keeper Stepney.

"He may have a couple of horses just ahead of him but he's the one with the pace, stamina and age advantage."

Foster's blossoming early career was slowed up by a cruciate knee ligament injury and he is anxious to make up for lost time.

Choice

But Van der Sar is still Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice and the 38-year-old Dutchman has signed on for another 12 months with the Reds.

Foster has edged ahead as James' closest rival for the England jersey but boss Fabio Capello is keen for his squad members to be playing regularly.

But European Cup-winner Stepney, who won only one full England cap but was a member of Sir Alf Ramsey's 1970 World Cup squad, is urging Foster to consider the unfortunate example of another United predecessor.

"Ben should remember what happened to Gary Bailey," he said. "Gary was suffering with a knee injury at United in the run up to the 1986 World Cup and he rushed back at club level to be ready for England.

"He was never going to play because Peter Shilton was number one and should have taken it slowly. He could have sacrificed Mexico, sat tight and then he could well have been number one by Italy in 1990.

"But Gary pushed it and came back too early. He went to the World Cup but injured his knee further in training. It finished his career. He never recovered and retired a year later at the age of 29.

"I can understand Ben getting impatient. The fact is he has a 38-year-old in front of him at United and a 38-year-old in front of him for England. What a wonderful position to be in!

Prospects

"If he had no prospects of becoming the number one at United then he'd have to go. But that is not the case. Sir Alex Ferguson has said he is the future and I have no doubts he will be United's goalkeeper for many years to come.

"He is at the greatest club in the world and is poised for a long career there. Ben may have started this season as number three behind Edwin and Tomasz Kuszczak but there is no doubt in my mind he is the number two now. Next season he will be pushing to be number one.

"He has come into the big time late like I did myself and having also had the injuries slowing his progress he will be wanting to push on quickly now because he will think time is flashing by. But I urge him to be patient."

Foster is the front runner in a United-dominated fight back by English goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Only seven English goalkeepers are Premier League regulars. But Old Trafford's goalkeeper coach Eric Steele, who has championed Ben Foster's England cause, insists the future is bright.

"I do not like the fact that people decry the English goalkeeping situation. It really annoys me," he said.

"I really believe we are in good shape for the first time for some time and I hope Ben Foster is going to be a major feature of that.

"Goalkeepers develop late and there is no reason why the likes of Paul Robinson and Scot Carson who have had dips in form cannot come again. Likewise Chris Kirkland at Wigan still has a chance after injury setbacks.

"But the next generation is the likes of Ben Foster. I also worked at City for 18 months and although Joe Hart has been ousted by Shay Given, he is still a fantastic talent.

Taste

"Joe has had a taste of the full England set up but he can go to the Under-21s European Championship in the summer and have a really good tournament.

"I think in Foster and Hart we have two of the best young goalkeepers in the country.

"Underneath that we also have Tom Heaton, who is on loan at Cardiff, Ben Amos, who I had no qualms about being played in the Carling Cup earlier this season against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford and Sam Johnstone. Sam is only 15 and a half but has been promoted to the England Under-17s.

"We have great young prospects coming through the Academy and that is down to the work of Richard Hartis and Tony Coton before I came here.

"United will have a major say in the England goalkeeping situation. These are exciting times for me and the goalkeeping department."

Cliff Butler

March 30, 2009
GARY Neville provided a welcome boost for United ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Old Trafford showdown with Aston Villa when he came through a 58-minute workout against Newcastle United at St James’s Park last night.

But the Reds young goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zeiler wasn't so lucky, breaking an arm in the clash.

The United captain negotiated a more than useful stint in what was a lively encounter against the Magpies and could well find himself facing Martin O’Neill’s team at the weekend.

It was his first match action in more than two months, and he looked his old self, directing operations from the right-back berth.

There was one anxious moment in the 21st minute when he was clattered by Wesley Ngo Baheng, but was back on his feet in time to see the Magpies’ striker booked. for his misdemeanour.

He left the scene, 13 minutes in the second half, to be replaced by Wes Brown’s younger brother Reece.

Bad news for the Reds was the confirmation that Zeiler, forced off in the 31st minute, has a broken right arm.

Federico Macheda put United in front from the penalty spot, in the 13th minute, after Brazilian international defender Claudio Cacapa had handledin the area.

Newcastle grabbed the equaliser shortly before the break when Cisco Tejada scored from the spot after he is progress had been halted by a couple of United defenders.

Mark Doninger put the home side into the lead four minutes after the break, but Macheda levelled found the net again 15 minutes from the end to put United back in the game.

Danny Guthrie fired past United’s substitute keeper Conor Devlin, in the 83rd minute, but United refused to accept to defeat and with a minute to go Macheda scored to complete his hat-trick and give the Reds a share of the reward.

UNITED: Zieler (Devlin 31), Neville (Brown 58), Dudgeon, Eckersley, De Laet, James, Eikrem, Possebon, Macheda, Martin, Stewart (Norwood 69). Subs: Galbraith, Wootton

Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no problem with being a terrace target, claiming taunts spur him on.

The United star regularly incurs the wrath of rival supporters, with his on-field antics doing little to endear him to opposing fans.

However, the Portugal international remains unfazed by the abuse and says he would never let it affect his game.

He also claims to be unperturbed by the rough treatment he sometimes receives from uncompromising defenders.

"I like people whistling and booing," Ronaldo told Zoo magazine.

"It's normal for fans to do that. There's nothing I can do and it doesn't matter anyway.

"I have to concentrate on the game, so I don't think about that sort of thing.

"On the pitch I'm a target, but it is difficult to avoid these things. I don't believe that people want to hurt me on purpose.

"In my experience, the game just doesn't happen that way. Truthfully, I've never had any serious problems."

Incredible

For now, Ronaldo is more concerned with helping United re-write the history books and claim an unprecedented quintuple.

"All the guys have to continue playing like we know we can," he said.

"But no, we can't relax. I know I don't like to. I've a long road ahead of me and I want to be in this position, winning awards and trophies while I can.

"Every game is important because if we win, it improves our confidence. I'm at a club that guarantees trophies and that makes me happy. When we compete for a cup, we know we can win it.

"Last year we did the double of Premier League and UEFA Champions League and this year we have a chance to win five.

"We're doing well in all competitions and it would be incredible if we could win them all. We have to continue working as we have been."

Jonny Evans does not expect Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to slip into retirement any time soon.

The legendary Red Devils manager continues to set the standard at home and abroad and has offered no suggestion that he is even contemplating standing down from his Old Trafford post.

His son Darren Ferguson has hinted that his father would be prepared to bow out next summer should he secure a 19th league title for United and overtake Liverpool's record haul.

However, Evans is not so sure that a man who has been involved in football all his working life is ready to slope off into the shadows just yet.

"People have been saying this for years about the manager, but as long as he's feeling good, he will want to continue," the United centre-half told Sky Sports News.

Evans has broken into Ferguson's first-team plans this season, after previously being farmed out on loan in order to gain valuable experience.

He has played a prominent role in a campaign which still sees United pursuing an unprecedented quintuple.

Rest

The 21-year-old has also become a key player for Northern Ireland this term and he admits that the pressures of competing on so many fronts have started to catch up with him of late.

"I have enjoyed having a few days off, but once you have had two or three days off you are just dying to get back into it again," he said.

Evans has helped his country to the top of 2010 World Cup qualifying Group 3, six games into their campaign.

With Northern Ireland having failed to qualify for a major tournament since 1986, Evans is desperate to secure a spot in South Africa, especially as a number of his team-mates at club level are likely to be flying out with England.

"They [England] failed to qualify for a major tournament last year, but they're doing really well in their group this year," he said.

"It would mean a lot to some of the younger players in their team and it would be an unbelievable achievement for a team like Northern Ireland."

Manchester United Under 18 boss Paul McGuinness believes that Reece Brown possesses the same attributes as older brother Wes.

The 17-year-old still has a long way to go if he is to emulate his older sibling.

Having risen through the youth ranks at the club Brown senior made his debut against Leeds in 1998.

To date the 29-year-old has played 316 times for the club, picking up five Premier League medals, two UEFA Champions League trophies, two FA Cups and one Carling Cup along the way.

The right-back has also represented England 21 times but despite being a tough act to follow, McGuinness sees similarities in Reece.

Brown junior only signed professional forms in July last year but has already taken great strides with the club's youth team.

"Reece will obviously forever be saddled with the tag of being Wes Brown's younger brother," he told the club's official website.

Striking resemblance

"When people see Reece, they see a striking resemblance, both in terms of looks and style of play. He has the same sort of attributes.

"He's good in the air, quick and he's a big lad. Reece has settled in nicely.

"He's been at the club since a very young age, but the start he has made to his professional career has been really good.

"He has concentrated right from the start, which is a feature we really wanted him to look at."

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he wants to fulfil his boyhood dream and add the FA Cup to his Old Trafford trophy collection.

United take on Everton in the semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday 19 April, with Chelsea and Arsenal fighting it out in the other last four tie the day before.

Rooney was on the losing side in extra time of the final last season against Chelsea, and also tasted defeat against Arsenal on penalties in 2005.

Those experiences merely mean Rooney will redouble his efforts to win the trophy this term.

“I’m desperate to win the FA Cup,” Wayne told Inside United.

“If I’m honest, it’s the trophy I wanted to win the most when I was younger. Like most kids, I grew up dreaming of scoring the winner in a cup final at Wembley.

“Also, as an Everton fan I wasn’t under any illusions that we were good enough to win the league, so the cup competitions were much more realistic.

“The FA Cup has such a big history, and that’s stuck with me all these years. I’ve played in two finals with United and lost them both and that’s a horrible feeling. I really want to win it this season. That would be a dream come true.”

The 23 year-old will hopefully prove to be a pivotal figure for the Reds this season - and, Rooney hopes, for many more years to come.

“I hope I’m still at United when I’m the same age as guys like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville," he added.

"I’ve always said that as as long as Unietd want me, I’m happy to stay at the club. I don’t want to leave. I love United and I have no reason to think about moving. I’m sure I’ll be here for a long time."

Ji-sung Park was delighted to pick up ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month award for March and vowed to improve further as the title race heats up.

“It’s a great pleasure for me,” Park told ManUtd.com from South Korea’s training camp, where he’s preparing for a crunch World Cup qualifier against North Korea.

“It’s the first time I’ve won Player of the Month since joining United and I agree that this season has been one of the best on a personal level.

“The best thing in March is that we progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals; the worst moments were losing against Liverpool and Fulham.”

Park was a deserving recipient of the March award after fine performances against Newcastle, Internazionale and Liverpool. He also scored a superb solo goal at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup sixth round.

But despite his good form, the South Korean insists there’s more to come.

“I know I can improve, especially in the goals department,” he said. “I’d like to thank all the fans who voted for me and I promise I’ll do my best and try to perform even better during the last few months of the season.”