Ronaldo: Confidence is high

17/03/2007 15:15, Report by Ben Hibbs

Ronaldo: Confidence is high

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to have a significant say in whether the Premiership trophy returns to Old Trafford this season after another commanding display in the 4-1 win over Bolton.

The 22-year-old was at the heart of almost every United attack in a blistering first 45 minutes, which saw the Portuguese winger play a part in three of the Reds’ goals, leaving Bolton stumped as to how to stop him.

Ronaldo admits he is in a rich vein of form as the season enters its critical stage, but he attributes his scintillating displays in part to the contribution of the players around him.

“My confidence is high, I’m in good form and I’m enjoying every game,” he told MUTV. “But when the team is winning it is easier to play, everyone feels good and wants to perform. That’s a big reason why I am playing the way I am.

“When you play with great players it is easy. I am enjoying playing with Giggsy, Scholesy, Wayne, Gaby, everyone. The team feels good and every player feels confident when we go out on the pitch.”

The potency of United’s counter-attacking play took full advantage of an off-colour Bolton side, with Ronaldo acknowledging that the first half display proved decisive.

“We finisged the game in the first half. It was a great performance and we scored some good goals. There are eight matches left and they will all be tough, but confidence is high and we just have to keep going.”

Premiership: Blues in touch

17/03/2007 16:58, Report by Ben Hibbs

Premiership: Blues in touch

The Reds breezed past Bolton at Old Trafford on Saturday with a 4-0 victory that temporarily took United nine points clear of Chelsea, but Jose Mourinho's men made equally light work of Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge to restore the status quo.

Goals from Andriy Shevchenko, Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack secured a routine victory for the Blues to keep Chelsea six points behind United.

Elsewhere, Manchester City eased their relegation fears with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, who rested Jonathan Woodgate and Mark Viduka with Monday's FA Cup quarter final replay against United in mind.

Premiership Results: Saturday 17 March
Chelsea 3-0 Sheff Utd
United 4-1 Bolton
Middlesbrough 0-2 Man City
Reading 0-0 Portsmouth
Tottenham 3-1 Watford
Wigan 0-0 Fulham

Vidic full of confidence

07/03/2007 08:05, Report by Steve Bartram

Vidic full of confidenceNemanja Vidic claims having no margin for error is inspiring United as they continue to covet three trophies.

The Serbian centre-back has been one of the stars in a season which has seen United storm to the top of the Premiership and progress in the Champions League and FA Cup.

"Confidence is really high at the moment," Vidic told Manchester United Radio. "But we have to improve because there are hard games coming every week. If you lose it can harm you because every match now is important now if we want to win trophies.

"Every point in the league is important to us, and in the FA Cup and Champions League one small mistake could mean that you are out of the competition."

United continue their assault on Europe against Lille on Wednesday night and, despite holding a first leg advantage, Vidic is approaching the second leg with caution.

"They are a strong team, especially defensively," he said. "They are very compact. In attack they have some very quick players and I don’t think the game will be easy.

"We got a good result in the first game, but we will need to be very good to reach the next stage. An early goal would be good for us, that’s the case in any game. But if we score early against Lille it will give us confidence."

Les Dogues ready, says Bodmer

"It would be great to score early in the game, because then they have to attack. With the pressure of their own fans, and their will to prove that they are the boss at home, we can set up some fast breaks."

- Mathieu Bodmer


07/03/2007 12:14, Report by Ian McLeish

Les Dogues ready, says BodmerTwo weeks on, Lille midfielder Mathieu Bodmer is still smarting over United’s controversial victory in the first leg, but is adamant that the defeat will spur them on to an unlikely win at Old Trafford in the second leg.

“We know that it is going to be very difficult,” he told icons.com, “but even before the first leg, we had nothing to lose. It's even more the case now, at 1-0 down and with the second leg at Old Trafford. But we really didn't appreciate what happened in Lens, so our desire to qualify is even stronger.

“We will try to push our football to the top level. It would be great to score early in the game, because then they have to attack. With the pressure of their own fans, and their will to prove that they are the boss at home, we can set up some fast breaks. But, I am sure it will be very difficult. And if they score first, it's a different story.”

Bodmer is convinced that the circumstances surrounding the first leg will create a fiery atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight, but again hopes his side will benefit.

“After what happened in France we know it is going to be hot at Old Trafford with their fans," he said. "But that's a good thing for us. We are going to be in the game from the first minute to the end. We've already played there, so we know how hot the crowd can be, but we know it will certainly be stronger this time. We know what we are going to face.”

Despite his strong words, Bodmer – who is expected to miss the game through injury – has admitted he would one day like to star at Old Trafford, but for the Reds.

“If Manchester United ever wanted to sign me, this tie hasn't put me off,” he confirmed. “Things have to be placed in their own context. It was a football match that had problems but that's it. Manchester United are Manchester United and always will be.”

Rio eyes killer goal

"If you start the game by just trying to protect your lead it could become dangerous. I think we need to score again to put the game out of their reach."

- Rio Ferdinand

Rio eyes killer goal

Rio Ferdinand believes United will need to score again if they are to see off Lille and progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

The Reds' are a goal to the good thanks to Ryan Giggs' much disputed quick free kick in the first leg two weeks ago. But Ferdinand feels United need to kill the tie off with another goal to ensure victory.

"We'll be approaching the game as if it's 0-0," the defender told United Review. "If you start the game by just trying to protect your lead it could become dangerous. We’ll be playing our normal game and going for the win.

"I think we need to score again to put the game out of their reach.

"We’ve watched a few videos of them recently and they’ve played on the counter-attack quite a bit in away games," he added. "I don’t expect that to change. I think they’ll bide their time during the game and then try and nick a goal to take it into extra time."

Ferdinand feels the unprecedented scenes which followed Giggs' 84th minute strike in the first match have added extra spice to the Old Trafford tie and he is urging the United fans to get behind the team.

"I think the fans will be really up for it especially after what happened in France," said the England international.

"The Lille fans gave us a hard time over there and things got a bit unsavoury at times when they started throwing things onto the pitch. I’m sure our fans will be keen to make themselves heard and hopefully it’ll be a classic European night."

Saha out for a month

07/03/2007 19:17, Report by Ben Hibbs

Saha out for a month Louis Saha has been ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring strain.

The United striker picked up the injury in training and on Monday was sent for a scan.

The results showed a slight strain of his left hamstring and the French forward will now be out of action for a month.

It means Saha is not likely to return until United travel to Portsmouth in the Premiership on 7 April, although there is a chance he would be fit for the Champions League quarter final first leg tie should United progress to the last eight.

Saha will miss Saturday's FA Cup trip to Middlesbrough, but, fortunately, he should only miss two league matches, against Bolton and Blackburn.

Nevertheless, the news is a blow for United and Sir Alex Ferguson, who is already without Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who went for a "wash-out" operation on his knee.

The Norwegian striker is not expected to return until United face Blackburn at Old Trafford on 31 March, while Henrik Larsson's loan ends after Saturday's visit to the Riverside to take on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter finals.

Recent sponsorship

On 23 November 2005 Vodafone ended their £36 million, four year shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United. On 6 April 2006, chief executive David Gill announced AIG as the new shirt[9] sponsors of Manchester United in a British record shirt sponsorship deal of £56.5 million to be paid over four years (£14.1 million a year). Manchester United now have the second largest sponsorship in the world behind that of Italian side Juventus, who have a deal with Tamoil worth in excess of £15 million per year.[10] The four-year agreement has been heralded as largest sponsorship deal in British history, eclipsing Chelsea's deal with Samsung. Other companies that Manchester United currently have sponsorship deals with include:

Nike - Official kit manufacturer
AirAsia - Official airline
Audi - Official automobile and dugout seat provider
Betfred - Official gambling partner
Budweiser - Official beer
Tourism Malaysia

Club crest and colours

During its Newton Heath days, the club's home jerseys were yellow and green; this strip was revived as an away kit in the early 1990s to commemorate the club's 100 year anniversary. Manchester United's most recognised home strip is red jerseys, white shorts and black socks (although black shorts and socks, and white shorts and socks have been worn in different combinations). Away strips are usually white jerseys with black shorts and white socks.

Third kits are usually all blue but the club has also used all black and on one occasion in the 1995-96 season they used all grey. This kit was dropped after Manchester United failed to win a single game while wearing it. At half-time during a game against Southampton, when Manchester United were already 3-0 down, they switched to another blue and white kit, eventually lost 3-1. According to the players, the grey kit wasn't visible enough which led to the poor results

Their jerseys now sport their main sponsor AIG. Currently, Manchester United's jerseys are red with gold stripes going down the side. The sleeves are capped with white and the AIG and Nike logos are also white. The MUFC embroidery at the bottom of the shirt is in gold. The club crest sits on a white shield. The away jerseys are white with black panels down the side. The crest sits on a black shield. The sleeves and collar are capped in gold and the AIG, Nike, and MUFC symbols are black.

The Manchester United crest has been altered on a few occasions, but the basic form remains similar. The badge is derived from the crest of the city of Manchester. The devil on the club badge stems from the club's nickname "The Red Devils", which was adopted in the early 60s after Sir Matt Busby heard it in reference to the red-shirted Salford rugby league side. By the end of the 1960s, the devil had started to be included on club programmes and scarves, before it was finally incorporated into the club badge in 1970, holding its unmistakable trident. In 1998, the badge was once again redesigned, this time removing the words "Football Club".

The Malcolm Glazer takeover

On 13 May 2005, American businessman Malcolm Glazer acquired a controlling interest in the club through his investment vehicle Red Football Ltd. in a takeover valuing the club at approximately £800 million (approx. $1.5 billion). On 16 May, he increased his share to the 75% necessary to delist the club from the Stock Exchange, making it private again, and announced his intention to do so within 20 days. On 8 June he appointed his sons to the board of Manchester United as non-executive directors.

In July 2006 the club announced a refinancing package. Previously the debt taken on by the Glazers to financing the club was split between the club and the family, but now it will all be in the club. The total amount will be £660 million, on which interest payments will be £62 million a year. This is a 30% reduction in interest charges.