Park rules out South Korea return

Park Ji-sung has ruled out quitting international retirement.

With South Korea's hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on a knife-edge, fans have been calling for Park to once again on pull on his national shirt.

Park said: "If I had thoughts to return I would have never made the retirement announcement.

"I don't think the national team could overcome the difficult situation with just a player like me returning to the team.

"Those reports that our team is in crisis may affect players, but if players perform like they have been doing and concentrate, there will be a good result."

Chelsea move to beat Arsenal with £3M bid for Man Utd rebel Pogba

Chelsea are to bid for Manchester United contract rebel Paul Pogba.

The Mirror says Chelsea are prepared to rival Arsenal and Manchester City for the signing of Pogba with a £3million bid this month.

The Manchester United contract rebel has been long been tipped as one of the stars of the future, but he is yet to secure a regular spot in Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team squad.

Pogba is now in the final six months of contract, allowing him to speak with other clubs about a possible cut-price transfer come the summer. And his refusal to agree terms has seen him marginalised by his manager.

Anders Lindegaard can establish himself as Manchester United- says former coach No.1

Anders Lindegaard has been tipped to show why he can become Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper in the red-hot atmosphere of his club’s FA Cup tie at arch-rivals Liverpool on Saturday.

The Danish international has overtaken David De Gea in the United pecking order in recent games and his former goalkeeping coach at Norwegian club Aalesund, Frank Mathiesen, believes his protégé has what it takes to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s last line of defence on a permanent basis.

“I think Anders can go on to establish himself as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper,” Mathiesen said.

“Before this season the odds on that happening were not very good for Anders but the odds are a lot better now. Plus I do not think you have seen the best of Anders Lindegaard yet. 

"He is not the youngest of goalkeeper but he has still many years to go and he has not reached his top level yet. There is more to come from him. 

“He will become more confident as he plays in these big matches so the future is looking good for him. History shows you that he adapts to the level he is going into and with his professionalism and strong mentality he could go on to do a lot better than he is doing right now.”

Mathiesen says he saw enough of Lindegaard during his two spells in Norway to be convinced that he can sustain the progress that earned him a £3.5m move to Old Trafford a year ago.

“Anders is a modern goalkeeper and he adapts quickly to the level that he is playing in because he reads the game very well,” Mathiesen added. 

“I was asked if he had a chance at United when he first signed and I sincerely said I thought he could adapt to life in the Premier League because his ability to adapt is one of his main strengths.

“He progressed very quickly with us, taking step after step after step, and then in a second spell with us moving faster and faster and faster. He ended up being our best player.

“When he first arrived he was brilliant in training and was a real perfectionist which was the ultimate sign of a true professional and that made us think he could be something special - and that is the way it is turning out. 

“He was not satisfied until he had got everything right. The other goalkeepers learned a lot from him as well about professionalism. He was a real character in the dressing room and showed himself to be a very sociable person who was very popular."

Mathiesen continued: “Before his first game we warned him that Norwegian football was kick-and-rush, was about set-pieces, and that the game would go back and forward at high speed.

“[But] when his first game arrived he didn’t perform well and really struggled in the air and in the box because people were coming from everywhere and he was yelling at everyone else, including the referee.

“Afterwards I told him he would have to adapt - and from that moment he adapted. 

"It was a case of ‘okay this is Norwegian football and I have to deal with it’ and he never looked back. He got to know Norwegian football pretty fast. That’s why he performed so well.”

The 27-year-old Lindegaard, who joined Aalesund from Danish side Odense, has played in United’s last five games after De Gea was dropped for a poor performance in a 3-2 defeat by Blackburn Rovers.  

And Mathiesen has continued to monitor his former charge's progress, saying: “It is interesting to follow him and I watch United games as much as possible on television. From what I gather he is doing better and better and better. 

“He has performed well and I can see that he is adapting to Premier League levels all the time.”

And with a feisty FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool on Saturday, Mathiesen is confident he will deal with the pressure at Anfield.

“Given how he coped with United’s games at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in recent weeks I don’t think he will have problems coping with the intensity of Anfield,” Mathiesen said. 

“He has now played in several massive matches and ended up on the winning sides at Arsenal and Manchester City. He just seems to be taking everything in his stride."

Owen not on his way to Brighton says Poyet

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet has rubbished claims he is after Manchester United striker Michael Owen.

The English veteran has been heavily linked with a January loan move to the Championship club but Poyet has labeled it as mere speculation although he was open to the former Liverpool star coming to the Amex Stadium if of course he was keen.

"I didn't start the rumour," Poyet told the Brighton Argus.

"I started one last week in here about selling Lewis Dunk to Real Madrid for £20million and nobody took it!

"I woke up and everyone was texting me about Michael Owen, even my son who knows everything. I said I don't know anything about it. It would be a dream for this football club to have Michael Owen but it's not true.

"I'm not saying he is not available or he doesn't want to come here and drop a few pounds in his salary but he was not contacted, he was not thought about, he was not on the list. But if he wants to come he can give me a call."

Schmeichel: "Probably the best Man Utd keeper in the world"

Peter Schmeichel, the Danish stopper who remains a legend at Manchester United, has signed a deal with Carlsberg that will see him represent the Danish beer brand throughout its Euro 2012 campaign, reports .

Carlsberg is an official sponsor of this summer's tournament and Schmeichel, who is now a commentator and pundit, will feature across all of the brand's Euro 2012 advertising.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us and we are delighted to have Peter as one of our team," said Carlsberg Group's president and chief executive Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen.

"Not only has Peter played much of his football in our two biggest Carlsberg markets - Denmark and the UK – but he is a well-known personality across Carlsberg's key markets in all of Europe and Asia. We are confident that Peter will help us to deliver another very successful Uefa Euro campaign."

“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Carlsberg, who have such a strong connection to European football," said Schmeichel.

"I believe that Carlsberg is one of the reasons that I got the chance to play football. When I was growing up, I dreamt about playing for both my national team, Denmark, and for Manchester United.

“At that time, in the 1970s, Carlsberg had already started investing in and supporting Danish football and this provided opportunities for people like myself to get more involved in this wonderful game."

Ferguson admits Man Utd targeted Arsenal fullbacks for victory

 Sir Alex Ferguson admits they targeted Arsenal's fullbacks for victory yesterday.

Johan Djourou was given such a torrid time out of position at right-back by Nani that he had to be substituted for 18-year-old Nico Yennaris at half-time.

The Gunners have struggled to fill the spaces left vacant by their injured full-backs in recent weeks and Ferguson admitted he was conscious that area could be exposed.

"That's been their problem for a few weeks, that is a disappointment for them without natural full-backs like Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs," Ferguson said.

"They are playing centre-backs there so it is difficult for them. But they had only conceded six goals at home until today so they have not done a lot wrong in the defensive part. We had to play well and for most of the game we did.

"It was an amazing amount of chances we had, it's always difficult coming to here and Arsenal are a top side.

"We're a bit disappointed that we only scored twice. The first half in particular was a golden period for us, we should have rammed home the advantage.

"Then in the first 15 minutes of the second half they had three great chances and missed them all, so we rode our luck there. But we hit on the counter attack and through the game we had great chances."

Ferguson tribute to icons Scholes, Neville

After victory at Arsenal, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson attended a Football Writers' Association tribute evening to honour Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

The pair, two of United's most decorated players, became the first dual recipients of the glamorous award given by the FWA.

Ferguson said of the pair: "They are phenomenal professionals who were dedicated to their jobs and that is why they lasted so long.

"For Manchester United to bring through two local boys who then spend 18 or 19 years with you is fantastic."

Despite both players enjoying long and successful careers with United, off the field Ferguson revealed they could not be more different.

"I think that Gary is a very forthright guy and speaks the truth and is prepared to say it and he has always been that way," he said.

"I think you see him on television now and he is fantastic because he is forthright and there are no side issues. There is no grey area with Gary, it is very black and white, whereas Paul doesn't say much but when he says something it is worth listening to."

Charlton: Scholes my favourite

Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were given a dual tribute by the Football Writers' Association yesterday.

Scholes has drawn plaudits from all quarters and was praised by another hero of Old Trafford, Sir Bobby Charlton.

He said: "You shouldn't have favourites I suppose but Paul was special.

"He had a natural ability that was breathtaking to see in a young boy and his peripheral vision was amazing."

Neville, too, was quick to praise his long time team-mate and friend.

He said: "As a player he is a great player and the best I've ever played with and to be fair most players who have played with him or against him say the same thing.

"You can think about people who played for the club for three, four or five years and had a great impact but Scholesy and Ryan (Giggs) have played for the club for 20 years and had an impact season after season.

"When you see him getting mentioned in the same league as (Zinedine) Zidane and Xavi, which he constantly does, not by me but by people who know much more about the game than me and who have played against him."

Ferguson hit by Jones injury blow

Manchester United's victory at Arsenal came at a major cost.

Defender Phil Jones could be out for a month after being carried off with ankle ligament damage while Nani, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick all picked up knocks.

Boss Fergie said: "It's not good news. Jones will be out for a while and Carrick was feeling his hamstring in the second half. He just had to sit in the middle of the pitch."

United were already without crocked Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen, Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic.

Nani: Only Guardiola, Mourinho can succeed Ferguson

 Nani believes only two men are capable of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.

Nani believes the current managers of Barcelona and Real Madrid are the obvious candidates to continue the Scot’s success at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese international said: “It would have to be someone who can keep the quality high like he has. It would have to be one of the best in the world like Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

“It would have to be a very top coach. It’s not easy doing what he’s done at this club.”

Ferguson refuses to discuss Morrison situation

 Sir Alex Ferguson refuses to discuss Ravel Morrison's departure.

The Manchester Evening News says Ferguson has refused to discuss controversial 18-year-old Morrison, who hardly did himself any favours last week with his immediate response to the United manager's claim that he had turned down a contract offer.

Morrison has subsequently been the subject of various stories, and has himself played down links with Manchester City.

"I have nothing to say about that," he said.

"It is nothing to do with a game against Arsenal."

Ferguson rules out Fletcher for Man Utd season

 Sir Alex Ferguson has wrote off Darren Fletcher for the season.

The Scotland midfielder was forced to step down before Christmas due to illness.

"I don’t expect Darren Fletcher to come back. Darren will be out for the season and we know Nemanja Vidic is also out. But if we get the rest back I think that is pretty good. It is a good squad then," said Ferguson.

Ferguson ponders bringing forward Van Wolfswinkel plans

Manchester United are being linked with a late move for Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

The Sunday Mirror says United and Liverpool target Van Wolfswinkel is a ­wanted man – with Lazio ready to make a £13million bid for the Sporting Lisbon star this month.

United and Liverpool are keen on the striker but were expected to wait ­until the summer to make bids.

But they could yet be forced into action this month as Lazio are ready to enter the race to sign the highly-rated Dutchman.

Sir Alex Ferguson last year claimed he signed Phil Jones a year ahead of schedule as he got wind of interest elsewhere – and he could now be forced into a move for Van Wolfswinkel.

Ferguson: I considered buying Arsenal's Van Persie

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Arsenal beat him for Robin van Persie.

Ferguson revealed United watched Van Persie before he signed for Arsenal and developed into one of the world’s best strikers.

Ferguson said: “Van Persie played with the Feyenoord reserve team, way back, and we didn’t move for him.

“I think he was sent off that day – either sent off or he walked off, I can’t remember. But we sort of left it alone. The disciplinary issue didn’t put us off. I think Arsenal were maybe closer to the situation than we were at the time.”

If Ferguson’s recollection is shrouded by the mists of time, his assessment of the 28-year-old Dutchman is crystal clear.

“He’s turned out to be a fantastic player,” Ferguson said. “Top teams usually have a player who can make a difference and Van Persie can. You look at Messi at Barcelona, Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Silva at City and for many years, Drogba at Chelsea. It’s a fact.

“Van Persie’s form and his goal-scoring have been fantastic. We have to hope he’s not at his best against us.”

Ferguson considers Welbeck as long-term star

 Sir Alex Ferguson says he regards Danny Welbeck as a long-term player.

Welbeck is in a contract dispute with United.

But Ferguson believes 21-year-old Welbeck’s talent will develop in tandem with his physique, to create a top centre-forward.

“We’ve always known about Danny’s ability since he was a kid,” Sir Alex said. “But he had to go through all the various growth stages over the years. We were patient with that because we knew the end product was always going to be there.”

Match Analysis: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United: attacking the full-backs and better substitutions the key

Danny Welbeck hit the winner as United emerged victorious at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger left out Andrei Arshavin and is without Gervinho, so Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was handed a surprise start. Mikel Arteta was injured so Tomas Rosicky played in midfield, while Thomas Vermaelen made his comeback from injury out of position at left-back in place of Ignasi Miquel, who struggled at Swansea last weeend.

Sir Alex Ferguson went with a 4-4-1-1ish shape, with Wayne Rooney dropping off Welbeck. Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick was the midfield combination – basically a duo of two passers, which might not be ideal away at Arsenal without a more combative player, but then Ferguson had few other options. That said, Phil Jones could have played in midfield with one of the Brazilian twins at right-back, but instead he started at right-back. Anders Lindegaard started over David De Gea in goal.


The first half was slow with little incident, the second was much more open.




Arsenal approach


In big games, Arsene Wenger often asks his wingers to play deeper and form a second bank of four in front of the defence, with the most attacking midfielder pushed up alongside the striker. That’s broadly how Arsenal started here, with Aaron Ramsey close to Robin van Persie, then Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain either side of the two central midfielders.

For long spells of the first half it was difficult to understand what Arsenal were trying to do. They generally play a little more direct this season, with the pace of the wingers an obvious threat, and no chief playmaker in the mould Cesc Fabregas. But with the wingers deeper, Arsenal had no promising attacking combinations – van Persie was tracked well by the opposition centre-backs and had saw little of the ball, while the balls into wide areas (particularly into Oxlade-Chamberlain) were poor and slowed down moves. Too often, Arsenal shied away from a direct pass and allowed United to get men behind the ball.




United approach


Arsenal had no recognised full-back on the pitch, and as against Fulham and Swansea, were always going to look vulnerable in that position. United always play with width anyway, but they put a particular emphasis upon attacking down the flanks. “We tried to ask a lot of questions of the left-back and the right-back, and that’s what we did,” said Patrice Evra after the game. “That’s been one of their problems for a few weeks…so it is difficult for them,” added Ferguson.

That was demonstrated in the selection of the wide players – Park Ji-Sung often starts away at Arsenal, but there was no need for a defensive winger with Arsenal’s full-backs so weak on the ball. The priority was to attack them at speed.




Midfield duo


The emphasis on playing the ball out wide also meant the midfield combination of Giggs and Carrick was largely acceptable (with one caveat, explained later). Terrorised away at Newcastle, that duo didn’t particularly need to be mobile or combative here. They simply helped direct the side towards attacking from wide positions, although they did so in different ways.

Carrick spread the play there with diagonal passes (one in particular in the first half for Nani, such a deliberate, casual ball that perfectly summed up United’s approach – they literally just chucked the ball into the wide areas to see what happened) while Giggs, as a natural winger, contributed to the attacks from wide himself by moving out to the left for the first goal.

That helped work a 2 v 1 and allowed Giggs an incredible amount of time to cross for the first goal, with Djourou standing off and too central. By this stage, Arsenal’s wide players had started to play much higher up, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain came inside and other players were often slow to fill the gaps. Arsenal didn’t help ease their problems in the full-back areas by switching the wide players at times, breaking partnerships down the flanks in the defensive phase of play.

The one area where Arsenal threatened in the first half was long-range shots – Ramsey and Walcott had half-decent efforts, maybe partly because of the Giggs-Carrick combination, which doesn’t possess great tackling ability.




Second half


At half-time Wenger replaced Djourou with Nicolas Yennaris, who had more pace up against Nani, although the Portuguese winger continued to be a threat.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s brightest sparks were Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny, who United didn’t really close down when he moved forward on the ball. He set up Oxlade-Chamberlain for a decent chance, and then after Koscielny’s excellent tackle on Rafael (on for Jones) and an intelligent forward pass into midfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain teed up van Persie for the equaliser.

Arsenal scored having been direct and forward-thinking with their passes for once – hitting United when they were out of position (particularly with Rafael forward), rather than when they were back in shape with two banks of four.

Subs


Substitutions, however, were key. Wenger made the odd decision to remove Oxlade-Chamberlain and introduce Andrei Arshavin, which prompted a huge chorus of boos from around the Emirates. Wenger’s explanation that “Oxlade-Chamberlain was fatigued” is plausible (although it wasn’t obvious considering the player produced a couple of great moments shortly before going off) while his excuse that the booing “showed I made the right decision (to start Oxlade-Chamberlain) in the first place” is admirably positive yet a strange victory to claim.

Ferguson, meanwhile, took off Nani and brought on Scholes – meaning Giggs went out to the left. He also replaced Rafael (who often doesn’t finish games, and in this one neither started nor finished it) with Park, and Valencia moved to right-back.




United winner


It’s not certain what Ferguson’s thinking was here, but if he wanted to strengthen United’s crossing potential, it worked excellently. Giggs provided a better left foot for crosses than Nani, and Valencia, having been tracked well by Vermaelen throughout the game (it’s odd that Vermaelen, a centre-back out of position, dealt well with Valencia on the floor but was beaten by him in the air for the goal) was now away from Vermaelen and instead attacking against Arshavin.

Arshavin is poor defensively and allowed Valencia past him amazingly easily for United’s winner, and the ball out to that flank also came from a cool, measured lofted pass from Scholes – United now had two holding players spreading play to the wings.

Wenger tried to get back into the game with the use of Park Ju-Young (who played behind van Persie rather than the Dutchman dropping into a number ten role) and then shoved Per Mertesacker upfront for some long balls. That was arguably the style of football that would cause Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans more problems – they’re better against ‘clever’ centre-forwards than physical ones, but United held on.




Conclusion


Arsenal’s full-backs problems are no secret, United’s quality on the flanks is equally obvious. Valencia and Nani running at Vermaelen and Djourou was always likely to be a prosperous approach, although in the end it turned out to be Giggs running at Djourou and Valencia running past Arshavin that proved crucial.


It was less predictable that use of the bench would be key, but if it were to come down to substitutions, one would always have backed United. In addition to Rafael, Scholes and Park, they could have also chosen the guile of Dimitar Berbatov or the pace of Javier Hernandez.

Arsenal’s options were much less enticing – Arshavin is dreadfully out of form, Park hasn’t scored a Premier League goal, Benayoun doesn’t seem to interest Wenger, while Yennaris and Miquel are promising but a couple of years away from being truly valuable. Arsenal have injuries, of course, but this was a demonstration that football is a squad game – and Ferguson managed his squad better over the 90 minutes.

Molde star Eikrem doesn't expect Man Utd return

Former Manchester United midfielder Magnus Eikrem doesn't believe he'll return to Old Trafford.

Eikrem has won the Norwegian title with Molde and just broken into the national squad.

"United are not known for taking back players they have got rid of," he explained. "The probability of a return is microscopic. When it comes to Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer], the probability [of a return] is much larger."

Petrucci insists he wants Man Utd stay

Davide Petrucci insists he's happy at Manchester United.

Petrucci has quashed speculation regarding a possible return to Italy.

The midfielder is with his country's Under-21 side at the moment and informed Corriere dello Sport: "I have no regrets. Manchester was a great opportunity for me. I'm at one of the most important three or four clubs in the world. My goal is to play in the shirt of Manchester United."

Ferguson not expecting too much from current FA Youth Cup team

 Sir Alex Ferguson admits their current FA Youth Cup team is very raw.

The Under-18s progressed to the fifth round of the famous competition with a 2-1 victory against Derby County at Altrincham's Moss Lane on Wednesday night in front of the United manager, who sat alongside chief executive David Gill in the stands.

It is felt that the talented teenagers have a lot of growing and maturing still to do so everybody at the club is delighted that another run in the tournament is unfolding.

"It's a very young group," Sir Alex told MUTV before the win against the Rams. "Physically, they are well short of last year's group and age-wise too.

"I think we've only got one or two players performing from last year. I think Tyler Blackett is one player left from last year [Gyliano van Velzen is another]. It's a young squad with a lot of 16-year-olds in the team.

"You hope if they get through this stage, by the turn of the next two or three months, they start to develop physically and it may give them a little chance in that respect."

Man Utd linked with want-away Fiorentina wing-back Vargas

Manchester United are being linked with Fiorentina wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas.

Vargas is poised to leave Fiorentina this month, according to Calcioline.it, and Old Trafford is forwarded as a possible destination.

The Reds will offer €10million (£8.35million) for the Peru international. Nicknamed 'El Loco', Vargas is a versatile left-sided player.

Berbatov in Germany for fitness check

Dimitar Berbatov is committed to Manchester United.

The Daily Mail says Berbatov returned to training at United on Thursday, with sources close to the Bulgarian insisting that the purpose of a two-day trip to Germany was to see his personal fitness trainer and not discuss a return to Bayer Leverkusen.

Berbatov is free to talk to foreign clubs because his current deal runs out at the end of the season, but United’s offer of a one-year extension means they will be due a transfer fee if he leaves Old Trafford this summer.

Morrison demanding £30,000-a-week to stay with Man Utd

Ravel Morrison is demanding huge money to stay with Manchester United.

The Daily Mail says Morrison has stunned Manchester United by demanding £30,000 a week, despite the teenager making just three first-team appearances.

United have offered Morrison £12,000 a week - an amazing salary for someone so young - and while the player has denied rejecting a new offer, there is now understood to be an impasse. It is not clear if the £30,000-aweek demand includes bonuses.

But talks with Morrison's advisers have gone so badly United have reached a position where they would be prepared to let him go, even though he is rated the best player to come through the club's academy in years.

Rooney: I'll keep taking spotkicks

Wayne Rooney says he'll keep taking their spotkicks.

Despite missing his last two penalties - against Manchester City and Bolton, Rooney is still confident of taking another.

"I will still take them," he said. "These things happen. Sometimes you miss.

"It is not nice but it is not something I worry about happening again."

Manchester United leading race to sign £3m Crystal Palace starlet Nathaniel Clyne

Manchester United are increasingly confident they will win the race for Crystal Palace starlet Nathaniel Clyne and could be ready to make a £3 million bid this month

The England under-21 international is out of contract at the end of the season and Palace have been unable to tie him down to a long-term deal amid interest from a host of clubs including Newcastle, Fulham and Everton.

Goal.com understands United have jumped to the front of the queue and could seal a move for the 20-year-old this month to secure one of the brightest emerging talents in English football.

United are one of a number of clubs considering an official bid before Palace play the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Cardiff City next week - but they believe the player already has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford.

Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted this week that the Londoners are resigned to losing Clyne and suggested the player’s agent has already made contact with Premier League clubs.

"Nathaniel won't sign a new contract,” Parish told the London Evening Standard. “I have offered him a very lucrative one and I can't force him to accept it. 

"His agent has got Nathaniel running his contract down - make your own mind up about what's happening."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have been impressed by Clyne’s display in Palace’s shock win at Old Trafford in the League Cup quarter-final in November. Injuries to Rafael have meant that Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have had to fill in at right-back, and Clyne is seen as a long-term option to compete for the position.

If Clyne leaves Selhurst Park in the summer, the Eagles will be set to receive a compensation package as the player is under 24 and has come up through the club’s youth system. Rather than risk letting the fee be decided by tribunal in the summer, Palace will be tempted to cash-in this month on an offer in the region of £3m for the Academy product.

Clyne has already made 121 appearances for Palace and was voted as the club’s player of the year for 2011, while he has played a key role this season as Dougie Freedman’s side eye a place in the Championship play-offs.

Ravel Morrison not interested in Manchester City move

 Ravel Morrison has revealed he has no interest in joining Manchester City.

Morrison, whose current contract is due to expire in the summer, has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium along with team-mate Paul Pogba.

 City were keeping tabs on the United duo, but Morrison isn’t interested in the switch, claiming he doesn’t plan to join Roberto Mancini’s side, and never has.

Morrison posted on Twitter: “Who ever [sic] keeps sayin don't move to m.city , m.city have never ones been in my mind and who every tells you I'm movin to the ignore them :)”

Ever since breaking into United’s Under-18 side as a 15-year-old, Morrison has been troubled by off-field problems and reports recently suggested Sir Alex Ferguson was ready to give up on the midfielder, despite rejecting a bid from Newcastle United.

Morrison, who turns 19 in February, is yet to make his Premier League debut, but has impressed in League Cup ties this season against Aldershot Town and Crystal Palace.

Ashley Young pleased with recovery process after injury setback

 Ashley Young claims he is making good progress on his recovery from a knee injury.

Young joined Old Trafford from Aston Villa in the summer for a fee believed to be around £18 million, but has been out of action since December 21 after sustaining a knee problem in the 5-0 win over Fulham.

The England international may not be back in first-team action until February, with Sir Alex Ferguson claiming he’d be out for another month on January 8, but Young is optimistic over his recovery.

Speaking at the Betfair presents Man Utd live webcast at Old Trafford, Young said: "It's going well. I've been in the gym most days but it's getting there and hopefully I'll be back soon.”

Young has been buoyed by the start to his Old Trafford career and claims that the standard required to compete for a place at Manchester United has improved his ability.

"I'm enjoying it," he said. "From the minute I stepped into the building, I was welcomed with open arms by everybody in the squad.

"All the staff have been brilliant and to play alongside so many world-class players was always a dream for me.

"It brings your game on and you go up to another level. You experience that straight away. There's competition for places all around the team so you've always got to be on your toes.

"I think my game has come on. I've added different things to my game. Obviously, we're playing a different style than it was at Aston Villa and I've had to adapt.

"When I've gone away with England and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, I've got to know the boys there and how they play."

The midfielder is also eagerly anticipating the trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal on Sunday, even though it remains extremely unlikely that he’ll be able to play any part.

United currently sit second in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Manchester City, while Arsene Wenger's lie in fifth, four points off a Champions League place.

"It's going to be a tough game, but I'm sure we'll go down there full of confidence and looking to get three points - as we do in any game," said Young.

"There's a lot of points to play for and everyone wants to be top of the table but there's plenty of games left and we've got to concentrate on ourselves and look to go down there and win."

Nani reveals he gets Sir Alex Ferguson's hairdryer treatment 'a lot'

 Nani has admitted that he finds himself on the end of manager Sir Alex Ferguson's infamous hairdryer "a lot" and that "it's normal".

The Portuguese winger has had big boots to fill since the world record departure of his fellow international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and knows that his boss wants more out of him if he is to fill the void.

And the 25-year-old has performed admirably since stepping up, scoring eight times this season alone, yet the former Sporting Lisbon man still finds himself on the end of the hairdryer.

In an interview with Betfair Facebook he said: "I get it a lot, it's normal.

"He expects more from me, so sometimes he comes to me and says something."

Ferguson is famed for is man-management style and Nani appreciates everything he learns from the 70-year-old.

He continued: "No-one understands it like Alex Ferguson. Everyone knows him in Portugal, and talk a lot talk about him.

"Everyone knows the way he works is fantastic and the young lads improve a lot."

Midfield maestro Paul Scholes made a surprise decision to come out of retirement six months after initially hanging up his boots and Nani rates him as one of the greatest.

He added: "He is one of the best players I've played with in my life. The quality he gives the team is fantastic."

Scholes made a scoring return in the previous fixture against Bolton and could be involved against Arsenal on Sunday, the first time the two have met since the 8-2 win at Old Trafford back in August.

And Michael Carrick believes that revenge may be on the minds of the Gunners and that it will be a "massive game".

He said: "They didn't start the season too well but they are still up there.

"Arsenal against Manchester United is always a massive game. They will want to win and so will we."

The race for the title could be blown wide open on Sunday as Manchester City take on Tottenham before United face the Gunners.

As both the Blues and Spurs are in the mix for the title along with United, Sunday could prove vital in who eventually holds the Premier League aloft come May.

Carrick added: "Manchester City have done well.

"You have to give them credit. They set an early pace, had a funny Christmas period, and have now bounced back.

"It's close at the moment, so we want to catch up with them. The bar has been raised this year."

‘Before Mr Glazer bought Manchester United, he didn’t know there was air in the ball’ – Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has spoken out against the Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United.

The American's acquisition of the Premier League giants proved controversial at the time due to the large levels of debt that were transferred onto the club's books.

And former Bayern striker has since suggested that owner Malcolm Glazer had no knowledge of football prior to his 2005 takeover.

Hoeness told Bloomberg: “Before Mr Glazer bought Manchester United, he didn’t know there was air in the ball. That’s not something that I accept. His target is making money.

“I would accept Mr Glazer immediately if he says ‘OK, the price of Manchester United is £800 million. That’s my money, my risk and now we are working.’

"But what did he do? He bought the club and said ‘OK, I don’t have the money, how can we finance it?’ That’s something that I never accept.”

Glazer gained control of the current Champions mainly through loaned money, much of which is yet to be re-paid, something which has been a sticking point for many United fans.

Supporters of the Red Devils have also seen the emergence of their neighbouring rivals Manchester City as title contenders, thanks to a massive investment from Sheikh Mansour, a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal family.

Hoeness also discussed his dismay at City's lavish spending, but admitted he preferred Mansour's methods.

He added: “In this moment, will he [the wealthy owner] one day say now I go on my ships and I buy pictures and so on? But if you say which option [Glazers or benefactor], you want to have I would say I take the guy from Abu Dhabi.”

The Bundesliga side have posted a profit in each of the last 20 seasons, and therefore will be unworried by the introduction of Uefa's Financial Fair Play rulings, while United themselves were quick to respond to Hoeness' comments, suggesting the club is in a healthy position. 

United's director of communications Phil Townsend retorted: "Mr Hoeness has a right to an opinion, but results over the last seven years speak for themselves and Manchester United is in a healthy position, both on and off the pitch.

“The Glazer family have been integral in boosting of the club’s revenues, which have seen Manchester United become world leaders in the breadth and depth of our commercial partnerships.”