Man Utd flop Taibi compares himself to de Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi has compared the early stages of his Old Trafford career to that of new gloveman David de Gea.

The young Spaniard has come under fire at stages in his debut season in England and Taibi, who made just four Premier League appearances in his only season with the Red Devils in 1999/2000, sees himself in de Gea.

"In a sense I see a little of myself in de Gea, who initially had problems, but now he is being shown more confidence - something which I was not granted,” he told Goal.com.

"As a result, he is now starting to prove his worth.”

And despite his failed spell at United, ex-Italian keeper Taibi said he learned plenty of lessons from his short time in England.

“It was an important, if short, spell for me at Manchester United," he added.

"I learned so much, to live football in the most authentic manner, differently from how one lives in Italy, but I was put on the bench after I’d played only four games. Two of those were excellent but also two were negative.

"(Sir Alex) Ferguson didn’t believe in me enough and gave me no time to prove my worth. I needed a period of acclimatisation, and instead there I was given none.”

Tevez: Man Utd stars, Ferguson are the BEST!

 Carlos Tevez has spoken positively of his friends at Manchester United - and manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Tevez, in words which will not thaw his relations with City fans, named Ferguson as one of the two best managers he has worked for and singled out United stars Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs for praise.

“I know Ferguson didn't have the best relationship with me but together with (former Argentina coach Marcelo) Bielsa, those two are the best managers I had.

“Paul Scholes is the best professional, him Rooney and Giggs ... I have no words, they were excellent to me,” he said.

Keane: Ferdinand, Rooney shouldn't be talking about next England coach

 Roy Keane has questioned England players commenting on who should be the next manager.

Keane acknowledges Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is everyone's choice.

But he wrote in The Sun: "What worries me are the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand coming out and saying Harry should get the job.

"Some players are going on about how great Fabio Capello was, which was odd because they seemed to be saying different things in private.

"And whatever happened to players keeping their heads down?

"It shouldn't be down to the players who gets the job. OK, you might consult one or two senior players but the problem is that what they want seems to change every couple of years.

"They seemed to like Sven Goran Eriksson at first but then the complaint was he was too laid-back and wasn't passionate enough about the job so they wanted an Englishman.

"Steve McClaren was given the job and the problem with him appeared to be that he was too pally, joining in at training and calling John Terry 'JT' and Steven Gerrard 'Stevie G' so they wanted more of a disciplinarian.

"Then they decided Capello was too aloof and there was a problem with the language barrier so now we're back to them wanting an Englishman."

No Man Utd buy-back option in Morrison's West Ham deal

Manchester United have cut all ties with Ravel Morrison.

Morrison joined West Ham United on deadline day for a fee rising to £2 million.

The Daily Mail says United did not insert a buy-back clause into the deadline-day deal.

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."

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."

Cantona launches bid for French presidency

Eric Cantona has his sights on the French presidency.

Cantona has written to French mayors outlining his credentials and asking for their support.

"This engagement obliged me to speak, more earnestly than usual, but also with a keen sense of my responsibility, at a time when our country faces difficult choices which will be decisive for its future," said the letter.

In his letter, printed in the Liberation newspaper, Cantona expressed his strong feelings towards the social injustices experienced by the French nation, and by young people in general.

Election candidates will compete in a first round in late April, with the two biggest vote-winners going through to a decisive second round in early May.

Socialist candidate Francois Hollande is currently leading President Nicolas Sarkozy in the polls.

Veron: Ferguson pushed me to leave Man Utd

Juan Sebastian Veron admits Sir Alex Ferguson is driven by one thing: SUCCESS.

Veron knows from first-hand experience how the Manchester United manager lets nothing stand in his way of success.

He told the People: “I had a good relationship with Alex Ferguson, but he is a unique person, you know. He chooses his favourite players and lets go of other players.

“For example, [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy scored 60 goals in two seasons but Ferguson pushed him to leave Man United! He did the same with me. When I arrived Ferguson loved me, but then he started to push me aside.”

Mikael Silvestre considering Middle East move

Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre says he is open to an offer to work in the Emirates’ “improving” Pro League, reports Sport 360.

“I see myself playing here like some other players did in the past,” said the 34 year old, who is enjoying his Christmas break with his family in Dubai. “I’ve had a chance to speak with some who have played here in the past and they’ve all had a good time.

"There are good facilities here and good stadiums and the league is improving, so why not? I haven’t been approached by any clubs; I’ve visited a few, but only as a guest. No offer has come yet!”

Keane: I was blocked from entering Wigan's DW. Barred from buying season ticket!

Roy Keane has revealed how he was stopped from entering Wigan Athletic's DW stadium.

Keane, who had watched a game at the DW Stadium only weeks before, even offered to buy a season ticket on the spot, but after giving the turnstile operator “a bit of lip” security was called.

He told the Daily Express: “I was down to Wigan four weeks ago, when they played Blackburn. Wigan’s a good club for me because there are generally spare seats in the far stand, away from the main one.

“Dressed in jeans, cap over my ears, scarf over my chin, I went to the woman at the window and said, ‘Can I buy a ticket?’

“She said, ‘Can I have your details?’ I said, ‘Do you have to?’ and she then said it was OK and I handed over my £20, got my ticket.

“Good value, I thought. Watched the game, enjoyed it, pie at half-time, six goals, no one recognised me, didn’t have to make small talk, good day.”

But when Keane returned to the same ticket window and the same woman for the Arsenal game two weeks later, he ran into problems.

“With my cap and scarf, she didn’t know who I was,” he said. “‘Listen, I was here two weeks ago and bought a ticket then, can I buy one now?’

“She said this was a different category game and she needed my details. I gave my name and address.

“‘You’re not on the system,’ she said. “‘I know,’ I said. ‘But I bought a ticket two weeks ago and you said it was OK’.

“‘That was for Blackburn,’ she said. ‘OK,’ I said, ‘I’ll buy a season ticket’.

“She said it wasn’t possible. ‘You’re not on the system’. And I said, ‘I think your club is £37million in debt and you don’t want my money’.

“I did give her a little bit of lip and she said she would call security. ‘Call them,’ I said. The security guy came along and put his hands on my arm.

“‘Get your hands off me,’ I said. He did.

“I strolled back to my car and drove home.”

Roy Keane hits out at Fergie, claiming Ferguson didn't stood by him when he had differences with Carlos Queiroz

Roy Keane insists he has every right to criticise Manchester United — regardless of what Alex Ferguson thinks.

Former United star Keane claimed his old club got what they deserved when they were dumped out of the Champions League by Basle.

His comments did not go down well with Fergie, who claimed the Irishman should take a look at his own managerial failings before questioning anyone else.

But Keane stands by his statament and has suggested that Ferguson's success is down to his players as much as his own coaching methods.

The Irishman said: "If you want to question my managerial record, listen, you could question every pundit's managerial skill in relation to Ferguson's and we're all going to come up short.

"But I would also say that without players like myself, maybe he wouldn't have such a good managerial record.

"It's soon forgotten that we put bodies on the line for him."

Keane also believes Ferguson failed to support him following his abrupt exit from Old Trafford in 2005.

He added: "People say he stood by me in difficult times.

"But he didn't when I was 34, not when I was towards the end and had a few differences with former United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz.

"All of a sudden then, 'Off you go, Roy, here's the statement we've done".'

Sir Alex Ferguson delighted for former Manchester United youngster Ron-Robert Zieler after making Germany debut

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed former Manchester United youngster Ron-Robert Zieler after the 22-year-old made his international debut for Germany in the 3-3 draw with Ukraine last week.

The goalkeeper was signed by United at the age of 16 and progressed through the club's ranks into the reserve side but was released in 2010 following a string of injuries.

He moved to Bundesliga side Hannover 96, and after a string of impressive performances in their reserve side, has established himself as the club's first choice stopper.

After being told about Zieler's debut cap, Ferguson told manutd.com: “That’s fantastic. I must send him a message.

“He got an injury here in the Reserves and was out for about eight months, unfortunately, when he came back, Ben Amos had jumped ahead of him in the pecking order. I’m really pleased to hear this news, though. I’m glad he’s doing well.

“We helped Ron-Robert orchestrate his move to Hannover. We had a scout over there at the time and I gave him a call. He then came across, spoke to Ron and got the Hannover coach across to Manchester to watch him train.

“They were happy to take him and we were delighted to organise that move for him. He’s since come on leaps and bounds and is obviously doing fantastically. He always worked hard and he’s a very nice lad.”

Quinton Fortune working for Man Utd in Africa

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has revealed he's working for the club in Africa.

Fortune admits he was lucky to get the opportunity to leave his homeland and pursue a career at the top level so he's keen to offer African youngsters a similar chance.

"I'm working for United but I'm hoping to do some stuff back home in South Africa with kids as well," he told ManUtd.com. "It's more to keep them off the street.

"I ran Fortune FC which was going well but had a few problems and didn't work out. Hopefully, I can start again and do even more to get kids into school and just give them a chance. I was given a chance at 14 and what a blessing that was.

"Football is just the best sport in the world, in my opinion. You can find it being played anywhere you go in Africa, across the continent. Football is the only thing that keeps people happy these days."

Butt returns to Man Utd for coaching experience

Nicky Butt admits he wants to enter coaching.

Butt is back at Old Trafford taking his coaching badges.

"I've started my badges now and am getting the hours in," Butt told manutd.com.

"I'll get assessed in the next five or six months. I go to Carrington a lot and just watch, I don't really take any of the sessions. I know for a fact management is what I want to do. Whether I'll be good at it is another thing. We'll see.

"There were rumours about Oldham and someone asked if I would be interested but I never was as it was too soon for me.

"I wanted to have a year away from it, spend time with my family and go away with the kids in the school holidays. It's been great but I think I feel now I'm ready to do something.

"There are a lot of things I'm able to do now but my ultimate aim is to be a manager.

"That's what I want to do, whenever that happens, but I don't want to just jump into a job, take it on and not be able to do it. I want to slowly get there and be ready for it."

Big Ron: Mourinho the man to succeed Ferguson at Man Utd

Big Ron Atkinson says Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is the man to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

It was Fergie 25 years ago who replaced Big Ron as United manager.

And he said: "My money is still on Mourinho because he is one of the few with the pedigree and desire to dare step into his shoes."

Cantona: Ferguson treated me like a man

Eric Cantona has recalled the first time he met Sir Alex Ferguson.

As Ferguson celebrates the 25th anniversary of his arrival in Manchester, the Frenchman recalled the first time he met with the man who was to become the most successful manager in United’s history.

“I remember my first meeting with Sir Alex when he wanted to sign me from Leeds and in the first minute I knew that I had to work with the man,” said Cantona.

“Of course, the name of Manchester United meant so much in football anyway, but I saw a man who wanted the same things that I wanted.

“He told me I could become a great player at United – and I believed in everything he told me. He is a man who has the same spirit as me. Looking back he also saw the same philosophy in me that he saw in himself. We are football men.

“He was very special to me because he treated me like a man, not like a boy.”

Ronaldo: Boss Ferguson made me

 Cristiano Ronaldo knows he's been spoilt over the managers he's worked with.

Ronaldo paid tribute to both Jose Mourinho and his former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after collecting the Golden Boot last week.

"Mourinho is doing great at Real Madrid and I hope he stays with us many years," he said.

"Ferguson was important in my career and part of my success is thanks to him. He is a great person and a great manager. He is one of the most important people in my life in football."

'I am the reason why Manchester United have won all those trophies' - Former striker Dion Dublin insists broken leg paved way for Red Devils' future success

Former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin has suggested that the serious injury he sustained in one of his first appearances for the club was the start of Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden reign.

The Glaswegian is approaching his 25th year in charge of the Manchester club and Dublin admits that his broken leg enabled the Red Devils to acquire Eric Cantona.

He jokingly told ESPN Classic: "It was my Old Trafford debut and it lasted about 60 minutes and my left leg and left ankle sort of gave way on me from a tackle from behind.

"I am the reason why Man United have won all those trophies - its down to me, it really is. I break my leg and then they bring in this has-been called Cantona who just takes the world of football by storm!

"As soon as he came in it just took off. Players warmed to him. Eric is bigger than me: 6ft 3in or 6ft 4in - he had a touch of a genius, he could head it, he could tackle, left and right foot, the guy was an absolute genius. And I think that’s what Man United needed."

Dublin also revealed Sir Alex's half-time team-talks are highly motivational, despite the Scot having a reputation for dishing out 'the hairdryer treatment' at a poor performance.

He continued: "Some people need the hairdryer.

"I had it and I don’t even know where I was. The only thing I remember about it was we were playing against a team in red and white stripes and I had a stinking first half, missed a load of chances and he was right there at half-time, told me what he thought. I went out and scored a goal in the second half.

"I respect the man for knowing what kind of character I was to get the best out of me."

But the striker turned serious when talking about the Scot's man-management style, and Dublin believes the former Aberdeen boss knows exactly how to handle different personalities in the dressing room.

He added: "What he does he looks after people like Cantona, people like Ronaldo. They’re personalities that you can’t just treat the same as you would treat me or you would treat Lee Sharpe or Gary Pallister. Because they’re all different characters so some people need an arm round them, some people need the hairdryer.

"You know if you do that to Eric he would have just left. Do it to Ronaldo then he’d have just left. So you’ve got to know how to do that and Sir Alex is the best at it."

Trash your Tevez shirt! Manchester rivals urged to unite against rebel ahead of derby

Carlos Tevez is fast becoming public enemy No 1 in Manchester and he may want to avoid the Old Trafford area this Sunday.

The Argentine striker, who quit Manchester United for rivals City in 2009, will miss this weekend's top-of-the-table derby clash after his alleged refusal to come off the bench against Bayern Munich last month has seen him cast aside by manager Roberto Mancini.

City fans have since turned on their former captain with Manchester now seemingly united in their loathing of the ex-West Ham star.

And it is highly unlikely the 26-year-old will be anywhere near his former stomping ground this Sunday with both sets of fans ready to vent their frustration towards him.

Bookmakers Betfair, club sponsors of Manchester United, will be deploying a giant rubbish 'Recycling Tevez' skips outside Old Trafford on Sunday - one half blue and one half red - for fans to dump their replica shirts with his name on in exchange for brand new ones.

Over 75,000 fans are expected to descend down Sir Matt Busby Way and they are being encourage to ditch their unwanted Tevez jerseys which will then be dispatched to his native Argentina and handed to local charities.

'Time and time again Tevez has let the fans down,' said Betfair spokesman Alex Bake.  

'What better way for fed up supporters to show they want rid of him for good than by dumping their shirts. 

'These two sets of supporters don't often see eye to eye, but I'm sure they'll all be pleased if he leaves Manchester in the January transfer window.'

Pallister's advice to De Gea: You'll be incredible if you bulk up

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister has called upon David de Gea to bulk up for the physical challenges of the Premier League, while backing the young keeper to become a success at Old Trafford. 

De Gea, signed from Atletico Madrid for £20million in the summer, has made a nervous start to his career with the champions, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson taking him out of the firing line for the mid-week Champions League draw at Benfica.

His replacement, Anders Lindegaard, impressed in his place in Lisbon - the Dane sending out a clear warning to his Spanish colleague that he intends to fight for the No 1 jersey. 

But Pallister, who won four Premier League titles with United in the 1990s, has little doubt De Gea will establish himself. 

The former England international claimed that legendary United stopper Peter Schmeichel suffered similar difficulties after arriving from Brondby in 1991. 

Pallister said: 'There are similarities. Peter came over with a terrific reputation and found it difficult in his first few games in this league because it's a lot more physical.

'Where he was playing in Denmark or where De Gea was playing in the Spanish league, you're now going to get people standing on your toes at corners or barging you on the goal line to get the ball in the back of the net.

'It's something he will have to come to terms with but it's happened to the very best, so who's to say he won't deal with it? I think he will.

'He looks a very slight lad, he may have to bulk up a little bit. But I think there is belief in the club he will stand in good stead and I think he believes in himself. I think he will be a success.'

Pallister feels the 20-year-old stopper needs to be given time to build his confidence and develop an understanding with the defenders in front of him. 

He added: 'The centre-halves and the goalkeeper have to develop a relationship as well. You have to understand whether the goalkeeper is going to deal with balls coming into your box or whether he will let you deal with it. That will come with time as well. 

'The defence can help by talking to him. Certainly the way he saved that penalty against Arsenal, the way they celebrated telling him they were right behind him, shows they trust him and want him to do well. And I think by giving something back to the Old Trafford crowd, that is very important for his settling-in period.'

Pallister is also full of praise for Phil Jones, claiming the defender could go on to establish himself as an England regular. 

The £16.5million summer arrival from Blackburn has impressed at the start of his United career and Pallister thinks the 19-year-old has what it takes to rise to the top.

He said: 'It's easy to get carried away with his start at Manchester United. But you have to look at the maturity he's got and the type of character he is. 

'He dictates to other people on the pitch, which is very rare for a young lad, and it shows he has a lot of confidence and belief in himself. He has been right out the top drawer.

'You never know the pitfalls ahead, but on talent alone he has a big England future. 

'He has been absolutely outstanding. I didn't expect him to play too many games so early in his career there, but injuries to Rio [Ferdinand] and Nemanja [Vidic] have seen him come in and look an outstanding prospect.

'He plays with great maturity and doesn't appear to have any kind of weakness in his game. 

'He looks a real big star of the future. For a player to come in at that age and be as settled as he is says a lot about the kid's temperament.'