Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's important Champions league game in Valencia on Wednesday. He has stayed at home, unable to play due to an ankle injury. Rooney came off the field during United's game at Bolton on Sunday, and immediately had ice applied to his ankle.
Rooney has been out of sorts since going to South Africa with England for the World Cup in June. This season he has managed just two goals: one from the penalty spot for United, and one for England against Switzerland.
Ex-England boss Kevin Keegan said after Sunday's game: "His performance at Bolton tells me his confidence is shot." United only managed a 2-2 draw, failing to take full advantage of leaders' Chelsea's 1-0 loss at Manchester City the day before.
At times Rooney, 24, appears to be trying "too hard", but simple aspects of his game like control and short passing have often let him down in recent games.
Sir Alex Ferguson will want to solve the Rooney problem so that United don't slip out of reach of Chelsea before too long.
Showing posts with label Sir Alex Freguson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sir Alex Freguson. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Monday, 4 January 2010
Leeds United humble Manchester United
The third round of the FA Cup was bumbling along in rather boring style until Leeds United knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Once mighty Leeds have been sent crashing down in recent years, but this year head League One by eight points, having only lost once in the first half of the league season, and only once in any other competition (0-1 at home to Liverpool in the Carling Cup).
Their performance in knocking out the English Champions and last season's Champions League runners-up amply demonstrated why Leeds are looking certainties for a return to the Championship next season. This wasn't a fluke; this wasn't a "backs-to-the-wall" win. Leeds took on Manchester United, scored a good goal through top-scorer Jermaine Beckford, and they might have had more, Robert Snodgrass notably hitting the home cross bar in the latter stages.
Of course, Manchester United had chance, but they squandered them or were met by firm resistance from the Leeds defence and goalkeeper Casper Ankergren. If Fergie called his team's performance "shocking", then he might consider his own team selection, although with Rooney and Berbatov up front, and a defence that he would have dreamed of having in their defensive crisis a month ago, it was really only the midfield that was under strength.
As for Sir Alex Ferguson calling the five minutes added on at the end "an insult to the game and the players out there", he really should listen to what he says: that was embarrassing. Five minutes was plenty and fifteen would probably not have been enough anyway.
Simon Grayson has begun to shape a Leeds United team that can take on the best. Although Tottenham Hotspur away might be too tough in the fourth round, the real goal for Leeds is promotion, and for that they look a sure thing.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Sir Alex gets two game ban, but union boss says it's not enough
The FA decided yesterday that no one is above the law, including the most successful manager in the history of the game.
Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a touchline ban for two games and fined £20,000 for "grossly improper" remarks about the fitness of referee Alan Wiley in October.
Peter Griffiths, QC, who chaired the regulatory commission, said: "Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game. Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that, with such stature, comes increased responsibilities.
"The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate."
Alan Leighton, national secretary of the Prospect union, which represents referees, did not appear to be satisfied with the punishment. "From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it. To question the fitness of a referee is to question his ability to do the job and his integrity. We don't think this is sending the right message out to other managers.
"This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex, but he has a particular stature within the game and, if he is seen to be getting off lightly, other mamagers may think what he said was not beyond the pale."
There is a further two-game ban suspended until the end of the 2010-11 season.
For me, the punishment seems about right. I think it does send the message to managers that they need to be as much part of the Respect campaign as eveeryon else, whatever their standing in the game.
Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a touchline ban for two games and fined £20,000 for "grossly improper" remarks about the fitness of referee Alan Wiley in October.
Peter Griffiths, QC, who chaired the regulatory commission, said: "Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game. Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that, with such stature, comes increased responsibilities.
"The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate."
Alan Leighton, national secretary of the Prospect union, which represents referees, did not appear to be satisfied with the punishment. "From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it. To question the fitness of a referee is to question his ability to do the job and his integrity. We don't think this is sending the right message out to other managers.
"This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex, but he has a particular stature within the game and, if he is seen to be getting off lightly, other mamagers may think what he said was not beyond the pale."
There is a further two-game ban suspended until the end of the 2010-11 season.
For me, the punishment seems about right. I think it does send the message to managers that they need to be as much part of the Respect campaign as eveeryon else, whatever their standing in the game.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Ferguson referee row lingers on
wonder if Sir Alex Ferguson is regretting his outburst about referee Alan Wiley’s fitness after his side’s stumbling 2-2 draw with Sunderland on 3 October (see this blog, dated 7 October).
The row goes on.
Sir Alex apologised to Alan Wiley, but was asked to explain his comments to the FA. Apparently, he will be writing a letter of apology to the FA, as well as his explanation.
The Manchester United manager could still face FA charges of improper conduct, and might receive a touchline ban if found guilty.
It is understood that his explanation will admit that he was wrong to “personally embarrass” referee Wiley about his fitness levels. It has since been shown that Wiley covered more yardage than many of the players in that game.
Meanwhile, Alan Leighton, national secretary of the Prospect union, has called for Ferguson to be punished unless he retracts the accusations level against Wiley.
“I think the punishment should be a Uefa-type coaching ban,” said Leighton. “Referees are very fit. They have sports scientists who test them regularly throughout the season. They don’t just pass a fitness test at the start of the season.”
The row goes on.
Sir Alex apologised to Alan Wiley, but was asked to explain his comments to the FA. Apparently, he will be writing a letter of apology to the FA, as well as his explanation.
The Manchester United manager could still face FA charges of improper conduct, and might receive a touchline ban if found guilty.
It is understood that his explanation will admit that he was wrong to “personally embarrass” referee Wiley about his fitness levels. It has since been shown that Wiley covered more yardage than many of the players in that game.
Meanwhile, Alan Leighton, national secretary of the Prospect union, has called for Ferguson to be punished unless he retracts the accusations level against Wiley.
“I think the punishment should be a Uefa-type coaching ban,” said Leighton. “Referees are very fit. They have sports scientists who test them regularly throughout the season. They don’t just pass a fitness test at the start of the season.”
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Ferguson's rant deflects criticism from United's shortcomings
Sir Alex Ferguson has been called upon by the Football Association to explain his amazing outburst against referee Alan Wiley after Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland.
After his team had claimed a point with an injury-time own goal, Ferguson could barely contain himself: "There should have been another 30 seconds of added time, but he [Wiley] was walking up the pitch after the goal, needing a rest. He just was not fit enough for a game of that stature. The fitness of the players, the pace of the game, demanded a referee who was fit. He is not fit. It's an indictment of our game that we see referees from abroad who are as fit as butchers' dogs. We have got some good referees in our country who are fit, but he was not. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player as he was taking a rest."
Forty-nine year-old Wiley is said to be "very upset" by the comments. He has an impressive fitness record, and has been shown to run 11.5km during a game.
It is my belief that Ferguson's rant has more to do with deflecting criticism away from himself and his team's shortcomings than a real feeling that Alan Wiley is not fit enough. Manchester United were poor and petulant and got away with a lucky point when Sunderland probably deserved to win.
Ferguson is no fool. He knew saturday's team selection and performance might come under scrutiny. He has enough experience and is wily (ha!) enough to take the heat off himself when required.
After his team had claimed a point with an injury-time own goal, Ferguson could barely contain himself: "There should have been another 30 seconds of added time, but he [Wiley] was walking up the pitch after the goal, needing a rest. He just was not fit enough for a game of that stature. The fitness of the players, the pace of the game, demanded a referee who was fit. He is not fit. It's an indictment of our game that we see referees from abroad who are as fit as butchers' dogs. We have got some good referees in our country who are fit, but he was not. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player as he was taking a rest."
Forty-nine year-old Wiley is said to be "very upset" by the comments. He has an impressive fitness record, and has been shown to run 11.5km during a game.
It is my belief that Ferguson's rant has more to do with deflecting criticism away from himself and his team's shortcomings than a real feeling that Alan Wiley is not fit enough. Manchester United were poor and petulant and got away with a lucky point when Sunderland probably deserved to win.
Ferguson is no fool. He knew saturday's team selection and performance might come under scrutiny. He has enough experience and is wily (ha!) enough to take the heat off himself when required.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
How on earth did this happen?
As England approach their latest World Cup qualifier with Croatia, it brings back to mind the European qualifier of two years ago and England's 3-2 home defeat to the same nation. With Steve McClaren in charge.
How did we come to end up with this man in charge? For he unquestionably proved incapable of doing the job.
Following the era of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the clamour of the English press was for a return to an Englishman to take charge. McClaren had managed Middlesbrough and won the League Cup in 2004 and finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 2006. He was also assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United won the Treble in 1999. That was apparently enough. It reminded some of us of the appointment of Graham Taylor, who had only had minor successes with Watford.
However, the choices were few. Glenn Hoddle had been sacked and Kevin Keegan had resigned prior to Sven's appointment, but the dearth of English managers in the English league (and the situation is just as bad now) meant that McClaren's flimsy CV was sufficient to get him the job. (Note that the last England manager to win the English league was Howard Wilkinson with Leeds United in 1992.)
McClaren managed England between 1 August 2006 and 22 November 2007, and was dubbed 'The Wally with a Brolly', after he used an umbrella to protect himself from rain during his final game in charge.
Note to the English press: Be careful what you wish for!
How did we come to end up with this man in charge? For he unquestionably proved incapable of doing the job.
Following the era of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the clamour of the English press was for a return to an Englishman to take charge. McClaren had managed Middlesbrough and won the League Cup in 2004 and finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 2006. He was also assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United won the Treble in 1999. That was apparently enough. It reminded some of us of the appointment of Graham Taylor, who had only had minor successes with Watford.
However, the choices were few. Glenn Hoddle had been sacked and Kevin Keegan had resigned prior to Sven's appointment, but the dearth of English managers in the English league (and the situation is just as bad now) meant that McClaren's flimsy CV was sufficient to get him the job. (Note that the last England manager to win the English league was Howard Wilkinson with Leeds United in 1992.)
McClaren managed England between 1 August 2006 and 22 November 2007, and was dubbed 'The Wally with a Brolly', after he used an umbrella to protect himself from rain during his final game in charge.
Note to the English press: Be careful what you wish for!
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