Fergie: Foster can still be United's No.1

Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to give goalkeeper Ben Foster a final chance to prove he has what it takes to succeed Edwin Van der Sar as Manchester United's No.1.

Foster began the season in goal for United, with Van der Sar injured, but has fallen down the pecking order and is currently third-choice behind Tomasz Kuszczak.

But Fergie has challenged Foster, who recently signed a new four-year deal with United, to show why he is regarded as England's future No.1 goalkeeper.

"Ben has been unfortunate," said Fergie. "His performance for the reserves the other night was tremendous and it showed the fantastic talent he's got.

"He made some mistakes earlier in the season, Kusczcak got in, and his form has been great.

"Tomasz has had a great season. Every time he's played he's been outstanding. So what do I do? Pick Ben because he's English or go with form? I have to go with form.

"Tomasz has been in better form than Ben this year. That's the only reason. But Ben will come back. He'll be tremendous next season. He's still young."

The rise of Nani

Wayne Rooney isn't the only player who's enjoyed his best season in a United shirt in 2009/10.

Nani, instrumental in the Reds' win over Tottenham last weekend, has been in tip-top form this term, particularly since the turn of the year.

He's found the net three times in his last two Old Trafford outings, but did you know those goals (one against Tottenham, two against Bayern Munich) were the winger’s first for United since August? Probably not. But it’s precisely because Nani’s all-round contribution was so significant that his lack of goals went largely unnoticed.

The well-held view that he's producing his best form since signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 is borne out in the statistics above, which show the impact the winger has had when he's taken to the pitch (and, perhaps more tellingly, when he doesn’t). For instance, United in 2009/10 win more often, score more goals and lose far fewer games when Nani plays. And of the 11 defeats United have suffered this season, only one has come when Nani has started. Even then – away to Bayern Munich – he won the free-kick and whipped in the resulting cross from which Wayne Rooney scored.

His service from wide areas has improved markedly in 2009/10. In the Premier League alone he has 10 assists to his name, a figure that ignores the part he played in forcing own goals against Arsenal and Portsmouth (two). Add those to the tally and then only Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard have created more goals in the league this season.

In Europe, too, Nani was inspirational, playing key roles in goals scored away from home at Besiktas, CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich... and then there was the Bayern brace he bagged at Old Trafford. So, although goals may not have flown from his boots at regular intervals across the season, the sparks certainly have.

Nani, we salute you.

United in 2009/10

With Nani(32 games)

Won: 25 (78%)

Drawn: 4 (12.5%)

Lost: 3 (9.5%)

GF: 71 (2.21 goals per game)

Without Nani(22 games)

Won: 13 (59%)

Drawn: 1 (4.5%)

Lost: 8 (36.5%)

GF: 43 (1.95 goals per game)

Gerrard: Forget Man United, we want to beat Chelsea

Steven Gerrard insists he wants to beat Chelsea - even though victory could hand Manchester United the title.

Many Kopites would accept losing to Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday if it meant denying their hated rivals the Premier League crown.

United will move clear of Liverpool's tally of 18 titles if they triumph this season and this would be too much for Reds' fans to take.

Gerrard is well aware of the supporters' fears, but says the players are focused on beating Chelsea and Hull in their last two games to boost their faint Champions League hopes.

"We've got a couple of games left now and the idea is to take maximum points to see if we can get into fourth through the back door," said the Reds skipper.

"If we take maximum points, who knows? The teams above us might slip up. All we have done is keep the pressure on those above us."

Gerrard, 29, claims Liverpool can only think about themselves and his big worry is that Everton might finish above them.

Rafa Benitez's side need just one more point to banish that spectre and for Gerrard that would be the final indignity of their hugely-disappointing season.

"We are underdogs for fourth position, but our fans know that we have also got Everton breathing down our necks and we certainly don't want them finishing above us," said the midfielder.

Liverpool's 4-0 win at Burnley was their first league away win this year - and Gerrard knows that is unacceptable for a club like Liverpool.

Gerrard, who scored twice in an outstanding performance at Turf Moor, was heartened by the Reds' improved display against the Clarets even if it may have come too late to affect the race for fourth.

"We won't give up, but it would be stupid of me to say this or that is going to happen. It's important to be realistic," said the England star.

"We haven't been good enough away. When you can't score and you lose your top striker, it can damage belief and affect your confidence, but this was much better."

The win was the ideal boost for Liverpool as they attempt to overturn their 1-0 deficit in Thursday's Europa League showdown with Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

Gerrard is bullish about Liverpool's prospects, despite missing top scorer Fernando Torres.

"We've won games like this before and we hope we can do it again," he said. "We're going to put everything into that game and Thursday can't come quickly enough."

 

Lampard tells Man United: 'Forget the mind games'

Frank Lampard has told Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United players: 'Forget the mind games - they don't affect us'.

The Chelsea midfielder was speaking as he and his team-mates were showered with praise yesterday, following their 7-0 demolition of Stoke.

Both Fergie and Gary Neville had been insisting before the match that the pressure was on Chelsea to match United's gutsy wins over Manchester City and Stoke.

But following Sunday's emphatic response, Lampard said: "The talk doesn't matter.

"All that matters is the concentration in the camp in training and in games. And approaching games in the right way and getting the right result.

"Now we are getting to the stage where the talk, well all it does is give column inches really. What matters is getting out there and playing."

Chelsea now face a massive test at Liverpool having not won at Anfield in the League since 2005.

The spotlight is now on Rafa Benitez's men for whom victory would hand United the title, while defeat would wreck their slim hopes of Champions League football.

But Lampard insisted Chelsea do not expect any favours from Liverpool. He said: "There is no chance that 11 Liverpool players can go out and consider Manchester United winning the Championship on that game. They will go out to win the game.

"They are professional. The manager's professional, the players are professional.

"There's no way they will think about not winning the game regardless of whether it gets them into the Champions League for next year or not. Even if they are out of it.

"They will give everything. There's no doubt about that."

 

Gerrard will keep our dream alive

WAYNE ROONEY has no doubts his pal and former mentor Steven Gerrard will be busting a gut to beat Chelsea on Sunday.

A victory for Liverpool could put Manchester United well on the way to a record 19th title which will be a nightmare scenario for the Anfield faithful.

But Rooney knows Kop skipper Gerrard will not be worried about such consequences, especially as Rafa Benitez's men still have an outside chance of snatching the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.

Gerrard, 29, took a young Roo under his wing when the Manchester United striker first announced his arrival on the England scene and the pair are firm friends.

Evertonian Rooney, 24, is expecting Gerrard to do United a big favour before they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later that same afternoon.

Chelsea sit one point clear at the top of the table with two matches remaining and on paper they have the trickier run-in with fixtures against Liverpool and at home to Wigan.

As he basked in the glory of being crowned the PFA's Player of the Year, Rooney said: "I would swap the PFA award right now for the League.

"We are pushing forward and in a decent position and hopefully Chelsea can slip up and we will take advantage.

"I don't need to have a word with Stevie about making sure Liverpool win. You see what a good player and competitor he is even in friendly games.

"He wants to win and I'm sure he will want to win this one.

"Liverpool are fighting to get into Europe and with the history behind the club I'm sure they are all determined. It is the last home game of the season and their fans will not really be too pleased if they don't turn up."

Rooney missed last Saturday's superb 3-1 victory over Spurs with a groin injury caused by putting too much pressure on his left side to protect his damaged right ankle.

He has been ruled out of the Sunderland trip but has targeted the final game of the season against Stoke for his comeback, allaying any fears he could miss out on the World Cup.

Rooney added: "Obviously I'm disappointed to have missed a couple of games but I'll be fine.

"Hopefully I will play again before the season finishes and get ready for the World Cup.

"You don't like watching from the stands. I want to play and knowing you cannot influence the game is a frustrating thing.

"The season has gone quite well for me. The manager is playing me up front every game which I've been asking for for years and the service has been better.

"I have been getting on the end of those crosses.

"I've been working on my heading and it's nice when you work on something and it pays off - although it's probably given me a bigger bald patch!"

Ryan Giggs took over the penalty-taking duties for the victory over Spurs, converting twice from the spot, but Rooney will resume the responsibility upon his comeback.

He insisted: "No I don't think I've lost the penalty-taker's job - Giggsy scored two great pens but I'll be back on it when I get back."

Rooney is greedy. He wants a fourth successive Premier League title and then to finish the season off in style by lifting the World Cup.

Rooney: I’ll be fit to face Stoke

WAYNE ROONEY will be back for Manchester United's final game of the season against Stoke on May 9.

Crock Rooney, in London last night to pick up his PFA Player of the Year Award, said: "I'm fine. I'll be all right for the World Cup. In fact, I'll be ready for the Stoke game."

United feared Rooney, suffering from groin and ankle problems, would miss the title run-in - so his pledge is a massive boost for boss Alex Ferguson as well as England chief Fabio Capello.

Rooney paid tribute to Fergie as he picked up his trophy, with the Young Player of the Year award going to James Milner.

Striker Roo said: "Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United.

"His hunger passes through to the players. It's great to see he's pushing 70 and hasn't changed a bit.

"I'm sure he'll be here for a long time yet."

Rooney, 24, has undergone a gruelling 55-game season and SunSport understands his old knee injury has also flared up again.

United No 2 Mike Phelan has admitted the latest injury setbacks have been brought on through sheer exhaustion for the 34-goal star.

Phelan said: "He has a groin problem and that is possibly due to fatigue.

"He's had a fantastic season and these things creep up on you now and again. Wayne has just suffered in the past two to three weeks."

Rio Ferdinand is a big worry for Capello. He missed United's win over Spurs with a groin strain and is suffering as a result of his main back problem.

But England will not make any more pleas to left-back Wayne Bridge to play in the World Cup following his bust-up with John Terry.

 

 

Wayne lands PFA award

Wayne Rooney has been named Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year - winning the prestigious award as voted for by his peers for the first time in his career.

The 24-year-old beat fellow front-running candidates Didier Drogba, Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Tevez and was presented with the trophy at a ceremony on Sunday night.

Rooney has had an incredible season, scoring 34 goals in 42 league appearances - his best return since joining United in 2004.

The Reds no.10 started the 2009/10 campaign by scoring seven goals in eight games, and he hasn't looked back. His best spell came between the end of November and March, scoring an astonishing 25 goals in 23 games.

The PFA trophy remains in a United player's hands for a fourth consecutive year, after wins for Cristiano Ronaldo (2007 and 2008) and Ryan Giggs last season.

Rooney, who has said that he expects to play again for United this season, was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, but was beaten to that title by Aston Villa's James Milner.

However, he did make the PFA's Premier League team of the year, along with fellow Reds Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher and Antonio Valencia. The team in full is: Hart (Birmingham); Ivanovic (Chelsea), Dunne (Villa), Vermaelen (Arsenal), Evra (United), Valencia (United), Fabregas (Arsenal), Fletcher (United), Milner (Villa); Rooney (United), Drogba (Chelsea).

Where Rooney's goals have come this season...

Hull (5)

Portsmouth (4)

Milan (4)

West Ham (3)

Wigan (3)

Arsenal (2)

Fulham (2)

Man City (2)

Aston Villa (1)

Bayern (1)

Birmingham (1)

Blackburn (1)

Burnley (1)

Chelsea (1)

Liverpool (1)
Tottenham (1)
Wolves (1)

Rooney: My best season

Wayne Rooney was named PFA Players' Player of the Year on Sunday night and admits this has been his finest campaign in a United shirt yet. But the modest Reds front many says he couldn't have done it without his team-mates...

On a personal level, has this been your best season so far?

Yeah, I think so. I’ve scored a lot of goals this season and I think overall my play has been good. It’s definitely been my most prolific season in front of goal and I’m pleased with the way things have gone. But it would complete it all if we could clinch the title.

Who did you vote for as PFA Player of the Year?

I voted for Didier Drogba for the senior award and Cesc Fabregas for young player. To be honest, I was very surprised I was up for the young player award too – I think I won it about eight years ago, didn’t I? [Smiles] So I was a bit shocked to be up for it again this year.

How much do you owe to your team-mates as well – particularly someone like Antonio Valencia?

Of course, as a forward player you rely on the support and service of your team-mates. Without the support of people like Antonio, I wouldn’t be scoring goals. A lot of what I think I’ve achieved personally this season is down to that support from my team-mates.

You’ve linked up very well with Valencia. What is it you enjoy about playing alongside him?

He’s very physical, he’s quick and a strong player. He’s scored a few goals himself this season and he has the ability to create goals with his movement and his crossing, which obviously I’ve benefited from. He reminds me a lot of Andrei Kanchelskis who was here a few years ago. They’re both very traditional wingers, and I like that. Antonio has settled in very quickly and he’s had a good first year at the club which hopefully he can build on.

A lot of people put you up there with the best players in the world. Who do you think is the best?

It’s nice that people put me up there, but for me I think Messi is the best in the world. The things he can do with the ball are just unbelievable and he’s scoring a lot of goals as well. He’s been fantastic again this year, so for me he is the best player in the world.