Player review: O'Shea

An injury sustained on international duty restricted the usual ever-present John O'Shea to just 19 appearances in 2009/10.

Story of the season: The Irishman's season was all but over in November when he picked up a thigh problem in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat in France. At one stage it looked like he wouldn't play again in 2009/10. Sir Alex explained: “He's got a terrible injury. It's like a dead leg. The problem is that a blood clot has become knotted. It's a long process to clear up and he'll probably miss the season now. It's a bad blow for the boy." But the Carrington medical team worked wonders and O'Shea returned to action as a substitute in April’s 3-2 win over Bayern Munich. Four days later he started in the Reds' 0-0 draw at Blackburn.

Finest moment: The Irishman made his 350th United appearance one to remember when he helped to empty home fans’ seats by doubling United’s lead at the Britannia Stadium in September. O’Shea met Ryan Giggs’ in-swinging corner from the right with his head and flicked the ball into the top corner past a flailing Thomas Sorensen. Sadly, in a season blighted by injury, there weren't too many other opportunities for John to shine.

What’s in store? With his current contract running until 2012, O’Shea is very much part of United’s plans for the future. Expect him to be doing a job for the Reds in defence, midfield, attack or even in goal (he donned the gloves against Spurs in 2007).

Fergie has £95m to spend

DAVID GILL has told Manchester United's protesting fans: Stop moaning, we've got £95million to spend.

Many of the Old Trafford faithful have become disillusioned with the debt-laden ownership of the unpopular Glazer family.

And the American family put another nail in the coffin of the takeover bid by the Red Knights consortium last night by insisting there are no plans to sell up.

But chief executive Gill insisted there is nothing to be gloomy about and claims boss Alex Ferguson will have as much of that warchest as he wants for new signings this summer.

Fergie has hinted there may only be one big-name signing with Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez already signed on for around £18m.

But with Karim Benzema and David Silva also believed to be on their radar, Gill says the extra money will be made available.

Gill said: "People say Alex is saying money is there because he has to. Anyone who knows Alex Ferguson knows he wouldn't say that if he didn't mean what he said.

"The money is definitely there. The financial results will show the figures are about £95m cash.

"We are not in a situation whereby Alex is restricted in what he wants to do with the club.

"We can invest in the players, the training ground and the stadium."

Fan protests became part and parcel of United home games last season with the Green and Gold campaign particularly prominent.

Yet Gill insisted: "The fans protesting are not going to change their opinion even if we win three Champions League titles in a row.

"We couldn't have been much more successful in the last three years.

"But they are simply never going to be happy."

United's hopes of landing Karim Benzema, however, are set to be dashed by Real Madrid for a second successive year.

Ferguson was keen to sign the French forward 12 months ago before he moved to the Bernabeu for around £30million.

And Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano has now said Benzema will be like 'a new signing' next season.

The former Lyon man hardly featured last term, sparking stories he could be on the move again.

But Valdano said: "We do not need more forwards - we scored 102 goals this season and Benzema didn't play much. Next season Karim is like a new signing."

TheSun

 

Player review: Fabio

Injuries hampered Fabio's maiden campaign as a United player, and also disrupted long portions of his 2009/10 season. Nevertheless, a new contract illustrates his status as a bright hope for the future...

Story of the season: Although Fabio's season began in a perfect fashion, completing 90 minutes as a much-changed back four kept a valuable clean sheet against Birmingham City, the Brazilian's second term at United was another stop-start affair, disrupted by a string of minor knocks and strains. Aside from making his Premier League bow against Alex McLeish's Brum, Fabio made four further appearances as second half substitutes against Fulham (home and away), Wigan and Hull, and impressed in his Champions League debut in Moscow. The explosive full-back enjoyed mixed fortunes in cup ties against Leeds, Barnsley and Wolves, receiving a straight red card in the latter, but his campaign ended on a high when he extended his United contract until at least June 2014, prolonging what he sees as: "every young player's dream."

Finest moment: A string of solid displays yielded few glaring highlights, but Fabio saw the funny side of being booked for a foul by his twin brother during the Reds' win at Barnsley. Referee Chris Foy later transferred the booking to Rafael, after United appealed.

What's in store? Plenty. Providing he can stay fit, Fabio has shown himself to be a more than able deputy for Patrice Evra, one of the game's leading left-backs.

Man United head race for free agent Joe Cole

Manchester United have emerged as the new favourites to sign Joe Cole.

Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to have put the Reds into pole position to sign Cole, with United one of three clubs offering the Chelsea play-maker a contract.

Cole will be a free agent when his current Stamford Bridge deal ends on July 1.

But although he has been unable to agree terms with Chelsea, he has been boosted by United’s offer, along with bids from Spurs and Italian giants Juventus

Cole, expected to be named in Fabio Capello’s final 23-man England squad for the World Cup on Tuesday, moved to Chelsea from West Ham in 2003.

At Stamford Bridge he has won three titles, two League Cups, and three FA Cups, and went within a whisker of winning the Champions League two years ago.

But the England midfielder’s bargaining position was weakened by a long injury lay-off and a loss of form last season, despite a stunning goal against United (right).

Chelsea are unwilling to put Cole into the same pay bracket as Frank Lampard and John Terry, leaving him to consider his future.

Spurs had been favourites to land him with boss Harry Redknapp, who worked with Cole at West Ham, able to offer Champions League football.

But Redknapp, who has been monitoring Cole’s situation over the last 18 months, privately fears the player has already opted to move to Old Trafford.

Manchester City had also shown interest but have now switched their attentions to Aston Villa star James Milner.

It leave United as favourites to prise away a player Fergie has admired ever since Cole’s time in the youth ranks at West Ham.

A year ago a Cole exit from Stamford Bridge would have seemed highly unlikely but yesterday Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti gave a hint why he sees the England man as expendable.

The Italian, who led Blues to their first-ever domestic Double last season, seems to believe he has a surplus of players who can do Cole’s job.

“The strength of a team is to have players with fantastic skills and players who can play in different positions on the pitch,” said Ancelotti.

“I have a lot of those – Ivanovic, Malouda, Lampard, Ballack, and Essien. Then there is Anelka, who can play up front or can play wide, Kalou is the same. This is a very important thing because you can change the shape.

“We changed the shape three times this season, without problem. We played the Christmas tree formation at the beginning and we had a lot of advantages. But after 15 games our opponents were able to cover the space between the lines in our team so we changed.

“We used two strikers and one offensive midfielder. Then, after the first half against Fulham at Christmas when we were losing, we changed to use two wingers to open the pitch and use all the space to attack. It is important to surprise your opponents.”

Cole and his Chelsea team-mates Lampard, Terry and Ashley Cole will head off to South Africa in peak condition according to Ancelotti.

Ancelotti (left) believes the tough Premier League programme has left his men battle-hardened, dismissing suggestions that they will be too tired to give their best.

He said: “The tempo of the matches here in England is higher but in Italy there is more pressure on each game so there is more stress. This takes more energy. In England there is less stress than in Italy, so physically you can do better.

“I can speak about my players. Frank Lampard, John Terry, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are fit and physically they will do a fantastic World Cup.”

 

Glazers: United is not for sale

THE GLAZER family have told protesting Manchester United fans they are wasting their breath calling for the club to be sold.

Speculation has grown since the turn of the year about an offer from the Red Knights group aimed at seizing control of the debt-laden Old Trafford outfit.

The Glazers have maintained silence on the issue up to now, despite the growing presence of the green and gold campaign launched by fans in January.

But the American owners have now finally made their feelings public, dismissing talk of a sale out of hand.

A United statement said: "The board noted recent press speculation regarding a possible bid for Manchester United.

"The owners remain fully committed to their long-term ownership of the club. Manchester United is not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers."

United protest will fade and die

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill believes the green and gold movement will die out at Old Trafford.

United fans are attending games in increasing numbers decked out in the colours to protest against the way the Glazers are running the club.

But Gill insists the supporters will eventually realise the American owners are doing a good job.

The 52-year-old said: "The green and gold campaign and the momentum behind it can get a bit tiring.

"We understand people's desire to protest and I think it is a minority. It's a visible minority in the stadium.

"Would we prefer not to have the green and gold scarve? Yes.

"They have a right to protest. A lot of the fans clearly care about the club and that is a strength.

"But a lot of the other fans want to know that the team is playing attractive football, exciting Manchester United-style football, winning football.

"Who owns it is a bit irrelevant to them.

"I think that the green and gold minority will go away. A lot of people understand what it means but a lot of them don't."

Player review: Welbeck

Danny Welbeck offered fans of two clubs more glimpses of his undoubted talent in a season curtailed by a late knee injury...

Story of the season: Danny got his personal campaign underway in the Carling Cup third-round tie against Wolves in September, and wasted little time opening his goal account, scoring the winner in the 1-0 win. A week and a half later he made his only league start of the season in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland. He followed that by coming off the bench against Bolton in the next league game, and 10 days later he was back in the Carling Cup starting line-up. The fourth-round opponents were Barnsley, and again Welbeck was on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win. Next came another little milestone in his fledgling career – his Champions League debut. Danny won’t remember it too fondly, though, as United lost 1-0 at home to Besiktas, surrendering a proud home record in the process. Further starts came against Tottenham in the Carling Cup, Wolfsburg in the Champions League and Leeds in the FA Cup, as well as a couple of Premier League appearances from the bench. After the arrival of Mame Biram Diouf in January, Sir Alex allowed Danny to become his son Darren’s first acquisition for Preston. The loan move went well, with Danny notching twice in his first three games, but a knee injury in March cut short the loan deal and Danny’s season.

Finest moment: The move that led to his goal against Wolves was a masterpiece of attacking precision. Michael Carrick laid the ball into Welbeck, whose touch off to Michael Owen was returned into his path for a crisp one-two. The young marksman made no mistake with the finish, rifling the ball past Marcus Hahnemann into the right corner of the net.

What’s in store? Possibly another loan spell at Preston, where Ferguson Jnr was mighty impressed with his youthful charge, but Danny has repeatedly expressed his desire to break into regular first-team action. Once recovered from his injury, an important pre-season awaits…