Rooney insists confidence is high

Wayne Rooney says the United squad is flying high after last weekend's dramatic derby victory at Eastlands - and Tottenham's defeat of Chelsea - threw the title race wide open again.

Rooney, speaking in an exclusive interview with the matchday programme, United Review, says to have gone from within seconds of being out of the title race to it being "back on" has given everyone at Old Trafford a boost.

"It was a great weekend," he says. "To beat City in the last minute was fantastic, and then Tottenham went and made the day even better for us by beating Chelsea.

"The title race is back on and it’s now between us and Chelsea. We need to win our three games and hope Chelsea slip up somewhere.

"But we’re feeling confident. The win over City has definitely helped and I think you could tell what it meant tous by looking at the celebrations after the final whistle."

United face Tottenham, Sunderland and Stoke, while Chelsea face Tony Pulis' men, Liverpool and Wigan in the climax to incredible season.

"We’re fully focused on getting nine points from our final three games, that’s all we can do," says Wayne.

"Then if Stoke, Liverpool or Wigan can do us a favour then we’d be very grateful! But all we can do is just win our games and hope for the best."

Read the full interview with Wayne Rooney in Saturday's matchday programme.

23/04/10 - ManUtd.Com
 

Brazil ace eyes Man Utd move

Brazil international Luis Fabiano has hinted he could be interested in a move to Manchester United.

The 29-year-old Sevilla striker, who will spearhead Brazil's World Cup campaign this summer, has one year left on his contract with the Primera Division club.

"If you are asking me what team I most admire it is Manchester United," he is quoted as saying in Friday morning's Daily Express. "If you play under Sir Alex Ferguson then you are probably going to win a title or another major trophy."

Luis Fabiano has won two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla, for whom he has scored 90 goals in 187 games.

Fletcher: Pressure is on Chelsea

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea are beginning to feel the strain as the race for the Barclays Premier League title reaches a climax.

With only three games remaining United are point adrift following the late, late derby victory against Manchester City. United will go back to the top on Saturday should they beat a Spurs side aiming to claim a Champions League slot. Chelsea are not in action until the following day against Stoke.

"They are the team leading the league and all the pressure is on them. We are just taking care of ourselves," said Fletcher.

"They were in a situation where they might have felt they could have pulled away and be in a real strong position but they are not.

"We never thought it had gone but is was a disappointing time after the Blackburn game. It was an uphill struggle but it just shows you in one weekend things can change."

Paul Scholes' stoppage-time winner in the derby not only gave United bragging rights but more importantly revived their bid for a record fourth successive crown.

Fletcher said: "Winning that game gave Tottenham something to play for and they did us a favour.

"We are a point behind now. All we can do is win our games. That's all we can do. Whatever happens happens.

"There have been some strange results all season. No one has really put a run together and that is credit to the league. The teams are getting stronger."

 

24/04/10 - Mirrorfootball.co.uk

 

 

Fergie is Dim the Hunt for klaas

KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR could be heading to Manchester United in a sensational swap deal with Dimitar Berbatov.

AC Milan bigwig Adriano Galliani has acknowledged the possibility of the Dutch international moving to the Premier League but remained coy on the future of Bulgarian flop Berba.

Milan vice-president Galliani said: "When Klaas was at Real Madrid, he had the chance to go to England, Germany or Italy, and he chose Milan. But England could be a future solution.

"I have read about our interest in Berbatov and I have nothing to add."

SunSport revealed this week United boss Alex Ferguson was looking to offload Berbatov, who has scored just a dozen goals this season, to the Italian outfit.

23/04/10 - Thesun.co.uk

Ferdinand and Brown back for United

Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown have given Manchester United a double boost ahead of Saturday's huge clash with Tottenham by returning to full fitness.

Ferdinand, who missed last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester City with a groin problem, has resumed full training and is ready to start against Spurs.

And Brown, who has not played since suffering a broken metatarsal against Wolves on March 6, has made a full recovery and is available for selection.

United can go top of the table ahead of Chelsea with a lunchtime win at Old Trafford, with Chelsea not playing Stoke at Stamford Bridge until the following day.

Victory over Spurs would once again pile the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's men, who went down 2-1 at White Hart Lane last weekend following United's last-gasp win over City.

United midfielder Michael Carrick admitted he will not be able to watch Chelsea's game against Stoke because of his anxiety over what is at stake.

"I can't watch games," said Carrick. "You can't control the match, which makes it really hard. Sometimes it's better to take your mind off it and just get the result after it's all over

 

22/04/10 - Mirrorfootball.co.uk