Fergie Backs Howard Webb

 Sir Alex Ferguson has no doubt in his mind that referee Howard Webb got both crucial decisions correct as Manchester United beat Liverpool on Sunday. The United chief spoke out following his side's narrow 1-0 win, a game which had the Liverpool camp in uproar because of a penalty awarded after just a few seconds of the game starting and the sending off of Steve Gerard for a two footed lunge. "It was a penalty," said Sir. "Dimitar says he was definitely clipped. The replay shows he slightly touched him but the momentum is enough to bring the player down. "There is no reason for him to go down anyway. He is not that kind of player. "He is on the by-line, he is in the penalty box. I think it was right. "As for the sending off, there was no doubt. "It was two-footed and he was off the ground. "Steven Gerrard is not that type of player but it was a reckless challenge. I don't think he left the referee with any option."

Kuszczak: I can be Fergie's new No. 1!

Tomasz Kuszczak is determined to prove he can replace Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United's new first-choice goalkeeper.

Van der Sar announced last month that he intends to retire at the end of the season, leaving one of the most demanding jobs in the game up for grabs.
It took Sir Alex Ferguson 11 attempts to find an adequate replacement for Peter Schmeichel when the great Dane left Old Trafford in 1999, leaving the United manager to lament why he did not snap up Van der Sar in the first place as he had intended.
Now Ferguson is facing a similar problem. One potential replacement has already been signed following the arrival of Denmark international Anders Lindegaard from Aalesund and there is plenty of speculation a bigger name could follow, with Germany duo Rene Adler and Manuel Neuer amongst those mentioned, along with Dutch World Cup star Maarten Stekelenburg.
However, Kuszczak believes he provides a much more starightforward solution to Ferguson's goalkeeping dilemma, and after starting United's past three games in a row - the first time he has done so in 12 months - the Polish custodian says he has what it takes to be United's new No. 1.
"Every game is massive for me,'' Kuszczak said. "I want to show that I can take over from Edwin. For us young players, we have to be ready. When we play, we must play very well.''
Kuszczak can certainly be satisfied with the part he has played in three successive wins, which have cemented United's position at the top of the Premier League, while also booking an FA Cup fourth-round meeting with Southampton in three weeks' time - a game in which he is almost certain to feature.
"There has been all this speculation about my future but I am hopeful I can play more,'' Kuszczak said. "There has always been competition for this club and there always will be.
"This is how football works. I intend to do well all the time when I get a chance to play. That is what would give me a future at United.''

By ESPNsoccernet staff

60M for Vidic, Gerrard and Hernandez Madrid?

Not for the first time, Real Madrid are rumoured to be lining up an audacious swoop for some of the Premiership’s top players. Jose Mourinho is said to be lining up summer moves for Manchester United pair Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez, and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.
Of course, Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish will be all too aware of the consequences for their respective sides should Madrid be successful in their pursuit, although it has to be said that this is not the first time these three players have been linked with a move to the Spanish capital.
Gerrard and Vidic were courted by Real last summer, and Hernandez’s impressive start to his United career has also caught the eye of Madrid chairman, Florentino Perez. Unfortunately for the English clubs, when los Bandidos from Madrid set their sights on a player, they almost always get their man.
However, if Madrid’s scouts were watching the FA Cup tie yesterday, they must have been disappointed: Vidic didn’t play, Hernandez was a peripheral figure, and Gerrard got himself sent off! Nevertheless, Real are willing to offer £20m for each player, and will no doubt be their usual arrogant selves in assuming Liverpool and United will find their advances impossible to turn down.
Should they be confident?

Well, as far as Hernandez goes, probably not. This is only his first season in the top flight, and although talented he is still far from the finished article. Moreover, he seems genuinely delighted to be playing in the Premiership, rather than seeing it as a mere stepping stone to a future in La Liga.
Yet can we be so certain about Vidic and Gerrard? The two club captains should be the last players likely to leave, but it’s no secret that Vidic’s wife has wanted him to move to Spain for years now, and although he recently signed a new contract at Old Trafford, he could still be tempted by the promise of a new challenge and a bit of peace from Mrs Vidic.
United wouldn’t give him up easily, but a cash plus Pepe swap deal might just make them think.
As for Gerrard, we know that Mourinho is a huge admirer, having tried to sign him last summer for Madrid and in 2004 for Chelsea. Jose is keen to bolster his midfield owing to Fernando Gago’s continued problems with injuries, and the inconsistency of the two Diarras, Mahamadou and Lassana.
Of course, Gerrard is committed to his club, but times are changing at Anfield. Former talisman Fernando Torres is almost certainly on his way out, and the club will undergo an extensive rebuilding process which could mean years without challenging for a trophy.
A move to Real Madrid, the chance to link up with former midfield foil Xabi Alonso, to be managed by the only man who ever made him think seriously about leaving Liverpool… all this is not to be taken lightly, and Gerrard may have a tough decision to make come June: to be part of shaping his club’s future, or to be part of another generation of Galacticos?
That could be two targets out of three for Real… and they’ll be prepared to wait for Hernandez, too.

CAVANI MOVE TALK REJECTED

Edinson Cavani's agent has rejected rumours linking the Napoli star with a big-money move away from the club.
Recent reports have suggested Chelsea are lining up a move for the Uruguayan following his stunning hat-trick against Juventus at the weekend.
Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Cavani in the past, but the player's agent, Claudio Anellucci, insists there is nothing in the rumours and that the South American is happy in Naples.
"The market offers? Everything is ridiculous," Anellucci told Radio Kiss Kiss.
"These rumours, in addition to being absolutely groundless, are useful only to destabilise the player and the environment.
"Cavani, I repeat, wants Napoli and Napoli want Cavani. Nothing more."
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims he would turn down a bid worth 50million euros for Cavani.
De Laurentiis is keen to keep Cavani and has no plans to sell him whatever offers come in for him
"I wouldn't even sell him for €50m," said De Laurentiis. "I would say 'no' if Manchester City wanted him."

Pogba gets United youngsters going

Manchester United’s youngsters followed the seniors’ lead with 3-2 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Youth Cup third round.

After Sunday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool, the Reds’ kids were on song in a competition in which they have enjoyed little success since defeating Middlesbrough in the 2003 final.

United may have claimed the prize of a fourth-round trip to West Ham United on Wednesday week, but it could have been different had Pompey made the most of two early chances at Moss Lane.

The Reds slowly took control and once Paul Pogba had lashed home the opener from 25 yards in the 29th minute their passage to next round looked assured.

Pompey keeper Tom Fry helped Larnell Cole’s corner into the net for United’s second in the 59th minute and William Keane added the third two minutes later. Ryan Williams grabbed two late Pompey goals.

UNITED: Johnstone, M Keane (Lingard 76), Blackett, Thorpe, Fornasier (Massacci 76), Tunnicliffe, Cole (Fryers 76), Pogba, Cofie, W Keane, van Velzen. Subs: Jacob (Gk), Hendrie

Clubs line up for Brown swoop?

 Wes Brown is on the wanted list of a group of Premier League clubs looking to boost their defences this January.

It could mean a temporary or permanent departure from United for the Mancunian.

Potential employers have been monitoring the 31-year-old’s lack of first-team opportunities with the Reds this season.

The Longsight-born player can operate at right-back or    central defence and Tottenham, Sunderland, Blackburn, Everton, Birmingham and Newcastle are keeping tabs on him.

Brown broke into Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad as a teenager in 1998 but appears to have fallen out of favour this campaign.

He has started just five matches and two of those were as an experienced head in under-strength Carling Cup teams against Scunthorpe United and Wolves.

The only time his name has been on Fergie’s starting team sheet for a Premier League match was in the November home fixture against Wolves and his last appearance was as a sub in the 4-0 Carling Cup defeat  West Ham at Upton Park last month.

For a man who was a strong candidate for a place in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad in South Africa before breaking a bone  in his foot last March, his current United status represents the kind dramatic fall from grace that must be hard to stomach.

Vidic warning for United's title rivals

Nemanja Vidic has warned Manchester United's Premier League rivals that the Reds are just about to hit form.

There have been highlights for Sir Alex Ferguson's men - chiefly the seven-goal mauling of Blackburn in November, a thrilling win over Liverpool and a disciplined display against Arsenal.

But most results this term have been ground out, with valuable points gained at Sunderland and Aston Villa, plus a scrambling success at West Brom on New Year's Day compensating for late disappointments at Fulham, Everton and Birmingham.

However, as they approach Sunday's eagerly-awaited trip to Tottenham, United remain unbeaten, knowing they will have to lose twice for nearest challengers Manchester City and Arsenal to muscle their way back into contention.

Little wonder there is a growing feeling at Old Trafford that this could be the season when Sir Alex Ferguson's side register that record 19th league title.

"We definitely have a positive feeling," Vidic told Inside United.

"We know that up until the win over Blackburn we hadn't performed as well as we can.

"But from my experience, this sort of time is when we usually come into good form.

"We all want to win the trophy. Last season was very disappointing.

"We just need to keep pushing hard and playing well. If we do that, we have a good chance of regaining it."

There may still be doubt over whether the Serbian will be facing United old-boy David Beckham at White Hart Lane this weekend, but he accepts it will be a tough challenge against one of the most improved sides in what he insists is a tougher league than ever before.

"The quality has improved," he said.

"We saw last season how competitive the league is and it's been even more so this year.

"Sides such as Tottenham and Manchester City have raised their games, whilst other teams understand they have to improve if they want to stay in the league because it is so competitive. They have done that.

"It is a physically strong league and players have raised their game in that way too."