Red News - 2/6
I "Red News" får ni senaste nytt ifrån klubben.
Scholes tackar för sig
Det är nu officiellt – Paul Scholes lägger skorna på hyllan och tackar för sig efter många fantastiska år i den röda tröjan. Scholes är, och har varit under hela sin karriär, en förebild. Det handlade aldrig om pengar eller ära, Paul älskar att lira fotboll, och han älskar Manchester United. En sann legend kommer att avtackas för sina tjänster, i augusti, i en s.k. testimonial match. Några kommentarer om Scholes beslut att lägga av med fotbollen och ta sig an en roll som coach i Manchester United:
Dwight Yorke: "I'm very lucky to go up to the training ground and watch him train and the things that he does are fantastic. He made the game look so easy. It's not a surprise [he's becoming a coach] and I can see why Sir Alex wants someone of his experience around the place, with what he's done in the game, and kind of give a lot more of Paul Scholes. We don't see enough of Paul Scholes around the place.
I'm sure with what he's contributed to the game, Sir Alex would love him to pass on that kind of knowledge to the youngsters coming through the ranks. He's taking coaching badges at the moment, hence it's part of the reason why Sir Alex wants him around the place as well."
Wayne Rooney: "He’ll be missed greatly. I just heard the news this morning. We knew he’d make a decision but didn’t think it would be this quick. We’re all sad to see him stop playing. He’s been great for United and England and he’ll be missed by all of us.
He hasn't started that many games of late and I'm sure that’s come into his head and he's made his decision. But he’ll be a big miss for us. He’s the best I’ve played with and against. He’s only small but it’s so difficult to get the ball off him. Every United fan will miss him."
Berbatov kommer att kämpa om en plats i laget
Dimitar Berbatov fanns inte ens med på bänken när United tog sig an Barcelona i Champions League-finalen. Sedan dess har det snackats en del om att bulgaren ska vara på väg bort, men Berbatov har nu gått ut och dementerat dessa rykten.
"To be honest, I was in the dressing room. I watched the final from there. This was embarrassing for me – that I was not included in the group. I didn't want people to see the pain in my eyes.
I will remain at United. I will fight for my place and I will fight for title number 20. If I was a man who gave up easily, I would never be here in the first place. Starting July 4, everything begins all over again – my personal fight to be in the first team, and for United to win more titles.”
Owen får nytt kontrakt
Michael Owen skriver på ett nytt 1-års kontrakt, vilket betyder att han kommer att ha på sig den röda tröjan även nästa säsong. Så här säger Sir Alex och Owen själv om detta:
Sir Alex: "Michael has proved to be a top footballer. It’s unfortunate Michael didn’t get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable. I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season.”
Michael Owen: “I’m delighted to have agreed a one-year extension to my contract. To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration. I can’t wait for next season to start."
Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick & John O’shea om att försvara titeln
Säsongen 2010/11 är nu över, men United-spelarna ser fram emot att försvara titeln nästa säsong.
Michael Carrick: "When we've got the trophy, we don't want to let it go. We'll enjoy the summer but we're very, very determined to keep hold of it this time."
Ryan Giggs: “That's what this club is about - not standing still but moving forward and hopefully having a successful season next year."
John O'Shea: "We've been getting to finals and been successful and the key is looking at the examples we've got in Giggsy and the manager wanting to improve all the time. Hopefully, they'll keep going. It [the break] will go very quickly as it has always done and I can't wait to get back and defend our title."
Fletcher – “Fansen lyfte oss”
Trots en tung förlust mot Barcelona i lördags, så mår spelarna bättre utav fansens stöd. I måndags firades det i Manchester trots besvikelsen två dagar innan.
Darren Fletcher: "The lads loved the parade. Even though it’s raining, the turn-out is fantastic. Obviously a few of the lads were down after Saturday when we met up this morning but the fans have picked us up.
This is my first parade like this. I remember watching the one in 1999 and thinking how amazing it was. I can’t believe the turn-out. The lads are really surprised and genuinely humbled by this turn-out. It makes us realise again what great fans we’ve got.
The boss told us to enjoy ourselves and remember we’ve won the league, the 19th title. We also got to the Champions league final and it’s been a fantastic season. Ultimately the last game was a disappointment and that’s the one you tend to remember but I think today is going to see us out on a high. I think we have just gone away after the Champions League final then the lads would have been really down. It’s given us another boost and a reminder of how good it is to win the league.
There’s always pressure. It’s expected every year. These fans expect it and we’ve got to rise to those expectations as individuals and as a team. We want to win it again, we want to keep achieving. It’s nice to relax now. It’s been a long season and the lads have got a few knocks. It’s nice to recharge your batteries. But, after a couple of weeks, I’m sure we’ll be itching to get back as we always are."
Dave Herman om Uniteds USA-tour
Dave Herman är marknadsförings-chef för One United USA, och så här säger han om Uniteds försäsongs tour i USA.
“I think it [the Barcelona game] has the potential to be the best game on the tour, given the star power on the field and the fact there’s a huge Barcelona contingent in Washington DC. I expect the stadium to be split 50/50, like a cup final. But each game has its own appeal, hence why many people I know are travelling across America to see all five matches.
Boston is a great town – I’m a huge Red Sox fan – and because it’s the first game, we could see new players making their debut and the new kit being worn for the first time. The launch of a new kit is a big thing for sports culture in our country.
There’s also a huge base of United supporters in Chicago, and I know a vast number of people from all over America who’ll be making the pilgrimage to that game.
Then, before the Barcelona game, it’s the MLS All-Star game at the Red Bulls Arena. The atmosphere will be great there, with all the New York Reds attending, and there’s even a possibility of David Beckham playing against United, which could be another highlight."
Övrigt
Michael Carrick åkte på en skada i tisdags och kommer därför inte att delta i Englands möte med Schweiz på lördag. Även Darron Gibson skadade sig under veckan och kommer att missa Irlands match mot Makedonien.
Den unga Manchester United målvakten Sam Johnstone höll nollan för Englands U-19 när de besegrade Montenegro med uddamålet.
