Giggs is certain United will beat barca this time

Giggs - Barca can be beaten

United veteran feels they have learnt their lessons from past defeats

Giggs: Is confident United are capable of beating Barcelona if the two teams meet again this season

 

Ryan Giggs insists it is not 'impossible' to beat Barcelona and is confident Manchester United can learn the lessons from recent defeats by the European champions.

United beat Barca over two legs in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2008 before going on to win the final courtesy of a penalty shoot-out success over Chelsea.

However, the Red Devils were soundly beaten by Barca in Rome in the 2009 final before again being outclassed by the Spanish giants in last season's showpiece at Wembley.

Veteran midfielder Giggs acknowledges the difficulty of overcoming Pep Guardiola's side, but feels United are capable of concocting a plan to win if they meet again.

Confidence

"It's difficult, as they're such a good team, but it's not impossible," Giggs told MUTV. "Teams have beaten them, and we beat them three years ago when they were not too different back then.

"What they've got now is more experience and confidence from winning things that they didn't have back then.

"We've got to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm sure we can, with the players we have here and the hunger to win things."
Ryan Giggs Quotes of the week

"We've got to overcome that if we come up against them again. We'll be confident we can beat them if we do.

"We've got to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm sure we can, with the players we have here and the hunger to win things."

However, Giggs revealed that the impact of May's mauling by Barca was softened by securing a record-breaking 19th top-flight title last season.

Perspective

The Welshman added: "I think everyone was disappointed about the Champions League final. The manager did a great job putting things into perspective as United fans wanted the 19th title so much.

"There are people who grew up, similar to myself, and who are older, who thought we'd never surpass Liverpool.

"So it was a mixture of the disappointment of the Champions League final but also savouring what was a great achievement in being able to catch Liverpool and overtake them in such a short space of time.

"Everyone was gutted about the Barcelona game, but it is a great achievement to surpass a record that, 20 years ago, no-one would ever have foreseen."

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Ferguso brings up 25yrs in charge of united on Nov 6

No retirement plans for Fergie has no plans for retirement

United manager looks back at time in charge at Old Trafford

• Ferguson: Not sure who will eventually replace him but has no intention of leaving just yet

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Manchester United in the near future as he considers who might one day become his successor.

Ferguson will bring up 25 years in charge of United on 6th November, before celebrating his 70th birthday at the end of December.

He planned to stand down almost a decade ago but changed his mind and has not looked back since, leading the Red Devils to another period of success.

The debate about who should eventually replace Ferguson has raged for years, and the man himself believes it would have to be somebody with great experience.

"I think you would need someone very experienced in the long term. But I have absolutely no idea... first of all, I'm not retiring."

Sir Alex Ferguson on his possible successor Quotes of the week

But the Scot feels it is virtually impossible to predict the identity of the next manager, as a host of names have been linked with the role in the past.

At various times, Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren, Mark Hughes, Martin O'Neill and a host of top continental bosses have been connected with the post.

Current favourite to replace Ferguson is Jose Mourinho, although a mounting disciplinary crime sheet at Real Madrid is not helping his cause.

Yet, speaking to the Italian media at an awards ceremony at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Ferguson confirmed he is going nowhere.

He said: "Over the years I've had the question who do I think could replace me? Now in those years, some of the coaches they were talking about to replace me don't have jobs anymore.

"So it becomes very difficult because someone who I think has potential may be sacked by his club and disappear.

"I think you would need someone very experienced in the long term. But I have absolutely no idea... first of all, I'm not retiring."

Greatest challenge

Asked about his own journey to becoming a football legend, Ferguson heaped praise on United for allowing him the time to build something special.

"When I arrived, my greatest challenge was to go back to the successes of the past, the time of Matt Busby," he explained in Corriere dello Sport.

"Obviously it takes time. At first I was not prepared for this change: I had to start from scratch, creating the foundations of a football club.

"I was very conscious of this, but I could not change my philosophy, I could not give up the ideas I believed.

"So I started like I did at Aberdeen, with young players. It gives enormous pleasure to prepare a young man and see him play in the Premier League, then in the national team, following his growth.

"I am fortunate to have worked with Bobby Charlton, he had been before me and knew what really was Manchester United.

"He fully supported my desire to grow young talent from the beginning. His unconditional support was my luck in England where, as elsewhere in the world, if you lose three games you're out.

"I could work on the foundation, then gradually came all the champions who everyone knows. And then came our first trophy."

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FergUSON beleives ROONEY is the white PELE

Boss says striker is the 'very best of British' 

 

Ferguson: United boss believes Rooney is the 'white' Pele

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney should be talked about in the same breath as legendary Brazilian forward Pele.

As the Red Devils prepare to take on Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, the Portuguese side's coach Jorge Jesus spoke about Rooney being 'more Brazilian or Argentinian' than English.
And now Ferguson has made his own comparisons.
"Look at Pele," he said. "He was a very aggressive attacker as well who could look after himself. So can Rooney. There are similarities that way in strength, speed and determination.
"But he is white, completely white."

Great qualities

Ferguson believes Rooney's desire, work ethic and talent stands him apart from any other player in the Premier League, having scored eight times in four games, which he claims makes him the very best of British.
"Wayne is a typical British player. But there have been British players who have great qualities that made them great players.
"(Paul) Gascoigne, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.
"The similarities are that the boy has great courage. He wants to play all the time. He has incredible stamina. These are added extras to the talent he has."

• Benfica v Man. Utd Hat Trick: Wayne Rooney 25/1

Man city kompany takes CAPTAIN as a honour

MAN CITY Vincent Kompany won't change

Skipper stick to his behaviour asusal....

 

 

Kompany: Honoured to be captain but feels he has always been a leading figure at City

 

Vincent Kompany admits it is an 'honour' to be Manchester City captain, but has reiterated he does not expect the role to alter his behaviour with his team-mates.

Belgium international Kompany was handed the armband at the start of the season due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of former skipper Carlos Tevez.
Argentine striker Tevez ultimately failed to secure a move away from City before the transfer window closed, but Roberto Mancini has stuck with Kompany as his captain.
The former Hamburg stopper has always been a strong character and a steadying influence at the centre of defence and he does not expect to change.

Leading figure

"It is an honour for me but it doesn't change my role in the club," said Kompany.
"I have always been a leading figure and wearing the armband shouldn't have any effect on how you behave towards the group."
Meanwhile, fellow defender Pablo Zabaleta admits City need to improve following a 1-1 home draw with Napoli in their opening UEFA Champions League game.
Edinson Cavani gave Napoli the lead before Aleksandar Kolarov levelled with a free-kick, and Zabaleta feels City need to adjust to playing against a higher standard of opponent.
"That is something we need to improve and try to correct. We need to keep strong as a team and try to improve," said Zabaleta.
"In the Premier League it is different to the Champions League, where you have the best teams in Europe.
"We know we have a good team with quality and we have shown we have chances this year to win trophies."

• Fulham v Man. City Win to Nil: Man. City 13/8

Chelsea new boy mata is in for barca and real madrid

Mata aware of European dream

Chelsea is fully ready for Barcelona and Real Madrid says Winger

 

 

Mata: Aware of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's dream of winning the Champions League

 

Chelsea new boy Juan Mata says he is 'very much aware' of owner Roman Abramovich's dream to win the UEFA Champions League.

Mata joined Chelsea on a five-year contract from Valencia last month and he has been quick to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
The winger scored against Norwich City on his debut and was also on target in the 2-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen in the opening Champions League group game in midweek.
It is Europe's premier club competition that Mata was mainly recruited to help the Blues win, with billionaire owner Abramovich continuing to bankroll the club's attempt to realise his ultimate dream.
"I'm very much aware of this," said Mata.

Very important

"Chelsea is a team that gives their all when it comes to any title and any competition.

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"The Champions League is obviously very important and it's something that's very attractive to us.
"But we're also very interested in the Premier League and any other competitions that we take part in."
Landing the Champions League appears to be more difficult than ever, especially with Barcelona and Real Madrid looking to have improved even further this season.
Mata knows all about trailing in the wake of Spain's big two from his time at Valencia but he insisted they were not invincible.
"Real Madrid and Barcelona have been doing well and growing very, very much in the last few years," Mata said.
"They have been doing very well in the Champions League as well. But I think there are a number of other teams right now that could create some problems for them.
"I would mention Chelsea as one of those teams and this is a very difficult competition that we're in right now, so I think everyone has a chance."
Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda are in the Chelsea TV studio this Friday ahead of the big game against Manchester United on Sunday, for more details click here.

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former arsenal febregas still have feelings for his team

24 yrs old fabregas denies Arsenal criticism

Midfielder says he wanted the best for his former club

 

 

Fabregas: Has denied giving an interview in which he criticised Arsenal's trophy prospects

 

Cesc Fabregas has denied criticising Arsenal after he was quoted as saying he doubted his former club's prospects of winning the Premier League or UEFA Champions League in the near future.

The midfielder left the Gunners during the summer to rejoin boyhood club Barcelona after six years without winning a trophy at Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas was joined in leaving Arsenal by Samir Nasri, who moved to Premier League rivals Manchester City in order to win 'big trophies'.
In an interview carried by Sport magazine, Fabregas also questioned Arsenal's chances of enjoying success due to their inability to compete financially with England's other big clubs.
However, the 24-year-old has denied making such comments and has reiterated that he would never say a bad word about his old club.

Not professional

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He posted on his Twitter account: "Id never speak 1 bad word abt AFC, here there's once more prove that so many people put in newspaper wtv they want and its not professional.
"I want Arsenal to be successful as much as every single fan. Thats not why i left, it was never in my mind. AFC made me who i am today.

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"And nobody will ever change that. I never gave any interview away since my press conference at my presentation and there i just said the truth and what came out of my heart. Great words abt this great football club cause that just what they deserve: success and trophies.
"People can hate me 4 leaving or remember that i gave my all for the club. But me talking 1 bad word or saying smthng against AFC will not seen."
Fabregas was quoted by Sport magazine as having said: "I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal.
"I still have many feelings for Arsenal, but I fear that they won't be able to push the other big clubs in England away.
"If you look at the team this season I can't see them finishing in front of teams like Manchester United or [Manchester] City, or Chelsea. There's just too big a difference between the squads.
"I respect that Arsenal don't have the same financial opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League in the near future."

Reds boss is not taking a rush on gerrard's return

Kenny won't rush Gerrard return

Reds boss have not taken a decision on the return of Gerrard

Dalglish: Not rushing Gerrard back into first-team action

 

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish insists he will not rush Steven Gerrard back into action, while Glen Johnson has been ruled out of Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

Reds skipper Gerrard has been unavailable so far this season due to an ongoing groin injury.
The 31-year-old has not played for club or country since March after undergoing surgery on the problem.
It was suggested the trip to White Hart Lane was earmarked as Gerrard's return to the squad, but Dalglish is refusing to make any decision on the midfielder's long-awaited return.
"Obviously Steven is progressing well. Martin Kelly is back in training too. Fabio (Aurelio) is also close to coming back and joining us," said Dalglish.

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Analyse

Asked if the skipper would feature against Tottenham or Brighton in the Carling Cup next week, Dalglish added: "We'll pick and choose when is best for Steven.
"We'll decide which game suits him best. We'll analyse his progress like we do with everybody. We'll do the same for Martin Kelly.
"Everybody that is asked to play will be fit enough to play. We'll just wait and see - there is no rush. We've just got to use common sense."
Johnson is waiting to find out the full extent of his new hamstring injury after he suffered a relapse of the problem when appearing as a late substitute in the defeat to Stoke last weekend.
"We've only got Glen Johnson (out) really," noted Dalglish. "We are just waiting for some test results to come back. We'll take it on from there."