[g]lobe Trekker

Socrates (1954-2011)

2011-12-05T09:03:00.001+08:00

The Doctor who prescribed football with backheels and a touch of rock 'n' roll

2011-12-05T09:00:00.001+08:00

He looked more like a rock star than a footballer, with a towering awkward frame, straggly hair - and, of course, the beard.

The 1980s image of Brazil midfielder Socrates is still plastered across retro T-shirts today, a la his hero Che Guevara, and his effect on a generation who fell in love with the Samba Boys is almost as revolutionary.

Tall order: Socrates (right) shakes hands with Argentina skipper Daniel Passarella ahead of their match at the 1982 World Cup finals

The Socrates that was taken to Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital last week still wore the same hirsute look, with occasional head band, albeit with greyness that comes with age and a premature frailty that resulted from overindulgence in alcohol.

His death at 57 leaves behind a wife - Katia Bagnarelli - six sons, and a legion of those who witnessed the majesty of Spain '82.

There he captained perhaps the most thrilling team to have been denied the World Cup. After Pele's last title in 1970, Brazil spent a decade in decline until they were saved by the delicious midfield quartet of Falcao, Cerezo, Zico and their skipper.

It was the birth of the free-flowing 4-2-2-2 formation that has seen only minor adjustments for the Canarinhas over the last 30 years.

Socrates scored Brazil's first goal of the tournament - and it has become one of the most replayed in World Cup history.

Trailing to Andriy Bal's opener for the Soviet Union, the No 8 pounced on a poorly cleared corner. Thirty yards from goal, he shimmied past two defenders before launching a long-range effort across the goalkeeper from the edge of the box with 15 minutes to play.

Eder added a similarly spectacular late winner and a legend was born.

Aided by the back-heels and genius pinpoint passing that became Socrates' trademark, Brazil went on to steamroller Scotland, New Zealand and Argentina before succumbing to a man in the form of his life.

Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick in Barcelona as Italy won 3-2 to send Brazil home without a trophy, but with the adulation of millions.

By 1986 Socrates, then 32, had lost the captaincy, Brazil had lost some of their magic, and they were knocked out in the quarter-final by France in what was to be Argentina's year.

Socrates would later say: 'Titles are ephemeral. What matters in football is the passion, regardless of conquests.'

The cerebral son of Belem do Para often sounded more like his ancient Greek namesake than a humble footballer. And away from the game he was a qualified doctor and also a campaigner who named his youngest son Fidel after Cuba's revolutionary president.

The start of career was punctuated by his insistence of practising as a medical student while playing in the Botafogo first team. The unusual career path gave him the nickname O Doutor - The Doctor.
In 1978 he moved from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to join Corinthians, the club with which he became most associated.

Aside from winning the Paulista title three times and earning the South American Footballer of the Year award with them, he also fought for players' rights off the pitch, winning freedoms and a say in club policy that was in contrast to the democracy denied to the wider Brazilian public.

Cool customers: Socrates with Zico relaxing in Mexico at the 1986 World Cup

Brandishing banners and wearing pro-democracy slogans on football shirts was one thing, but Socrates widened his fight in 1984 by joining the Diretas Já campaign, which demanded the direct election of presidents at a time when the country was under an authoritarian military regime.

An unhappy 18 months at Fiorentina in the mid-Eighties was his only spell outside of Brazilian club football until he briefly came out of retirement seven years ago to play for 12 minutes for Garforth Town in the eighth-tier Northern Counties East League.

In recent years he had written on many subjects, as well as turning his hand to colourful football punditry, and was working on a novel inspired by the 2014 World Cup being awarded to his homeland.

When signing up to analyse the Copa America for the Associated Press this year he insisted his musings would not be confined only to football.

'It's not just about the game itself,' he said. 'Before anything, football is a psychological battle - the human aspect plays a significant role.'

Legend: Socrates (left) in his pomp and pulling pints on his famous trip to Garforth in 2004

Yet his medical background did not stop him indulging in vices. He was known as a heavy drinker and smoker, despite insisting less than a fortnight ago that alcohol was his friend rather than an addiction, and that he had been on the wagon for five months.

Socrates' decline was apparent in August when he was taken to hospital with a haemorrhage caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver.

A recurrence of the same problem saw him spend another 17 days in hospital in September and he was in line for a liver transplant.

Last Thursday he was to be admitted to the intensive care unit for the final time, after falling ill during dinner.

The man with 60 caps and 22 international goals died at dawn on the final day of the Brazilian league season, with his beloved Corinthians needing to beat Sao Paulo rivals Palmeiras to be crowned champions.

The game - as all across the home of flamboyant football - will be preceded by a minute's silence in memory of one Brazil's most gifted sons.

The Doctor. Golden Heel. The Big Thin One.

Quite simply, Socrates.

Shattered! My worst day in football, says Fergie, as sensational City destroy United

2011-10-24T08:45:00.000+08:00

Manchester City gave Sir Alex Ferguson the worst day of his football life as they stormed Old Trafford to thrash neighbours United 6-1 in the Barclays Premier League.

On an astonishing afternoon which Ferguson admitted left him ‘shattered’, Roberto Mancini’s rampant team inflicted United’s biggest home defeat since 1955 — and equal biggest since 1927 — as they tore their opponents apart to go five points clear at the top.

The day was a triumph for Mancini and City forward Mario Balotelli, who recovered from setting his house on fire with fireworks early on Saturday to score the decisive opening two goals.

Plenty to ponder: Sir Alex Ferguson was left to reflect on a devastating defeat

Game for a laugh: City manager Roberto Mancini enjoys his side's thrilling performance

Let's all do the Poznan: City fans celebrate their stunning win at the home of their rivals

Ferguson said: ‘It was our worst ever day. It’s the worst result in my history, ever. Even as a player I don’t think I ever lost 6-1. I can’t believe the scoreline.’

Ferguson was hosting a function for his long-serving staff last night in recognition of his 25 years at the club, but he was in no mood for a party.

‘I’m shattered. It’s an incredible disappointment,’ he said.

Shellshocked: United's players were unable to contain a superb City performance

Bad day at the office: Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea conceded six goals

Dry your eyes, mate: A United fans sits dejected at the end of a dreadful match for his team

City led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Balotelli, who celebrated by revealing a T-shirt that said: ‘Why Always Me?’

The turning point came early in the second period, though, when United defender Jonny Evans was sent off. After that City ran away with the game and two goals in added time ensured United suffered their worst home defeat since City thumped them 5-0 in 1955, and equal worst since a 7-1 trouncing by Newcastle in 1927.

Lighting the fuse: Mario Balotelli strikes the ball towards the bottom corner of United's goal

No stopping that: United goalkeeper David De Gea attempts to get across but can't prevent the shot going in

Read all about it: Balotelli (left) celebrates by revealing a t-shirt that read 'why always me?'

Smells like team spirit: The Italian striker's City team-mates mob him after his opening goal

Mancini said: ‘We’ve beaten United away and not many teams do that. I’m happy not because of the 6-1 scoreline — that is important for the supporters and the goals column — I’m more happy for the three points.

‘I don’t know what happened on Friday. The most important thing was that Mario and his friend were OK. He is in a hotel now. Today Mario played very well. If we want to talk about Mario we can put him in the first five players in the world.

‘But he is young and at his age he can make some mistakes.

Seeing red: United defender Jonny Evans (right) is sent off by Mark Clattenburg after fouling Balotelli

‘What did his T-shirt say? Well, that is Mario. But that is why he is so popular with the supporters because he is crazy.

‘But I love him because he is a good guy. I hope the day arrives that he changes his mind completely. When he does that he will become one of the best three players in the world, like Messi, like Ronaldo.’

Having a ball: Argentina striker Aguero celebrates his strike in front of a stunned Old Trafford crowd

Silva service: David Silva celebrates after scoring City's fifth goal to cap another outstanding show

City led 3-0 with 10 minutes left but a goal from Darren Fletcher prompted United to push forward.

Ferguson, who left captain Nemanja Vidic in the stands, said: ‘The first goal was a blow, but that’s retrievable. The sending-off was the killer blow. It’s a perfect result for us to react to because there is a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room which will make an impact.’

Six appeal: Dzeko shows the crowd the score and defender Aleksandar Kolarov celebrates

The scoreboard says it all: The sight many United and City fans thought they'd never see...

Google Earth downloaded more than one billion times

2011-10-06T09:01:00.000+08:00

Steve Jobs - 1955-2011

2011-10-06T08:54:00.003+08:00

apple.com main page on Oct 6, one day after iPhone 4s was announced.

MU 3 - 1 Chelsea - Nani Stars! Torres Misses!

2011-09-20T17:04:00.002+08:00

Rooney misses a penalty, then Torres misses an open goal! This is highly entertaining match of football. United marching on as Chelsea crashed.

Smalling opener...

Nani magical goal...

Rooney scores the 3rd...

and then missed a penalty kick!

but Torres tops it by missing an opened goal!

Benfica 1 - 1 MU

2011-09-15T15:56:00.002+08:00

The so called 'older' United just doesn't cut it any more. Dreadful performances from Fletcher, Carrick, Valncia and Park saw United escape a defeat in Lisbon.

A stunning 42nd-minute equaliser from veteran Ryan Giggs earned United a 1-1 draw in Lisbon after Oscar Cardozo had fired Benfica ahead in their Group C opener.

Bolton 0 Man United 5: Rooney bags another hat-trick in Reebok romp

2011-09-15T15:39:00.001+08:00

Bolton 0 Man United 5: Rooney bags another hat-trick in Reebok romp

By JOE BERNSTEIN

Last updated at 10:54 PM on 10th September 2011

Bolton tried to rough up the champions in traditional fashion and one of their uglier challenges - by Kevin Davies - left young Tom Cleverley with a suspected broken foot, which could keep him out for three months.

Wayne Rooney left the Reebok Stadium clutching another match ball as Manchester United showed that the best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.

But the intimidating approach, while incensing United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, failed to upset his young players.

All together now: Man United continued their excellent form

MATCH FACTS

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles (Pratley 61 mins), Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Petrov, Kevin Davies (Ngog 65 mins), Klasnic (Tuncay 75 mins).

Subs not used: Bogdan, Muamba, Kakuta, Wheater.

Yellow cards: M Davies, K Davies.

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans (Smalling 61 mins), Evra, Nani, Cleverley (Carrick 24 mins), Anderson, Young (Giggs 61 mins), Hernandez, Rooney.

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Berbatov, Park, Fabio.

Scorers: Hernandez 5, 58, Rooney 20, 25, 68.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Attendance: 25,944.

By the time they had torn Bolton apart with a free-flowing masterclass, Owen Coyle's men were left kicking at shadows, thanks to a Rooney hat-trick - to follow the one he scored in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal a fortnight ago - and two goals from Javier Hernandez.

United have scored 18 in their opening four games of the season, a Premier League record and the best by any club in the top flight since Wolves in 1947.

Rooney has eight on his own, more than any other club bar Manchester City. He has now scored seven hat-tricks for United, the same as Sir Bobby Charlton.

And he is only the fourth striker - following Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright and Didier Drogba - to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League era.

Best of all, he is reunited with Hernandez, whose start to the season had been delayed by concussion suffered on tour in the US.

Ferguson said: 'Their partnership was excellent, they were a constant threat and caused our opponents big problems.'

Opener: Wayne Rooney wheels away after scoring his first

Hernandez was just as glowing in his tribute to Rooney.

'Anyone can play with Wayne, he is world-class, he can do anything,' said the Mexican.

Arguably, though, even the two strikers were overshadowed by a peerless display from Phil Jones, usually a centre-half but yesterday shining as a marauding right-back, who set up Rooney's first two goals.

Pea-sy does it: Javier 'Little Pea' Hernandez slides in to score the second

It was the perfect riposte from United, who had to overcome questionable Bolton tactics.

Jones was winded by Paul Robinson in the opening minutes and skipper Davies put Cleverley out of action with a bad challenge from behind, then put his boot down on Patrice Evra's foot.

By that stage, Ferguson was arguing with the fourth official about the lack of protection, but his players ultimately shut Bolton up by outplaying them.

Jav some of that: Hernandez celebrates his first goal

Rooney said: 'We always know Bolton is a difficult place to come. We got an early goal and kicked on. It could have been more. It was my first start with Chicharito and it's great that we both scored.'

The pre-match talk had been of how United's 20-year-old goalkeeper, David de Gea, would cope with an aerial onslaught.

But the real issue was how Bolton were repeatedly opened up by United, with England's goalscoring defender Gary Cahill and veteran goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen as powerless as anyone.

Keeping up with the Jones's: Phil crosses for Rooney's second

United had seen neighbours City go top a couple of hours earlier with a 3-0 win over Wigan, meaning they had to win by three to stay ahead of Roberto Mancini's men.

Five minutes in, the fleet-footed Nani put in a low cross and while Jaaskelainen and Cahill hesitated, Hernandez hooked it in.

All smiles: Rooney and Nani show their delight after the third goal

Bolton's response saw shots by Ivan Klasnic and Mark Davies blocked by Jonny Evans and Rooney. De Gea then palmed away a shot by Klasnic.

But the harder Bolton tackled, the better United became. Mark Davies joined namesake Kevin in the book for flattening Nani, and with alarming gaps developing down Bolton's left, Jones surged forward and crossed for Rooney to score from a few yards.

Top of the league: United leap-frogged rivals Man City

Jones then instigated United's third, cutting in and releasing a shot which hit Jaaskelainen's boot and fell kindly for Rooney to tap in the rebound.

United scored a fourth on the hour mark. Nani could have won a penalty as he was felled in the area but as the ball fell loose to Michael Carrick, his cross-shot was turned in from eight yards by Hernandez.

Double trouble: Hernandez hails his second strike

Former Liverpool striker David Ngog came on for his Bolton debut after 65 minutes but Rooney soon completed his hat-trick, taking a square pass from Nani and burying it first-time low past Jaaskelainen from 18 yards.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: 'There was never five goals between the teams. I thought the margin was hard. But United are ruthless.' He can say that again.

Hat-trick: Rooney celebrates his second trio in two Premier league games

Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2: Crushed and humiliated! Wenger in crisis as Rooney runs riot

2011-09-15T15:37:00.000+08:00

Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2: Crushed and humiliated! Wenger in crisis as Rooney runs riot

By MATT LAWTON

Last updated at 12:49 AM on 29th August 2011

According to Gary Neville, Manchester United used to bully Arsenal physically. This, however, was more brutal than that; a far purer form of sporting torture that left Arsene Wenger and his players not only embarrassed but emasculated.

Arsenal were as bad as United were good, weakened by the absence of so many key players but weak-willed, too.

Where was that defiance and determination we saw only a few days earlier against Udinese? Where, more to the point, were Arsenal?

Here we go: Danny Welbeck (right) lifts the ball over Wojciech Szczesny to open the scoring at Old Trafford

MATCH STATS

Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Nani, Cleverley,
Anderson, Young, Rooney, Welbeck (Hernandez 35).

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Fabio Da Silva.

Scorers: Welbeck, Young, Rooney (3), Nani, Ji-sung

Booked: Evans, Young

Arsenal:Szczesny, Jenkinson, Djourou, Koscielny, Traore, Ramsey, Coquelin, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin.

Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Oxlade Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup,Sunu.

Scorers: Walcott, Van Persie

Booked: Arshavin, Jenkinson.

Sent off: Jenkinson

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Click here for the latest Premier League table, fixtures and results

This looked like a team of imposters who had tied up the real players and emerged from the Old Trafford tunnel in their kit. A team even Wenger conceded had ‘collapsed’.

‘It was painful for us,’ he said, if not a broken man then a severely battered one.

Against a United side seemingly determined to match Manchester City stride for stride, they had no answer.

Inspired by Wayne Rooney, now back to the player he was prior to that ankle injury last year and the scorer of a marvellous hat-trick here yesterday, United were terrific.

Ashley Young was only marginally inferior to Rooney, scoring his first United goals to crown a quite exceptional display on the left wing. But then they were all outstanding yesterday, even if goalkeeper David de Gea managed to take the shine off an otherwise impressive display — including a penalty save — by allowing Theo Walcott to score through his legs.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young side again showed a level of maturity way beyond their tender years. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were superb in central defence; Tom Cleverley and Anderson were just as dominant in midfield.

Danny Welbeck was also growing in stature until a hamstring injury brought his afternoon to a premature end and ruled him out of England’s plans. He had scored the first goal, but when he went off Ferguson was could turn to Javier Hernandez.

Denied: David De Gea saves Robin Van Persie's penalty to keep United in the lead at Old Trafford

Compare that to Wenger’s first substitute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, hugely promising but way out of his depth as a replacement for the equally ineffective Francis Coquelin.

These are the kind of players who highlight the need for Wenger to spend some money — and fast. Yes, there were eight players missing, among them Jack Wilshere, Alex Song and Gervinho. And yes, they lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to richer, more attractive clubs.

Peach: Ashley Young curls the ball home to double United's advantage as they take control against Arsenal

But Wenger has to add strength and quality, if only to prevent more goals like Welbeck’s opener being conceded. Can you imagine Tony Adams or Sol Campbell bouncing off the young English striker the way Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny did here? They really did not look fit to wear the shirt, so pathetic were their attempts to win the ball.

Three and easy: Wayne Rooney bends home a free kick to put United three up against Arsenal

Wenger said Park Chu-young, the South Korean striker, would soon be arriving from Monaco. But he needs a Gary Cahill at the back and he needs a defensive midfielder too.

Back in it? Theo Walcott celebrates his goal but his joy was short lived as United soon took command again

United were as in control as Arsenal were out of control yesterday, with Andrey Arshavin lucky to escape with a yellow card for a shocking challenge on Jones and players arguing. Carl Jenkinson, eventually sent off for a second booking, was severely reprimanded by Walcott for allowing Patrice Evra to burst clear.

Who's a clever boy? Rooney of celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with team mate Anderson

It was moments after their exchange that Welbeck got the 22nd-minute opener, shrugging off those challenges from the Arsenal centre halves to meet a delightful chip forward from Anderson with a header that looped over the advancing Wojciech Szczesny.

Within five minutes, Arsenal had the opportunity to equalised. Evans pulled down Walcott in the box and Howard Webb invited Robin van Persie to score from the penalty spot, but the Arsenal captain’s effort was poor and De Gea made a save that had the home supporters singing his name.

Five star: Nani salutes the crowd after putting United further in front against Arsenal

The miss proved all the more painful because of what followed two minutes later; a stunning 22-yard shot from Young that curled into the top corner.

Joy of six: Park Ji-sung (right) piles on the misery for Arsenal with yet another goal

Rooney made it three with another curling strike from a free-kick, his 150th goal for United. That Walcott then replied seconds before the break with a shot that De Gea should have dealt with did little to ease the sense that Arsenal were being annihilated.

Hat-trick hero: Rooney slots home a penalty to score his third, and United's seventh

Seeing red: Carl Jenkinson (left) is sent off after fouling Javier Hernandez

Rooney scoring United’s fourth goal by employing the exact same free-kick routine in the 63rd minute must have been all the more galling. There was worse to come.

Nani beat Szczesny in the 67th minute with an outrageous chip — again Rooney was the creator — before sub Park Ji-sung shared a one-two with Young before driving home low for 6-1.

There was a brief riposte in the form of a volley from Van Persie.

Jenkinson was the provider of that but he then earned Arsenal’s third red card of the season for a foul on Hernandez.

When Walcott, now at right-back, then brought down Evra, Rooney completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, Young making it eight with a goal almost identical to his first in second-half stoppage time.

Afterwards, Wenger requested ‘more time’ before being written off as a spent force, and he has certainly earned it.

He also deserves more support from members of the Arsenal hierarchy, who had disappeared from the Old Trafford directors’ box long before referee Webb brought an end to the torture on the pitch.

Wenger needs to bring in reinforcements, if only to ease the suffering.

MU 8 - 2 Arsenal - Yes! It is true

2011-09-15T15:26:00.002+08:00

Wayne Rooney led Manchester United to a spectacular eight-goal demolition of Arsenal on a day the champions answered an emphatic title statement from Manchester City.

It was a classic case of anything you can do, we can do better. First City, inspired by four-goal Edin Dzeko, thumped Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane.

Then United responded by thrashing Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford to overtake City at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

All smiles: Wayne Rooney stole the show on a spectacular day for Manchester United

Rooney grabbed a hat-trick for United - on a day that established Manchester as the powerbase of English football - to inflict the heaviest defeat on Arsenal since 1896 and pile more pressure on under-fire boss Arsene Wenger.

'The performance today was incredible and we deserved the result,' Rooney said. 'Whether or not Arsenal have a full-strength squad every time we play them we have a go and try to score. They had some players out but that should take nothing away from us.'

Rooney also reached a landmark 150 goals for the club, continuing a trend against the Gunners.

'A lot of my milestone goals have come against Arsenal,' he added. 'My first goal when I was at Everton was against them and my first United goal in the Premier League came against them too.'

But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sounded apologetic for increasing his rival’s misery.

Landmark: Rooney's goals took him above 150 for Manchester United

He said: ‘We could easily have had more goals, but, to be honest, I didn’t want to score more than eight. I was more than satisfied with the outcome.

‘Arsenal were very weakened, but you still have to do the job, which we did with some fantastic goals.’

The result appeared to take its toll on Wenger, who looked drained but vowed to fight on.

He is about to wrap up the £3million signing of Monaco striker Park Chu-young but seemed on the point of despair over a collective failure to strengthen in other areas, with time running out before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

‘I am very open to the idea of finding the right players and there is money,’ said Wenger, who denied trying to sign Everton’s Mikel Arteta.

MU 3 Spurs 0 - Welbeck Stars!

2011-08-23T07:42:00.001+08:00

After securing £40million in sponsor ship from a certain logistics company, this was probably a night when Manchester United needed to deliver.

And it was the timing of the delivery that would have pleased Sir Alex Ferguson most.

Heads I win: Welbeck opens the scoring for United on the hour

MATCH FACTS

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): De Gea 6; Smalling 6, Evans 7, Jones 7, Evra 6; Nani 6, Cleverley 7 (Giggs 81min), Anderson 7, Young 7 (Park 81); Rooney 8, Welbeck 7 (Hernandez 81).
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Berbatov, Carrick, Fabio da Silva.
Scorers: Welbeck 61, Anderson 76, Rooney 87.
Booked: Evans.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-1-1): Friedel 8; Walker 6 (Corluka 46, 6), Kaboul 6, Dawson 7, Assou-Ekotto 7; Lennon 6, Livermore 6 (Huddlestone 74, 6), Kranjcar 6 (Pavlyuchenko 74, 6), Bale 5; Van der Vaart 7; Defoe 6.
Subs not used: Gomes, Jenas, Bassong, Townsend.
Booked: Dawson, Defoe.
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney.
Referee: Lee Probert 6.
Attendance: 75,498.

The fact that on an evening when United's manager urged supporters to once again put their trust in a fresh crop of young players, those players proved their worth.

A relatively meaningless end-of-season game at Hull aside, two-and-a-half years ago, this was the youngest United team to have appeared in a Barclays Premier League encounter.

But Ferguson anticipated that there might be some concern among the Old Trafford masses and tackled the issue in his programme notes.

Conscious, clearly, that he might not land his principal transfer target of the summer in Wesley Sneijder, Ferguson urged supporters not to 'fret'.

He said he had confidence in this new generation of United players and by the end of this thoroughly entertaining encounter there was more than enough evidence to suggest that, as ever, the man knows what he is talking about.

Double your money: Anderson makes it two for the hosts

Even if there were still periods of the first half when United could have used someone of Sneijder's considerable quality and experience.

Ferguson sent out Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and David de Gea at Old Trafford and Welbeck, in particular, repaid that trust, scoring the first goal and creating the second for Anderson before Ryan Giggs replied for the old guard by inviting Wayne Rooney to score the third.

Flying high: Rooney's late header completed a great night for the Champions

Heated: Nani and Younes Kaboul clashed in the first-half

That the cross for that opening goal came from Cleverley would have also pleased Ferguson, although nothing seemed to excite him more than the backheel Welbeck directed into the path of Anderson.

How fitting that on a night when United chose to mark that 19th league title with special scarves for every United supporter it was their No 19, Welbeck, who did most of the damage. Also of some encouragement was a clean sheet for De Gea.

Best of friends? Fergie and Redknapp share a joke while Roberto Mancini and David Platt look on

Enlarge

Twice he spilled a shot and twice Jermain Defoe nearly punished him, sending one effort against a post before just failing to beat the Spaniard to the loose ball on the second occasion. For Harry Redknapp, it was all rather more disappointing.

His players gave a pretty good account of themselves for the opening 45 minutes but lost momentum as United grew in stature after the break.

Crucially, they lacked something in midfield, a central partnership of Jake Livermore and Niko Kranjcar failing to impose itself in a way Luka Modric might have done had he not been holding out for that move to Chelsea.

United were able to carve through Tottenham's midfield, with Nani planting a cross on the head of Rooney only to see his colleague direct a soft header into the hands of Brad Friedel. Friedel's selection was an interesting one.

Heurelho Gomes did little wrong at Hearts but he was on the bench, pointing to the possibility that the Brazilian has always made his manager nervous.

It was developing into an entertaining game.

Some classy football as well as some crunching challenges, with Jones - while proving himself an able understudy to the injured Rio Ferdinand - lucky not to concede a dangerous free-kick for a foul on Gareth Bale.

But the breakthrough came just after the hour, Cleverley delivering a perfect ball that Welbeck rose above Michael Dawson to meet with a terrific header.

That Welbeck then provided the final ball for Anderson to score United's second in the 76th minute thrilled Ferguson.

We thought he was having us on when he first said Welbeck could soon be in the England squad.

But the one-two he executed with Anderson was exquisite, as was the cross Giggs then provided for Rooney to score the third.

Oh what a night! Welbeck celebrates on the night United fans celebrated their record 19th top-flight title

How the Youngs are doing

2011-08-15T09:19:00.001+08:00

United's new faces

DAVID DE GEA

STRENGTHS: Close-range shot-stopping.

WEAKNESSES: Flapped at free-kicks, panicked with defenders in front of him. Beaten far too easily and his biggest problem might be his mental strength. Could not forget mistake and his body language after was terrible.

VERDICT: Needs to learn to cope with the pressure of being at United - quickly.

ASHLEY YOUNG

STRENGTHS: Linked well with Wayne Rooney. Inswinging free-kicks were dangerous.

WEAKNESSES: Goes inside on right foot too often and his delivery was not up to his normal standard. Does not attack crosses at back post either - could have scored from two whipped deliveries had he gambled.

VERDICT: Still a lot to prove in a United shirt.

TOM CLEVERLEY

STRENGTHS: His movement and work-rate are brilliant. Gambles off the shoulder of Wayne Rooney and looks the perfect foil for Anderson.

WEAKNESSES: Slight build, shrugged off the ball easily at times by Paul Scharner and Youssouf Mulumbu.

VERDICT: Looks a star of the future. His understanding with Rooney is a real bonus for United - and England.

PHIL JONES

STRENGTHS: Big, strong and has a cool head. Dealt well with late bombardment alongside his young defence.

WEAKNESSES: Was a little careless in possession and allowed Gabriel Tamas to run off him at late free-kick.

VERDICT: Another real star in the making for Fergie. He lost Nemanja Vidic and then Rio Ferdinand but his young defenders stood up.

WBA 1 - 2 MU. De Gea Nightmare Start as Youngsters Shine

2011-08-15T08:56:00.003+08:00

Rooney: Season opener!

Season took off with line-up of youngsters... Cleverley, Welbeck, Young and De Gea started the match against WBA. The oldies Giggs, Park, Berba... were all left on the bench. It is the sign of new generation taking over at United.

They all did well, Cleverley was exciting to watch. Young got the match winner, Welbeck is strong and quick. Jones came in to take over superbly from Rio. Evans for Vidic. The two old center defenders are just too injury prone now.

The big question mark continues to fall on the young Spanish goalkeeper - De Gea let me yet another goal that looks very routine to save.

Fergie has to sort that out. Else we are in for a tough goals-leaking season.

3 points away from home. That is a good start.

First blood to Fergie as champions fight back to stun bitter rivals

2011-08-08T08:48:00.003+08:00

That is how football should be played... Barcelona in the making

De Gea - disappointing debut

Star Performer - Nani seals the win!

Barcelona's fantastic force not enough to scare off Fergie the old fighter

2011-05-31T07:58:00.001+08:00

Even on the occasion of his heaviest defeat, spiritually if not literally, it was possible to leave Wembley with an even greater admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson.

He wants to go again, bless him. By the time of the next Champions League final, in Munich on May 19, 2012, he will be 70. If Manchester United get there, the club’s tragic association with the city will make the weight of history almost oppressively emotional. And there, in his path, will in all likelihood stand the greatest team of the Champions League era, and possibly the greatest of all time: Barcelona.

Yet Ferguson accepts his lot. If it is his fate to spend his final years as manager of Manchester United in a forlorn struggle against the forces of the fantastic, he accepts it, just as athletes will take their places in the starting blocks beside Usain Bolt at the Olympics, or grand prix drivers continue to rev their engines on the starting grid behind the Red Bull car of Sebastian Vettel.

Plenty to ponder: Sir Alex Ferguson looks pensive in defeat

Barcelona are taking this sport to a new level, playing it in a way we have never seen before. There have been other great teams through six decades of European football that began with a five-time triumph for Real Madrid, but the manner in which Barcelona achieve victory is unique.

We know we have never seen anything like Barcelona because their style of play has inspired its own phraseology. Until now, nobody had used the term tiki-taka — tiquitaca in Spanish — to describe an intense style of short passing and movement. Barcelona are radical, Barcelona are new.

Manchester United, the most successful club in the history of English football under Ferguson, were made to look slow and old-fashioned by comparison. Their manager appeared aged by it, too, even though, football obsessive that he is, he could not help smiling at the memory of the Barcelona performance, painful though it might have been to recall.

That is why he is to be praised, even in this most humbling of defeats. He has so much to lose next season, yet sees only the thrill, the test, the gain. Suppose Liverpool are sufficiently inspired by Kenny Dalglish to claim a 19th title and swipe his record? Suppose he concedes one to Manchester City? Suppose Barcelona continue to present a beautiful, yet insurmountable obstacle to his European ambitions?

Under cover: Wayne Rooney tries to hide his dejection

Ferguson refuses to countenance negativity. ‘It’s not easy, but it’s a challenge,’ he said, ‘and you shouldn’t be afraid of a challenge. They beat us 4-0 in 1994 and we used it as a stepping stone. We improved from that, we want to improve from this.

‘We have some very good players and we’ll mull over the way forward in the summer. We’ve never lacked ideas at this club and, hopefully, we’ll come up with the right ones.’

In the circumstances, it was a marvellous little speech, full of hope at a time when despair would have been a more realistic emotion.

Practically, how does anyone catch Barcelona in less than a year? Xavi will be 32 in January, but is showing little sign of age, Andres Iniesta was 27 this month, Lionel Messi and Pedro are still only 23. This team have another two seasons, at least, barring injury.

And if this quartet, plus David Villa, who will be 30 in December, are the greatest forwards in the world, where does Ferguson find the players with the potential to match them? He already lost one, Cristiano Ronaldo, to Real Madrid. Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric are good, but not that good.

Maybe next time: Sir Alex comes within touching distance of Old Big Ears

Wayne Rooney was the only Manchester United player who lived with Barcelona on Saturday night, but even he could not get in their team at present, unless he fancied playing right back. Ferguson calls it a challenge, but matching Barcelona is more a poisoned chalice.

Pep Guardiola, their coach, said this was a better performance than the Rome victory over United in 2009, and he was right. Certainly, it was a more shattering defeat for Ferguson. In Rome, he claimed, an early goal ruined the plan he wished to implement, and the team subsequently underperformed. What was the excuse here?

United gave it a go in plucky underdog fashion for 10 minutes and were then simply overwhelmed by Barcelona’s excellence. Mike Phelan, Ferguson’s assistant, stood in the technical area in shorts and training shoes looking like a particularly ineffectual youth coach at a Sunday six-a-side tournament.

Guardiola, sharp black suit, shaved head, impossibly thin tie, prowled the space to his right displaying a furiously short fuse with anything less than brilliance. He saved his praise for the 124 passes that Xavi successfully completed until after the match; it was the 12 he miscalculated during it that vexed him.

Worthy adversary: Perfectionist Pep Guardiola (left) is solely responsible for Ferguson's two losers' medals

This was football of the future and put one in mind of the comment made by England centre half Syd Owen after seven goals had been conceded to the magnificent Hungarians in Budapest in 1954. ‘It was like playing people from outer space,’ he said.

All the more remarkable, then, that Guardiola seems intent on leaving Barcelona after one more season.

‘Players get tired of the manager, the manager gets tired of the players,’ he explained. Yet how can any man tire of this? Surely the challenge at Barcelona is to continue breaking down and rebuilding the tiki-taka teams, the way Ferguson creates and evolves through the decades at Manchester United?

Ferguson looked genuinely bemused when told of Guardiola’s intentions. He would not weary of managing Barcelona, the way he is not weary of trying to find ways of beating them, and we are not wearied watching this seemingly doomed spectacle.

It may be a quixotic task that Ferguson is attempting late in life but in this, at least, the Spanish should understand and admire him, too.

Outclassed, outplayed!

2011-05-31T07:50:00.002+08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted Barcelona as one of the greatest teams the game has ever seen and the Manchester United manager conceded: 'No one has given us a hiding like that.'

Ferguson saw his side torn apart 3-1 at Wembley as the Catalan club, inspired by the brilliant Lionel Messi, won their fourth European Cup - and third in the past six years.

'We were well beaten by a fantastic team, there's no other way to describe it,' said Ferguson, who has managed United since 1986 and was hoping to lift the European Cup for a third time.

'The best team we have ever played. I expected us to do better but we have to acknowledge we were beaten by a better team. No one has given us a hiding like that.'

Why Park Ji-sung is the most popular player at Old Trafford

2011-05-26T12:53:00.001+08:00

It might surprise you that Park Ji-sung receives more fan mail than any other player at Manchester United. And that some of it, addressed to a midfielder earning £60,000 a week, contains money and clothes sent from South Korea.

Park will be the only Asian player on show in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley if he makes Sir Alex Ferguson's 18-man squad. He didn't get in against Chelsea in Moscow three years ago and the 2009 final ended in disappointment when he played in United's 2-0 defeat by Barcelona in Rome.

Action man: Park's energetic displays have made him almost a guaranteed starter against Barcelona

The 30-year-old midfielder knows that millions of Koreans will get up before dawn to see him take on the Spaniards again. And after scoring in the semi-final win over Chelsea, his huge popularity back home would hit even greater heights if he were to grab the winner against Barca.

'I actually don't like being a famous person,' said Park, who had to contend with suggestions that it was little more than a marketing stunt when United signed him from PSV Eindhoven for £4million in 2005.

'I just want to be a normal person but I play for Manchester United and there aren't many Asian players in Europe or the Premier League, so I get that attention.

'I have to play better than other players in Europe. That's why a lot of people support me in other countries. I get a lot of parcels coming over from South Korea. They send me everything from food and clothes to sweets.

'I have been sent money before because the notes in South Korea changed and they sent me the new ones so that I could see them because I'm living here. Maybe they're worried I'll forget about home!

Disappointment: Sir Alex Ferguson with the United players after the defeat to Barcelona in 2009

'I have to make people from my country happy and that means I have to win and perform very well. Many people will get up to watch the game because the day after is Sunday so they can rest then.

'Asian culture is that people are quite excited about the players. It's difficult to deal with being stopped in the street and I can walk around more easily here. But David Beckham has that all over the world, so it must be more difficult for him than me.'

Park's performances on the left side of United's midfield have made him almost a guaranteed starter. But it was not always that way and he remembers the pain of missing out when United were crowned European champions in 2008.

'It was a very hard time for me,' said Park. 'I had played in the semi-final and I missed the final - I wasn't even in the squad. The manager told me in the morning. He came to me and explained. He said that he felt sorry. But managers make hard decisions and he had many great players. If I had been capable of playing in the final, he would have put me in the squad, so it meant that I had to improve.'

Park missed a great chance to score in Rome 12 months later as Barcelona took United's crown.

'If that chance had gone in maybe it would have been a different result, but it didn't and it wasn't. 'Now I have a chance to maybe play and win the game and that would be perfect. It would be the best moment in my career.'

Glory, glory, Man United!

2011-05-23T07:58:00.001+08:00

Fergie's dream team: Verdict on Sir Alex's greatest ever XI

2011-05-16T21:13:00.000+08:00

The incredible Sir Alex Ferguson has won an unprecedented 12th Premier League title - the club's record-breaking 19th championship - and the great man, like fans the world over, can only speculate what his finest Manchester United line-up would be. Today, Sportsmail can tell him.

And there is no room in it for Cristiano Ronaldo, the former World Player of the Year, nor would any of the great strikers - like Mark Hughes, Dwight Yorke or Ruud van Nistelrooy - make the cut.

TOP APPEARANCES BY FERGIE'S TITLE-WINNING PLAYERS

1 Ryan Giggs 373
2 Paul Scholes 273
3 Gary Neville 220
4 Denis Irwin 219
5 Roy Keane 200
6 David Beckham 196
7 Peter Schmeichel 188
8 Nicky Butt 169
9 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 167
10 Phil Neville 153

We have totted up the number of starts each player has made in United's Premier League title-winning seasons - surely the ultimate test - and put together a team even Ferguson could only dream about sending out.

Inevitably, the No 1 shirt would be worn by Peter Schmeichel, who won five championships and was captain that famous night in Barcelona when Ferguson won his first Champions League.

Right-back Gary Neville is a shoo-in with his eight titles while, at left-back, Denis Irwin's seven gives him the edge over Patrice Evra - although the Frenchman, who celebrates his 30th birthday today, has time to add to his haul of four.

The central defensive partnership of Gary Pallister and Rio Ferdinand shows that Ferguson was once happy to spend Manchester City-style transfer fees; both cost United British transfer records in their day.

TOP GOALSCORERS

1 Ryan Giggs 69
2 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 68
3 Cristiano Ronaldo 66
4 Andy Cole 63
5 Paul Scholes 58
6 Eric Cantona 52
7 Wayne Rooney 49
8 Dwight Yorke 47
9 David Beckham 42
10 Dimitar Berbatov 30

Into midfield and, on the right, David Beckham edges out Ronaldo. Why? Simply because the Portuguese did not hang around long enough.

Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were the central midfield fulcrum of the first United team to win three titles in a row, so no surprise there, and on the left the peerless Ryan Giggs, with 12 titles, stands out even among all the other superstars.

Up front saw the stiffest competition but Eric Cantona's influence was even greater than his 52 goals in 121 starts for championship sides.

And Wayne Rooney, having decided to stay at the club earlier in the season then scoring the goal that sealed the title, could end up the greatest of them all.

Premier League Champions!

2011-05-16T18:13:00.000+08:00

19th Title! Champions United!

2011-05-16T17:59:00.002+08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson last night set his sights on Manchester United 's 20th league title after leading them to a record 19th with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

The most successful manager in the history of British football will be 70 at the end of this year, but he has no intention of stepping aside now that he has overtaken Liverpool's previous record of 18 titles - an amazing achievement given that, in, 1990 the 'score' was 18-7.

'I'm well and will be going on,' said Ferguson.

'It was a fantastic performance by the lads and the supporters and for everybody connected with the club. In terms of achievement, it's a great day. The atmosphere today was incredible. The supporters got behind us. We gave away a bad goal but they kept on.

'In the Eighties it was all Liverpool so it was a big challenge for us. When I came down from Scotland, getting the first title was significant and there were some great teams after that. The 1993-94 team won the first Double in the club's history and since then it has been done two or three times. Success has carried on - all the players that come here know they have to win.

'It's not so much passing Liverpool. That thing about knocking Liverpool off their perch, I don't think I actually said it, but it's more important that United are the best team in the country in terms of winning titles.

'When we look back, the area in which we are most disappointed in is our away form, where we've had nine draws. The focus will be our away form, but the home form was fantastic,' he said.

'But we dropped points to Blackburn, West Brom, Bolton, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle. That is an indication of how tough the league is.'

United started the season by going unbeaten in the first 24 games, finally losing 2-1 to Wolves in February, a defeat that Ferguson believes did his team good in the long run.

'We went on a great run at the start of the season, but once we got that result against us it allowed us to focus again on winning the league,' he said.

Fergie knocked Liverpool off their perch

2011-05-09T12:43:00.001+08:00

The better team won the match and the best team will win the league.

The confirmation of Manchester United's 19th title victory may be delayed until Saturday, at least, but the evidence of its impending arrival is irrefutable.

If Chelsea are their greatest rivals this season, as the league table suggests, then United have proved themselves superior, again and again and again.

Party time: Sir Alex Ferguson elebrates at full time with first-team coach Rene Meulensteen

There have been four meetings between the teams this season and United have won three and deserved to win a fourth.

It was the memory of that game - the league match at Stamford Bridge on March 1 - that made Sir Alex Ferguson so anxious before the game, attempting to influence even random factors by applying pressure to Howard Webb, the referee.

He need not have worried. Bad luck can curse the best of teams, but United have had the beating of their rivals all the way this season, and having got the breaks once through a poor performance by Martin Atkinson, Chelsea have since been left to fend for themselves, and have come up short.

Front to back, United were on their game and superior yesterday.

Edwin van der Sar made big saves at vital times, Nemanja Vidic scored and was outstanding in his containment of Didier Drogba, Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-sung tireless on the flanks, Michael Carrick an intelligent passing and screening presence in midfield.

Perfect start: Hernandez puts United ahead after 36 seconds

Javier Hernandez took his opening goal superbly after just 36 seconds when some players would have been raw with surprise and nerves, while Wayne Rooney is back to his best, and as potent as that statement suggests.

'He could have had six,' said a wide-eyed Ferguson, and that would certainly have taken the tension out of the place, particularly when Chelsea scored with 22 minutes remaining.

And then there is Ryan Giggs. He has been by Ferguson's side as the Manchester United manager has dismantled Liverpool's record of 18 titles, piece by piece.

The mission is on the verge of completion now, such as it ever was.

Heads we win: Vidic takes advantage of some shoddy defending to head home the second

It is a myth that Ferguson stated his aim to knock Liverpool off their perch on arrival in Manchester in 1986.

He would have been placed on the first bus to the asylum at Cheadle Royal had he talked of overtaking them from a base of just seven titles.

He made that statement much later, when United's superiority was acknowledged, saying that removing Liverpool from the lofty heights was his supreme achievement.

Indeed, he has not just knocked Anfield from its perch, as intended, but let a great big tabby cat loose in the cage, too, scattering feathers and pieces of carcass everywhere.

So it was fitting that Giggs, the sole survivor from the first of what will be 12 titles, has risen to the occasion so consistently in this season, the one in which Liverpool's record will surely now be surpassed.

Brothers in arms: Vidic and Rio Ferdinand celebrate the winner - and another United title

Ferguson says United will never see another like Giggs, though the same could be said of the manager, particularly now there are no new worlds to conquer, domestically at least.

What remains for Ferguson - who has already announced his intention to stay through the 2011-12 season, no doubt to the chagrin of his contemporaries, particularly those who fancy jumping into his shoes - is Europe, beginning with the Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley later this month. The Spaniards are clear favourites but play like this and who knows?

United have the attacking capability to worry any opponent and if Barcelona have a weakness, it is at the back.

Watching the way this match was won, the thought that Ferguson should exercise caution, perhaps stretch five across midfield, seems more counter-productive than ever.

Rooney and Hernandez are an exceptional partnership and two up front suits this United team.

The potential return of Darren Fletcher, the man Ferguson relies upon to break up the play in big matches, is intriguing, but increasingly the majority of the XI that defeated Chelsea on Sunday present a flawless case for inclusion.

Up for the challenge: United's Park Ji-Sung holds off Florent Malouda

Time and again, they display the energy and verve to place United on the front foot, where they should be.

Chelsea were the team who had to win yesterday, yet it was United who started with a compelling positivity, the trademark of Ferguson's approach to the biggest matches.

Simply, he blew Chelsea away before half-time.

The visitors clawed a goal back to add a degree of edginess to the final exchanges, but that was the least that could be expected, considering the occasion.

Perhaps it would have been different had Frank Lampard been fit throughout the season, claiming his familiar tally of 20 goals from midfield, but Chelsea now trail United by six points with two games remaining, which is about right.

Where does this sit in Ferguson's achievements at Old Trafford?

Certainly, it is up there.

Under control: Rooney gets the better of Ivanovic

This team have received less credit than they deserve, and their away record is poor by comparison with recent champions, but they have faced down adversity throughout much of the season.

Rooney was a lost soul for much of the campaign, while Ferdinand and Vidic have only been together at the back for half the season.

Valencia broke a leg, Fletcher contracted a debilitating virus and Paul Scholes did not play for two months between November 24 and January 25.

Every team suffer injuries but having surrendered the league without Cristiano Ronaldo last season, there was no reason to believe United could cope with his continued loss, plus injuries to their most important individual, and wrest the prize back from Chelsea.

Perhaps that is why even Ferguson appeared a little emotional at the final whistle, bowing to the Stretford End before leaving the field, as if thanking them for their belief. In the end, belief was what pulled United through, the plain fact that this group of players refused to be cowed by their limitations, indeed exceeding all expectations with their Wembley date on May 28.

Contrasting fortunes: Torres (left) has struggled, while Rooney (right) has shown up in the big games

When Ferguson speaks of this team it is their determination that he salutes, their work-rate, their refusal to lie down.

He knows he has had better groups, more gifted individuals, the odd unstoppable force such as Roy Keane.

What sets this band apart is sheer will.

Rooney is now offering the sprinkling of stardust but just two points dropped at home all season - against West Bromwich Albion in October - is as much a testament to United's resolve as their excellence.

MU 2-1 Chelsea - PARK The Man!

2011-05-09T08:59:00.000+08:00

MATCH FACTS

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-1-1): Van der Sar 7; Fabio 6 (Smalling 88min), Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, O’Shea 6 (Evans 46, 6); Valencia 8, Carrick 7, Giggs 7, Park 9; Rooney 8; Hernandez 8. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Anderson, Nani, Scholes, Berbatov. Booked: Giggs, Rooney.

Scorers: Hernandez 1, Vidic 23.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech 6; Ivanovic 5,
Luiz 5 (Alex 46, 6), Terry 6, Cole 6; Essien 6, Lampard 6, Mikel 5 (Ramires 46, 6); Kalou 6 (Torres 61, 5), Drogba 6,
Malouda 6. Subs not used: Turnbull,
Ferreira, Benayoun, Anelka. Booked:
Ivanovic, Essien, Ramires, Drogba.

Scorer: Lampard 69.

Man of the match: Park Ji-sung. Referee: Howard Webb 7. Attendance: 75,445.

Ferguson delighted to surpass Liverpool

2011-05-09T08:55:00.000+08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson revelled in becoming England's most successful club after a 2-1 victoryover Chelsea all but ensured they will clinch a record 19th league title.

GettyImagesSir Alex Ferguson bows to the Stretford End after Manchester United's victory over Chelsea

Defeat to Arsenal last week meant a Chelsea victory at Old Trafford on Sunday would have blown the title race wide open, but United never looked in doubt afterJavier Hernandez opened the scoring in the first minute and Nemanja Vidic headed home to make it 2-0 at the break.

Frank Lampard's second-half goal proved no more than a consolation and, as United now just need one point from their upcoming games against strugglers Blackburn and Blackpool, Ferguson feels certain his side will surpass Liverpool's longstanding record.

"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "The minute we won that first title in 1993 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period - it's a fantastic achievement.

"For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today [to Stoke] has finalised it.

"We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now."

Ferguson feels that the scoreline did not do justice to the number of chances his side created.

"We could've scored six in the second half, but we expected a tough game and we got a tough game," he said. "We were brilliant - we got a great start but Cech made some fantastic saves.

"When we gave the ball away for their goal, we were a bit nervy but the fans helped us. We kept making chances and Rooney could've scored six today."

Ryan Giggs, who put in another inspirational display in midfield, acknowledged that the title is "not mathematically over" but was thrilled at the prospect of surpassing Liverpool's 18 titles.

"It's a great achievement by the team and by the manager to haul back our biggest rivals," Giggs said.

Champions for the 19th time! [MU 2-1 Chelsea]

2011-05-09T08:46:00.002+08:00

It was a vocal exercise in denial. As Manchester United accelerated into the history books, a blue corner of the East Stand broke into their umpteenth chorus of "Chelsea, champions". Technically, they still are, but it is only a technicality. Because when, rather than if, a point is procured against either Blackburn or Blackpool, United will have what they have long termed 'their title' back.

GettyImagesManchester United celebrate after a victory that all but ensures they will reclaim their Premier League title

And, still more significantly, they will have the sense of superiority they have long desired. Chelsea were both closest challengers and subplot, because the Mancunian radar is directed elsewhere. The Stretford End's question was "Are you watching, Merseyside?" It was 2-1 in the clash of North and South, but it will soon be 19-18 in the battle fought along the East Lancs Road. Sir Alex Ferguson's fondness for conflict is such that he has waged war on the memories of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. He is one point away from leading Liverpool now, an inch away from knocking them off their perch.

"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in our country in terms of championship victories, and the minute we won that first one in '93, the door opened for us," Ferguson said. The slight to an unmentioned Liverpool was veiled. "For the last 17-18 years, you have to look at Arsenal and Chelsea always as the main challengers to us," he added.

Of late, it has tended to be Chelsea. If this match became a microcosm of a campaign, it had had suitable scorers. Javier Hernandez, arguably the signing of the season, got the first, while Nemanja Vidic, possibly the player of the year, got the second.

A 38-game struggle may have been decided in fewer than 38 seconds. Hernandez epitomising his instant impact as he latched onto Ji-Sung Park's through pass and defeated Petr Cech with a finish of typical composure to become the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy to get 20 goals in a debut campaign at Old Trafford. The Mexican was helped along the way by a disorientated David Luiz, who lost his footing and then, in a half-time switch, his place on the pitch.

Amid intense United pressure, Vidic beat a static Branislav Ivanovic to score the second, converting a cross that came from a nonchalant waft of Ryan Giggs' left foot. Thereafter, though Frank Lampard volleyed Chelsea back into the game, United had the opportunities to turn a victory into a thrashing. "We could have scored six," Ferguson lamented.

He has found a blueprint to play Chelsea, with workhorses on the wings, a roadrunner in attack and Wayne Rooney roaming behind. Carlo Ancelotti's men had a numerical advantage in the centre of midfield but it counted for naught, Michael Carrick making intelligent interceptions and Giggs exerting a magnetism on the ball.

Not too many central midfielders seem to have a free role, but Giggs does; as he prepares to collect a 12th winners' medal, he has become the man for all seasons, the player with the capacity to make a pensioner gush. "Absolutely marvellous," Ferguson enthused. So, too, is United's record at Old Trafford.

With 17 wins out of 18, without conceding in the first half all season, it is near impeccable. Had they lost every match elsewhere, United's home form would still put them seventh in the table. "Our away form has been disappointing, but our home record is fantastic," Ferguson added. It is only mathematical confirmation of their triumph that they now require. "Knowing the players, they will get their point, no doubt about that," Ferguson said. "They won't muck up."

PA PhotosCarlo Ancelotti was distinctly unimpressed with his side's defending in the first half

Ancelotti concurred. Disarming honesty is among his most endearing traits. "Manchester United played better than us and deserved to win this game," the Chelsea manager said. "They deserve to win the title."

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Giggs. The outstanding player in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea repeated the feat. Some of his passing was terrific and he drifted into dangerous positions time and again.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: Ferguson was able to make eight changes after his shadow side demolished Schalke and felt the freshness of his team was crucial. "That won us the title," he said. There are plenty of other causes, from the predatory Hernandez to the glorious Giggs and the peerless partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Vidic, but Edwin van der Sar must rank highly on any list. Yet again, he made several terrific saves.

CHELSEA VERDICT: Ancelotti denied he was angry with Luiz, who erred for the opener and was hauled off at half-time, but his was a disappointing display. So, too, were the performances of the trio in the centre of midfield, who were overshadowed by Carrick and Giggs. Torres was the last man brought on but, summing up his season, to little effect.

Manchester United 4 Schalke 1 (agg 6-1)

2011-05-06T14:00:00.002+08:00

This went so perfectly to plan, Sir Alex Ferguson even took the time to show that he can be nice to referees.

There he was, out in the middle of the pitch shortly after the final whistle, congratulating the very officials he might have attempted to put under a bit of pressure had this semi-final been more of a contest.

As it was, he applauded Pedro Proenca and his colleagues before congratulating his United players on a job extremely well done. He should have patted himself on the back, too. He had to take a gamble in the way he prepared for this game with Sunday’s match against Chelsea very much in mind, and how handsomely it paid off.

He made eight changes to the side that lost at Arsenal last weekend, and nine to the one that so impressed in Gelsenkirchen last week, but still came up with a team that never gave this bizarrely average Schalke side a chance. After a second-leg performance every bit as bad as their first, it has become one of football’s great mysteries how they managed to progress this far — not to mention how Inter Milan allowed them to score seven goals in the previous round.

But take nothing away from United. Ferguson wanted them to secure their passage to yet another Champions League final with the minimum of fuss.

Arsenal 1 MU 0 - Chelsea back in!

2011-05-06T13:59:00.001+08:00

Disastrous result!

All to play for in the next game against Chelsea.

Evra on Evergreen Giggs

2011-04-28T06:37:00.003+08:00

Patrice Evra:

‘Giggs? He must stop talking about his yoga!

‘He says it makes him run faster. I will have to sign up immediately!

‘He is 37 years old and he runs more than almost everyone else on the pitch, and he is decisive. What can I say!’

ECL Final - Almost there. Schalke 0 -2 MU.

2011-04-27T10:19:00.003+08:00

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted one of his finest away wins in Europe as Manchester United moved to the brink of next month’s Champions League final at Wembley.

Two second-half goals in three minutes from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney gave United a 2-0 victory over Schalke 04 to take into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford.

‘It was a tremendous performance,’ said Ferguson, who is now set to clinch a place in the final for the fourth time on May 28 against either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Important Win! Now, let's go on and secure that TITLE!

2011-04-25T15:15:00.002+08:00

Climbing highest: Javier Hernandez heads in Manchester United's winner

As the clock ticked towards 83 minutes at Old Trafford, you could imagine Carlo Ancelotti's quizzical eyebrow rising ever higher and Arsene Wenger's pained frown easing just a little as they watched on in their respective London locations.

The game remained goalless, Sir Alex Ferguson was required to make full and animated use of the touchline on his return from a ban and Old Trafford was a decidedly twitchy place as Manchester United seemed intent on keeping this most mediocre of title races, in terms of the teams contesting it, alive until the very end.

It was not to be, of course. Football historians will eventually record that United won the 2010-11 title.

Thank you Chicharito!

Treble no more... and held at Newcastle

2011-04-21T09:18:00.003+08:00

Two games to forget. Lost to City at Wembley and goalless at St James Park.

Arsenal didn't take full advantage of the slip though. They drew their games too.

5 more games to go, come on United!

MU - Chelsea Pics

2011-04-13T22:25:00.002+08:00

Chicharito and Park Seal Semi Berth

2011-04-13T21:11:00.002+08:00

Man Utd took another big step towards the Treble as they reached the Champions League semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.

Javier Hernandez and Park Ji-sung gave United a 3-1 aggregate win after substitute Didier Drogba equalised on the night for 10-man Chelsea, who had Ramires sent off in the second half.

Defeat means Carlo Ancelotti's side are likely to finish the season empty-handed and leaves the Italian with his job on the line.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Giggs. He is 37 years old and has played 870 United games, yet his displays remain more remarkable than the statistics. His reinvention as a central midfielder allows Giggs to exert an influence intelligently and his final ball, as shown in all three goals, is terrific.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: More cautious tactics may be required to win the competition, if not against Schalke in the probable semi-final, because in a stretched, open game, Chelsea had chances. O'Shea had a mixed evening at right back, his fine role in the opening goal appearing an anomaly amid some unconvincing defending and, initially, Ramires threatened to overpower United in midfield. Yet with Rooney, Hernandez, Park and Giggs all excellent, there were fine displays at the other end of the pitch.

Easy Win at Home [MU 2 - 0 Fulham]

2011-04-11T12:46:00.002+08:00

Okay, it was too easy. I almost fall asleep in the 2nd half when everybody on the field merely waiting for the match to finish.

United took the lead when Nani, a constant threat and playing like a man determined to book his place in the Champions League quarter-final, wriggled from two challenges, exchanged passes with Anderson then placed the ball at the feet of Dimitar Berbatov, who was given the attacker's benefit of a marginal offside decision.

His finish was a confident sidefoot past Mark Schwarzer, his 21st goal in the league this season. Not bad for a support act.

The second, 'a comedy of errors', according to Hughes, was also inspired by Nani. Patrice Evra chipped a ball down the wing for the Portugal winger, who delightfully slipped past the hopelessly rampaging Schwarzer.

He then steadied himself for a cross, which deflected off Aaron Hughes for Antonio Valencia, almost on the goalline, to nod in.

The brilliance of Michael Carrick at Stamford Bridge

2011-04-08T14:35:00.001+08:00

Traveling to Stamford Bridge on an European night and to come away victorious is a daunting task; one that requires a valiant and class performance by numerous squad members. This is precisely what happened when Manchester United emerged with a 0-1 victory over Chelsea FC in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. Perhaps it is because not many other footballers can conjure up such a wide range of opinion on their value, or perhaps it is because his inconsistent form in recent times has lent credence to both sides of the debate, but no other player captured my attention on Wednesday evening like Michael Carrick did. He was simply superb. He was a midfield maestro. A romantic might say he was United's heartbeat.

I've generally been on the side of the argument that appreciates Carrick and I feel that his subtle contributions can easily go unnoticed. However, I've also become increasingly frustrated with the midfielder for his inconsistent performances since his shocker versus FC Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final. There are many who are staunch defenders of Carrick, including Michael Cox, the editor of the fantastic website Zonal Marking. No matter which side of the divide one stands on when it comes to an opinion on Carrick, I think anyone who watched United's clash with Chelsea can agree that the midfielder played a vital role in the away side's success. On the evening's defining moment, it was Carrick who launched an incisive 50-yard diagonal ball that found Ryan Giggs into space before the Welshman teed up Rooney for what proved to be the winner. It was Carrick's vision and range of passing on this decisive sequence that provided the heartbeat for Giggs' sublime first-touch and Rooney's clinical finish.

A tactical breakdown on how and why Carrick was so key to United's victory after the jump...

As often can be the case for a player, tactics proved to be important reason why Carrick played so well. Chelsea played in an asymmetrical '4-4-2' for the first 71 minutes of the match. The shape was staggered horizontally, but not vertically. Thus, there was quite a bit of space in between the attacking, midfield, and defensive lines. While Rooney exposed the space between Chelsea's defense and midfield, it was Carrick, who in his role as a deep-lying playmaker, that exposed the space between Chelsea's midfield and strikers. Neither of the strikers, Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres, dropped back consistently to help in defending when United were in possession. In addition, with a two-man central midfield, Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Michael Essien were cautious in their movements as they didn't want to leave too much space in between themselves. Thus, Essien wasn't deep enough to track Rooney's deep movements and Lampard wasn't high enough up the pitch to occupy the deep-lying Carrick. He was able to simply swing the ball wide or hit the dangerous long diagonal down the flanks for the wide players or Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez to run onto.

A common theme for Carrick when he struggles, and also virtually for any other midfielder, is when teams apply relentless pressure high up the pitch. No side in the world is better at this than Barcelona, thus, this helps partially explain why Carrick struggled so much in that final in Rome. He wasn't afforded adequate time or space to offer, receive, and turn so that he could look to distribute. Some are obviously better than others at negating this (i.e. Paul Scholes, Xavi Hernandez), but Carrick himself often struggles to distribute effectively when he receives the ball with his back to goal. This actually is the case for Xabi Alonso at times as well.

However, if Carrick is allowed time and space to receive and turn so that he can face the attack, then the playmaker is world-class in keeping possession and igniting the attack. In Wednesday night's Champions League match, Lampard didn't close down Carrick when the United midfielder received the ball, therefore, the midfielder was able to boss the center of the pitch. This chalkboard of Carrick's distribution versus Chelsea is courtesy of Total Football's iPhone app:

As you can see, Lampard not closing down on Carrick allowed him time to be both accurate and incisive with a wide range of passing. 36 passes completed out of 41 passes attempted (88%) is excellent. Carrick did well to both link with Giggs and Rooney in the middle and also to quickly swing the ball wide so that United could attack with width. Lampard was consistently 5-15 yards away from Carrick; much too far away to prevent Carrick from dictating play.

A common argument made is that Carrick too often passes the ball sideways or even backwards. This occurs at a higher rate when opposing midfielders press United. However, I argue that as long as Carrick is still completing a high percentage of passes, then this patient passing is highly beneficial to your team. Even by making the simple pass, your team keeps possession and allows time for the rest of your attack to build and get forward. Where I think the criticism is somewhat valid though is that Carrick still needs to hit the incisive direct pass on occasion to expose a relentless press.

Carrick was also very good in shielding his defense versus Chelsea. By playing in a deep-lying role, he is responsible for his share of defending. Carrick certainly isn't a destroyer in the mold of Nigel De Jong or the way Claude Makelele was, but he is sound defensively because of the way he reads the game and positions himself. At the Bridge, Carrick intercepted seven passes according to Opta, three more than any other player on the pitch. The other effective way that Carrick "defends" is by being so good at keeping possession. Attacking often is the best way to defend.

All in all, this was a brilliant performance by our creative central-midfielder. On a night where much went right for United and where there was spurts of attacking flow, it was Carrick that provided the heartbeat for it all.

http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2011/4/7/2095980/the-brilliance-of-michael-carrick-at-stamford-bridge