Manchester United latest: Including 2013/14 fixtures and Alcantara

Manchester United’s Premier League fixtures for the upcoming 2013/14 season have been released.
It will be a ‘tough start’ for new boss David Moyes – United will play Capital One Cup winners Swansea away, Chelsea at Old Trafford, Liverpool at Anfield, Crystal Palace away and Manchester City at the Etihad in their opening 5 games.
The full 2013/14 fixture list can be found here via The Telegraph.
In transfer news, United have ‘emerged as favourites’ to sign Thiago Alcantara of Barcelona this summer.
However, United could face a ‘tussle’ to bring Alcantara to Old Trafford claims his Barcelona teammate and former United defender Gerard Pique, who has urged the youngster to stay at the Camp Nou with the Spanish champions.
"There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona," said Pique.
"Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era."
There are also reports claiming Wilfried Zaha could leave United on loan next term after Crystal Palace’s chief executive Phil Alexander stated his hopes to keep him at Selhurst Park.
“Would we love to see Wilfried back? Of course we would but he's got a career at Manchester United and, after a few training sessions up there, I'm not sure they'll be willing to let him out on loan," he conceded.
In other news, United goalkeeper David De Gea won the UEFA U21 Championships with Spain on Tuesday evening with their 4-2 victory over Italy in the final of the competition.
De Gea is now ‘dreaming of world domination’ after his triumphant season for both club and country.
“I’ve grown a lot. I’m more experienced, I’ve played a lot of games for United and I’m sure of myself and confident,” he explained.
“Now my objective is to be right up there with the best players in the world. That’s what makes me excited, and I’m doing everything I can to achieve that.”
Meanwhile midfielder Shinji Kagawa has urged fans not to compare his form for Japan with his form for United.
"Playing for club and country are two very different things and you shouldn't always compare them," Kagawa told reporters, following Japan’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their Confederations Cup opener last weekend.
Elsewhere, former United player Quinton Fortune claims United are ‘different now’ compared to the last time Jose Mourinho was in charge at Chelsea.
“Mourinho has been boasting about his record against United," Fortune told MUTV.
"He always brings it up. But this is a different manager, with a different style of play. If David Moyes brings the same desire and fighting spirit that he had at Everton I am sure Mourinho will find it tough.”
"He is playing a completely different United and I am sure he is worried about that. He knew Sir Alex Ferguson for many years. He knows what type of team to play against him. It is a different ball game now," he added.
Meanwhile, United legend Gary Neville is looking forward to United’s upcoming pre-season games in Scandinavia.
“Sweden is somewhere I’ve always enjoyed visiting,” explained Neville.
“It’s a different culture of fans compared to when you visit Asia, for example. It’s more measured in Scandinavia than it is in Asia, but they’re as passionate about the club in their own way. “
“I always think Scandinavia is a really good place to go and play football. There are lovely places to visit with good, respectful people. That’s always the nice thing about going over there,” he added.
Tickets for United’s friendly with AIK in Stockholm in August have gone on sale and are available through the club’s website Manutd.com

Manchester United Fixture Review: The Moyes Era Begins

Manchester United Fixture Review

The highly anticipated English Premier League fixtures for the 2013/14 season have been announced.
The exact dates and times for the matches are still to subject to change but the Old Trafford faithful can probably start marking down days on their calendars that will reserved for ‘football purposes’.
The released list hasn’t been kind on incoming manager David Moyes and here are some pivotal talking points regarding our domestic games for the upcoming term.

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Insane Start
Moyes might be considering himself as arguably the unluckiest manager in England right now.
Not only does he have the burden of succeeding inarguably the greatest football manager of all time, the Scot is presented with a nightmare start to the season.

Manchester United – First 5 fixtures

• Swansea City (A)
• Chelsea (H)
• Liverpool (A)
• Crystal Palace (H)
• Manchester City (A)

In the first matchweek, United travel to Wales to face the ever-improving Swansea City, the same venue where they were held to a disappointing 1-1 stalemate last year.
In the following week, the Red Devils host Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side, what will be Moyes’ first home game as the United manager.
After that, the English champions make a trip to Liverpool, followed by a home game against Crystal Palace and then a Manchester Derby in the penultimate week of September.
It’s hard to predict the result of any particular game as all the involved teams are currently in the midst of a crazy and hectic transfer season. However, I feel United should try to get at-least 12 points from their opening five matches.
Dropping points against Swansea and Palace will be unacceptable and aim should be not only to come unscathed from the remaining three ties, but to win at-least two of them.
Even if we get 10 points from the possible 15, I won’t really call it a crisis but anything less than that will call for trouble.
In simple words, United need make a top-notch start to the season and start firing on all cylinders from the word ‘go’.

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Post Champions League Weeks
United’s ties post the Champions League matchdays are against Manchester City (A), Sunderland (A), Stoke (H), Arsenal (H), Cardiff City (A) and Aston Villa (A).
Four tricky away fixtures and worse, the two home games are against City and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
The Manchester Derby becomes all the more significant as many of United’s stars could face burnout from their UCL tie probably just three or four days before.
The Red Devils found themselves in a similar situation last season, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops eventually faced little difficulties on either front as they secured the top spot in their Champions League group just after the first four games.
This time around, Moyes will have to gun for an identical outcome.
This will place United in a favorable position for trips to Villa Park and Cardiff, with the latter being a taxing travel to Wales.
Even wining the first three European games will give Moyes the luxury to rest some of his players for the Arsenal match.
Squad rotation and depth will be the key. Moyes will need to make sure he utilizes his personnel effectively as Fergie did a year ago.

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Transfer Incentive
While all their rivals have started making big signings, United are yet to actually get into the spending groove. Moyes’ only purchase this summer has been the relatively unknown Guillermo Varela.
However, the tough fixture list might prompt some heavy transfer activity around Old Trafford. To mitigate the European matches and monumental domestic start, Moyes will need a reliable lot of 20 players, considering injuries could sideline some players for pivotal games.
Last season, during their first four victorious Champions League matches and in the four domestic games that followed, Ferguson handed starting roles to 22 different players, including the likes of Darren Fletcher and Anderson.
To have the same wide variety of options, Moyes will need to make three quality signings.
Get the required depth, put faith in your men and United can make through the hectic phase.

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Easy Business End?
United’s last eight domestic fixtures are versus West Ham (A), Aston Villa (H), Newcastle (A), Hull City (H), Everton (A), Norwich City (H), Sunderland (H) and Southampton (A).
Even though many of these teams could be embroiled in the relegation battle by then, United still have a very strong chance of winning their last eight games.
If they’ll be competing on three fronts during the business end, the domestic run-in shouldn’t provide much trouble, given the Red Devils don’t act complacent against their opponents.
However, a problem could arise in the February-March period, when the Champions League and FA Cup matches also come thick and fast.
United will travel to the Stoke and Arsenal, while they also host City and Liverpool in this period.
Rotation will again be the key but if the Red Devils do manage to stay afloat on all the three meaningful competitions till the end of March, after that, they will have a relatively easy end to the campaign.
What did you think of the released fixtures?

County to tackle Man Utd

Ross County will host Manchester United in July to officially open the revamped, re-seeded Victoria Park.

Prior to his retirement, Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to send a side north after discussions with County director of football George Adams, who was part of the coaching staff with Ferguson at Aberdeen.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, 20 July, a fortnight before the Highland club open their SPL campaign at Celtic.
County chairman Roy MacGregor said: "Thanks to an agreement between George and Sir Alex, the game will go ahead next month.
"We are delighted about this and cannot wait for a Manchester United select, which could include a few first-team players, to fly up for this match.
"With the new pitch being laid this month, we didn't really want to play a match here before the start of the season, but clearly this was too much to resist. To have Manchester United be our opponents - to christen the pitch - is terrific news.
"The last time they were here, I believe, was in the 1970s, so it's fitting they are coming back now for an occasion when our new stand will be complete and pitch in place."
United's previous visit to Dingwall for a pre-season friendly was in 1976 - when Martin Buchan and Gordon McQueen were included in a side managed by Tommy Docherty.

Premier League fixtures - Eight top five showdowns

Wednesday 19 June 2013

As with any Premier League fixture list, supporters and clubs will pick out opening day fixtures, their schedule around the festive period and any pivotal clashes with the top clubs and the former ‘big four’ has been replaced by a ‘big five.’

So, here are eight showdowns between last season’s top five: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Man Utd vs. Chelsea


Old Trafford: August 24, Stamford Bridge: January 18

If David Moyes was hoping for a gentle start in the Old Trafford hotseat, then he was to be seriously mistaken. A tough trip to Swansea on the opening day and an early season meeting with Liverpool sandwiches this encounter with Chelsea.

Mourinho had an excellent record in his first stint with the Blues against the defending champions, and it is a real baptism of fire for the new Red Devils boss. Win these games and he will have no problems settling in, but don’t be surprised to hear some murmurs around Old Trafford if Moyes loses these early season grudge matches.

Tottenham vs. Chelsea

White Hart Lane: September 28, Stamford Bridge: March 8

This fixture could become the biggest in the capital, especially if Tottenham continue to threaten the Champions League places. The match often doesn’t disappoint either. There were 10 goals were shared in the two fixtures last season, and it really will be a clash of the apprentice vs. the master.

Andre Villas-Boas was on Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff during the Special One’s first spell at Chelsea, and has adopted a lot of his methods into his sides. The September fixture is probably too early to judge where these clubs will fit into the final table, but March’s scheduled meeting at Stamford Bridge is likely to matter more.

Chelsea vs. Man City

Stamford Bridge: October 26, Etihad Stadium: February 1

Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini will know a lot about each other, having managed against one another in La Liga for the past three seasons. Both encourage attacking football, so let’s hope so for a fixture that has been lacking in appeal in recent seasons.

The game at Stamford Bridge back in November last season has to go down as one of the biggest disappointments of the campaign, with both sides woeful in attack from start to finish. However, it has to be said that one of these sides is most likely to challenge Manchester United, so gaining the upper hand in these two matches could be decisive.

Man Utd vs. Arsenal

Old Trafford: November 9, Emirates Stadium: February 11

For many seasons, Manchester United v Arsenal was the blockbuster fixture in the Premier League, largely because of the rivalry between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

Recently, it has lacked the cutting edge, and that is down to the healthier respect between the two bosses and Arsenal’s silverware starvation. However, the history simply can’t be ignored, and many Gunners supporters will not forgive Robin van Persie for crossing the divide. The Emirates match in February will be a gruelling battle in a rare midweek set.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea


Emirates Stadium: December 21, Stamford Bridge: March 22

London’s current most prestigious clash is between Chelsea and Arsenal. Both sides will be keen to finish as top dog in the capital, and nowadays, that has to be seen as a minimum requirement.

The Christmas spirit will be on hold when they meet at the Emirates just four days before the presents, turkey and crackers. The Stamford Bridge meeting in March could be more decisive in context of a title battle. Of course, the return of a certain Portuguese manager means the Premier League will witness Mourinho vs Wenger again, and there was no love lost first time round.

Man City vs. Tottenham

Etihad Stadium: November 23, White Hart Lane: January 29

In recent seasons, it is Manchester City and Tottenham who have broken through from just above mid-table mediocrity into serious title contenders. The Citizens have won the league of course, and Tottenham aren’t far away, but that will probably depend on whether they can keep star asset Gareth Bale from the clutches of Real Madrid.

City will have a score to settle this season, as it was Tottenham who put the ultimate final nail in their title defence coffin back in April. Often an attractive fixture, these games shouldn’t disappoint.

Tottenham vs. Man Utd

White Hart Lane: November 30, Old Trafford: January 1

With only five weeks between the two games between Tottenham and Manchester United, there will be plenty of healthy winter rivalry between the two teams.

Andre Villas-Boas has a poor record against David Moyes, with just four points in four matches, and until last season, Tottenham’s Premier League record against the Red Devils was shocking. Be sure that levels of partying celebration of a New Year will be kept to a minimum when these sides lock horns at Old Trafford.

Man City vs. Arsenal

Etihad Stadium: December 14, Emirates Stadium: March 29

The fixture list could have been a little bit kinder for Arsenal fans, as they often face back-to-back clashes with top sides. Liverpool and Manchester United come in consecutive weekends in November, and in March, they face an even harder run against Tottenham, Chelsea and finally Manchester City.

Premier League history favours Arsenal here, although City’s comfortable victory at the Emirates in January showed the gulf between the two sides was becoming more apparent. The December clash at the Etihad comes in a month where football fans will really be spoilt for choice.

Zaha return up to Red Devils

Crystal Palace chief executive Phillip Alexander says Wilfried Zaha returning on loan next season is 'up to Manchester United'.
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Zaha joined the Red Devils in January but stayed at Selhurst Park on-loan for the rest of the season and was instrumental in Palace's promotion campaign, particularly in the play-off final win over Watford.
Where Zaha will play next season, however, remains uncertain, with the Eagles understandably keen to keep the England international for their first season back in the Premier League since 2005.
"It's another option, clearly that's up to Manchester United. He's their player now. Will we be asking? We'll probably ask in passing but it's really down to them," Alexander told Sky Sports News.
"Would we love to see Wilfried back? Of course we would but he's got a career at Manchester United and after a few training sessions up there, I'm not sure they'll be willing to let him out on loan."
On the club's potential activity in the transfer window, Alexander admitted they are looking to strengthen but insists their current squad is more than strong enough to compete in the top-flight.
"We're really fortunate - we're coming up with a real good squad," he added.
"Most of our squad from last year is signed up, they're obviously used to playing with each other, they've got great team spirit and we will be adding to the squad.
"There's a number of names on the list but we've already got the basis of the squad already there. It's difficult to say in terms of numbers - we have got some key areas.
"We've got a budget in mind, it would be daft to give out numbers but we've worked out the budget.
"We've looked at the income streams and we'll manage the club the best we can, going forward without taking any risks."

David Meyler hoping to shock Mourinho's Chelsea on opening day

 

Jose Mourinho has admitted it will be an emotional occasion for his first match back as Chelsea manager to be at Stamford Bridge - even though visitors Hull City have vowed to do spoil his return party.

Steve Bruce's newly-promoted Hull side maybe Mourinho's first opponents on August 17 but his second will be Manchester United at Old Trafford a week later.
Mourinho told the club's website: "Starting the season at home is a great way for our supporters to show the players they are ready to be behind the team all the way, and at the same time it is a great way for the players to show how much they are motivated and committed.
"I am so happy to start at the Bridge, but at the same time Hull City is a team who were promoted from the Championship and they will have that spirit, even if now they are in the Premier League. So it is an emotional but a hard start."
Mourinho won all four of his opening league fixtures during his first spell as Chelsea manager but Hull's Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler insists they can pull off a shock.
He said: "I'm sure the manager will have us all fired up and ready to go for that opening game against Chelsea.
"Jose Mourinho will do the same with his players and they'll be hoping to win the league. It will be tough, but maybe we can spoil his party."
Manchester United's new boss David Moyes will get his season underway at Swansea, followed by Chelsea at home and then trips to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Former United star Quinton Fortune has claimed Mourinho should be more worried about the explosive second weekend showdown at Old Trafford than Moyes.
Mourinho lost just once in the Premier League to United, and defeated them in the Champions League with Real Madrid this season, and has never been beaten by Moyes.
But Fortune told MUTV: "Mourinho has been boasting about his record against United. He always brings it up.
"But this is a different manager, with a different style of play. If David Moyes brings the same desire and fighting spirit that he had at Everton I am sure Mourinho will find it tough.
"He knew Sir Alex Ferguson for many years. He knows what type of team to play against him. It is a different ball game now."

Manchester United back in for Argentina star

Manchester United have revived their interest in Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, even though he is happy to stay where he is.
According to a report from talkSPORT, new Old Trafford manager David Moyes has been keeping an eye on Gaitan’s situation and could make a bid once the transfer window reopens.
Gaitan was one of Benfica’s stand-out performers in a heart-breaking season that saw them finish runners-up in the Portuguese league, lose the Portuguese cup final to a late goal and the lose the Europa League final to Chelsea in injury time.
Manchester United were reportedly on the verge of signing the Argentina international last year, but the deal failed to materialise.
The Red Devils have continued to be linked with a move and now talkSPORT are reporting this summer could see a deal instigated by Moyes.
However, Manchester United’s transfer brokers may have some convincing to do, as Gaitan’s agent was adamant that no offer had some in and his client was happy at Benfica.
“There is no formal offer for now, we know the rumours have been appearing but I cannot confirm the interest of a particular club,” Jose Iribarren is quoted as saying in the report.
"Nico is calm and happy at Benfica, and wishes to continue there next season."
Gaitan can operate across the midfield but operates primarily in wide positions – an area Moyes may need to address if reports of Nani being close to ending his six-year Manchester United career are accurate.