Manchester United Latest Including Thiago Alcântara And Wilfried Zaha

As if the transition that Manchester United had to make under David Moyes was not hard enough, the first five games of the season where United have to face Chelsea, Liverpool and cross town rival City have made matters extremely complicated for them.

Moyes would be heading a team of United’s stature for the first time in his life and in all fairness it would have suited him had the initial matches been a little easier. But then in life what man proposes, God disposes.

But what would make matters a little smooth for Moyes would be some decent signings. United do not boast a midfield which can be termed as one of the best in the world and they need to strengthen it in order to keep their dominance in English football intact. The title no 20 was lifted with pretty ease as United landed their trophy finishing well above their rivals with several games to spare. And expecting to go in with the same team next term and especially with a mediocre midfield that United possess is in itself dangerous.

While they have already been linked with a number of players, Barcelona man Thiago Alcantara would be a great addition to the midfield setup which do not posses decent creative talents. Very recently Spanish newspaper Marca had linked Tiago to United.

They stated that “Manchester United are looking at Thiago Alcantara for next season. [The club] will not even have to enter into negotiations with Barcelona if it stumps up a figure of €18 million.”

Thiago had been a trusted lieutenant of former boss Pep Guardiola, who provided the midfielder with a breakthrough in the first team. But this season under Tito Vilanova he has managed only 15 starts which at 22 years of age is not very impressive. More than anything else he needs game time and United can offer him with exactly that.

If provided with decent opportunities, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Thiago can be one of the best in the business. He is a precise passer, can prove to be a very creative midfielder and change the tempo of the game in no time at all.

Although, it may be a bit difficult for him to adjust to the fast paced Premier League at first, in a matter of time he can be one of the best players for United. There is no sign that Xavi’s time is over and with Cesc Fabregas also in the pecking order, Thiago may not get the requisite opportunity in Barcelona and United could be his next destination.

 

In other news, United £17.5 million rated former Crystal Palace man Zaha has been in the news as his former boss and club chairman at Palace has expressed hope that the 20-year-old might be allowed to remain at Selhurst Park next season, but admits that they do not have anything in their hands. Ian Holloway already publicly voiced his opinion regarding Zaha’s future

“It’s another option, clearly that’s up to Manchester United,” he told Sky Sports News. “He’s their player now. Will we be asking? We’ll probably ask in passing but it’s really down to them. 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.”

At-least the man added some sense at the end!

Zaha loan is Manchester United's decision, admits Crystal Palace chief

Eagles boss Ian Holloway has expressed his hope that the 20-year-old might be allowed to remain at Selhurst Park, but Phil Alexander admits he is powerless to make it happen

Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander admits Wilfried Zaha's immediate future lies in the hands of David Moyes and Manchester United.

Zaha spent the second half of last season on loan at Selhurst Park after completing a £17.5 million move to Old Trafford in January, and played a key role in the Eagles' promotion charge.

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11/4	Crystal Palace are 11/4 with BetVictor to finish bottom

Ian Holloway has already publicly voiced his hope that the 20-year-old might be allowed to remain with Palace as they bid for top-flight survival, but Alexander concedes he has little control of the situation.

"It's another option, clearly that's up to Manchester United," he told Sky Sports News. "He's their player now. Will we be asking? We'll probably ask in passing but it's really down to them.

"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."

Whether or not Zaha will be returning, however, Alexander believes Palace have the foundations of a Premier League squad, and insists they will add further quality this summer.

"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.

"We did have an injury to Glenn Murray at the back end of last season and he was our top goalscorer so it's pretty clear that we need a centre-forward and probably two or three more to add to the squad.

"We've looked at the income streams and we'll manage the club the best we can, going forward without taking any risks."

One player Alexander is confident of keeping is Kevin Phillips - the man who scored the penalty which propelled Palace back into the Premier League - even though his contract is up this summer.

"Ian's keen to keep him, there's discussions to be had with Kevin," he continued. "Even at 40, I still think he could do a job in the Premier League from being part of the team. He's a great guy to have around.

"Could he come on and do a job in the last five, 10, 15 minutes of a game? I'm sure he could.

"Those discussions will be had and I'll be hopeful that he'll sign a contract with us."

FSF reveal prices progress as Liverpool, Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal groups join in protest

Protesters outside the Premier League headquarters in London demonstrating about football match ticket prices. Picture: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
8:12 PM

A group of fans believe they have made positive progress in their campaign for lower Premier League ticket prices following a protest in London.
Supporters from across the country gathered to demonstrate outside Premier League headquarters this afternoon while a delegation met with the competition’s chief executive Richard Scudamore inside.
Disgruntlement over the rising cost of attending matches, particularly away matches, has grown in recent years and notably commanded attention after Manchester City’s visit to Arsenal in January.
City returned around one third of the 3,000 tickets they were allocated for the game after fans balked at the £62 price.
Football Supporters Federation chief executive Kevin Miles attended the meeting with Scudamore along with representatives of fans’ groups from Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Miles said: “I’d like to say we’ve won an immediate reduction in all Premier League ticket prices - that’s not the case but we have been able to express, in the meeting and in terms of the numbers outside, the strength of feeling on the issue of ticket prices.
“We got a response that was ‘willing to listen’. They shared some of our concerns and agreed to ongoing dialogue to try to come up with some solutions.
“We regard this as the start of a process rather than the end.
“We clearly have a lot to do in terms of the clubs. Ultimately the decision-makers within the Premier League are the clubs we support - it’s the clubs that set the prices.
“We have to make sure the clubs are left with similar clarity of the feelings on this issue.”
The Premier League continues to grow in wealth with a new three-year £5.5billion global television rights deal coming into effect from the start of the 2013-14 season.
Calculations revealed by the FSF show that the increased revenue would be enough to cut the price of every ticket at every game by £51.30.
Miles said: “There is definitely room for manoeuvre there.

“As the meeting showed, even across the bitterest rivalries there is a common feeling on these issues.”
The march, which began at Regent’s Park and moved on to the Premier League building at Gloucester Place, was organised by the Liverpool group Spirit of Shankly and attracted an estimated 400-500 people.
It was good-natured with most in club colours as beach balls were knocked about amid a vibrant atmosphere.
Paul Gardner, secretary of Spirit of Shankly, said: “We’re very pleased.
“There has been a large number of supporters from all over the country - Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal and many more.
“Hopefully this is the start of people listening to our concerns.
“It’s been a good turnout considering it’s a Wednesday and a day of work.
“It’s more than we expected and of big impact is the number of clubs being represented today, all wearing club colours, putting aside rivalries and expressing that voice.
“Hopefully this is the start of something bigger and it is important we carry on.
“The Premier League has started to listen to us. How much they act remains to be seen but it is the start of a process and it shows we have a bit of a momentum now and supporters united can make a difference.”
Other issues discussed included the prohibitive costs of attending away matches and the moving of fixtures to accommodate TV demands.
The march fitted in with the FSF’s own ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ campaign, which has called for a price cap of £20 on away match tickets.

FSF reveal prices progress as Liverpool, Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal groups join in protest

Protesters outside the Premier League headquarters in London demonstrating about football match ticket prices. Picture: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
8:12 PM

A group of fans believe they have made positive progress in their campaign for lower Premier League ticket prices following a protest in London.
Supporters from across the country gathered to demonstrate outside Premier League headquarters this afternoon while a delegation met with the competition’s chief executive Richard Scudamore inside.
Disgruntlement over the rising cost of attending matches, particularly away matches, has grown in recent years and notably commanded attention after Manchester City’s visit to Arsenal in January.
City returned around one third of the 3,000 tickets they were allocated for the game after fans balked at the £62 price.
Football Supporters Federation chief executive Kevin Miles attended the meeting with Scudamore along with representatives of fans’ groups from Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Miles said: “I’d like to say we’ve won an immediate reduction in all Premier League ticket prices - that’s not the case but we have been able to express, in the meeting and in terms of the numbers outside, the strength of feeling on the issue of ticket prices.
“We got a response that was ‘willing to listen’. They shared some of our concerns and agreed to ongoing dialogue to try to come up with some solutions.
“We regard this as the start of a process rather than the end.
“We clearly have a lot to do in terms of the clubs. Ultimately the decision-makers within the Premier League are the clubs we support - it’s the clubs that set the prices.
“We have to make sure the clubs are left with similar clarity of the feelings on this issue.”
The Premier League continues to grow in wealth with a new three-year £5.5billion global television rights deal coming into effect from the start of the 2013-14 season.
Calculations revealed by the FSF show that the increased revenue would be enough to cut the price of every ticket at every game by £51.30.
Miles said: “There is definitely room for manoeuvre there.

“As the meeting showed, even across the bitterest rivalries there is a common feeling on these issues.”
The march, which began at Regent’s Park and moved on to the Premier League building at Gloucester Place, was organised by the Liverpool group Spirit of Shankly and attracted an estimated 400-500 people.
It was good-natured with most in club colours as beach balls were knocked about amid a vibrant atmosphere.
Paul Gardner, secretary of Spirit of Shankly, said: “We’re very pleased.
“There has been a large number of supporters from all over the country - Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal and many more.
“Hopefully this is the start of people listening to our concerns.
“It’s been a good turnout considering it’s a Wednesday and a day of work.
“It’s more than we expected and of big impact is the number of clubs being represented today, all wearing club colours, putting aside rivalries and expressing that voice.
“Hopefully this is the start of something bigger and it is important we carry on.
“The Premier League has started to listen to us. How much they act remains to be seen but it is the start of a process and it shows we have a bit of a momentum now and supporters united can make a difference.”
Other issues discussed included the prohibitive costs of attending away matches and the moving of fixtures to accommodate TV demands.
The march fitted in with the FSF’s own ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ campaign, which has called for a price cap of £20 on away match tickets.

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.