Greatest Player under Alex Ferguson's Manchester United management in 25 years

SunSports saluting Alex Ferguson this week as he celebrates 25 years in charge of Manchester United although his team just lost triumph to the Toon recently.

Many of the game's great and good have congratulated the United boss on his outstanding achievement, including Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.

SunSport's TOM BARCLAY puts together what he thinks is Fergie's greatest XI from all the players he has managed during his tenure, plus a seven-man bench.  Here are 6 of top world-class players ever under Sir Alex Ferguson.

• SUB WINGER: David Beckham (1993-2003)

BECKS may still be going strong at 36, but his glory years were undoubtedly spent at United.

He emerged from teenage obscurity to global mega stardom under the watchful gaze of Alex Ferguson — and some suggest the latter had a part to play with his exit to Real Madrid in 2003.

In pure footballing terms, Beckham was the master of set-pieces and crossing, but his tenacity and commitment can never be called into question as his numerous comebacks demonstrate.

Graduated from the academy 

Appearances: 399 Goals: 87

Trophies: Six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, Champions League, Intercontinental Cup

• STRIKER: Eric Cantona (1992-1997)

CANTONA only spent five seasons at United but such was his impact on English football, he simply has to make Ferguson's greatest XI.

Pinched from Leeds for £1.2million, the Frenchman became an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful, leading the team to the first ever Premier League and United's first league title since 1967.

The lasting image of Cantona was his brilliant (bordering on arrogant), collar-up celebration after scoring a wonder goal against Sunderland — you wonder if he regrets calling it a day aged 30.

Signed from: Leeds for £1.2m

Appearances: 185 Goals: 82

Trophies: Four Premier League titles, two FA Cups

• LEFT-WING: Ryan Giggs (1990-present)

GIGGS is on 885 United appearances at present, what's the betting he'll make 1,000?

The Welshman's longevity at the highest level is unprecedented in the Premier League and his equalising goal against Benfica in the Champions League this season shows he's still got it.

He has had to adapt his game over the years, but as his Player of the Year award in 2009 demonstrated, he just seems to get better with age.

Graduated from the academy

Appearances: 885 Goals: 161

Trophies: 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League, Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

• CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Paul Scholes (1994-2011)

THE sheer fact that Alex Ferguson has deployed Wayne Rooney in midfield recently highlights the chasm left by Scholes' retirement.

One of the most decorated players in English football history, Scholes pulled the strings in United's midfield for 17 seasons, weighing in with 150 goals including some spectacular strikes that will be cherished for years to come.

When it came to England, though, perhaps he was ahead of his time, as you feel his tiki-taka style of play was never fully utilised by his various managers on the international stage.

Graduated from the academy

Appearances: 676 Goals: 150

Trophies: 10 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, two Champions League titles, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

• SUB GOALKEEPER: Edwin van der Sar (2005-2011)

THE biggest compliment you can pay Van der Sar is that he makes you think twice about Peter Schmeichel's inclusion in Alex Ferguson greatest XI.

Dutchman Ed was surprisingly overlooked by Fergie after Schmeichel's retirement but the Scot eventually got it right, picking him up from Fulham in 2005.

His calmness and vast experience played a vital role in the Champions League success of 2008, not to mention his penalty save from Nicolas Anelka's decisive spot-kick in the final against Chelsea.

Signed from: Fulham for £2m

Appearances: 266 Goals: 0

Trophies: Four Premier League titles, League Cup, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup

• CENTRE-BACK: Rio Ferdinand (2002-present)

FERDINAND may no longer be first choice at Old Trafford, but for the last nine years he's been arguably the finest centre-back in English football.

He became the most expensive defender in the world when he signed for Leeds from West Ham for £18million in 2000, only to go and blow that fee out of the water when signing for United for £30m two years later.

Combining a grace on the ball with a unwavering physical approach, not to mention his raw pace, Ferdinand has been a key member of a side that has picked up five league titles and a Champions League trophy since the turn of the Millennium.

Signed from: Leeds for £30m

Appearances: 369 Goals: 7

Trophies: Five Premier League titles, two League Cups, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup

source: www.thesun.co.uk
Picture, www.telegraph.co.uk, www.gloryglorymanu.com

Goal-line technology 'a year away'

Goal-line technology could be introduced for the 2012-13 Premier League season, according to chief executive Richard Scudamore. 

The issue of goal-line technology has long-been debated, in particular after television replays at last year's World Cup showed England midfielder Frank Lampard's strike against Germany had crossed the line.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, previously an opponent of technology in football, came under pressure in the wake of the incident, and, in recent months, tests have been ongoing over resolving the issue.

Writing in the Premier League's new review of the season, which will be distributed to MPs and peers on Wednesday, Scudamore said: "The whole point of the game is about scoring goals. Players strain every sinew to either create or deny them, fans shout themselves hoarse exhorting their teams to score them, managers' and players' careers can be defined by them.

"The technology is available, it is the fairness that is important and the Premier League would introduce it tomorrow if it could. Now FIFA is constructively engaged we are hopeful the 2012-13 season is a realistic aim.''


source: Soccernet.com

Premier League wage bill soars to £1.4 billion

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are spending £1.4 BILLION on salaries - while many Championship sides are shelling out beyond their means to get promoted.

A new study by Deloitte has found wages for players - including Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard - rose by £64m in just 12 months.

The wages-to-revenue ratio has reached an all-time high of 68 per cent with Chelsea top with an annual £174m bill.

Manchester City spent £133m - £1m more than their neighbours United during the 2009-10 season.

Analysts also found more than a third of Championship clubs are paying out more in wages than their revenue.

Alan Switzer of Deloitte said: "A wages-to-revenue ratio of 88 per cent is a cause for concern and will need to be addressed by Championship clubs.

"They have been put on notice about the need to rein in their spending."

source: www.thesun.co.uk

Premier League's 6 best transfers of the 2010-11 season

Goal.com UK picks the top signings of the current campaign based on impact, adjustment, price and contribution to their new sides since their arrivals in the past year.

The transfer window produces its fair share of flop signings as clubs aim to boost their chances of a highest possible finish in the Premier League, but it cannot be denied that some real gems are also unearthed in the process too.

Goal.com judges the best transfers for 2010-11 based on:

• The player's overall contribution (this being the most important factor)
• How the player fitted into his new line-up
• How quickly the player adapted to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
• The transfer fee paid, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club or otherwise unknown are given as approximations. 

 

1. Javier Hernandez: to Manchester United from Guadalajara - £8m (€9m) 

Potentially one of the best buys in Premier League history, Chicharito had been monitored by the club for a couple of years before they finally got their man in the summer of 2010.

Hernandez has scored some vital goals for United in his debut season at the club, few more important than his double in the Champions League last 16 second leg against Marseille at Old Trafford. 

2. Rafael VAN DER VAART : to Tottenham from Real Madrid - £8m (€9m)

His performances may have slightly tailed off towards the end of the season, but the Dutchman certainly played a crucial part in keeping Spurs in the race for fourth place, while scoring some crucial goals in the Champions League before Redknapp's side were beaten in the quarterfinals by his old club. 

3. William Gallas: to Tottenham from Unattached - Free 

Spurs fans had their reservations regarding the signing of the former Arsenal defender, but manager Harry Redknapp described the move as a no-brainer, and the Frenchman has repaid his boss's faith in him.

Two performances stick out as the ones that could yet endear Gallas to the Tottenham faithful; his stellar display against former club Arsenal in which Spurs won 3-2, and the Champions League home leg against AC Milan in which the centre-back cleared a certain goal off the line.

4. David Luiz: to Chelsea from Benfica - £21m (€24m)

David Luiz has wasted no time in establishing himself as a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge following two decisive goals against Manchester United and City.

At just 23, Luiz has demanded a relatively high transfer fee but has shown all the signs of justifying his £21m price tag with the Blues, while drastic changes could be happening around him.

5. Chris Smalling: to Manchester United from Fulham - £10m (€11.5m)

Smalling has excelled for United this season, largely in the absence of the vastly experienced Rio Ferdinand, and at 21 years of age the former Fulham man looks like he could be the figurehead of the United defense for many years to come.

6. Luis Suarez: to Liverpool from Ajax- £22.8m (€26m)  

A January signing during what Kenny Dalglish was probably hoping would be a relatively quiet winter transfer window, which ultimately saw him lose £50m striker Fernando Torres.

Suarez wasted no time in scoring, netting with a fine strike against Sunderland towards the end of March. The Uruguayan also endeared himself to Liverpool fans by turning in a performance of the highest calibre against bitter rivals Manchester United as the Reds ran out 3-1 winners. 

source: Goal.com 

Four Premier League games called off

Four Premier League weekend fixtures have fallen victim to the adverse weather conditions enveloping England, with Liverpool's clash with Tottenham Hotspur the latest to be called off.

ulham's game against Portsmouth, Stoke's trip to Burnley and Sunderland's fixture against Bolton at the Stadium of Light have also been postponed. However, contrary to reports, Hull are "confident" their game with Chelsea will go ahead.

The big freeze has wreaked havoc with the fixture list in England this weekend with lower leagues also badly hit - not a single match will be played League Two or the Conference.

The Premier League fixture list had remained intact until Friday morning when it was announced that the game between Fulham and Portsmouth at Craven Cottage had been postponed.

A club statement read: "Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Portsmouth at the Cottage has been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions which are not expected to improve over the next 24 hours.

"The safety of supporters is of paramount importance to the club and following an inspection of the areas surrounding Craven Cottage on Friday morning it was deemed unsafe for fans to travel.''

Burnley then announced that their game against Stoke City at Turf Moor will not be going ahead due to safety reasons before Bolton's trip to Sunderland was also called off.

Liverpool requested that their game with Spurs was postponed "for safety reasons" and by Friday afternoon the clash had been cancelled.

Birmingham have said that their pitch is completely playable ahead of their match against Manchester United on Saturday evening but, as with all games, there is a doubt about the pavements around the ground. Hull City have stated that if their game with Chelsea was due to take place on Friday it would have gone ahead, so expect the match to take place on Saturday lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have rearranged their home game with Hull City for Saturday, January 23. The game should have been played at the end of the month but was postponed due to the rescheduling of the Carling Cup semi-finals.

source: ESPN

Malouda signs news Chelsea deal

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has signed a new four-year deal to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who had two years remaining on his current contract, hopes it will end speculation surrounding his future at the club.

Malouda, who had been linked with a move to AC Milan, said: "I am staying. I have four years left on my contract.

"Every time the transfer window opens there are rumours and I hope in this one people will know what happened."

Malouda had struggled to settle into English football following his £13.5m transfer from French side Lyon in 2007.

e had been widely expected to move on after Chelsea were linked earlier this year with a move for Russia's Yuri Zhirkov, who plays for CSKA Moscow.

But Malouda found his form under interim coach Guus Hiddink and eventually started 31 games for the Blues last season, scoring nine goals as Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and won the FA Cup.

Ryan Giggs - Attacking Midfielder

Birthdate: 29 November 1973 in Canton, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Club Career: 1990-present with Manchester United

Position : midfield, second striker

Ryan Joseph Giggs is a Welsh footballer who has played for Manchester United for the entirety of his club career to-date. In 1980, when Giggs was six years old, his father switched rugby codes and signed for Swinton RLC, forcing the whole family to move north to Manchester. After moving to Manchester, Giggs appeared for the local team, Deans FC, who were coached by Manchester City scout Dennis Schofield. Schofield recommended Giggs to Manchester City, and he was signed up to their School of Excellence.

As First team in Manchester United

Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990-91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991-92 season. He has played the most competitive games for the club, and holds the club record of team trophies won by a player. In recent years, Giggs has captained the team on numerous occasions, particularly in the 2007–08 season when regular captain Gary Neville was ruled out with various injuries.

Giggs also holds the honour of winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice in 1992 and 1993 making him the first player to win the award in consecutive years. This feat has only ever been matched by Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney. In addition, Giggs has the record for being the top all-time scorer in the FA Premier League not to play in the position of striker.

In the 2007-08 season, Alex Ferguson adopted a rotation system between Giggs and newcomers Nani and Anderson. Nevertheless, Giggs remained the favoured choice for the anticipated clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford and put in a cross with the outside of his boot for Carlos Tevez to score his first United goal.

International Career

Giggs announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday 30 May 2007 at a press conference, drawing the curtain on a 16-year international career. His final game for Wales, and as captain, was the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic on 2 June. He earned his 64th cap in this game and won the Man of the Match award as Wales drew 0-0.

Personal life

Giggs married his long-term partner Stacey Cooke in a private ceremony on 7 September 2007 They currently have two children and live in Worsley, Manchester.