Rafael enjoys link-up

Rafael believes his off-field friendship with Antonio Valencia helps the duo shine as a combination on Manchester United's right wing.

The South American pair have been excellent in tandem recently and are building an understanding that may one day rival that of Gary Neville and David Beckham. With Valencia's defensive responsibilities allowing Rafael to bomb forward when the time is right, the Reds are reaping the benefits.
"To be honest, I think it's well recognised by everybody that Antonio has been one of my best friends at the club," Rafael told MUTV in an exclusive interview. "That's not to disrespect anyone but I think we have created a very good understanding on the pitch.
"I can feel what he wants to do and vice versa and that is probably the reason why we have so much understanding on the pitch.
"I think it's quite difficult to define Antonio's qualities on the pitch. He's quite fast and direct. He looks for the ball all the time. If I go forward, he covers me at the back and vice versa. It's easy to work with him and, when I see him on the pitch, it leaves me more relaxed due to the understanding we have on the field."
Rafael missed the defeat at Wigan but returned against Aston Villa and is starting to pin down a regular place in the back four. Sir Alex Ferguson has also praised him for showing signs of maturity in his play.
"Of course in a league like the Premier League, it's important I play as many matches as possible," Rafael stated. "Although I wanted to play more, every match I play in I am keen to play even better.
"A player wants to play as many matches as possible and I want to play even more.
"I think the reason [behind his good form] is I'm probably getting a bit older and more mature. I see things in a different perspective. My aim is always to help the team, especially this season, to achieve the title we are after. So it's probably due to being a bit more mature."
Part of his experience has been both winning and losing title battles and that should stand the full-back in good stead this time around.
"I think, having been part of the last three seasons when we were two times champions and once not, I think that helps us and me particularly as I know what to expect in the last few matches. The experience I've acquired in the past will help me to deal with these last few games until the end of the league and it helps us to deal better with the wins, losses and any disappointments."

The poll for United’s 2012 Player of the Year is open. Vote for your top Red now

The poll for United’s 2012 Player of the Year is open. Vote for your top Red now

Duo up for PFA awards

Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck's blossoming partnership for Manchester United has been recognised by the strikers' peers, with both men appearing on the shortlists for this season's Professional Footballers' Association awards.
Rooney is one of six

nominees for the PFA Player of the Year accolade he previously won in 2009/10, while Welbeck will contest the Young Player of the Year prize with five others.
Both men scored in United's 4-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend, with Wayne's double taking his tally for the season to 31 goals, while Danny's far-post stab just before half-time brought his total up to a highly respectable 11.
Manchester

dominates the running for the senior players' prize as City trio Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and David Silva are also on the list with Rooney. Two players from the capital, Arsenal's top scorer Robin van Persie and Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, complete the heralded half-dozen.
Aguero also features in the Young Player stakes, alongside Welbeck, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and two Tottenham stars in right-back Kyle Walker and midfield ace Gareth Bale - winner of the senior award last year.
The winners of both awards will be announced at a dinner in London on Sunday 22 April, when the PFA Premier League team of the year will also be named.

Ashley eyes first prize

Ashley Young may be new to the business of closing out a title race but he’s as determined as anyone to ensure the trophy remains at Old Trafford… This is your first involvement in a title challenge – how are you finding it? It’s everything I expected and more. It’s exciting to be involved, especially at this stage of the season. We’ve never been out of contention but to be in the position we’re in now is fantastic. A lot of people wrote us off when City were a few points clear with a superior goal difference, but we’ve gone about our job in the right way and everyone in the squad has made a contribution.

And we’ve done what every other United team seems to do and come strong in the second half of the season. How does it compare to what you’ve been used to in April & May? It’s completely different. At previous clubs it was about cementing a place in the top six or challenging for a Champions League spot. Going for a title is a totally different experience – there is an expectancy to win every game here. The manager said when I joined it’s going to be a challenge and you get that challenge in every match, especially now. But this is why I joined United – to win trophies. To have that opportunity is brilliant. Many people have said the turnaround is simply down to City’s dip in results and dressing room issues, but you can’t argue with our form… Exactly. There has been a lot of talk about City all season but we’ve just concentrated on ourselves and got on with our job. We’ve managed to kick on and hit another gear, whereas I don’t think they have. We’ve taken full advantage of that. It seems like our experienced players are helping to give us the edge... Having players like Giggsy,

Scholesy, Rio, Carrick and Evra has been vitally important, especially for the younger ones. Then there’s the manager – he knows exactly what to do, when to do it and what teams to pick for different games. You’ve chipped in with some excellent, crucial goals – have you got a favourite? [Smiles] I’m not sure which one stands out. It’s always nice to score and I’m happy with my tally, but I get greater satisfaction from laying on an assist. The one for Giggsy at Norwich is my favourite. For him to score so late on his 900th appearance was fantastic. You only needed to see how everyone celebrated to see what it meant. How would you rate the quality of wingers we have at the club? It’s certainly an area of the squad that seems very strong… Definitely. To have that competition for places is great for the team although it creates a bit of a headache for the manager! When you’ve got Giggsy, Antonio, Nani and Ji around, you know you need to be on your toes, training well and, when you get your chance, delivering for the team. Valencia has really caught the eye. Is he the league's best winger at present? Definitely. I don’t think there’s been a better winger this season. He’s like a steam train when he’s running at defenders. He’s so strong and his delivery is brilliant. His goal at Blackburn typified the kind of form he’s been in week-in, week-out since he came back.

What would it mean to you to win the title in your first season? It would mean everything. There have been ups and downs during the season, but we’ve got ourselves into a great position and we’ve got to make sure we finish the job now.

Cahill pays tribute to 'well-drilled' ChelseaGary Cahill described the experience of playing FC Barcelona "mentally exhausting" but attributed Chelsea FC's 1-0 home semi-final first-leg victory to a "well-drilled" defensive display.

Gary Cahill described the experience of playing FC Barcelona "mentally exhausting" but attributed Chelsea FC's 1-0 home semi-final first-leg victory to a "well-drilled" defensive display.

Gary Cahill relished the satisfaction of a 1-0 victory against FC Barcelona that leaves Chelsea FC well-placed to go through to the UEFA Champions League final, but said the wealth of possession their opponents enjoyed rendered their semi-final first-leg success mentally exhausting. "What I will take from this game more than anything is that the concentration levels have to be so up there," Cahill told UEFA.com. "If you switch off for one second they have so many players who can change the game. "It's mentally exhausting more than anything else but the defence as a whole were concentrating tonight. You can see how well-drilled we were "and it enabled us to achieve a good result." Making only his second start in Europe's premier club competition Cahill was prominent with a number of timely blocks and interceptions as Barcelona brought all their intricate teamwork and dazzling skill into play to try and wipe out the advantage that Didier Drogba's goal at the end of the first half brought his team. They had chances and struck the woodwork on two occasions but it is the west London outfit who are a goal to the good going into Tuesday's second leg. It was an important step for the central defender who has found it hard to earn a regular place in the side since making his move from Bolton Wanderers FC in January. Now Cahill is looking forward to making his first appearance at Camp Nou in the return. "The other players have said what a big pitch it is," said the 26-year-old. "We know it is going to be tough but we will go there with confidence. Things have been going well for us of late and for me it's nice to start the game and to play well." Frank Lampard admitted that fortune favoured his team with Alexis Sánchez striking the bar early on, while Pedro Rodríguez fired his shot against an upright in the dying seconds. "We had some luck but sometimes in football you deserve to have luck on your side," the England midfielder explained. "We worked hard for it tonight. "To keep a clean sheet and to score is a big result for us but nothing is done yet. Every team that goes to play in Barcelona finds it difficult" and it will take a lot of work to keep the result in our favour." Lampard also paid tribute to manager Roberto Di Matteo who has masterminded a big improvement in results since taking over from André Villas-Boas in February. "He's brought an enthusiasm to the place and does the simple things in the dressing room," said the 33-year-old. "He set us up to be strong tonight which you need against Barcelona and he deserves a lot of credit."

Chelsea's class of 2012 turn tables on Barcelona

Having watched Chelsea FC defeat FC Barcelona last night, Graham Hunter expects another exhilarating encounter when the teams reconvene at the Camp Nou next Tuesday.

The same clubs, the same venue and the same stage of the competition as their epic UEFA Champions League semi-final three years ago – but this was an utterly different contest between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. Two rivals brilliantly briefed by their coaches led to a match so finely balanced that the tiniest slip, such as Lionel Messi being robbed by Frank Lampard high up the pitch to begin the move for Didier Drogba's goal, could prove devastating. There were key differences from 2009. Back then, Guus Hiddink's Chelsea dominated but missed presentable chances; this time it was the reigning champions who fluffed their lines when the stage was set for a goal, having found the difficult part – slicing open Chelsea's defence – unexpectedly easy.

The second notable change was that Chelsea never once worked less hard, or concentrated with less intensity, than Josep Guardiola's relentlessly constructive side. The job which Roberto Di Matteo has done on the general confidence and work-rate of his charges in little over six weeks since taking over is impressive. Not at any stage did Chelsea look nervous, nor did there seem any sort of hangover from their painful away-goals defeat at the hands of these opponents in 2009. This was a classic European contest; two teams from different countries with opposing concepts of how to play, testing themselves to the limit. It was notable that, on the occasions when the players were in dispute, they did so with tolerant smiles on their faces. This was a match played in a spirit of wary respect. That pleasing tendency, following one of the most fiercely-contested contests in recent history last time out when Andrés Iniesta's late rocket broke Chelsea hearts, was capped on the final whistle. There was a warm, sincere and lingering handshake with a sotto voce conversation between Di Matteo and Guardiola. Neutrals would like to imagine the chat went something along the lines of: "Let's play the second leg in that spirit, with that much intensity and attacking intent and may the better side win… OK?" when the Swiss-Italian gracefully accepted the Catalan's congratulations. And if there is anything as sweet for Chelsea as shaking that Iniesta stone out of their shoes then perhaps it is the fact that by the end it was not Barcelona's increasingly eccentric finishing alone which kept the scoreline in their favour as they look to reach the Munich final on 19 May. Sergio Busquets did thrash an opportunity over the bar in the last seconds but moments earlier Petr Čech had produced a save which epitomised athletic elegance and demonstrated his returning confidence as he turned Carles Puyol's subtle flick-on around the post. Chelsea won because they earned it. The intriguingly narrow scoreline, and the ongoing battle of styles, promises so much more at the Camp Nou next Tuesday.

Video Manchester United vs Sheffield United 2-0

 Manchester United vs Sheffield United 2-0

On 17 April 2007, league leaders Manchester United took another step towards the title with a clinical 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.


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Ryan Giggs v Arsenal (FA Cup Semi-Final Replay 1999)

Best Ryan Giggs tribute - Manchester United Legend

Manchester United vs Aston Villa 4:0 GOALS

 

Scholes back Sunday

Paul Scholes will be back for Sunday's clash between United and Aston Villa.

The midfielder is a cornerstone of the quest for a 20th title, since he was lacing up the spikes in January. It was not the defeat at Wigan on Wednesday, replaced in midfield byRyan Giggs alongside Michael Carrick.

"Scholesy was struck Wednesday. He demonstrated his influence since his return. Wedid the right thing by letting it blow Wednesday. He will play Sunday," said Sir Alex at his press conference before the match .

The manager did not want to bounce on the new episode of the war of nerves initiated by Manchester City, whose coach Roberto Mancini had said after his team's victoryagainst West Brom they could not fill the five points separated the Citizens of the Red Devils at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

"I think Roberto Mancini has probably picked the wrong time for this event. There are stillfive days. The Premier League is fascinating, but our experience will help us. We focus on Sunday's game."

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini calling on spirit of ’68 Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1491198_manchester-city-boss-roberto-mancini-calling-on-spirit-of-68

Roberto Mancini wants his team to prove it is the best City have had since the great title-winning side of 1968, writes Stuart Brennan. The Blues boss insists that Wednesday night’s revival against West Brom was ‘too late’ to make real in-roads on United’s lead at the top. But he wants his team to stage a strong finish and end the season with a better record than the 1976-77 team which finished second to Liverpool, with his assistant Brian Kidd top goalscorer. Four more points from the last five games would surpass that and Mancini (pictured) feels that would underline the progress his team has made since last season. The manager made that point to his players after the 4-0 win over the Baggies, saying: “I congratulated them on the performance and said that, even if we don’t win this championship, it is important we finish well so that we can have the best performance by this club in 44 years, since the team that won the title in 1968. “We played more like we used to play, but it’s too late.

Super Paul Scholes can be the saviour for England as well as Manchester United, claim Reds young guns Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1491197_super-paul-scholes-can-be-the-saviour-for-england-as-well-as-manchester-united-claim-reds-young-guns

Paul Scholes is being urged to repeat his United retirement U-turn and make an England comeback. The veteran midfielder sparked the Reds’ Premier League title charge after changing his mind about calling time on his Old Trafford career in January. The champions are unbeaten in his eight league starts since and have taken 34 points from 36 available in the matches in which he has appeared. And after United stumbled without him against Wigan on Wednesday, Reds young guns Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have highlighted how important Scholes is to the the leaders’ title mission – and told him he should join them at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine with England in the summer. “He’s a terrific player and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went to the Euros,” said 20-year-old defender Jones of the man who last played for England in 2004. “I remember playing in his testimonial at the start of the season. It was the first time I had played with him and I thought he was unbelievable. “When you see him in training and the things he does, it’s just a joke. He is like a magnet for the ball. Title race explodes back to life as Manchester City sparkle and Manchester United stumble Sir Alex Ferguson urges Manchester United to bounce back from shock Wigan loss “He is always there to receive the ball, he is always there to support play, his general all-round play is just unbelievable. “He has been terrific for us and I don’t see why he couldn’t do the same for England. “I think if you are clever enough and you read the game well enough, I don’t think age is a problem. “I think he probably would have the same influence on England as he has had for United. “He came into the United team and everyone immediately looked to him, so I can’t see why he couldn’t do that with England.” Smalling believes whoever is appointed to succeed Fabio Capello before the Euros should make it a priority to persuade the Old Trafford talisman to make an international return. “He is unique,” said Smalling, 21. “You can see when there are moments in the game when it is all rushed, he settles it down when he gets the ball. He has the ability to dictate. “Come the summer there may well be calls for him to be included in the squad because he is a player in great form and I’m sure any England manager would want that.”

Choose your favorite team

MANCHESTER NEWS

Twenty years ago today, Brian McClair scored the only goal of the game as United lifted the League Cup, then under its Rumbelows guise, with a close-fought win over Nottingham Forest. A year after finishing runners-up to Sheffield Wednesday, the Reds returned to Wembley to face Nigel Clough’s Forest, which included future United stars Roy Keane and Teddy Sheringham. In the end, McClair’s 14th minute strike was enough to settle the match and hand United a first-ever win in the competition. In the process, the Reds became the first losing finalist to return and win the next season. It was Alex Ferguson’s fourth piece of silverware at United following successes in the 1990 FA Cup, 1991 Cup Winners Cup and the 1991 UEFA Super Cup.

GIGGS . BEST ALBUM PHOTO

Papers: Mancini's mind games

 

Martin Blackburn in The Sun writes..Mancini: We can't win title
Roberto Mancini cranked up the mind games after Manchester City roared back into the title race.  Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez both hit goals as City ran riot against Baggies. Aguero’s double helped City cut United’s lead at the top to just five points but Mancini still insisted his side will not finish as champions. He said: "United are a fantastic team and I don’t think they can lose five points. For us it’s important and they have a fantastic spirit. I think five points is too much. It is still important for us to finish the season well. This is the best season for 50 years and I am proud of the players. It was an important win because West Brom are a good team with a good manager and for that reason it was difficult."
The newspapers take the opportunity to suggest the title race is back on, despite Mancini's comments, following United's surprise loss at Wigan.
The Daily Mirror claims Juventus are lining up a summer bid for United skipper Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. The report acknowledges that it is "hard to believe" Sir Alex Ferguson would sell his captain.

Sir Alex expects improvement

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised Manchester United will improve on the disappointing performance at Wigan when Aston Villa come to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Reds' lead at the summit has been cut by Manchester City's 4-0 belting of West Brom but the champions remain in the box seat to collect a record 20th target, providing victory can be obtained in back-to-back home games against Villa and in-form Everton.
Despite the flat display at the DW Stadium, the overall picture of the title chase still looks rosy from a United perspective.
"I think it's important to win our home games now," Sir Alex asserted to MUTV . "Obviously we'll improve on tonight's performance. I'm sure of that.
"It's been in a run and it's got us in a position where we have got a chance of winning the league. Back a couple of months ago, City were 1/5 [with the bookmakers] or something like that and we were well behind in terms of goal difference and points. So we must take credit for getting ourselves in the race."

Wigan 1 United 0

United's lead at the top of the table was trimmed back to five points after a shock 1-0 defeat at Wigan.
The reigning champions failed to take another step towards a record 20th title in a controversial encounter but, in truth, the relegation-haunted hosts deserved to take something from the game with two major talking points set to dominate the post-match discussion.
Assistant referee Dave Richardson flagged to rule out a Victor Moses header in the first half and denied the Reds a blatant penalty with 18 minutes left when failing to spot Maynor Figueroa clearly handling a Phil Jones cross. Shaun Maloney's excellent strike five minutes into the second half was enough to hand Wigan only a third league win at the DW Stadium all season and wreck United's 100 per cent Barclays Premier League record against Roberto Martinez's men.
The Latics dominated much of the first half and were aggrieved not to be ahead at the interval. On the half-hour mark, Maloney's corner was headed home by Moses but the effort was disallowed for a foul by Gary Caldwell on David De Gea. The defender was obstructing the Spanish keeper after getting goal side of Jonny Evans but there was relief that an offence was spotted by the assistant referee Richardson.
Phil Dowd did seem a little quick to award free-kicks in general, with the home players going to ground pretty easily - particularly Franco Di Santo - and a booking for Evans after the slightest of touches on the

Papers: Lovely glove-ly

De Gea eyes goal-den finishSir Alex Ferguson is backing David de Gea to have the last laugh on his critics – and end the season with an incredible double top. Manchester United have already left City on the ropes in the title chase after establishing an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Now United keeper De Gea, 21, is pushing City’s Joe Hart for the coveted Golden Glove – awarded to the keeper with the most top-flight clean sheets. De Gea is currently on 10 shut-outs – three behind leader Hart – with six games remaining. But while stuttering City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league games, De Gea has not been beaten for seven hours and 33 minutes in the top flight. Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe was the last player to score against United in the league on 4 March. "David’s been fantastic. His confidence is high and every game he is getting better," said Sir Alex. “David found it difficult at first, made mistakes, but I think we forgive players making mistakes at 21 years of age.”
Neil Johnston, Daily Star
The Star also run quotes from City boss Roberto Mancini who has told his players: ‘Don’t let United win the title on our ground.' The two teams meet at the Etihad on 30 April.
The Daily Mail has an interview with defender Micah Richards who has admitted he wanted to cry when United pulled clear of City with the win over Blackburn last week.
Meanwhile, many of the papers criticise the FA's decision not to