Giggs: 'This can be the best United ever'

United's favourite old son is revelling in a new central role - and is convinced Ferguson's latest creation could surpass previous generations Spring is in the air and in everyone's step around Old Trafford, most notably in that of the oldest of the old boys. Once Chelsea's new money took over from Arsenal's aristocrats, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs must privately have wondered whether their handsome medal collection was complete; but after today's home game with West Ham the Premiership trophy will be handed back to Manchester United, and on Saturday the chance exists to complete a fourth Double. Giggs, like Ferguson, appears to have been given a new lease of life by the emergence of this young United side and there is something touching about his obvious excitement at the prospect of walking out at Wembley again. Winning the Cup would be Giggs's 17th major honour, eclipsing Liverpool's Phil Neal as the English game's most decorated player, and at 33 he is entitled to adopt an air of having seen it all before. Instead, a boyish enthusiasm shines through, undiminished by life as an elder statesman and father of two in his £5 million Victorian pile: "For me personally it was great to play in Cardiff, but as far as I'm concerned the FA Cup final should be played at Wembley. It looks very good on the television and we're just excited to be back. It gave us an extra incentive, because you want to be at the first Cup final at Wembley, you don't want to miss out and be sat at home watching on TV thinking, 'We could be there'. That's where it belongs, and you want to be part of it." In Giggs's case it will be a seventh Cup final, the previous half-dozen having produced four wins and two defeats. And in the beginning, at Wembley 1994, there was Chelsea, albeit a very different outfit under Glenn Hoddle to the force United will face this week: "Winning the first one [4-0] was obviously a good memory, it was a Double-winning season, one of the few occasions it rained, which I was quite happy with because I didn't particularly like playing at Wembley. "It was sticky and dry and for someone who likes to dribble it was always tough, the grass was so lush. Actually I think Chelsea beat us twice in the League that season. They hit the crossbar and they were the better team in the first half, but then we got the first goal and deserved to win in the end. I hope it's 4-0 again but I don't think it will be! In '95 we got beat by Everton, which was disappointing, but one of the most memorable FA Cups was probably Liverpool the next year, beating our biggest rivals, great memories of that game." If neutrals were less enamoured by that desperately dour encounter, Giggs provided them with a genuinely iconic Cup moment en route to his next final in 1999. In a thrilling semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, he scored one of the great individual goals with that slalom through the defence, rounded off by a slashing shot and hairy-chested, shirt-waving celebration. Victory over Newcastle at Wembley completed another Double but Cardiff, while home from home, provided mixed memories, with a routine win over Millwall and an undeserved defeat on penalties after dominating Arsenal the following year. For a while he could not be sure of a starting place, and on one occasion was even jeered by United supporters when substituted against Blackburn. Yet the kids who threatened his place have now helped his rejuvenation and reinvention as a central midfielder. "Certain players give you a new lease of life," he says. "You get a buzz from watching them play, and in the last couple of days I've got a real buzz out of seeing the faces of the lads who've won their first championship. "I remember when I won my first championship, it's the best feeling in the world, and to get that buzz and see their faces, how they're so happy to have done it, that's definitely been a factor in enjoying my football a little bit more this season. Seeing the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo and the performances of Fletcher and Sheasy [O'Shea] gives you a lift, because there's real quality in the team and it's great to see." With Ronaldo and often Rooney out wide, Giggs and Paul Scholes have brought their experience to bear in a more central role that he feels could help prolong his career further; perhaps even beyond the contract that expires at the end of next season. He needs 46 more appearances to overhaul Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 759 and Ferguson believes he can play for at least two more years. "I've enjoyed playing in a central role, you're involved a lot more than on the wing, where you're reliant on people giving you the ball. Even when I play on the wing I'm not playing like I did 10 years ago anyway. You use your experience and positional sense and just try to be clever. You aren't going to be as quick at 33 as you were at 17 but you are maybe a bit quicker in the brain and have that experience as well." As to Saturday's task, and in particular the contrast in the two teams' styles: "I've got to be careful what I say! We're a bit more cavalier whereas Chelsea are a bit more patient, European in a way, how they pack the midfield, try to get possession of the ball. They've got that defensive base and platform but also players who can go out and win games. We probably play a little bit differently, with wide men and players who can score from anywhere, that's the way United have always played." He is clearly proud to have been a part of that tradition ever since his 14th birthday, the day on which Ferguson arrived in person on his doorstep to secure a coveted signature. Now he goes as far as to say that the manager's latest creation could become his best: "Potentially this team can be the best definitely, because of the quality and age of the team. So many players are at the start of their career or are starting to hit their peak and we genuinely have world-class players. There's real quality in the squad, and depth. Obviously, you need things to go right for you injury-wise, but potentially this side can be consistently good over the next five or six years." He does acknowledge, however, that to be universally acclaimed as the best United side of modern times would necessitate securing another European crown at least: "It's always something you want to achieve. You always want to win the Premiership, then after that it's the Champions' League. You can't really prioritise, but this season the target was to win the Premiership, then the next step is the Champions' League. We deserved the Premiership this year, we played great football but have been consistent and had that bit of steel as well. Now can we go on and win it again? I'm sure we can, because we've got the ability and the hunger." Although Giggs is not big on personal milestones, a 10th championship would assuredly have a certain ring - as well as almost certainly never being beaten. In the meantime, he has regained a place in both the team and supporters' hearts that was briefly - and inexplicably - lost. The Record-Breaker: The public life of Private Ryan Long-Service Awards In addition to his record haul of nine League titles, eclipsing the eight won by Alan Hansen and Phil Neal, Giggs holds the record for trophies won by a player; he has earned four FA Cup and two League Cup medals and a Champions' League medal to sit alongside those League souvenirs, plus has finished runner-up in the Premiership four times, the FA Cup twice and League Cup twice. Brothers United In Triumph Ryan isn't the only Giggs to play on the wing for United and win a title this season; his younger brother Rhodri turns out on the right (and sometimes as a striker) for FC United of Man-chester, the club set up by fans opposed to the Glazers' takeover at Old Trafford. This season they are First Division champions of the North West Counties League, having won the Second Division last year. Major Disappointment Giggs won his 62nd cap for Wales in the 3-0 win against San Marino in March, but has yet to play in a major championship. The enduring myth that he could have elected to play for England stems from his appearances for England Schoolboys, but that was open to anyone being educated in the country. Giggs was born in Wales to Welsh parents (though his father, the rugby league player Danny Wilson, was originally from Sierra Leone) and would not have qualified to play for England. Fistful Of Firsts Giggs was the first to win the PFA Young Player of the Year Award twice (1992-93), a feat since emulated by Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney. He is the scorer of United's fastest goal, after 15 seconds against Southampton in November 1995, is the first player in Champions' League history to score in 12 successive seasons, and is one of only two players (the other is Gary Speed) to score in every Premiership season. Classic Remark From Homer Giggs is the only Premiership player to be mentioned in The Simpsons, in November 2003 when Homer, visiting England, says to Marge: "Can you believe they gave Giggs a yellow card?" Reference: independent.co.uk

FA Cup 2006-2007: "Que sera sera... we're going to Wembley!"

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo combined with devastating effect to sink Watford 4-1 and book Manchester United a place in the FA Cup final. In a week when Ronaldo has been hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as a possible equal to Pele and Maradona - and signed a new £31million contract - Rooney proved the Portugal winger is not the only brilliant youngster at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old lashed United into an early lead against Watford, then teed up Ronaldo to put them back in front following Hameur Bouazza's leveller. With a booking for a feisty challenge on Tommy Smith as well, it was vintage Rooney and his tap-in put United on easy street long before Kieran Richardson finished off the scoring with a neat effort. Yet amid the celebrations of an eighth final appearance under Ferguson, and the prospect of a mouth-watering clash with Chelsea, the concerns in the United camp were obvious following the loss of Rio Ferdinand to a groin injury. With John O'Shea missing, Nemanja Vidic and Mikael Silvestre sidelined with long-term problems and Gary Neville at least a week away from a return to action from his ankle problem, Ferguson's defensive options have been ravaged to the extent Darren Fletcher was forced into the right-back role, with rookie Youth Cup star Craig Cathcart the only alternative. At such a crucial stage of their Treble bid, and with so many opponents to face of far superior quality than Championship-bound Watford, United are facing the biggest test of their season. Sheffield United, fresh from their hammering of West Ham, meet United on Tuesday, although Ferguson will at least allow his players the luxury of some celebration before addressing the Blades' visit. For, while never hitting the heights of their seven-goal rout of Roma, the Red Devils still managed a thrill or two, and in Rooney had a stand-out star who looks set to be a major influence on United's bid for honours over the coming weeks. Having witnessed United's awesome strength first hand on Tuesday, the last thing Aidy Boothroyd would have wanted was for his side to concede as early as the seventh minute. The spellbinding movement of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs had already caused Watford a few headaches before they were opened up in startlingly simple fashion. Gabriel Heinze started the move with an inside pass to Michael Carrick. The former Tottenham man quickly fed Rooney, who stepped inside Adrian Mariappa and promptly smashed the ball into the roof of Richard Lee's net. Fists raised in triumph, Ferguson emerged from his dug-out to celebrate, the Red Devils fans roared and Villa Park awaited a slaughter. The intense pressure duly came but Watford gamely clung on and received an unexpected reward when Bouazza levelled. United's defence appeared to lose concentration during a lengthy stoppage while Edwin van der Sar had treatment for a bang on his nose. Jay DeMerit helped back a long Gavin Mahon throw back into the box and Bouazza got a firm strike on a volley which bounced in off the crossbar after flicking off Heinze. Had Watford remained on terms for any length of time, particularly given Ferdinand's early departure, they would have scented a shock. Instead, their equaliser merely ignited their opponents - and Rooney in particular - to greater effort. The England striker has had his critics this season but his determination to shove United in front again was immense. Charging to the touchline, Rooney first won possession with a robust aerial challenge on Jordan Stewart. He then totally outpaced the Watford full-back as he strode onto Smith's return pass before delaying his cross long enough for Ronaldo to steal between two defenders and tap home one of the easier goals of the 21 he has scored this term. Yet again, United were dominant, some of their play mesmerising. But their enthusiasm was cut short by Ferdinand's glum trudge to the touchline, accepting the futility of carrying on in such pain. His exit triggered a defensive reshuffle which saw Fletcher fill in at right-back, with Heinze alongside Wes Brown in the centre. The uncertainty within United's defence was obvious immediately after the re-start as Bouazza volleyed a good chance wide after another Mahon through created mayhem. Van der Sar was then required to palm a Bouazza cross-shot away from his own bar and the sight of Ferguson exchanging angry words with Giggs was a sure sign of tension in the United camp. Thankfully for Ferguson, his attack remains in tact and after providing Rooney with a tap-in, Smith fed Richardson, who completed a win which looked much more comfortable than it was. Reference: teamtalk.com

Rumour Mill: Bayern Munich are "talking tough" with Manchester United over Owen Hargreaves

Bayern Munich have warned Manchester United they will not be bullied into selling Owen Hargreaves this summer. The England midfielder has been at the centre of a £20million tug-of-war between the two clubs since his performances at the World Cup last summer. So far the German champions have managed to resist United's advances despite repeated pleas from the 26-year-old to be allowed a move to the Premiership. Sir Alex Ferguson offered £20million for Hargreaves in the January transfer window but now Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed his club have no need to sell. "We have had a large offer for Hargreaves from United and it remains valid until this summer," he said. "But he has a contract until 2010 and we are in the fortunate position that our finances are in top-class shape. "We'll be presenting another first-class balance sheet this year, so we can still say 'no' if a club like United come in with a large offer for one of our players. "There aren't many players of Owen Hargreaves' quality in the holding midfielder position and our aim is to build a team capable of great things." Nani gloat from Sporting Lisbon Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon have warned Premiership clubs that it will cost £13.5million to sign winger Nani. The 20-year-old has been attracting interest this season following his displays in the Champions League, with Tottenham the latest club linked with a move for the Portugal international. The youngster is believed to have a clause which would see him leave for £13.5million, with his club appearing reluctant to let him go for less. A Sporting spokesman told Skysports: "The club that wants the kid have a price. Only by this money would we be disposed to let Nani leave. "We know of the interest of several English clubs for Nani, and that is normal because of his quality - but until this moment we have received no offer in writing." Nani has been compared with Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed from Sporting in 2003. United have been linked with a move for the Portuguese prospect following their previous business with the club. French side Lyon have also been suggested as a possible destination. Nani is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also the agent of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. "The decision depends on Sporting because the player has a deal," said Mendes. "But Nani is a player of enormous potential and other big clubs have asked about his situation." Highlights From 3 Previous Matches 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and half a century of United's participation in Europe: Manchester United (plus Andy Cole) 4 - 3 European All-Star XI EPL 2006 - 2007: Manchester United 4 - 1 Bolton Wanderers FA Cup 2006 - 2007: Manchester United 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Reference: teamtalk.com, youtube.com

FA Cup 2006 - 2007: Dramatic Final Is Set at New Wembley

Watford will face Manchester United or Middlesbrough in the FA Cup semi-finals, while Blackburn will take on Chelsea or Tottenham. Monday's draw means the Premiership's top two sides could be set for a dramatic FA Cup final meeting at the new Wembley Stadium. Both teams must overcome tricky replays before confirming their place in the last four, with Chelsea meeting Tottenham at White Hart Lane and United facing Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. Blackburn will play the winner of Chelsea against Spurs and the top flight's bottom club Watford face a tricky tie against United or Boro. The ties will be played on the weekend of April 14 and 15. Venues are to be announced. First Match at New Wembley: Manchester United vs Chelsea? Btw, enjoy the New Wembley images below :) Aerial photograph of the stadium The arch by night Every seat at the stadium is close to the action with each having more legroom than in the royal box of the old stadium A great view of the entire stadium from the roof View from the west of the stadium just before sunrise View of stadium from the south View of the bowl from spectator seating on level 5 View of the pitch from the west end of the Stadium View of the pitch looking towards the north side of the stadium, the player’s tunnel and Corinthian seating. One of the wheelchair platforms on Level 5. There will be 310 places for wheelchair users and 310 for companions. These seats are located throughout the bowl on each of the five levels. "’I never played anywhere where I felt so comfortable and happy as Wembley." - Sir Bobby Charlton References: wembleystadium.com, teamtalk.com

FA Cup 2006 - 2007: Boro 2 - Man United

Manchester United's treble dream survived an FA Cup rollercoaster at the Riverside as they drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough. In front and in control following Wayne Rooney's clinical strike midway through the first half, United found themselves behind to a durable Middlesbrough side as Lee Cattermole and George Boateng found the net either side of the interval. But, just as on their last visit to Teesside, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were in receipt of a debatable penalty decision, referee Rob Styles ruling Boateng had handled Rio Ferdinand's flick-on. That allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to drill home his 17th goal of the campaign and earn an Old Trafford replay on Monday week. Middlesbrough were worthy of the result, which may have created some kind of record as Gareth Southgate's men have now required second games in every round of the competition. United have drawn twice themselves now and will probably not relish the return as much as Boro. With injuries already starting to bite, United lost Edwin van der Sar before kick-off. Still technically on loan from West Brom, reserve goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was given an unexpected chance when Van der Sar limped out of the warm up with a calf injury. The Pole was called into the action early and reacted quickly to race out and block Stewart Downing's early effort after the young winger had darted past Gary Neville into the United box. For a long time after that, Kuszczak was a mere spectator as United assumed total control. Branded a cheat by Southgate on his last visit to Teesside after winning his side a controversial penalty, Ronaldo was predictably booed every time he touched the ball. The winger did not show any sign of the reaction affecting him, although he was upstaged by old-timer Ryan Giggs, who, in a role just behind lone striker Henrik Larsson, created mayhem with his direct running. It was hardly a surprise Giggs should be heavily involved in the move which saw the visitors seize the initiative, calmly feeding Rooney after Larsson - booked for diving himself on his final United appearance - had turned the ball into his path. Rooney has hardly been a prolific scorer this season, but the England star happily exploited the room Jonathan Woodgate offered him and belted his 13th goal of the season into the corner of Mark Schwarzer's net. Middlesbrough were not totally out of it, and Kuszczak needed to make another excellent save to deny Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who rolled Rio Ferdinand and let fly with a volley which the goalkeeper pushed out with a firm arm. Giggs was agonisingly close to finishing off a sublime chip from Gary Neville with a volley that bounced away off the post and it took a close-range Woodgate block to deny the Welshman, who had skipped past a couple of would-be tacklers. But the whole game was turned on its head in two minutes either side of the half-time interval. Cattermole and Boateng had bagged just a single goal between them before this encounter. But what a time for the central midfield duo to explode into life. First, Cattermole controlled with his chest before smashing home a volley on the turn after Kuszczak had failed to reach a Downing cross nodded back into the danger zone by Arca. Then, with most supporters still taking their seats for the second half, Boateng was left completely on his own to attack a Downing corner, the Dutchman getting enough force into his header to prevent Giggs being able to hook it off the line. Yet, in celebrating their lead, Boro made the fatal error of dropping back far too deeply. The Teessiders had already survived a couple of hairy moments when Ferdinand flicked Giggs' corner straight at Boateng. To the consternation of the home supporters, referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot, deeming the Boro skipper had deliberately handled. Ronaldo drove home his first goal outside of league combat this term to earn United another attempt at reaching the last four. References: soccernet.com

FA Cup 2006 - 2007: QuarterFinal

Middlesbrough vs Man Utd, The Riverside Stadium Boro manager Gareth Southgate is banking on home ground advantage to upset favourites Man United. He has appealed Boro fans not to snub their FA Cup Q-final with the Red Devils again. Less than 18,000 Boro fans turned up the last time United came to Riverside for a televised FA Cup tie five years ago, and the Boro manager believes a near-full house would greatly aid his side. But our Man Utd are in prime position to win Treble (or at least double, but i do believe we could repeat the 1999-quest again) this season. We are heading the premiership table and still in the FA Cup and Champions League. The gaffer SAF, who in recent years has shunned this competition, will not be making this mistake again. He doesn't have to field our first 11. Thanks God, Lady of Luck is back :). My prediction: Of Course Man Utd will grab 3rd-away win in two-week. Glory-glory Man Utd. Woody Warning For Devils "We are going to try to win this competition but have got to do it the hard way by playing Man Utd. That is never easy but we have a decent record against them. On our day, we can beat anyone. It will be difficult because United are a special side who will probably win the League. And I hope they do because they're are good side who play attractive football." - Jonathan Woodgate, Middlesbrough Sidelined Players Manchester United have confirmed that French defender Mikael Silvestre suffered a dislocated right shoulder during their victory over Lille. Although club officials have not put a time scale on Silvestre's likely recovery, Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz was back on the bench for the Blues' win over Porto on Tuesday less than three weeks after suffering a similar injury in an FA Cup tie against Norwich. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ruled out until the end of the month following minor knee surgery, Darren Fletcher will be sidelined for two months with ankle ligament damage, while Louis Saha could be out for four weeks after damaging a hamstring in training on Tuesday. References: teamtalk.com

FA Cup 2006-2007: Reading Vs Manchester United , Feb 27, 2007

Brave Royals undone early on Manchester United struck three times in the opening six minutes to seal a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win at Reading. Enjoy the highlights below :). 'It was incredible - I was preparing for extra time' Ferguson admits his side were fortunate but accuses Coppell's team of cynically targeting Louis Saha. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that Manchester United almost blew their treble chance during a pulsating 90 minutes at Reading last night. The Premiership leaders raced into a 3-0 lead within six minutes of the kick-off and a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals appeared assured. But despite the Champions League experience of players such as Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Gabriel Heinze and John O'Shea in a United team whose starting line up had cost more than £60m to assemble, United were not impervious. The resilience of the Reading second string - six of whose number had made fewer than five Premiership starts this season - ensured there would be several anxious minutes for the United manager. First Dave Kitson and then the substitute Leroy Lita pulled back goals. "It was an incredible game and I was thinking to myself I have to prepare for extra-time," said Ferguson. "I told Paul Scholes to get ready because I thought we'd lost momentum. We rode our luck. "Without question with us scoring the goals so quickly it gave us the impression this was easy. But football's not like that and in a cup tie anything can happen, of course. They got their goal when we defended badly from a corner kick; it just gave them a glimmer and the belief they could still be in the game. "In a cup tie it's never plain sailing. You have to go through a lot of different situations. But I think from a spectator's point of view it was a fantastic game." Even Steve Coppell managed to enjoy a match in which he had spent the opening period slumped in his seat. Each goal conceded appeared like a body blow to the Reading manager as he sought refuge behind his hands. But the manner of his side's valiant if vain comeback had the former United winger gushing about his team's capacities. "It's not often I say that there is honour in defeat but I can give that compliment tonight," he said. "They are warriors, they do not lay down and die, they keep coming back again and again and that is one of their best qualities. Sources: guardian.co.uk, teamtalk.com/

FA Cup 2006-2007: Manchester United Vs Reading, Feb 17, 2007

Michael Carrick 45 Brynjar Gunnarsson 67 __________________________________________ A second-string Reading side came back from a goal down to force Manchester United into a replay in their FA Cup fifth round tie. The Royals had Brynjar Gunnarsson to thank for grabbing the equaliser after Michael Carrick had slammed the Premiership leaders ahead, and will now look forward to a replay at the Madejski later in the month. __________________________________________ Nothing really to complain about yesterdays performance i thought. It was dis-jointed, but that is to be expected when you replace the entire spine of the team. Other than that i thought we were good enough to win. Fair play to Reading though, who i have alot of time for. I'm sure that Fletcher, Silvestre and Park will come under fire but i dont think they would deserve it. I though Fletcher kept the ball well and seems much more determined to push forward nowadays. Although he faded in the second half, something that could be levelled at the rest of them, i thought Park looked one of our more threatening players. Good passing, seemed happy to run with the ball and got in good positions. He even seems to be quite good at winning the ball back. Shame he cant shoot. Brown impressed me in the first half especially, although he was probably at fault for the goal. Ronaldo was below his best i thought, although there were still moments of magic. I thought Saha looked rusty although his running was impressive, and Ole doesn't seem comfortable unless he is playing with Rooney. I still see him as a substitute than a starter. Still he has exceeded my expectations of him this year. Anyway, a unwanted extra game and i expect Fergie to field a similar team, maybe Rooney coming in. Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Ferdinand, Neville and Evra were missing from the start and i think anyone would struggle to adapt without them, no matter who the opposition. FA cup is the least important, but i expect us to sneak past Reading in the replay. One thing i thought was obvious though, is that we desperately need a new attacking creative midfielder.-Adagio, Man Utd Fan.