Danny Welbeck Urged to be Patient For His Chance

Welbeck is worth the wait

Sir Alex Ferguson says Danny Welbeck must be patient for chances in United’s first team, but he has promised the young striker that his future is as a centre forward.

After a hugely impressive first full campaign last season in which Longsight-born Welbeck excelled through the middle of the Reds’ attack, his opportunities have been hindered by the arrival of Robin van Persie and the recent form of Javier Hernandez, often finding game time in a wide left attacking role.

“With Robin coming in and when we’ve got Wayne as well, you tend to rely on the experience of these players,” Sir Alex told reporters on Friday. “They are great players too. What we have to try and do is alternate selections so that Danny feels he is making a contribution. At the moment, we have tended to play him wide left. I think he’s capable of playing there. He is a threat coming in off the wing and he has done that many times. But I think he is a natural centre-forward.

“Danny’s best form has actually been with England. He has not had the opportunities with us to play centre-forward all the time. But that will come. We’ve tended to play him wide left, which is maybe a little bit unfair to him. But nonetheless he has shown with his form with England that he can be a real asset to us through the middle. That will come for him.”

Sir Alex’s options up front – with four strikers competing for two places – recalls the healthy selection problems faced in the 1998/99 Treble-winning campaign with Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“Teddy [Sheringham] was never happy being left out, and certainly Coley was never happy being left out!” Sir Alex added. “He’d be grumpy and groan for days about it. He wanted to play all the time. I think it’s great if the players want to play all the time. I think the important thing is that they feel they make a contribution over the course of the season.

“That’s where [in ‘99] they felt that they made their contribution. They all scored such important goals whether coming on or actually starting. It’s legend that Sheringham and Solskjaer scored those goals in the Champions League final, and Teddy came on and scored in the FA Cup final. It’s contributions like that that you can’t dismiss.”

Welbeck is still developing as a player and Sir Alex is mindful of giving him the opportunities he needs to keep improving. “What you have to do is be fair,” he said. “It would have been harder for someone more experienced to be left out in 99. It wasn’t easy. The day we won the league I took Teddy off against his old team because I felt the change was needed. I was sure he was not happy at all. But their contribution was that they all played their part over the course of the season. Danny will get opportunities.”

Sir Alex Ferguson Excited by Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney Partnership

Pairing excites Sir Alex

With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie yet to start up front together for Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has described the two partnering each other in attack as a “terrific prospect”.

With Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and summer signing Shinji Kagawa also providing tough competition for places, the United manager is more than happy with his attacking ranks.

“I think probably our strongest part of the club at the moment is the striking department,” said Sir Alex at Friday’s press conference.

“I think Welbeck and Chicharito have been doing really well and Shinji’s been terrific, he’s been settling in well. The combinations we have up front, I think are quite strong.”

Three of the five first-team forwards – Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez – started against Newcastle United on Wednesday night in the Capital One Cup and Sir Alex says all of his strikers can expect plenty of involvement, having managed a similar embarrassment of riches en route to winning the Treble in 1999.

“It did a lot of good for Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke because they knew that Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to play. And they did get a lot of football; I was able to change them around several times.”

The Reds’ manager admitted he’s still unsure what his best strike pair could be, especially as his numbers 10 and 20 are still working towards peak form and fitness.

“It’s early doors of course but I don’t know what my best partnership would be because I haven’t seen Rooney and van Persie together.

“Wayne has to play games and get game time now. I think Robin has still got a bit to do as well in terms of game time because he missed the whole of pre-season. In the Liverpool match he was playing against players who had 10 or 12 matches under their belt.”

Rooney could make only his second league start of the season on Saturday, after the forward looked sharp on his return from injury in the midweek cup match.

“He had a great training programme during the time he was off,” assessed Sir Alex.

“He was never out of the gym to begin with because obviously running was out of the question. But in the last two weeks he’s been gradually getting to the football part.”

Getting shirty Numbers at Manchester United

Blog: Getting shirty

What’s in a number? Not much, in my opinion, although I fear I’m in the minority with that view.

A few weeks ago, when Robin van Persie signed for United, I was bombarded with questions on Twitter by Reds fans. A few asked my opinion on how RvP might fit into a side already bulging with attacking talent; far more were concerned only with what squad number he would be handed.

Even the club were keen to keep his number under wraps until the Dutchman strategically revealed his new shirt at the beginning of his official unveiling press conference. The first news to emerge from that meeting with the media wasn’t van Persie’s initial thoughts on the sensational four-year deal that took him from the Emirates to Old Trafford, but “RvP will wear the no.20 shirt at MUFC!”.

The same clamour for numerical knowledge followed Michael Owen’s departure in the summer. Within minutes of announcing he had been released, the speculation began. Who would be United’s new no.7? Would they have the necessary star qualities to do justice to our iconic shirt?

I just don’t get it. Whether Wayne Rooney wears no.10 or no.41 doesn’t change what he’s capable of doing on a football pitch. And Antonio Valencia isn’t, in my opinion, expected to perform greater feats at Manchester United now he’s swapped the no.25 for the no.7.

Smaller numbers don’t necessarily equate to better players, either. You only have to look at Paul Scholes – 22 now, 18 for the majority of his career – to realise that. Then there’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (20), Dwight Yorke (19) and even our current captain, Nemanja Vidic (15).

Granted, tradition and history play a big role in football, so I can understand a player expressing pride to wear a number made famous by a former player. Rafael da Silva, for instance, told me last week that “it’s a big honour to wear the no.2 shirt now”.

“I’m really happy to get Gary Neville’s old number,” the Brazilian said. “He’s a club legend so I’m happy to wear his shirt.”

But will it change the way Rafael plays when he steps onto a football pitch?

“Not at all,” he said. “I wouldn’t say there’s more pressure on me now. Whenever you play for Manchester United’s there’s pressure.”

Perhaps shirt numbers just give us something else to talk about in this era when fans crave constant debate and analysis.

Surely, though, what really matters is how a player embodies the spirit of the club crest emblazoned on the front of his shirt… not whatever number he happens to be wearing on his back.

Sir Alex Ferguson 25 Years Story | FA Cup 1999

FA Cup 1999

A week after clinching the title and claiming the first of three trophies on offer at the end of the 1998/99 season, the Reds secured part two of their Treble bid with a comfortable win over Newcastle at Wembley.

The Reds had had to work pretty hard to get there, mind you. After seeing off Middlesbrough in round three, a last-gasp winner from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Liverpool booked the Reds a fifth round tie with Fulham. Andy Cole struck the decisive goal against the Cottagers, while his strike partner Dwight Yorke found the net twice in the quarter-final replay victory at Chelsea.

Another replay was required in the semi-final tie with Arsenal which ultimately turned out to be one of the most memorable games in United’s history, featuring arguably the greatest ever FA Cup goal from Ryan Giggs.

The Toon Army stood in United’s way at Wembley, but Teddy Sheringham’s 11th-minute opener, just seconds after coming off the bench to replace the injured Roy Keane, put the Reds in control and they never looked back.

Paul Scholes sealed the win with a low drive early in the second half and edged the Reds a step closer to Treble glory.

United’s run to the 1999 FA Cup final:

Third round
United 3-1 Middlesbrough
(Cole, Irwin, Giggs)

Fourth round
United 2-1 Liverpool
(Yorke, Solskjaer)

Fifth round
United 1-0 Fulham
(Cole)

Sixth round
United 0-0 Chelsea

Replay: Chelsea 0-2 United
(Yorke 2)

Semi-final
United 0-0 Arsenal

Replay: United 2-1 Arsenal
(Beckham, Giggs)

Final
United 2-0 Newcastle
(Sheringham, Scholes)

United’s final line-up: Schmeichel; G.Neville, Johnsen, May, P.Neville; Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs; Cole, Solskjaer.

Sir Alex Ferguson 1000 Games Manchester United

Sir Alex: 1000 not out

Since arriving at Old Trafford in November 1986, Sir Alex Ferguson has broken record after record at Manchester United.

The milestones, too, have tumbled. Most United games managed, 25 years in charge… and now, after taking the Reds to Southampton on Sunday, he has taken charge of his 1000th league game in English football.

It’s a phenomenal tally, especially when you consider Sir Alex had steered the Reds to victory in almost 60 per cent of them and tasted defeat just 168 times. In all, he’s amassed a remarkable average of 2.03 points per game over his 26-year reign, and in that time, United have scored 1866 goals and conceded just 892, a goal difference of +974.

Here, we take a look at some of the ups and downs during his 26-years at Old Trafford…

The first Sir Alex started with a whimper, not a bang. In charge for the first time when United travelled to Oxford on 8 November 1986, he witnessed a poor performance and a 2-0 defeat. From there, the only way was up.

Super season Sir Alex’s has won 12 league titles, but the most convincing was arguably in 1999/00 when he guided the club to victory by accruing 91 points, winning 28 games and losing just three. The Reds cruised to victory by a whopping 17-point margin. It remains, statistically, United’s best league season during the Ferguson era.

One to forget It’s hard to believe, but Sir Alex’s reign hasn’t always been successful. It took time to get going. In fact, in the 1989-90 campaign United mustered only a 13th-place finish, averaging just 1.26 points per game. Ouch.

Goals galore The boss has watched many a rampant attacking display. His biggest league victory came on 4 March 1995, when Andy Cole hit five against Ipswich Town at OT in a spectacular 9-0 win. It remains a Premier League record. Away from home, Sir Alex’s biggest victory came at Nottingham Forest on 6 February 1999 when four late strikes by substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned a romp into an 8-1 rout.

On the receiving end In the interest of balance, we should point out the manager has also had to endure the odd thrashing. Sir Alex’s biggest defeat came last season as Manchester City racked up a 6-1 victory (albeit against 10 men) at Old Trafford.  He described the match as “an embarrassment” and labelled it his “worst ever day” as United boss. Coincidentally, Ferguson’s three largest league defeats have all come in the month of October.

Unbeatable Consistency has been key down the years and a number of Ferguson’s teams have built success on the back of long undefeated runs. The 2000 vintage was particularly resilient and won 12 consecutive matches between 11 March and 20 August, while two of Sir Alex’s sides have gone 29 league games unbeaten (26 December 1998 to 25 September 1999 and 11 April 2010 to 1 February 2011).

Facts and Figures

Wins: 599
Draws: 233
Losses: 168
Most wins in a season: 28 (1999/00, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2011/12)

Fewest defeats in a season: 3 (1998/99, 1999/2000)

Consecutive clean sheets: 14 (15 Nov 2008 to 18 Feb 2009)

Most goals in a season: 97 (1999/2000)

Fewest goals conceded in a season: 22 (2007/08)

* All stats league games only

Peter Schmeichel Sees Comparisons With 1999 Strikers As Unfair

Schmeichel hails flexibility

Peter Schmeichel thinks it’s a little unfair to compare Manchester United’s current strikers with the vintage quartet of the Treble-winning season.

Sir Alex has real quality at his disposal up front and has already evoked memories of hitmen Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who shot the club to glory in 1999.

Schmeichel, who skippered the Reds to the final leg of the Treble against Bayern Munich, thinks the game is different in 2012 and United will be more creative tactically in order to bring the best out of the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.

“People have compared the current strikers with the group we had in 1999, but I’d be very reluctant to compare them man-for-man and attack-for-attack,” said Schmeichel, in his club ambassador’s column for United Review.

“The game was different back then, the players were different and we played different systems. We were very much a 4-4-2 side, whereas today we play systems that are much more versatile. We’re more flexible and able to react and change things a lot quicker with the players we have available from game-to-game and also mid-game. And, tactically, I think things have evolved.

“Back in ’99, I think we were just expected to go and score every time we had the ball, but nowadays I think fans appreciate we’ll play a certain way in order to get the result we need. I’m sure we’ll see some exciting football from the lads this season, but ultimately it’s about picking up points and winning the title back.”

Schmeichel insists van Persie’s eye-catching arrival from Arsenal can help wrest the Barclays Premier League title crown back from another of his former clubs, Manchester City.

“I’m very excited about the season ahead,” declared Schmeichel. “And, for me, the signing of Robin van Persie is a real game-changer. By bringing Robin in, we’ve shown our intent for the season – we’ve got the one player everyone wanted and we got him because we can provide a fantastic platform for anyone who has ambitions of winning trophies.

“We have gone from being neck and neck with Manchester City to now, in my opinion, being ahead; our squad has greater depth than anyone else in the league.

“Of course, while things may look very good on paper, lessons must be learned from last season and the players need to go out and do the business. But there is no question we have the personnel to win the title back.”

Manchester United Legend | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Profil

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Born :	26 Feb 1973
Signed :	29 Jul 1996
Debut :	25 Aug 1996 v Blackburn (H) League
Goals total :	126
Appearances total :	366
Position: :	Forward
Left United :	28 Aug 2007   Retired from playing

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reluctantly called time on his United playing career on 28 August 2007 – eleven years and three days after it began with a goalscoring debut.
On the field, the Norwegian became an embodiment of United’s never-say-die spirit in their most successful decade, often scoring late goals when points or trophies looked to have been lost. But off the field, he finally had to admit one defeat – in his battle with a persistent knee injury. On retiring, Ole said: “I would like to thank the manager, the coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters. “The supporters have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured. I feel proud to have represented United for 11 years and have some very special memories.” Ole’s many career highlights include his four goals in 12 minutes as a substitute at Nottingham Forest, in United’s record away win (8-1). But surely the most special memory of all would be the Champions League final in 1999 when he best exhibited his ability to seize the whisker of a chance. His injury-time toe-poke past Bayern Munich keeper Oliver Kahn completed United’s Treble and cemented his place in Reds folklore.

Danny Welbeck Discusses Robin Van Persie Transfer

Welbeck braced for competition

Danny Welbeck is hoping United can party like it’s 1999 if the signing of Robin van Persie completes arguably the strongest set of strikers seen at Old Trafford since that historic year.

Instead of fearing the renewed competition for places, the Mancunian forward insists he’d be happy to have last season’s top Barclays Premier League goalscorer on board, believing it would give the club “a massive boost” and increase his team’s chances of winning silverware.

“He’s a player with great ability and a world-class striker,” said Welbeck, when asked for his opinion on van Persie.

“He can score goals and create goals as well. They’re the type of players who win you titles.

“It’s always good to have competition – you never sit back at United where you always want to win every single game. Hopefully we’ll sign him.”

Van Persie’s proposed move to join Welbeck, his England strike partner Wayne Rooney and Mexican hotshot Javier Hernandez has prompted some pundits to recall the 1998/99 season when Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke competed for forward-line places and won the Treble together.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it [the comparison with 1999],” said Welbeck. “But I was a massive United fan then. I watched that whole season all the way through, topped off by the Champions League final and the celebrations. Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer… that was a great strike force.

“We’ve got a good variety of strikers at the club again now, capable of scoring goals in the Premier League and all of the competitions. We’ve also got Dimitar Berbatov, Kiko Macheda and Will Keane, who unfortunately got injured at the back end of last season. That was unlucky for him as We thought this season might be his chance to make his first-team breakthrough.

“With all these strikers we’ve got at the club it’s a good problem for the manager to have.”

Sir Alex Ferguson Excited By Attacking Options After Van Persie Capture

Sir Alex excited by options

Sir Alex feels he will have one of the strongest attacks in Europe this season following the news that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is close to completing a move to Old Trafford.

The Reds announced on Wednesday evening that the club had agreed a fee with Arsenal for the Dutchman who is due in Manchester on Thursday for a medical.

Van Persie is expected to seal his transfer to Old Trafford in the next 24 hours and Sir Alex can’t wait to welcome him into the squad.

“They’re two fantastic players and it’s great to have them both,” said the boss when asked, at the bwin sponsor launch, for his thoughts on seeing Wayne Rooney and van Persie paired up front together.

“But what gives us even more strength is the different combinations I have now. If you go back to the ’99 season, I had [Andy] Cole and [Dwight] Yorke and also Teddy [Sheringham] and Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer] – I had the four best strikers in Europe. Now I’ve got Wayne, Robin, Danny Welbeck, Chicharito, [Shinji] Kagawa – it’s a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I can pick the right combinations!

“It’s great to have a player of van Persie’s quality coming into our squad. I’m really pleased.”

The United manager also confirmed that the deal is close to being finalised and he hopes to have the 29-year-old available for the trip to Everton on Monday night.

“The fee has been agreed which we’re delighted about. He’s on his way up from London and will have a medical later this afternoon. We hope that goes according to plan,” explained Sir Alex.

“His agent is in discussions with David [Gill] at the moment. Hopefully all these things will be tied up by the end of the day.

“Sometimes the medicals take a little bit longer and may carry on until tomorrow morning but I’m sure he’ll be available for Monday’s game.”

Manchester United Under 21s | Marnick Vermijl Profil

MARNICK VERMIJL

Birthdate:	13 Jan 1992
Birthplace:	Peer, Belgium
Position:	Defender
Reserve Appearances:
Reserve Goals scored:
Joined United:	01 Jul 2010
United Debut:
International:

Marnick Vermijl is a versatile defender who arrived from Standard Liege in 2010.

Nominally a right-back, he has also been used further up the field and scored twice on his Reserve team debut against Shamrock Rovers in a friendly.

An energetic contributor, he impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the manager during a short trial spell at Carrington to earn a move from Belgium with Standard receiving an undisclosed fee in compensation.

After being a mainstay for Warren Joyce’s team in 2010/2011, making 24 appearances in all at second-string level, a big season lies in store for the

youngster. He also contributed three goals – against West Brom and in two games against Bury, one in the Lancashire Senior Cup.

The following season, he was a regular and played his part in a successful campaign – winning the Barclays Premier Reserves League and Manchester Senior Cup – and impressing with his work at right-back. He made 25 starts with another four substitute appearances and scored once – a splendid strike at Sunderland.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he expects Vermijl to stay at the club rather than head out on loan.